“What do you mean?” Knight asks, frowning.
“We have a plan.”
Knight stares expectantly at Jase.
“We’ll tell you when we get there.”
“You don’t trust me,” Knight deduces as he starts going down the stairs.
“This could be a trap,” I say, voicing my concerns out loud. I really don’t think it is. I think Knight is sincere, but it’s so hard to know who to trust, and these Luminaries are skilled at manipulation. We have to play it smart.
“It could,” Knight says, looking back at me as I descend the stairs behind him. “But it’s not. I understand trust is earned, and I plan to do that. This is just the start.” Determination exudes from his tone and the expression on his face. “Whatever you’re planning, I’m all in.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Ashley
Knight fills us in on everything he knows, which is pretty much the same as us, as we race along the tunnel infrastructure underneath the Carter house and grounds. He tells us how his—our—great-great-grandfather built all of this in the late eighteen hundreds so his family would always have a way of escaping should they come under attack. Right now, I could kiss that man—if he were alive—because his actions are bringing us closer to rescuing Chad.
When we reach the end, the farthest-most point of the tunnel, we are all panting and sweating despite how frigidly cold it is down here. Knight pulls a couple of stones out of the wall, revealing a stash of handguns. “I know it’s not much, but it’s all I could safely stow. Mom uses this tunnel, and I didn’t want her finding anything that would give the game away.”
“We shouldn’t need it,” Baz says, accepting one of the weapons. “But we’re grateful.”
“Are you still not going to tell me what the plan is?” Knight asks, distributing the rest of the guns.
“The less you know, the better,” Jase says, before adding, “and it’s not solely that we don’t trust you. If you mean what you say, that you’re on our side, you need to stay out of this. We shouldn’t compromise your position.”
“Jase is right,” I say, curling my fingers around the handgun Knight hands me. “Rhett can’t know you’re helping us. You’re more valuable on the inside.”
“I’ll send you the coordinates to the back gate and the code to get out. I’ll have your limo waiting there for you,” he adds, punching digits into the wall-mounted keypad. The door pings open. Knight holds us back, popping outside to check the coast is clear before we pile out.
Dense forest surrounds us on all sides, and up ahead, just visible in the distance, is the building we need. A chilly breeze wafts around us, lifting strands of my hair. I hemmed and hawed over how to wear my hair tonight, but I’m glad I chose not to wear it up. At least the long length protects my neck from the cold.
“Stick to the edges of the forest,” Knight says. “It will conceal you as you make your approach.”
“We’ve got it covered,” Ares grits out, rubbing his hands and itching to get on with this.
I was happy when he readily agreed to come tonight. He’s not exactly a fan of Chad, but he hasn’t wavered in his support. He isn’t only here for me. Trafficking is something Ares feels very strongly about because of what happened to his sister. He’s motivated to put a stop to this, and I think he’s angry on Chad’s behalf, and he wants to see those who did this to him punished.
Maybe, just maybe, he’s rethinking his stance on my ex now he knows Chad wasn’t involved in trafficking or Lili’s kidnapping. At least, I really hope he is.
Bree and I hand Knight our ankle boots. We swapped them out for the ballet flats we stashed in our purses when we first came down here. Neither of us wanted to slow things down by attempting to run in heels. “Can you hold on to these for me?” I ask my brother, a little thrill running through me at that word.
“No problem.”
“Thanks.” I smile at Knight as Jase comes up behind me, covering me with his warmth. Nighttime in December in Cali iscold.
Knight returns my smile. “Good luck and be safe. You have my number.” He looks over my head. “Use it if you need backup.”
“We’ll be in touch,” Baz says as Jase takes my hand and turns us around.
“Ashley. Wait.”
I turn back and face Knight.
“I know this isn’t the time or place, but I was hoping we could spend some time together over the Christmas break. I’d like to get to know you.”
Warmth spreads across my chest, and my answering smile is genuine. “I would really like that. We’ll set something up.”
