My Darkest Shadow

Chapter 7

Porter's statement sounded curious not regretful as if he wanted to measure my response. His words were like a knife in my heart, yet I had to stay with him while the blood drained from my body. I staggered back in shock before I could catch myself, a box of heavy cargo at my back the only thing stopping my retreat.

Calm down, I cried inwardly. Porter couldn't miss my reaction or my small gasp. I wasn't sure what I was to do next. Rational thinking under duress wasn't one of my stronger traits. I recovered as quickly as I could, but he was already measuring my weakness.

"How?" The word came out more devastated than I had planned.

"Don't look so sad, Caraleena. I did try. I personally spoke with Madeline. But by the time we agreed on terms she'd already killed him."

No, no, no. My head was shaking before he finished his story. "Did you see a body?"

Porter laughed. "Nah, why would she lie? I guess whatever Kael had to sort with her couldn't be sorted." He sucked in the side of his mouth in half-hearted sympathy. "I've had to run things, get the shipments going again, but to be honest, I'm in over my head. You want to stay and take care of some of the paperwork and..."

I interrupted, "No." I spoke emphatically. "We have to be sure."

Porter stepped forward. Inches from me now, he tilted his head again, his eyes boring into my skull. My breath caught, but I wouldn't look away. I wished I knew what he was thinking. All I could guess was some curiosity regarding my persistence. He didn't look overly suspicious or alarmed. Leaning back slightly, I felt the pressure of the gun at my waist.

With authority, I stated, "A team of us will go in, make sure he isn't still held in there. Do you have the layout of Madeline's new headquarters?"

"Whoa!" Porter leaned away from me, hands raised. "I hated Kael as much as the next guy," he scoffed, "but you are not getting me to agree to a suicide mission to poke around Madeline's!" His large Adam's apple bobbed as he laughed. "I have enough people trying to kill me already, thank you."

He was fighting to gain control over the situation. I could see the challenge in his small black eyes. There would be doubt in the minds of the criminals behind that camera too. Tension seized in the pit of my stomach. It was only a matter of time until more of them descended. I stepped toward him, coming a breath from his face. With concerted effort, my look was menacing. This would require straying from the smart, well scripted plan Ava, Garrett, and I had constructed. But we hadn't planned on Porter proclaiming Kael dead.

"Don't help me, and you won't have a job anymore." I spat the words and ignored the grimace that followed.

He shot back, "What gives you the right? You have no authority here Miss Cara..."

"Miss Harper. You learned that when you were transferred to the Manor, didn't you?" His evasive expression verified my suspicions. I pressed on. "I do have authority over you and Kael because I own this pile of rock. If you don't help me, your time here is finished. I have my own crew in the US. I don't have time for renegade employees." When Porter said nothing, only stared in bewildered silence, I nodded, confident that he was taking me seriously. "Now assemble a crew. We leave tonight."

Porter's face turned a deep shade of red. He didn't argue. Presumably, he trusted that I could follow through on my threat. I brushed passed him without another word, toward the main conference room. On my own, I'd find my way to the main house.

My thoughts oscillated between triumph and exhaustion. I had seen how Kael treated his employees. He had demanded respect, fear even. If I was to use them to my advantage, I would have to do the same even if it was the hardest thing I had ever done.