Chapter 27: The Meeting.

It was finally time. Ava, Callie, and Talon made their way through the winding paths of Dust Haven, the night pressing in around them as they approached Lydia’s prearranged meeting point. Callie clung tightly to Ava, her arms wrapped around her waist, eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and fear. The roar of the engine vibrated through her, and she felt the wind rushing against her face, exhilarating and terrifying all at once. She’d never been on the back of a bike before, and each turn sent her heart racing.

As they slowed to a stop, Callie couldn’t hide the smile breaking across her face. Ava felt it even without looking back and smirked, squeezing Callie’s hand in encouragement before they dismounted. Talon pulled up beside them, his expression focused, bracing himself for what lay ahead.

Lydia greeted them, her face lighting up as she spotted Talon. She pulled him into a warm embrace, her voice brimming with happiness. “I still can’t believe it’s you, my boy,” she said, her eyes glistening. Her gaze shifted to Callie, and she smiled approvingly.

“Oh, she’s very nice,” Lydia remarked, looking Callie over. “Are you sure she’s not for sale?”

Ava stiffened, biting back her retort for Talon’s sake, her gaze steely. Callie, still clinging to the residual thrill of the ride, went pale at Lydia’s words, shrinking slightly behind Ava.

“It’s okay, bright eyes,” Lydia said with a smirk. “She’s perfect for the part, and I think you’ll make an excellent madame.”

Ava gave a slight nod, her jaw tight. “We got this. Callie will be great.”

Lydia turned her attention back to Talon, her expression sobering. “Just a word of caution before you go in. I don’t know what you remember of your mother, but… it’s been a long time, and life here has been unforgiving. Just… try to hold onto the good memories, my boy. She’s not who she used to be.” She cupped his cheek, giving him a tender smile before gesturing for one of her girls to lead them.

The young woman leading them offered a quick set of instructions. “Okay, Talon, you’ll go into a room to talk business while the two of you wait outside,” she said, glancing at Ava and Callie. “The place will look empty, but there are always a few syndicate members around. Just keep an eye out.”

“How many?” Ava asked.

“Usually five,” the girl replied. “But there’s one you’ll want to avoid—a massive guy who’s always hanging around. Big Bob.” Her voice dropped, and her gaze darted around nervously, as if saying his name alone invited danger. “Just… keep clear of him if things start to go sideways. He’s… unpredictable.”

Ava noted the way the girl’s voice had tightened, the fear flashing in her eyes. She nodded, placing a protective hand on Callie’s shoulder, casting a glance at Talon. “We’ll watch ourselves.”

Callie’s heart raced, her nerves prickling with a new level of tension. The way Lydia’s girl had looked away after mentioning Big Bob, her fear palpable, left Callie feeling the weight of this mission in a way she hadn’t before. She clutched her hands tighter together, trying to steady her breathing, but her determination didn’t falter. She’d come this far with Ava and Talon, and she was going to see this through.

They stopped at a heavy door, where their guide knocked, exchanging quick words with the man who opened it. He eyed Talon, Ava, and Callie, nodding once before gesturing for them to enter. They climbed a narrow, creaking staircase, the air thick with the scent of stale smoke and alcohol. Every step felt heavier than the last, tension building as they approached a small room.

As they stepped inside, Ava’s eyes swept the room, cataloging every detail—the exits, the men lurking in the shadows, the glances cast their way. She kept herself angled protectively in front of Callie, prepared to intervene at the first hint of danger.

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At the center of the room stood an older woman, her gaze scrutinizing Callie with a detached curiosity. Her face was lined with deep furrows, her once vibrant eyes dulled to a weary sadness. Her hair, streaked with gray, was pulled back in a loose, messy bun. She wore a simple, worn dress that hung from her thin frame, and the lines etched into her skin told stories of years spent in hard, unforgiving labor.

Ava’s chest tightened. This woman, barely recognizable beneath the weight of her life’s suffering, was Selene.

Selene’s gaze moved over Ava, her mouth twisting slightly. “So, what’s the deal here?” Her voice was rough, edged with bitterness. “You run the girls, and he’s the muscle?”

Ava held her ground, noting a man on the far side of the room who was watching Callie with an unsettling intensity. Suppressing a wave of anger, she answered, her tone steady. “We work for him. I just keep the girls in line.”

Selene regarded her with a look of disdain, then turned her attention to Talon. “Alright, ‘muscles,’ come with me. I don’t talk business in front of the help.”

Talon cast a quick glance at Ava before following Selene through a side door. The heavy door closed behind them with a loud click, leaving Ava and Callie in the room, a silent tension growing as they exchanged wary glances with the men who remained.

Inside the smaller room, Talon took a breath, his heart pounding as he looked upon the woman he’d barely dared to hope to find again.

“Selene?” he asked softly, his voice almost unrecognizable, filled with both longing and sorrow.

She turned to him, her eyes narrowing, the faintest hint of recognition flickering across her face. “Who wants to know?”

Talon swallowed, feeling the weight of years pressing on him, the memories of a warm, protective mother clashing with the image before him. “I’m… I’m Talon. Your son.”

Her hardened expression faltered, her eyes searching his face as though trying to piece together a memory long buried. For a moment, a glimpse of softness, of humanity, flickered in her gaze, before a wall of guarded skepticism fell back into place.

“They told me my Talon was dead,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “They said Holts took him, they told me they use him to kill. They said… they said he'd turned to the syndicate.” Her hand rose, trembling as it reached toward him. “Holts… he took you from me, my sweet boy.”

Talon stepped closer, the emotions he’d held back for so long breaking through his carefully maintained facade. “I’m here now. I escaped that life. Holts… he’s dead.” He reached out, gently taking her hands, feeling the roughness of her skin, each callus and scar a testament to the years she’d endured. “I came to find you, to bring you out of here.”

Selene’s eyes filled with tears, her fragile facade crumbling as she let herself believe, just for a moment, that this was real. “My boy…” Her voice cracked, her hands clutching his as though afraid he’d vanish if she let go. “I’ve dreamed of this for so long.”

But as she held his gaze, a shadow of fear crept into her expression. Her eyes darted to the door as if expecting it to burst open at any moment, her grip loosening in a sign of self-protection.

Talon noticed, his brow furrowing. “What is it?”

Selene’s voice dropped to a whisper, her gaze lingering on the door as though the very walls might be listening. “You don’t understand. Big Bob… he doesn’t care about promises, or family, or the past. He’ll… he’ll make sure I pay for every kindness you show me here.” Her voice broke, and she looked away, ashamed. “You don’t know what he’s like. It’s his way or pain.”

Talon’s heart tightened with anger, the warmth of their reunion tempered by the chilling reminder of the life she was still tethered to. He gently cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “We’ll find a way. You’re not alone in this anymore. I promise.”

Outside, Callie shifted nervously beside Ava, feeling the weight of the stares lingering on her, each one making her skin crawl. Her hands twisted together, and she cast a glance at Ava, who gave her a reassuring nod. Ava’s protective gaze was fixed on the men across the room, ready to act at the slightest provocation.

“Keep your chin up, Callie,” Ava murmured, her voice low but firm. “You’re doing great. Just remember, I’m right here.”

Callie took a deep breath, nodding, a shaky smile on her face. Despite her fear, she felt a strength kindling within her—born from the trust she had in Ava, and the purpose she felt standing by her side. She wasn’t alone. And for that, she was grateful.

Ava’s focus remained sharp, her senses attuned to every detail, every possible threat lurking in the dim, smoke-filled room. One of the men shifted, his eyes flicking to Callie with a twisted smirk. Ava met his gaze head-on, her stare cold and unyielding, and he looked away, unsettled.

Minutes passed, each one weighted with tension. The door to the room where Talon had gone remained closed, muffling the low murmur of voices within. Ava could feel the tension in Callie building, her hands clenched tightly together. The silence seemed to stretch, each second sharpening Ava’s awareness of their surroundings.