Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“We discussed it with Holly and she knew they’d never be safe as long as they were in contact with her. We moved them out very quickly. We gave them new identities and a new house and new jobs, far away from the FEA’s reach. Trust me, they’re happier than before.”
“You changed their memories, didn’t you?”
He hesitated a heartbeat. “It was for the best, really. They’ll never find out. They can lead a normal happy life without worrying about their daughter. Plus, their new circumstances are much more comfortable than before.”
I sucked in a breath. “You removed Holly from their memories.”
“She wanted us to,” he said quietly. “If there’s ever a time of peace, she can return to her parents. We’ll give them their memories back and everything will be fine.”
I doubted that everything would be fine that easily, almost as much as I doubted that there would ever be peace between the FEA and Abel’s Army—not as long as Major was there, and even then… “I can’t believe Holly gave up her family like that.”
“Sometimes we have to let go of the people we love to keep them safe,” Zach said.
I wanted to believe him, but I wasn’t so sure.
The FEA helicopters became small black dots in the distance as we left Las Vegas behind. This was it. I was pretty sure there was no going back. I had really and truly crossed the line, and Major would never forgive me for this. Even if I decided to escape with Holly and not stay with Abel, Major would treat my actions as treason. And maybe they were. Because saving Holly was only one reason for my willingness to go with Zach. More than anything, I wanted to meet my dad.
“You’re angry with me.” He touched my hands, which were balled into fists in my lap.
I uncurled them and rested my fingers loosely on my thighs. “I’m not angry. It’s just a lot to take in.” I shook my head. “Why did you kidnap Holly? Was it an accident?”
Zach snorted. “That’s what happens when Dad or I don’t take matters into our own hands.”
I cocked an eyebrow in silent question.
“I wanted to be part of that mission. I knew I could make you see that the FEA was the wrong choice, but Dad didn’t want to risk it. He knew Major would be close by and he feared that I would get captured. Everything would be lost if Major ever got his hands on me.”
“The mission didn’t go as planned. Will sent a too-powerful shock wave and knocked out two of our own men. Then everything got out of control. They were just trying to save their own skin, and then Jago spotted a girl in black. He said he had seen her appearance flicker; she looked like FEA and since he had only one chance, he grabbed her,” Zach continued. “Of course we figured out pretty quickly that it wasn’t you, but we were glad that we had Holly. She’s a great addition to our group. And we knew we could kill two birds with one stone. Holly is your best friend. We were sure you would be part of a rescue mission. We actually never considered you running away from the FEA on your own.”
I wasn’t on my own, I thought. I was with Devon. My heart ached when I thought of him. I’d have to go back for him some day. I couldn’t leave him in the hands of Major.
“What about Stevens?”
Zach frowned. “You mean Harold?”
I bit my lip. I didn’t even know his first name. “The agent that you kidnapped in Livingston.”
“We didn’t kidnap him.” Zach chuckled, giving me a wide grin. “He came all on his own. He wasn’t happy at the FEA. He didn’t like how he was treated and that he was forbidden from keeping his relationship with a normal woman.” He sighed.
I nodded. It was strange to think about saving someone from FEA. FEA had always been the epitome of good for me. But I hadn’t known any better.
I closed my eyes and let my head fall back against the seat. The vibrations of the helicopter went right through me and the whir of the blades called forth a headache. This was all too much for my brain to compute. Thinking about FEA hurt. Every time a memory of the happy times I’d spent there entered my mind, I felt like my heart was ripped out. And Alec. He’d been my friend, my protector, my love, and now? What would he become? My hunter? My enemy?
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” Zach murmured again. “I thought my memories were all I’d ever get.”
I turned to face him and tried to memorize every inch of his face, just like he seemed to do with mine. His nose was a tad wider than mine, and the shadow of stubble showed on his chin and cheeks, but our similarities were striking.