Underground (New World Series Book 4)

by Janelle Stalder

  “Now that I have all of your undivided attention, let me tell you how this is going to work,” he began.

  Stella moved to the table, peaking over the top of it at him.

  “No one will be allowed to leave here and return to their homes until I have succeeded in getting Ludwig Tennebris to step down, making me the new leader. If he tries to attack us, you will all die. If he refuses? You'll all die. So get cozy, because this could be a long wait.” The smile that spread across his face made her sick.

  Would Ludwig give in to his demands? She had no idea. As she looked back at Mr. Samson, all she knew for certain was that whatever was going to happen had better do so soon. They didn't have the luxury of time anymore.

  “Ah, the walk of shame,” Garrett said. “What a beautiful thing it is.”

  Trent closed the door to Pheonix's room, looking over at his brother leaning against the wall. “There's no shame here,” he replied, crossing his arms.

  It was true, he wasn't ashamed of what happened between him and Phoenix. Although he would have preferred not being caught leaving her room for the sole reason that now the rest of them would know and talk about it. He gave Garrett a stern look to say drop it.

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  Garrett smiled but left it. “I went to your room this morning but you weren't there. Guess I know you better than you think.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Why were you looking for me?”

  “Bastian has a van set up to go back to the western ghetto. Tyler and I are going to go with a couple of his men. Did you want to come?”

  “No, you guys can handle it. I'm going to go talk to Bastian about the other fighters and figure out the earliest we can get a message sent with his overseas contact.”

  Garrett nodded. “We'll see you when we get back then.”

  They clasped hands. Trent held on to his for a second. “Be careful,” he stressed.

  “Aren't I always?”

  “No.”

  His brother laughed. “You worry too much, old man. You're starting to sound like Da.”

  Trent grunted, letting go. “Just don't do anything stupid.”

  He winked and then turned to walk down the hall. Trent stood there for a moment, debating about whether or not he should go back in and wake Phoenix up. She hated missing out on anything, but at the same time he knew she needed her rest. Deciding it was best to leave her, he headed in the direction of Bastian's office.

  He got lost a couple of times, finally managing to find the right room. The place was hard to navigate since all the hallways looked the same. It was a smart design if you wanted to make it difficult for your enemies to attack. It was also super annoying if you were just trying to find your way around.

  Not bothering to knock, he walked into the room and found Bastian sitting at his desk with Pixie in his lap. They were speaking to one another, the man's eyes bright with clear admiration. Trent wasn't sure how he felt about Sebastian Black just yet, despite the fact that he was helping them now. However, he could tell whatever he felt for Pixie was genuine and that made him a bit better in Trent's books.

  “Isn't this cozy,” he said, grabbing their attention.

  Pixie jumped off his lap, her cheeks turning pink.

  “Am I interrupting?”

  Pixie instantly said “no”, just as Bastian said, “yes”.

  “No, you're not,” she said, giving the man a look. “Come in, Trent.”

  “Trent,” Bastian said, sitting back musingly. “And here I thought your name was simply hot shot.”

  Trent snorted. “Only for little hellcats with bright red hair.” He sat down in one of the chairs.

  “Are you hungry?” asked Pixie.

  “I'll eat later. What do you have planned for the other fighters?” he asked, focusing on Bastian.

  He rubbed at his beard. “I've told them they're free, although I'm hesitant to return them to the city in case they reveal anything to the NWO. I'd like to give them an opportunity to stay here and join the cause if they want. Most of them are homeless anyway, so I don't see why they wouldn't want to remain here rather than go back to the streets.”

  He nodded. “We can’t force them, but you're right, we should give them the choice.”

  “If we tell them what's happening though and they choose to leave, what's stopping them from going to the soldiers?”

  “Do you really think they would?” said Pixie. “No one in the ghetto is happy with the way things are. Why would they take the order's side?”

  “Tell that to the people who set Phoenix up,” Trent pointed out. He could still remember the gut twisting fear that had filled him when he'd found Phoenix crumpled on the streets after being beaten by a group of soldiers. The citizens had revealed her location to set her up. If it hadn't been for Pixie setting off some explosives close by, who knows how much worse it could have been.

  Bastian raised a questioning eyebrow, glancing between them.

  Pixie sighed. “I'll explain later, but he's right. Not everyone can be trusted.”

  “Then we keep them here. Either they join or they can stay in the cell blocks until this is over,” Bastian said with a shrug.

  “It doesn't seem right,” Trent said.

  “It's war, my friend, nothing is right. We do what we must.”

  Bastian had a point, but it still didn't sit right with him. What else could they do though? They couldn't afford to have their location or plans compromised at this point. Reluctantly, he nodded in agreement.

  “Good, then that's settled,” Bastian said, standing. “Now I think we should go evaluate the weapons we have here and figure out what else we will need.”

  “Lucky for you, you're dating one of the best bomb makers I've ever known,” Trent said with a grin, standing as well.

  He wanted to laugh at the embarrassed look on Pixie's face when Bastian turned to stare at her with both eyebrows raised.

  “Is that so?” he said.

  “She's quiet, but she sure knows how to make a loud impression,” Trent said. She shot him a narrowed look but remained silent.

  ***

  It was late afternoon by the time he made it to the gym where Bastian had his men and some of the fighters that had willingly joined them practicing. He stopped just inside the room, amazed at the sight before him. This was even better than what they'd had when they were with the General. Everyone seemed focused, paired off to spar, or alone either working out or practicing with weapons.

  A group stood around a table where the guns Bastian had were laid out and being cleaned. Bastian stood there, speaking with his men as they worked. He'd already sent an SOS message out that morning with his top guy, who was meeting their other contact that evening. Now they were just waiting for Garrett and the others to return with their friends.

  Trent had gone off to eat and shower before coming here. He hadn't seen Phoenix yet, and his body was urging him to do so, but he knew that if this was just going to be a fun thing between them, he needed to play it cool.

  “Pretty amazing, huh?” Missy said, appearing beside him.

  “Gives me hope for once,” he agreed.

  “Me too,” she said. “There's this energy in the room now. Everyone is working toward a common goal.”

  It was true. You could feel it in the air, that sense of excitement and renewed optimism that came over people who suddenly had something to fight for. It had been a long time since most of them had felt that way. Being given a purpose, when you’d become used to just going through the motions from day to day, was a special thing.

  He could tell that the men Bastian had kept around him were the kind who excelled at this sort of thing. It was no wonder the man had managed to raise himself to the top out here. Except now their efforts were going toward a bigger end.

  He spotted a flash of red across the room, zeroing in on Phoenix. She worked against a bag, her bare stomach showing. She wore only a tight sports bra and tiny shorts, showing off her slim, toned
legs. Legs he'd had wrapped around him not too long ago.

  “I'll catch up with you later,” he said, heading toward her.

  “Mm hmm, I'm sure you will,” he heard Missy say.

  He turned to face her as he walked backward, pointing a finger warningly. “Watch it,” he said lightly.

  She held up both hands, barely containing the smile she was fighting back. “I didn't say anything.”

  “You said enough.” He turned back around just as he heard her laugh.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  She'd woken up feeling rested for the first time in a long time. Sure, she was sore in certain places, and the man who had done that to her no longer warmed the spot beside her, but she was okay with that. It's not as if she had expected him to still be there, waiting with flowers for her.

  No, they were just supposed to be having fun, so avoiding the whole morning-after scene was probably for the best. She'd gone about her routine leisurely, showering and eating the first decent breakfast she'd had in ages. And the best part was, she’d gotten to sit and eat with her sister, as Missy filled her in on everything that had happened while she was in the institute with Tyler.

  Most of it terrified Phoenix for her sister, but she could see how much stronger it had made her. Pride had infused her chest as she watched Missy speak about Tyler, and Phoenix could tell a lot of healing had happened in her little sister because of him. It made her like the burly Scot even more. She couldn't remember the last time the two of them had been able to sit and just chat. It was nice, and it had made it easier for her to not think about Trent.

  Who was she kidding? She had thought about him constantly. Damn that man and his amazing body. No matter how hard she tried to focus on their conversation, she couldn't help but let her mind wander at times back to the previous night.

  Hitting the bag in front of her, she decided she'd get whatever sexual frustration she still had out now, and make herself so tired she wouldn't want him later. It was a great plan. She'd lock her door, and if he came knocking, she'd ignore it because she'd be asleep. What if he doesn't come knocking? A voice inside said. She stopped, planting her hands on her hips. Well, fuck, that would be a piss-off.

  No, she corrected herself, it would be fine, because they weren't a couple and he didn't need to be at her door every night. What did it matter anyway, if she was just planning on going to sleep?

  Suddenly two large hands she knew all too well grabbed a hold of her sides, making her jump.

  “Looking good there, princess” he said, walking around to stand beside the bag. He swept his eyes over her appreciatively, one side of his mouth pulling up into a lopsided smile.

  Phoenix brushed back her sweaty bangs, trying her best to hide the way he affected her. “See something you like?”

  His smile turned into a full-out grin as he met her eyes. “Most definitely.”

  Ugh, how was she supposed to play it cool when he looked at her like that? She could practically read every heated promise in those eyes, and that had her entire body paying close attention.

  “Cool it, Casanova,” she said flippantly. “I'm trying to work out here. Need to get on top of my game if we're going to take those assholes down.”

  “I know a great way to work out,” he said, pushing off the bag to step closer to her.

  She held up a hand to ward him off. “Trent, stop it,” she warned, wanting to laugh. “You're supposed to be the well-behaved one out of the two of us.”

  “I like it when you say my name,” he said darkly, waggling his brows.

  This time she did laugh and his face broke out into an easy smile that had her heart flipping. How annoying, she thought.

  “I'm just playing with you,” he said with a wink. “I'll talk to you later.” He walked past her then, but not before giving her ass a quick slap. She gasped, looking over her shoulder at him.

  “Keep up the good work, princess,” he called out with a laugh.

  She stood there like an idiot, watching him with her mouth hanging open. Playful Trent was new and, fuck it - fun. She liked this side of him damn it. Why did he have to go and make it harder not to like him?

  She had a bad feeling that between this Trent, the dark and sexy serious Trent, and the skillful, mind blowing bedroom Trent, she was utterly doomed. Her ovaries had officially just waved the white flag.

  “Where are you going?”

  Lake stopped, her hand on the doorknob, and turned to face Vi. “I have to go back to the Upper section,” she said.

  “Are you crazy? Ludwig probably has that place crawling with soldiers by now.”

  Lake had already considered that. It was likely true, but she still needed to get back and check on her aunt. There hadn't been time last night to do it, so she had no choice but to go now. And for some reason, she wasn't scared if she did happen to run into Ludwig's men. Was that crazy? Yes, certifiable.

  It was just, she'd thought about it all night, and not once had she felt afraid or threatened in Ludwig's presence. He seemed more like a - man. He was always a man, of course, but before last night he had been this horror story figure, equivalent to the big, bad wolf that waited to devour you with his razor sharp teeth.

  Except, he was just a man like any of them when he was face to face with you. Especially when he had been with her. There was an easy camaraderie between them when they’d worked their way back down from the roof. And when they'd parted, he had almost seemed reluctant to leave, and if she wasn’t mistaken, a bit shy. It was as though he hadn't known quite what to do or say around her. It was completely opposite to how she had imagined he would be.

  If she was caught by his soldiers and brought to him, would he kill her? No, he wouldn't. She knew that for a fact in her heart. Strange to think, but true. She gave Vi a reassuring smile. “I'll be fine,” she replied. “I've done this hundreds of times.”

  Her friend didn't look convinced. “Maybe I should come too, just to be safe.”

  “Come where?” Pete asked, coming down the stairs.

  “She's going back to the Upper section,” Vi explained.

  Pete's gaze flew to hers. “What? Why?”

  This was exactly why she had never confided in them about where she went. Things were a bit more dangerous now, but she really wasn't worried. Before she could defend herself, the rest of them walked in, including Seamus who had been impersonating a soldier over at the NWO headquarters.

  No one seemed overly worried about him, and yet letting her go was a big deal. Sam sunk down on the coach, while Bridgette, Roman and Seamus looked between them, sensing something was up. The only one missing was Charlotte, who was probably the only one who would understand.

  “Is there something wrong?” Bridgette asked.

  “I want to go out,” Lake replied before either of the other two could.

  “To the Upper section,” Pete added.

  “That's probably not a good idea,” Seamus said. “Ludwig sent a shit-load of men there to secure the community center. You'll be hard pressed to get through undetected.”

  Tears pricked at her eyes in frustration. “I have to go,” she insisted. If Garrett were there he'd understand. They'd just found out that they both frequently snuck away to the Upper section in order to see someone. She, her aunt, and him an older man he cared for.

  “Guys, let her go,” said Charlotte as she descended the stairs. The poor girl still looked exhausted, the skin under her eyes more purple than usual, and her pallor pale. Their eyes met and she could see the understanding she’d expected there.

  “I need to check on my Aunt,” she said to the others. “She's the only blood family I have left. And she's elderly.”

  They didn't look completely convinced but she could tell they were bending.

  “Maybe I should stick close by just in case,” offered Seamus.

  Lake really didn't think it was necessary, but if it was going to get her out of there she'd agree. It was better to have Seamus than Violet. If they did run into t
rouble, she'd never forgive herself if something happened to Vi.

  “Okay,” Lake said, giving in. Seamus gave her a satisfied grin.

  “You better get your uniform on then,” Pete said reluctantly. He didn't seem pleased at all but he would just have to deal with it. Seamus left to get ready. Pete and Phoenix's dads came in then. The two older men often kept to themselves in the study, leaving the younger group to fight the battle they were too old for. As they entered now, Lake could tell something had them concerned. Her shoulders dropped. She prayed she wouldn't have to argue with them over this now too.

  “There's a van coming slowly down the street,” Michael McKay said.

  They all froze.

  “Are you sure?” Pete asked as he and Charlotte both moved to the covered window.

  “I know what a van looks like, Son,” he replied.

  “What colour?” Roman asked.

  “Black.” It was Pete who answered.

  “Get back from there,” Bridgette said.

  They both listened. Everyone kept still as they heard the crunch of tires over dirt outside. To her horror, the slight squeak of brakes sounded from just outside the door she was still standing in front of.

  “Lake, come here,” Vi whispered.

  Lake moved instantly to the far side of the room. The sound of a van door sliding open came next as they all waited with bated breath. When the doorknob turned, she thought she might be sick. No one was armed except Roman, who now slowly took out his pistol, clicking back the safety.

  The door opened, and before any of them could react, a familiar voice called out.

  “Don't shoot, we come in peace.” Garrett stepped through with a wide grin on his face. A collective sigh of relief went through the room. “Y'all miss me or what?”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Garrett and Tyler sat on the couch while the rest of the group looked at them in shock.

  “Right, so,” Garrett said slapping his hands together, “let's everyone get their stuff together and get out of here. A van in these parts isn't going to remain unnoticed for long.”