Rise (New Haven Book 3)

by Sara Jo Cluff

“It’ll be worse once we get inside,” Terrance said.

  Vivica nodded. “President Coleman has cameras installed at each corner of the building. Once we’re spotted, they’ll put the president in lockdown.”

  “If that happens, we’re screwed.” Dante rubbed his head as he eyed his drawing.

  Santiago looked at Terrance. “Is there a way to shut down the cameras?”

  Terrance scratched the back of his neck and thought about it for a minute. He had been their head of security before they left to join us in New Haven. “Possibly.” Rubbing his square jaw, he sat forward. “But the second we take down the feed, they’ll know something’s wrong. They’ll still put the president in lockdown.”

  “What exactly does that entail?” Maya asked.

  Dante swore. “It means we’re in deep …” I slapped him on the arm. He eyed me for a second and then finished his sentence. I rolled my eyes.

  Vivica looked at Dante and shook her head. “It means they’ll put him in a solid steel room below Headquarters. It’s impossible to break in. Plus, they’ll have it surrounded by at least fifty security guards.”

  “Not to mention the guards that will be in the room with him if by some miracle we break in.” Terrance leaned back in his chair, the wood squeaking under his muscle.

  “Is there a way to put the security feed on a loop?” Hiro asked. We all turned to him. “A continuous feed of the same minute or so. Get about a minute of tape showing everything clear and then play that same minute over and over until we’re done.”

  I played with my butterfly pendant, moving it back and forth on the twine. “I’ll ask Derek and Naomi.”

  “If we can do that,” Dante said, “we might be able to pull this off.”

  “We’ll have to be fast,” Vivica said. “Once we’re in Headquarters, we won’t have much time until we’re caught.”

  “How do we get inside Headquarters?” I asked.

  “Roof,” Terrance said.

  Dante nodded in agreement. “We need to start by taking down the security on the ground at the back of the building.”

  “What weapons are we using?” Gideon asked. “Guns will be too loud.”

  I nodded. “We need to stick with bows and arrows and knives.”

  During the past year, we had come up with a design for a smaller version of a sword, but still longer and wider than a regular knife.

  Terrance stood and went to a whiteboard on the wall. He picked up a marker to draw out the plan. “Okay, we’ll have to wait until the sun goes down before we strike.”

  “Why don’t we wait until the middle of the night?” Tina asked. “Wouldn’t it be quieter?”

  “It would,” Vivica said, “but President Coleman won’t be in the building anymore. He leaves somewhere between nine and ten.”

  Dante sat back in his chair and stretched out his long legs. “They have a meeting every night from seven-thirty to at least nine. That would be the best place to capture him. He’ll have his most important advisors, plus his top security with him. If we could get our hands on all of them at the same time, it would be very beneficial.”

  Terrance went back to drawing on the board, the smell of markers filling the air. “We’ll go in five groups of three. We’ll have to get over the brick wall as quietly as we can. We need to kill those ten guards behind Headquarters as quickly as possible. They can’t have time to yell out or radio in our arrival.”

  Dante stood and went to stand near Terrance, taking his paper with him. “Once those guards are down, we need to climb up the back of Headquarters. Getting to all the security on the roof is going to be the trickiest part. There will be at least twenty-five of them and only fifteen of us.”

  “We won’t have room or time for error,” Terrance said. “Once we’re in, we need to go to the main security room and take control of the room. If there is a way to run the continuous feed, we can set it up and then go from there.”

  “And if there isn’t a way?” I asked.

  Dante looked at Terrance and then over at me. “We’ll just have to pray for the best and make a dash for the conference room.”

  The room went silent for a minute.

  President Mendes cleared her throat and then stood. “Sounds like a plan. Emmie, why don’t you and Dante go talk to Derek and Naomi. Everyone else, start preparing all the supplies you'll need for the trip. You’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

  We found Derek and Naomi in the security room. When we walked in, they were sitting close together, and Naomi laughed at something Derek had said. She ran her fingers through his hair and then leaned in to kiss him.

  Dante cleared his throat. “Shouldn’t you two be working?”

  They snapped away from each other and turned to us. Both were wearing shirts Derek had designed—a camera lens in the shape of a shield. He thought it was perfect because it symbolized them protecting the city through security.

  Derek was beet red. “We were working.”

  “Uh, huh,” I said, walking over to them. I took a seat in an empty chair. “Let’s just ignore the awkward situation and cut to the chase.” I looked at Derek. “Is there any way to make a continuous feed of a security tape?”

  Derek nodded, his eyes full of excitement. “Yes. I learned how to do it, but never had a use for it.”

  “Well, now you do,” Dante said. He had sat down in a chair next to me. “We’re breaking into Headquarters in Kingsland and we need to be able to walk the halls without alerting the president that we’re there.”

  Naomi raised her black eyebrows. “You know that’s pretty much impossible.” She was originally from Kingsland, too.

  Dante took a deep breath. “We don’t have any other option. They’ve captured Marcus and all of his supporters.”

  “Oh.” Naomi’s face fell as she tugged on her long black braid resting over her shoulder.

  “You’ll just need to get in the main security room,” Derek said. “You can contact me when you enter, but it’s pretty simple. You’ll need to record a certain amount of time and then put that feed on repeat.”

  “Seems easy enough.” I stood, glancing over at Derek. “Thanks, Captain Awesome.” I motioned between Derek and Naomi. “Keep it professional in here. You’re working.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Derek said as he saluted me.

  I sighed and left the room.

  “It’s not funny!” I was in my room packing some things for the trip. Eric lay on my bed, holding his stomach from laughing so hard. “I don’t know why everyone is finding it so funny. I could be killed.”

  “She’s not going to kill you.” Eric rolled onto his side and propped himself up with his elbow. He took some deep breaths to calm his laughter. “I won’t let her.”

  I threw a couple of shirts in my bag with more force than necessary. “I’m making her a part of our team. I don’t want to leave her alone with anyone else.”

  Eric groaned. “Seriously, Emmie? I don’t want Thunder Thighs to be our third wheel.”

  I glared at him. “Rachel.”

  Her name didn’t feel right on my tongue. I loved calling her Thunder Thighs more than anyone else, but I had to be more careful. I wanted to live.

  “Thunder Thighs,” Eric said, correcting me. “Can’t we have Joshua or Will be with us?”

  Putting my hand on my hip, I shook my head. “The teams are decided.”

  Eric stood and came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. He kissed my neck. “Please?”

  “No.”

  Turning me around, he pinned me up against the wall and gave me a playful smile. “Pretty please?”

  For a second, I almost got lost in his blue eyes but then I pulled myself together. “No.”

  Eric pouted. He left a trail of kisses on my neck and cheek before he started nibbling on my ear. I tried to push him away. I wasn’t going to cave. I couldn’t cave. Holding onto me tight, he leaned his forehead against mine. He ran his finger down my cheek and then gently across my l
ips. “Please, Emmie?”

  I touched his scar on his left cheek. He received a deep gash from a knife when he was being held by Whit. Everything on his body that had been broken or wounded had healed nicely, except his cheek. The scar had faded a little, but I had a feeling it would always be there.

  Looking deep into my eyes, he kissed me. I tried to pull back, but I caved easily, melting into him. He always did that when he wanted something to go his way. Most of the time it worked.

  After a few minutes, he pulled away, making me sigh. He kissed me on the forehead and then headed for the door. When he got to the doorway, he turned back around. “I’m going to go pack. I’ll let Joshua know he’ll be our third member.”

  “Nice try, Eric.” I folded my arms, lifting my chin. “Rachel is our third member and that’s final.”

  Eric frowned. “I’m losing my touch.”

  “Unbelievable.” Dee paced in front of us, her hands balled in fists. I always thought she was so cute when she was mad, but she hated when I said that.

  We were at the apartment she lived in with Tina. We had finished construction on some apartment buildings a few months ago. We had started building homes for each family but soon realized that wasn’t practical in every situation, especially considering how broken every family had become after the battle. Dee had her family in New Haven, but she felt like she needed to get out on her own.

  Will took a step toward her. “Sweetheart …”

  Dee stopped and pointed her finger at him. “Don’t you sweetheart me!”

  Sighing, Will turned to me for help.

  I held my arms open, facing Dee. “Sweetheart …”

  As Dee let out a frustrated groan, Eric, Luke, and Tina laughed. Tina had her back up against Luke and he had his arms around her, holding her close. It had been about a year since they’d reunited, but it still made me happy every time I looked at them.

  “I’m old enough to make my own decisions.” Dee shook her head, her brown curls bouncing around. “I don’t know why the five of you think you can boss me around.”

  “We’re just trying to protect you.” Will adjusted the black square-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. They still had white tape wrapped around the middle from when they broke last year in the battle with Juniper. New glasses weren’t easy to come by in New Haven. Not yet.

  Dee stomped her foot. “I don’t need protection! I’m the same age as all of you.”

  “Only Eric, Emmie, and I have turned nineteen,” Luke said. “The rest of you are still eighteen.”

  Tina rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have to get so technical.”

  Eric glanced over at Luke and then at Dee. “Everyone else in here has more experience than you.”

  Dee glared at him. “It’s not my fault I came down with a disease. But I’ve fully recovered from it. I’ve been training with everyone else for over six months!”

  She was right, but I didn’t like the thought of her coming with us.

  I walked up to her and put my hands on her arms. “The kids need you here. You’re our best teacher.”

  “There are other teachers, Emmie,” Dee said. “I want to come with you.”

  Luke looked over Tina’s shoulder at Dee. “We’ve already set up the teams. You’ll make things uneven.”

  Dee put her hands on her hips. “Really, Luke? That’s the defense you’re going with? Do you know how easy it is to change three groups of five to four groups of four? If anything, I’m evening it out! Sixteen is an even number.”

  Sighing, I tugged on one of Dee’s curls. “You really want to go?”

  “Yes.” Dee looked me straight in the eye. “I want to go, Emmie. I want to be a part of the group. You can’t just keep leaving me out. I know I’m tiny, but I can fight.”

  Tina let out a laugh. “She fought pretty well against Amber and her bratty friends back in Recruitment.”

  I pursed my lips together. She had done well for herself. She was definitely fiery and determined. Her mad face softened in front of me, moving on to the sympathetic pout. I moaned. I’d had enough of that look for one day. “Fine. I think Dee should go with us.”

  Dee’s eyes lit up and she clasped her hands together. “Really?”

  Once I nodded, she looked over at Will. He looked from Dee to me to Eric and then back to Dee. Eric had just shrugged.

  Will let out a long sigh. “If that’s what you want.”

  “Oh, I’m so excited!” Dee threw her arms around my neck and gave me a big kiss on my cheek. I hugged her tight for a second, but then she wiggled free of my grasp and ran at Will. She threw her whole body around him and he held her tight while she kissed him all over his cheeks and forehead. Her curls covered most of his face, but I could see the blush. I loved the two of them together.

  Eric rubbed his hands together. “Actually, this is perfect. Will and Dee can go with us and that way we can keep a close eye on her.” He smiled at me, his eyes hopeful.

  I shook my head. “That’s not going to work. Rachel is going with us. But now you can have your other wish.”

  “What’s that?” Eric asked.

  I smiled as I put my arms around his neck. “Joshua can go with us.”

  Eric threw back his head and grunted. “I wanted him to replace Thunder Thighs, not come in addition to her.”

  “Why do you want Thunder Thighs on your team so badly?” Dee asked. She had finally lowered herself from Will, but he was still blushing brightly, straightening his glasses for no apparent reason.

  “I accidentally let my nickname for her slip in front of everyone,” I said. “Now everyone wants to call her that.”

  Eric kissed me on the cheek. “You can’t keep her away from everyone for the rest of her life.”

  “Well, I’m going to try.” Releasing myself from Eric, I straightened out my shirt. I headed toward the door of the apartment. “Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I want to go see Mack one more time before we leave.”

  Marie sat in the infirmary bed and watched on as Gideon held Mack in his arms. Gideon was sitting in a chair right next to the bed. Both Marie and Gideon smiled when Dee, Tina, and I walked into the room.

  “How’s little Mack doing today?” I asked.

  Gideon stood and brought Mack over to me. I carefully took him from his father’s arms and held him close. He slept peacefully all snuggled up in a blanket.

  “He’s doing great,” Marie said. “All his vitals are normal and he’s eating just fine.”

  Dee and Tina stood next to me watching the baby sleep. Tina looked over at Marie. “How much did he weigh?”

  Marie moaned. “Nine pounds three ounces. I hope my next one isn’t that big.”

  I brushed my finger along little Mack’s cheek and smiled. “He’s already on his way to becoming big like Mack.”

  “I don’t think Mack Clark would have wanted you stroking his cheek like that.” Dee kissed little Mack on the forehead. “Or that.”

  Mack Clark had saved my life back in River Springs and then saved my life again during the battle with Juniper. He was killed right before my eyes just mere seconds later. I thought about him every day.

  I laughed, thinking of Mack’s tough demeanor. “No, he wouldn’t have.” Little Mack took a deep breath and let out a little sigh. “That seems about right.” I looked up at Marie. “He’s so adorable.”

  Marie smiled at Gideon. “He gets his good looks from his father.” She held out her hand and he took it, kissing it lightly. He reached over and brushed some hair off her forehead.

  “Are you sure you want to come?” I asked Gideon. “You can stay here. We’ll find someone else.”

  Gideon shook his head. “Marie and I talked it over and decided it would be best if I went.”

  “Trust me, I don’t want him to leave,” Marie said, “but you need his expertise. This is a big mission you’re doing, and you need our best fighters.”

  Dee flexed her arms. “That’s why I’m going.” Reaching over, she
took Mack from my arms. “My turn.”

  Feeling Marie’s gaze on me, I turned to her. She looked me in the eye. “Emmie, bring him home safely.”

  “I will,” I said.

  Marie was about to say something, but the nurse walked in, holding a tray of food. She smiled when she saw me, the warmth showing in her light brown eyes. I forced myself to smile, not because I didn’t like her, but because every time I saw her, I thought of her father and brother who’d both been killed.

  She was Vice President Oliver’s daughter, Samantha. She had shoulder-length golden-brown hair that had a natural wave to it. There was something in her walk and the way she held herself that reminded me of her father. She also had that same loveable face and the eyes that held a bit of a mystery behind them.

  Samantha set the tray on Marie’s lap. “How are you feeling?”

  “As good as I can be,” Marie said as she picked up the fork on the tray. “Thank you, Samantha.”

  “You’re welcome,” Samantha said. “Do you need anything else?”

  Marie shook her head as she took a bite of the potatoes. “Nope.”

  “Well, let me know if you do,” Samantha said. As she passed me on the way to the door, she put her hand on my arm. “Be careful.”

  “I will,” I said. Word must have already spread about our mission.

  Marie lowered her spoon, her face serious. “Emmie, promise me.”

  I looked at little Mack in Dee’s arms. He couldn’t lose his father. We already had so many fatherless children in New Haven. We had to keep Gideon alive.

  I turned back to Marie. “I promise.”

  We said our goodbyes to Marie and the baby. I kissed little Mack’s cheek before I left. When we passed the conference room on the way out, I ran in so I could grab my coat. It had been a cold winter just like the year before.

  When we walked out of Headquarters, the sun had already set. I pulled my coat tightly around me and looked up at the stars. It was a clear night, so you could see countless stars lighting up the sky.

  “Emmie.” I turned to see Eric walking toward me. “Do you have a minute?”

  “For you? Of course,” I said.