Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
I rush over, impressed.
We slip inside the tent, and I blink, adjusting to the dim light. It’s surprisingly quiet, the air heavy with antiseptic. Only one nurse, her back to us, checking something on a table. Before I can even register relief, Talon steps forward, gun in hand, voice a low command.
“Don’t move.”
The nurse freezes, and slowly, she turns to face us. When she notices me, her eyes widen. I don’t know her well, but I do know she is only young and her name is Georgia. She puts her hands up, taking a step back.
“Just do as he asks, Georgia,” I say, calmly.
Talon keeps the gun aimed on her, ordering her to turn around. She does as she is told, and he fetches a length of cord, binding her wrists. He then uses gauze and bandages to gag her, ordering her to sit down and not move. If she makes a sound, he will kill her.
My pulse pounds in my ears, but I force myself to focus, scanning for Lily.
There, at the far end, behind a thin curtain. I rush over, my breath catching. She’s curled on a cot, small and pale, her hair a fan on the pillow. She looks so sick, I’m actually scared to reach down for her, in case she doesn’t respond.
I slowly stretch out my fingers, feeling Talon’s presence behind me, as I stroke her cheek.
“Lily.”
She groans, and I almost sigh with relief.
Rolling, she looks up at me, so unwell I’m scared she won’t make it through this. “Nia?”
Her voice is barely a whisper.
“Hi, baby,” I whisper, stroking her sweat-soaked hair from her face. “I’m here to get you, like I promised. We’re going to take you somewhere to get help, then you’re coming to live with me. This is my friend Talon, he’s going to carry you, is that okay?”
Her eyes move to Talon and I turn, staring at him. I’m shocked by his expression. Gone is the hard, angry face he has been carrying and, in its place, there is something kind and gentle. He is looking at Lily with a mix of pity, shock, and anger. Like he wants to burn whoever did this to her.
Maybe now, he’ll understand.
“Yes,” Lily whispers, hesitant.
“I promise you, he is going to take good care of you,” I say, leaning down and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I won’t be far behind, I just have to get some things. I need you to promise me you’ll do whatever Talon tells you. Do you promise?”
She nods. Still unsure.
“C’mon, sweetheart,” Talon murmurs, leaning down and scooping her into his arms. “You ever ridden in a truck before?”
Lily shakes her head. “A truck?”
Talon smiles down at her. “You’re in for a treat.”
My heart swells.
It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
“Talon,” I whisper, as he carries Lily to the exit.
He pauses, glancing back at me.
“Thank you.”
His eyes flash, and he nods. “I’m comin’ back for you. Stay alive for me, darlin’.”
His words melt my heart.
I nod, fighting back my tears.
Then, he’s gone.
Now, it’s my turn.
I CROUCH LOW OUTSIDE the security shed, having made it over here with no issues. I’m thankful for that, because if I get caught now, this whole plan is ruined. The most important part of this plan is making sure that this is broadcast for the world to see. It’s the only way we can bring them down without bloodshed.
I have to wait for the operator’s schedule to work in my favor, but the minutes feel like torture, like an eternity as I continue glancing at my watch, waiting for seven p.m. That’s when he leaves to go for only half an hour, eating his dinner and returning. He locks the room, but I am hoping it is easy enough to get in.
My watch ticks over, and I hear the door creak, close, and then footsteps fading into the distance.
Right on time.
He’s gone.
I slip around the side, finding the window I need to climb into. It’s high, but I reach it and pull myself up, my muscles straining with effort as my shoes slide against the outside wall. I push the glass, praying it comes undone, and it opens with a reluctant creak.
Thank God.
I haul myself inside, landing awkwardly on the floor. The room is hot and stale, a small fan doing little to move the air and the smell is absolutely disgusting. Does this man shower? I scan the monitors, each screen showing a different angle of the compound. All quiet. No alarms have been raised—yet. I don’t have long.
I pull out the phone the hacker, Greg, gave me, and I call the number he instructed.
It rings once before his voice comes on, calm and steady. “Nia?”
“I’m in,” I whisper, glancing around the room. “What do I do?”
"Good. Head to the main computer, it should be the screen that isn’t showing any footage. You'll need to access the database first."