Page 40 of Maverick

“She wasn’t working on shit for the CIA. She was working for G.R.I.P., and the CIA wanted what she was working on. We refuse to give them that. That’s all.”

“Just what is it that he wants?” asked the president slowly.

“Something that could cause war to break out all over the world. Something that could create utter chaos in governments, businesses, politics, even in the entertainment industry. But we believe it’s much more.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. They could hear him breathing, so they knew he was there.

“I trust that you’ll fill me in when you can.”

“You know that I will, sir.”

“Oh, and Luke. There were apparently three Rangers lent to him to get Miss Smith back. One of them was killed yesterday in a training accident. You might want to find the other two.”

“Hugo? You good, dude?” asked Forrest.

“Nope,” he said, letting out a long slow breath. “Right now, I’m in my truck headed west. I’m hoping to make it to Texas and disappear in the desert somewhere.”

“Don’t go there. Go to New Orleans. When you get there, let me know, and I’ll come and get you. He’s after you, isn’t he?”

“Yep.”

“I know one man is dead. Where’s the other?” asked Forrest.

“He took off the same time I did. Command knows it and is making excuses for us being gone. His family is in Minnesota somewhere, so he’s probably headed that way. I don’t have any family to speak of.”

“You do now,” said Luke. “Head to New Orleans, or we can come and get you.”

“No. No, that’s fine. I’m in Mobile, so it’s only a few more hours. I’ll be fine. Thanks, Forrest. I appreciate this, brother.”

“You stuck your neck out for us,” said Forrest. “I told you. We don’t forget shit like that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Whose home is this?” asked Stephanie as she looked around the massive living, dining, and kitchen space. It was an open concept with naturally hewn beams running across the ceiling and magnificent paintings of the bayou and New Orleans on the walls.

“Mine,” said Braxton. “I mean, it’s yours for as long as you need it, but it’s mine. It’s big. There are three bedrooms, three bathrooms. The kitchen is big. We will hardly see each other with as much as I work. I won’t bother you, I promise.”

She looked at him and then looked around the space. Katelyn set her bag down and smiled at her.

“It’s all going to be okay now. You get settled and feeling better, and then we can talk about maybe you working for all of us. What were you studying before all this?” she asked.

“Genetics.”

“That makes sense,” smiled Braxton. She looked at him and swallowed. It did make sense, but she hated how she’d come to it.

“Dinner is in thirty minutes. We’ll see you at the cafeteria,” said Chelsea. “You’re safe here, Stephanie. Don’t worry about anything. You’ll be okay on the property. The men will protect you, and no one will know where you are or will be able to get to you. All you have to do is rest, take care of yourself, and you’ll heal. We’re going to help you.”

“Why? Why would you help me? We weren’t allowed to be friends at the school. You don’t owe me anything.”

“We were all fooled, Stephanie,” said Katelyn. “We are all part of some maniac’s grand plan. We didn’t have a choice in the matter, and now I choose to have choices. I choose to be productive. I choose to be healthy. I choose to have friends and a marriage and children. I choose to love.”

“Will I have choices?” she asked.

“All the choices you want,” said Braxton. “You choose your clothes, food, music, television programs, and the job you want to do. The only choice you don’t get is to place your life or the lives of anyone else here in danger.”

“I would never do that,” she whispered, shaking her head. Katelyn squeezed her hand.

“We’re here for you. All of us.” The girls left them alone, and Stephanie turned, staring at Braxton.

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