Carter’s P. O. V.
I looked across the table and at the blood trickling from the gash on Eva’s face. I had trusted her. For almost eight years, she was accepted and cared for by everyone in the house. She had worked her way up in the organization. Her dedication and skills were unique and she was flawless in her jobs. She passed every test given to her with flying colors.
And she had been with Trish as she took her last breath when Darrell, Miller, and I couldn’t be.
Eva had been given every luxury that a woman in my care could ask for clothing, jewels, and access to an array of expensive vehicles. She enjoyed the clubs, the men, and the attention that came with being part of my world, of belonging to my organization.
And she threw it all away and endangered Lea all for a vendetta I had nothing to do with.
I want the truth Eva. And I want it now. I wiped her blood from my long knife and pointed the blade back in her direction, Or that will be just the beginning.
You really do love her, don’t you ? Eva asked quietly as she shrunk into herself.
I threw my head back and gave a sarcastic laugh, Why does everyone keep fucking asking me that ?
Because you’ve changed. In the past you wouldn’t have given me the chance to explain anything. You would have tortured me for hours before asking questions, thoroughly breaking me so I’d easily give you the information you want, and then you would have taken me out back and put a bullet in my head. She has made you a better person Carter.
I paced the room. What she was saying was the truth, I would have not have been easy on her and I would not have hesitated to have taken her life.
But now I needed answers, and if I had to revert back to the bastard I was before to get them, then so be it.
Don’t tempt me Eva. Tell me what I want to know. Why do you think I killed your parents ?
Eva’s eyes darkened. I don’t think you did Carter. I know you did.
Your background reports all say that your parents were killed in an accident when you were a child. If you think I killed them, I want to know why.
I watched as Eva shifted uncomfortably in the metal chair and slammed my already bruised hand onto the cold steel table, NOW EVA.
Eva flinched back, then recomposed herself as she began to speak. I am a former covert operative for the United States government. My specialty was, is in technology and identities ; disguises, cover stories, etc.
So you could have taken me out at any point in time. Why didn’t you ?
I know my limits and you were never alone, Eva glanced around the room, like now. You have Darrell, Lewis, and Leon here. They would never let me get close enough to you to kill you with my bare hands like I wanted to.
I kept my tone neutral as I turned the blade over in my palm. Where does Lea fit into your game Eva ?
Miguel was one of my assignments. I was to get close to him, get information on his activities and dealings, and then turn him over to the authorities. I was soon in so deep that I found myself questioning where my loyalties laid.
I scoffed.
Eva paused and looked around the room again before continuing, However, before I could make the decision myself, my secondary handler ended up botching the job and blew my cover. I was able to make contact with my primary before Miguel got back from one of his personal assignments, but they told me I was expendable and to do what I had to do to survive.
When Miguel got back, he pulled me into his office. He told me he had known for a while who I was and what I did. He gave me two options, immediate death, or I could work for him. I knew I had lost so I agreed to work for him.
Why ? I asked tersely.
I wasn’t willing to die for a country that wasn’t willing to send in an extraction team. Eva kept her eyes on me as she spoke. He’s actually a lot like you, Carter. Or I should say, what you were like.
I was growing more agitated, I didn’care how she came to work for Miguel and I didn’t like being compared to him. I had been pacing, slapping the flat side of the long blade against my thigh to keep from lashing out at Eva once more. As I made my way back toward her, I stopped and ran the tip of the cold, hard steel over her uncut cheek. She moved her head sideways, but I tangled my hand in her raven locks and pulled her head back against me.
I leaned in close to her ear, my breath fanning her neck, This is your last chance to get to the fucking point Eva.
Eva drew in a shaky breath, My parents were celebrating their anniversary. You had just turned eighteen and was already garnering a name for yourself within the major organizations. The words cold, hard, ruthless, and unfeeling were paired with talented, savvy, and charismatic to describe you.
Eva’s eyes started to mist, My parents were not saints by any means, but they were loving and kind where I was concerned. They had both been in the military, so that meant moving around a lot. I had to learn to adapt, to blend in, and to become accepted wherever we were stationed.
All skills you have used here. Darrell spoke up for the first time since I had entered the room, the tone of his voice letting me know he was on the verge of losing control as well.
Yes. Eva’s jaw tightened, They were on their way home from the ballet when they were ambushed. When the authorities found them, their car had been rammed and laid crumpled in a drainage ditch, each one had a single shot to the temple.
Miguel pulled me into his office. He said he knew who had done it and was working on a plan of action to deal with them. It was almost a year before he would give me your name and then another before he trusted me enough to infiltrate your organization. I have spent years, to no avail, working to find a weakness in you. That was until you brought Lea back.
I slammed Eva’s head into the table, ignoring her strangled cry. I leaned down over her, pressing my body against hers and pinning her against the cold steel. If Lea dies because of you, I promise you, Eva, your death will be slow and so painful that you will be begging me to kill you quickly.
Carter, Darrell nodded his head at me. I stepped back and watched as Darrell retrieved the chair I had flung away earlier and walked up to the table.
Eva, Darrell sat down, never letting his eyes leave Eva’s. You still haven’t answered Carter’s question, and unlike him, I don’t have anything, or anyone to loose by disposing of you right here, right now. Am I making myself clear ?
Eva nodded once as I leaned against the wall and folded my hands in front of me. I could tell that Darrell felt just as betrayed as I did. His tone was sharp and laced with anger.
So, let’s start over. Shall we ? I’ll ask you a simple question, and you will give me a simple answer. Got it ?
Eva nodded once more.
Good. Darrell paused before he continued, When were your parents killed ?
Eva didn’t hesitate, July eighth, two thousand five, one thirty eight in the morning.
Where ?