Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 260 - How'd it feel?
Raptor's POV.
Vetra came in all smiles like. Her eyes on me as she awaited the first question to be asked. So once she stood behind Pepper and Zeta who were both sitting down I asked her bluntly.
"I know you're not an idiot Vetra. So just answer me when I ask you this. Do you know who these two are sitting before you?"
Her eyes went to both of them. For a moment she just sucked her lower lip and thought of how to answer me. Seeing she needed the help of encouragement I urged her.
"Don't feel like you need to lie any further."
"You said you didn't want me to cause any trouble." She replied as I nodded and sat back to state.
"I'm aware, but up till now I hadn't considered the option that you might have already met before this. So just answer the question. Please."
Nodding her head, Vetra came around to my side of the desk. She was chewing another piece of gum and as she blew Pepper a bubble she replied.
"The Diskov twins. Zeta was MIA for the longest time here in the middle east and Pepper I believe I shot once or twice."
"Once." Pepper growled as Vetra went on to ask her happily.
"Ohhhh how'd it feel? I bet it kicked the venom right out of your lungs."
Pepper instantly stood up out of her seat and without having to move myself; Zeta reached over to grab her by the wrist. Just as she did Pepper asked Vetra in a very angry growl.
"Who the fuck do you think you are bitch?"
Vetra began to laugh as I remained silent during the conversation. However as she laughed Zeta ordered her.
"Shut up! You're just pissing her off more!"
"That's fine." Vetra told her back as she went on to admit.
"You're not my business anymore. You or her. The network took you both down for….?" Her eyes looked to me and with a smile she finished her statement.
"For some reason. What that reason could be is none of my concern. I could care less about you two. You should both be grateful about that. Zeta, your lucky Fort Drake couldn't afford to take such a stuipd risk that Ying took to track you down and Pepper you're just lucky to be alive. If it wasn't for being a user you'd be dead and I'd be a few million dollars richer."
Now both the girls were growling at Vetra. However words stopped being spoken between them as Vetra proceeded to blow them both another bubble. Once done she looked back at me to state.
"See why I lied? I'm not good at shutting my mouth to a bunch of bitches trying to push their weight around like they amount to anything special. Your contracts were business. Your lives were business. Now the contracts are gone I have no business with either of you. So do me a favor and grow up. It's over between us. Not unless your contracts get back on the site or if Raptor here decides he wants me to off one of you."
Both of my girls were now itching to fight her. Zeta a little less then Pepper but trying to keep things tame I said to Vetra in hopes she would ease up.
"Not going to happen. Both of those options are off the table Vetra. There are plenty of other people who need to be killed but these two are strictly off limits. You need to understand that. I risked a lot to get them their freedom and I wish it to remain that way."
Nodding she shifted her whole body back at me to sit down on the base of my desk. Looking me square in the eyes she replied.
"I understand commander. Sorry. Again I'm not the nicest person when I feel threatened or tense in a room. I don't like getting pushed around and despite all my harsh sass I know those two won't do shit. Even if they wanted too."
"You need to shut your fucking mouth!" Pepper told her from behind. My eyes watched Vetra very closely as she calmly took a breath in and turned back around to face the other wolf. With that smile still on her face she questioned.
"And are you going to make me if I don't?"
"Vetra." I said her name again and immediately she turned back around to reply.
"Yes sir?"
"Stop. Last thing I want to do right now is pull you three apart."
Vetra just gave me this sad look. She knew she was making a scene and she did feel at least somewhat ashamed of it. So I was somewhat surprised when she questioned.
"It might be fun?"
Giving her a small smile I urged her as Pepper was about to jump.
"Step away."
Her eyes darted back to Pepper who was still growling her down by the second. Zeta wasn't any more amused as she obeyed and scooted a foot over towards my side to calmly state to me.
"So yeah I know them. What's the next question?"
For a moment I looked back to Zeta to give her this look that meant I wanted her to control her sister. She got to work on that by grabbing her by the arm as I carefully refocused back on Vetra to ask.
"Where's the rifle?"
Her body had turned back around fully to face me. Her legs practically in my face as she replied.
"In my duffel bag. Why? You want to see it?"
"I'm partial. Only people allowed to have firearms on site of the capital are my bodyguards and the men who control the main gate. I'd appreciate it if you would stow the gear with the men downstairs at the door. You have my word nothing is going to happen to anything you deposit."
Keeping herself very focused on me she questioned while opening up her legs.
"I have your word?"
I knew what she was trying to do. What sucked is I was a sap to this kind of game she was playing. With her legs open just enough for me to get an idea of what she was working with, I caught Zeta's attention and instantly she ordered the wolf.
"You have his word. Now do us all a favor and get off his desk."
Vetra just continued to pay no mind to her as she obeyed and got up off my desk. I took a moment to catch my breath as she went on to tell me.
"I can't really just hand over what I'm working with commander. I'm sorry. But you have my word that it's not going to leave that bag. After all I'm gonna be with you for the time being. So what's the harm right?"
She was hoping to push it by me. So at the very least I'd find some middle ground by asking her.
"Can you go get your bag?"
"Kicking me out already? Wow that's a new record for me."
I began to chuckle and with her attention looking back to my friends she asked them.
"Can you stop fucking growling?"
Pepper growled even more now as I shouted.
"Vetra!"
The girl jumped and bounced her way over in the direction of the door shouting back.
"I know! I'll be right back!"
With her leaving the room I waited till she was a fair distance away before beginning to beg to the sisters.
"Calm the hell down. Both of you. You're better than this. Pepper? She's on our side."
"She almost killed me." She growled back as Zeta then added.
"Not to mention she's a total flirt with you. What do you want from us? She's pissing off my sister and at the same fucking time she's pushing her goddamn luck by spreading angel right in front of your maw."
"Nothing is going to….?" I was cut off when Vetra could be seen coming back into the office. Her bag at her side as both myself and the girls shut up. In seconds I got my legs together and stood up to greet the bag as she came in to place it on my desk. However she also made sure to stand in front of the girls so they couldn't get a good look.
Giving me a wide smile she urged me.
"Go ahead and look for yourself. You claimed to be partial."
Giving her another small laugh I unzipped the bag and got around to looking inside. In there I found a black tactical vest and some spare clothes resting under it. Seeing my confusion Vetra urged me.
"It's under all that stuff."
Taking my hand and beginning to dig, I widened my eyes when all I found was some of her underwear and a long rectangular box going from one end of the duffel to the other. It was fully covering the bottom of the bag and very slowly I reached inside expecting to pick it up and feel some wait. However my eyes widened went from being surprised to being confused. Vetra smiled as I put the box on my side of the desk. Zeta and Pepper couldn't see it as I found out it was nothing more than a gun case. Just super slim and sleek by design. It looked like a box you would put flowers in yet there was barely any weight beyond that. Whatever was inside was either missing or just leading to another one of her jokes. However when I opened it up I stopped all movement as all that could be seen inside the case were chrome gun parts and a pure black body and stock to what appeared to be a handmade and fully custom barrett fifty. Archer had a rifle much like this during active service yet hers was completely different from his. Seeing I was lost Vetra explained to me.
"You'd be surprised how light metal has gotten. Weighs as much as a can of soda and kicks out enough power to really hammer home a point to whoever is unlucky enough to be caught in your sights."
In confusion I asked her.
"You put it together?"
Nodding she replied.
"In only two moves. Body snaps on there and then you just attach the scope and load a clip. Boom and bop, you're ready to drop."
"Hmmm." I hummed as Zeta and Pepper finally managed to get around the girl to look for themselves. The second Zeta went to touch was when Vetra slapped her hand away and ordered with a snap.
"Hands off!"
Zeta was stunned instantly but Pepper jumped forward almost into the girl and shouted.
"Don't fucking hit her!"
Pepper was ready to snap back as Zeta was caught in between shock and feral rage. Putting down the case, I grabbed a hold over Vetra's left arm and ordered out with a bark.
"That's enough! I want you two out of my office! Right now!"
The three of them all lowered their ears and snapped out of their little fight to look at me with scared eyes. Yet when my order was given Zeta and Pepper were stunned when all the heat from my voice was directed to them rather than Vetra who started the scene. I was tired of the fighting and was in no mood. I had more important things to worry about. Like getting some questions I had answered. So seeing as they were unable to fish out a reaction to my command I proceeded to shout at them an asshole question.
"Did you not hear me!? Get out!"
Both women backed away slowly, Zeta questioning as I showed some teeth.
"Raptor? What are you doing?"
Vetra who I still held a firm grip over slowly stepped a foot back into the desk to sit back down on the top of it. With Pepper getting more nasty looks from her, I replied to Zeta as I caught Pepper growling again now.
"I'm splitting up a bunch of goddamn kids! Now get your sister and leave my office till our conversation is over! Go on! Get!"
Zeta was not used to my commanding tone outside of the bed. I was yelling at them like they were my soldiers. Pepper lost her focus after hearing that. Zeta got her shit together and reluctantly they backed up till their asses were out the door. Waiting till the door had shut on itself, I held Vetra's arm down and waited a few seconds till they were gone before letting my anger subside slightly. Verta took this as her chance to look back at me. Her eyes on my face as I snickered and asked.
"I told you I wanted no goddamn trouble. When I said that…...did you question if I really meant it?"
She kept her mouth shut as I eased up on her arm. Once I felt my skin leave her fur, I got back from her in a sad voice.
"I'm sorry."
Calmly I sat back down and replied as I did.
"Second chance. Don't push those two anymore then you already have. Are we clear?"
She got off my desk to refocus her whole self back on me. With my eyes finally resting back on hers I listened as she replied back.
"Yes sir. It won't happen again."
"Good. Keep it that way. Now sit."
The wolf took a seat at last in a real chair as I gently put her case back inside the duffel. Once it was in there I said to her.
"I'm out of my element when it comes to science and technology. The stuff I've seen over the last few weeks has had me asking where all this was back when I was on the frontlines bleeding with kids younger than myself."
Vetra was completely listening to me now. She was transfixed as I went on to state.
"You probably don't know what it's really like to kill for something you believe in. You haven't lived through countless gunfights to truly apprentice what you have left in your life. But you probably never had to kill your friends. Kill just to make a point. Your hands are still very clean despite your position now. I don't make it a habit of holding hands and I expect everyone who works for me to know that I don't enjoy being fucked with. Having my orders questioned or even second guessed. When I say this to you I want you to know I mean no disrespect. But don't you ever lie to me. About anything. I will know when you're not being truthful and I will not tolerate it."
"I understand." She replied as I now nodded my head and allowed myself a few moments to get my act back together. Once I was ready I said to her.
"Let's get back to where we need to be. Fort Drake? The others you know of who work for Zandro? Tell me about them. I want to know just how dangerous the others he aligns himself with really are. I want to know if I should be worried if I join those ranks."
In confusion Vetra questioned.
"Join who's ranks? Zandro asked you that?"
"He wants me to adopt your PMC once the war is over and I begin making a military fighting force that can actually be considered part of a real government. Government immunity is the only way a group of questionable terrorists can be considered truly safe from harm. No doubt it would be beneficial to you personally."
Vetra was speechless as I found myself sitting back up straight to order her calmly.
"Now get talking. We have all day and I'm all ears. Consider yourself the medium you were meant to be and convince me of what Zandro claims would be a good deal."
Vetra was from that point on the spot. Moving her bag off the desk so I could get a good view of her face, I sensed she was uncomfortably shaking. Her legs got the jitters as seconds passed without her even trying to start. Reaching into my bottom draw, I got out two small shot glasses and a handy bottle of whiskey. Her eyes went to the glasses as I wondered.
"Do you drink? You'll find that a shot calms the nerves."
She waited till I had poured the second shot to reply.
"I shouldn't but…...fuck it this once. I need to relax."
Her hand moved in to take up the drink and I slowly took mine down as she slammed home her shot. As she was exhaling from the burn I had just finished mine and swallowing. I saw her face go red from the heat and raised her the bottle to ask.
"Another?"
She nodded almost instantly and I widened my eyes slightly as she wasted no time to take it again. Once it had hit home she was wide eyed and staring right at me with a loss of air in her lungs. She then took a moment to breathe and once done she leaned in to take the bottle from my hand. I sat back from that point on as she got another shot loaded and told me through a spent tone.
"I'm good. Now where to start? There's how many of us? Twenty five? You already know about me so I don't know."
"Just go slow. We're not in a rush."
Her eyes were back on me and gently her head bobbed to my request. Taking another breath she groaned out.
"Okay…..well then I'll start from the beginning."
I knew what this was going to be like. I was ready to process everything. Every word and it didn't care how long she took. I'd listen and consider my course.
Hunter's POV.
I entered the capital looking for Raptor. I could feel my desert eagle pressed under the back of my shirt and I could feel the anger surging in my hands cause I had every intention to find that man and shoot him. However when I began to look around I could see those two wolves leaving his office. They remained by the top of the stairs and looked to be lost. I had no clue what happened but I had no intention of getting into a brawl with them so close to the office. I needed to get him away from all this.
As my eyes were focused on the stairs, I was caught by surprise when all the sudden I felt someone tap me by the shoulder. As I turned to look at whoever it was I widened my eyes when I found Char standing right next to me. His face looked concerned as he asked me.
"What are you doing here Hunter? I thought you wouldn't be on active duty?"
Char was always one of the nicest people. He never was mean and never was a jerk unlike a lot of the men around the rebellion I've had the pleasure to meet. Feeling my body calm down from the shakes I replied to the wolf.
"I'm not. I'm just here to see Raptor. I need to speak with him."
Char's face lost it's concern very slowly as I said that. It shifted away from concern and towards confusion as he questioned.
"About what? He's very busy right now. I have no clue when he'll be able to see you."
"It's fine. I can wait. It's important."
Char was taking that in as I looked back at the stairs. During my transition Char asked me.
"Is something wrong? You don't sound okay."
I was doing my best to remain calm as he asked that. But I knew he wouldn't leave me alone if I said nothing. I had to get him off my back. So when I got back to looking at him I replied.
"I'm okay. Trust me. You can leave me alone."
"How about we just skip all that and you and me just go get something to eat? Whatever's bothering you Hunter I can try and help with. I'm a good listener. We have the time."
"Leave me alone Char!" I ordered him with a snap of my teeth. Char widened his eyes and took a step back. My focus was now fully on him as I heard feet coming from behind me. When I looked back I saw it was another man. Wearing a combat harness much like Char as he questioned hearing us arguing.
"What's going on?"
"It's okay Diz." Char replied as I waited till he was looking back at me to tell him bluntly.
"It's not your problem Char."
Little to my knowledge, Char's friend could see my gun from under my shirt. The second he did he told Char.
"She's got a weapon Major."
Char widened his eyes and asked me.
"Why are you armed Hunter? You know only security can be carrying weapons right?"
"I'm not security?" I asked him back in anger as he calmly replied.
"You're not one of Raptor's guards and I know you're not part of the security detail he put in charge of defending the capital. You're a soldier yes, but right now the rebellion is strictly under a ceasefire. Commander's orders. You're not the only one who had to lay down their arms. Until we get orders to attack Afghanistan you need to hand it over Hunter. Especially if you want to see him after he's finished. I'm sorry, but those are the rules."
I felt both of their eyes closely watching me now as I was stuck giving Char a deathglare. In the moment Char himself stepped up to reach out for my arm. Instantly I slapped his hand down and took a chance to push him away. The wolf stumbled back a few feet as his friend Diz shouted out at me.
"Woooow!"
With Char unable to jump right back into it, I swung when I felt Diz reaching in for me. He was caught off guard when I managed to backhand him across the face. With both of the men rocked I shouted at Char directly.
"I told you to leave me the hell alone!"
Char wasn't angry at me. He was just stumped and as his wits came back on I decided enough was enough and began to walk my way back outside. The guards there had seen what just happened and ordered me as I walked by.
"Stop!"
"Fuck you!" I replied as Char could be heard ordering out.
"Let her go!"
The men stood not in my way and once I was outside I went to the left. I had to get away from all the heat.
mT Shadow.