Dax was silent for a moment. "No shit. Really?"
Dax had been part of my business back when I worked with Bastion. But Dax was in the domestic team working out of New York, so he and Bastion hadn't ever met. Or if they had, it was briefly.
"How'd you get made?" I asked.
"Not sure. I got concerned that they might've been overhearing some of my calls. The last message I sent was encrypted. I take it that you got it?"
I shook my head and immediately regretted it when it felt like someone had dropped an anvil on it. "No. When I left to come down here, Archer told me that they were deciphering it."
"So, what are you here for?"
"Harper Erickson."
Dax let out a laugh and then groaned in pain. "I should've known that women would lead you to your death."
The idea of being with Harper until the day I died was appealing, except my death date was looming.
"So, what's the deal? Did her brother send you down here because she was also on a three day bender?"
I realized Dax wasn't aware of my relationship with Harper, such as it was. "Not exactly."
"Then what exactly?"
I was uncomfortable talking about Harper because I had no way of knowing if the cells were bugged. Chances they were. "That's not important now. What's important is figuring out how the hell we’re going to get out of this. How did you end up here?"
"It was after I talked to you and then sent that message to Archer. The Pirate’s goons grabbed me, beat me to a pulp, and tossed me in here."
"Were you able to hear anything about their plans? Are they charging you with human trafficking as well?"
"Human trafficking? I don't know that I've been charged with anything. Is that what they charged you with? How's that possible?"
Before I could respond the outer door of the cellblock opened, letting a bit of light in. Bastion strode in looking smug and triumphant.
He walked up to my cell, leaning against it as he looked down on me. "Do you like your accommodations?"
He gave a curt nod to a man standing by the door and they switched on the light. The brightness practically blinded me, sending searing pain through my brain. It was then that I realized I had no idea if it was night or day as the cells had no windows that would allow in natural light and the ability to keep track of time. Fucking with sleep and time were two tried and true torture techniques.
"Cut the bullshit, Bastion. What is going on here?"
"I just want to make sure that you're comfortable because you're going to be here for a while."
"You're doing this because you were left behind —"
"You left me behind." Bastion’s fake affable demeanor morphed into lethal hatred.
I shook my head. "I had no idea that you survived the ambush. The reports were that you were killed. If I'd known you were still alive, I would have fought like hell to get you out of there."
He gave me a hard stare. "But you couldn't be bothered to come get my body?"
"We started to make a plan, but the Congolese team said it was impossible. Not without risking more of the team." I wished I had left off that last bit.
"Oh yes, because heaven forbid Noel St. Martin risk his life for his friend."
I wanted to contradict that except he was right. Well, partially right. I would have risked my life, but not the lives of the team. I knew it wouldn’t matter to tell him that. Nothing I said would make a difference. Bastion was on a mission and there was no way I was going to talk him out of it.
"I'm tired of all your lies, Noel. Let's get on to the revenge."
"Why are you going through all this effort? Why not just put a bullet in my brain and be done with it?"