“No. you don’t.”
Gabriel tapped the side of his head. “Yes. I do. And I deserve all that wonderfully cultivated hate.” He looked down as if he couldn’t take Cross’s scrutiny. When he looked back up, resignation was all Cross saw. “I wanted to warn you, Tanya is closing in on you. You might want to think about relocating somewhere out of the loop.”
Cross almost laughed at that. “You came here to warn me about Tanya?”
Gabriel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I did, but not like you think. Did you ever stop to wonder why it was so important that Tanya kept you alive all those years ago, why she kept Kale the way she did?”
Cross narrowed his eyes at Gabriel, trying to understand where he was going with this. “To use us. She bartered Kale’s cooperation by threatening my safety. She watched me to see if I remembered my abilities. I know this already.”
“You know only a small part of it. Tanya might be a lot of things but stupid isn’t one of them. She has an entire building full of freaks, some more powerful than you. Why then would she risk everything, the entire stability of the program to retrieve you and Kale?”
“Because her ego won’t allow her to lose.”
“Maybe, but that’s not the whole story. Tanya has made the department a lot of money over the years. Money she and Coben have grown accustomed to.”
“Money? From who? For what?” Cross tried to understand what Gabriel was talking about, but he was coming up with nothing but blanks.
“The military. Tanya has been contracting out Kale on a limited basis for years now. He’s agreed in part to keep you safe. He’s also insanely in love with her. As sick and twisted as that sounds, Tanya made sure he was totally dependent on her. She orchestrated every aspect of his life and manipulated him to do what she wanted.”
Cross put a hand out. “Wait, back up. What would the military want with Kale?”
“Really? You can’t figure that out for yourself? Or maybe you just don’t want to. Think about it. War has always been an economic shot in the arm for this country, but unpopular wars are political murder. A president who can prevent or peacefully side step what could be a bloody and long confrontation? That’s pure political and economic gold.
“Put Kale anywhere near the enemy. Have him push whoever is in charge. All of a sudden a civil war breaks out between the powers gearing up to do battle with us. They take each other out and leave us to reap the benefits. We win by attrition. No American lives lost.”
Cross opened his mouth. And closed it again as what Gabriel said made sense. “She’s made him do this?”
Gabriel arched a brow. “How do you know if the absence of a conflict was simply that, or if the conflict was avoided by other means?”
“They paid her to have him do this?”
“Paid the Department, yes. When you started to get your memory back, she understood exactly how dangerous that could be. And how profitable. She managed to convince Coben it was worth the risk.”
“What risk?”
“You, Cross. Tanya underestimated you when you were young. She thought you were hiding your abilities from her, but she had no idea what you and Kale could do together.”
Cross thought he understood now. “We’re stronger together.”
“She wants to use that. She thinks she can control that.”
“What do you think?” Cross almost wanted Gabriel to challenge him.
“I think I know you better than Tanya.” Gabriel had yet to move, but he watched Cross with great interest.
“Tanya’s interest in us didn’t seem to bother you before. If I remember correctly, it was you who put a bullet in my head with the express intention of ending my life. Now you want me to believe you have altruistic notions about warning me, helping us?”
“Altruistic isn’t the word I would use.”
“That I believe. So what’s in it for you?”
“Tanya has grown tired of me. Or perhaps she’s simply tired of trusting me. Either way I think you understand the limited lifespan of people Tanya has no further use for. I simply wish to disappear.”
“You tried to kill me and you ignored what was happening to Kale all these years. Now that you realize you’re the one in the crosshairs, you want to hide. Why even tell me? Why not just leave?”
“Maybe because I’ve changed.”
Cross choked out a laugh. “Don’t try to bullshit a psychic. You haven’t changed. You’re just scared. You’re afraid Tanya is going to start to treat you like one of her caged ‘specimens’. Your privileged life has ended and you don’t want to end up down in the mud with the rest of us.”
“Yes.” Gabriel’s gaze was unnervingly direct and honest.
“You want Kale to hide you from her, don’t you?” Cross was baffled by Gabriel’s gall. “Why should he, after what you’ve done to us? Why shouldn’t we let Tanya do what she wants to you?”
“Maybe because I’m the only one who knows where you are. Maybe because I am sorry for my part in all of this. And maybe I don’t like what I’ve seen. I still think you’re dangerous, Cross. That hasn’t changed.”
“Then what has?”
“You’re dangerous because we made you that way. I understand that now. But the power you bear is tempered by the kind of man you’ve become.”
“You mean the kind of man you programmed me to become.”
Gabriel shook his head. “No. Despite everything we tried to do to you, you are still a good man.” He touched the side of his head “I know that. Tanya is the one who is truly dangerous. What she’s done, what she plans on doing... it might be too little too late, but I want no part of it or her anymore.”
Cross tried to see a trap, a lie, but all he saw was a tired old man. He saw no deception behind Gabriel’s words. If he didn’t help him, Tanya would use Gabriel to find the Underground. He understood exactly why Gabriel stood there so confidently in front of him. It was in Cross’s and Kale’s best interest to help him disappear. “If I ask Kale to do this, can I have your word that you will never be a part of our lives again?”
Gabriel gave a quick dip of his head. “Done. But before I disappear into oblivion there is one thing I would like to give you.”
“Just go away Gabriel. We don’t want or need anything from you. You can’t start to be a father now. It’s too late.”
“Perhaps, but I’ll try to assuage my guilt anyway.” Gabriel held out a folded piece of paper.
Cross considered it with suspicion.
“Take it.” Gabriel said.
“What is it?” Cross took the paper but didn’t look at it.
“A chance. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania. My grandparents raised me. It was a good childhood, one I never appreciated until it was too late. I ran away when I was very young. Lived off the streets until the Department found me.”
Cross opened the paper and read it. There were two sets of numbers on it. He recognized them as latitude and longitude.
“My grandparents died years ago. They left their farm to me but I’ve never been back. My sister has taken care of it. Your aunt. We’ve been in touch,” Gabriel touched the side of his head. “Up here. She’s like me, but she was smart enough to hide it. She’ll take you in, if you want.”
Cross looked from the paper to Gabriel’s face. “Does Tanya know about this?”
“I never told her about my past. When she asked I told her everyone who mattered was dead. It wasn’t a lie. She has no clue about the place. You and Kale and anyone you want to bring with you, would be safe there.”
“Why? Why do this for us?”
“Does it matter?”
Cross tried to figure Gabriel’s angle. “If you’re lying, I’ll kill you.”
“You might have to wait your turn for that.” He gestured to Niko and a sad smile spread across his face. “Take care of each other.”
Without another word Gabriel Delancey turned and walked away. Cross wondered if he would ever see him again. Part of him didn
’t want to say goodbye. The other part hoped the view of Gabriel’s back disappearing into the shadows would be the last he ever saw of the man.
Too much had happened between them for Cross to forgive him. But let him go?
Cross stepped back into the tunnels and let Gabriel go.
Chapter 38
KALE OPENED HIS eyes when he heard a voice in his head. He bolted upright, understanding immediately he wasn’t dreaming.
Kale, I miss you.
He knew that voice, how could he forget it. Tanya had no psychic abilities, but Kale was used to listening for her thoughts over the years. It was like having a number on speed dial. If Tanya wanted to contact him all she had to do was think about him. Even here. Tanya called for him and he heard her.
He wanted to answer. Sudden longing nearly overwhelmed him. She was close.
You left me, Kale. Why would you leave me?
He knew he should ignore her, shut his mind off to her. He tried to do just that, but the side of him that he loathed, the side Tanya had created, was stronger. He missed her terribly. Despite the beatings, the isolation, the mental anguish she had caused both him and Cross over the years. He wanted her. He needed her.
You kept me like a pet, you beat me, Tanya. You hurt Cross. You would have killed us.
Oh, Kale, I love you, I miss you. I would never do that to you. It was simply discipline. You used to understand discipline. Your brother was the one who has caused all this trouble. Come back to me Kale. Come back now and I promise no one else will get hurt. Please Kale, come home.
No one gets hurt? Not even Cross?
Trust me. I just want you home safe. Come back to me Kale. Come home.
Home. He longed for that. The comforting quiet of his isolated room. Everything here was loud and big and too much. Kale didn’t understand the rules here. Being back with Cross was more than he could’ve ever hoped for, but maybe Tanya was right. Maybe he needed to go to her. Maybe then everything would be all right again.
Cross would understand. They would all understand.
He squeezed his eyes closed for one moment trying to make a decision. When he opened them again he knew what he had to do.
Where are you, Tanya?
* * *
THEY HAD FOLLOWED Gabriel to the abandoned lot and equally abandoned factory across from an old unused subway entrance.
“You’re sure they’re down there?” Robert said.
Tanya gave Robert a smug, self-assured expression. “I had Bernard put the tracker on the dog’s collar when Gabriel came to see me. It was working perfectly. It would seem Woo was right to suspect he was up to something. He had no idea his little good dead would accomplish this entire underground’s downfall. Gabriel had no idea we played him.”
“Kale bought it?” Robert said.
“Please, as if there was ever any doubt.” Tanya took her phone from her jacket pocket and smirked. “I own that boy. He understands that.” Head down, she smiled as she sent a text to her man following Gabriel Delancey.
MISSION COMPLETED?
The return text read: I FOUND HIM.ONE SHOT. TARGET DOWN.
GABRIEL IS DEAD? Tanya texted back. She wanted to be sure.
Her man replied: I DON’T MISS.
She said to Robert, “It seems I was right. Vic did have information, Gabriel decided to keep what he learned to himself. No one gets the better of me, Robert. Remember that. Gabriel has paid the price for thinking he was smarter than me.
“Kale will be back with us momentarily, and then we will take care of Cross. Coben will be pleased. Everything will soon be all neat and tidy again. Inform everyone watching the tunnels not to interfere with Kale when he comes out. Let him come to me.”
Robert picked up his radio but paused before pushing the button. “What about Cross?”
Tanya pursed her lips. “In a perfect world I would want them both, but for once Gabriel was right. Cross is dangerous. I can deal with Kale, but Cross is fair game, along with everyone else down there.”
“Even the kids?” Robert didn’t sound concerned over the thought of killing children. He simply wanted clarification.
“Kids grow up. Kill them all. I want no one around to cause problems. We still have Kale as well as every freak at the department.”
Robert unslung the sniper rifle and got into position. “Understood.” He lay on his belly and rested the rifle on the low window sill. He put one eye to the scope and waited for Kale to show.
Tanya knew he was nervous. She could see the thin sheen of sweat on his face. He had every right. The people they hunted were dangerous and unpredictable.
“Trust me, Robert, this is all going to be over shortly.” Robert’s answer was to wind the rifle’s strap around his wrist making it more secure on its perch.
Tanya watched with him.
The arrogance. Cross had thought they could simply walk out. She would make him understand no one ever got the better of her. And if Kale thought he had paid for his disobedience before, he would be in for an unpleasant surprise when she got him back. He would understand exactly the price of disobeying Tanya Santiago.
Chapter 39
UTAH WASN’T USED to blending in. All of her life she felt out of place in her very up-tight, very upper class family. Often, she wondered if her parents took the right baby home.
This place was different. Hidden away in the dark. Away from the prying eyes of the city and surrounded by those who hid what made them different, Utah fit. She felt a peace here she had never known before. It would all be so perfect if she wasn’t worried over Kale.
He tried not to show it but Kale was miserable. He was scared and despite being with his brother again, he was so lonely. His physical injuries were healing, thanks, in part, to Jude. But Utah could feel the conflict inside the guy.
She didn’t go to him. She let him have the much-needed reunion with his brother, but she watched. Utah kept to the periphery and she watched Kale. They gave her a place to sleep, but with so much going on, Utah was left alone for the most part.
One night when sleep eluded her, she found herself in the deserted common room. With only the shadows for company, she tried not to think about Kale, when he materialized from one of the tunnels.
Utah felt his nervous energy immediately. She had no special abilities like everyone else here. She didn’t need any. Kale’s body language spoke for itself. He moved hesitantly as he walked into the common room. One hand was wrapped around his middle as if his stomach hurt him, the other clenched into a fist by his side. He looked brittle, as if he would break into a thousand pieces at any moment.
She didn’t want to startle him, but Utah decided she had left him alone long enough. “Kale?” her voice had been soft, but it echoed off the empty walls surrounding them.
He jumped and turned toward her. For a moment Utah doubted her decision as terror filled Kale’s face. He took a step back until he seemed to recognize her. “Utah, you’re here? I didn’t know you were here.” He visibly relaxed when he saw they were alone in the common room.
“You’ve been kind of out it. I thought I would give you some time to get used to things. To be with your brother.” She couldn’t seem to think of one intelligent thing to say. Utah wanted to ask him so many questions, but mostly she wanted to hold him, stroke his hair and tell him it was going to be okay. She didn’t think Kale had been held enough in his life.
The guarded, hunted look left his face and Kale’s lips lifted into half a grin. Utah thought he looked so different when he smiled. “I should have asked. Jude’s here, I should’ve realized you would be too. I’m sorry I didn’t ask.”
“Well, you’ve had a lot on your mind. It’s no big deal.”
“You saved my life,” Kale took a step toward her. “That’s kind of a big deal.”
Utah bit her lip and worked up the courage to see if Kale was as dangerous as everyone told her he was. She slid off the table she had been sitting on, took a deep breath and told herself to tru
st her gut. This man would not hurt her. This man needed her. “They wouldn’t let me near you. Jude took care of you, but everyone told me it was best if I stayed away from you. They told me you’re a dangerous man.”
The grin faded from Kale’s face as he took a step away from her. “They’re probably right.”
“I said that was what they told me. I didn’t say I believed them.” Utah listened to her heart and took the step needed to take his hand in hers. He lifted his head and his eyes met hers. She felt the need in him to run, but she also felt her touch was not altogether unwelcomed. “If I thought for one moment you were dangerous, I would never have asked my brother to help you. I would have called 911 and walked away. Look, I might not be psychic or have any special powers like you, but I don’t need any.
“See, my parents made sure I got a really good education. Top notch universities. They wanted me to study something I could make a living from, instead I took courses in the things that interested me. Things like human behavior. Do you want to know what I learned with the hard-earned and begrudged education my parents’ paid for?”
“What did you learn?” Kale said.
“That people can be horrible to one another. They can manipulate and bend you until you don’t even know who you were before they started. The can be cruel and heartless and totally without compassion to those they think beneath them.”
“Okay, and this has what to do with me?”
“Your Tanya? She did all those things to you Kale. I know you can’t see that, or at least you can’t see it clearly. There’re all sorts of labels and complicated explanations for what she did to you, but they don’t matter, what does matter is how she made you feel.”
Kale’s expression hardened as he jerked his hand out of Utah’s. “You don’t know anything.”
Like hell I don’t.
Utah may have had doubts, but not anymore. Kale sounded like a petulant child denying the truth. In a way, that’s exactly what he was. A child. The thought of what had been done to him, what had been denied to him, made Utah furious.
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