Page 66 of Glass Rose
“I offer sanctuary.” Gabriel’s voice hardens. “Resources and protection.”
John scoffs. “And we’re supposed to take your word on that?”
“Mr. Keller, I understand your skepticism. But consider the alternative. The world as we knew it is gone. The infrastructure has collapsed. Law enforcement, healthcare, basic services… All decimated. What I offer is civilization in the midst of chaos.”
Marcus and Dr. Cho exchange glances. The promise of safety, of returning to some semblance of normal life, istempting—I can see it in their eyes. But Sofia’s expression remains resolute.
“What about camera boy?” John asks. “What did you promise him?”
A chuckle filters through the speakers. “Mr. Torres? A place in our new community. His documentation skills will be invaluable for recording this historic transition.”
“Let me make a counteroffer.” I face the microphone. “You take your private army and fuck off back to whatever hole you crawled out of, and I don’t come out there and show you exactly what your daddy’s experiments turned me into. Pity he can’t see it himself.”
Sofia’s eyes widen, and she comes up to me, flattening her hand on my chest. But I know what I’m doing. If there’s one thing I learned during fourteen months of captivity, it’s how to read the people holding the needles.
“I don’t think you understand your position,” Gabriel says. “I have twelve armed men surrounding your location. Even with your… enhancements, the odds aren’t in your favor.”
“Come and get us, rich boy.”
John cuts the connection, turning to me with raised eyebrows. “Pissing off the man with the guns might not be the best strategy.”
“It is if you want to make him sloppy.” I check my weapon one final time. “Angry men make mistakes. Especially entitled pricks like Gabriel Green who’ve never had to fight their own battles.”
Sofia studies me. “You’re deliberately provoking him.”
“If he was going to negotiate in good faith, he wouldn’t have brought a small army,” I point out. “He came prepared to take what he wants by force. All I’m doing is making sure he does it angry instead of calculated.”
Dr. Cho adjusts her glasses. “A sound psychological strategy,assuming his emotional response overrides his logical thinking.”
“Trust me.” I meet each of their gazes in turn. “Men like Gabriel Green care about two things—control and legacy. I just challenged both.”
“What’s the plan?” Marcus clutches his rifle with the awkward grip of someone who’s practiced but never fired in combat.
I study the warehouse blueprint taped to the wall. “John and I create a diversion at the main entrance. Draw their attention, keep them busy. Meanwhile, Sofia, Cho, and Marcus slip out the east service door.”
“Then what?” Sofia asks. “We’re on foot in the middle of nowhere.”
Marcus steps forward. “I can hot-wire one of their SUVs. Misspent youth.” He shrugs at Dr. Cho’s raised eyebrow. “Later.”
“Once you have the vehicle, head to the abandoned gas station we passed about ten miles back,” I continue. “Wait twelve hours. If we don’t show, keep moving north.”
“I don’t like splitting up,” Sofia says.
I frame her face with my hands, forcing her to look at me. “This gives us the best chance. You know that.”
“I’ll pre-set mines at the main entrance. Remote detonation,” John says. “Should buy us some time.”
“What about Alex?” Dr. Cho asks
“If he gets in the way, don’t hesitate,” I say.
Our small group disperses to prepare, and I catch Sofia’s arm, tugging her back to me.
Her eyes search mine, fear and determination warring in their depths. “Promise me you’ll make it out.”
I rest my forehead against hers, breathing in her scent one last time in case it’s the last. “I’ll find you. No matter what. But if things go sideways… Don’t wait for me. Promise me.”
“I—”
