Page 49 of Judgment Day

Exa was also cleared. Everything seemed to be on track and going according to plan. But Exa knew that anything could go wrong at the last minute, which was why she and Scar spent most of the day going over the plan. They double-checked it and then triple-checked until they were comfortable with it.

At least as comfortable as they could be. When Exa took a break to get some fresh air, Arson pulled her aside to let her know that Nova said she wanted to talk to Exa after she handled the judge. She didn’t give a yay or nay to Arson’s suggestions of having the Killa Crew aid them in rescuing Letisha.

That pretty much meant Exa was going to get a verbal smackdown for daring to question Nova’s orders. And in the end, the answer would probably still be no. Exa sighed.Mission first. Emotions later.She’d worry about Nova after she’d watched the judge breathe his last breath. That night, she stayed up for a while with the mix-match crew she and Scar had brought together. They watched romantic comedies.

The guys kept asking to change the channel. The ladies kept telling them to be quiet and take notes. Even Rain had a smile on her face as she cuddled up on the recliner with Dean. Exa tried to enjoy herself and relax. But she couldn’t because that damn cat kept trying to assassinate her. And the man who promised to love and protect her found it funny.

“Just admit you’re afraid of Killa, and I’ll move her,” Scar whispered in her ear.

“I’m not afraid of her,” Exa whispered back. “I’ve fought men twice her size.”

“You fought leprechauns?” Scar laughed.

“You know what I mean. I fought men a hundred times her size. I’m not about to be punked by a damn cat.”

Killa swiped her paw at Exa.

“What did I do to you?” Exa whispered to Killa. “Is it Scar you want? Take him. He’s yours.”

“You can’t just give me away,” Scar whispered.

“I’m not about to fight this cat over you.” Exa scooted away from Scar. Killa strode up, climbed into Scar’s lap, then curled up into a ball and closed her eyes.

“Look at this heffa,” Exa whispered.

Scar winked. “What can I say? I’ve got a way of taming pussies,” he whispered.

She couldn’t help but laugh. She watched the rest of the movie, seated next to Scar while Killa slept in his lap. After the movie, Oni took the cat and retreated to her room with Garrett, as everyone else retreated to their rooms. She and Scar went to bed after Exa checked and made sure the house was secure.

That night, she watched him sleep for hours. Though she was tired, she couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the judge’s face. She saw the basement room. She saw those cages and the people she’d been too young to help. It was a long while before she finally fell asleep herself.

Even when she did, those images followed her into her dreams. However, her dreams weren’t scary. They were inspirational. Those faces she couldn’t erase from her memory didn’t look angry with her for not being able to help them. Instead, they smiled at her and told her it was time to make sure what happened to them never happened to anyone else.

The next morning, Exa awoke angry but ready. She hugged her team and told them she’d check in when she arrived at the cottage. Then she and Scar loaded up the helicopter, and Declan took them to Exa’s cottage. Their plan to take the judge out was now in motion, and there was no going back.

Chapter Fifteen

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