Holy shit.This whole time, O’Malley had his daughter’s location? Was he using her as bait? And how does this bode for Sky?
As I search my maps app for an alternate route around the Hummers, Jasper says, “She’s going to need stitches. Give me the first aid kit.”
Eventually, Adrian remembers I’m still on the phone. “So, what’s the plan for retrieving your lady friend?”
My dead silence says all he needs to know.
“Ah crap. Don’t worry. Drac put a drone in the air and has eyes on her vehicle. After we hang up, I’ll have him forward the link to your phone. We’ve also reached out to the Feds. You should hear from them soon.”
“Careful. Ophelia thought Tommy had a paid informer inside The Bureau. Tell them to research an agent named Brownstone. I believed their relationship to be… unusual.” The fact he insisted she only speak with him rubbed me the wrong way, but I don’t say so out loud.
While we talk, the ORA stop shooting, enter their vehicles and drive off. If not for my siblings, I’d have no idea where they’ve taken Sky.
“Thank you, all of you.” When my throat grows tight, Jasper laughs.
“We’ve always got your six, baby brother.”
Huh. This time the childish moniker doesn’t piss me off. “Copy that.”
Back on the road, following the drone, my phone rings and I pick up. "Yeah?"
“Brennan? It’s Special Agent Colin O’Brien.”
Finally.I heave out a sigh of relief. “Did my brothers fill you in?”
“Yes. As reckless as Sky’s move was, she put us in an excellent position to find the missing weapons. We’ve got everyone trying to verify your intel, but crossing lines of jurisdiction takes time. However, after saving the internet, the president thinks your brother Drac walks on water and I’m sure we’ll soon have all the resources we need.”
“Thanks, but if you don’t mind me asking, how the fuck did we lose three nuclear missiles?”
Chapter 12
Sky
With half their vehicles fighting off Tommy’s thugs, the mercenaries searched me, found Charlie’s tracker, and smashed it. After covering my head and binding my limbs, the driver made two left turns and one right. Since then, the vehicle’s velocity has remained consistent, so it’s safe to assume we’re on a highway.
Three-thousand-six-hundred Mississippis and still no rescue.For over an hour, my captor’s Kevlar vests have dug into my shoulders. Bruised, I pull in my arms, but the Goliaths on either side of me steal my space.
Recalling I’m supposed to be a teenager, I stop counting and whine, “Why can’t I talk to my father?”
One gorilla grunts, and a few equally stimulating conversations later, I give up. Instead, I use sounds to try and pinpoint my location. However, the roar of the engine and the hum of tires on pavement mask any clues.
Four-thousand-and-thirty-two seconds later, the vehicle stops. Bound, nylon over my head, I squint at the five gray blobs arguing outside the car.
“Enough. Do it.” The terrorist-in-charge points at me, then one of his flunkies returns to the back seat.
At his evil laugh, I scoot away, and kick out. If I’m going to die, I’ll go down fighting. With a hand clamped around my foot, he drags my ass toward him, and flashes a huge knife.
Oh shit.Cold steel brushes against my calves, I brace for the cut, and exhale as my ankle bindings snap. Before I can take my next breath, I’m pulled out of the car by my hair. My scream quiets the crickets and frogs, leaving nothing but the crunch of army boots on gravel.
Shoving my hands forward, I walk toward the only thing I can see through the fabric, a grainy porch light. When the giant pulls too hard, I howl, stumble, and fall to the ground. Knees wet, I rise, inhaling mud, manure, and hay.
“Move it.” After the asshole drags me up three hollow wooden steps, I cross the ten-foot room, am pushed down a hall, and land on a soft, but urine-soaked surface.
As soon as the door latches, I make two fists, and thrust my arms down on either side of my thigh. Two painful attempts later, broken ties fall to the floor.
Thanks, Dad.
Not knowing how long I have before the mercenaries return, I tug off the balaclava and rub my blistered skin in the dim light. The room has two boarded-up windows, a doorless closet, and a stained mattress. Deep cracks line the walls over four-inch plank flooring.
