President Brown was right; I should’ve let Steven run the first time. If I hadn’t stopped him, he would have gone back to River Springs without hurting anyone. Yes, he knew where we were, but I’d always figured that they would find out where we were someday. If I’d let him run, Steven wouldn’t have found the need to do something extreme. President Brown would still be alive.
The whole experience had made me grow up faster than I thought possible. I still had a lot to work on, but I was ready for the challenge. I was ready to face everything that came my way and no matter how hard it was, my emotions needed to be put aside when making decisions. There were too many lives at stake and we’d already lost so many good people.
As I stood out on the alcove, I felt pride for our city. Watching everyone working together and working hard to build up our city made my heart warm. There were a lot of good people down there, and I didn’t want to let anyone else down.
“Is it just me,” Dante said, standing to the right of me, “or does it feel like it was a lifetime ago when we first stepped into this place?”
I smiled, twisting the ring on my finger. “It doesn’t seem right that it’s only been a few months.” Eric had made me a simple ring, just two pieces of twine braided together. It was perfect.
“Where do we go from here?” Maya asked. She stood to the left of me, Santiago on the other side of her.
“Wherever life takes us.” Santiago whistled. “No matter how prepared I think I am, every twist and turn that’s been thrown at us has never ceased to amaze me.”
Dante let out a small laugh and folded his arms. “Well, I’m ready for a break. I’m worn out.”
“Let’s hope it’s a while until we hear anything from River Springs or Kingsland.” I glanced over at Dante. “Are you still in contact with someone from Kingsland?”
“Yes,” Dante said. “I’m not too worried about any threat from there right now. We should be fine for a while.”
Santiago reached behind Maya and swatted my arm. “It’s your city I’m worried about. With Austin gone, we have no contact.”
I rocked back and forth on my heels, the whole thing making me wary. “We desperately need eyes and ears in there, but I don’t know how that’s possible. I think Eric and Luke’s group were the last rescue attempt.”
Smirking, Dante nudged me. “You can always become friends with Amber.”
“I’d rather go swimming with sharks.” Goosebumps formed on my arms, but not because it was cold. “Seriously, the conversation between her and Steven still grosses me out. I wish I’d never heard it.”
“You found out some very valuable information,” Maya said.
I looked at her. “I also found out some very nauseating information.”
“Well, now you have me intrigued,” Dante said.
“Let’s just say it had to do with their … love life,” I said.
Dante gagged. “Okay, never mind.”
“That’s just gross, man,” Santiago said, shaking his shaggy hair around.
Maya laughed. “That’s quite the statement coming from you. You love that kind of talk.”
Santiago looked down at Maya and shook his head. “Even I have a limit to the madness.”
“Speaking of which,” Dante said, glaring at Santiago, “you touch a single hair on my sister, and I’ll kill you.”
“I think you’re too late for that.” Santiago’s smile was mischievous.
Dante immediately lunged for Santiago, taking him in a headlock. “I wasn’t kidding, man. Leave her alone.”
Santiago squirmed to get free, but he laughed the whole time. “You do realize she’ll end up with a guy at some point in her life, right?”
“She’s too old for you.” Dante tightened his grip around Santiago’s neck.
Santiago twisted his body and punched Dante in the stomach. “Only by a couple of years.”
I went over to them, putting my hand on Dante’s arm. “Alright, enough goofing around boys.”
“You two need to learn to play nice,” Maya said.
Santiago threw up his hands when Dante released him. “This is nice, Maya. We could do much worse.” He looked at Dante. “We’re bringing back boxing and you and I are first in the ring.”
“Deal,” Dante said, sticking out his hand. Santiago took it, shaking firmly.
“Now that I want front row seats to,” I said.
Maya bumped me. “Then you and me.”
“Oh, now we’re talking,” Santiago said, rubbing his hand together.
I laughed. “Once I’m all healed up, it’s on.”
Dante touched me on the shoulder, and I turned to see him holding a blue flower. I smiled, taking it from him and holding it close to my heart. He put his arm around my shoulder, and I put my arm around his waist. Maya came up close to me, putting her arm around my waist and then Santiago put his arm around her shoulder. I leaned my head against Maya’s and smiled, thinking of my new extended family.
We stood there, watching over New Haven, the taste of freedom and hope in the air.
President Randall had a marvelous view of the city from his office. One whole wall was made entirely of glass, letting me get a good view of our perfect city. Well, almost perfect. There was still some tweaking to be done.
Behind me was his desk, made of mahogany. I ran my finger along the edge, feeling the amazing craftsmanship under my finger. Taking a deep breath, I sat down in his leather chair and immediately felt the comfort engulf my body.
His desk was clean and tidy, everything put in its proper place. I looked at the picture of him and Janice in a frame on the desk. His candor sometimes surprised me. He had no qualms putting a picture of him with his lover out on his desk for anyone to see.
I looked around his massive office, breathing in every scent. This was where I belonged. This was what I was meant to do. Smiling on the inside, I thought of how everything was going according to plan. So many hours had been poured into it and every single detail was lined up perfectly now, waiting for me to make my final moves.
Amber thought it was impossible, but here we were, just a breath away from total domination. Steven made things even easier for us, blowing himself up so we didn’t have to. I was glad to finally have him out of the picture. The boy was a coward and extremely annoying. I didn’t know how Amber pretended to like him for so long.
I couldn’t wait until that night when we’d finally get some alone time to celebrate. We all knew the president wasn’t using his bed for anything fun. It was about time it got its proper use.
The door opened and President Randall stepped into his office. His eyebrows furrowed together when he saw me sitting in his chair. “I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were you. That chair is for the president, which you’ll never be.”
I smiled as I stood, gesturing for him to take a seat in his chair. “I was just warming it up for you.”
President Randall bore his eyes into mine as he sat down. He adjusted his tie, making sure it was perfectly placed. “Did everything go well today?”
“Just as planned.” I stood near his chair, looking out the window, watching the city members walk around. They looked like ants from up here. Just one step and I could squish them.
“Are you positive they bought it?” He turned his chair around so he could look out the window, too.
I glanced down at him. “I made it very convincing. Fake blood and all.”
The president raised his eyebrows and sneered. “Fake blood? You really took your role seriously.”
“I didn’t want to leave any doubt of my death.”
The president stood and patted me on my shoulder. I hated how he treated me like a child. I was more of a man than he’d ever be.
He walked over to his wall covered in plaques. President Randall had one made for every important person he’d killed. He stopped in front of my father’s.
“I’m proud of you, Austin,” President Randall said. “You’ve turned out to be twice the man
your father was.”
“My father was weak, sir,” I said. “He didn’t have the backbone to run a city.”
President Randall looked at me. “And you think you do?”
“I think I’ve proved that to you countless times.” I walked over and stood next to him, standing up straight so he had to look up at me. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me.”
“That you have. We’re missing a plaque on here, though.”
I nodded. “I know. Don’t worry, sir. Emmie’s plaque will be on here in no time.”
“There’s still something that’s bothering me, Austin.”
“What’s that?” I clasped my hands behind my back.
“You claim your father never told you where the secret location was. I still don’t believe you.”
“I wish you’d trust me, sir,” I said, walking back to the window.
President Randall laughed. “I’ve never trusted an Oliver. You must know that.”
I clenched my jaw. I had to refrain myself from getting too worked up. I needed to stay calm. “I’m not like my father or any other Oliver before him. I’m better than them.”
“So you say.” President Randall stepped up next to me. He puffed out his chest, making me laugh on the inside. He was so arrogant.
“Where do we go from here?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. It was going to go where I wanted it to.
“We need to make a move.”
I shook my head. “It’s still too early.”
“What are you waiting for, Austin? You claim to want to help Infinity Corp, to help me, yet you’re hesitant to take action.”
“I want to do it right. We don’t have room for mistakes. We need to make sure we’re truly prepared.”
I could feel President Randall staring at me. “Austin, they’re extremely outnumbered. We have everything we need to wipe them off the face of the earth.”
“I don’t think so.” Looking over at him, I tried to keep my expression calm and my voice even. “They have lots of weapons now and the skills from the other cities. We know Dr. Stacey took the virus from us. And you killed Carl.”
“His services were no longer needed,” President Randall said flatly.
I closed my eyes, keeping my temper at bay. “He was the only one here who could replicate the virus.”
“We don’t need the virus!” President Randall did not hide his anger.
But I couldn’t afford to act out. “We need more ammo, whether it’s ammo for guns or secret weapons like the virus. When we strike, it needs to be big. It needs to be final, not giving us room to lose.”
“I’m sending a few security members out tomorrow. They’re leaving first thing in the morning. If you won’t tell me where Emmie is, I’ll go and find her.”
“You’ve already sent people out. You’ve been looking for months and haven’t found them. What makes you think you’ll find them now?”
“I never give up, Austin. I’ll keep looking until I find her.”
I sighed and turned away, walking toward the door. “That’s your problem, sir. You’re only focused on Emmie. You’re not looking at the big picture.”
President Randall slammed his hand down on his desk. “I am looking at the big picture! And I’m thinking that you’re not going to be in it.”
I stopped walking, still facing the door. “I’ll be in it, sir.”
“I don’t think so. You have a lot of thinking to do, Austin. If you want to be a part of this city, you need to tell me where they’re located.”
Keeping my mouth closed, I forced myself to be quiet.
He gave a small laugh. “Well, I’ve given you the chance to do something right and prove yourself, and you’ve failed.”
“What do you mean, sir?” I asked, turning around to look at him.
“You really think I just let Luke and the others leave without following them?”
“If you had them followed, why do you keep asking me where they are?” I couldn’t believe how pretentious he was.
His face turned red. “I just told you! I was giving you a chance, Austin, to show you were willing to fight for our cause. But it doesn’t matter now. I will know where they are soon and then we can end this all. We’ll be in total control of the world.” He gave me a twisted smile. “Unfortunately, you won’t be in a leadership position anymore. Your services are no longer needed here at Infinity Corp.”
I turned around again and faced the door. It was hard for me to keep my temper down and I didn’t want him to see it in my eyes. “What are you going to do with me?”
“You’ll know soon enough,” President Randall said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “You can leave my office now.”
I smiled, reaching my hand down to my side. “This won’t be your office much longer.”
“Excuse me?” President Randall asked.
I turned around, smirking at Whit. “I’m afraid your services are no longer needed.”
Pointing my gun at his head, I pulled the trigger.
Other Books by Sara Jo Cluff
YA Dystopian:
NEW HAVEN SERIES:
RECRUITS
RECKONING
RISE
YA Contemporary:
Filler Friend
The Kiss List
Middle Grade:
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF COTTON WYLEY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’m going to keep this one short and simple.
Chad, thanks for your continued support, and for being so hot. You make everyday fun. I’d be lost without you. You’re great with every type of navigation imaginable.
Princess Buttercup, I’m not sure how much time you have left on this earth, but you, my dear kitty, are the light of my life. No writing companion will ever compare to you. I’m one lucky cat mama!
As always, Dr Pepper, thanks for fueling my writing. I’d be lost without you. #PepperPack #Ambassador #DrPepperislife
Oh, I haven’t forgotten about you, Watermelon Sour Patch Kids. I love you with all my heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sara Jo Cluff grew up in Yorba Linda, California, right next to the Happiest Place on Earth (aka her second home). Now she resides in Utah with her husband Chad, and their definite mama’s-girl cat Princess Buttercup.
She loves creating stories from scratch and seeing where the characters take her. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her husband, watching Netflix, reading, or doing jigsaw puzzles.
She’s a proud #PepperPack #Ambassador for the Most Delicious Beverage on Earth: Dr Pepper.
Visit her website at www.sarajocluff.com and follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @SaraJoCluff. For merchandise related to her books: search ‘awkward pepper shirts’ on Amazon, or go to shop.spreadshirt.com/awkwardpepper
Reckoning (New Haven Book 2) Page 26
