Page 125 of Marks of Rebellion
"Yeah. He served in Iraq with me for several months."
"Well, he's in Belize, and he's got a group of team members who all retired there. We would have moved there, too, but it was a little more expensive than we were comfortable with, based on my work limitations and all." He holds up his arm. "Should I give him a call?"
Mack Griston's a hardcore, trained sniper. The guys call me a hothead, but he's certifiably crazy in my book. If he hadn't focused on protecting the country, I'm pretty sure he would have ended up in jail for murder. He has severe rage issues, and everyone in our unit worked hard to keep him focused on steering it toward the enemy and not the team. And he's one of the best shooters I know.
Kyle is right. If I'm going to get my Flower out in one piece, I'm going to need backup. Mack is just the guy to put together a covert mission.
I hold out my hand for the phone. "No. Let me call him."
23
Vanessa
"I gaveyou a sponge bath when you were sleeping. All fresh and clean now," Esther says, smiling like she's my best friend.
You aren't fooling me. You're the devil. You work for him.
Stay calm. Esther said if I stayed calm, she would let me out.
When?
Four days I've been good. I've not screamed or cried.
How long have I been here?
"Thank you, Esther. That's very kind of you," I force myself to say.
There's a knock on the door. A woman with dark hair pulled into a tight bun on the top of her head enters the room.
Who is that?
I'm about to ask when Carlos steps into the room behind her. My pulse races, and against my will, a tear falls down my cheek.
"Esther, you're relieved of your duties," Carlos barks.
Esther's eyes widen. "Sir?"
"It's been almost a month. You've not helped Vanessa progress. You will resume your normal work schedule."
"Y-yes, sir. Sorry, sir. I tried to—"
"Out, now," he barks, and my chest tightens as I try to breathe.
Esther scurries out of the bedroom.
The woman comes closer to me, and her heels click on the wood floor. Her eyes are dark and cold, and a new chill surfaces inside me.
She scans my body then turns to Carlos. "The straitjacket needs to be removed."
"She was out of control."
"She isn't now, is she?"
"No. But she is not acting rationally since she got back."
She raises her eyebrows at me. "Are you going to act irrationally?"
"N-no."
