Brett stared at him. “What?”
“If everyone around you died, you’d have no one to turn to. You’d be bitter. Angry. Furious enough to kill. They want you to go after them so you become what they want you to be. Them.” Felix covered his hands with his own. “But they don’t know you like we do. You’ll never become them. No matter what happens to you or those around you.”
Brett wasn’t so sure he would agree with that. Hypothetically, if he lost everyone, he wouldn’t care. He’d destroy the world. Possibly.
“So, what’s the next move?” Andrew said.
“Talk to Maddox, and maybe Rico’s wife when she gets here,” Felix said. “She might know more than Rico realised.”
Brett hoped Maddox was confident enough in whatever the overall plan was to mess up and say something he shouldn’t because they needed a break. There was no way that Maddox was the head of the cobra. He wasn’t even sure Malcolm was. But if that’s the case, who was? Again, he had his suspicions but nothing to show as proof, so he wasn’t going there until there was no option left.
****
Chapter 19
Felix
All Felix wanted to do was grab Brett and take him to bed and not come up for several days—or weeks. They had crossed an invisible boundary when Felix had returned, and he wanted to investigate it and see where it took them. But instead, he had to have his common-sense hat on and suggest they get stuff done. He wanted to kick his own ass sometimes. He wouldn’t give up his friends or family for the world, though, and although he wanted nothing more than not to be there, he was helping, listening and figuring stuff out. However, interrogating Maddox was another matter. That was going to be his job. If Maddox knew who and what Felix was, then he wouldn’t be surprised when Felix brought out his toys.
His colleagues were catching on that he was a sniper, which was fair enough, but there was one thing he wasn’t sure even Brett knew about what Felix’s uncle had taught him.
Interrogation techniques.
It was one area of expertise he wished he hadn’t excelled at, but when it came to his family, he would do whatever it took.Whateverit took. And if it meant Brett wouldn’t look at him the same way again, then he would deal. He’d been alone long enough; he could manage a few more years before someone took him out. But he hoped Brett wouldn’t see him because he was about to ask him not to.
“No way in hell!” Brett said. “There’s no way in hell you are going in there alone with that asshole.”
Felix stared at him, his chest aching with the dear he saw in his expression. “He can’t hurt me here. The hurting will all be on him.” He exhaled. “I don’t want you to see what I can do, Brett,” he whispered.
“I know what you can do, but I just don’t think it will work on him. He’s Malcolm’s son, for god’s sake. He’s a whole other breed of…of…of something.” Brett raked his fingers through his hair, making Felix wish it were his fingers.
“Brett…” Felix waited until his boss looked at him again. “Youdon’tknow what I can do. Iwillmake him talk. But I don’t want you to see what I do to make him.”
Brett stared at him, his eyes clouding slightly with understanding. “Your uncle?” Felix licked his lips and nodded but said nothing. Brett sighed and put his hand on his hips, staring at the floor for a few long moments. “Fine. Butsomeonewill be going with you. You’re not going in there alone.”
Felix’s stomach churned. He didn’t want anyone to see his other side. The side he hid from everyone and had hoped was never necessary to bring out. However, needs must. “Owen.”
Brett’s jaw clenched, but it didn’t hide the brief flash of hurt that crossed his features, and Felix felt like shit. “I’ll ask him.”
He watched Brett disappear and wanted to call him back again. As much as he wasn’t concerned about being kidnapped again, his body turned jittery whenever Brett was out of sight. He had never overheard anything about Brett while he’d been locked up, and Rico had never mentioned him, but that didn’t stop the general unease in his body and mind that something was coming for Brett. All of this was about Brett. All of it. He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he did. And whenever Brett wasn’t with him, he couldn’t protect him. And he would protect that man with his life.
He pulled out his phone, using the few minutes he had to send his friends a message.
FELIX: I’m back. Miss me?
JASON: Oh my fucking god! Where the hell have you been? I was worried sick!
KAI: So good to hear from you. Did you enjoy your holiday?
Felix grinned. Trust Kai to joke about being on holiday. He replied just as Owen entered the room without Brett and came up to him. “I hear you need a sidekick.” He grinned. “I volunteer as tribute.”
Felix snorted. “You watch too many films.” He sobered and met Owen’s gaze. “I need to let you know something before we do this. You might rescind your voluntary status.”
Owen shrugged. “I doubt anything you say or do will make that happen.”
“I learnt certain techniques that are now frowned upon in most circles. Techniques that the darker side of people with no conscience might use. It’s never pretty, but it’s effective.”
“Where did you learn that?” Owen murmured.