“Dreams are usually comprised of memories, so that sounds reasonable.”
Lainey felt his nod against her hair. “Sometimes, she speaks stilted words that usually don’t make any sense. Other times, she just stares at me, and I want so badly to understand what she wants. The only thing I can surmise is that she wants me to use whatever time I have left here to defeat the bastards who murdered her. So, that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Oh, Hunter,” Lainey said, compassion filtering through every pulsing cell in her body. “I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to lose someone you love. I wish it hadn’t happened to you.”
He exhaled a breath, the action ragged with despair and sorrow. “I was a high-ranking officer in the Old Resistance, arrogant and filled with notions of destroying the New Establishment. I was high on their list for capture. Once they had me, they made sure they made an example of me.”
Lainey’s chest filled with dread as he continued.
“They set up a firing squad, led by some asshole who reported to Eli. His name was Trace Gibson. What a stupid fucking name. They blindfolded Kara and lined her up with the others, ten hostages in all. I was forced to watch as they systematically shot each person in the heart, one by one. I screamed and struggled the entire time while the guards held me. Kara was so strong. She didn’t utter a word. She just faced the bastards head-on and died with dignity.”
Tears poured from Lainey’s eyes as he recounted the story, unable to comprehend how he’d lived through such pain and carried on. Even the strongest of men would question their existence after such a tragedy.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said, his cheek grazing her hair as he shook his head. “She made me promise I wouldn’t hurt myself if she died. It was hard at first because I wanted so badly to die, but it’s softened to a dull ache over the years. She knew I’d never break a promise to her. I told her I’d live, so I carry on, fighting those bastards in the ways I can reconcile in my conscience. Knowing I might have the chance to go back and set things right brings me some comfort.”
Tilting her head, she lifted her face to his. Gray eyes glistened as he gazed into her, unashamed. Cupping his cheek, she struggled to find words.
“I wish I could save her for you too.”
“You will,” he said, his smile sad as he spoke.
Her thumb trailed back and forth over his cheek, the stubble prickly beneath. “I hope so. I want so badly to save everyone.”
His palm cupped her neck, supporting her head as she gazed up at him. “But who’s going to save you?” he whispered.
“I’ve never needed saving,” was her raspy reply.
Gunmetal silver irises darted slowly between hers. “I’m not sure that’s true.” He placed his finger over her lips, cutting her off when she opened her mouth to argue. “But we’ll let you believe it for now.”
Awareness slammed into her bones, spurred by his warm finger against her lips and his strong body beneath her. Against her will, desire rushed through her veins, culminating in a deep throb between her thighs and a resulting slickness at her core. Unable to control her reaction, her breath became choppy.
Hunter must’ve sensed the change in her body because he tensed underneath her, his grip growing stronger around her neck. His expression grew pensive as his eyes roamed her face.
“Lainey,” he whispered, eyebrows drawing together as if he was considering something. Was he contemplating kissing her?
Deciding that would be disastrous, she chose to change the subject. “I’m not sure I ever granted you the right to call me Lainey. Did we cross that line yet?”
Full lips turned into a smile, contorting his face into something wickedly handsome. “I must have crossed the friend line with that awesome migraine massage, no? Are you feeling better?”
Feeling her brow furrow, she realized the intense hammering had indeed dulled to a slow pulse. “Holy crap, I do feel better.” Shifting away from him, she rose from the seat, offering her hand. “I officially declare you a friend, Captain Hunter Rhodes. Henceforth, you may call me Lainey.”
He gripped her hand and let her pull him to his feet. “And you may call me Captain Rhodes,” he said, teasing her.
“Good lord. Did I sound that pretentious when I forbade you from using my nickname?”
“More so,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck as he grinned. “I think Claire thought you might end up flaying me alive.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, lifting her hands in concession. “I’m a mama bear around here. Have to protect my den. I’ve learned I have to be tough as nails.”
“I get it, and you’re really good at it. I was intimidated as hell.”
He offered her his arm, and she took it, letting him escort her from the clearing as they slowly walked under the stars. “I’m not that bad,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Okay,” he muttered, causing her to punch him softly in the bicep.
When they reached his tent, she removed her arm from his, feeling slightly morose that she no longer had a reason to touch him. “Good night,” she said, smiling up at him. “Thanks for the amazing massage.”
“Good night, Lainey. Thanks for listening. Like I said, it helps me remember her.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, feeling her throat bob as she swallowed.
He stepped into his tent, zipping the fabric behind him. Left alone, as she was so used to being, she padded toward the entrance of the hub to get some sleep.
Chapter 15
The next morning, Lainey felt refreshed and invigorated. Perhaps it was the fact last night’s migraine never really took hold, or possibly because she’d let another person inside her securely-guarded wall, if only for a few minutes. Remembering the feel of Hunter’s warm body at her back, she allowed herself to experience contentment.
Once dressed, she headed to the Sphere room to meet Claire and Zach. Claire had already gathered Puss in Boots in the carrier and was gently soothing him with soft words where he sat upon the stool in the middle of the contraption. Marie stormed down the ladder, handing them each a sandwich while muttering something about how they couldn’t save the world if they were dying from starvation. The melodrama was quite refreshing.
Once they were full and ready, Zach took his place behind the console, Claire at her side as they observed the Sphere. Giving the order, Zach set the contraption in motion, and the metal rings began to circle. When the lasers were lit, the small wormhole appeared, growing larger until it was wide enough for the feline and the carrier to fit through.
“Engage the fuel rod,” Lainey yelled over the noise of the Sphere.
Zach depressed the black button, and a zap of power was jolted toward the center of the Sphere. A swirling suction sound emitted from the machine, and suddenly, the cat and carrier disappeared.
“Shut it down!” Lainey called, desperately trying to see if anything remained atop the stool. From her vantage point, it seemed as if the cat had traveled safely. Once the metal arms of the Sphere were immobile, she approached the center, holding a palm up to Claire to urge her to stay back.
Nearing the stool, she ran her fingers over the circular seat, blood pounding throughout her shocked body. Pivoting to face her team, she lifted her arm, not understanding how she still retained control of her body, now it was visibly quaking.
Noting the time, she said, “Time of first completed time travel with a live being at eight twenty-seven a.m. on August 30, 2075. The subject was a male feline, and transport is confirmed.”
Cheers erupted as Claire and Zach rushed to embrace her, the moment so thick with importance Lainey barely knew how to mark it. They celebrated with exclamations of disbelief and proclamations that history had been made.
For the next thirty minutes, Lainey worked with Claire and Zach to calculate the mathematical probabilities of success, based upon what they’d observed and the disappearance of the subject. Each equation could be tweaked so that a subject could be sent to a specific
date in the past. In this instance, the Sphere had been set to send Puss in Boots back to March 27, 2035.
Once every equation had been triple-checked and verified, the three of them embraced in a massive group hug, overcome with the knowledge that after all these years and all the heartbreaking failures, they had finally succeeded.
* * * *
While they rejoiced, a man walked down a small side street in Washington D.C., in the year 2035. The man was angry, for he was embroiled in a secret government mission ordered by President Randolph himself. The mission held great significance, and he wouldn’t let it get derailed by a few nosy do-gooders who’d recently discovered the clandestine operation. No, he would ensure the mission succeeded, for humans had become complacent, fat, and lazy, with their endless technology and false information spread by the swipe of a finger in seconds. This man would save humanity from itself even if he had to die to accomplish his goal.
Stopping short, he noticed the wind pick up and swirl some trash that lay on the curb in front of him. Focusing on the tiny whirlwind, he observed a dark point generate out of nothing above the ground. Frozen in disbelief, he witnessed the black orb grow larger until it was the size of a kitchen appliance. Blinking rapidly, unable to comprehend what he was seeing, he watched a black bag emerge from the hole. As quickly as it appeared, the orb made a whirling sound and vanished.
Cautiously advancing toward the bag, which now sat upon the curb, he gingerly touched it and reached for the zipper that held it closed. Dragging the zipper open, a cat with gray and black fur hopped out, startling the man. The cat lifted its nose in the air, sniffing its surroundings, and focused on the man, giving him a meow.
Gingerly scooping up the feline, the man observed it, wondering if he was locked in a dream, although the cat’s fur felt soft and warm against his skin.
“Well, hello…” he said to the animal, studying it as he rotated the cat to see multiple angles. “Where in the hell did you come from?”
The cat gave a responding meow, and the man felt his eyes narrow. “I think you and I have some things to discuss, kitty.” Placing the cat back in the carrier, he zipped it closed and lifted it in his still-trembling hand. He didn’t understand what the hell was happening, but he’d sure as shit figure it out. The ability to make something appear from thin air was all but impossible, but he’d seen it with his own eyes. If the technology existed, he would discover it. It would only help him further his clandestine cause.
Chapter 16
Unfortunately, Lainey, Claire, and Zach’s celebration didn’t last long. When she emerged from the Sphere room, pops of gunfire could be heard in the distance, and Lainey ran outside to search for Cyrus among the soldiers.
“They’re coming,” Cyrus said, appearing at her side, expression morose. “Hunter’s men scouted the New Establishment soldiers heading down from Terrum. That commune has now been overtaken, and they’ve set their sights on Solera. We’re stuck in between. It’s inevitable that they would raid us.”
“Damn it!” Lainey swore, hands fisting at her sides. “We just got the blasted thing to work!”
Cyrus’s brown eyes grew wide. “You did?”
“Yes,” she said. “We sent Puss in Boots back. If they discover the Sphere, I’ll have to destroy it. Son of a bitch, we can’t let that happen, Cyrus.”
“Agreed,” he said, scanning the horizon. “We’ll do the best we can. Thank god it’s in the bunker. Let me help the men. Stay inside and lock the door. Don’t open it, not even to save me or anyone else. Got it?”
“I wouldn’t sacrifice you—”
“I mean it, Lainey,” he said, swinging his rifle over his shoulder and resting his hands atop hers. “This is bigger than me or any one of us. You can’t throw everything away for one man.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to you,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “I won’t let them hurt you. I’ll kill them myself before they seize this compound.”
“There’s my scrapper,” he said, giving her a warbled smile. “Go on inside. I need to help the men.”
Lainey watched him stick his fingers between his lips and give a loud whistle. Several men formed in front of him. Sparing her one last glance, he headed toward the sounds of gunfire.
Filled with dread and a million sparks of anger, Lainey bolted down the stairs and into the hub, securing the locks behind her. She hadn’t seen Hunter but assumed he’d already joined the melee. Lainey hoped he would be okay…hoped they all would survive. Informing Claire, Zach, Sara, Luke, and Marie of the escalation, they huddled together in the kitchen, somber and silent as they waited.
Lainey and Zach prepared the explosives in case they needed to detonate them, so the New Establishment wouldn’t discover the Sphere. All her work, all the years vying for success, would be erased in moments. God, it was so unfair.
The sounds of war grew closer, urging Lainey to head to the foyer by the hub entrance and observe the security cameras. Flashes of soldiers running and dodging bullets appeared on the screens, and she knew it was only a matter of time.
“Go stand by the bunker,” she commanded Claire and Zach. “I’ll give the order to detonate if needed. Make sure you close the hatch after you light them, so we don’t blow up the whole hub. Go!”
They scurried off, and Lainey told the others to stay in the kitchen. Striding through the hub, she stopped by her office and grabbed the pistol, tucking it into the waistband at her back. Stalking to the entrance, she unlatched the door, unwilling to wait like a calf to slaughter. This was her home, and she would protect it at all costs.
She emerged into a whirl of battle and flying bullets. Still standing on the bottom step of the entrance belowground, she was shielded—for now.
“Stop!” she screamed, clutching the gun and holding it in the air. Encircling the trigger, she fired two shots. “Cease-fire! I want to speak to your leader.”
A New Establishment soldier dressed in camouflage must’ve heard her because he lifted his fist in the air, causing some of the nearby men to halt. Eyes locked onto hers, he stood firm, his gun aimed directly at her heart. As Lainey froze in fear, the echoes of gunfire began to cease. One soldier appeared at his side, then another, until several New Establishment soldiers surrounded the man who still aimed the gun at her.
“She’s not a soldier,” Cyrus said as he moved around the right side of the hub, the deep baritone of his voice welcome to her pounding ears. Rifle aimed at the man who was pointing one at her, he slowly advanced. “There’s no need to escalate this further. Let’s lower our weapons and discuss terms.”
“An excellent idea,” a smooth voice called to her left.
Head snapping, her gaze landed on none other than Eli Hernandez, leader of the New Establishment on the Eastern American Isle. Lainey knew tales of his wrath and ruthlessness from Alora, who’d gathered much intel on the figurehead over the years.
“Hello, Mr. Hernandez,” Lainey said. “I have no wish to continue fighting.” Gingerly, she lowered her gun to the ground. “I’m not sure what you want but I’d like to discuss it peacefully and civilly, leader to leader.”
Dark eyes filled with a sinister humor, and his lips curved into an austere smile under his black hair and sharp nose. “Are you truly comparing yourself to me, Dr. Randolph? That seems a bit overzealous, don’t you think?’
“I am the leader of this hub,” she said, unwilling to back down. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, to live in peace with my team.”
He glanced at his men, and she noticed the soldier lower the gun. Cyrus did as well, but his body remained tense.
“And to solve time travel, perhaps?”
It took all of Lainey’s might not to gasp. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of a reaction, she shrugged. “Scientists want lots of things. That one would be impossible.”
His chuckle was menacing, stretching across the clearing around the hub. “Oh, I think you can figure it out. My little birdies tell me you’re awfully
close. Isn’t that right…Hunter?”
Hunter appeared, sluicing through an opening between the men that had formed in the clearing. Heart pounding, she stared at him, tamping down the confusion. Hunter wouldn’t betray her. He’d made a pact with her father. A pact with her.
“They’re quite close but haven’t solved it yet,” Hunter said, sparing her an indecipherable glance before he faced Eli. “We’ll keep an eye on them until they do. And then, we’ll turn the technology over to you.”
“You bastard!” Lainey screamed, rage consuming every pore of her quivering body. “I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about, but you’ll never see one speck of my work! Science stands for freedom. For rationality and goodness. I’ll sacrifice myself before I turn anything over to you!”
Eli’s black eyebrows lifted, his expression sardonic. “Is she always this dramatic?”
Hunter shrugged. “Depends on the day.”
Betrayal, true and deep, surged through her frame. Although she’d only known Hunter for a short time, she’d judged him an ally. Her father had recruited him, and she’d been incredibly moved by his motivation to save his wife. But it had all been a lie. Had he even been married? God, she wanted nothing more than to knee him in the balls and ask him while he cried in pain.
“I’d like to discuss the terms of our occupation with you, Dr. Randolph,” Eli said, oblivious to the emotions warring inside her trembling body. “Inside the hub. You can invite me in, or we can force our way in. Your choice.”
“You’re never getting inside the hu—”
“Over my dead body,” Cyrus said simultaneously, lifting his rifle at Eli.
Eli sighed. “Shoot him,” he commanded tonelessly, as if he were asking for the time rather than directing his men to kill her friend.
A Paradox of Fates Page 11
