I took the dinner that Colin made and the ice pack and made my way to the room. I would be lying if I had not been impressed by how fast Rory was able to disarm me. I never showed that side of myself in front of Jegor, and for good reason.
Many of them in the compound had figured me out for a hacker and nothing else. And to be frank, I wanted to keep it that way. I quickly polished off the meal and went back to the hall to dispose of the remains.
I went to the kitchen and saw that it was Rory washing the dishes instead of Noah. I guess he sensed me coming because he spoke to me with his back turned.
"Leave the plate there and I'll get to it."
I set the plate down and went to switch out the ice pack for the one that was now melted.
"Cheap trick to leave that gun in plain sight. What would have happened if I shot one of you?" That comment made the 6'4 male laugh at me. He rinsed his hands and tossed the towel he was using to wipe his hands on his shoulder.
"Let me ask you something, little lamb? Did you know the gun was not loaded?"
I paused and glared at him. The obvious answer would have been no, but truthfully, I could tell the gun was not completely loaded. I had assumed that there was at least one bullet in the chamber.
"No, I thought it was loaded or at least I did not think about it when I grabbed it," I said.
That must not have satisfied him because he squared up to me and looked me dead in my eyes. "I think you knew it was not loaded. I think that you could have fought me off. The way you got Carlson on his back, there is no way you could not take me."
I took a step back and smirked. "Clearly you are overestimating me, Rory. What happened in the garage was pure adrenaline, nothing more."
"Yeah, I don't believe that, considering you knocked him out wearing a pair of handcuffs. Handcuffs I want to add that you did not even try to break out of." Rory said, looking down at me.
"What are you getting at, Rory," I said, matching his energy.
I gathered that Rory was the more observant of the bunch. Not that I was surprised. He seemed gentle in the car when he let me fall asleep on him, but looking at the giant in front of me, I had no doubt that any pleasantries between us were gone the minute I picked up his Tech-Nine.
"I believe there is more to you, little lamb. And I can not wait to see what you have in store for us," he smirked as he turned his back to me and went back to washing the dishes.
As I left from the kitchen, I walked into the room that mimicked an office and I saw Noah and Asher in the room together. They paused whatever discussion they were having when they saw me. I had no doubt that I was the center of their discussion. I turned away and left the room.
After the stunt that Rory had done, I wanted to keep my emotions in check and make sure I did not do anything else to raise issues between myself and the four brothers. Turning the corner, I collided with something solid and covered in sweat. I looked up to see Colin holding my forearms, making sure I did not fall.
"Well, well, if it isn't our little spitfire," He said, towering over me. He had a rag over his left shoulder and a gym bag in his hand.
"Coming back from the gym," I asked.
He nodded. "Thought I would get a few sets in before heading out. I would ask if you want a tour but I think you would rather your computer." He smiled and motioned his head for me to follow him.
We walked down the second hallway west of the kitchen and turned the corner to a room with a desk that was sitting in the middle of the room. There were three dark brown seats arranged in front of the desk. In the corner of the room was a filing cabinet and next to it was a rolling cart with alcohol on it. Underneath the cart was my laptop carrying case.
Colin kneeled down and retrieved the bag before placing it in my hands.
"Don't worry, everything is in there. Even though you are a captor, we believe in privacy."
"Do you think that is wise? What if there is a tracker on my equipment?" There wasn't, but I was not going to tell him that. But he did not seem concerned. If anything, his demeanor did not change because of my comments.
"Well, considering most devices like that would be disabled the minute they are in range. We know that there is no one in Jegor's organization looking for you. Most of them are long dead." He walked past me before stopping. "Oh, and I would not try something like that, especially around Noah. He is looking for a reason to fire the EMP."
My eyes grew big at the acronym. EMP. "He has an electromagnetic pulse." I shook my head. "It would damage all of the electronics and equipment in the penthouse. Your brother cannot be that reckless."
That earned me another laugh. The deep chortle from the man sent a resinating heat to my core.
"Oh, he would do it. He is itching to put it to the test again. Fair warning," Colin said as he escorted me back to my room.
I fired up my computer and started to collect information that I had been gathering since entering Jegor's estate. It had taken time to earn his trust and find the person that I had been searching for all these years.
Even with the destruction to the compound I had reached a dead end trying to find the person responsible for the death of my old brother.
In the penthouse of the Cathal Brothers, I knew that I had to keep my emotions in check. If I was not careful I would give away everything with the slightest sign of my temper or emotions. I had to remember what my father always taught me.
Never let your emotions get the better of you. Then your enemies will use that against you.
I look over all the information that I had gathered from Jegor's computer and the intel that he was stupid enough to leave within my glances. I knew that Terrell was not so trusting but after doing research on the man that was as loyal as spoiled milk I found something that I could not ignore.
It was not a coincidence that the Cathal Brothers had raided Jegor's compound. Terrell was the cause of it all.
"Miserable prick," I muttered as I tied my hair in a ponytail to keep the flyaways from my face.
Terrell had once been in the Cathal's employment until he took his business to the Slavicks and the Russians. His betrayal had marked a future that Jegor should have seen coming. I shook my head as I recounted the events that might have led to the raid on the compound.
Had I known it would happen I would have made my escape and went awol and wipe any trace that I was there. But funny enough the Cathal Brothers had already known about me.
I do not know exactly how are why they need me but if I play to my strengths maybe just maybe I can use this to my advantage.