Page 99 of Redemption
A lethal, trained fighter.
Dare groans, bending over at the waist while muttering something that sounds an awful lot like, “Fucking hell, my knees,”before tying this guy up the same way he did to the last, waving his hand to have me join him on the next street when he’s done. Heart pumping, my morale is high as I race over to meethim. With Darius by my side, we might actually be able to pull this off.
But then...
The unmistakable sound of pounding footsteps comes thundering down the road just beyond the one we’re standing in. For a moment, only a dark void of emptiness can be seen, but, a second later, the intersection fills with what looks to be... one... two... three... seven...elevenguys, all security, and all carrying big-ass, sweet baby death machines.
Fucking perfect.
Pulling off his ski mask, Darius closes the short distance between us as they zero in. Using the shadows to conceal our transformation, he grabs my wrists from behind and applies the same ties he did to the two men. “Ok. It’s gonna be ok. We knew this might happen, which is why we prepared for it,” he whispers, pulling me tight against his chest. “You remember the plan? Time to execute Shitstorm Plan G, level 2.0.”
“2.0?” I gasp, wide-eyed at the abrupt turn of events.
“2.0. If that’s who I think is coming, we’re really gonna need to sell it.”
Chapter Forty
Dare
Earlier....
“Ok, so, I think I have a plan, but it’s going to have to have a backup just in case Murphy’s Law decides to bite us in the ass. With that being said, I need you to promise me you won’t get mad.”
Her victorious smile instantly falls. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. You know I can’t promise that, Darius.”
I wince and avert my gaze. “Yeah, I know. Can’t fault a guy for trying, though.” I take a deep breath and steady myself for the backlash. “Ok. Look. Back at Tryon, there was only one way to get those guys off the property in order to give us enough clearance to get out of there without being noticed or followed. You already know I was the drone operator, that I was in communication with the others.”
Almost on instinct, her hip ominously cocks out to the side as she waits for me to continue.
Oh, this is gonna hurt. I wince again, groaning and scrunching my nose with how much I don’t want to reveal this to her. I don’t want to say it. I’d rather recite all of War and Peace while standing on hot coals and getting impaled by fiery arrows.But then she lifts a single eyebrow, giving me that same look that she did earlier, and I turn into a fucking weak-ass bitch. “Gahhhh. Fuck. Shit. Ok. Dammit. Fuck!”
She purses her lips, waiting for me to continue, while I rub my sweaty palms on my thighs and force myself to man the fuck up. “What you don’t know... is that after I found you, after I maneuvered you out from that garden and into a safe area, you had an episode. A halluc—” Her eyebrow lifts higher, and I feel my butthole clench in response. Choosing life, I alter my trajectory. “One of your phantom talks with your friend there.” Her eyes narrow, probably wondering where in the fuck I’m going with this. I hesitate a second longer, bracing myself for the impact I know is coming my way. “During that time, I discreetly made a broadcast that I found the girl and promised I’d meet them back at Phoenix Rising with her in tow.”
I immediately close my eyes, fearing the worst from her in the most direct version of impending attacks. A nut shot. Smack to the face. Punch to the gut. Baseball bat to my head. All are completely reasonable at this point. But seconds go by. Silence creeps in. Even the bugs around us have vanished, probably sensing her wrath and the explosion that’s about to occur. I peek open an eyelid and take a look, terrified at what I’ll find.
But there’s no response from her.
No tilt of the head to aid in her vexation.
No crossing of her arms to indicate her pissed-off-ness.
Not even a huff of indignation.
Absolute. Silence.
Oh my God.... I’m gonna die.
Lingering off to the side of our silent standoff is Sadie. The dog looks at Alessandra. Then at me. Then back at her againbefore slowly backing away, her tail tucked between her legs, ears flattened to her skull.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“Really?” The single curt word lands like a haymaker to my temple. Hands trembling at my sides, I let out a quaking breath to tame the lightheadedness I’m suddenly battling because of the fact that I’mnot fucking breathing!
Oh, holy shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee... Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for ME now, for this is, undoubtedly, my hour of death!
I finish my silent prayer to the patron saint of peace and maternal protection, pretty much calling out for my mommy at the rage I see in Alessandra’s eyes, but I don’t care. With the way she’s looking at me, I need protection, and I need it quick. I just about shrink into myself as I meekly respond, “Yes, ma’am....”
