I set my bag on the couch that looks like it would be incredibly uncomfortable to sit on, and I look around. There’s a huge bedroom off to the left, with a walk-in closet the size of my room back home, and a bathroom with a tub so big two people could go swimming in it. I’m tempted to jump on the king-sized bed.
The rest of the condo reveals three more bedrooms and at least four more bathrooms, a game room, an office, and a small library. Even though I’d like to revel in the moment of being in a place like this, it’s time to get to work.
Taking a seat on the couch, which turns out to be more comfortable than it looks, I pull my bag onto my lap. My overnight bag only contains a few clothes because the rest of the space is filled with equipment. Pulling out my transcriber, the handheld comscreen Zane let me borrow, my Lynk, and the two guns Trina gave me, I place them all on the glass-topped table.
I dial Chaz.
He already knows everything about this trip to Rubex, thanks to our conversation yesterday, so I’m not surprised when he answers immediately.
“I’m here,” I say when I see him.
“How was the bullet train?” he asks, his grin taking up most of the screen. “I hear it’s even faster now than it used to be?”
“Fast,” I say. “You would love it.”
“I still think you should have let me come with you,” he says. “I could have provided much-needed entertainment when you get lonely.”
I return his smile. “You know why you can’t be here, Chaz. It’s too dangerous, for anyone who’s close to me.” I clear my throat, ready to get down to business. “Now, here are the coordinates of where I’m staying. Have you been able to get a hit on Trey yet?” Chaz was supposed to be checking traffic cams to see if Trey’s facial image would ping.
“I did. Twice. For the past two days, at exactly one o’clock, his image pinged near the fountain at Gable Street. There’s a park there. And guess what’s directly across the street from the park?”
Chaz doesn’t wait for me to guess.
“The launch for the AIG facility,” he says.
“The launch?”
“Yeah, this facility is actually built over the water, not too far from shore. Those who are allowed access use the launch—an underwater tube—to get there.”
Deep down, I knew this was where Radcliffe would want Trey—the AIG facility. But whether it’s to study him or use him to gain information, I have no idea.
“Can you send me the coordinates for this park?”
“Sure thing.” A few clicks of the keys, and then he says, “Done.”
“Thanks, Chaz.” I contemplate telling Chaz about the guy on the train, but then think better of it. It was probably nothing, just someone I should forget about.
When we hang up, I grab something to eat from the pantry that’s already stocked with pre-packaged food. All I have to do is zap it in the micro-heater and a perfectly delicious steak and potatoes emerges. It may be a little much for a late-morning snack, but I’m not complaining. It’s better than Meat Crap Delite, any day.
I could get used to this lifestyle.
Once I’m finished and my serving container has practically been licked clean, I pocket the micro card Zane gave me, just in case I need to use it, and leave the penthouse. As I exit the building, I’m almost giddy with excitement. I’m finally doing something to get Trey back.
The air is cooler here, probably a result of the breeze that comes in off the ocean, and the shadows the large buildings create. Using the coordinates Chaz gave me as a guide, I maneuver past the dozens of Citizens on the streets. The park Chaz told me about is only a few blocks from Zane’s high-rise condo. Sure enough, I can see the distinct silver horseshoe-shaped building set over the water a few hundred yards from shore. The supposed “launch” at the shore’s edge is heavily guarded by men with guns.
I take a seat on a park bench, giving me a perfect view of the launch. Surrounded by the gray, steel, and glass of the nearby buildings, the bright green of the grass and outlying trees is a nice contrast, as is the blue of the ocean that I can see clearly from here. Water pours over the rotating silver orb of the fountain to my left, some of the spray landing only inches from my feet. Pulling on a pair of sunglasses, I commence my “stakeout.”
Women walk by wearing holographic business suits with miniskirts. One woman in particular, her hair twisted up into an elaborate updo that fans around her head like a peacock, is wearing a tight dress covered in tiny scales that shimmer in the sun. I glance down at my own outfit—pants and a black tank top. I look ridiculously out of place here.
After about half an hour of people watching, I see him, and my throat closes. He looks so different that I almost don’t recognize him. Dressed in a business suit, he’s making his way past the guards at the launch, a brown briefcase in hand. I’m used to seeing him in T-shirts, with muscles peeking beneath the sleeves, so to see him dressed so formally looks wrong.
A part of me wants to run to him, the part that, deep down, still believes he loves me. But the rational side forces me to remain in my spot on the park bench and watch him. Strangely, when he’s halfway between the launch and me, he stops and glances around. I duck my head, pretending to be immersed in my Lynk, but occasionally peeking up at him.
His mouth turns down into a frown as he stares at a cafe across from the park. I’m not sure how long he stands there, staring, thinking, before he shakes his head and continues.
If I turn slightly in my seat and rest my arm over the back of the park bench, I can watch Trey walk the path through the park until he reaches another bench where a blonde girl is waiting for him. My stomach recoils.
Rayne.
Trey takes a seat next to her, and then leans over, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. I want to scream when, as he pulls away, Rayne wraps her arms around his neck and draws him back in, kissing him deeply on the mouth. I have to turn away, my stomach dipping and churning.
When I think it’s safe, I venture another glance. Rayne is pulling wrapped food from her bag, which she hands to Trey. Trey unwraps a sandwich and takes a big, messy bite, an action that produces a memory of us in the Compound cafeteria. Table manners were never his strong suit. For a moment, I see him as the guy under the suit, the one who rescued me from the SGF when Radcliffe and his cronies were water torturing me, the guy who led rescue missions for juvenile inmates, and the one who is the leader of the Fringe.
But as I watch him and Rayne, eating, conversing easily, it all seems so real that I start to second-guess myself. What if this is real and what we had in the Compound was pretend?
When they finish eating, Rayne takes all the trash and deposits it into one of the compact incinerators that can be found every fifty feet or so around the park. Even though I don’t want to, I watch as Trey rises from the bench. I can’t tear my eyes away. He and Rayne embrace, a long, lingering hug that turns into an even longer kiss.
I inhale deeply, trying to work past the knot in my throat. This was a mistake. I should have let Zane come with me. His soothing words and strong arms would be reassuring right about now.
Positive I’ve seen enough, I get up from the park bench, and with my head down, start back to the high-rise.
I’m no closer to figuring out how to help Trey, and yet, I now have all these doubts swimming through my head. Trey’s mind may have been altered, but those are his own emotions. And he sure as hell didn’t look like he was being forced to kiss Rayne, not today nor the other day at Zane’s house. Which leaves me to wonder…
What if he doesn’t want to remember? What if he doesn’t want to be fixed?
12
ZANE
Once Vivian and Emily Preston are settled at the safe house in the mountains, with Ruben acting as their security guard, I return to Legas. As soon as I pull into the driveway of my home, my heart sinks. There, parked in the driveway, is Arian’s red convertible. I haven’t seen or spoken to her in days, and I’m dreading this confrontation.
I find her in the kitchen, sitting on a barstool, talking with Greta. When I enter the room, Greta gives me a knowing look and excuses herself, muttering something about the laundry. Arian’s eyes flash when she turns to me.
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you—”
“I had my Lynk turned off,” I explain. I didn’t want anyone to be able to track my whereabouts and therefore the location of the safe house, so I’d turned my Lynk off to be cautious.
Arian frowns. “But where were you?”
“I had to go away for a few days.” I’m not prepared for this. I haven’t come up with a good story to tell her yet.
Her forehead creases as her frown deepens. “But you didn’t tell me you were leaving. I—I was worried about you.”
I soften at her words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. It was a last-minute trip.”
She slides off the barstool and moves closer. “Please don’t do that again. Leave without saying anything.”
“I won’t. I promise.” Even as I say it, I’m not sure it’s a promise I can keep. And it kills me to lie to her.
“We’re going to be married soon,” she continues, placing her hand on my chest. “We should tell each other everything.” Her eyes peer into mine, her blue eyes framed by long lashes. She’s gorgeous. Any man would be lucky to have her. And yet, I feel a pull to someone else. Does that make me crazy? Or just plain stupid?
“I agree,” I murmur as she moves closer.
“I miss you when I don’t see you,” she adds.
How can I tell her that I don’t feel the same? That when I’m with her, I’m thinking of someone else. That when I’m not with her, I’m still thinking of someone else.
“I’m here now,” I say.
“Yes, you are,” she whispers before her lips settle on mine. I can’t very well push her away. She is, after all, my fiancée. But kissing Arian is so completely different from kissing Sienna. Sienna’s kisses are lightning, passion, and fire whereas Arian’s are sugar, softness, and honeysuckles.
She even tastes like honeysuckles.
“What was that for?” I ask when she pulls away.
She shrugs. “Like I said, I missed you.” She takes a seat on the barstool again. “And I’ll miss you when I leave for the Capital tomorrow.”
I stiffen. “The Capital? You’re going to Rubex?”
“Yes. They’re having a wedding expo in Rubex the next few days, and I thought it would be fun.” She gives me a coy smile. “Care to join me?”
That’s one way to get to Rubex and check on Sienna.
I smile at her. “I would love to. Where were you planning to stay?”
“My father’s beach house.”
“That’s perfect. I’ll stay in the condo, you can stay in the beach house, and then we can meet up.”
Arian tilts her head to the side. “I’d prefer to stay in the condo with you. It’s so close to everything since it’s right there in the heart of the city. It takes almost an hour to drive from Father’s beach house.”
I hesitate. “Well, Sienna’s there now. You remember my cousin Sienna, don’t you?”
She nods. “And I also remember that the Ryder condo has several bedrooms. Am I correct?”
“Well, yes—”
“Perfect!” She beams. “This will give me a chance to get to know Sienna. I know how close the two of you are.”
My brain moves quickly through the scenario. Arian, Sienna, and I in the same condo. It would be crazy. Ludicrous, actually. But how am I supposed to get out of this?
The muscles in my neck tighten, but I manage to force a smile. “What a great idea. Sienna will be so surprised.” That’s an understatement.
“Oh good!” Arian laughs. “This is so exciting.” She hops off the barstool. “I’ll hurry home and start packing then.” Leaning in, she gives me a light peck on the cheek. “See you in the morning.”
I watch her until she’s left the room, and then I sink down on the barstool she was just occupying.
Oh, crap. What have I done?
13
SIENNA
For two days, I do this—go to the park around noon and wait for Trey to come out of the launch, kiss Rayne, and unwrap a sandwich. Their routine is simple, predictable, the only things changing are the outfits Rayne wears and the color of Trey’s tie. And each day, Trey stops just after exiting the launch and stares off at that little cafe across from the park. If he wants to go there so badly, I don’t know why he and Rayne don’t just eat there instead.
But after two days, I know I need to do something. I feel this itch under my skin to find information. To get the answers I came here for.
I’ve just entered the condo after my daily outing when I’m immediately put on high alert. Suitcases are stacked in the entryway—enough for a couple of months stay—and there’s a sweet smell in the air, like ambrosia mixed with honeysuckle. The tinkling of laughter can be heard coming from the kitchen.
Blood pulses against my temple, and I press my body against the wall. Zane didn’t mention anyone else coming to stay. I grab a heavy decorative candlestick off the credenza in the foyer, and with quiet footsteps, I make my way past the living room to the kitchen, only to be shocked by the sight of Zane and Arian.
Arian is the first to see me standing there, the candlestick raised in my fist. Her mouth drops open in shock as Zane turns and sees me. He hurries over and grabs the candlestick from my hand.
“No need for that,” he murmurs.
“What are you doing here?” I demand. “I told you not to come.”
“Need I remind you that this is my condo?” Zane replies through clenched teeth. “I can visit if I like.”
A heated flush spreads over my body, and I immediately feel stupid. Of course this is his place, and it’s his right to put me in mine.
Arian rushes forward. “Hello, Sienna, it’s so good to see you,” she says, pulling me into a delicate embrace. I can feel the lean muscles of her back through her shirt. “And please don’t be angry with Zane. It was my idea to surprise you.”
“I’m definitely surprised,” I say.
Arian smiles, showing off her perfect white teeth. “Oh good! I absolutely love surprises. I knew you’d love this one.”
I force a smile. “I do.” Then turning my attention to Zane, I say, “Zane, can I speak to you in the other room for a minute?”
Zane’s eyes flit from me to Arian before he nods. Grabbing his arm, I pull him into the living room, flashing Arian a reassuring smile as I do.
Once we’re out of earshot, I hiss, “What are you doing here? And why did she come?”
“I’m sorry,” he says. “She was already planning a trip to Rubex and I wanted to check on you, so it seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe not such a great idea now.”
“I told you not to come. Do you know how much harder it will be now? With her here? This totally screws up everything!”
“I know, and I’m really sorry.” He pauses. “But the good news is that she’ll be busy doing her own thing in the city. There’s a wedding expo this week with hundreds of different vendors that she’s really excited about.”
I shake my head, too angry to speak. This isn’t a freaking holiday. We aren’t here to have fun or look at wedding dresses. I have two things I need to do. One—eliminate Radcliffe. And two—get Trey back.
“Don’t worry about me,” I snap. “I’ll take care of everything while you go off gallivanting with Arian and planning your future wedding celebration. I’d hate to get in the way of that.” I start to stride away, but Zane’s hand latches onto my arm.
“Sienna, wait, it’s not like that and you know it.”
Shaking him off, I stride down the hall.
“Wait, Sienna, where are you going?”
“Out. I need some air.”
“But we’re not finished talking,” he protests.
I hear Arian call for Zane from the kitchen. I walk out the front door
and jab the elevator button. Zane follows me.
“Yes,” I say. “We are.” The door dings open.
“Just give me a minute—”
I step in, and the doors begin to close. Zane reaches out his hand to stop them, but then slowly removes it as if he’s resigned himself to letting me go. His mouth is set in a hard line, his eyes a mixture of anger and disappointment. I look down at my feet until the elevator closes completely.
I stand in the elevator with my back pressed against the wall, breathing hard, my heart strumming a rhythm against my rib cage, my hands trembling. I’m already regretting my decision to walk out, and I’m half-tempted to go back in and apologize. But when I think of Arian, who Zane allowed to come, the anger flares back up like a glowing furnace.
He could have come up with an excuse for her not to come. Or at least not to stay in his condo. Which means that deep down, he wanted her here. And, yeah, that stings a little.
I need to cool off. Maybe a walk will help.
I punch the ground-level button and wait. The trip down is filled with stomach-dropping quickness, ear-popping pressure, and time to think.
I need a plan. There’s no way I’ll be able to get close to Trey until Radcliffe is out of the picture. Yet, Radcliffe is bound to be heavily guarded, and he’s on the lookout for anyone associated with the Fringe, which could make it difficult to gain access to him.
When I exit the building, I stop, deciding which way to go. I know the park is a few blocks to the left, but I’ve yet to explore this other part of the city. I head down the sidewalk, away from the high-rise condo. Once again, I stand out in my dark pants and shirt while everyone else is dressed in the latest fashions—shimmery skirts, faux-metal corsets, and spiked heels.
I pass hotels, other condos equally as impressive as Zane’s, and business buildings. Every so often, when the block ends, I catch a glimpse of the bay. Longing to be closer to it, I turn down a side street. Once I cross the street again, the only thing separating me from the blue waters is the metal railing. Leaning over, I inhale deeply, the salty air filling my nose.
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