by Valia Lind
Ruined in
Retribution
Valia Lind
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright © 2016 Valia Lind
All rights reserved.
Cover Design by Mae I Design
First edition
To Andie “the magical” and Libby “the brilliant”.
I am so blessed by your friendships.
Ruined in
Retribution
1.
LOGAN
Racing through the darkness, I keep my focus on the task at hand.
If I'm caught, I'm dead. My father doesn't mess around.
Slipping around the corner, I dive out of the way as I almost collide with a group of people. They yell, but I don't stop to apologize, instead I curse my own incompetence. I just gave my pursuers a clue to where I was. Tasia is so much better at this than I am.
As always, I try to keep my focus from wandering to her, but it's no use. It's been two months since I lost her and I forfeit all breath in my body just thinking of her. She's still my shining light, even if she doesn't know it anymore.
I hear shouts behind me, snapping me out of my daydream. My lungs burn with exhaustion, but I can't stop now. I turn into another alley, hoping to lose them in the twist and turns. The sound of my feet slapping the pavement are as loud as gunshots in my ears. I'm almost positive my pursuers can hear me over the noise of the city. I stumble over my own feet as I round another corner, diving into the first door I find unlocked. Pressing hard against the wall, as the door slams behind me, I try to catch my breath. I really should be better at this.
Looking around, I find myself in the back of a restaurant. It's dark, the employee clearly forgot to lock the back door before leaving and I do the job for them. I pull out Freddie's scanner. The lack of red lights assures me that there's no video surveillance to worry about, and I breathe a little easer.
Moving to the far corner, away from the door, I settle on the floor and take out my phone. They pick up on the first ring.
"Did you get it?" Calen asks, urgency evident in his voice. He's probably been tracking my movements on the GPS and saw just how much evasive maneuvering I had to do to get away.
"I did."
I hear a sigh of relief at my words and then another voice comes on the line.
"Are you safe?" Freddie, who has become as much of my uncle as Calen's, asks and his voice carries a note of genuine concern.
"For now. I'm at the back of some restaurant. No cameras and no employees for now. I'll wait it out a bit before making a go for the car."
There's a pause and I know what he's going to ask next, even before he does.
"Did you see her?"
My heart clenches just thinking about her. "No," I reply, trying to keep my voice from giving too much away of what I'm feeling. There's silence on the other side, as we all deal with that one simple word.
"Get back safely, Logan." Freddie says, before disconnecting the call.
There's really nothing else that could be said.
The girl I love, the girl I betrayed to save, has been lost to me. By trying to play by the rules, I have ruined everything.
Why is it you can always figure out what should've been done only after it has already happened? If I knew the outcome of my actions as they stand now, I would've done things differently. Maybe. At least, I think I would have. But do I really know if the end result would be better or could it have been worse?
I'm not sure what could be worse.
Tasia is under control of Kallos Enterprises, doing Foster's every bidding, while my own father hunts to destroy her. How did I end up part of some graphic novel conspiracy?
Breathing in deeply, I close my eyes and think back to the last time I saw her. Before all hell broke lose. She looked beautiful in her dress, her face full of determination and vulnerability. A combination I've never seen on anyone before, but one that suits her so perfectly. It's that mixture of strength and sensitivity that made me fall in love with her in the first place. I would never tell her that though. She doesn't see herself as capable of sensitivity or caring, but I know better.
The kiss we shared that night haunts my every waking moment. The touch of her lips, the smell of her skin, it was too much and not enough all at the same time. I would give anything to just hold her in my arms again.
Even when we were kids, she seemed to push my buttons and open up the pockets of my heart I wasn't aware existed. She was my best friend and then she was gone. When my father asked me to be a part of his operation, I didn't want to be involved in his life. But the moment I saw those beautiful eyes, I knew who she was and I knew I had to do everything in my power to be part of her life. So I can save it.
Some knight in shining armor I turned out to be.
I'm not sure what is causing this bit of nostalgia to push at my insides, but I guess I have nothing better to do while I sit on this cold, linoleum floor.
Reaching inside my pocket I take out the flash drive I stole from one of Kallos' offices. Just like the practice we stumbled on last year, this was a free clinic for anyone looking for medical help. However, this one wasn't as careful as the others. Freddie and Calen searched high and low trying to find some kind of a computer breadcrumb. This flash drive has the names and personal information of all the patients currently on the list of this division. It will give us more background and hopefully help us to find out more about the drug running through Tasia's and Blake's systems.
Even if she doesn't know it, I'm coming for her. We will save her, even if it's the last thing we do.
* * *
After I leave the restaurant, making sure to lock the door behind me to prevent actual squatters inside, it takes me a good eight hours to get back to the cabin. It's only about a two hour drive outside the city, but the weaving in and out of small backroads makes it much longer. Thankfully my hiding place was a day restaurant and no one came by to discover me. I'm grateful for the tiny break.
The whole time, all I could think about is Tasia. There's nothing else that occupies my thoughts as much as her face. The determined eyes, full of hatred, staring at me as if she's never met me before. As if I'm the lowest being on the planet, a bug at the bottom of her shoe. A thing she has to kill.
We were at such a sensitive position before. She was finally starting to open up, to be herself again. Walking into that fundraiser, I never imagined that all of that would be stripped away in a blast.
There are moments in your life that you will never forget, parts of a story that will always be clear in your mind. Seeing Tasia look at me with so much rage is one of these moments.
Pulling up in front of the cabin, I turn off the car, but I don't get out. Going back in there means going back to the war. It means learning to hold my breath until I can have clean air again. Since Tasia disappeared into the abyss of Kallos' drug, all I've been doing is holding my breath.
"Good, you're back," Calen says the moment I step inside the cabin. He's sitting in front of one of the computers, his usual place, forehead scrunched up as he concentrates. Without a word, I walk over and hand him the USB. "Thanks."
"No problem."
Our interactions have become more and more clipped as the leads run out of fuel. And as Blake doesn't seem to be getting any better.
"How is she?" I ask, knowing the news won't be good. Calen stops typing and runs his hand over his face, before facing me.
"Not well, mate. She woke up completely confused on where she was and why."
"Her drug level percentage is incre
asing."
Both Calen and I turn as Freddie walks into the room. He's studying his tablet, but I instantly notice how tired he is. He has aged in the past two months. We all have.
"I don't understand," Calen says, standing up.
"I don't either," Freddie replies, looking up at us.
"But it was getting better."
"So was Tasia's, remember?" I ask the question and just the mention of her name sends a quiet chill through the room. I never knew a chill could have a sound.
"And hers began growing after a while as well." Freddie is the most analytical out of all of us. He has to stay sharp. "The only explanation I have is that Blake has a newer version of the drug. It's stronger, more adaptable than the older."
"Maybe it needs an antidote," I say, thinking back to something I saw months ago at the offices. Both of the men turn toward me at my words.
"That's what I was thinking," Freddie says, studying me closely. "Is there something we should know?"
"I'm not sure. But I remember seeing papers on the general's desk that talked about a different shipment. If we're to assume that there is an antidote, it would make sense. They need both sides of the puzzle to make it work."
"Make what work exactly?" Calen asks, "Controlling the world?"
"Or just a group of people in the world." Freddie replies.
"Like soldiers." I say, pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
"You mean they'll weaponize it?" Calen exclaims what we're all thinking. "But that's ridiculous. Haven't they seen enough of movies to know that never goes well?"
"They don't really have to weaponize it, just the people they use it on. Think about how great of a weapon Tasia is to Foster at the moment. There's nothing she won't do for him, or for the corporation."
We grow silent at that because it's the truth. It's the truth that keeps me up at night and the horror that haunts my every step. The girl I love is gone and I have no power to bring her back. Everything we seem to do just pushes us farther and farther away from saving her.
"If this is true, which makes sense, it also tells us why the General wants it so much." Freddie continues. "He wouldn't necessary want to destroy it. He'd want to use it."
"Are we really just realizing this?" Calen asks, sitting back down at his station.
"I think we're just getting the proof to something we feared," Freddie replies, looking at me with sympathy.
It's true. We all keep thinking the worst. I don't really want their pity. But when your own father wants to take over one of the greatest corporations in the world so he can use the drug they created for his own benefit, the sympathy is expected. It is a sad world I've come to live in.
I shake off the melancholy, focusing on the issue at hand.
"We need to find that antidote, or whatever it may be that stops the drug from reproducing. If we can't break through to Blake, who is on a much smaller dosage, I can't imagine us having any effect on Tasia." Freddie states, heading toward the computer monitors.
"Where do we even start?" I ask, because honestly I have no idea where to go from here. My run into the city may have provided us with more information, but I doubt the small clinic I broke into will have anything on the antidote. They're just a training ground. Not a main frame. Kallos wouldn't risk something as precious as an antidote on a small fish like a public health clinic.
"While Calen and I analyze the USB you got, I think you should call the general." Freddie throws over his shoulder, his focus already on the computers in front of him. He doesn't see the expression that crosses my face, but I must take too long to reply because he stops typing and turns around.
"I know it's risky, Logan--"
"Considering he probably wants to kill me by now?"
"Yes, that. But he's our best bet. We can't get close enough to Foster and we don't have any way of finding out even if we're right. But I have a feeling the general will have some useful information for us."
"You've been off grid for too long. He's bound to be suspicious." Calen states, not really helping the situation, but voicing all of our fears.
"He's always suspicious. It's what makes him so good at his job." I sigh, running a hand over my hair. There are so many buried emotions when it comes to my father. Or more accurately the man who was anything but a father, but held the title. I don't want to talk to him and I don't want to work for him. But Freddie is right. I don't actually have another choice.
"Okay, can you set up a secure link?"
"Already done." He replies, motioning to the computer.
I take a deep breath and push send.
It's time to go home.
2.
LOGAN
"Logan, report."
Not even a hello, but I'm not surprised. General hasn't bothered with the pleasantries since I was five. Even then, that's pushing it.
"The information I was able to extract at the location was minimal. The place is used as a front for Kallos' bigger operations and is nothing more than what it looks like from the outside. There are three other locations to hit."
There is a spilt-second pause, then, "Why did you call?"
"I want to meet."
I don't have to be his son or read any special cues to see that he's annoyed with me. While the general may be the master at keeping his emotions in check, he's always quick to show me when I'm doing something wrong.
"That's unnecessary."
"It's not," I push, because it's the only way I'll get him to give in. I have to play my card and I hate being the first to put it on the table. "We need to talk about the new serum."
There's a flash of recognition in his eye, before he masks it away. If I wasn't so used to reading his facial expressions, I would've missed the slight twitch right above his left eyelid. Now, he's curious.
"I thought you said the information was minimal."
"It was," I reply, trying to keep the smile off my face. "But it led me to some other information that I think you will find beneficial."
"Don't play with me, boy," the general grinds out between his teeth. He used to make the same face when I didn't want to train, but wanted to go out and play. It wasn't often that I won that battle, but I'm not about to lose today.
"I wouldn't dare." But we both know that's not true. Yet, his curiosity coupled with my stubbornness is why I know he'll meet me. We stare at each other, seeing which one of us will cave first. But I've been practicing this game for nineteen years, I know he won't back down from a challenge. After another minute of silence, he agrees.
"My location, I'm sending you the coordinates now. 1900. Don't be late." He doesn't wait for a response, terminating the video connection.
Freddie reaches over and shuts down the connection from our end as well, before turning to face me.
"I don't like you meeting him on his terms," he says, as Calen nods from beside him.
"I don't have a choice," I reply, standing up to stretch.
I'm not sure how my life has ended up here. Who would've thought I'd be on the opposite end from my father, trying to destroy a multi-billion genetics company? Who would've thought I'd be fighting a war at nineteen.
Running my hand over my face, the frustration seeps out of my pores like sweat. I have no idea how to keep an upper hand in all of this. Meeting the general may provide us with some answers and definitely more questions, but how will this help Tasia? Or Blake? Or anyone for that matter?
"You need to get going," Calen says, coming up beside me. He hands me an ear piece and a cell phone. "You still have the tracking device on your skin," he continues, referring to the cream Freddie created. "But you'll need both of these to stay in touch."
"This ear piece doesn't have a strong enough frequency."
"It does since I'll be right there with you," Calen replies, giving me a half smile before he turns away to get more stuff from the desk.
"No, that's out of question." I say. There's no way I'm bringing him anywhere near the general. I made a promise to myse
lf and Tasia that I would keep her family safe. It doesn't make a difference to me that she can't keep me accountable to it. I'm not putting them in danger.
"That's why I'm not asking," Calen replies, putting items into his backpack. I turn to Freddie next, but I can see that I won't be winning this argument.
"He's going with you, Logan," Freddie says before I can utter another word. "You need the backup and he can be your eyes and ears. The general is too unpredictable to be taken lightly. You know that better than anyone."
There's nothing more to say to that and we all know it. Freddie walks over, clasping a hand over my shoulder and I wonder if my father has ever shown even this much care about me. I can't really remember that he has.
"I'll be monitoring you from here, but there's not much I can do being this far away," Freddie continues, looking over at Calen. "If you feel that you are even a tiny bit in danger, get out. There's no use of any of you getting hurt."
We both nod in affirmation and that's the best we can do. I reach for my weapons, strapping them under my jacket, while Calen goes to check on Blake. Keeping her sedated isn't the best choice, but maybe this meeting will give us a push in the right direction.
"Logan," Freddie calls, bringing me back out of my thoughts, "The general isn't a forgiving man. You know that better than anyone. If there is even a chance that this is a trap, you have to get out. Don't take any unnecessary risks."
"Only the necessary?" I try a small joke, which falls short. I know what he's saying, it's the same nagging thought at the back of my mind. But we need to know where the general stands and we need to know what he wants from me.
Since the day Tasia turned, I've spoken to him four times. Each time, he refused to answer my questions and gave me more orders to follow. His actions speak louder than words. He's either trying to get me killed or he's testing me. Again. Either way, he thinks I'm playing his little game. He doesn't understand that there is more to it than that. He doesn't know just how much Tasia means to me.
