Page 131 of Burn Like An Angel
“I’ll take your testimony back to our director, Hunter.”
“Warner mentioned others were facing criminal charges.” Panic flutters behind my breastbone. “I need to know what I’m looking at.”
He appraises me, the crinkles around his eyes making him seem conflicted. “I don’t know, Ripley.”
“That isn’t good enough.”
“We’re negotiating charges with the Serious Crimes Unit. Your cooperation will help your case.”
“I have more information. Inside knowledge that can help you dismantle their entire operation.”
“If you’re all willing to cooperate with the investigation, perhaps a plea deal can be made. Hunter will take your case to the authorities to make a decision.”
“He doesn’t want to speak to me himself?” I ask in surprise.
“He’s… preoccupied right now.” Enzo worries his bottom lip. “We lost a member of our organisation recently. Someone important to us.”
“Alyssa?”
The muscle in his neck twitches. “Yes.”
“She freed us from the Z wing.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“What happened to her?”
Enzo releases a world-weary sigh. “The night we entered Harrowdean, we were undertaking a rescue mission. Alyssa lost her life in the crossfire.”
“If it weren’t for her, we would be dead or worse. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “Me too.”
Feeling like I’ve poked a sore spot, I decide to look away. “What happens now?”
“You’ll remain in protective custody here at the safe house while we take this information away. The security detail won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Bancroft will plough straight through your men.”
Enzo gathers his things, rising to his full height. “Bancroft won’t be a problem for much longer. Until then, we will keep you safe.”
“You’re not going to tell me anything else. Are you?”
Humour sparkles in his molten eyes. “No.”
Frustration burns through me, but I hold it at bay. We’ve barely survived a few weeks in the firing line. This man helps run a multimillion-pound business that operates under enemy fire. This is his fight.
Before showing himself out, Enzo glances back at me, looking like he wants to say more.
“What?” I prompt.
“You remind me of someone. She’s feeling guilty right now too.”
When he pauses, I wait for him to gather his thoughts.
“I told her healing is hard.”
“Why do you say that?” I can’t hold the question in.
