Fury (New Adult Romance) - #1.5 Fierce Series (7 page)

“Your brother’s facing charges of drug trafficking, possession,
motor vehicle theft, and resisting arrest.”

I swallow at those statements, feeling like a ton of bricks just
fell down on top of me. That’s a lot of things he’s done wrong for me.

“He’s looking at seven to ten years in prison. Maybe more.”

“What?” I shout.

If he’s in for ten years, who knows what they’ll do to him. Prison’s
not a safe place. Is he going to have to stay there for the rest of his life? …
No, he can’t. He won’t. I’ll make sure of that.

“No!” I say, slamming my fists on the table.

“Whoa, settle down, kid,” Agent Williams says. “You’re spilling my
coffee.”

“Fuck your coffee! My brother is in jail and he doesn’t deserve it.
He got used.”

“Yes, your brother has a lesser role in the gang. Believe me, I
know. I’ve been after this group of thugs for a while now. Regardless, your
brother still committed these crimes.”

“I know that, goddammit,” I say, my nostrils flaring.

“However …”

My heart rate shoots up like crazy.

Agent Williams looks up at me with his eyebrows raised, an imminent
proposal lying on his tongue. I can feel it. The amount of ‘what ifs’ hidden in
that one statement ‘however.’ It has so many implications. It’s hard not to get
excited.

“His sentence can be lowered by a significant amount.”

“How?” I interrupt.

“If you let me finish, I will explain.” He licks his lips, his
eyebrows drawing together like he’s concentrating.

“I’ve been observing this ‘gang’ for a few years now, and I’ve got
my suspicions that they’re very active at your college. Furthermore, I believe
this organization might actually be run from one of the dorms.”

“Are you serious?” I say. “I mean, I knew they were active at
college, but I never actually figured that’s where it’s all happening.”

“I’ve got a lead, and my guts tell me this is the place I have to
be. The only problem is that I can’t prove anything. This is where you come
into play.”

I lean back, crossing my arms. “And why would I help you?”

“Because I’m offering you a chance to get your brother back
quicker.”

“I’m listening.”

“Since your brother is just a workhorse, one of the lower ranking
ones, he’s not much of a threat. I know he’s just in it because he has no other
options. I realize with the history you and your brother have that it was a
misstep. An unfortunate one nonetheless.”

“What the hell are you talking about? What do you know about me and
my brother?”

“I know what happened with your mom. I’ve been looking into the case
since your brother was arrested.”

My eyes widen for a second. It’s been a long time since I last heard
someone talk about my mother. I don’t want to hear any of it. I crack my
knuckles, ready to strike if I have to.

“If you don’t shut up now, I swear to God I’ll—”

“Relax, you don’t want to start making threats,” he says with a
condescending tone. “You asked a question, I merely answered. I didn’t mean to
make you feel uncomfortable.”

“Shut up about my mother,” I growl.

“All right, all right.” He holds up his hands in defeat. “I get it.
You don’t want to talk about it. No problem. I completely understand.”

“It has nothing to do with why we’re here.”

“Maybe in your book it doesn’t, but the way I see it, your mother is
part of all of this. It’s all cause and effect.”

“Stop talking about our fucked-up lives as if we’re goddamn research
subjects! Just shut the fuck up!”

I’m fuming, my blood rushing through my veins. Seriously, if this
guy doesn’t come to his point quickly, I’m going to fucking flip this table.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I thought you’d like to know, but I don’t
want to upset you. I’m not actually here to talk about that. I’m just saying
that I’d like to help you out, that’s all.”

I mull it over a bit, my teeth grinding, as I try to compose myself.

“My past is none of your business, and I have no interest in talking
about that. Get to your point.”

“Okay,” Agent Williams says, and he takes another sip from his
coffee before he continues, probably to ease the tension between us.

“Well, we could reduce his sentence to a few weeks if, and only if,
you agree to help us track down the leader.”

Damn. My brother could be free. This has to be done. He has to be
released as soon as possible. I’d do anything to get him free again. The only
problem is I’m not sure I can do what they’re asking of me.

“How?” I say, observing him from a distance.

“You’ll join the gang. Pretend you’re one of them. Infiltrate them.
It’ll be easier for you than it would be for any of the guys in my squad. We’re
not exactly college material anymore, as you can see. You on the other hand …”
A content smile quirks his lips. I can see he’s liking his devious plan. Me, on
the other hand, I’m not so sure.

“Your goal will be to find out who the leader is and find
substantial evidence so we can bring him in,” Agent Williams says.

“What about bail?”

I’m asking just to ensure there are really no other options.

“Sorry, but I can’t do anything about that. Once your brother has
appeared in court, his bail will probably be set way too high for you to even
remotely be able to achieve that amount of money within such a small time span.
Your best option is to accept my offer. We’ll help you out if you help us out.”

My eyes flash back and forth between him and the table while I chew
on my lip. Shit. This is one heavy deal they’re offering. I don’t know if I can
do it, but at the same time I have to. I can’t let this opportunity slip. It’s
going to be hard, though.

“Fine.”

“Can I assume that’s a deal then? I’ll need it on paper. I have a
few rules, though.”

“What rules?” I snarl. “If I’m gonna have to do something against
everything I ever stood for, it’ll damn well be according to my own rules!”

“I get it, Hunter,” he says, as if he totally understands. Of course
he fucking doesn’t. “But we gotta play it safe. There are risks. This is an
undercover operation. Nobody is supposed to know about this. That also means
most of the judicial system.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that you can’t get caught. You’ll be undercover so deep
you could get arrested if you’re caught with drugs or something, and we won’t
be there to save you. I don’t want our operation to be blown because of you.”

“So you’re basically telling me that you just want to use me, and
that I’m on my own if I get caught?”

“Yes, well, rolling up the drugs gang is more important, I’m sure
you understand.”

Oh, I understand all right. I could go to jail for this. That’s even
worse.

“In return, you’ll get your brother back, as promised.” He smirks,
and it’s such a sneaky smile I just want to punch him in the face.

“I just want to make sure we’re on the same page,” Agent Williams
says.

Fuck. What a dick move. Now I’m the one getting used.

“So is that a deal?” he says.

I’m pissed that I have to stoop to this level to get my brother out,
but I’ll do it. I have no other options left. This is it. I want my brother, and
this is the only way I’m getting him back.

“Yes,” I say. The moment the word leaves my lips I’m already feeling
a huge burden dropping onto my shoulders, but I will carry it. Anything for
Jessie.

“Good,” Agent Williams says. “Then let’s talk about the specifics
and get this on paper.”

Chapter
6

Breaking Apart

A day later …

The bus ride back to campus takes forever, and I’m glad when we
finally arrive. I’ve been thinking about what I’m supposed to do the entire
trip. Can I really save my brother by joining a gang? And if so, what will I
have to do to find out who the leader is? How far will I have to go?

And what if I fail?

I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. I should start earning
money, just like my brother. If I’m going to have to join the gang, I’d better
start making some money. At least then I’ll have some back-up. If I can’t get
him out by cooperating, then I’ll bail him out. I’ll just do both to ensure his
freedom.

One thing is for sure, though: I can’t fail. I simply can’t let my
brother down. He’s done so much for me. This is what I have to do now.

I’m walking through the shadowy corridors of my dorm. It’s already
dark outside, and there’s no one around. There are barely any lights on, and
yet it feels comforting in a way. To know that I’m the only one around puts me
at ease, because if I were to come into contact with anyone right now, I’m
afraid I’ll explode.

No, I know I’m going to anyway.

My body is shivering, but I’m not cold. I’m stumbling through the
hall, partially leaning against the wall. Each step becomes harder to take the
moment it all sinks in. I’m back at my dorm and my brother is gone. My mind has
gone blank because of all that has happened. My brother is in jail. I’m alone.
I have no one else to turn to.

Somehow tears just start flowing.

I’m almost at my room, but I can’t bring myself to open the door. I
can’t even take one more step.

My mind is overflowing with emotions I’ve never felt before. Sorrow.
Fury. Despair.

Everything is coming at me at once, and I can’t control it anymore.
The pressure is too much to take.

Tears are running freely across my cheeks. I feel miserable. Sick to
my stomach.

I lean my head against the door and gasp in shallow breaths, feeling
overwhelmed. My fears are taking hold of me, consuming me. I don’t want to give
in, but it’s too late.

I’m afraid. So afraid. Afraid of the gang and what they’ll do to me.
Afraid that I’ll screw up. That somehow my brother will never be freed and that
I won’t get to see him for another ten years except behind bars.

Suddenly I hear shuffling behind me. There’s someone here.

I sniff and wipe away the tears. Nobody can see me like this. No
one. I can’t afford to be seen as weak right now. Not when I’m about to join a
fucking drug-dealing gang to save my brother. Nobody can know that I’m in this
mess. Otherwise the operation might fail … I can’t let that happen.

But the person is coming closer, approaching me.

“Leave me alone,” I say, my voice broken with distress.

I’m trying to sound dangerous so they won’t come near, but it’s no
use. Every word comes out like a hiccup. I can barely breathe.

I don’t know who it is, but he or she isn’t heeding my warning.
Shit.

“Stay away,” I say.

“Hunter?”

I recognize her voice instantly. It’s her, the girl that I can’t
seem to forget about, even now.

“Leafy?” I say.

I lift my head and look up at her bright blue eyes, which are filled
with confusion and fear.

Of course she’s confused. I probably look like shit right now.
Pathetic.

I drop my hands from the door, feeling totally exhausted. I know I
won’t be able to sleep tonight, though.

Her head cocks sideways, and she tries to look at my face. My eyes
sting from the salty tears, so I close them for a second, throwing swearwords
at myself in my head.

Dammit. I don’t want her to see my misery. I swallow away the rest
of my tears.

Fuck. Why does it have to be her that found me like this? Her of all
people.

I turn around, but hide my face in the shadows of the light.

“What’s wrong?” she says, squinting.

Shit, she’s really trying to take a good look at me.

I don’t want to tell her. I can’t tell anyone what happened. What if
word gets around school? It would make me look weak, and nothing would get me
thrown out of a gang faster than looking weak. And I really
need
to be
accepted into the gang.

“Please just go,” I groan, and I point at her door.

She really has to go. I can’t keep it together otherwise.

“Are you okay?” she says, and she leans in some more.

The moment her beautiful eyes make contact with mine again I’m lost.
It’s so hard to remain in control of my emotions. I just want to burst out in screams
of anger and frustration and hold her tight, just because I need someone right
now. But I barely know her.

Shit.

I turn my head away so I can calm down, and so she can’t see how
terrible I look. How much I need her right now. Anyone, for that matter.