by Julia Sykes
“Why not?” My voice was small, the question barely audible.
“I’m not good for you.”
I jerked against my restraints, aching to hold him to me. “You’re wrong. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
His eyes were sharp on my face, cutting into me. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew what I’ve done. If you knew what will happen to you if you stay close to me.”
“Then tell me!” I half-shouted, my emotions swinging wildly. “Tell me what happened to you. Please.” I softened on the last.
“Because you’ll die!” he roared. I flinched. “Maybe not on this mission. Maybe not on the next. But eventually, some motherfucker is going to come after you to get to me.”
“You don’t know that,” I tried to calm him. “You’ll protect me. I know you will.”
“I can’t. I couldn’t.” His anguish returned, twisting his handsome features. “She’s dead, Lissa. Because of me. I won’t let the same thing happen to you.”
“Who? Who’s dead?”
“My wife.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I never should have touched you.”
A strange mixture of emotions rose up in me. First was gratitude that he’d finally trusted me. But it was followed closely by the same fear I’d felt minutes earlier.
Earn his trust.
Wrong.
Something was wrong. Nausea curled in my stomach. I had to get away from Ian, or I would hurt him. I didn’t understand why or how, but I knew with absolute certainty that something bad would happen to him if he stayed near me for another second.
“Let me up,” I demanded.
He blinked. “What?”
“Let me go.” I tugged against my restraints. “I have to leave.”
His brows drew together. “You’re not going anywhere. It’s too dangerous.”
“Red!” I yelled. “Red! Let me up!”
He scowled, but he immediately removed the cuffs from my wrists. I pushed up off the bed and searched for my phone. It lay on the floor across the room. I quickly went and grabbed it up.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice rough. Despite his anger, he kept his distance.
“Calling a cab,” I informed him. “I’m going home.”
“You can’t do that.”
I held up a hand. “Don’t come any closer!”
He stopped in his tracks, his hands clenching to fists at his sides. “Let me call the Bureau. Let me put you in witness protection.”
“No. I just want to go home.”
“Put the phone down.”
He started to advance on me. I went into action before he could react. I moved in with a punch, feinting to the left. He dodged, and I slipped around him. I jumped on his back, wrapping my legs around his waist as I hooked my arm around his throat, squeezing.
He grabbed at my forearm. “Lissa. Stop.”
“I’m sorry,” I sobbed, holding tight.
He dropped to his knees. “I won’t hurt you. Let go.”
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” I promised. “I’m leaving. Don’t come after me.”
“Lissa…”
He fell forward, unmoving. I took a moment to check his pulse.
He’ll be okay.
I found my phone again, but I didn’t have time to wait for a cab. Ian would wake up within minutes. I took one last look at him.
I’m sorry.
Grabbing up his keys, I bolted outside and ran to his car. I slammed the door and jammed the keys into the ignition.
My mind raced as I sped toward my house. I couldn’t make sense of my thoughts. Everything was a jumbled mess, but I knew with absolute certainty that I’d done the right thing by getting away from Ian.
Safe. He’s safe.
When I arrived at my house, I flung myself through the door, locking it behind me.
“Lissa?” my mom called out. “Is that you?”
I didn’t have time to wipe away my tears before she appeared in the front hall.
“Honey. What happened?” She raced toward me and caught me up in a hug. “Do you want me to call Alik?”
“No!” I shouted, viscerally opposed to the idea. “No, I don’t want to talk to him.”
She rubbed her hand down my back. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”
“I can’t, I can’t.” I started crying uncontrollably.
Wrapping her arm around my shoulders, she pulled me forward, guiding me back to the living room. She helped me settle down on the couch. I fell back against the cushions and buried my face in my hands.
“I’m going to get you something that’ll help,” she told me before briefly disappearing into the kitchen.
When she returned, she was holding a glass of water and a large white pill.
“I don’t want that.”
“It’s valium,” she said soothingly. “It’ll help you calm down. Then we can figure out what’s wrong.”
“Mom…”
She pressed the pill into my hand. “Please, sweetie. Take it. I hate to see you like this.”
I heaved in a shuddering breath and nodded. I didn’t want to freak my mom out. And I could use some relief. My head felt like it was going to explode.
I popped the tablet into my mouth and swallowed it down. Mom sat beside me and held me close. The familiar touch was comforting. I sighed, finally starting to relax.
“Lay down, little Lissa. Get some sleep.”
I did as she said, stretching out on the couch and getting comfortable. I closed my eyes and allowed the peace of the drugs to take me.
I was vaguely aware that Mom was talking to someone on the phone, but I couldn’t muster up much concern over it. Once she ended the conversation, I drifted into nothingness.
Time passed. I didn’t know how long, but it was mercifully quiet.
“How is she?” Alik’s voice penetrated my peaceful haze.
I tried to open my eyes. My lids were far too heavy.
“Sleeping,” Mom said. “She’s really upset, Dr. Borz. Something happened, and she won’t tell me what.”
“I’ll take care of her.”
No!
I blinked hard, forcing the world to come into focus. Alik loomed over me. I tried to sit up, to move away from him.
“Go away,” I slurred.
He removed a syringe from his pocket. Terror seized my chest.
“It’s okay, honey,” Mom reassured me. I turned sluggish eyes on her to find that her cheeks were wet with tears.
“I don’t want this,” I forced out, reaching for her. “Make him leave.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Alik will make everything better.”
“No!” I struggled upright.
Alik caught my arm, sliding the needle in.
“Mom! Help me,” I pleaded with her. She turned her face away.
Drugs oozed into my veins, sapping what little strength I had left. They spread through me with insidious intent, consuming all my thoughts, until only fear remained. Then even that faded away into the darkness.
Epilogue
Alik
“What happens now?” Melissa Fielding’s voice was high with nervousness.
“I’ll need to keep her with me for a little while.” I thrilled at the prospect. I would have her in my home, all to myself. I stared down at her, trailing my fingertips over her soft cheek.
“Why? What are you going to do to her?”
“She needs to be reconditioned. Her triggers aren’t working properly.” I glanced up at Melissa. “Did you know she stopped taking her meds?”
She shook her head, stricken. “No. She hasn’t been at home. You know I always make sure she takes them.”
“I’ll need to up her dosage for a while and keep her under observation.”
Tears spilled down Melissa’s cheeks, and she wrung her hands. “I don’t know, Alik. I don’t know if this is what’s best for her. Maybe it’s time to stop all th
is.”
I stood quickly, getting in her personal space. She tried to back away, but my fingers curled into her upper arms. “Are you forgetting our cause?” I asked, my soft tone carrying a hint of threat.
Her emerald eyes widened. “No. Of course not. But this is my daughter we’re talking about.”
“You want her to live in a better world, don’t you? That’s why you brought her to me.”
“I don’t want you to hurt her,” she whispered desperately.
“My methods won’t cause her pain.”
Not physically, at least.
I kept that bit of information to myself. Lissa would be better off after her spirit had been tempered.
I began formulating a treatment plan in my mind, devising the best ways to bend her to my will without breaking her mind. I’d never had to recondition one of my subjects, but then again, Lissa was more advanced than the others. She had been my first, my Subject Zero. She constantly surprised me, and I relished the challenge she posed.
“Promise me she’ll be okay,” Melissa begged, calling my attention back to her.
I released her from my harsh grip. “You know I’ve only ever had Lissa’s best interests in mind. She’ll be better than ever by the time we’re finished.”
Melissa finally nodded, giving her consent for me to take her daughter.
I turned back to my favorite subject and gathered her up in my arms. I didn’t take my eyes off her as I spoke to her mother.
“Whenever Ian comes for her, tell him she’s gone. Somewhere out of town.”
“And if he asks where?”
I considered for a moment. “Say she’s at your mother’s house. In Toronto. I doubt he’ll follow her across the border.”
“My mother is dead.”
“She won’t be, not according to official record. I’ll arrange all of it with my contact at the NJTTF.”
“Okay,” she said shakily. She approached her daughter and planted a swift kiss on her forehead. “You’ll be all right, little Lissa,” she promised.
She would be all right. As soon as I fixed her mind. The process would be difficult for her, but she would be happier for it, in the end. Soon, she would be mine completely.
The End
Lissa, Ian, and Alik will be back in SUBJECT (Coming Soon)!
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Also by Julia Sykes
The RENEGADE Series
TARGET
SPY
SUBJECT (Coming Soon!)
The Impossible Series
Impossible: The Original Trilogy (Monster, Traitor, and Avenger)
Impossible: The Companion Trilogy (Sean’s POV)
Savior (An Impossible Novel)
Rogue (An Impossible Novel)
Knight (An Impossible Novel)
Mentor (An Impossible Novella)
Master (An Impossible Novel)
King (An Impossible Novel)
A Decadent Christmas (An Impossible Series Christmas Special)
Czar (An Impossible Novella)
Crusader (An Impossible Novel)
Prey (An Impossible Series Short Story)
Torn (Caught between the Billionaires) (The Complete Collection: Lucas, Jonathan, The Choice, and Consequences)
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