Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 235 - In my own words.

Ying's POV.

I won't lie to you. I was scared. Voltz stood right up to me and I could read men like a hawk. He had no fear of me and for good fucking reason. However it was more than that. He was different. For instance I had two others with me as my protection and they were both wolves. Voltz matched their size and he was a hedgehog. Dressed in what to me was nothing more than a no bullshit combat rig, He had the body of a man not of his age. He had me at a loss for what to think and for a second what to say. It was best not to shake his hand. I had no idea where his feelings were yet. So I played it safe by just saying the truth.

"I know I'm not in the right frame of mind to ask you about this, but…...I need answers and I needed them weeks ago."

"You should have just asked me while you were bunking with my best friend. Helping him kill and scare my people back into their homes."

"It was never about helping Archer."

"Then what was it about? Because in all honesty this is how I feel about the sitiuion."

Voltz wasn't alone. Taking a step back into the capital, I turned my head slightly left to widen my eyes on a wolf. My whole body went still as he came, dressed in a full set of combat armor and wearing a solid steel face mask that was formed in the shape of another wolf. The two wolves behind me both lowered their guards at the sight. Whoever this person was wasn't rebellion and if I had to guess it was Voltz's personal way of telling me not to fuck with him. However in seconds of stopping between us; did he finish his last statement.

"I don't owe you anything in the way of answers."

With my eyes locked on the wolf in front of me, I replied in concern.

"Who's this?"

Raptor ignored me and said it again.

"I don't owe you any answers. The only reason you're here now is because you hold a special place in what's left of the war. If I could afford it, I would just have you and your men killed."

"You can't afford that Voltz." I told him as he nodded and replied.

"I know. However it won't stop me from putting you down if you push your line. So you listen to me and do what I say while you're here. Is that understood?" He asked me as I looked back at the wolf to see she had a custom AK. The guard was deadlocked on staring back at me as I slowly replied to Voltz.

"Understood."

Giving me a nod of his own once more, Raptor soon urged me.

"Your men can stay here. We'll go to my office and talk. You won't be harmed."

Raptor turned and began to move away leaving me with the guard who slowly took a step away to follow after. My eyes went all down the body in front of me as I walked and I even heard the two men behind me ask.

"Is that a woman?"

I wasn't one to care enough to question a person's gender, but if it was a girl then I had a feeling who it was. I would keep it to myself till I had the chance to ask. Raptor was leading us not that far away. We just crossed the main lobby and up a set of stairs leading to a small office just up the top of them. Once inside, the girl got the door and Raptor himself got seated. I slowly followed his lead and got in a space just in front of the desk as his guard took the spotlight behind him in a matter of seconds. Again she was watching my every move and before I could figure out what to say, Raptor asked me.

"You armed?"

Nodding my head, I pulled out the M9 at my hip and handed it over across the desk to reply.

"Yeah. Here. Doubt I'll need it."

Voltz took the gun and threw it in his desk. After which point I told him directly.

"I made a mistake. One you already know I'm sure. I came into your land and attempted to bring in a criminal. Zeta Diskov. I know you had the pleasure of bringing her in. I know you turned her over to my men. I know you put on a big ruse as a way to earn yourself some extra money."

Raptor was silent as I told him his own actions.

"I don't know what position you currently hold here, but I know your past. You turned away and tried to make a handful of dollars before leaving the scene. Why you came back is of no concern to me."

"Then what is?" He wondered as I took a moment to adjust in my chair. Once I was sat up correctly did I reply.

"The men you turned Zeta Diskov over to? Their leader was my grandson. Yellow fox and his name was Ness. Do you remember him?"

Nodding Raptor replied back while tossing his phone up from his pocket and onto the desk between us.

"I remember the kid."

Licking my lips, I then asked with all my heart behind it.

"What happened that night? I need to know."

Raptor knew something and I was sure of it because he suddenly lowered his gaze. After which he replied.

"I turned Zeta over. Our deal was to meet up in the desert and do a trade off. As far as I knew everything went well. Ness confirmed the girl was her and he had the money wired. From there I had some of my most trusted escort him and your men out, but…..?" Our eyes locked as he cut his sentence short. I could feel myself shaking slightly. The way he was acting only told me it was bad news and up till now I thought I was ready for it.

Picking up his phone, Raptor calmly swiped and hit some buttons, then turned it over to me. I was confused at first but then he said.

"Just…...take a look for yourself."

Carefully I took that phone and brought it to my eyes.

Pepper's POV.

I lowered my gun as Ying looked over the photos Raptor had. You could see it change his stance. He was trying to understand it all. With his eyes glued to the phone, Raptor took his chance and said without a break in his tone.

"Your men, along with mine; were ambushed on the way out. G.U.N must have thought we were trying to cross borders into Pakistan and had them targeted. Only two of my men made it back alive before taking those pictures. I had no idea what had happened until it was too late. I'm sorry but your grandson didn't make it. I had them take those just in case you came knocking on my door. Figured you find out I was involved one way or the other. Being anonymos doesn't mean much these days'"

Ying just sat there looking through the photos Pierce had taken. Raptor made sure his tracks were covered. Ying knew Raptor had turned my sister over but in no world did he know that Raptor planned to double cross; and even if he did he had no proof at this point. Raptor would have to come clean in order for that to be true to anyone and that wasn't going to happen.

"I had no way of knowing and this was before Archer fucked up my home. So don't blame me for what happened. G.U.N was protecting its borders and I'd hate to say it Ying, but your grandson knew what he signed on for by taking the contract in the first place. I'm sorry, but it was a risk and him and my friends paid the price for it."

"And Zeta?" Ying came up to ask as they locked eyes once more. Raptor kept a straight face and replied.

"She died during the ambush. G.U.N hit the truck she was being held in with a rocket. Along with hitting the gas line, her and most of the others were burned alive. As you can tell by the photos."

Ying nodded and slowly took his time to look through them again. After a few moments he gently put the phone back down and let out a sigh. Raptor was watching him closely and soon said.

"I'm sorry. I've lost people too."

"I'm sure." Ying replied as I took a step forward to approach Raptor from behind. His head slowly looked back at me as I whispered into his ear.

"He's dangerous. You need to think about ending this peacefully."

Raptor nodded as Ying looked up at me to ask bluntly.

"You work for who? Let me guess."

Raptor turned back to face him as Ying went on to say.

"Fort Drake? It's Vetra right? I think I know you. Or at least heard about you."

I wanted to question him but I knew my place. I couldn't afford to speak and Raptor knew it and jumped in to reply.

"She's a freelancer. I reached out to her after I left the rebellion. Now that I'm back, my life to the middle east means it's future. I can't afford to get killed just yet and despite having an army, most of my men are just starting out as soldiers. I trust them, but sometimes a man needs a little more protection. Especially now."

Ying had his eyes locked on me. We were staring at one another for what seemed like hours, but with time came his next statement.

"I can't disagree with your reasoning Raptor. I'm just concerned who she works for. Fort Drake is a terror group and no offense to your friend, but she matches those people in her display. The armor and the silence is much like those monsters. You of all people need to be concerned with who you shake hands with. Drake should never be one of them."

"Why's that?" Raptor asked as I relaxed and took a step back to listen to Ying's answer.

"It's not like it's a secret. You know about the network we all deal with. Fort Drake is a PMC completely made up of terrorists and crazy folk. On top of that they have some of the best gear and the best training money can buy. They escaped their crimes by buying immunity from the network. They can't be touched unless the network itself lets them go, or they give the world a reason to fight them. G.U.N operates with them and Hecan himself has been known to let them operate freely in the states. They don't care about anyone or anything other than money. Drake himself is a man who cares about nothing less than his company. He's ahead of everyone. I just figured he knew your situation and was making his move early."

"What move would that be?" Raptor then asked as Ying stood up to reply.

"The network and every PMC including myself will be coming to ask for freedom to operate in your land. I'm sure you're aware of just how many contracts are in your land. It's a lot and enough to fuel a bidding war. Has the network contacted you at all?"

Raptor shook his head.

"Not yet. Not that I'm aware of anyway. I assume people like that will wait till the war is over."

Ying seemed to agree but still went on to say.

"Regardless you'll be in charge of your country. Everyone will have to come to you if they wish to hunt in your land. In return you'll probably get a cut of the contracts and that's good for you, but Drake is probably aiming higher and that's dangerous for everyone."

"If he comes I'll handle it then. But till then I ask that you collect your men and leave Ying. I don't have personal beef with you, but if you ask anyone around here they'll say you deserve worse then any enemy for what you've done to my people. I would agree with those people, but I can't afford to be a dictator. You have one chance to leave and I know you're smart enough to take it. What say you?"

Ying remained standing. Surprisingly there was no anger coming from him. He knew Raptor was gracing him with the ability to leave with his life. After some time Ying replied.

"I say thank you. I want you to know Raptor that this wasn't about the middle east for me. I came here for my grandson and got mixed up with the wrong kind of people. I have nothing against you or your cause."

"You were ready to kill me to get what you wanted. I know your kind and I know my friends. Archer knows what kind of threat I am and I'm sure he'd tell you anything to have you help him kill me. I'm not blaming you for your actions, but I do hold you for them. Next time you need answers you should come to the source. Not the other party who has no idea what's going on."

Ying stared at Raptor and replied.

"Archer claimed you ran after the contract. In fact he claims you double crossed me."

Raptor went silent as he pressed the subject.

"According to him you were friends with Zeta. Defending her presence even. You ran from your cause and what's to stop me from thinking you just decided to use your power and set up an ambush of your own? You could have easily gotten my grandson killed and made it look like someone else was to blame. In fact all these photos could be bullshit. You probably killed Ness and took both the girl and the money and ran. Now your back for some reason and telling me the opposite."

Slowly Ying got in front of the desk and began to lean over into Raptor. At which point I got involved by stepping up and rolling Raptor who was in his chair back behind me as Ying began to shout.

"You know what you're doing and you know just how fucked I am! I have no proof to back up any claim and even if I did the network wouldn't allow me to kill you. And yes I would kill you. The network is protecting you and that was made clear when they wouldn't open up your contract after you ran from the rebellion. They probably already made a deal and yeah I don't believe you for a second. You're lying through your teeth and you say what you say with a smile. You know I can't do anything! So just admit you killed my grandson!"

I now stood between them as Raptor remained silent. Ying just got even more mad and yelled.

"Admit what you've done! Admit you crossed me and admit you saved Zeta Diskov and you killed Ness! Admit it!"

The snake was fuming and Raptor just kept his mouth shut as things were getting out of hand. At which point Ying tried to come around the counter. Immediately as he did I got in the way and used my body to block him from getting within reach of Raptor, who at this point replied with a calm voice.

"Your grandson was a vicous little fuck who preyed on the people under him. He was a waste of flesh and he was never fit to be in the position he was in. He was a miserable excuse for an officer and he deserved no respect. He deserved what he got and he deserved much more and I wish I could have given it to him, but I did not kill him. I turned Zeta over and you paid me. I did what I could to help your boy go home, but he's in the middle east. Shit happens and out of respect you should be grateful it happened when it did. He was a poor example of what your PMC should be. He deserved to be cooked alive like he was, and think of it this way. No one will ever have to bury the body. Out in the sands they will see that you receive proper treatment."

Ying tried to jump forward, but I caught him and pushed him back a few feet. He knew he wasn't getting by and that only made him madder. Locking eyes with Raptor once more he grunted.

"You better hope your contract never becomes at risk. Because if that day ever comes I will find you and I will send everything I got. I'll burn this city down to see you die. You ever fuck up and I'll be waiting. Those tags you're wearing will be my trophy so don't you dare lose them."

Raptor slowly reached up to his neck to grab them. He held them there as Ying tried his best to calm down. After a moment however Raptor urged him.

"Get in line for my head. You're not the only one who wants it. In fact you're probably the only person who has a chance to take it. But that day won't ever come. You'll never accept the truth and much like your grandson; you should get going before I change my mind on letting you leave my country alive after what you've done to it."

I saw the look in his eyes change as Raptor sat back and just watched as that was as good as any admittance I could think of. Ying had no proof and Raptor knew it. The network wasn't going to open his contract over anything and he'd just have to get over it. Ying knew the truth and it pissed him off that Raptor was just going back and forth. He was basically saying he killed the kid, but at the same time he wasn't outright saying it to his face. In fact he still tried to convince him otherwise. Ying needed no more answers and no more convincing that Raptor was indeed his enemy. With my hand out to keep him back, I watched as he slowly backed up. Raptor saw this as his moment to say.

"Enjoy the trip home Ying. Have my deepest condolences for your loss."

Ying was ready to tear out his throat but turned to leave. Slamming the door behind him, I waited a few seconds before thinking to myself.

"Ying isn't a man to let something like this slide and he wasn't about to forget about Raptor. He was going to do everything in his power to see him die and regardless of what happens after the war was over; Raptor would still be in danger."

Raptor let go of his tags and gently looked back at his desk. At which point he said.

"He won't do anything. He can't afford it after all he's done to fuck up his company's good name. Danger isn't a concern to me Pepper. Let the man think what he wants to think, but if he tries anything he'll be throwing his life away. His company away."

Looking back at the hedgehog who just invaded my head I replied.

"That may be a price he's willing to pay. Wouldn't you?"

Raptor gave me this look now. He was thinking that over carefully. Him out of everyone knew the answer and so did I. Very slowly did he whisper.

"Yeah."

My body took a second to relax. Then I asked him.

"Can I go check on my sister?"

Nodding he kept silent. I gave him time but in the end he didn't answer. Leaving me to question what he was thinking now. Maybe just like Ying he was now questioning things.

mT Shadow.