Keira snorted. “Is that what they tell the world is located in the compound, a young ladies rehabilitation camp?”
“I’m surprised, with a name like that, they didn’t have any mandatory social services oversight,” Rogue said.
“I had the same thought,” Royce said. “Swede dug deeper to find that a charitable corporation funds the camp. He dug deeper and found that the charity has ties to a company in which Marcus Kaufman owns a majority stake. Alan Strickland also owns a significant number of shares. I’m sending you the locations of the stops en route as well as the exact coordinates of the camp.” Royce paused. “Please tell me you’re not going to do something incredibly stupid.”
Rogue’s lips twisted. “Define stupid.”
Royce responded with, “Assaulting a fortified compound with three people and limited ammunition. I’ve seen the satellite images. That place is a fortress.”
Rogue’s gaze met Keira’s as he responded to his boss. “Then yes, we're about to do something incredibly stupid.”
Royce sighed. “I figured as much. I've got your back as much as I can from here. Senator Hartley is ready to move on Strickland the moment you get that evidence. But Rogue...be careful. The compound isn't your only problem. Strickland has activated a black-ops team made up of former Delta Force operators. They're headed to Texas. If they find you?—"
“Don’t worry,” Rogue said. “We plan on being in and out before they get close.”
“I hope you're right,” Royce said. “Good luck to you all.”
“Thank you, sir, for everything,” Rogue said.
Royce snorted. “Don’t thank me yet. Come back alive and thank me in person. And bring the testimonies Senator Hartley needs to shut Strickland down.”
“Yes, sir,” Rogue said.
“Out here.” Royce ended the call.
“I’ve been thinking,” Jade said. “We might have it easier if Viktor isn’t at the compound when we make our move.”
“He’s usually there during the week,” Keira said. “How do you propose to get him to leave before we arrive tomorrow?”
“I can send him a message tonight that I’m coming into the Corsicana site tomorrow at noon. I’ll only show up if he’s the one who’s there to meet me, and I’ll deliver the information I have on Keira.”
“You think that’s enough to make him leave the southern compound?” Rogue asked.
“If he wants me and has a chance to catch Keira, I think so.” Jade’s brow twisted. “At least it doesn’t hurt to try to get him out long enough for us to get to Lily.”
Keira nodded. “You can send the message through my laptop’s encrypted channel before we leave early in the morning. He shouldn’t be able to trace it. And if he does, we’ll be gone before he can get here.”
The satellite phone chirped with an incoming text.
Rogue checked the message. “We have the addresses and GPS coordinates of the truck’s scheduled stops tomorrow morning.”
“Since the truck is making two stops before it gets to the compound, we should plan on making our move at the stop before the compound,” Keira said.
Rogue nodded. “Agreed. We’ll take out the driver there and hide you and Jade in the back.”
“Which means we need to get an early start in the morning to be at that second stop well before the truck arrives.” Keira glanced at her watch. “We should get some sleep.”
Jade turned to Keira, grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly. “If something happens to me tomorrow...if I don't make it out...promise me you'll get Lily somewhere safe—away from Onyx. Someplace she can be happy and make a life of her own choosing."
Keira squeezed Jade’s hand back. “Nothing's going to happen to you. We’re going to make it happen according to the plan.”
Jade shook her head. “But if something does happen and I can’t be there for Lily, I need you to promise you’ll take care of her. Promise."
“I promise,” Keira said.
Rogue covered both of their hands with his bigger one. “You have my word. We'll protect her like she's our own."
“Thank you.” Tears filled Jade’s eyes and slipped down her cheeks. She swiped at them, frowning. “I know that as Onyx, we’re not supposed to cry, but fuck that.” She stared down at her damp hand and then looked up at Keira, her jaw set in a fierce line. “And fuck Onyx.”
