The Assassin's Destiny

Chapter 19: Old Wounds

Chapter 19: Old Wounds

Argent

Grim-faced, everyone steps into my office and takes a seat. Several of the men give Voodoo a wide berth as soon as he sits down. I can see why Sebastian and Phoenix say that the man is odd. There’s just something that screams warning when I look at him. He’s almost stiff and mechanical in his movements. His gaze examines the room until he found a spot that he was comfortable with, and his face remains blank.

Logan and I stand in front of the desk and face the men.

“I know you’re wondering why you’re here, Voodoo, but please bear with us,” Logan says.

Voodoo nods.

I lean on the desk and clasp my hands together as I consider how to begin. “First of all, we want to know how familiar you are with Irving?”

Voodoo’s head snaps in my direction. “I don’t understand your question.” He mutters in a careful tone. I can see that I put him on alert, and that’s not what I meant to do.

Logan looks at me and shrugs, so I continue.

“I guess what I’m asking is if you’ve noticed anything off about the people Irving deals with. Has he asked you or any of the others to do things that the Confradia would not approve of?”

His brow furrows as he examines my question. I have to give it to him; he’s cautious.

“As I’m sure you know, I was transferred to Mexico after a falling out with Dionysus. My relationship with Irving is strictly professional. I am not, nor have I ever been privy to his inner circle. Unlike other Confradia Assassin teams, ours does not socialize or even work together. Over the time that I’ve been with the Mexico team, I’ve noticed that Irving does not encourage interaction between his Assassins or with him. In fact, he has expressed his discomfort with my presence many times. He wasn’t happy that I was placed in his team because he disliked Dionysus and thought that I was sent there to spy on him. Overall, there are five Assassins in our team, and I can tell you that I know very little about each one. Most of us live in different parts of the country, and we only see Irving when he summons us. Does that answer your question?”

I look at Logan, who once again signals for me to proceed. He, like I, believes what Voodoo is saying.

“Alright. Here is why we have brought you here.” I hand him the file with all of the evidence pointing to Irving’s misdeeds.

“My Confradia team as well as the New York branch, and Logan’s team here…” I gesture to the men. “…have found evidence that Irving is part of a network involved in selling and murdering women and children. He and a cell of other men are throwing virgin auctions in Brazil and the US, as well as setting up killing parties where women are r***d and murdered for rich men’s pleasure. It’s a gruesome system. In fact, Penelope and her friend were kidnapped for the purpose of being sold at a virgin auction. And Bella, Logan’s woman, was nearly killed at one of the parties. If it hadn’t been for our interference, they’d be dead now. I don’t know if you’re aware, but my right-hand man, Sebastian, was implicated by Irving as a way to cover up his involvement. He almost killed Sebastian when he found out that he was gathering evidence against him. Thankfully, Sebastian survived, but there’s still the issue of finding out who else is working with Irving.”

  Voodoo’s expression shifts slightly. Yet, I can see the anger simmering behind his eyes. “I had heard about Sebastian. To be honest, I was skeptical about his involvement in betraying the Confradia. He and I had encountered each other in the past, and I’ve always felt he was a deeply loyal man.”

Sebastian chooses that moment to step into the office and greets Voodoo. We asked him to stay behind in case Voodoo wasn’t blameless of Irving’s crimes. However, I’m sure he was nearby listening to our conversation.

“Sebastian,” Voodoo mumbles.

Strangely enough, Sebastian seems to be the only one whom he has referred to by his given name.

“It’s been a long time, Nicholas,” Sebastian responds in kind. “I know that we’re putting you on a bit of a spot here considering your past experiences with Confradia board members, but we need your help. As Argent explained, we’ve found that Irving has been working with other Confradia associates, and we need to know who they are. Right now, we have Irving under surveillance, and we’ve been questioning him in hopes of gaining that information. The little information we garnered heightened our curiosity. However, he’s been reluctant to talk. What we’d like from you is for you to help us gain that information.”

Voodoo paces in place thoughtfully. “As I said before, Irving has never shared any information with me. I’m not sure how I’d be able to help you.”

I gaze off to the side in contemplation as I consider what needs to be done. “Did you, at any point, see Irving with anything suspicious?”

Voodoo c***s his head thoughtfully. Over the next minute, he remains so still that I wonder if he has forgotten that we’re in the room. I’m about to reiterate my question when his eyes refocus on mine. “I visited him several times after he formed an office at Sao Paulo. I found it odd, considering it wasn’t his territory, but I didn’t question it. However, I did find it strange to see the same paperweight on his Sao Paulo desk as he had in his Cozumel office. He moved it last time I came over, and his books are not in the proper order except for one. The Art of War by Sun Tzu. I was curious because it was the only red softcover book in his library. It’s also the most worn looking. As if he has read it many times.”

My brow furrows in question. “What do you mean?”

Voodoo’s eyes narrowed speculatively. “The other books in his library were in Spanish, but this one wasn’t. It was also thicker. Fifteen books for every shelf. That’s how many books he had on his shelves.”

Logan clears his throat and arches a brow. I can tell that he, like me, is wondering if Voodoo is sane. 

 “What does the book have to do with anything?” I ask in hopes that he’ll clarify further.

 “I know that you think I am mad, Apollo. However, bear with me. Since I was transferred to Mexico, Irving has requested my presence in his Sao Paolo office at least once a week for two months. Every time I visited his office in Cozumel, he’d seat me on a chair settled near the western side of his office, which means he makes sure that I’m in the darkest part of the room. There’s a window on the opposite side of his desk covered with a thick curtain and a large shelving unit behind his desk, but no pictures. Only recently did I notice that same book in his Sao Paolo office, but this time he placed the same inconsequential crystal paper holder on his desk. It’s made of stalagmite. Now, you would ask, what does the paperweight matter? Well, for one, there are no papers on his desk. I would say it’s a gift, but the fact that there are no pictures in either of his offices tells me that he has no one in his life. His desk has several ballpoint pens settled in the front center for easy reach. Yet, in the 104 weeks that I’ve known him, they have not changed their position in either office. His laptop faces the left side of his computer, which means he’s right-handed, and there’s no weapon in sight. Why do you think that is?”

The men gaze at each other puzzled.

Voodoo rises from his seat with a humorless smile. “The same book in his Cozumel office is now in his Sao Paolo bookshelves, and the paperweight showed up nearly a year ago. The laptop is never closed, but he doesn’t look or touch it in my presence.”

“But his computer wouldn’t hold any information that might implicate him. It would be too easy for someone to access.” Logan states.

“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate. Sun Tzu.” Voodoo quotes reverently.

“What if he’s occupying our minds by making his office look benign? What if he does what we expect. You obviously think he might not hold evidence where he lives, but what if that’s not the case? Think about it. What do all Assassins have in their homes?”

I sit forward at my desk, connecting Voodoo’s spoken thoughts. “We have a weapons room. You think his weapons room is in his office and that he’s hiding something in it?”

He nods his head. “I think that there’s a room within his weapon’s room that would distract anyone from beyond what they expect. The stalagmite is a hand’s reach from the shelf. Do you know anything about Stalagmites?” He asks us.

The men and I shake our heads.

Voodoo purses his lips and mutters. “Stalagmites are found in caves. When I commented about it, he pointedly told me that he got it on a trip to the Cenote cavern near the Yucatan Peninsula, which I found odd. Even though I don’t know Irving very well, I can deduce by his dress and manner that he is not the type of man who cruises through caves for fun.”

Sebastian snaps up from his desk and begins pacing in place. “You’re right. Irving’s not the adventurous type. For a former Assassin, he’s surprisingly out of shape, and he’s always dressed in designer suits. Also, it can’t be a coincidence that the boat that he kept me in sank near the Cenote.”

“So, you think that there might be something in his office that would indicate where he has hidden the evidence?” I ask.

Voodoo shrugs. “Or there might be a key of some kind hidden room within either the Stalagmite or within the weapon’s room itself. There are many possibilities.”

For a moment, I consider disregarding his suggestion. It sounds too manufactured. Like something you would find in a fictional novel. Yet, the fact remains that it’s the only lead we have.

“Alright, let’s say that you’re right. How can we get into his office? It’s obvious that he’s gone, and I doubt that his men will let us walk in without issue.”

I try to look at all the possible ways we’d be able to access Irving’s weapon room without raising suspicion, but I can’t think of any that won’t incriminate us.

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” He quotes dryly. The man is most definitely odd. However, I’m fascinated with how mechanical his mind works. I can’t even begin to imagine what is going on in his head.

      “How do you remember all of those quotes?” Logan asks curiously.

     Voodoo snickers. “I have an identic memory. I remember everything from childhood. I can describe every detail in this room with my eyes closed, but I won’t bore you. What I meant was, I can go to his office and tell his guards that Irving called me to meet him as he does every week. Argent can show up asking the men where he is and create a general melee regarding Sebastian’s whereabouts. When the men find that there might be something wrong, they’ll begin searching for him. We can use the opportunity in all of the Chaos to search his office.”

     Sebastian shakes his head. “Why don’t we just go to the Cavern?”

    Voodoo shakes his head. “Do you know how large those caverns are? Plus, we’re not sure exactly where the information is.”

    I agree. “True. But he has also spent a lot of time in Sao Paolo, which means we’re going to have to split up. I will go with Voodoo to his office in Sao Paolo. Most of the things he brought with him are still there. Unfortunately, his mobile was a burner. Even if there’s nothing there, we might find a clue. When do you want to do this?”

 Voodoo shrugs. “It’s best if we leave as soon as possible. Now would be an opportune time.”

 I nod in agreement. “Alright, then let us prepare.”

 I look at Rogue, who instantly stands to attention. “Keep Irving locked up, but continue the questioning. Do not kill him. Until we have what we need, he’s the only one who can give us answers.”

Logan sidles up to us at that moment. “Ewan and I will go with you in case you need backup.”

I nod in agreement. “Just make sure that no one discovers that we’re working together. I don’t want anyone to know that I’m investigating this─not, even my men.”

“Understandable.” He acquiesces before he turns to our men and delivers final instructions.

Voodoo observes silently as the men leave the room. Running my fingers through my hair, I take a couple of deep breaths and gestures for Rogue to join us. “Help Voodoo with anything that he’ll need.”

Rogue nods and silently gestures for Voodo to follow him.

  As I make my way out of the door, Sebastian falls in step beside me. “I’m going with you.”

  I stop near the alcove and candidly look into my best friend’s eyes. “I’d rather you do not. People are still looking for you, and I’m sure Irving’s men would be the first to shoot you if they spotted you. I need you to stay here and continue your interrogation with Irving. Also, I want you to be around in case Penelope needs anything.”

 Jaw tight, Sebastian paces in place frustratedly before he places his palm firmly against my shoulder. “What if you need me?” He asks as he gazes intently into my eyes.

Shrugging his hand off, I place my hands on my hips with a resolute expression. “Listen, Bast. I don’t know what is going to happen after this is over. All I know is that I’ve failed as the director of the Confradia and that I need to set things right.”

Sebastian’s expression changes into an incredulous frown. “What the hell are you talking about, Argent? You didn’t fail anyone.”

   My lips twist into a grimace. I don’t know how to explain to Sebastian the crushing weight of failure that has hounded me since I found out about Mateo’s betrayal. I’ve been good at hiding it, but deep inside, I feel as if somehow I made a misstep. I should have known that something was wrong within our ranks. I should have been more thorough in vetting my men, but I let myself trust the people within my organization, and now I’m paying for it.”

   Frustrated, I take a step back.

 “I don’t have time for this right now, Bast. Just do what I ask!” I grit out in frustration.

Before I can take another step, Sebastian stops in front of me and places a halting hand on my chest. “That’s bullshit, Argent. There was no way that you would have known what was occurring. Hell, not even the people that hired Mateo and Irving know. The only reason I knew of Irving’s treachery is that I stumbled upon it. You’ve always been a true and just leader, and those of us who have been with you from the beginning know that. I know that. Please, just consider it. If it hadn’t been for this happening, we wouldn’t know that there’s treachery in the Confradia. And now that we know, we can stop it. Don’t give up on us, Argent. We need our leader.”

Even though his words soothe me somewhat, I refuse to let the sting of my failure go. Sifting my fingers through my hair, I exhale deeply. “I just don’t know anymore, Bast. At this moment, I feel that there’s a lot that I need to reevaluate. Perhaps, I needed this wake-up call to open up my eyes to what is occurring around me. Or perhaps it’s a warning that I’ve become too complacent. Either way, we need to get through this. Right now, I have to speak to Penelope before we go.”

Sebastian arches a brow. “She’s not going to be happy that you’re leaving again.”

I shake my head and pat him hard on the back. “That’s why I’m going to speak to her. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I don’t wait for a response as I head out and search for Penelope.

I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s in the garden. I didn’t notice it before, but my garden looks better. Beautiful flowers and ferns have been planted in bushels across the now rich garden.

As silently as I can, I observe as Penelope flits around and waters the flowers. She looks ethereal, with the sun creating a halo around her chestnut hair and golden skin. I love the contentment on her face as she touches the leaves before she moves on. My eyes feast on her lithe figure with pleasure at what they’re seeing. She’s wearing short cargo pants that mold to her rounded bottom and a white tank top that emphasizes her pert breasts, which makes my mouth water to taste her skin. Her hair is up in a bun, and her feet are bare. She looks like a wood fairy standing between the bold colors of the Laelias and Begonias.

Striding behind her, I pull her back into my chest. Penelope releases a sigh of contentment and leans her head back. I enjoy how perfectly she fits in my arms. She may be small and delicate, but she’s also strong. Leaning close, I bury my nose in her silken hair and inhale deeply. “God, you always smell so good,” I whisper, a smile working my lips when she shivers at my closeness.

Giggling, Penelope wraps her arm around my neck and mumbles huskily. “It’s not me; it’s the flowers.”

My lip quirks in amusement. “No, it’s you, little one. Your scent is a unique scent that I would recognize anywhere.”

I place a kiss on her temple as I prepare for my confession. She deserves to know. I need to tell her. “It’s one of the things that I love about you,” I huskily whisper in her ear.

Her body stiffens as she slowly turns to face me. Hope gleams in her crystalline eyes as she searches my face. “W-what are you saying?” She whispers hesitantly.

 Staring intently into her eyes, I slide my hands up her fragile neck and pull her pliant body close to mine. The feel of her hard little n*****s makes my heart race in tandem with hers. “I’m saying that I love you, Pen. Do you still love me?”

Penelope’s lips widen with pleasure as she sifts her fingers through my golden hair. Heat spreads through our bodies as we draw closer.“Of course, I do. You know that I love you. I’ve never lied about it.”

Our breaths mingle as our lips meet in a passionate kiss. This is the final culmination of all our emotions. There is no more holding back between us. I am hers, body and soul. There is no denying that destiny brought us together because there was no other way that we would have met otherwise.

 Our tongues meld and our bodies cling together with every swirl and nip of tongues and lips. Sliding my arms around her waist, I cup her bottom and grind my groin between her thighs. It’s incredible and frightening how well we fit together.

 Unfortunately, the intensely beautiful moment is interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

 Penelope and I reluctantly break apart and face a smirking Logan. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need to go now.”

 Voodoo stops beside him and looks back and forth between Penelope and me. His analytical gaze appraises our appearance, but his expression remains neutral.

 “You’re leaving?” Penelope mutters disappointedly.

Ignoring both men, I turn and face her. “Just for a couple of hours. Will you be here until I get back?”

She gazes at both men from the corner of her eye. “Is everything alright?”

I know that she’s trying to hide her concern, which makes me proud. I can see that she’s making every effort to adjust to my life, and it gratifies me. “Everything is fine. We’re just going to do some recon. Nothing to worry too much over. Will you stay?”

Penelope nods her head. “Alright. I’ll stay. It’ll give me the opportunity to work in the garden. I don’t know how you let it get this bad, but it was a mess.” She arches a reprimanding brow.

My lip quirks with amusement as I rest a kiss on the palm of her hand. “Well, then I will leave you to it. Remember, Isadora is here if you need help.”

Penelope tightens her hand around mine before she reluctantly releases it. “Be safe.” She mutters.

I nod my head and face the quiet men. “Shall we?”

Logan nods his head in Penelope’s direction and precedes me out of the room.

It didn’t take long for us to get to Sao Paolo. Due to the discretion of our mission, we had to find a place for us to reconnoiter. Thankfully, I have a few friends who owe me favors, and I quickly found an empty home for us to set up. When it comes to working with a company that kills people for a living, I’ve made sure to always have a contingency plan. As I step into the house’s interior, I adjust my equipment and look out the window. Voodoo cannot go to the office for another hour, which means we have time to wait. Apparently, Irving likes to meet his Assassins at specific times. We assume it’s because he wants to monitor when his men come and go.

Logan sits beside me and takes out his laptop while Voodoo silently takes a seat across from us. I still don’t know what to make of the man.

“So, that was Penelope?” Logan smirks. “I can see the attraction. Are you happy?”

I quirk a brow at his tone. “She makes me happy.”

 “I’m glad.” He mutters earnestly.

 Voodoo’s voice cuts in. “How do you make it work? I mean…we’re killers.” He drifts off, a flush working his face as he looks on uncomfortably. I can tell that he hates asking, but he can’t contain his curiosity. It’s the first time since he walked into my house that he shows true emotion, which gives him a layer of humanity.

 Seeing that there’s nothing else to do and I’m curious about where this is leading, I answer him.

“I can only speak for myself and my relationship with Penelope, but to me, I don’t see it as me being a killer. I see it as she makes me feel like a normal man. With Pen, I don’t have to pretend that I’m something that I’m not. She reminds me that I’m mortal and that there’s more to life than killing.”

 Logan nods in agreement. “Yeah, I guess I feel the same way. When I’m with Bella, I don’t have to hide who I am, and I don’t have to be Hades. To her, I’m Logan, the man who loves her. She makes me happy, and I make her happy.”

Voodoo’s face darkens with emotion as he absorbs our words. “But how can relationships with one of us work?”

 Logan shrugs. “I don’t know, but it seems to be working out for a lot of us. Take the New York branch, for example. Most of them are married or in a relationship. Savage St. Clair and Jaxon Maxwell are both happily married to women whom they love and have children. I’m married, and my brother, Ewan, is engaged, so it’s possible.”

Voodoo’s lips tighten contemplatively. I can see that he’s having some sort of inner struggle, and I wonder if it has to do with the reason he was transferred to Mexico. “How do you keep them safe from our enemies?” He mutters absently.

Logan takes a deep breath and slumps back in his seat. “I try to keep my work life out of my personal life as much as I can, but I know that life is a gamble. As much as I love Bella and want to protect her, the choice is hers. In the end, she chose to be with me because she loved me too.”

Voodoo looks at me as if asking for affirmation. “As for me, Penelope and I have only been together for a short amount of time. I guess we’re still working through this. But I can agree with the fact that I can’t bear to lose her either. She’s the good part of me, and I’d do anything for her.”

Jaw clenched tightly, Voodoo leans back in his seat and straightens his features. It’s odd how one moment he looks angry, and the next, he has no expression at all. However, I can’t deny that there is something there.

“May I ask you a question, Voodoo?” I ask carefully.

Voodoo’s brow knits. “Please, call me Nicholas. There’s no need to stand on formalities considering our alliance.”

 I tilt my head in agreement. “Very well… Nicholas. By any chance, do your questions have anything to do with what happened in New Orleans?”

His eyes clash with mine as he stiffens in his seat. Once again, his expression hardens. His nostrils flare with untold emotion as he gauges the best way to respond. “Sebastian told you why I was transferred?”

“He told me that you and Dyonisus went to blows over your relationship with his daughter,” I answer carefully.

  He looks at Logan, who is also waiting for a response before he meets my gaze. “It’s true, but there was more to it. It was nearly ten years ago when Dyon recruited me into the Confradia. From the beginning, I both loved and respected Dyon. He was like a father to me, and I thought I was like a son to him. We were best friends. However, when it came to Daynara, Dyon was always obsessively possessive and overbearing. In fact, he was so overprotective that he threatened to kill any man who came near her─including me.”

His eyes become distant as he recounts a painful part of his past. “He never really talked about it, but from what I gathered, Daynara’s mother was murdered by one of Dyon’s enemies. He made every effort to ensure that Daynara stayed away from any Confradia business, including sheltering her from our presence. Hell, for the ten years that I knew Dyon, I saw Daynara a handful of times. Once, when she was in high school, and the others after she graduated from college. Dyon made sure that every part of her life was monitored and planned for to his specifications. Even when she reached adulthood, he made sure that she lived under the vigilant eye of caretakers. I…I never expected that she’d search me out.”

Logan rests his ankle over his knee and mutters. “Why did she?”

Nicholas shrugs. “She said that she needed to know why I was the way I was.” He narrows his eyes knowingly in our direction. I’m sure he could tell that we found his demeanor to be odd. “I know who I am and what others think of my peculiarities. It has been that way all of my life. I have a two hundred and ten IQ score, an identic memory, and was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of four. I know that I have difficulty with social cues, which made it difficult for me to interact with my peers. It wasn’t until I reached manhood that I realized the opposite s*x found me attractive. But even they’d say that I was emotionless and callous.” He states evenly.

“Then, one day, this beautiful woman tells me that I intrigued her. That she liked the way, I was. For the first time in my life, I was at a loss because I was as fascinated by her as she was by me.”

He stops for a moment, then shakes his head. “I thought she was stunning, but I didn’t like how out of control she made me feel. You see, despite Dyon’s efforts to shelter her, Daynara was not completely naïve of the opposite s*x. She knew how to taunt and tease me without any overt s****l approach. When I visited, I tried to avoid her, but she’d sneak into my room and do things she knew would unbalance me. I remember one time she “reorganized” my closet, which she knew would infuriate me. Eventually, it became difficult to avoid her. I’d find myself searching her out. I didn’t like it, but I couldn't help myself. Of course, Dyon didn’t know about our tet-a-tets. There was no s*x involved, but it was still a dangerous situation to be in. When Dyon found out, he became dechennen (crazy). He was enraged. We fought. It was vye (ugly). I recall that Daynara had to pull me back before I killed him. Nonetheless, the damage was done, and our friendship was damaged. Soon after, Dyon requested that I be transferred to Mexico. When I demanded an explanation, he told me that Daynara deserved better. That I would only bring her death as he brought death to her mother. It was so simple for me to convince myself that he was right, considering how out of character I was acting around her. I didn’t want to leave, but I didn’t fight too hard to stay. I let my fear of losing control take me over. I reasoned that it was best if we were apart and broke her heart. That very same day, Dyon handed me a plane ticket to Mexico and told me he’d have his men kill me if I ever showed my face around his daughter again. I haven’t seen her since, and I regret it every day.” He ends woefully.

“If you regret it, why don’t you contact her?” I ask.

Nicholas shakes his head. “It has been two years. I’m sure she hates me for leaving the way I did. Enfer, I hate myself for what I did.”

With those words, I learn something about Nicholas. I learned that even though his face remains devoid of expression, his French thickens when he expresses deep emotion.

Logan glowers at his reply. “That’s bullshit, man.”

Nicholas scowls. “Why do you say that, Hades?” His pronunciation of Hade’s name sounds like Ha-Dees, which makes me snicker in amusement. Logan is an arrogant focker, and I can tell it bothers him. 

“I mean, I think you’re scared that she’ll tell you to f**k off. So, it’s easier for you to think she hates you rather than know if she does for sure.”

  Nicholas scoffs, but I can sense his insecurity, which is why I decide to change the subject. “Alright, Logan, let’s put an end to this conversation. Nicholas’ decisions are none of our business, and we have no right to judge. In fact, he was gracious in answering our questions even though he didn’t have to, so let’s move on. Now, let’s talk about what we’re going to do once we get into Irving’s office.”

Thankfully, Logan and Nicholas change track after that. I have to give it to Nicholas; he doesn’t seem fazed by our impromptu interrogation. I meant what I said; he didn’t have to answer our intrusive questions, but he did anyway, which deepens my trust in him. I just hope that our trust is not misplaced.