Anarchy (Hive Trilogy, #2)(21)
Nothing of investigative or revenge nature was done within Hive walls now. We’d taken to using encrypted computers up on the roof. Sunlight hated vamps, so it was our best weapon against the mole. For some reason we were all sure it was a vampire. Probably one on the Quorum, because they had the most money and power. More than enough to tempt Sanctum.
Today I was on the roof with Oliver and Kyle. I was never alone any longer after my “two guard assignment” started.
Ryder hadn’t been back in my bed yet, but somehow he was always part of the Charlie night watch shift. Four nights in a row now we had sat on my couch and watched movies, the sexual tension between us pretty much killing me. I wasn’t sure I could do it another night. Unfortunately, with two enforcers assigned to me at all times, having enough privacy for me to jump his bones was not readily available. I was also getting the gentleman vibe from him, like he was waiting for me to take the lead.
My dirty thoughts were cut off by a low voice.
“I think I’ve traced the entire network of his company and Deliverance.” As always when Sam spoke, we all paid attention. “I’m preparing the virus. We have our own set of numerous offshore accounts ready for the funds. The cash will land there before my program divides again. Then it’ll shoot between eighteen countries and multiple bank accounts, before wiring the cash to the charities we decided on. It would take them years and a supercomputer to follow the trail.”
We all grinned. Hells to the yeah. You shoot up my boyfriend, I take your Mercedes, your private jet, your fluffy dog, and whatever else your money buys.
I wasn’t sure what happened then, but all of a sudden Sam was staring at my eyes in an intense way. It was making me kind of nervous.
“What?” I asked, but he quickly shook his head.
My laptop screen beeped with an instant message from Jayden.
Tessa is here and she is hammered. I locked her in room 23, way in the back.
“Shit!” I popped to my feet and took off running. A quick glance back told me that Sam had remained seated, but Oliver and Kyle were already up and pounding across the track behind me.
“What’s wrong?” Oliver asked, sounding worried.
I flew through the double doors and down the hallway. “Tessa,” was all I said.
The sexy six knew enough about my current situation with her to know that she was a handful. What human wanted to be a bloodsucking, allergic-to-the-sun monster? Only my bestie.
I nearly slammed into a vamp exiting the feeding center while I was trying to enter. I managed to dodge the bloodsucker at the last minute, nodding at Jayden as I dashed past. He tossed me a key to the room. When we reached 23, I turned to my bodyguards.
“Give us a second, will ya? This chick needs some real talk and it’s not going to be pretty.”
They both nodded, and as I was about to turn the knob I heard her banging against the door.
“You can’t keep me in here, you blood-loving *s! I want to see my best friend.” Her words were so slurred that I only understood them because of my years speaking drunk Tessa. I heard a crash, and with my heart in my throat I jerked open the door and she almost toppled onto me.
“Oh, Tess…” My hand flew to my mouth.
She swayed once, and then crumpled to the floor. Her normally pristine appearance was … that of a homeless lady—baggy sweatpants, a loose t-shirt, mismatched shoes, her hair in a ratted ball at the nape of her neck. She wasn’t wearing make-up and was superbly drunk.
Her eyes locked on mine. “You!” She pointed and tried to stand.
Her shirt lifted and I saw a peek of her abdomen. “Is that a tattoo!” I shrieked. “You hate tattoos. You said they were trashy.”
Tears rimmed Tessa’s hazel eyes. “They are trashy! This is what happens when your best friend becomes a hot immortal ash and your only friend options are Valarie! I’m a mess.”
She broke down.
Oh Tess. I knelt on the floor and tried not to wince at the reek of alcohol coming from my bestie. In moments like these, advanced ash senses were not good.
The second I opened my arms, she fell into them sobbing. No words needed to be said. I knew how abandoned by me she felt and I was feeling like the worst bitch of a friend. Not that it had been a party-time picnic for me, but I had met so many amazing people in here, and while I missed her like crazy, I should have known she would have a tougher time. Tessa’s father was the only good thing in her life. After he died when she was young, her mom didn’t pick up the slack. I was her family.
My chest tightened then. “I’m always here for you,” I choked. “Fuck the Hive and their rules. If you need me, then I’m there.”
I pulled her face from my chest and made her look at me. Her eyes burned a brilliant green, the brown tinge to her hazel almost completely faded away. Her lips quivered.
“Charlie, I don’t know who I am anymore,” she moaned. “You and Blake are the only things real to me.”
My body shook. Seeing someone I loved making such a desperate plea for help ripped open my insides. I pulled myself together, holding her firmly.
“You’re Tessa Grace McNair, my annoying best friend who generally wouldn’t be caught dead out in public like this.” I touched her hair and she laughed.
“I drank a bottle of tequila. Now the room is spinning.” She lay her head on my lap and I stroked her hair.