by Leigh Tudor
His face fell.
Like a landslide.
And oh, how she recognized that look. Had made that very expression when she’d beg a new nurse or orderly for help, and they shut her down cold.
“Fine,” he said, spinning away from her and making his way out the door.
Her upper body hunched over in defeat. Seriously, she didn’t need this shit right now. She raced after him.
“No, satisfy my curiosity,” she said, several steps behind him. “Why would I want to adopt you?”
He turned, and she came to an abrupt stop as she noticed he had tears welling in his eyes.
“I’ll tell you why,” he said with a hoarse voice. “I am a valuable asset. And the older I get, the more valuable I’ll become. Who do you think disabled the biometric system in this place? Who do you think mastered the CCTV system so everyone thinks they’re watching us in real-time when they’re watching reruns from four months ago before I began commandeering the system?”
He was choking on his words, in desperation mode. And she, better than anybody, knew what that felt like.
But he wasn’t a kid who appreciated emotional platitudes. He was whip-smart and tough as nails.
She played a staccato with her fingers against her upper lip as if in heavy contemplation. “Did you ever try asking others for help?”
“Dozens . . . No, hundreds of times. But I thought you were smarter than they were. I thought you could see what a deal you’d be getting with me as a child mastermind and Haley as an amazing artist. We could generate tons of revenue for you. Help you retire early. But you’re too much of moronic dumbass to see it.”
Good Lord, this kid was proud.
Mercy's hands went to her hips, and she turned her head to the side with narrowed eyes. “Okay, now it’s my turn to make you a counteroffer.”
Nate quickly wiped his eyes and nose, glancing up at her with a glimpse of vulnerability. “What?”
“I get you out of here. Tonight. And then you decide if I’m worthy of adopting you, Marleigh, and Haley. After witnessing my worthless existence and lackluster mothering skills, you may have second thoughts.”
“What’s in it for you?”
She shrugged. “A chance at redemption. Cash in on all that revenue potential you’re alluding to. Sounds promising.”
He crossed his arms in front of his chest, ready to counter. “I stay with the girls,” he insisted. “No splitting us up. Just because Marleigh doesn’t have any real genius potential doesn’t mean she’s not special.”
Well, that was sweet.
Kinda.
Mercy gave a conciliatory nod. “I promise to do everything in my power to make sure the three of you stay together,” she said. “But I’m not going to lie. Sometimes, adults don’t always get what they want or ask for.”
He nodded sagely. “Empirically speaking, you’re my best option at the moment. And when you don’t have a choice, you don’t have a problem.”
“Wise words from a twelve-year-old.”
“I’ve been around,” he said, “for a twelve-year-old.”
She gave him a half-smile and stuck out her hand. “Deal?”
He grasped it back and gave a quick nod with a quick handshake. “Deal.”
Mercy jumped in her own skin as she suddenly realized how much time had passed. Checking her phone, she cringed, it was twelve fifteen, and there were probably two very pissed-off alpha males, packing and hunkered down by a side door, wondering if she pulled another fast one.
“Ah shi . . . shucks, we have to hurry back.” She bent down and grabbed Nate by his skinny forearms. “Go get Haley and bring her back to the . . . fort. Now.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “What for?”
She smiled in an attempt to erase his mistrust. “The cavalry is here to save the day.”
“The what?”
Crap, little man probably never read a Western in his short life, but rather satanic tomes and college-level textbooks.
“You asked me to get you outta here, didn’t you?”
His eyes only narrowed farther.
“Get Haley. I know you’re not used to this, but I’m following through on my promise, and I need you to move.”
“But we just shook hands.”
She started to make her way back to the common area, walking backward. “For the first time in your life, Nate, you’re gonna have to trust someone. If you want out of here, you gotta go get Haley. Can you take a leap of faith? For Haley and Marleigh?”
He nodded. “Don’t you dare stab me in the back, Mara Halstead.”
Huh, he knew her name while living at the Center. The kid was really something else.
“I won’t, I promise. Now, run.”
Making a quick right and racing through the corridors, she came to an abrupt stop after turning another corner.
Loren stood in the middle of the hallway, still dressed like a high-paid, sensitivity-devoid corporate executive.
“Loren, fancy meeting you here,” Mercy said, her body riddled with anxiety at the thought of two fire-breathing alpha males waiting impatiently for her behind an exit door. “What are you doing?”
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“Well, you found me,” she said, passing by her. “Nice talking to you.”
“Why is there a child painting in what looks like an art studio and another sleeping on the floor in another room?”
Mercy turned to face her emotionless sister and shrugged. “Beats me. Tell you what, I have to hit the restroom. After I do my business, I’ll come to your office, and together, we’ll figure it out.”
“I don’t think so,” she said, calm and collected.
Mercy pulled in her bottom lip and cricked her neck back and forth in dire frustration. Placing her hands on her hips, she took several menacing steps toward her sister. Her sister, whom she loved and admired. Who taught her right from wrong and how to make the best of a terrible situation. The sister who protected her without a second thought and did her best to give her a chance at a normal life.
But Marleigh, Haley, and Nate had no one. And by God, today she was going to be their protector. And as of yet, since being back at the Center, Loren had given Mercy no reason to believe they didn’t need to be protected from her.
“I’m going to be straight with you. I have children to save tonight. Children who are here for the sole purpose of replacing us,” she said, tapping her chest with her fist. “And that is not going to happen. Not while I’m here. So, as I see it, you have a choice. Either you turn around and go back to your office with beige walls, beige chairs, and outdated taupe wallpaper, otherwise known as beige, and pretend you know nothing . . .”
“Or?” she asked.
“Or else, you and I are going to fight, and one of us is going to get hurt. And my dear sister, I think we both know it isn’t going to be me. Because I’m mad. I’m adrenaline-racing, hair-ripping, and cervix-punching mad — at you. To add to the list, you’re not dressed for anything more physical than a board meeting, and finally, because I’m a much better fighter than you.”
Loren raised her chin and took a sharp inhale and exhale. And then, as if defeated, she lowered her eyes downward and loosely crossed her arms. “Do you . . . need help?”
Mercy chuckled and shook her head. “No, I think you’ve done enough.”
Loren’s chin lowered farther for a moment and then back up. They stared at one another in a silent standoff.
Admitting defeat, maybe realizing she’d lost the battle but still had pending dibs on the war, Loren retreated. Making it to the end of the hall, she pressed the corridor button and walked through. The door closed behind her.
Never.
Never had Mercy forced Loren to stand down. And oddly, it wasn’t the least bit satisfying. Rather, it was gut-wrenching.
Putting the altercation behind her, she refocused, turning back toward her destination and making her way through the corridors with lightning speed. Skidding t
o a halt at the door of the common area, she stepped inside where Marleigh was still sound asleep.
Praying Alec and Trevor were outside the door, she grabbed the set of keys on the hook beside the cabinet, took a quick breath, and unlocked the door.
Trevor stood in front of her, but instead of the murderous gaze she expected, he looked at her with a combination of anticipation and what might have been nausea.
Mercy whispered, “Dude, your face is as white as a sheet. You okay?”
He began to push his way through the doorway, but she remained rooted in front of him as she moved her forefinger to her mouth, indicating they needed to be quiet. She stepped to the side to let them in.
Alec came in from behind Trevor, covering his back.
Alec shut the door behind him and turned toward Mercy with a murderous glare she had also expected from Trevor.
Who was now searching somewhat manically through the rumpled blankets and sheets.
“Hey, Alec,” Mercy said with a wiggle wave. “Sorry I was late.”
Undoubtedly torn between pistol-whipping her and hugging her, thankfully, he chose the latter, pulling her into his arms.
“I’m going to kick your scrawny ass for making us wait and for the stunt you pulled back at the hotel, but I need to hug you first.”
Nearly getting the breath knocked out of her, he finally pulled away just short of Mercy requiring intubation as Trevor rounded on them with stark terror in his eyes.
“You said children. There’s only one here. Where’re the rest of them?”
Just as he got the words out, they heard a swishing sound, and they all turned in unison toward the doorway, but with Alec and Trevor raising their guns and pointing them toward the potential intruders.
Nate stood in the doorway holding Haley’s hand. He gasped, his eyes wide, and then just as quickly, pulled Haley back as he pressed the button to close the door.
“Way to go, you stupid goons,” Mercy said, rushing toward the door and pushing the button. “I hope you know that you just scared the daylights out of the Prince of Darkness himself with all your weapons and combat gear.”
To her absolute relief, Nate and Haley had barely made it ten feet before she hissed at them and then whisper-yelled, “Hey,” stopping them in their tracks and causing them to turn around at the sound of her voice. She waved them back inside. “Come on, you guys, it’s like you’ve never seen a SWAT team before or watched CSI. These are the good guys. They’re here to help you.”
“The cavalry?” Nate asked, still skeptical.
“That’s right, the cavalry. They’re not too bright, but the upside is that they’re fully armed and willing and able to protect. So get back in here now.”
Nate held tight onto Haley’s hand and slowly led her back into the room.
They stopped just inside the entrance staring at the huge men who had lowered their weapons.
Alec pasted a toothy smile on his face and gave a weird wave. Mercy rolled her eyes at his attempt to be approachable while wearing tactical body armor and size fifteen combat boots.
But then it was Trevor who really caused her head to jerk back as he fell to his knees and stared at . . . Haley? His demeanor nothing less than mesmerizing.
Mercy’s eyes moved back and forth between Haley and then Trevor.
Haley hid behind Nate’s small frame, staring at the man.
And as for Trevor, Mercy had to blink twice as she witnessed the sexy ex-soldier staring at Haley with tears pooling in his dark eyes.
Mother Mary and that other guy, the massive, stoic broad-chested agent-bot, was on the verge of breaking down in tears.
“Haley?” he choked, and the little girl’s eyes looked at Mercy, confusion written all over her small features.
Mercy was just as confused. Did she ever mention the kids’ names to either one of them?
No, no, she did not.
And then it hit her. The name Trevor mentioned on the call with his treat of the day. He mentioned the name Haley.
Alec’s hand reached out and clenched Trevor’s shoulder in what seemed to be compassion and an attempt to bring him back to the moment at hand. “Come on, man,” he said. “We gotta get her out of here. We can do this later.”
With all the commotion, Marleigh woke up, trying to make sense of all the goings-on while she rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Mercy went into high-action mode, picking up Haley and putting her into Trevor’s arms and then Marleigh into his other.
She moved toward Nate, and he stepped back. “I don’t need anyone to hold me.”
“No can do, brother,” Mercy said with a no-nonsense tone. “Alec here can run faster than you with two hundred pounds strapped to his back.”
Without allowing him to argue, she hoisted him up and placed him into Alec’s arms.
“Take care of them,” Mercy said, hugging and kissing both Haley and Marleigh on the cheeks.
Before moving toward Nate, Trevor spoke, capturing her attention. “Mercy,” he said, taking a step forward but hampered with two small bodies in both arms. “I can’t even begin to thank you for what you’ve done.”
“Oh, now,” she said, suddenly feeling self-conscious at his earnest expression. She slapped her hand on his hard chest and gave him her trademark smirk. “Later on, I’m sure we can pull our pulsing libidos together and think of something.”
God, he looked so vulnerable and grateful and downright gorgeous.
Conversely, she turned to Nate and felt body slammed at the fear in his eyes.
“You’re coming with us, right?” he asked.
“Nate, I can’t. I have some things I have to do here that are really important.”
“But you promised.”
“And I’m going to do my best to keep that promise. But for right now, I need you to leave with the cavalry and let them get you to a safe place while I finish my job here.”
He shook his head, unexpected tears running down his face and into the crevices of his mouth. “No, you promised.”
Now tears were welling in Mercy’s eyes, and she bit down on her lower lip so hard she was sure she broke the skin. She did her best to steady herself and remain resolute because he was breaking. Her. Heart.
“Go,” she said to Alec and then bowed her head so as not to look at Nate, who was now reaching for her. “If you guys get them to safety, I owe you. Big.”
Alec spoke, “We’re not done here. We still need to get you and Loren out.”
He seemed just as distraught as Nate, and again her heart ached.
“We’re not ready,” she said, purposely cryptic. “We have . . . more to do. But you can bet that when I need you, I’ll call.”
Reaching past the men, she pushed open the door and stood outside into the cold air and then chastised herself for not putting coats on the kids.
They passed through the doorway, Haley and Marleigh quiet and resigned. Nate sobbing, his head bobbing, as Alec moved into a sprint, looking at her over Alec’s shoulder as if his whole world had been torn apart.
She mouthed the word, “Promise,” and hoped he could still see her before he was whisked away into the darkness.
Trevor sat in the driver’s seat of the cramped Kia Soul while the kids sat quietly in the back seat, shoulder to shoulder.
They hadn’t said a word since Alec exited the soup-can-sized vehicle.
Was that even normal?
You could hear a pin drop.
Weren’t kids supposed to be loud and obnoxious, spewing off questions every half minute and punching one another in the shoulders after seeing a Volkswagen go by?
They continued to wait for Alec to return from the twenty-four-hour Walmart in painful silence. After a brief call with Madame G, Alec advised that he had been instructed to purchase what Alec said Madame G referred to as “nonnegotiable essentials.”
Haley sat in the middle, between a quiet Marleigh, who kept looking around the car as if someone was going to sneak up on them at any mo
ment, and Nate, with his jaw tense and his arms crossed.
Trevor couldn’t help but glance in the rearview mirror at his daughter. It was surreal, knowing she was his but her being completely unaware. He glanced again, but this time, she was staring back, expressionless.
He looked away, a wave of guilt washing over him. Should he tell her he was her . . . dad?
No, he’d wait until the situation settled. It was all too much for such a little girl to comprehend the same night of being rescued from the only home she had known for the last few years.
There was no way she could remember living with her grandparents. She was only three years old when Halstead took her. His fingers tapped a staccato rhythm on the steering wheel. Unsure of what to say to help alleviate the anxiety in the kids’ eyes.
Jesus, he was useless.
What kind of parent was he going to be?
“Do you mind?” Nate growled with a testy voice at the finger thrumming.
Despite the nasty attitude, Trevor was relieved to hear something from the back seat.
He stretched and then fisted his hands to keep them from pounding on the wheel.
“We want McDonald’s,” Nate added, his surliness growing.
“They’re closed.”
“We’re hungry.”
“We’ll get you something to eat once we reach our destination.”
“When’s that going to be?”
“In less than thirty minutes.”
“Will Mercy be there?”
Trevor shook his head. “I don’t think so. She said she had some things to attend to at the Center.”
The kid made a harrumph sound. “That’s total bullshit.”
Trevor glanced in the rearview mirror. The kid was doing his best to bandage his fear with bravado. Instinct told him this was no time to scold but to allow the kid to rant and get it out of his system.
“You’re right. This is bullshit. I don’t know what’s taking Alec so long.”
Nate nodded in commiseration. “What did he have to get at one-thirty in the morning?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
Alec then emerged from the front doors with a shopping cart filled with two huge boxes, one inside the cart and the other teetering on the top with his arm doing its best to keep it from toppling over.