The room of over two hundred EVO agree, and not a single person looks scared or anxious. This is what freedom feels like. It may be short lived and confined to The Hive, but this is liberation for me. I can be me: dysfunctional, complicated, hot mess, EVO me.
CHAPTER SIX
Rafe seems reluctant to leave once I’m settled in bed and dosed up on painkillers. He sorts my new clothes into piles, refills my glass with fresh water, and fusses with the mechanism under the bed, complaining that it needs to be oiled.
“Is there something wrong?” I ask, watching him warily. “You’ve rearranged my bedside table three times already.”
He holds his hands up. “Ah, right, yes. It’s just… I wanted to…”
“You’re allowed to want to talk to me. I mean, I want to talk to you too. There’s other stuff besides war and fighting.” I tap the bed for him to sit.
“I’m not good with this kind of thing. Hence, why I’m a lonely, old man.”
“You have loads of people here.”
“Because they have nowhere else to go and no one else to help them.” He shrugs. “It’s not that I’m not happy to help. I need them just as much as they need me, but I have no family, Kiddo. No immediate family that see me as their family. When you get to my age, that tends to matter a lot more.”
“You have me. Granted, this relationship is one of the weirdest grandfather granddaughter relationships ever, but you are my grandfather. You saved my life.”
“Exactly, you feel like you owe me something.”
I tilt my head and look at him in a new light. “Rafe Lloyd does have his insecurities.” He scoffs a little. “That’s a good thing. At least I know that you’re still relatively human.”
He leans forward, resting his arms on his knees. “I’m not a family man, Kiddo. I can’t be a good grandfather to you because I have no clue how. As long as you don’t expect too much, then we’ll get along fine.”
“Hey, you can just be my Guv if it makes things easier. When we first met, you said that you’d prefer to be called Papa. I don’t think that suits us- suits you. Not yet. How about you work on being a Papa, and I work on seeing you that way? We’re nowhere close yet, but one day.”
Rafe’s mood seems to brighten instantaneously. “Deal.”
“Besides, you look way too cool to be anyone’s Grandfather,” I continue. “Those tattoos are unreal. Who was the artist? They’re really good.”
“I’m pleased you think so. I’d say about fifty to sixty percent of my tattoos I’ve done myself. However, they’re one hundred percent my own designs.”
“You’re a tattooist? No way. My ass kicking, ability rocking, tattoo artist grandfather. Do you know how weird that sounds?” I shake my head in awe of the man in front of me. “The shading on that rose is unbelievable.”
“My life was a little unconventional perhaps, but we did all have a life before this. We’re born EVO, but that shouldn’t define us,” he says. I smile to myself. “What?”
“Just a memory. When I first met Jude, he told me to not let anyone define me.”
“You are close to him, aren’t you? Remember, that son of mine can be careless, selfish, and self-absorbed.”
“He can be all those things, but he is much more. Don’t speak badly of Jude to me.”
“Well, you know him better than me.” His eyes glaze and his chest shudders with an intake of breath. “Crow mentioned that you draw,” he says, changing the subject.
“Sketches mostly. Or at least I did. I haven’t picked up a pencil or piece of charcoal since Shana started drugging me.” The mention of Shana affects him as much as it used to affect Jude, but there is a different, angry look in Rafe’s eyes. “Why did you and Shana stop talking?”
“Shana was sick and wouldn’t accept help from any of us. I’m sorry for what your mother put you through. It’s unforgiveable.”
“Jude reckons I should forgive her. That she was probably doing what she thought was best for me.”
He looks into the distance. “Jude is not a parent, he doesn’t understand. I was estranged from both of my children for different reasons, but I never once stopped loving them. Perhaps I didn’t show it enough, but I loved Shana unconditionally. I just did not like the woman she became. The things she said… well, let’s just say that no parent should spit such vile words about their own child. I knew the Shana I remembered was long gone in that moment.”
“Is that when she contacted you about my telepathy?”
He looks back to me, the smile returning to his face. “Yes, it was. Now, neither you nor I want to talk about Shana any more than we want a wasp up our ass. Although, I know some stories about your Dad and his gigging days that will make your hair curl.” He grimaces at his faux pas. “Sorry. What hair, right?”
I burst out laughing.
***
I’m laughing so hard that my ribs ache from the effort. I never knew Rafe knew my Dad so well. They were friends- good friends. That was until Dad was introduced to Shana.
Rafe sits cross legged at the bottom of my bed. “When I first met Rob, his hair was to his waist and a hideous, burgundy colour.”
“He died his hair? Dad would never let me touch mine,” I say, gasping for breath. “He wouldn’t even let me get my ears pierced.”
Rafe’s deep laugh rumbles around me. “Are we talking about the same Rob? Your Dad wore a skin-tight catsuit on stage and had a tattoo of a naked woman on his butt cheek. And no, it wasn’t one of mine. I straight up refused that request.”
“Oh, my God, that is new information! Gross, but new.”
A radio crackles into life. “Guv, the Magpie has returned.”
Rafe replies, and then checks his watch. “It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting any sleep tonight. You may as well be a part of the meetings from now on. Come on, Kiddo, we’ll get some black coffees.”
He picks up his coat and heads into the hallway.
“Rafe,” I call after him. His face reappears in the gloom. “From what I hear, you did everything within your power to find me. That says more than you think, and you don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“Thank you for saying so, Kiddo.”
“Besides, you’ve given me the chance to see my friends and family again, and to hand Towley his ass, but that’s just a perk of the job, right?”
He laughs from the shadows. “It’s more than a perk, it’s in your bloody job description.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Crow throws open the office door. “Celeste is back, Guv.”
I knew Magpie was code, but I wonder if Celeste knows the code? She’d much prefer swan or peacock, I bet.
The usual crew await us inside, Rafe’s Firsts as he calls them. Celeste sits in Rafe’s chair and stares me out for the longest time. She is preened and as stunning as ever. The fact that she got into those skinny jeans deserves high praise. Damn, I detest her. Yes, it’s because Adam dated her. I mean, the woman is the epitome of every man’s dream. Thankfully, her personality lets her down. It’s amazing how ugly an attractive person can become when they open their mouth.
“Wow, you look revolting,” she says, offering me a fake smile. She stands and glides into the centre of the room.
“Nice to see you too, Celeste.”
Darcy, getting excited at the idea of new company, tries to jump up at her and paws at her clothes.
“Will someone get this animal off of me!” she squeals.
“Chill out. He’s just saying hello,” I say, pulling him away. “Down, Darcy.”
Celeste turns from me with an exaggerated flick of her blonde hair and greets Rafe with a kiss to the cheek. “The government are looking for someone we thought to be dead. The security of Shift wasn’t threatened, so I didn’t think it a risk to return.”
Rafe nods impatiently. “Are you going to tell me who this mystery, undead person is, or am I going to have to read you.”
Celeste takes a dramatic breath. “Shana Leason.”
<
br /> I half fall, half sit into the chair behind me. Rafe grips the edge of the desk, but recovers himself swiftly.
“Is she a relation of yours?” Kid asks me.
I physically can’t form words. The government killed Shana the night they took me and killed my Dad, or so we were led to believe. Why would they be looking for someone if they had murdered them?
“Shana is my daughter,” Rafe replies, moving around the desk and opening a drawer. “She is Teddie’s mother.”
Coco is at my side in a heartbeat. Her arm around my shoulders is a welcome source of comfort. My body is numb, but Coco’s weight grounds me a little. “If Shana is alive, where the hell would she be hiding? The woman I knew could barely function, let alone evade government capture.”
“Are you sure on this?” Rafe asks Celeste.
She rummages in her handbag, retrieving a piece of paper that has been folded into the tiniest of squares. “My contact had to pull dangerous strings to get a copy of this. This is Shana, isn’t it?”
Rafe snatches the paper, unfolding it with frenzied fingers. I know from his face that it’s her. He starts to laugh; an exasperated, disbelieving sound. “Would you look at that?” he says, handing me the photo. “That daughter of mine is like a damn cockroach.”
The picture shows a bunch of men with guns, posing with cigars dangling out of their mouths in front of a camp fire. Shana is only just in shot, sat against the tyre of a truck, drinking from a bottle of wine whilst watching the men with a scowl on her face. She looks dirty, unkempt, and extremely drunk.
Bo takes the picture. “I know this place, it’s an E.N.C base. It’s well hidden and possibly the only base that the government may have zero knowledge about. I could take a team and ask about, see if someone knows something.”
“Why would a Non-EVO be at an E.N.C base?” Crow asks.
“It’s not the first time Shana has pretended to be EVO. How do you think she caught Isaac’s eye? Or she has told them who her daughter is.” My words sail out on an angered breath. Why won’t that woman stop haunting me? Dead or alive, she seems unable to leave me in peace.
Rafe removes an envelope from a portable safe and hands it to Celeste. “This should keep you going for a while longer, but it’s soon to be the last of my funds. Thank you for bringing this information to me, but we won’t be acting on it.”
The room is silent. Rafe can’t leave that statement hanging in the air and not address the fact that he is leaving his daughter to the vultures. They expect an explanation of some sort.
“My daughter has survived this long without my interference. Going on a wild goose chase is pointless and a huge risk to our objective. Not to mention that the two people Shana would least want to reunite with is myself and her daughter. Are you on board with this, Kiddo?”
“Whatever. She’s never broken her back to help me in anyway.” Coco’s arm squeezes me that little bit tighter. “Like you said, she will always find a way to survive. The E.N.C are protecting her for whatever reason.”
Rafe leans on the desk. “Good, so that’s sorted. Now, Celeste, are you staying with us tonight, or do you need to head back to maintain your cover?”
“I’ll head back first thing tomorrow. He doesn’t expect me back until noon. I’ll need clothes, though. I need decent stuff, not this rubbish.” She waves her hand in my direction.
“I see that you haven’t changed, Celeste,” I say, smiling. It winds the hell out of her when she can’t rile me. I wonder who this ‘he’ is, but for now, I don’t fancy conversing with her any more than necessary.
“I wish I could say the same. You look nasty, no offence.” She scrunches her nose in distaste.
“For a pretty girl, you’ve got an ugly mouth on you,” says Kid.
My jaw hits the floor, and Brick almost coughs his water out of his nose. Kid’s neutral expression doesn’t falter. He’s never been one to hold back. Kid’s style is to tell it how it is and leave you to deal with the truth anyway you see fit. I’ve been on the receiving end of a few of Kid’s truths, and although blunt, he is spot on.
“Excuse me? Who are you?” Celeste looks him over from head to toe, passing judgement in mere seconds.
“I’m Kid.”
“Well, Kid, if your opinion mattered to me, which it doesn’t, I would ask for it. Got it?” She kisses Rafe on the cheek again. “Ciao.”
I call after her. “Thank you for helping me at the complex.” She gives me a terse nod, and then trots from the room. I meant it sincerely, but she can take it how she wants.
“What a bitch,” Coco says, gawping. “If looks could kill you’d be standing there dead, Kid.”
“You’re wasting your breath on that one,” Rafe says, slouching into his chair and resting his feet on the desk. “She’s a good girl really, just bloody hard work.”
“How do you know Celeste, Cub? She told me she met you through the E.N.C in Italy, but she didn’t go into details,” says Crow.
Rafe rubs his hands together. “I know this tale. It’s a good one.”
I scoff in his direction. “Long story short, she dated Adam before he joined the TORO program. Actually, she was the reason Gabe sent him to join. Adam gave her the boot, and she didn’t take kindly to it and questioned his loyalty to Gabe. Rafe’s right, she is hard work, but when it came down to the knuckle, she helped me. She could have run that night at the complex. Instead, she got the word out to Jude about what was really going on.”
“Whoa, wait! Adam dated her? She’s the ex?” Brick asks, clearly amused.
“That’s not even the most shocking part.” I revel in their expectant expressions. “She’s Ingrid’s sister.”
The gaping mouths and total silence speak volumes.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sleep evades me despite the exhaustion that eats at my body. Most people toss and turn, but I can’t even do that. I’m uncomfortable, in pain, and bar sleeping standing up, there is nothing I can do about it; nothing except taking sedatives and that thought sends a shiver through me.
The dim light of the corridor seeps under my door. That means Rafe is still awake. I’m surprised he hasn’t checked in on me. I know he checks in on me during the night, although, he doesn’t know that I know. It is comforting to know someone watches over me. Perhaps taking the sedatives isn’t such a bad idea. If I want to heal quickly and have enough energy to keep up with training, I’ll need to sleep for a few hours at least. It’ll be dawn soon, and my body aches with fatigue.
I hobble my way into the corridor. Being in one position seizes me up, and I feel like a ninety-year-old woman limping about. Rafe’s door is open and he stands motionless, staring at the plain wall ahead of him.
“Hey, Rafe,” I say, shambling into his room.
He spins from his position, quickly wiping tears from his eyes. “Kiddo, what’s wrong?”
Not sure what to make of his sorrows, I take another step closer. This is Rafe Lloyd, leader of Shift, and all-round super human. Now, I’m confronted with the sight of him crying and it makes me feel awkward.
“I was going to ask for sedatives, but… is everything okay?”
“The truth?” he asks. I nod. “Four times, I have had my keys and been about to head out to that E.N.C base to look for Shana. She’s my daughter, and Dads are supposed to protect their daughters. My mind is telling me no, but my heart is telling me yes. I’m torn, Kiddo. What should I do?”
Okay, put me on the spot, Rafe. “Your logic before was sound. Why hunt for Shana and risk exposure when she probably doesn’t even want us to find her? You told me that you have people depending on you to keep them safe. Think about them, because you’re all they have got. You said that Dads should protect their daughters, but what about mothers? Shana never did right by me. Even when she called you to help with my telepathy, it was for her own sake, not mine. She told Rob she resented me and called me a freak more times than I can count. For a moment, when I heard she had died, I felt sorry for her having
to put up with me and my episodes, but then I thought, ‘screw that’. Everything that I was going through was a direct result of either her addiction, stupidity, or selfishness.”
He relinquishes his pacing and sits on his bed, listening intently. I’m ranting now, but I can’t stop myself. I’m angry at his tears for Shana. They’re justified, she is his child, but I feel betrayed. Silly, I know, but that woman made my life a misery.
“Here’s what I know. When I asked her about you, she would always say you were dead and buried. If I pressed her further, she’d tell me that talking about you was a waste of her breath. Please, don’t waste your breath either. I don’t want her back in my life. I don’t want her to ruin what little I have managed to salvage of a life. I wish Shana had died and not my Dad.” Clasping a hand to my mouth in shock and disgust, I take a few steps back toward the door. “That was a disgusting thing to say. I’m sorry.”
Rafe jumps from the bed, taking my wrists before I can leave the room. “You’re allowed to be angry, Kiddo. You have more right than anyone.”
Tears come thick and fast. “She’s your daughter. I shouldn’t have said—”
“And you’re my granddaughter. I’m on your side. You’ve been dealt a shit hand from the moment you were born, and I’m here to help change that. I doubt there is a way back for me and Shana, but I’ve got you now- my second chance. No one will take me away from you now. They can die trying. I will keep you safe, and going back for Shana will only put you at risk. That’s my mind made up.”
He hands me a tissue, and I frantically wipe at my face. I’m ashamed for crying over that woman, but relief at not having to see her washes over me. “Is that my Guv speaking or my grandfather?” I ask, half laughing.
“That’s Rafe speaking to Teddie.” He’s fighting some inner conflict when it comes to me. His heart talks to me like I’m his granddaughter, but his head is trying to keep some distance. “So, you want some sedatives. We’re finally turning a corner,” he says, changing the subject.
EVO Nation Series Trilogy Box Set Page 61
