Page 57 of He is… Creed: Part Three

My father stands in front of me. To his right stands a dark-haired woman I do not know. To his left is Dr. Chin, who I know well from my previous time in Groom Lake. Behind them is a giant cage. I have a horrible feeling I do not want to know what that cage was for.

As I gain more of my bearings, I notice my jacket is gone and my shirt disheveled. I can no longer feel the wire taped between my breasts. I’m on my own with a man I barely recognize as my own father.

A man I swore would not hurt me.

I think I might have been wrong.

“Hi, angel,” my father says, his words jerking my gaze back to him. “How’s that migraine?”

“Why are you doing this?” I hiss, hardly able to believe this is happening, but I have the presence of mind to scan for a door—one to the far left—and a phone—none to be found. My purse is sitting on the lab table, not far away, and it’s open.

“I, my dearest, am trying to secure our great nation,” he says dryly. “It saddens me in ways you cannot comprehend that you, my little girl, have chosen to aid our enemies.”

“You mean the Renegades?” I ask. “Since when are they our enemies?” I don’t give him time to answer. “Is it true, Father? Are you planning to use Red Dart against them, too? The men who’ve been risking their lives to protect us from Julian?”

“They’re all GTECHs, Addie,” he declares. “All lethal to humanity. I’m doing what you wanted me to do. I’m fixing what I created. I’m limiting our damage.”

“My God,” I pant out. “Do you not see how you’re creating another nightmare? Julian has men inside the government. If he can’t get to Red Dart before you unveil it, they will take it when you do. You’re handing him the ability to destroy the Renegades, and they’re all that stands between us and the Zodius.”

“Julian will get nothing from me, Addie,” he growls, showing a rare moment of anger, his face reddening. “When have I ever been foolish enough to show my hand?” He glares at me, his face distorted, before he straightens. “Where is your phone?”

“It was in my purse,” I say, lying of course, and no, I should not taunt the bear, but I’m hurt and angry and can’t help myself. “One of your men must have taken it. You have no loyalty around you. And that makes me sad. A great leader earns loyalty.”

“Where is your phone, Addie?” he snaps.

I know what he wants: a way to contact Creed. “In my purse,” I snipe back, my gaze slicing to the woman who’s remained silent to this point, her dark hair and facial structure reminding me of Creed. “I know who you are. Jocelyn Taylor. I know you’re his mother.” The woman’s lips thin while her eyes flicker with a mixture of guilt and anger. I’m disgusted by her and hurt for Creed. Pained for him. “How could you betray Creed like this?”

“Creed has never been loyal to anyone but himself,” she says, her voice lacking the conviction I would have expected, considering her actions.

“Do you even know your own son?” I ask, accusation in my tone. “Creed chooses everyone over himself. Time and time again, he risks his life to save others.”

“Have you forgotten the blade he held to my neck?” my father demands.

I glare at him. “If he had wanted you dead, you would be dead. He saved you from Julian, and I think you know that. He was undercover with the Zodius, and he saved fifty captive women when he left that post. You’re out of control, Father. You’re going to crash and burn and take us all with you.”

“Enough,” he commands. “What is the number to reach Creed, Addie?”

“I don’t know how to reach Creed,” I say. “Even if I did, why in the world would I tell you?”

He motions to Chin and orders, “Hook her up to the electrical pads and shock her.”

Jocelyn and I gasp in unison. “You wouldn’t,” I hiss.

“Tell me the number,” he repeats.

I’m terrified, but I will not give up Creed. My chin lifts defiantly. “I don’t know how to reach Creed.”

He waves at Chin. “Do it.”

“She’s your daughter,” Jocelyn argues, grabbing his arm. “Don’t do this.”

He shakes her off. “And Creed is your son. We make sacrifices for the greater good, Jocelyn.” He walks to the monitors on the wall and yanks out a drawer, removing a walkie-talkie. “Get an electronic trace on Addie’s phone, or get me her phone records. I need one or the other now.”

Without making eye contact, Chin begins sticking electronic pads on my arm, reaching under my hair to attach a device there as well. It’s all I can do not to jump with the fear he will discover my lifebond mark.

The mark…

Can I even be shocked with my GTECH transition? Am I stronger now? Can I break the ropes on my wrists?

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