“You’re mercenaries,” I reply without hesitation.
Rev shrugs. “We prefer the title private military contractors. People hire us for a number of reasons. Protection, cyber security, penetration testing—don’t giggle at that—surveillance, and breaking up criminal organizations.”
Intrigued, I plop down on the floor, cross-legged.
Rev smiles at me in approval. “Cain screens all of our clients. He wouldn’t accept a job that would result in innocent lives being taken. He doesn’t lean that way. Servitude to humanity runs through his veins. Military guy.” Rev winks.
It’s not hard for me to imagine Cain in a uniform. He’s built like an experienced soldier.
“So Cain takes contracts from who then? The government?”
“Sometimes. Sometimes politicians. They like to claim they’re cleaning up the streets. Sometimes it’s local police when a situation is too dangerous. Sometimes he runs his own jobs, funding them with money he’s earned through the consulting side of the company.”
“Modern day vigilante, huh?” I crack a nervous grin, though I do feel better about what’s going on here. It’s more noble than I expected from a big corporation.
Rev nods. “Now you’re getting it.”
“Your website is very vague aboutyour services.”
“Not everyone is sold on the idea of PMCs. We stay out of the media. Disclosing our true mission to the public would put all of us at risk, including the clients that bring word of evil to our desks.”
I process this for a few minutes, running my fingers over the rug beneath me.
Rev checks his expensive watch. “Unfortunately, that’s all I have time for today. You’re welcome to use the gym or pool on the balcony. I’m sure Cain didn’t offer those facilities to you, but I think he’ll understand if you need to burn off some energy.”
My chest tightens. “Ok.”
“You might want to try cleaning up the kitchen if you don’t want him to be overly testy tonight.”
“Rev?” I call out before he retreats through the front door. “Thank you. For being so—”
“Don’t say kind,” Rev says, dropping his smile. “I’m not kind, Ezra. I play a role, and sometimes I get lost in it. That’s all.”
His phone rings, saving me from having to respond to his odd admission.
“Yeah?” Rev answers, propping his shoulder against the door. “Surprised you’re letting me take the lead on this one. I’ll finish up here and head out with my team.”
Rev’s pale eyes cut to me, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Yes, he’s still here. No, you’ll have to come up here and check on him yourself.”
He hangs up and pockets his phone. “Hey, Ezra?”
My spine straightens. “Yeah?”
“Cause some more chaos for the bossman tonight, okay?”
I glimpse a true smile from him as he leaves, and it’s better suited for a demon in hell.
The front door clicks open as I’m elbow deep in soapy water. The sink overflowed while I got distracted playing dress up in Cain’s closet. He has all the same style suits in shades ranging from black to navy to gray. Everything not business formal ranges in shades of the same colors, which is incredibly boring.
I had no idea how much dish soap to use. Judging by the spillover in the kitchen and Cain’s slack-jawed expression, it’s definitely not half the bottle. Slowly, he places his briefcase on the shelf by the door, water rippling on the polished concrete floors beneath his leather shoes.
“Explain,” Cain orders, stripping off his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves to reveal heavy ink covering his veiny forearms. A ring of black encompasses both wrists, gradually fading into a forest scene, and ending in sharp pines at his elbows.
My heart leaps into a sprint. “God, I just felt bad about all the dishes from breakfast, and Rev mentioned you’d be pissed. Something about setting fire to your world. But I’ve never done this before.” I tangle a bubbled hand in my messy hair. “Didn’t know how to work the fancy dishwasher, either.”
I let out a frustrated breath as my cheeks heat, irritated by my inability to do anything but steal shit and aggravate people.
Why am I even doing his stupid dishes? He choked me. Zip-tied me. Cut me with a knife. And he’s technically holding me against my will now, right?
