FIVE

It was hard to control myself with Seth standing by me this whole time. Being alone with him in the elevator was driving me insane. The smell of his cologne filled my nose and created these unknown feelings inside. I couldn't pinpoint what I was feeling when I was with Seth. It is different when I'm around the men in my team. They can make me feel like this mysterious emotion than what Seth can do. 

I shake my head.

Me: Call Ghost and tell him to get his ass over here now!!

I command and put my phone down. I brush my hair back and look back at the shoe box. 

"Hey, Terry," I hear Seth's voice behind me, then a knock on the door. I panic, push the shoe box off the bed, and sit down as if nothing happened. Seth stops and looks at me oddly. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," I shrugged and gave my best smile to assure him not to take a glance at the shoebox on the floor. When he starts to tilt his head to the side. I kick the box further back until it's invisible to see. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"Okay, here. Someone sent you something. There's no return address, so-" Seth extends his arm to show me the box.

I snatch it out from his hand and hug it tight against my chest, seeing the agape look on his face. "Thanks," I mutter. 

Suddenly, he pulled on a wide grin and took steps before me. I lean back with my eyes glued to him. He strolls to me as he makes me lie back on the bed. Two arms were placed on the side of my face, caging me. I hug the package tighter in my arms. 

"Is there something in there that I need to know about?" He says in a husky voice. Just the sound of it made me squeeze my legs together. 

I am never leaving my eyes to wonder other than roaming his perfectly God-like face. I swallow hard and let out a breath. " I don't know what are you talking about?"

He sneers playfully.

These sensation vibes from him are making something happen between my legs; for once, I never felt like this. As a child, when...Hugo...put his manhood in me. That painful feeling still lingers, and I sometimes had nightmares that night. I felt so mortified and scared that I stopped trusting men. It took me time to open up to Odin; it took longer for the men in my team to be just partners. 

As for Seth, the feeling of him was different. I couldn't quite explain because with him around, I felt safe. I was unsure what had corrupted me to let a man like Seth into my life. That first encounter was unexpected; since then, he has been bugging me to be his best friend. I tried to avoid him, and it's hard to escape because he is like a damn fucking bug. I can't shoo him off or hit him with a tennis racket because he keeps on coming back. 

I notice him leaning down, coming at me with his face. My eyes grew wide. My heart beat against my rib cage. I felt like I'd been waiting for this moment for his delicious lips—just a taste. I always say to myself, but realizing I'm on the job with a reflex, I knee him in the balls. He squeals, calling out, 'Mommy, ' holds on to the crotch, and falls back to the floor. 

I sat up. I fan myself and glare at Seth. "Do not question my things, or I will castrate you."

"I'll remember that," he moans in pain. 

I sigh; while Seth is on the floor holding his crotch, I walk, pick up the shoebox, and head inside the closet. I see a safe there. I set up a PIN code, placed both boxes inside, and shut the safe door. 

Leaving things that would reveal my identity as a woman is too dangerous, which will make Seth see the truth. 

If I take down Madam Red and The Order, I can only be who I am.

I can't sit down when these monsters are roaming around freely and give nightmares to those who are broken. 

Memories fill my head with the image of my little girl: her peach, soft skin, and tiny body. I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her. She is all of my life. But when I learned she was chosen to be taken away for the auction. I couldn't think of a way to save her from those disgusting men who would raise, use, and control her until she could no longer care for her life. I don't want to see that in my daughter's life. She is not meant to be brought into this world, not yet. 

Before Madam Red takes my daughter, I prepare a bath for her and...

"Terry?"

I snap back to the present and blink. Realizing I'm in the closet. I step out and close the door. 

Seth is now standing, rubbing his neck, and I see him feeling distraught. "Look, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't ask what's in the box." He chuckles dryly. "I mean, it's probably - Terry? Why are you crying?"

Without a thought. I reach my hand to my eyes and touch what seems to be tears. I didn't notice them until now. Thinking about my daughter made me realize the terror and suffering in The Order. 

I wipe my tears off and sniff. "Sorry, something got caught in my eye." I lie.

Within seconds, Seth is in front of me. I watch his eyes harden and then soften. Then, he surprises me when he pulls me in his arms, embracing me. 

I tried to push him. I could take him down with one whole move to let me go, but my mind wouldn't let me do it. 

"My mom always does this for me whenever I or one of my brothers cried." He whispers, rubbing my back. "She said whenever you see someone sad or in pain, a hug like this will make whatever is troubling you disappear." He chuckles, making me love hearing the sound against my ears. "Sounds cheesy, but it works. I tried on my brothers, but they pushed me away. They know they are too shy to hug their brother. But I still love them."

I couldn't help but curl my lip. 

I heard about the Wolfe brothers' mom from the girls, and they say she's a saint. I wish I had someone like that. My mother disowned me. Social services told me someone found a baby in the dumpster out in the cold with only a pillowcase cover. Once they saw my biological parents, they said my mother was a college student who fell in love with her professor, who turned out to be her father she never knew. 

So, in terms. I'm a product of incest.

The term disgusts me. I didn't want to think of myself that way. I wasn't a choice, to begin with, when I was born. It was a forbidden love, and I'm the result of it. 

I close my eyes and still embrace a man who simultaneously kicks him again or ponce on him. Not only am I scared of him learning of my gender, but what will happen if he learns where my heritage comes from? 

What will he think of me then?

I move as I push myself away from Seth and turn away, not to look into his eyes. "Seth, I'm tired. It's been a long trip." That's a lie because tonight, I'm supposed to meet Ghost and dress up for the auction. 

"Okay, you will feel better in the morning," he states while his hands are still rubbing my back. The feeling of him touching me soothes me. 

"Thank you," I whisper. He nods and walks out of my room before closing it. After he's gone, I lock it, lean back, and tilt my head up. 

I exhale. 

I can't let Seth know who I'm meeting and where I'm going. My business is no concern for him. It's dangerous for him to know. I have to excuse myself so I can sneak my way out. 

A chime from my phone alerts me. I went to bed and looked at the screen to see Ghost's text that he would meet me at the auction entrance. 

I form a grin as I text him that I will meet him in an hour. I grab the dress, punch the code, and pull out the two boxes. I stop by the door and place my ear to hear the TV on in the living room. I returned to my duffle bag to grab my equipment and leave the room without being seen. 

I went to the bathroom to change into my outfit for tonight. I was once finished with my dress and make-up. I lift my left leg on the bed to strap my knife around my thigh while a mini pistol on the other. I wear the jewelry with unique devices like my pearl earrings that will record any voices within range, a hidden camera in my necklace, and my ring that contains deadly poison darts to take down anyone. 

I glance at the window as the sun goes down, and my phone chimes.

Ghost: I'm here. Where are you?

Me: Almost there.

Ghost: You girls sure take your time.

Besides Odin and Kendall. My team contains a few trusted men who are informed of my gender. They are kept secret. Unless they reveal my identity, they will be severely punished under the order of Odin. 

Me: Stop whining. I'll be there. 

I grab my purse and stop at the door. Seth has been quiet for a while, and I'm getting worried. Not to bother and check on him. I opened the window and saw how high I was. I'm not concerned with being so high. I strap a belt and push a button that shoots out a hook. It ropes around the edge of the rail. I turn with my back facing the world, close my eyes, say a short prayer, spread my arms, and let myself fall backward.