Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Makes sense,” Caleb says, and when I go to hand the phone back, Caleb adds, “One more call. We’re concerned that a lot of people saw you with Creed. We believe they were all with Julian, not your father, but just in case. We think you telling him you had a run-in with Creed is a good idea. It will offset any stories he might be told and buy us some time.”
“I was seen with Creed,” I say, my gaze shifting to Creed’s. “I don’t know how I didn’t think of that.”
“I did,” he says. “Which is why this is a dangerous endeavor, Addie.”
I draw in a breath. “But necessary. I’m going to have to be fast about what I do, though.” I shift my gaze to Caleb. “And so are you.”
“We will be,” Caleb assures me. “Think of a story and tell us when you’re ready.”
“Just make the call,” I say to Jensen. “I got it.”
He nods, and a moment later, the phone is ringing again. My father answers quickly, and I teasingly say, “Hello, General,” trying not to sound strained.
“Addie, sweetheart,” he says. “How do you feel?”
“My headache is better, but there’s something else. A problem.”
He pauses for a mere second, but it was there, rich with tension. “What is it?”
“I went out to the pharmacy for meds, and Creed approached me. He says he’s working for the Renegades now.”
“You saw Creed?” His voice is incredulous.
“Yes,” I say. “I agreed to have coffee with him because a public place felt safest. But it was horrible. I was a nervous wreck. And I tried to get information from him, but I failed.”
“What did he want?”
“Me,” I say, my eyes meeting Creed’s, and the punch of emotion between us is palpable.
“Over my dead body, quite literally,” my father replies. “Don’t you worry, little one. I’ll handle this with Caleb and make it clear that Creed is not to be allowed near you. He will not hurt you.”
We exchange a few more words and then disconnect. I hand the phone back to Jensen, my hand unsteady. Pitting the man I love against my father is a no-win situation, and it’s killing me.
“That was damn convincing,” Jensen says approvingly. “That bought us time. I know it did.”
“Thank you, Addie,” Caleb adds.
Creed says nothing.
He won’t even look at me.
Caleb stands, and we all follow him to our feet. He offers me a nod and starts for the door, and when Jensen and Creed follow, I’m in disbelief. Is Creed really going to be this shitty to me? I think he is, and my restraint snaps. “Don’t you dare walk out that door, Creed.”
He freezes, and the other two men are smart enough to make a fast exit, shutting the door behind them.
Chapter Forty-Five
Brock
I did everything the general wanted. I called Addie. I lured her back to him. Now I want out of this fucking confinement. At least I’m dressed now in army-green fatigues and standing just outside the cage, but time stretches onward, long and wide. I’m jittery, and a damnable muscle in my jaw won’t stop twitching—adrenaline hums through me like an electric current. Somehow, I keep my look steady and stand tall and proud.
I’m being tested.
Can I be trusted outside the cage?
A test I have to pass.
Lawrence approaches and stands in front of me, glaring at me several beats. “You’re ready for action, aren’t you, son?”
I salute. “Yes, sir.” A lie, of course, as I can barely focus on anything but that damn twitch in my jaw and the need to reach for Jocelyn and pull her close. I’m aware of her at all times. She’s standing behind the table, the scent of her floral and ripe. But I will say or do anything to keep Lawrence from shocking me again. I’m pretty damn sure my brain will fry if he juices me many more times.
“He’s not ready for action,” Jocelyn objects. “He shouldn’t even be outside that cage. Not until Dr. Chin figures out what is causing his aggressive behavior.”
And damn it, Lawrence holds up the remote. “I only have to punch this to control his aggression. We don’t have the luxury of time. Not with Creed breathing down my neck.” He inhales deeply, as if he were inhaling power. “You will have my laser weapons ready, I assume?”
She hesitates but nods her confirmation. “They’re in mass production even as we speak.”
“Excellent, Jocelyn,” he approves, speaking to her but looking at me as he places a hand on her cheek, caressing it with the intimacy of a lover, while the other goes to the remote—silently daring me to challenge him.
“Stop it, General,” Jocelyn snaps, trying to pull away, but Lawrence slides his hand under her hair, his palm on her neck, as he drags her to him.
I can feel my body shaking with the effort to control myself. With almighty effort, I turn away, walk inside the cage, and shut myself inside, locking the door.