Page 94 of Redemption
I know under all the opposing viewpoints, there has to be a common ground here. If she won’t allow me to leave her safely confined outside of the community’s reach, then I need to adjust my tactics and weigh the options.
First off, she’s a woman. Not that that makes her weak, by any means—in fact, she’s the complete opposite from what I’ve seen—but it puts a spotlight on her. She’s, as David often puts it, ahighly sought-after asset.
Once David gets word of her arrival—and he will—her processing will be expedited. She’ll be placed in quarantine for immediate testing and given priority status with regard to her results. Once obtained, she’ll be whisked off directly to Ascension House and locked away. It could take a day... or an hour. We have no idea.
At night, there may be fewer people milling about, giving us more freedom and time to get the answers we need, but there’s still security everywhere, and they don’t give a shit about what they do when no one is looking. The starved men residing within the town’s limits are going to assume she’s open game and take her without any remorse before turning her over for processing.
During the daytime, it’s different. There won’t be any potential for a direct assault on her right there on the road in the middle of the township. Too many witnesses. She’ll be kept safe and secure for the entire duration. But with everyone awake and milling about, she’ll be spotted immediately. Once that happens, it’ll only be a matter of time for them to indoctrinate and place her on one of those pedestals.
I still have direct access to those facilities if she’s sent there, but, regardless, it doesn’t make me feel any better about the decision. Both options suck, as far as I’m concerned, but after bouncing them both back and forth for a few minutes, I decide to go for the one least likely to draw attention. I’ll have to hide my face to protect my identity and not blow my cover in case things go wrong, but that’s easily done with a balaclava or a ski mask. And, apart from tying her to the bedpost back at the safehouse—which Alessandra has confirmed that eventhe tightest of knots will not keep her away. Nor will it keep anyone else from finding her trussed up like a convenient little snack—it’s the best option we have.
I rise to my feet to collect the drone, repacking it and the controller into my bag while informing her of my plan, as well as some contingencies just in case. A few minutes later, we’re ready—let’s face it, not even close to ready—to embark on the worst mission of my career: leading the love of my life into the most despicable place imaginable.
“Ok. Now, listen, I’m going to need you to trust me—only me—while we’re in there.”
“I do trust you, Darius,” she replies instantly, shocking me but also dousing me with relief at the fact that she does. “But I have to ask... after all that... why’d you suddenly agree?”
My smile grows solemn as memories rush in. “I thought back on the man who saved me: Baylor. I saw him give up his life on that road because, in the end, that’s what he wanted, and he asked me not to interfere. He also told me to find you in this mess and love you like you deserved all along. That’s exactly what I’m doing.” I sigh dejectedly, shaking my head while grinning at the irony. “Redemption is a fickle, humbling thing, but I’m positive it’s why I’m still alive to this day. I’ve much to atone for, and I’ve only just begun where you’re concerned.”
My gaze meets hers again as I take her hand in mine. “You’re asking me to do the same thing—to not interfere in your decision—because getting your guys back is what you want above all else. I’m not going to keep you from saving those guys, but damn it all to Hell if you think I’m not going to make sure you’re kept safe while doing so.” My fingers tense, surrounding her smaller ones as I make my last promise to the only woman in my life. “I have no idea what the future holds, whether we’ll survive this or not. But, like I said, I’ve always been yours. And I will protect you and love you, unconditionally, until my dying breath.”
Reaching under my collar, I pull out the necklace I originally gifted her. “It’s always been yours, Mi Alma. Only yours. And whether you love me or hate me or want to kill me after all this, it’ll never be anyone else’s.”
Her eyebrows scrunch as she takes in the gem and the surrounding metal. The memory of me giving her this piece of affection and of her returning it to my remorseful hands later on. The meaning I placed upon the small token of my love, and the truth that it’s never truly diminished in all the years we’ve been apart. Recognition fills her gaze as she meets mine once again. “Are you telling me you’ve been wearing this the entire time?”
“I’ve never taken it off, Alessandra. Whether you realized it or not, you’ve always been with me through everything. In all those years, you were my rock, my morality, my faith, my determination, my strength to live.
You.
Are.
My.
Soul.
Mi Alma.
And that’s not about to end just because you love someone else.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Aly
Gravel crunches under my feet as we walk the final leg of our journey towards the outskirts of Phoenix Rising. The temperature is absolutely perfect as I take off my jacket and tie it around my waist. If it were a normal day, it would almost be like we were taking a mid-afternoon stroll to watch the birds and enjoy the muted symphony of nature and perpetual relaxation.
But, let’s face it. There’s nothing normal about today.
There’s nothing normal about walking side by side with a man I thought was dead. There’s nothing normal about packing up every type of weapon we could find at that house and stepping out of the door this morning with the promise of saving the men I love. Of playing the hero, this time.
My guys...
They’re always so strong. So courageous. Always putting themselves in the line of danger. And now?
Now it’s my turn to return the favor.
I clued Darius in as to what they each look like. Height, build, hair color—all the important information needed to find them. Even going so far as describing their talents. He said any information is better than none. That is, except for their names. He said that once a person is integrated into the cult, they losetheir names, which is why he’s referred to asDrone, while Jax, Cole, and Hawk could be referred to as literally anything else now.
I’d hoped the drone would have given us some sort of indication as to where to look for them, but I’m afraid it’s been too long. After days of travel and then being trapped in that house, anything could have happened. They could have been ushered to a variety of jobs throughout the community—which, according to Darius, could mean anything from farming to laundry to sewage duty—or David could have simply been so pissed off that they lost me in the melee that he decided to, God forbid, take his anger out on the guys. We have no idea. Thankfully, I have Darius by my side. Without his knowledge of the town, I’d be walking in blind.
