Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters)

by Joanne Jaytanie

  Victory reappeared from the bathroom. If he hadn’t seen it himself he would not have believed it.

  “Let’s go, I’m starved,” she said.

  In less than five minutes she had changed, fixed her hair and her makeup, not that he thought she needed any. Now this was his kind of girl.

  “Okay then, after you.” Tristan opened the door and held it for her. “Dinner it is.”

  TWELVE

  “Wow,” Victory exclaimed as she entered the lab that was to be her new workplace for the next three weeks. “This is really some kind of facility. I thought Claremont had all the new bells and whistles, but this place is even ten times nicer than my--our lab.”

  She almost made her first big blunder by excluding the fact that Tristan was indeed supposed to be her real assistant and therefore knew what their lab looked like. He filled her in last night on what he discovered. The lab was bugged and had a video feed. The main living area in both of their rooms was bugged, but their bedrooms and bathrooms were clean. They could have a conversation in their rooms but they would have to move into the bedroom or bathroom to keep it private. That was going to be awkward. All the outdoor areas had small cameras every twenty feet and the community center was also heavily monitored.

  “I know you like all the latest and greatest Victory, but I like our own lab. I know where everything is and how everything works,” Tristan responded not missing a beat.

  Maybe this wasn’t going to be as impossible as she first thought. He was good, quick thinking on his feet. Victory hoped he had some knowledge and understanding of the work she was doing. “Let’s get started.” She walked over to the main computer and turned it on, sat in the chair and began reading all the data and experiments Biotec compiled.

  * * *

  “Victory, you’ve been at it for five hours. It’s time to take a break. Let’s go grab some lunch and stretch our legs along the water,” Tristan said.

  Victory looked up at Tristan. He was towering over her, one hand on the back of her chair, his fingers brushed lightly across her back, and his other hand on the desk. She startled and flushed at his sudden nearness. When had he approached her? With her extra keen sense of hearing no one ever startled her, until now.

  Tristan’s gaze was locked on hers. He could see the sadness radiating from her expression. A number of times during the morning she made tiny gasps while reading the detailed accounts of the experiments conducted. He caught bits and pieces while working around the lab, and reading over her shoulder when he felt her sadness. Some of the experiments done in the name of science had been brutal and ill prepared. No wonder they wanted Victory.

  “Come on, one hour out in the sunshine then you can get back to your computer.” He smiled down at her, and as he did he flipped off the computer and gently reached for her hand, leading her out of the lab.

  * * *

  Noah and Logan lay on their stomachs camouflaged by the local vegetation. They had been doing recon on the facility for the last three days, making detailed maps of the security system and trying to locate any weak spots. After hours of complete silence between the two, Logan finally whispered. “Man, they got that place locked down tight and security continues out to the beach and into part of the forest.”

  “Every system has a weak spot. It’s entirely a matter of identifying it,” Noah responded. “I think our best bet is around back where they load in all the incoming supplies.”

  “Yeah, I agree, fewer civilians around to contend with too. Let’s head back to camp and work out the details. We can contact HQ tonight.” The two men blended back into the bushes.

  * * *

  Victory and Tristan shut the door to the laboratory and stepped out into the fresh evening air. It was a long, draining day and it reflected on Victory’s face.

  “How about a short stroll around the campus then off to dinner?” Tristan suggested.

  “The walk sounds good, but I don’t think I’m up to facing all the people that will be in the mess hall,” Victory responded wearily as she rubbed her tired eyes, then shoved her hands into her jeans pockets.

  “Yeah, this was a tough day. Unfortunately it won’t be getting any easier,” he responded.

  “I know. It’s going to take some getting used to. Those men must have been in tremendous pain during those experiments and for days afterwards.” Victory blew out a disgusted breath. “This research is nowhere near ready to implant into humans. I don’t understand the hurry or what Braxton’s ultimate goal is,” she said.

  “You have to eat Victory. You need to keep your strength up if you want any chance of seeing this through to the end. I’ll take you back to your room and then go and get us both something to eat.”

  “That’s not necessary,” she said.

  “Yes, it is. I won’t have you wearing yourself out. You do that and you won’t be good to anyone, including yourself,” Tristan said.

  They ate their dinner and carried on idle conversation about the day’s events, playing their roles for the listeners monitoring Victory’s room. Twice during the meal Victory noticed Tristan putting his hands up to his head as if he might be experiencing a headache.

  “Are you alright?” She finally asked when he shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts.

  “I’m fine, I have a bit of a headache,” he said.

  “Would you like something for it? I have pain medicine that might help.” As she rose to leave the table she noticed that he followed behind her. As they entered the bedroom Tristan quietly closed the door behind them. She turned back toward him with a hesitating look. He put his finger up to his lips, gesturing for her to remain quiet. Then he walked around the room checking to see that it was still clear of bugs. Victory sat down on the small loveseat across from her bed. A few minutes later he sat down next to her.

  “I have this connection with my brother. For as long as I can remember we have had a telepathic connection, we are able to read each other’s thoughts.” Tristan spoke quietly, looking straight into Victory’s gaze. Outside of his team, he had never told another soul about this ability, but he felt that she might understand. “Since we have been in the compound I haven’t been able to reach him. Every time I try, I get a buzzing sensation flooding my brain.” Victory looked stunned. Had he made a mistake in telling her his secret? Then he thought he saw a sliver of excitement dance in her crystal green eyes.

  “Wow, a natural telepathic connection. I’ve always had a sense of one with nature, but not a true connection. Can he read all of your thoughts, is he there all the time? Does it feel like two people inside of your brain?” She was so excited Tristan didn’t have a chance to answer any of her questions.

  “We have developed a conduit between us and learned not to intrude in one another’s private thoughts. We have to focus on that particular channel to communicate. So no, I don’t feel like I have two people inside my head, I guess we have grown accustomed to it. We have learned to give one another space and privacy. Although Wyatt does tend to butt in every now and then. Of course, he doesn’t think so,” Tristan said with a smile. “Lately, I would love to hear him say hey.”

  “Braxton must have a hi-tech security grid encompassing the compound. It would make sense with the types of experiments that are being done that he wouldn’t want any subjects able to communicate with the outside world,” Victory explained as if she were thinking out loud. “Oh no.” A terrible thought crossed her mind. “We can’t let Braxton find out about your abilities. I’m sure he would love to use you in his sick experiments.”

  “Don’t worry. I have no intention of letting him find out. I’m being very careful when I try to reach Wyatt. I really could use something for this damn headache though.”

  “Sorry. You totally distracted me. I’ll go and get you something for the pain.” She got up and headed toward the bathroom. She turned back with another thought. “But don’t keep trying to reach him. You won’t be able to get through, and it will intensify the pain in yo
ur head. We need to find out what type of grid he is using. He might even have the ability to pinpoint who is using their psychic powers. That’s another reason not to keep trying to contact your brother. We need to keep this on the down low.” She continued into the bathroom and returned with a bottle of pain medicine. “I started working on a sort of detection system, I am close to being able to pinpoint psychic powers and locate any animal or person giving off psychic waves.”

  Victory handed Tristan a couple of pills and a glass of water. He tossed them into his mouth and followed with a large gulp of water. He stared at her briefly. They spent only a few days together and already he admired her and her seemingly unending abilities. This woman standing before him was a very rare find, in more ways than one. It was no wonder Braxton went to such lengths to secure her. Victory gazed back at him, puzzlement playing across her eyebrows. He shook his head slightly, attempting to refocus his thoughts. “Does anyone know about your new research?”

  “No, I don’t think so. This is something I have been working on all on my own. Psychic abilities are something I am personally interested in, guess you could call it my hobby. I am working on trying to detect the subtle ripples in energy that someone or something gives off when using their abilities. I keep all my research on my personal laptop. I didn’t even want to introduce it to my department until I worked out all the bugs,” Victory said.

  “With any luck Braxton didn’t think there was any need to confiscate your laptop. Make sure that you don’t mention this while we are in the lab. We don’t want to give him any more information than we have to.” Tristan looked at his watch. “We have been in here for over an hour.”

  “So?” she said.

  “To keep our cover we need to appear as more than work companions,” Tristan said.

  The color drained from her face turning it ashen, at the same time her neck flushing a bright crimson. “What are you trying to say?” The tenseness returned to her body.

  “Sorry Victory, I know this might be uncomfortable. But we need to act like we have an ongoing secret relationship.”

  “Great.” She dropped down onto the end of her bed. She stared down at her hands. She wasn’t going to tell him, but that wouldn’t be a real problem for her. She found his smoldering violet eyes, midnight black hair, and five o’clock shadow tantalizing. Yes, he was stunning, but that by no means meant that she trusted him. “Fine, if it gets us out of here and keeps my sisters safe I can do it,” she responded, trying to sound like this would be a real effort.

  “Okay, I’m going to go back to my room now and get some sleep. You need to get some rest too.” Tristan got up and headed for the door, his head still pounding. Jesus, he hoped the medicine kicked in soon or it was going to be a long night. The intense pain made his jaw clench.

  “Tristan.” He turned to find her right behind him. “Take this bottle with you. You can take two more pills in an hour if you aren’t any better.” Damn, he must look as bad has he felt.

  “Thanks.” He opened the bedroom door and turned back, smiled at her and before she knew what was happening, leaned towards her and kissed her ever so lightly on her lips. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning. I’ll come back here and go with you to breakfast.” He headed straight for the hall door, leaving Victory frozen at the threshold of her bedroom. “Make sure you lock the door as soon as I leave,” he casually tossed over his shoulder.

  “I will,” she stammered. Had sparks flashed from their lips?

  Knowing full well that a lock wouldn’t stop Braxton or his people if they wanted to enter her room, Tristan walked out into the hall and waited for the click of the lock. He was bewildered by the electricity that sparked between them at the second his lips touched hers and wondered if she had felt the same sensation. He really needed a little down time if he was going to be any help to Victory.

  THIRTEEN

  Buzz, buzz. Logan shook his head and rubbed his still sleepy face. He surveyed the confined camp that he and Noah set up in the back of a small cave. It was a great location, but the bunks left a lot to be desired. Buzz. Damn he had almost forgotten the reason he woke up. He rolled over and grabbed the sat phone. “Logan.”

  “Jesus Logan, you two still sleep like rocks. This is the second time I tried to reach you,” Wyatt’s voice vibrated through the phone.

  “Sorry sir,” Logan responded. “What time is it? I feel like we hardly hit the bunk.”

  “It’s Oh five thirty,” Wyatt continued, not waiting for a response, but hearing a groan in the background that brought a small smile to his face. “Have you made contact with Tristan yet?”

  “No sir. But we have seen him in the compound every day, and it looks like he has the situation under control,” Logan said.

  “They must have some high tech grid over the entire facility. I haven’t been able to contact him either. I was getting worried, but as long as you have eyes on him I won’t worry yet.”

  “Wow that must be some kind of security to be able to keep you out.” Logan yawned, rubbing his face once more. The sun was beginning to rise, giving off an eerie glow over the island. Logan was barely able to see a tiny speck of light from deep inside their cave.

  “We knew going in that we would be dealing with a group that was on the cutting edge of technology. I guess they are proving us right. Are we still on point?” Wyatt asked.

  “Yes sir,” Logan said. “We found our way in late yesterday. We will map out our entry and hang tight for Tristan’s go.”

  “Good. Make sure you keep us in the loop. We can ship another teammate out to you if you need the help.”

  “We’ve got it under control Captain. We’ll report to you each evening,” Logan said.

  “Okay, good luck,” Wyatt broke the connection.

  Logan looked over at Noah, who was inside his sleeping bag with it pulled up over his head. Man, that guy could sleep through an atomic bomb if he wasn’t on duty. Since there was nothing to be done for the next couple of hours, Logan decided to catch a few more hours sleep.

  * * *

  “Good afternoon, Victory,” Lawrence Braxton greeted her as he strolled into the lab. “This must be your assistant,” he said glancing at Tristan with a sneer on his face. “I’m Lawrence Braxton, your boss while you are both guests on my island. And your name?”

  Tristan glanced up from the data on his computer at the infamous CEO of Biotec. “I’m Tristan Grant.” Tristan was positive that Braxton knew who he was and how long he and Victory worked together, along with his entire resume that was meticulously created for this occasion. “It’s very nice to meet you sir.” Tristan continued, extending his hand out for Braxton to shake. After all, he wasn’t supposed to know what kind of scum Braxton really was. As far as he knew, this was only another consulting job for him and his boss.

  The door to the lab swung open as Ken Howard walked through. He stopped short when he spotted Victory. For a heartbeat a look of concern flashing across his face, quickly disguised by a mask of arrogance.

  In an attempt to gather information for Braxton, Ken had an affair with Lisa Evans; a Claremont employee. He had sworn Lisa to secrecy, convincing her that their relationship could effect his position in the police department. It was Ken’s plan to use Lisa, and then break off their affair. Unfortunately one evening Lisa had caught Ken copying Claremont company files from her home computer. He couldn’t leave any loose ends, so he strangled her. He loaded her body into his car and dumped her in the parking garage of Claremont Research, making her death look like a mugging gone wrong. This change in plans actually aided Ken. He was the first detective to respond to the scene of the crime. This allowed him the opportunity to interview every department head However, this twist of fate brought Ken to his current predicament. Victory knew Ken Howard was a detective.

  “Allow me to introduce my travelling companion. Ken Howard meet Victory Winters and her lab assistant, Tristan Grant,” Braxton said.

  “Yes, we’ve met,” Victo
ry rallied back. “Detective Howard came to Claremont to investigate the murder of Lisa Evans, a work colleague of mine.”

  Braxton continued on, as if Victory had not uttered a word. “I trust you have had adequate time to familiarize yourselves with this project. It’s time to start moving ahead. I want you to proceed with testing today. I will be on the island for the next two days and checking in regularly. After that I will be contacting you via Skype each afternoon.” Braxton moved around the laboratory taking mental notes of their progress.

  “What type of testing?” Victory asked hesitantly.

  “You will be receiving two vials of serum and a test subject.” Braxton looked down at his wristwatch. “The test subject is receiving the serum right about now; this way please.” He gestured to the back of the lab where a large mirror covered the upper half of the wall.

  As they approached the mirror, lights came on illuminating a room behind the mirror. Tristan had known this was a one-way mirror, but he thought it was for Braxton’s people to watch him and Victory. He was taken aback to see what looked like an examination room, complete with exam chair, monitors and other medical equipment. It wasn’t all the equipment that was disconcerting. A man was strapped to the exam chair, shirtless showing off his defined muscles, his steely black eyes burning holes through the window.

  “What are you doing?” Victory nearly gasped, her face pale, appalled by what she was seeing. “This formula is nowhere near ready for human test subjects. You didn’t tell me that I would be using human subjects.” Terror and anger totally overwhelming her she turned on Braxton, her eyes threatening to spill over with the tears she could barely hold back. Tristan’s heart nearly split in two at the sight.