Metallic Hearts {Metallic Charms Book #2}

Chapter 19: Under the Hammer

Chapter 19: Under the Hammer

I woke in an extravagant penthouse apartment that smelled like old newspapers, cigar smoke and cologne. I wrinkled my nose at the mixture of smells and groaned as I felt the pain in the back of my head as I came to.

I tried to move my arms but found that I was cuffed to a chair, same with my legs. I moaned, someone really wanted me dead –or at least pissed off.
My vision became clearer and I felt a pair of hands tied against my own. They felt small and delicate with thin fingers. I couldn’t see anything but blonde hair behind me and came to the conclusion that it was Starlie. And she was still unconscious.

I was awake, but I still had a foggy cloud in my mind. I didn’t know what to do so I tried to pull my hands out of the binds but I was trapped.

“Son of a bitch.” I muttered.
“Not quite.” I heard a high pitched voice say and I looked up to come face to face with Alice. Her pencil skirt and blazer had been traded in for a tight, dark green suit that didn’t have sleeves, but only had thin little straps. It wasn’t a good look, at all.

“Oh. You.” I groaned. “Where am I?”
“Seattle.” She stated taking a step towards me, and in that moment, I was intimidated by her. “Not that it matters. No one will find you here.”
“Who are you working for?” I asked through clenched teeth, trying to pull my hands free still.
“The S.P.A.” Alice said without skipping a heartbeat. I smirked knowingly. She’d replied too quickly, I had the same problem when I was trying to lie.
“No. Really.” I cocked my head to the side, “If you were really working for them then you would have taken Starlie and I straight to Headquarters. Instead, we’re here; in a penthouse apartment in Seattle. So, who are you working for?”

It was silent for a long while, Alice stared at me, obviously battling whether or not to hit me or not –I knew this because of the flexing and twitching of her right hand that seemed to make a fist with a mind of its own. I hid my smirk, turning my head to the side. It was obvious she was under orders to keep me unharmed –as for Starlie, I didn’t know, and I spent most of the time silently praying that she stayed unconscious in fear her big mouth would get us both in an unpredictable situation.

Behind me, I heard the door open and slam close, followed by shoes clicking on the ground.

“Alice, baby, I heard you had a present for me.” The voice said and my head snapped up. I knew that voice, I’d heard it a million times on television news broadcasts and just a few months ago face to face.
“Two, actually.” Alice walked right past me to greet the man who was most likely responsible for my kidnapping. I heard the puckering sound of kissing and cringed.

“Richard Hammer.” I said with disgust, “Why am I not surprised?”
“Noel Barton. Good to see you again, how’s Tony treating you?” Hammer sneered as if he knew what had been going on –but of course he knew. Alice had been a mole within our system. She knew almost everything.
“We’re taking a little break actually.” I said calmly, “I’m only nineteen, don’t want to settle for an old man just yet.” I laughed dryly and the duo standing in front of me rolled their eyes as I felt Starlie stir behind me.