“Thank you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Apollo
Apollo had seen his sister and Rocko chatting in the kitchen and immediately noticed the positive difference in Ellen.It further confirmed his belief that the man had an innate ability to sense others’ needs.
It was his job to make everyone feel protected and safe.Yes, they were prepared, armed, and comfortable using their abilities against anyone stupid enough to attack them here on their property, but they needed to be uber vigilant.And if Levy or the Noah Group showed up, they’d be in for a rude awakening and one hell of a fight.
They were busy fortifying the compound before heading out and taking the fight to Levy.Hendrix, Griffin, and Blade had taken on the task of expanding their bunker system to hold more provisions, weapons, and people if necessary.Ace had been working with Spencer from Brick’s team to gather as much information on this new group as they could.Information was power.The more they knew, the safer they’d be.
Damon, Xavier, and Jagger had been upgrading the security systems around the compound and out into the surrounding forest.Sensors, both heat- and motion-activated, as well as cameras, were installed alongside the original security measures they’d put in place when they first arrived.
Rosaline, Mary, Ellen, Renee, and Asher were busy canning and preparing food that could be stored for extended periods in case they were unable to make it to town.They were trying to cover their bases even if it seemed extreme.
Jagger and Ace were able to track down an old police report on a hit-and-run involving Gerald’s father.Apparently, the body of Gerald’s father was found on the side of the road, less than one hundred feet away from Levy Construction offices.No one was ever charged, and the case quickly went cold.However, according to Rocko’s vision, a female mutant had killed him as far as Gerald was concerned.Why was still a mystery, but Apollo would put money on the fact that, considering the older Levy had hunted mutants as well, the woman was trying to get away from him.Levy was no innocent victim in that hit-and-run.
Rocko had extended his leave from work, but as of yet, Apollo hadn’t had the chance to bring up the subject of Rocko staying here with him.Something always interrupted their conversation.
Rocko and Frank were installing the last of the satellites while Apollo had been on the phone with Brick.The team leader from Fire Lake, Texas, had offered to send members of his team to New York to help with the search for Tom and deal with Levy and his goons.Apollo wasn’t too bullheaded to reject the offer, and he told Brick he’d get back to him if things heated up and they needed assistance.
The coordinates Rocko had seen in one of his visions led to a location south of Gull Bay Preserve on the other side of Lake George in Vermont.They were using satellite imagery to search the area for any structures, but so far, they’d come up with nothing.In the coming days, they’d be heading out to do an on-the-ground survey.Everyone knew the odds of Tom still being alive weren’t great; however, no one spoke the words.
Apollo exited his office and headed for the front door.He wanted to check in with the team’s progress on their various projects.There were many moving parts, and he needed to keep an eye on everything.It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his team; Apollo’s nature was very hands-on and involved in what was happening around him.In truth, he wasn’t sure if it was part of his nature or a mutation, but the need was strong.As for his racing mind, his thoughts had calmed thanks to Rocko, and for the first time, he’d experienced moments of peace and contentment.
He’d been standing on the deck in the sunlight, staring out over the compound, and a strange feeling came over him.Renee had felt the shift in him.Her healing mutation allowed her to feel people’s state of being, and she’d described it as contentment.
Of course, just as he found his “contentment,” Levy and his crew had come along and fucked it up.Go figure.
No use in lamenting his lost moment; it was time for preparations.
“How’s the setup going?”he asked Rocko and Frank when he rounded the corner of the main house.
“It took a bit of tweaking, but I believe we’ve got it in the right position,” Rocko said.
Apollo couldn’t help himself and pulled Rocko in for a quick kiss, unconcerned that Frank was standing only a few feet away.When Frank chuckled, Apollo looked at him in question.
“I don’t mean any offense,” Frank said.“I’m reminiscing about young love.When my late wife and I met, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other, but that was a different time.We had to be careful, or her parents would have forbidden her from seeing me.”
“They didn’t like you?”Rocko asked.
“She was too good for me.I knew it, but the heart wants what the heart wants.”
“Yes, it does,” Apollo agreed while looking down at his lover, and Rocko graced him with that sexy grin of his.
He had to really take the time to sit Rocko down and have that conversation.
***
Rocko
He was trying to decipher that look on Apollo’s face when Ace came racing out of the house.
“We have movement on Frank’s property,” he yelled.
“Let’s move,” Apollo stated.
Moments later, the team converged around the dining table.Ace and Jagger were typing furiously on their laptops while Griffin and Hendrix brought in duffel bags of equipment, tactical gear, and weapons.Rocko noticed Mary’s face had gone pale.
