Mine

Tate - 7

I’m awoken by the smell of bacon, no doubt that Ian has let himself in. As we eat, Ian talks about some plans we have to bring on more clients who can help move some product. I’m only half listening as I decide not to tell him what was in the black box.

I’m grateful when he doesn’t ask me either as we pack up and leave for the address Hiram sent to Ian. The driver is silent as always, meanwhile Ian is sucked into his phone screen, the light illuminating his face and the side of the car.

I watch the sun start peeking up over the mountains in the distance as we drive along them. Eventually, we turn off and down a road that brings them ever closer to us, casting us back into their shadows.

“Alright. It’s done. I’ve set up meetings for us to talk to them, but I won’t confirm times until we know what all this Warehouse business with Hiram is.”

Ian tucks his phone into his suit pocket as he smiles broadly. I nod.

This warehouse business is right. I don’t make it my personal agenda to know what Hiram’s endeavors are when it comes to his business within and for The Order, but he talks about a few of them.

This could be anything. With a name like that and the girls having something to do with it, my mind goes to the worst. I’ve done a lot of bad things, but when I was little, my mother spent countless hours drilling into me that women were off limits.

I’ve never killed one, but I’ve gotten handsy. I’ve done my fair share of pushing around and I know where my damn soul will end up.

Before long, we pull into a tunnel, the driver speeding up as we race what feels like downwards and into darkness. A few miles in and Ian’s phone beeps.

“I’ve lost signal.”

I don’t bother checking mine as I’m sure I’ve lost it too. The driver slows a bit as we turn this way and that, finally having our way illuminated by blue lights lining the tunnel.

My ears pop as we come to a stop. A tall gate blocks our view. The driver shows the man at the gate something and it opens almost immediately as he tucks it back into his breast pocket, pulling forward. Ian and I exchange looks.

We round a huge fountain much like the one from the other compound. In fact, this place is almost an exact replica of the hall from last night, rather it’s black and its sconces spill red light onto the stone walls.

“Where the f**k are we?” Ian breathes.

The car pulls to a stop at the steps, Hiram waiting on the top one for us, smiling as I open my door.

“I’m glad to see you were able to cancel all your plans and come out."

“Did I have a choice?”

“Touché.” He laughs, shaking my hand.

“So? What are we doing here? I don’t see the other men from last night.” Ian asks, looking around and shaking Hiram’s hand as well.

Hiram laughs.

“They won’t be here, Ian. They took their women home.”

“So then why are we here?”

“You’re here because you took it upon yourself to purchase women that were promised to the men that The Order owed. You purchased them. Therefore it’s your job to pay back their debts. You purchased them, they’re your problem now.”

Shit.