Page 83 of Secret Redemption

But today he got to take them home. Well, not home, but their temporary home until the threat level eased up. Their room was ready thanks to Megan and Lucy who had seemed to bond over their niece and nephew’s arrival.

He just hoped it would help his father. His dad had aged so much since losing Lizzie and Dane was terrified that the man he loved and who had raised him had died as much as Lizzie had. His heart just couldn't take any further heartbreak.

Leah wriggled her little body, her head turning mouthing for food. She was tiny, but she had a good set of lungs on her and didn’t mind letting everyone know when she was displeased about something. She was an assertive little thing too, not bossy as Lucy had called her. His child was assertive just like her mummy.

A grin tugged his lips as his daughter tried to pull his pinkie into her mouth.

“What has you grinning so wide?” Lauren asked with a tired but contented look that made him fall even more in love with her. He hadn't thought that was possible, but every time she looked at their children with such love, he fell just a little bit further.

“Just thinking we get to take these two home today, and start being a family of four rather than two.”

“You happy baby?”

“Very happy. Only one thing would make me happier,” he said with a grin.

“Dane!”

“No not that, although those six weeks can’t be up soon enough for me. No, what would make me happier is if you would set a date for the wedding.”

Lauren looked at him and the slight sadness that tinged her face. He knew what it was, grief. The grief they both felt for Claire and Lizzie and their mothers who would never get to see this.

“How about New Year’s Eve?” she asked.

“Really?”

“Really. I want a winter wedding, and that gives me time not to look like a whale in the pictures, and we get to start next year on a positive note.”

He nodded and reached forward to run his finger down her cheek. “New Year’s Eve it is.” He paused as he glanced at their son who had fallen asleep. “I love you, Lauren, so much,” he said with so much feeling it clogged his throat.

“I know you do baby, and I love you.”

~~~

Watching the intimate moment, the woman wished she could hear what they were saying. They looked so much in love, and it had been a long time since she had seen such genuine emotion on a person’s face. It made her want to cry, and she hated that.

Damn feelings were getting worse and worse, and it didn’t seem to matter how many pills she popped. Rhea wished she could get closer to see the babies up close. Just for a second to touch a tiny finger and feel a connection with something.

Getting close to that traitor Zin had been impossible, but by donning a simple cleaners uniform and showing a fake identity badge, she had managed to get into the maternity ward. She had nearly been caught though when she’d tried to take a picture of Dane Bennett holding his children. The protective look in his eyes promised retribution to anyone who came near.

Lucky for her, his sister had come in, and she hadn't been seen. The image was grainy, but it showed enough for it to be clear who it was and what he held. Deciding that she had risked enough for now, she left through the service door at the back by the kitchens.

Shedding the wig, she smiled up at the camera knowing that Zack and the Fortis Team would soon realise that she had gotten close and they couldn't stop her. It didn’t matter who they killed, she was unstoppable.

She would get the codes, and even if they didn’t, the tests done on the flights had proven that the drug was viable as an airborne disease. Nope. It was time to plan the little trip the Olympic Stadium in July, and she had the perfect guest to use as her vessel.

Climbing into the Black BMW, she drove to the private airfield to catch her flight home to her safe haven. She was sure her little patient would appreciate the pictures she had taken. Keying her phone, she waited for it to pick up.

“Yes!”

“Margo, it’s me. Henderson and Hamilton are dead.”

“Good!”

“I’ll have your vessel to you within six weeks. The Butcher will bring her to you.”

“Why him?”

“The other one was a disappointment, and at least the Butcher is good at his job.”

“True. I’ll make the arrangements this end.”

“Are the men ready?” Rhea asked.

“Oh yes. Hamilton certainly left us an excellent kill squad,” Margo laughed.

A smile touched Rhea’s lips and laugh escaped her as she hung up.

In less than a year the world would be on its knees, and only the gifted would survive, and they would all answer to her.