EJ tilted his head but didn’t reply. I walked over to Xander, and he quickly popped me to our room. My husband declared, “You’re going out.” It wasn't a question. I nodded, “Yes… but I’ll be back.” Xander growled, “Of course you will. I’ll wage war to ensure that’s the outcome if I have to.” That was… an overreaction….yet it made me feel warm inside.
I told him, “I was going to tell you before I left. I wasn’t just going to leave without talking to you.” My mate gritted his teeth, “Are you going alone?” I answered, “No.” Xander surmised, “This is about Nate’s sisters then. They’ve been found.”
I said, “I mean… I don’t… that’s… you don’t….” Xander interrupted, “Oh, but I do. You were talking to him now you’re going out. Nate was so happy it was ridiculous.” Xander crossed the room and slammed his lips onto mine.
My husband pulled back from our kiss to say, “You better stay safe.” I reasoned, “You’ve seen me in action… I get away every time.” Xander raised an eyebrow pointing out, “I’ve seen you charge in alone to save Everly and Julianna. Speaking of, tell me the guy on the motorcycle was Mason.”
I confirmed, “It was. Going was… not exactly the popular choice… but…everyone was wrong and I was right… so. The point was it was Mason. Why?” Freya snorted. Xander answered, “Him, I don’t have to kill for you being wrappedaround him. He’s an uncle to you and his feelings for you are paternal. You be careful out there.”
I countered, “I’ll do what’s needed, but I will come home to you… because that’s not something I’m giving up. I’ve lived for the hope of us… and us together is more than I ever imagined… so… I’m coming back… and I will do anything to make that happen.”
Xander growled and kissed me. My mate linked, “See that you do.” When we managed to break apart, we were both breathing hard. The bond told me he was barely holding himself back from claiming me, and if not for the fact those prisoners deserved to come home as soon as I could manage it; I’d let him.
Xander walked me down to my office. His Hackura Guard was standing there looking leery. I smiled and kissed Xander again. I squeezed his hand, assuring him, “I’ll see you soon.” Then walked into my office and found Kingsley waiting.
I clapped saying, “Good, Val brought you.” Kingsley chuckled, “Yes, but H is here.” Of course he was. I said, “Let’s bring Demi home.” We changed into our Resistance gear and strapped ourselves down with weapons.
We all took each other’s hands so Valentina could shimmer us to Bankhead National Forest. I ordered, “Paige, put up a holoport back to Black Mountain.” Paige nodded and got to work. I looked at Kingsley. My friend smiled, “I’ll boost a car and pretend to be the getaway driver. Then double back to the portal.” Kingsley went off on her own to accomplish her part.
I looked at Valentina, “Shimmer to our facility in Missouri. Get me a fast car and shimmer back here.” Valentina nodded. Addison surmised, “You’re backing up K. Why are you preparing to have to have her six?” I explained, “It’s just in case.” Addison nodded.
Valentina had the car when she shimmered back. I asked, “Avery, you’ve got the real getaway car right?” Avery nodded,“Yes, I’ll be waiting.” I nodded saying, “We are all going home after this.” Everyone nodded, knowing I would never let them get hurt or captured.
We scouted the area. This facility was heavily guarded, but we knew that. We’d studied their patterns. I hadn’t had Freya when we had though. I asked, “Freya, can you sense anything?” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could feel people under us.
The facility was larger than most. I wanted to cringe realizing that, but I didn’t. This was going to be a rescue of more than just Demi. I linked everyone, “Avery… get a van. Paige, steal another one. This is a big facility… and we’re clearing it.” Everyone agreed and we waited.
Addison linked me, “What are we waiting for?” I answered, “Eventually, they will open an entrance. It has to happen.” I could feel it. Addison frowned, “We’ve been watching them for a while. We’ve never seen an entrance.”
I told her, “We will today. I feel it.” Addison nodded. It took another thirty minutes, then a patch of leaves moved, and the entrance was revealed. I was already on the move. I quickly killed the man who opened the hatch. Mason and Hendrick were sniping the guards. We moved in silently.
I linked Freya, “You know what Demi smells like so… can you smell her?” Freya snorted, “Of course.” I let Freya come forward and she led us down corridors. We killed those we came across. Having no scent had serious perks. We could smell them coming, but they couldn’t smell us.
I entered a sterile room, quickly killed two doctors, before grabbing Demi. They’d been about to cut into her. Demi clung to me whispering, “She was telling the truth.” I mean… she was me… so yes. Freya chuckled in my head.
I handed her to Dax. I ordered, “Get her out of here.” He nodded. I told Freya, “The central room controlling the lockswill be in the middle of the facility.” Freya said, “How fun.” Dangerous too. Addison grabbed my arm, “We can’t…” I cut her off, “We can’t leave these other people here to suffer. You guys hide and when the doors unlock, you get them out and get home.”
Addison pleaded, “Don’t ask me to leave you here.” I replied, “K, Mason, and Hendrick will be here. I’ll get out here… so I’m asking you….to know they are here…so I’ll get out… I have something waiting for me outside these walls now.”
Addison linked me, “They would want you more than anyone else. If they catch you and take off that mask, Mel, nothing good follows.” I replied, “It won’t happen. I’m going home to Xander and you’re going home to Jase.” Addison sighed, “Be more careful than you have ever been.” I nodded.
It was odd feeling both Freya and I in control. I easily cracked the code to the security room. I took out my gun and put a silencer on it. I killed the five men inside, locked the door, and scrambled the code then took a deep breath.
Freya linked, “As soon as the doors open, they will all come here.” I answered, “I know.” I started hacking knowing it would go faster with two people. I opened a browser and prayed Micah was online. I sent a text to his watch.
Within seconds I got a message that Micah was ready. I quickly realized his dad was with him too. I took a deep breath. I linked Sierra, “PRINCE GUNNER IS HACKING WITH ME!” Sierra snorted, “Dear god, focus. You can’t get caught because you’re freaking out. Show off your skills.” True… calm. I could do that.
It was time to impress my mentor… that never knew he was my mentor. The three of us took down the layers. This place was intense. I gave Micah and Gunner breadcrumbs to follow so they wouldn’t unlock the address.
They couldn’t show up here… because the Conners would come with them… and the rest of the Cambridge’s… that could blow me and my friends as the Resistance members. I was using one of my signatures. They’d crack this one, but I had a few.
Estella was hidden under one I didn’t give up. Or they’d know… in minutes, who I really was. They’d crack a few more things though, but that was ok. The people here were more important. I sent Micah another message.
Once we unlocked the doors, he’d have fifteen minutes tops to download everything he could. The Ring shut it all down. We had their pattern by now. I uploaded my code to help him get everything they’d need and I knew they were ready.
I linked Xander, “I love you, Xander.” My husband snarled, “I love you too. What the hell does that mean? Because it better mean you’re on your way home. What’s going on?” I explained, “Ohh… ya know… just charging into a gun battle. Must be Tuesday.” My mate did not laugh.
Freya urged, “Say more words.” I told my mate, “Don’t worry… I’m coming home. I just wanted to hear your voice.” Xander growled, “Melanie Jane Conners, don’t you dare get caught.” I scoffed, “Me? Caught? Never.” That was true… the only way someone would take me was if I let them… statistically speaking.
