Saffron
I never expectedto see him or talk to him again. What I’d expected to happen was to have Webster locked in a very deep, dark black site with the rest ofthe scum of the earth. But watching him walk into the briefing room uncuffed and unencumbered made something snap inside me.
I couldn't say exactly what the sensation was. I just knew it felt like cold steel crawling all over my skin, encasing every follicle, every nerve ending, until I was blisteringly numb. When I walked in the room, my brother stood. "Saff, I think it's important that—"
I didn't hear him. I just marched straight toward Webster. Saint stepped forward, trying to stop me. I sidestepped him easily, putting my foot behind his and dropping him.
Jason was next."Saff, don't."
I gave him an open palm, using the full force of my hips and my arms. I could hear Gabe clamoring over their bodies, trying to get to me before I could get to Webster. But Webster didn't move. His gaze was steely and strong, but he didn't put up his hands to defend himself. He just stood there.
I launched myself at him, nonetheless, not caring about what was going to happen to me. At least I didn't have a full audience, but Hector and Jason were surely going to tell someone what had happened.
My elbow connected with Webster’s cheek, and that moved him several inches. He still didn't put his hands up to cover his face. I delivered a punch. My flat throat jab had him coughing and bending over, and then I delivered a knee strike.
Behind me, Gabe wrapped his arms around me and tugged me back. "Stand down, Saffron."
“Fuck you, Gabe."
"Saffron…"
Webster, still wheezing, pushed to his feet. “It's not enough. Let her go."
“You hear that?” I said to Gabe. “He wants more."
Gabe just stared at me.
Webster said, “I deserve it. All of it. Just let her do it. I deserve everything."
I stared at my brother.
"Saff, there are things at play here that you don't understand."
“I hate you."
“I know. But this is important. We're working with him. He's our ally."
I was shaking my head before I realized I was moving it. This had to be some kind of joke. "How can you even look at him? He killed Mum and Dad."
Gabe sighed. "Saff—"
"No, don't Saff me. You're willing to negotiate with him? We don't negotiate with terrorists. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he is the very definition of a terrorist."
Webster spoke. "What you don't understand, Agent Abott, is that your brother needs me. I have more intel on Antonio Igno's company and the inner workings of his arms deals than anyone in the world. So I’ve been giving him that information.We can arrange for you to come and hit me some other time."
"Somebody is going to put a bullet in you, and it won't be me. I'm not turning into you."
I stalked out, ignoring my brother's pleas.
Jason was pushing to his feet.
Saint too as he said, "Saff, fucking hell."
They were my teammates, and I’d just put them down in hopes of destroying Drake Webster.
You didn't have it in your heart to kill him.
As much as I hated him, as much pain as he’d caused me, I wasn't going to just stand there and shoot an unarmed man. I wasn't capable of that. I shoved aside the pain that surfaced. That was the important thing.