The Million Dollar Man

Sampson looked away for a moment, before his hazel eyes met mine. << You never did question how your brother's gang lost so much power so quickly, did you? >>

His question didn't provide me any relief to my confusion, and I found myself shaking my head once more. << Gangs were trying to take down the London's Eyes. We-my brother couldn't do anything about it. He, » I paused, giving myself time to catch my breath, << he had to accept Sebastian's deal or else all of London's Eyes would have been destroyed. >>

Sampson looked back to his friend, who was now watching me with amusement.

That couldn't be good.

<< What if I told you it was all a lie ? » Sampson questioned, leaning towards me. << What if I told you that there were no small gangs trying to take down London's Eyes? >>

I couldn't find a response inside of myself, so I stared blankly at him instead.

<< What if I told you that it had been the Kings all along? >>

I felt the small amount of oxygen inside of myself rush out, leaving my breathless and lightheaded. My heart dropped to my stomach, and I felt my eyes close as I tried to compose myself.

<< What are you saying? >> I asked, my voice barely audible as I choked out the words.

Sampson's eyes trailed over me, as though he were noting my reaction so far. << I'm saying, >> he finally spoke, << that Sebastian isn't exactly the hero you want him to be. I'm saying, that you, Miss Summers, were all part of his plan all along. >> A squeak left my lips as I struggled to drag in enough air for my lifeless lungs.

<< What? No protests? By now I was nearly positive that you'd been in denial. Hell, I even expected you to start fighting us, screaming and crying about how the love of your life would never have betrayed you like this. >>

I felt the tears build up, but I fought to keep them down. He was right though. Why wasn't I denying this? Why wasn't I even trying to defend Sebastian ?

<< The Kings have always been number one, yet with all the pressure it's hard to keep such a powerful standing. London's Eyes were gaining, and Sebastian just couldn't have that. So, » Sampson paused, smiling evilly, << why not send some people in to fuck with their competitors, and then, take their prized girl? >>

I looked away, processing his words that sliced me like knives.

<< So Sebastian sent in some people to knock London's Eyes down a few ranks. Is that it? >> My voice was firm and neutral, not conveying a single emotion much to my delight.

Sampson studied me for a moment before speaking. << Do you remember when Sebastian saved you in that alley? >>

I couldn't help it. I felt my face pale and my throat close as I anticipated his next few words.

<< Oh Evie, oh Evie. Please don't tell me you actually thought your knight in shining armor had shown up to save you at random. You did not actually think that was possible, did you? »

I remembered that night perfectly. Sebastian had come from nowhere. He had protected me. He sheltered me and for once, I felt safe.

<< Everything was just a part of his plan ? >> I asked, ignoring the way my voice faltered pathetically. I couldn't control myself at this moment. Emotions were getting the best of me and at this point I couldn't have cared less.

<< Of course, >> Sampson said, dropping the bomb on me in such a nonchalant manner. << Well of course, not including all of this. >> He motioned to the surrounding warehouse and me as he spoke.

<< Does he know where I am? >>

I finally asked the question I so desperately needed to hear the answer to. For days I had been holding it together, trying to not lose myself to insanity by keeping the idea that he may save me fresh in my mind. But only now, I know he had never saved me to begin with.

So you're just going to believe Sampson? Just like that?

<< No, I'm afraid not love. » Sampson said, gathering my attention once again. << In fact, no one does. >>

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I thought over my next question carefully, not wanting to say anything to make Sampson shut down this << Tell All » session.

<< Is Danny alive? Are any of them? Or did Sebastian kill them? >>

Sampson hesitated, before shaking his head. << As far as I know, they've only been re-located, although Sebastian may have been looking to get rid of them at some point. >>

I wasn't able to respond, as Sampson decided to throw in one last bit. << After all, he got all he wanted, right? »

From the sardonic wink he gave me, I picked up on exactly what he meant. My cheeks flushed a deep red while tears stung my eyes-why? Because it was the truth. Sebastian got all he ever wanted and not look at me. I'm a mess.

A broken, bloody mess.

<< I'm going to leave you with your thoughts for a bit, and hey, why not look through that box if you want any proof for what I've told you. But you might not, seeing as how we all know how awful of a person he really is. >> Sampson and his friend then exited the room, leaving my staring at a box that held everything I needed to know.

My hands shook as I reached for the lid, and trembles wracked my body as I thought of the possibly things I was about to see.

Could I handle this?

Was Sampson telling the truth, or was he just trying to get in my head?

I bit my lip hard as I thought over Sampson's intentions.

Maybe, he was telling the truth so that he could get in my head.

He was an incredibly manipulative person, and I was left subjected as a victim to his powers.

With a shaky hand, I uncovered the box, and held my breath as my eyes flickered over the large stack of papers. I felt my nerves ignite as I reached for the first file.

I recognized Mason's near perfect scrawl immediately, and began inspecting the papers I had laid out before me.

It was time to find out the truth.

+++++

They were in separate cells again.

After Chief Carter had her outburst, she had left them in the same cell for an hour or so before ordering Mason and Callum to be removed.

From what Sebastian could gather, she was on a desperate search for the missing information on Sebastian and his gang.

She couldn't understand how Mason could have possibly managed to wipe the files. She had been sure that she had caught them by surprise; why? Because she had caught them to begin with.

She had caught the members of the elusive Kings, and yet it still wasn't enough. It was as if Chief Carter was always one step behind.

Her frustration was building to dangerous levels, and she no longer was able to keep her composure.

<< We can still put them in prison, »> an officer offered, as if the thought would console her.

Carter shook her head, a hiss of anger rising lowly from her throat. The scared officer scampered away while Carter knotted her hands in her hair and tugged furiously at her roots.

She didn't want them to spend some jail time. She didn't want to have to go through the process of taking them to court-a process that would take months on end without the evidence she had before.