Forsaken Duty, The Red Team Series, Book 9

by Elaine Levine

  He squinted as he looked into the distance, then looked at her. “We were created for each other. My heart is empty without you in it. You may well choose not to be with me, and should you do so, I’ll have to accept your decision. I’ll never make you go against your own will. Never. In anything. Just know that I’m always here for you. As I always have been. Now, more than ever, you have to know you are free to choose the life you want. With me in it or not.”

  Addy felt miserable. Avoiding him all these years had been like avoiding the sun. She began and ended with him, from her first memory to now. Life without him had been terrifying. She wondered what things might have been like if she’d reached out to him right away. Or as soon as she could have. She still remembered his old cell phone number. There were times, torturous, dark seconds, when she’d chanted those digits to herself.

  “Cecil knew about you,” she said, almost choking on the whispered words.

  Owen’s whole body tightened like a fist. “I didn’t know about him until recently. The girlfriend of one of my team members was bred to be an initiate. He probably oversaw her ceremony. He ran everything in the tunnels.”

  Addy was horrified. “Have you lost her in the system? They disappear, you know, the initiates.”

  “We got her out before the ceremony was completed. We killed a major participant.” He watched her closely as he said this next bit of news. “The man was called a War Bringer. His job was her initiation. He’s dead, too.”

  Addy gripped her throat. The War Bringer was dead. “Did you get Cecil?”

  “No. He slipped away before we could.”

  Owen didn’t tell her Edwards was responsible for his bruises—that would only scare her. “How long do I have with you?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “The doctors must have given you some prognosis.”

  “The doctors have no idea what’s happening to me.”

  “Is it months? Weeks? Years?” Her answer mattered—it would decide whether he should stay here and be with her, or if he had time to go find her son. That, at least, should be his priority. She should get to see Augie again before she died. If he could give her only that, it would be the most important thing he’d ever done.

  “Owen, we’re all dying. As soon as we’re born, we begin dying.”

  “You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “I don’t have an answer for you. I don’t believe the doctors. I refuse to believe them.”

  “Even if it’s only minutes, Laidy, I’ll take it. Tell me what they told you.”

  “They said my immune system was attacking my organs, that at best I had six months. That was five months ago.”

  The air left Owen’s lungs in a rush. “How do you feel? Better or worse, now than then?”

  “I’m often tired. But things are happening to me that I don’t understand, things that I haven’t mentioned to my brother.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like how fast I heal. If I can heal a cut that fast, then how can my body be attacking itself? Or my hair. They said the chemo would make it so that it was months growing back. It’s only been weeks. And my vision…it’s changing.”

  “How so?”

  “I can see in the dark. Not colors, of course. But if there’s any ambient light at all, I can see quite clearly.”

  “Do you remember when it started? What triggered it?”

  They’d reached her brother’s hidden armory, which Owen opened. “It started about six months ago,” she said. “I don’t know what happened. I can’t think of anything unusual. I wasn’t sick. I didn’t get any shots of any sort. I don’t even remember having visitors around then, so it wasn’t something I caught from anyone.” She looked at him. “I don’t think I’m contagious. Wendell hasn’t gotten sick like this.”

  “And Troy isn’t feeling any symptoms?”

  “No. Nor are any of the staff. It’s just me. I don’t have cancer, but they don’t know what I do have.”

  Cancer had been his biggest fear for her. “Addy, we feel certain the Omnis are working on a biological weapon of some sort. They have no morals about who they test things on. Is it possible you’re one of their test subjects?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t remember anything unusual. I was stung by a bee, but that’s not a big deal for me. I’m not allergic to them.”

  “Did you see the bee?”

  “Briefly, before I swatted it away.”

  “And it looked like a regular bee?”

  “Yeah. I had a bump for a little bit.” She frowned at him. “How could that have done this to me?”

  “Did you tell the doctors who examined you about the sting?”

  “No.”

  They walked out of the armory and Owen locked it back up. “Would you consider leaving here, coming back with me to my team? We could run some more tests on you.”

  “I don’t think so, Owen. I need to talk to Jax first. And I can’t leave before getting Augie back.”

  While that wasn’t an immediate no, Owen didn’t like the fact that she hid behind Jax. He didn’t tell her the doubts he was having about which side her brother was on—or that he might be playing both sides. No point tainting their relationship until he had proof.

  They’d made progress today. He felt he was beginning to connect with her. It was a start.

  10

  Three Years Ago

  Saddle Notch Ridge, Wyoming

  Bonnie set the breakfast tray on the table by the window. She pulled the heavy damask drapes open. “You’ve been in your room for a week. The doctor said you should get up and about soon. Why not come over here and have breakfast?”

  And then what? Heal so the cycle could start all over again? Addy didn’t have much left in her. If it weren’t for the boys, she would have ended things a long time ago.

  “I understand that your parents are coming for a visit today.”

  No. She didn’t want to see them. Their visits always made Cecil suspicious. “I’m sick. I can’t see them.”

  Bonnie looked her over. “There are no bruises they can see. Just your arm brace.”

  Addy had called her father as soon as Cecil had left the other day. She shouldn’t have. She’d had no composure to maintain at the time, should have known they’d come out. She’d cried over the phone. She’d done that once before. She knew better than to call him again, but she was desperate.

  Augie was six now. He was beginning to understand what was happening between her and his father. And he didn’t like it one bit, no matter what kind of brave face she put on. Cecil mostly ignored the boys, but soon he wouldn’t miss Augie’s changing attitude. She ignored her cooling breakfast. Food turned her stomach when her body hurt this much. She’d barely nibbled on anything for most of the last week. Most of what Bonnie brought got flushed down the toilet.

  Augie brought Troy into the room. When they saw she was up, they ran to the bed. She forced herself not to wince as they jostled her. Her wrist and elbow were in a soft brace to support them while she slept, which she didn’t do much of. It took a long time for her to do more than doze after her husband spent any time with her.

  Augie must have seen her wince, for he grabbed Troy and kept him from wiggling around. She pushed herself up and smiled at them. So different, her boys. Augie was blond with pale blue eyes, Troy dark with rich brown hair and soft brown eyes. Not a surprise, really. They had different fathers.

  “Sorry, Mama,” Augie said. “I know it hurts. I was thinking we should move your room so you don’t keep falling down the stairs. I’m sure Father won’t mind.”

  Addy swept some of Augie’s hair from his brow. He needed a haircut soon. “Maybe I should, but I don’t want to be far from you two.”

  “I can take care of Troy.”

  “I know. And you do. But I would miss you both if I slept downstairs.”

  Augie nodded. “Okay. Just promise you won’t do the stairs without me or Bonnie or someone.”

>   “I promise. Grandpa’s coming out to see you today.” She didn’t mention Roberta, her stepmother. She wasn’t well-liked in the house. Addy hoped she didn’t come this time.

  An idea took root. Today could be the day for them all to get out of there. Cecil wasn’t home, and her parents would be flying in with their helicopter. The house was too remote to easily visit any other way.

  “Bonnie, why not take the boys outside? I’m going to take a shower.”

  Bonnie helped her out of bed. “What about your breakfast?”

  “I’ll eat it in a bit. When did you say to expect my dad?”

  “About an hour.”

  Addy kissed both of her boys. “I love you.”

  Augie grinned. “We know…more than the sun and the moon and all the stars.”

  Addy blinked. “And then some.”

  “Bye, Mommy,” Troy said as Bonnie led them away.

  Addy rushed through her shower, dressed without doing any makeup, then packed a bag for each of her sons. She was still in the boys’ room when her stepmother came in. Ice spilled through Addy’s bones. She’d hoped Roberta wouldn’t come.

  “Roberta.” Addy straightened. “Where’s my father?”

  “He’s saying hello to our grandsons.”

  Addy didn’t respond to that overtly, but covertly, she wanted to shout that nothing of hers was Roberta’s, except maybe her hate and fear. She kept herself from saying anything at the moment. She needed Roberta on board for her plan to work.

  Addy checked outside. The helicopter they’d flown in on was still parked on the helipad. That was a relief. Sometimes it only dropped her parents off, then left for a while before picking them back up.

  She grabbed her sons’ bags with her good hand and started for the door, but her stepmother stopped her. “What’s this?”

  “The boys and I are leaving for a visit with you and Dad.”

  Roberta shook her head. “No. We’ve discussed this before.”

  “Move aside.”

  “When will you learn some self-control? If he’s hurt you again, you know who’s to blame.”

  It was true. Addy was the one who always set Cecil off. But that wasn’t going to stop her from setting him off one last time; she had to get her boys to safety. She moved into her stepmother’s space. “I’ve learned a lot from Cecil. All his dirty fighting tactics. I know how to leave bruises that no one ever sees that hurt enough to send you to a hospital. You really need to step aside.”

  Roberta stepped back.

  Addy took the bags and hurried downstairs. Her father was bringing the boys up to the house. Bonnie was following behind them.

  “Hello, sweetheart.” Her father kissed her cheek. “The boys were happy to see us.” He smiled.

  “You have to leave, Dad.”

  “We just got here. Thought we’d have a nice conversation. Catch up…on everything.”

  “No.” She started toward the helicopter. Her dad, the boys, Roberta, and Bonnie followed her.

  “Addy, stop,” her dad said. She didn’t. She couldn’t. If the boys didn’t leave right then, there’d be no other chance. She should go too. It would leave her staff to face Cecil’s anger, but there was no choice—her life was in danger; theirs weren’t.

  “Are we riding in Grandpa’s helicopter?” Augie asked.

  “Yes.” Addy set the bags down and opened the door.

  Her dad shut it. “No.” He pulled her around to face him, grabbing her bruised arm. She winced. So did her dad.

  “I can’t do this anymore,” she told him, tears flooding her eyes.

  “Oh, you can. You married him,” Roberta said.

  “And I can divorce him.” Addy looked at her father. “Please, Daddy. You have to get us out of here.” She knew better than to beg, but she did it anyway. She had a flash that this was one of those watershed moments. Everything before…then everything after.

  “Get who out of here?” came a smooth, terrible voice.

  Addy slowly turned to face her husband. What was he doing back here?

  “Hello, my dear.” Cecil kissed her cold cheek.

  She pulled the boys behind her, keeping them between her and the helicopter. She had to get them aboard. “The boys are going to visit Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “Are they? We haven’t talked about that.”

  “Yes. It was a surprise invitation. I think it’s a great idea.”

  “Do you? Well, let’s go in the house and talk about it.”

  “They were just leaving.”

  “Oh, but you just got here.” He kissed Roberta’s cheek. “Thank you for the call. I’m always happy when you visit.” He reached out a hand to shake with Addy’s dad.

  Addy blinked. Thank you for the call. Roberta had sold her out. Again. And now Cecil was making it seem as if everything was normal—except for his crazy wife.

  Cecil wrapped his hand around her arm and pulled her away from the helicopter. His fingertips dug in, pinching her already bruised flesh against bone. She looked back at her kids, then her dad, silently pleading with him to take them.

  He didn’t.

  Addy turned into her pillows and cried. Why did the one memory she wanted to keep—her last sight of Augie—have to be tainted with the brutality that came next?

  She rolled onto her side. Out of habit, she looked over to her door, checking for the faint blue light that filtered through the outer bank of windows from the conservatory between this wing and the other. No light came in the thin line under the door.

  Owen was there again, as he had been night after night since he got there.

  She slipped on her silken robe and stepped into the hall from the door in her dressing room. He was lying on the cold marble floor, stretched across her door. She went over to him and slipped down the opposite wall. Her feet were cold. She wrapped her arms around her knees and watched him.

  Was he or wasn’t he King?

  It didn’t take long for him to startle awake. He saw her then lay back down, his head on an accent pillow he’d taken from one of the chairs downstairs.

  “Why do you sleep there?” Addy asked, keeping her voice to a whisper, since Troy’s room was just down the hall and his door was open.

  “I have to.”

  “Why? You have a room downstairs.”

  “I don’t feel that you’re safe here. And someone sneaking onto the property could get to you before I could from that room.”

  Would King sleep on a floor for a woman he used to love? Did King love anyone besides himself? No, an Omni king would not give up his creature comforts for any reason.

  “Go back to bed, Laidy. You need to heal.”

  She didn’t move. Nor did he. Minutes passed. She was wondering if he’d fallen back asleep, when his voice startled her.

  “I wrote to you.”

  “When? When you thought I was dead? Or did you know I really wasn’t?”

  “I didn’t know you were alive.”

  “Then why write to me?”

  “Because we swore we would. It was the only promise I could keep of the ones I made you. I thought somehow, wherever you were, you might look down on me and see that my heart was still true.”

  Tears flooded Addy’s eyes. She blinked them away.

  “Where are they, these letters?”

  “Hidden away someplace safe.”

  “I want to see them.” She doubted he could produce them, but damn, he knew just exactly what her heart wanted to hear.

  “I’ll give them to you one day.”

  A wave of homesickness washed over her. How she longed for the halcyon days of her life before. A tear slipped down her cheek as she stared at Owen. He’d been her sunshine. Life was always better in his glow. And here they were now, in a cold, gray hallway. Neither of them was shining very much.

  He sat up and leaned against her door, watching her. She swiped at her tears. What was done was done. She had to move forward, one foot in front of the other until this dark time was far,
far behind her.

  She got up and went over to reach a hand down to Owen. He took it without hesitation. “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Taking you to find a bed.”

  They walked hand in hand down her hall to the wide landing that led over to the guest hall. Tall windows admitted the faint blue light that came from the conservatory between the wings. There were four bedrooms in each of the upstairs halls. And another four in the rooms below.

  She led Owen down to the last room in the hallway—the tower room. Their hands were still joined. His was big and warm around hers. She regretted having to let go of him to open the door. She flipped on the lights, illuminating the floral wallpaper that had been reproduced to match the original in here.

  “Flowers? Really, Addy?”

  She pressed her lips together as she sent him a frown. They went to the next room. And, of course, he had an objection. “I don’t like silk. Gives me hives.”

  “I’ve never heard of a silk allergy.”

  “It isn’t pretty.”

  She went to the next room.

  “Can’t do pink.” He scrunched his face up and covered his eyes as if the room was too bright. “Jesus, Addy, it’s blinding.”

  She bit her lip to keep from laughing at him. She was sure the final room in the hall would work. It was blue, after all, but he nixed it as well.

  “It’s too far from you.” He started back toward her room.

  She followed him. “It’s the closest one in this hall.”

  “I’m good where I was.”

  “You can’t sleep on the floor.”

  “I was doing just fine before you woke me for this impromptu tour.”

  “You need a bed.”

  “Then put me in yours.”

  A gasp broke from her before she could stop it.

  “I’d give my soul to hold you in my arms through the night,” he said. “I can’t, though, because you already own it.”

  “It’s not going to happen, Owen.”

  “Don’t be so sure, Laidy.” He dropped to the ground and resettled his pillow.