Scarred by Vengeance (Titanium Book 2)

by Valia Lind

  "Any mention of our friends?" Freddie asks, referring to The Company.

  "Not as far as I can tell." I reply, scrolling through feeds. If someone noticed the Expendables in the building, there would be something. A picture, a tweet, a hashtag. I don't see anything like that. "But you're better at this computer stuff, so you may want to check."

  Getting up from the chair, I let Freddie take my spot as I begin pacing the room. I've lost count on how many laps I do before Calen joins us in the room. He doesn't say anything, just takes a seat on the couch, his eyes on the news.

  "There's nothing," Freddie finally announces and I nod, because I expected that.

  "So now what?" Calen asks from his position on the couch. He looks about as tired as I feel, but I doubt any of us will get any sleep tonight, so I don't even suggest that. Freddie does, however.

  "We all need rest."

  "There's no way we're sleeping." I say and Calen nods in agreement.

  "We're all worked up and worried. But we won't do anyone any good if we pass do to exhaustion. Logan, I need you at your best when you go up against Tasia again. Do you honestly think you can take her in the state you're in right now?"

  "I'm not planning on 'taking her' any way," I snap, angry that Freddie would even suggest that. The two punches I've thrown at her are already going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

  "You will use any means necessary to save her." It's not a question, but I realize what he's asking. I know he's right, but I don't have to feel good about it.

  There's nothing more to say tonight. At least for right now, we're off the radar. No one is coming here. We go our separate ways.

  Calen heads back to Blake. Freddie reclines on the sofa he was just occupying. I head for the other room on the ground floor. The moment I walk inside, I know this is Tasia's room.

  I don't bother turning the lights on as I collapse on her bed. The smell of her surrounds me and I can't help thinking about the look in her eyes when she looked at me. She was truly and completely gone. She knew who I was, but she didn't care. I think that was the scariest part.

  Right then, I hated everything. I hated my assignment. I hated Kallos Enterprises. I hated whoever set that bomb.

  But most of all, I hated that I left behind the girl I love.

  27 .

  LOGAN

  The next morning, I'm awakened by screams. Jumping off the bed, it takes me a second to remember where I am. I pull the shirt I didn't remember taking off over my head and race out of the bedroom. Freddie meets me in the hallway.

  "It's okay. Blake woke up and didn't know where she was. She's okay now." Which basically means they had to sedate her again. Can she sleep the drug out of her system? It would probably be easier on everyone's emotional state. I take a deep breath to try and calm my racing heart, and follow Freddie back to the control room. There's a pot of coffee on the counter, so I grab a cup before settling down in one of the chairs. Calen walks in a few minutes later.

  "Anything new?" I ask, as Freddie does his dance over the keyboards.

  "Nothing," he replies and I sigh in frustration and relief.

  "So what's next?" I ask, leaning forward on my knees.

  "When will they start looking for you?" Calen asks.

  "I'm sure they already are. If Tasia got Foster out, or anyone else on his immediate list of buddies, they know I was with her."

  "You can't go back there," Freddie states, looking at me.

  "It would be a risk," I agree. "They know the Company was there so Foster will be looking for the mole. I can't pass one of their tests. Not this time."

  I can see that both of the men agree. Since the drugs have been perfected, there's no way I can beat the system. That's why last night was our way out. The event presented a perfect opportunity to finally get everyone out, but even if Foster didn't plan that at the last minute, I still would've gotten the girls out within two days. The Company was making their move and I couldn't let them get caught in the crossfire.

  "But if you don't show up, they'll know you're the mole," Calen points out.

  "They'll know I'm a mole anyway. I've taken too many risks for Tasia in the last week. They already started watching me more closely. And General wanted me out anyway. Lucas was doing a better job. I was becoming a liability."

  "You're saying they would've sacrificed you? You really think he would do—"

  "Yes, he would. You don't know the General like I do." My hands grip the coffee mug a little too tightly and I focus on relaxing them. Getting more frustrated right now is not the way to go. When my phone buzzes in my pocket, I pull it out and glare at the screen.

  "He wants to talk," I say, showing the text message to Freddie. He exchanges a look with his nephew before they both nod.

  "It might be beneficial," Calen says. Freddie pulls up a secure line on his computer, making sure no one can trace the call, before entering the numbers from the text. A few seconds later, a face comes on the screen. It's the General. He's wearing his typical dark jacket over a dark shirt, his eyes on full alert.

  "Logan." He's the first to greet me and I swallow a sigh.

  "Hi, Dad."

  * * *

  The fact that my dad is the General has nevernot irritated me. He's trained me to be an agent since before I can remember. When he became the head of the Company, a special kind of a task force, I didn't have a choice but join. I was the perfect age and I was a born spy. Now looking at him, I really wonder if I was ever anything but a spy to him.

  "Report."

  I'm going to go with no on that one. He doesn't even bother asking if I'm okay. He hasn't really asked me that question since I was five.

  "The building exploded three minutes before you arrived. There's no indication of who may have sabotaged the event, but my bet is on the men who tried to kill Tasia and me three days ago." Has it really only been three days? "I left as planned. Lucas will get them the proof that I'm the traitor."

  "Good. Lucas will have no problem getting in deeper. Foster is alive and well. He wasn't anywhere near the blast when it went off."

  His words make me pause and I play over the evening in my head for a hundredth time.

  "That is incorrect, Sir. He was definitely headed in the direction of the blast before it went off. We went looking for him afterward."

  "We?" He doesn't miss anything, does he? I try to keep calm as I answer.

  "Tasia and I."

  "The girl is fine." General says, surprising me. "She received medical help before we left and was screaming at everyone the last we heard. She's with Foster now." The fact that she's alive makes me breathe a little easier. Not much, but some. I'm thankful the General didn't shoot her on sight.

  "I'll contact you again soon," he says and then severs the connection. And that’s that. My dad, ladies and gentlemen. I turn around in my seat, watching the faces of the other two men in the room.

  "That was the plan?" Calen finally asks. "He was going to sacrifice your cover to get Lucas ahead?"

  "Yes. When he found out about the fundraiser, he said it would be the perfect out for me and an in for Lucas." I try not to show just how bitter that makes me.

  "You're his son," Calen says, in disbelief.

  "I haven't been hisson for a long time."

  I stand, because there's too much energy in me to sit still. Hearing that Tasia is alive and at least stitched up, make me feel better and worse at the same time. I hate that there's nothing I can do right now. I can't ride in and save the day like the knight she keeps comparing me too. It's what I want to do for my princess.

  Thinking about her gives me an idea.

  "I need to call her and set up a meeting."

  "What?" Calen and Freddie exclaim at the same time.

  "They should know I'm the traitor by now," I say, a plan formulating in my mind. "We'll give them today and then tomorrow, I will call her and set up a meeting. She'll want to bring the traitor in like a good little robot." I almost spit the last words
, disgust for Foster evident in my words. "We'll grab her then."

  "And where do you suppose we do this?" Calen asks, scrutinizing me as I pace around the room.

  "It'll have to be public," I think out loud. "Somewhere where we can have the advantage. I know. The place we had our first meeting at. It's a little cafe downtown."

  "This is crazy." Calen says, looking to Freddie for support. The older man is watching me, the plan playing out in his head.

  "You know she'll come," I say, looking at him. "It's in her nature to be curious."

  I once questioned that quality, but now we can use it to our advantage. Freddie sees the truth in my eyes and slowly agrees.

  "Okay, we give them a day."

  28 .

  LOGAN

  Waiting has always been a terrible part of this gig. It's even more so right now. Freddie has managed to stay on top of the news, so we know as much as anybody about the bombing. Which is next to nothing. Foster is soaking up the spotlight though. He made one small statement about prevailing in the time of opposition and disappeared behind closed doors. The news is taking flight with how generous he is, how much of a hero he is to stand up to terrorists. None of them realize just how awful he really is.

  "How's she doing?" I ask Calen as he joins Freddie and me in the main room. Blake has been in and out for the past twenty-four hours. We had to sedate her again, but this time it was a smaller dosage. She seems to be coming back to herself a little bit. She recognized Calen a few hours ago, which made her freak out.

  "She's resting. It's going to be a long process."

  Calen looks exhausted and I can't imagene just how painful all of this is to him. His family is being torn apart. I'm trying not to think of what's going on with Tasia, but my mind goes to the worst possible scenarios.

  When my phone rings, I expect it to be the General. But when I look down at the screen, everything in me lights up.

  "It's Tasia." I say, pointing at my phone.

  Freddie moves across his computer keys in a flash, pushing a few buttons then nods in my direction.

  "Hello?" I answer, hope so real I can almost taste it on my tongue.

  "Logan." I hear her say my name, but what registers is the absolute emptiness behind it. There's no emotion there and the disappointment that follows is crushing. "You caused quite a stir."

  "Well, you now how much I love to put on a show." I reach for all the self-control I have left in me to play the game. We didn't expect her to contact us, but really, we should have. She saw the way I acted with her so she'd definitely assume there's something between us. The smart hunter goes on the offensive, and she's a smart hunter.

  "I'm hoping we can meet," she says, trying to make herself sound unsure, but I know my Tasia. I know the lilt to her voice, the way she rolls her words around in her mouth when she's unsure. This girl is trying to make herself sound like that, but I can hear the calculation behind every word. But I can't call her out. I have to be the Logan she expects.

  "Are you okay?" I ask, hoping I sound just concerned enough.

  "They patched me up, but I need to see you." What I wouldn't give for her to say those words to me and mean them. "You have to explain what happened. I'm so confused." It's the confused part that sells it, just like she knows it would. I stall, as if I'm thinking over it.

  "The restaurant. I'll meet you there."

  "What restaurant?" she asks, and the old Tasia would know right away what I'm talking about. I try not to let it show just how much that's bothering me.

  "The one we met at the first time. By Lake Shore Park." Now there's a pause on her end, as if she's thinking it over. Or maybe remembering.

  "Okay," she says finally, "When?"

  I'm cautious that she's letting me set the stage, but what better way in making me think I have the upper hand? I glance at Calen and Freddie, who have been watching me carefully this whole time. We can be at the restaurant in a little over an hour.

  "Four hours." I tell her, knowing full well she'll be early too. We disconnect after saying goodbye, my heart beating loudly in my ears. The tension I've been carrying for weeks has intensified a thousand fold.

  "I think Calen should go with you," Freddie says as I turn around to face them. He's not looking at me, but I can hear the pain behind that decision. Freddie wants to be there for Tasia, but he's trying to do the right thing.

  "Uncle, are you sure?" Calen asks.

  "Yes. Someone has to stay with Blake and I think you have a better chance of reaching Tasia than I do."

  "What if you're wrong?"

  I'm glad Calen voices the question because I'm not sure how well Freddie would respond to me asking it. I stay quiet, letting them decide the outcome.

  "Then you get her and you bring her back. We'll take it from there."

  There's no arguing with him when he uses that tone of voice. I learned that a long time ago. I want to reassure them that it'll all work out, but I can't lie to them. Not after everything they've already been through. I just need to get my girl and bring her back.

  "Okay, that decided. We need to leave now. Most likely, she'll be heading that way soon as well." I say. "Let's gear up."

  I follow Calen to their weapon room, grabbing a couple of knives and a gun. I'm not as good with knives as Tasia is, but I like having them on me. Granted, it'll do me more harm than good if she gets a hold of them, but I'm really hoping I won't have to fight her.

  I know it's futile to wish for a good outcome, but if I keep being a pessimist, I won't get her back. I learned that a long time ago as well. There's a small chance that once she sees Calen, it might trigger a return. She hasn't been under as long as Blake, so it's a possibility. It's what we all cling to.

  Making sure I have a backup clip, I head back to the main room to wait for Calen. He follows me out a few minutes later, having said goodbye to his sister. Freddie gives us each a phone and an ear piece.

  "I'll be able to monitor you from over here. If she won't come willingly, you know what to do." Freddie looks at me and I nod in affirmation. I already decided I'll do whatever it takes. "You know the Company wants her, just as much as Foster does. So you keep to that."

  "Yes, Sir." I reply, looking him straight in the eye.

  "Then godspeed. Go bring her home."

  It doesn't take a genius to see that he's as terrified as we are that we won't succeed.

  We'll just have to do our best to succeed.

  * * *

  We arrive with three hours to spare. I let Calen drive, since he needed the outlet of feeling useful. I can imagine how he feels, but it's probably nothing in comparison to what's actually going through his mind. There's not much either one of us can say or do anyway.

  Calen parks a few blocks to the north of the restaurant and we go the rest of the way on foot. I look around, trying to pinpoint the best building for surveillance. Sometimes I really wish I could pull up images of blueprints the way Tasia can. It would be very handy right about now.

  We pick a tall skyscraper two buildings down from the restaurant. Getting in doesn't turn out to be a problem, having Calen along means he can hack into any lock.

  Once on the patio, halfway up the building, Calen pulls out his computer and sets Freddie up for monitoring. I study the people moving on the street, searching for anyone who looks suspicious. I don't think Kallos would send anyone I would recognize, but they don't know the extent of my knowledge of the company. I have a lot more intel on their employees than they would ever assume. However, I don't notice anything or anyone that makes me pause. After the initial sweep, I turn to Calen.

  "I'm going down to wait inside. You'll be able to monitor everyone from here." Calen nods in my direction and then I'm gone.

  Seeing her again, being in the same room, I can't stop thinking about it. I have to remember to keep my mind on business and getting her out of there. Not how much I want to hold her. I will forever blame myself for leaving here there if anything happens to her. I just won't be
able to get over it. Not now, not ever.

  I step inside the restaurant, my eyes instantly going to the table in the corner. It was where I told her I'd help her, it's where I told her the truth. Well, tried to. She's never been one to trust easily. Obviously, I didn't help that by being a double agent. Or maybe a triple agent. I hated putting her in danger, and it's my fault for following orders. If I never took her to those forsaken docks, she wouldn't be in this situation. I promised myself then and there that I will never put orders above my conscience, ever again.

  I sit down at the table, getting ready to wait. I'm not here for more than ten minutes when Calen's voice comes over my earpiece.

  "She's here. Lucas dropped her off and is now circling the block."

  She's early. But I'm not surprised. Freddie made sure to have our signal traced to a location in the city, giving her a bit of a false deadline. But not by much. The best way to deceive someone is to stick as close to the truth as possible. I learned that one from my dad.

  She spots me the moment she's inside the restaurant. Surprise flickers in her gaze, followed by caution. She knows something is going on. I always admired the way her brain works. The intelligence behind her eyes is just as attractive as their color. There's absolutely no recognition in her gaze as it sweeps over the restaurant. She storms up to me, sitting down without ceremony in the chair with her back to the door. I'm surprised she allows herself the vulnerability, but she's smart. She's trying to give me a false sense of security.

  "Logan."

  "Tasia, are you alright?" I don't have to fake the concern in my voice. She studies me for a moment, as if gauging if my question is genuine. Deciding that it is, she gives me a sad smile.

  "I'm tired. And confused."

  She's really going to play up the confused card, like I assumed she would. I'm waiting for her to say the word and actually mean it, but there's nothing in her eyes telling me that she will. She's pretending.

  "I'm sorry. I know you must have a million questions." I test her resolve, reaching out a hand and touching her fingertips. She jerks, just barely, before gaining control once more. But that's all I need to reaffirm what I already know.