Hollow

Sixteen | Candy

I'm currently on a conference call while Killian scrolls through his phone next to me. It's been two days since I touched down in Barcelona. I was actually supposed to leave today, along with Jas and Paris but Killian bribed me into extending my stay. My friends however couldn't stay because of their hectic schedules, especially with Jas' residency at the hospital.

I read carefully through the numbers and graphs on my screen.

"The only way to get past all the firewalls is to have high level clearance. We're currently working on finding out what's going on but it's probably gonna take all day."

"Can someone please explain how this shit happened?"

"Everyone is working very hard to find solutions by the end of the day." Tate replies, exhaustion clear in his voice.

"On a scale from 1 to 10, how bad is this?"

Bryce hesitates before replying. "6.4."

I sigh, rubbing my temples to ease the growing headache. "We can't afford this shit right now, not with Fred Shaw on my ass. Guys, I know you have a lot on your hands right now but please revoke every damn clearance."

"On it."

"Alright, thank you guys."

I hang up and toss my phone back on the bed, pacing back and forth across the cream carpet, huffing and puffing. "This can't be happening."

"Take a deep breath and let it out slowly." Killian walks towards me and opens my fists to hold my hands. "Let it all out."

Against my better judgment, I actually take in a breath and release it seconds after, feeling my respiratory tract loosen up.

"I have to go."

"I know but I have a feeling I'll see you soon."

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

"That's right...yes, and I don't like what I'm hearing...I don't care if there should have been someone on watch!" I yell into the phone, leaning back in my seat.

"I'm really sorry, Zahra, it was s—"

"Let's not have this conversation on the phone." I reply, before cutting the call.

I put my hands on the table, looking at the people in front of me with the most patient expression I can manage. I open my mouth to speak but I'm beat by the ringing of my phone. I answer, releasing a sigh as I contemplate the words being spoken by Kunda, our Cyber Analyst on the other line.

"I thought the cyber team was perfectly capable of doing their fucking job...you know what...I'm sorry but please, fix this." I hang up and join my hands in front of me.

Bryce hands me his iPad and I come across a picture of three men talking to a man but you can't see their faces because of the camera angle. I look up, giving him a confused look before scrolling through the next picture of a zoomed image of their tattoos; a scorpion with roses for claws.

"You've got to kidding."

"I ran the tattoo into various databases and it's a perfect match."

I sigh, rubbing my temples in frustration as I lean back in my chair. "That will be all, thank you guys."

"Should I let Marcus know you're ready to leave?" Alex asks.

I nod.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Unknown POV

"It's getting too dangerous."

"We're almost done, damn it! Why give up now when we're so close?" He points out, slamming his hands down on the table pushing himself up.

"I want out."

As if on cue, the man behind me grabs me and slams me on the table twisting my wrists behind my back. "Nova, I don't want to hurt you but I will if you don't start behaving."

I gulp, nodding my head yes.

He motions for his man, giving him a silent order to release me. The man instantly releases me and steps back. As if he hasn't tortured me enough, he holds his hand out. His expression doesn't change but he seems sincere.

A chair is pulled out for me but I fold my arms across my chest, tilting my head to look anywhere else but his direction.

"I'm not like Zahra, sweetheart." He says in a warning tone. "I don't hand out second chances like Skittles and I most certainly do not have time to play around."

"You're right, she's nothing like you!" I spit angrily, sitting down.

He rolls his eyes. "Should I tell her you betrayed her then?"

"You wouldn't..."

"Do not test my patience again because the next time, I'll throw you to the fucking wolves before you even have the chance to blink. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good girl."