"What do you an, Rick? Haven’t I done things for this organization? Isn’t there a significant change and shift now, both in thods and available tools, than in the last two years?"
Alvarez turned to Athena next, desperation dripping from his tone. "Weren’t you impressed when you stepped in here weeks ago and saw the improved state of operations? What else could feasibly run this place if not money?"
Athena didn’t bother to respond.
Whatever Alvarez said today, whatever ploys he attempted, the final decree was that he would be cooling his heels in the black cells by the end of the day. Nothing was going to change her mind.
anwhile, Rick let out a humorless laugh, a dry chuckle that sent tendrils of fear, snake-like, down Alvarez’s spine.
"You think I don’t know that our old Boss from the CIA funnels running funds to us every month? Enough money to cover operational costs and then so? You’re just too greedy!"
The revelation hit Alvarez hard; he paled visibly as both Athena and Aiden, new to this insight, turned to Rick in shock.
"Boss sends money monthly?" They both asked simultaneously.
Rick nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Athena felt a surge of relief that she had reconnected with the Boss, grateful she had chosen to unblock his number. She needed to speak with him again to express her thanks, right after this interrogation.
"How did you know?" Alvarez’s soft question caught Athena’s attention—and not in a good way. The man was leading them in circles, and with Chelsea set to arrive any minute, her patience was wearing thin.
As if on cue, Chelsea’s text dinged on Athena’s phone: ’I’ll be touching down at the port in the next five to ten minutes.’
Athena cursed softly, drawing Ewan’s gaze. He wanted to ask her what the problem was, but she appeared to have everything under control, so he decided to hold his questions.
The strong-willed independent woman wouldn’t appreciate him fussing over her at every opportunity.
anwhile, Athena’s fingers flew over her phone as she ssaged Gianna. ’Gia, hi. Chelsea is here. Please pick her up. I owe you a al.’
"He told to keep an eye on you too...Turns out you were sneakier than I thought," Rick continued, pulling Athena back to the mont.
So, the boss had suspected Alvarez at one point? She shot him a sidelong glance, feeling a surge of anger towards the man who had caused so much suffering and was now trying to play the victim.
"So, did Morgan agree to your request?" She pressed, eager to push Alvarez out of her presence.
"We were still haggling over the price," He muttered, head bowed.
Athena nodded, then turned to Aiden. "Is there anything you want to ask him?"
Aiden pursed his lips, scrutinizing Alvarez closely. "How long? How long have you been in league with the devil?"
"Close to a year," Alvarez mumbled, staring down at the floor, embarrassnt washing over him.
"Please take him away," Athena snapped, unable to hide her disgust as she looked away from him. "You know where to deliver him."
The agents wasted no ti. They quickly grabbed Alvarez, who initially held onto his pride and stayed silent, but when the reality of his impending fate sank in—his family and status spiraling out of reach—he dropped to his knees, hands clasped in a prayer.
"Please... rcy... Rember our friendship..."
Athena tsked, rising to her feet. "You should have thought of that when you decided to dabble in cri." She gestured for the agents to move him away swiftly, their advances drowned out by Alvarez’s desperate echoes of ’please’ and ’rcy.’
"What are we going to do about Heronica and Cole?" Ewan asked, keeping pace with Athena as they entered another hallway.
Rick had departed to deal with the other collaborators who had participated in betraying the organization and everything it stood for. All accomplices were on their way to the black cells.
"As we’ve done with the others," Athena replied, stopping at a door.
Without hesitation, she opened it, pausing when she saw Heronica and Cole sitting on a plush sofa, munching on packs of Doritos. They had clearly been engrossed in a Netflix binge before her entry and were now glaring at her in surprise, their eyes wide.
At least the old fool was smart enough to keep them chained, Athena noted, observing the way their feet were locked to each other.
"Athena... I thought I wouldn’t see you again. What are you doing here?" Heronica asked, striving to keep calm, especially in light of the deadly look Athena sported, not to ntion the two intimidating n flanking her.
Was that Ewan Giacotti?
"What am I doing here?" Athena chuckled dryly, her voice icy. "Just here to put you where you belong. Playti with Alvarez is over. Get up!"
Heronica and Cole exchanged cautious glances but complied without hesitation, sensing that this was not the best mont to test Athena’s patience. Despite not being ard with an electric shocker, her presence was intense enough to command obedience.
"Don’t even think about attempting to escape. You’ll only worsen your punishnt," Athena warned as they stepped into the hallway.
Aiden, no fan of long-winded discussions, pulled out handcuffs he had spotted earlier in the containnt room and swiftly secured their wrists.
No loose ends, he thought, as he pushed them forward roughly. "Walk."
However, because Heronica and Cole’s legs were linked together, this proved difficult, especially as neither was particularly coordinated. Their struggles drew no sympathy from their captors.
"Where are we headed? Where are you taking us?" Heronica inquired after a tense silence, eyeing the group of agents waiting ahead to receive them.
"To the black cells. You’ll et your fellow evildoers there," Athena replied sharply.
Heronica’s face paled, her body suddenly trembling as the horrifying implications sank in. The black cells?
"She’s having a panic attack!" Cole shouted, darting manic glances between Heronica and Athena’s imposing group.
But Athena rely shrugged. "She’ll be fine. She’ll find a coping chanism surely—unless she has no plans to survive in the black cells."
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