by Amelia Jade
“I think you belong,” he replied.
She gave him a small smile. “I don’t feel completely out of place around you.”
He began to relax, still in shock that the whole thing hadn’t devolved into a shouting match. She knows you better than you think. There was some definite truth in that statement, he thought, reflecting on the calm way she had handled the issue. It was very unusual, and yet extremely welcome at the same time.
“Don’t think you’re out of the woods yet though,” she said sternly.
Connor sat straight up. What?
“Move your ass back,” she told him, getting up from her chair and approaching the bed where he lay.
“Okay?” he said, confused but doing as she said.
“Now, it won’t be night for a little while yet, so you had better hold me tight until I have to leave,” she ordered.
“Absolutely,” he promised, wrapping his arms around her as she settled into his lap, his lips nuzzling into her neck, kissing her softly with affection.
Don’t grow too attached. She’s going to be in Genesis Valley while you’re here.
Connor didn’t acknowledge the thought. Instead, he simply turned his bear loose on it. He allowed the animal mind to fight with his own subconscious, subduing it quickly, allowing him to cuddle in peace with the woman who somehow meant so much to him.
He didn’t want to let go.
Chapter Twelve
Madison
She glanced at the clock, stretching and rising. Connor had kept his word, holding her tight for hours on end until they both felt the urge to get up, even if it was just to move. Now they were walking around the dance floor. In the late afternoon several more chairs had been rolled out and placed strategically around small tables, forming private little areas that groups of men and women—almost all dressed in business attire—could gather around. Even now she spotted seven... no, eight groups, all of them enjoying a drink or two as they unwound after the day.
Maddy doubted it was all pleasure, but nor was it all business. There was likely an even mix. She spotted one group of three men, with three women, all of whom were dressed to impress, though they were wearing evening clothing, not business attire. That was a group unwinding. But just past them, four men were scribbling on paper and making notes, constantly pointing things out to the others. Business.
“I need to use the men’s room,” Connor told her, leaning in to give her a peck and making his way across the floor.
She nodded. The movement of her head drew her gaze upward to where the heavily tinted windows were set into the wall. Up there was Flint’s lair, and the handful of serums they had captured. Connor had told her about the case that she was to carry the one filled with serum vials, and a sample of whatever had been on the knife that prevented his healing. It made her nervous. The idea that she would be carrying something so potent and potentially world-changing was enough to leave her feeling queasy, at a minimum.
You can do this.
Maddy knew she could. That didn’t make it any less terrifying from her perspective. What was she, an unenhanced human, doing getting in the middle of everything? She was such an easy target. All it would take was one Agent, Extremis or not, to bring her down. Then all of their work would be for naught.
She hated that. Hated knowing that no matter how mentally strong she might be, she just couldn’t keep up in this new world she had discovered. Connor was right; he would work easier knowing she was safe, because he couldn’t protect her forever. If she stayed, at some point her normalcy would get her captured. Or killed.
But what could she do about it?
Maddy stared at the windows, wondering if Flint was in there. He had done something about it, by creating the Underground. He was only human. She snorted at the invisible quotes around the world normal. There was nothing wrong with being human. It wasn’t until one entered the world of shifters that they suddenly became useless.
Unfortunately for her, there was no way to change that.
Or was there?
Maddy jolted as an idea entered her head. It was crazy, and stupid, and quite likely the least logical thing she had ever done in her entire life. Yet there she was, contemplating it.
“This is stupid,” she muttered to herself. Why are you even contemplating this? You know it’s just as likely to get you killed as it is to actually help anyone. What would your death do to Connor? It certainly wouldn’t help him, that’s for sure.
Another voice spoke up inside of her as she continued to wander the floor, trying to ignore the fact her “random” wanderings were bringing her closer to the door that led into the back. Where she would find what she needed.
Are you just doing this because of him? You only just met the man; you have no idea what that means for next year, let alone next week. You could be making a huge mistake, based on nothing more than intuition.
“Perhaps,” she said aloud, ignoring the look one of the nearby women gave her. “But at least I would be doing something for once,” she said with a hiss, her decision made. For too long she had lived cautiously, never taking any risks, always waiting for life to come to her.
It was time that she took life by the horns and dictated her own terms.
She made her way into the back, and then took the metal stairs that led up to Flint’s office. The door was slightly ajar, and as soon as she knocked she was given leave to enter.
“Maddy, good to see you,” he said, quickly hanging up the phone.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she told him, shrugging as sheepishly as she could.
“What can I do for you? I’m just finalizing arrangements for your transport for tonight,” he informed her.
“Actually, one of the door guys—I forget his name—saw me wandering and asked if I could ask you to come down to see him.” She shrugged her shoulders, trying to pretend like she was still new and hadn’t made an effort to memorize everyone’s names.
Flint frowned. “Did he say why?”
She shook her head. “No, he didn’t. Seemed urgent though.”
“Of course it is,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “It’s always urgent. Okay, I had better get going then.” He moved around the desk and headed for the door. Maddy followed him slowly, but not making any attempt to slow down. Flint moved down the stairs and disappeared around the corner when she was halfway down.
Maddy reached down to tie her shoe, just in case Flint noticed she had stopped, but he hadn’t. Once she was positive he was out of earshot, she raced back up the stairs and into his office, searching for what she needed.
There. It was on the shelf to the left of his desk, just like Connor had said.
She looked at it, eyeing the contents, wondering which one was which. Something caught her eye, and she picked one up to inspect it closer.
Maddy smiled. Someone had helpfully labeled them for her. There were five altogether, though only three were what she was looking for. The others were ones she had no intention of touching. She was stupid, not idiotic. Right now it was a small difference, but it was enough of one.
“Now what?” she asked aloud, suddenly getting cold feet. Pocketing what she had come for, Maddy turned and headed for the exit, unsure if she now wanted to follow through with it.
Someone will notice it’s missing.
Shit. There was no getting around that; the empty spot would be instantly visible. If she was going to do this, she was going to have to do it then and there.
Maddy closed her eyes, summoning any remaining courage she had. If Flint came back and found her, she would be in a lot of trouble. It was now or never. Helpful, or unhelpful.
Time to make a choice.
***
With an angry growl she twisted the lid off and poured it down her throat.
Nothing happened.
“What the fuck?” she said, tilting it over her mouth, trying for every last drop.
Had she grabbed the wrong one somehow? Fear sank its talons
into her stomach as she glanced at the label on the lid.
Extremis Serum. Sample 1 of 3.
No, that was the right one. But nothing was happening. She was a half-blood though. The serum was supposed to work on her kind! To turn them into superhumans.
Maddy sagged into one of the chairs as she realized even her last-ditch crazy plan had failed her. Just like always, she was now destined to fade into the background, forgotten by all.
She rolled her eyes, and placed the vial back in the container.
“Fuck,” she said. The liquid was clear, but it was noticeably obvious that the empty vial contained nothing. She needed something to fill it with. Looking around the office, her eyes settled on the mini fridge.
Whispering a prayer, she opened it and saw what she needed. Carefully she grabbed a bottle of vodka, pried the lid off, and filled the vial. Putting the cap back on the vodka and the vial, she put both back in their respective spots, and then left the office behind, trying to ignore the massive feeling of failure that was settling over her. She couldn’t even take a drug right.
She had barely finished climbing down the stairs and making her way down the white hallway when Flint returned, looking confused. He called her name, forcing Maddy to turn and confront him.
“I thought you said there was someone at the door for me?” he asked, looking both puzzled and a little annoyed.
Maddy shrugged. “One of the guys near the door asked me to get you. That’s all I know. Why?”
Flint frowned, looking at her suspiciously. “There was no one there. The two working the door didn’t know of anyone else being there either.”
Putting on her best confused face, she responded. “That doesn’t make any sense. Why would he leave before you got there?”
Flint shrugged. “Are you sure there was someone there?” he prompted.
She frowned. “I don’t think I’m having hallucinations,” she said slowly. “Have I been giving off any signs of it?”
The other man shook his head. “No. Just get a name next time, okay? And more information. I don’t want to be running off every which way every time someone says my name.”
Maddy nodded meekly, trying look suitably chastised. “I’m sorry.”
To her surprise, Flint seemed to fall for the whole routine. “It’s okay. While I was there, I did get the final details for your evacuation tonight.”
Despite knowing what it meant for her and Connor, she perked up. Things had been much lighter of heart here in the club, where she seemed to be safe for the time being, but Maddy knew she couldn’t stay cooped up here forever. Even after a day and a half the place was becoming cramped and stuffy, despite its size.
“What’s the plan?”
Flint shoved a index-card sized piece of paper at her. “Here’s all the information. Don’t share it with anyone. That includes Connor. Keep it to yourself, just in case.”
“It won’t matter if Connor knows it anyway,” she said unhappily. “He’s going to be out doing other things tonight. He won’t be able to help me. I’ll be on my own.”
“You’ll be safe,” Flint said. “Just do exactly as I wrote down, and they’ll take care of you.”
“Thank you,” she replied, meaning it.
“You’re not out of the city yet,” he replied. “Thank me then.” He gave her a curt nod, and then headed up the stairs.
Maddy glanced down at the card, reading it over.
A fishing trawler? This should be interesting…
Carefully folding the card and putting it into her pocket, she headed off to find Connor. She needed to be down at the shipyard indicated in just a few hours. In the meantime she intended to spend every moment with him, right up until she was forced out the door.
***
The limousine hired by Flint pulled up to the destination. Maddy could barely make any of it out through the heavily tinted windows. It was annoying, but she knew it was that same feature that had allowed her to move through the city unseen and yet in plain sight. She had to admit that Flint had had a good idea with that one.
“Thank you,” she said to the driver, climbing out. She pulled her pack after her and then closed the door.
Her destination was on the far side of the road, giving her the opportunity to survey it before she approached. The gate was sandwiched between two tall buildings. To her surprise, it wasn’t made of chain-link, like she might have expected. It was a tall, heavy-duty steel gate, designed to block any view from inside or out.
Odd. Must be some high-end fishing trawler to need that sort of security.
The diffuse yellow light from streetlamps showed her that it was painted gray. It also highlighted the blocky utilitarian aspect of both the gate and the buildings to either side. They were almost military cut.
Nervous, Maddy pulled out the piece of paper Flint had given her, double checking that this was the right place.
Coleforn Shipyard. 8 p.m.
The clock in the car had let her know she was a handful of minutes early, but this was the place. Right on the gate were the letters CF in big block red writing. Underneath it, in fine print, was Coleforn Shipyard and Transportation Center.
She crossed the street, glancing up at the dual four-story buildings that overlooked the metal gate and the street. They were of the same sort of construction as the gate, and as Maddy got closer, she realized they were also joined by a walkway that overlooked the entrance. The closer she got, the more she realized the gate was small. It would likely only be big enough for one truck to fit through at a time, with no more than few feet to spare.
That was weird. Most of the other shipyards she had seen had two or even four lane entryways. Why the tight security with this one? There was more that bothered her, but she couldn’t put a finger on it. Still, it was the place that Flint had written down.
She looked around for a way in, coming up empty, until she noticed a red button on the left-hand building. Walking swiftly over to it, Maddy raised her hand.
This is it. Press the button and you leave this city and Connor behind. Think very carefully.
Maddy didn’t want to leave it behind. She didn’t want to leave Connor behind. But this was bigger than her wants. She had to do what was best for everyone, not just herself. If she took the selfish way out, she might doom not only herself, but the entire Underground.
How could she justify putting everyone else in danger like that, just so she could feel like she had somewhere to fit in?
Angrily she reached out and punched the buzzer.
Almost immediately the door clicked, a latch of some sort releasing. The heavy metal panel swung open an inch.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed it open and went inside.
Chapter Thirteen
Connor
Get up.
No.
Now.
A deep vibrating sound filled the little room that he had shared with Maddy. It took Connor several seconds to figure out that the sound was coming from him.
He was growling.
She hasn’t even been gone an hour, and you’re already moping around the place like it’s the end of the world. Get up off your ass, and do something.
He hated it when he was right. There were things he needed to be doing anyway. With another—louder—angry growl, he strode from the room. His hulking appearance and pissed-off body language sent people scurrying for cover as he stalked down the hallway toward the steps that led up to Flint’s office.
The heavy stained-oak door slammed open as he barged in, throwing the door closed behind him just as heavily.
“Must you always be—”
“We have a rat,” he said firmly, cutting Flint off mid-sentence.
The other man looked up at him with a start. His eyes narrowed. “How do you know?”
Connor flung himself down heavily into the chair across the desk from Flint. “Too many coincidences. Three times in a row the Agency knew exactly where to find us, and were waiting in ambush. That’s
too many to be a coincidence.”
Flint sat down, though he did so in a far more reserved manner then Connor had. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “They found the Charlie safe house in less than twelve hours. If I hadn’t drawn off their team, Maddy would have been in their custody.” He frowned. “That safe house had never been used, never mentioned after we set it up. Nothing. How many people knew that we had gone there for the night?”
The head of the Underground sat back and thought. “I did, of course. As did Andre, Milos, Auston, and Deanna.”
Connor thought about it unhappily. Those four were the senior members of the Underground. Milos and Andre were shifter grunts. They didn’t want extra responsibility; they just wanted to help. He couldn’t see either of them becoming turncoats. That was just too much effort for them. Besides, they were of the target demographic. They had to know the Agency would just use them and then end them after the Underground was dismantled.
That left Auston and Deanna. He knew them both, though not as well as he wished. Auston was Flint’s bookkeeper. He was a small man who loved his numbers and moving them around. Without Auston’s help, there was no way the Underground could have survived. He was a whiz with helping them procure supplies, buildings, vehicles, whatever, without it being traceable back to anyone within the Underground.
He was also terrified of social interaction, and well paid. Connor supposed he could have been bribed by the Agency, but he doubted the little man could lie well enough to cover it.
That left Deanna. A fiery redhead who often butted heads with Flint, who wanted the Underground to become more proactive, and to increase its fighting arm beyond just Connor’s team. It was no secret that she hated Flint, and nobody really knew why she stayed with the Underground. She was their planner. She decided which operations to pursue, and how they should be done in an overarching sense. She arranged for their rides out of the city until it came time to execute a mission. When it became Jared’s show, Deanna was involved with it.
