“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” XJ held on to the vision of her mother showing her how to play this game, while they were at a revolutionary meeting.
Red, blue, and green strobe lights flickered. The flashing picked up pace until the lights abused her senses. The drugs kept her from closing her eyes. The stimulus forced her mind to go wild, as the front and back ends of the chamber began to move opposite the direction of the gurney.
XJ’s mind went into a psychedelic haze. She screamed until she was hoarse, as everything swirled. The entire gurney—with her on it—began to spin at a breakneck speed. Her brain told her that she needed to throw up, but the drugs held everything down. She was spun round … and round … and round….
Then, she felt Hughes’ presence, like a slithering reptile. “Now, you’re ready to tell. What’s your secret, little XJ?” Her sinister laughter echoed throughout the chamber.
Hughes’ compulsion moved her mouth, but XJ fought hard to keep it in. What could she do? She couldn’t move and the spinning was driving her insane. She focused on Brandon’s lips and the softness of his kiss. He’d held her so gently and he felt safe. If she could get out of this, she would get closer to him.
I never had a guy like him before….
Her whispered, scratchy voice echoed in the microphone and room. “I don’t know anything else. Please let me go. I told you eveything.” The room sped up and the lights moved even faster….
What lie can I tell them?
Then she sensed the social worker telepathically igniting a phobia inside her mind. XJ could feel poisonous snakes and spiders skittering underneath her skin. Extreme madness overtook her. She screamed in terror.
XJ had had enough. She wouldn’t allow them to continue to torture her. In a hazy attack, she pushed all of the compulsion out of her mind. She thought she heard the social worker shriek, but she couldn’t tell—all she knew was that the phobia disappeared while the room continued to spin.
Her mind spun. She faded in and out so much that she couldn’t tell where she was or what was happening. Then she went to a quiet place within herself where Brandon’s warm embrace soothed her while her conscious mind crashed on top of itself and faded into technicolor.
Chapter 20
“When I want to know what GEPs think, I ask myself.”
—Nadia Stillwater
Heather was ecstatic about the deal she’d made with Brandon. He’d agreed to escort her to the Miss GEP High School Pageant. If she brought him XJ. She smiled. She never intended to do that, but she could use it to make him do what she wanted.
Brandon will see that jungle bunny again, but it’s gonna cost him. Her smile widened, and she sat up taller in her car seat. Brandon does love me! She knew she could either control him or convince him to be hers.
Either way, she was one step closer to making him hers again.
Her brain clattered. “Ouch!” She yelled and swerved her car into a restricted parking spot. Thump, thump, thump pounded against the front of her skull.
The other Heather pushed hard to get out. “Brandon doesn’t love you! Saskia loves you!”
Heather engaged in a mental battle with herself. Her head pounded. Reality hammered. She passed out on the steering wheel and came to with a grinding headache.
“Leave me alone!” Heather rested her forehead back on the steering wheel. “This is my time!” she shrieked. “You didn’t win! I did! Go away!”
Heather barreled back deeper inside the space of her mind that kept the personalities divided. The thin wall threatened to rupture, but she held it up. She would have her victory she would not be denied.
The brain thumping subsided and Heather was back in control. Her legs swam like Jello and her hands shook. But she was back. She pushed up in her car seat, pulled the rear view mirror towards her and laughed.
“I’m still in control! I win!” She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I’ll show you.” She reached behind and pulled out her hot pink purse. Her phone fell out. Had she sent a text? She couldn’t remember. She fished out the white pills and gulped two without water.
She cracked her neck and craned it around to relieve the tightness. Heather smiled wickedly at her reflection. She dug deeper into her purse and pulled out make-up. After puckering, pinching and pruning she made herself look marvelous.
She pushed open the car door and got out. Heather took a deep, clearing breath. It felt good to be in control. The cool spring wind blew her pink scarf. She knew her rose perfume would tickle the nose of anyone close.
She stood taller. Heather knew she was sexy in her hot pink, high-heeled lace-up boots, white mini-skirt, and hot pink blouse with form-fitting blazer. She exuded confidence as her blond curls bounced. She secretly relished the hungry glances from the guards.
Inside her mind she said, See how beautiful I am? They love me.
The other Heather was silent. Maybe she’d given up. Maybe the medicine had worked. Maybe she could finally be herself.
Heather strolled into the restricted area. She rounded the corner and collided with Saskia. Before she knew it, warm arms encircled her. Startled, Heather dropped her defenses and relaxed into the deep embrace.
Saskia was everything that she needed. Heather’s lips touched the woman’s instinctively. A part of her fought her body’s reaction. She couldn’t stop.
Heather opened her mouth and heart to Saskia’s hungry kiss. Warmth spread throughout her body. She reciprocated ferociously—her entire body inflamed. She wanted to fall into Saskia’s bottomless kiss.
Heather’s two personalities collided: one thoroughly enjoying the loving kiss; and the other repulsed by it.
The one inside yelled, Oh, God! What are you thinking? Stop! Break it off!
But it was too late. The Heather that adored Saskia took over. Shut up. I love her.
Heather sunk deeper into Saskia’s embrace. She was starving for her touch. This was the only place that she wanted to be.
Suddenly Heather’s head and body yanked backward, shattering the kiss. Her breath came in fast gulps. She frowned as cool air separated her and Saskia.
Heather balled up her fist. “How dare you…!” Her shoulders slumped as she realized that she faced her mother.
“What the hell are you doing?” Her mother yelled. And before Heather could step out of the way, the impact of the smack rattled her teeth. Heather’s face burned. The tears threatened to fall but Heather held them in.
This Heather was pissed at her mother and didn’t care what she did. “Why did you hit me?”
Her mother’s face said it all. Nadia grabbed Heather and dragged her down the hall to her office. Before she knew it, Heather was hurled into a chair like a rag doll. Her stomach lurched. Her heart drummed. She wanted to fight her mother. She hated her. Heather bit back the hatred.
“You’ve never lived up to my expectations!” I’m going to replace you. Since you’re adopted, it’ll be easy. Xavier and I will have a baby.”
Heather could tell that her mother wanted a response. She sat stiff and didn’t move. Her abilities went wild. Her hands shook. She was very close to turning on the hunter part of herself. Her vision turned red.
“Who am I talking to now?” Nadia moved closer to Heather and pulled her chin up. “Who are you? Tell me or I’ll make you hurt bad!”
This Heather knew who her mother wanted, but didn’t care. Inside her mind she said, I know who you want … she smiled, but she’s not available.
What came out was, “I’m here, mother. I’m just trying to give you what you want.” Her stomach twisted at the lie, but her abilities ramped up. She watched her mother closely, her abilities making everything stand-out, and zeroed in on Nadia’s gloved hands. How could she stop her from removing her gloves?
“So, you like girls, huh? All those beautiful young men I’ve given you. Such a waste.”
Heather’s stomach did flip-flops, with hazy mem
ories of all the boys that her mother made her get close to. Made her have sex with. Made her screw them over. And she was sickened.
Heather wanted to scream, to cry. She lied. “I—I don’t like girls. I was just practicing; you misunderstood.”
Her mother released a deep, irritated breath. “You don’t fool me. I know which one you are. Bring MY Heather back now.”
Those hands came out of her gloves fast. Heather tried to dodge the evil touch, but couldn’t move swiftly enough. Her mother’s ability pulsed throughout her body. The pain spread with deadly purpose.
Let me out! the other Heather yelled. You’re going to get us killed. I told you to leave that stupid girl alone!
She let her out.
Sweat poured down Heather’s back. “It’s me! It’s me mother!” she screamed. “Don’t do this!” The pain receded, and Nadia pulled Heather by the collar so that their faces were almost kissing.
“Where’s Brandon?” Her mother asked through clinched teeth.
“I’ve kept tabs on him.” Heather looked away to avoid direct eye contact with her mother.
“When’s the last time you had sex with him? Don’t lie.” Nadia’s blue eyes pierced her soul.
Heather shifted uncomfortably. She bowed her spine, trying to put space between them. “You know we haven’t done it since the summer.” She braced herself for the slap or tingling pain.
Her mother pulled her closer and she smashed her eyes shut. She couldn’t catch her breath.
“It’s XJ isn’t it? You let her steal him like Dorothy stole Xavier from me.” Heather could hear the disgust in her mother’s voice. “I never understood how they were able to mate,” Nadia went on. “I was Xavier’s rightful mate but Dorothy stole him. I won him back, in the end.”
Heather had heard this so many times so she played along. “XJ won’t steal Brandon from me.” She let the words slide from her mouth and squirmed back so she could be free from her mother’s grip.
“I gave you a mission and you failed me. I won’t tolerate this much longer.” Her mother slipped her gloves back on.
“I won’t fail you.”
Her mother cleared her throat. “That Miller boy is a part of my plan. You and he must mate. You must produce an offspring. His money and pedigree are a part of my plan.” She leaned in close. “You won’t waste that pretty face of yours. You will give me what I want.”
“I’ll convince him he loves me. I have a plan.” This Heather believed every word. “I won’t let that little jungle bunny take him.”
Her mother folded her arms. “What is this plan? Does it involve putting my step daughter in Zone 6? I’d like to be done with her. I want Xavier to only focus on our child when it’s time.”
Heather was beside herself with joy and she let it show. “You’ll be rid of XJ. I promise. With my plan, Zone 6 won’t be a strong enough punishment.”
Her mother studied her closely; and then sat back up and pointed her finger. “Bring me that Miller boy or I’ll disown you. I’ll put you in Zone 6.”
“You don’t have to worry mother. I can handle this. We may not share the same blood, but you’ve taught me well. Brandon will be mine … in the end.”
Heather stood up, straightened her outfit and sashayed out of her mother’s office.
Heather strolled into the chamber room. She’d heard screams, but it was Hughes who was scratching like a dog without a flea collar.
“What are you doing?” She allowed the arrogant disgust to slither out of her mouth.
The social worker looked dumbfounded, as she flicked off fake bugs. “We almost have her ready for you, Miss Stillwater.”
“Ri-i-ght.” Heather moved towards the chamber window and peered in. “Looks like my step sister is more powerful than you thought. Release her.”
Hughes stopped flicking. “Release her? I’m just getting started!”
Heather’s vision turned red, and she allowed the hunter to show. “Did you hear me? I said release her now.”
“As you wish, but I will discuss this with your mother.” Heather didn’t care what the woman did. “Fine. Have her ready in an hour.”
Heather smiled. She was close to having Brandon on a tight leash. He wouldn’t get away now. She spun on her heels, and tramped to the door. Once outside, she texted Brandon and told him to meet her.
She’d give him his little jungle bunny and control him, so that he’d have no choice but to be hers.
Chapter 21
“Freedom costs, especially for GEPs.”
—Dorothy Kates-Patterson
Brandon touched the trunk of his Mustang and used his ability to turn on the camera inside his back window. He ruffled his hair and stood up straight. He so badly wanted to help XJ. He was sure that she’d work with him now and he wanted to get some good footage.
He cleared his throat. “This is Brandon Miller reporting for Revolution TV. I’m outside the Regional CAGE facility. Why am I here?” Brandon’s voice squeaked and his face flushed. He bit his lip and cleared his throat again. He couldn’t understand why this segment was so hard. He worked at it some more.
“Why am I here? To pick up the granddaughter of slain GEP activist, Dr. Gary Leonard Kates. Stop!” Brandon jumped up and down in aggravation. When the heck are they coming out anyway?
Brandon closed his eyes and refocused. “XJ was taken against her will and has been held by CAGE for several hours. Why would CAGE take this innocent teenage girl, anyway?”
Ugh! This is awful. XJ deserves better than this.
His stomach lurched when he thought about what CAGE might have done to her. And he was willing to do what it took to keep her safe—even make a pact with Heather. Brandon stretched his neck. Heather had him by the balls with this agreement. But he’d been trying to figure out how to get out of it and save XJ.
His phone buzzed. He pulled out his phone and read the text. Bring XJ to the attached location when she’s free. Brockman.
Brandon scratched his head. How’d Brockman even know where I am and what I’m up to?
The older man kept tabs on him more than his dad. He scanned the area around the gate, trying to make himself inconspicuous. He respected him. Where Todd made him feel worthless, Brockman made him feel important. And unlike his dad, he respected Brandon’s opinions.
Brandon put his phone away and got back to his story. “XJ Patterson is a bright, wonderful, young woman who has survived many odds. Her family has had to sacrifice….”
Brandon felt Heather’s arms sneak up and snake around his body. He jumped out of the way.
“It’s about time!” Brandon tried to put some distance between them, but she kept moving forward. How was she able to sneak up on him anyway? Was he that busy?
“Here’s your little jungle bunny!” Heather spat. “You might want to take her and go before they change their minds!”
“Don’t you think that jungle bunny joke is getting old?” He turned from her, smoothed XJ’s face and positioned himself so he could pick her up.
He gently eased XJ’s body out of the vehicle and carried her like a precious flower. Once inside his Mustang, he made sure her seat belt was fastened.
Heather was on top of him when he turned around. Brandon’s stomach soured. She smashed her lips on his, and tried to give him an x-rated death kiss. His body gave a negative reaction, but he tried to please her … his return kiss was faint-hearted, apprehensive.
She didn’t notice and beamed while she had him in her snare. “I know you like it. I felt you kiss me back. It was like what we used to be….”
Brandon regarded her blandly. “I’ve got to get XJ someplace safe. Call me later.”
He could hear the excitement in Heather’s voice, “You’re mine. You’re all mine. Remember our deal.”
This is gonna blow up in my face, but at least XJ is alright.
As he moved to his side of the car, Heather smacked his butt. “Take care of the jungle bunny, then come back to momma.”
Brandon let out an exasperated breath and couldn’t move fast enough. He could feel Heather’s stalker, red-eyed look as she leapt into the CAGE vehicle and took off in a maddened spin out.
Rushing to get himself and XJ out of there, he connected his phone to his dash and added the directions that he’d received from Brockman.
He looked over at the unconscious XJ. She looks like she been through hell!
Worry spread throughout his body, but he pushed it away. He wanted to lash out at CAGE and wondered how could he use Revolution TV to bring them all down.
Brandon drove them both to safety.
Chapter 22
“Perfect love makes us stronger and more willing to take chances that lead to freedom.”
—Dr. Gary Leonard Kates
XJ drifted in and out of sleep. She felt warm arms around her body and smelled inviting male cologne. It permeated her entire body. The embrace and scent awakened deep feelings. The strong male hands caressed her hair and face.
If she was still being tortured at CAGE, this was the best she’d experienced. Maybe she’d gone completely mad in the chamber? She snuggled and he held her more tightly.
Her conscious mind woke up. He’d reciprocated? Where was she and who was caressing her? Her stomach flip flopped and her eyes popped open. Startled and out of sorts she gazed deep into Brandon’s sexy blue eyes.
“OMG!” She screamed. XJ jumped back in embarrassment and inflamed longing.
“It’s okay … you’re safe now.” Brandon responded gently. “CAGE can’t find you here.”
Questions slammed into XJ’s mind and out of her mouth. “How did I get here? Where am I? Am I dead?”
Brandon’s face so close to hers, sparked an urge inside of her. ”Calm down … you’re safe.”
His voice sounded reassuring, but she needed to put some distance between the two of them. In her mind, there were too many reasons why they shouldn’t be together.
He’s white.
I’m black.
He’s rich.
I’m poor.
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