“Thanks, Dec,” she said quietly. He gave a small nod. Just then, they heard a vehicle approach in the empty garage, its engine noise echoing off the walls. They both reached instinctively for their guns, on full alert. They’d parked so that any approaching vehicle could only come from one direction. They’d be able to see anyone who entered the garage. That also meant that if they needed to flee, they’d have to get past the enemy before they could exit the garage. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best possible plan.
After several moments, a large black van came into view at the opposite side of the garage. Declan’s grip tightened on his gun and he felt the muscles in his stomach clench with nerves. He glanced over at Sawyer and saw that she also looked nervous. He didn’t know why, but that somehow made him feel better. The van stopped a dozen yards from their SUV and the doors opened. A black–clad figure emerged from each side of the vehicle. From the passenger side came a man. He was tall and looked to be in good physical shape. Large, but clearly from working hard, rather than laziness or overeating. He was dressed in full tactical gear and wore a pistol in a holster at his waist. His hair was cropped short and very dark, almost black. Declan had barely registered the man and was turning his attention to the other figure when he heard Sawyer’s gasp. He raised his gun immediately, ready to fight. Neither of the two strangers looked menacing so he turned back to Sawyer and was shocked by what he saw.
Her face was ashen, eyes wide. She looked like she’d seen a ghost. She brought one hand up to cover her mouth. The depth of emotion he saw on her face took him by surprise. She was always so stoic, avoiding any outward display of emotion unless it was hostility. She remained frozen that way for a moment before he heard her whisper, “Corbin?” Then she seemed to snap out of her trance and her face broke into a huge smile. Suddenly, she was frantically clawing at the door, trying to find the lever to open it. Declan didn’t know what he was supposed to do. She’d left her gun behind. Clearly, she recognized the man. Still, he kept his own pistol in his hand as he climbed out of the vehicle.
Sawyer hadn’t taken her eyes off Corbin. She was afraid to blink. He was here. Standing in front of her. The smile she wore was involuntary and felt foreign on her face but she didn’t try to hide it. Every ache and pain she’d felt before vanished the moment she saw him. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry as she studied him in the dim light of the parking garage. His dark hair was shorter than it had been the last time she’d seen him. His face looked thinner and his jaw was clenched under a layer of dark stubble that could almost be called a beard. That’s new, she thought.
Corbin hadn’t made a move toward her, but suddenly she couldn’t take it anymore. She ran toward him, closing the distance in seconds. Forgetting her injuries, she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck. He was solid and real in her arms and she didn’t care that she was filthy, covered in blood and hurting. Corbin was here and everything that had worried her moments earlier didn’t matter.
She had only a moment to delight in the feel of him before he gently but firmly took her by the upper arms and set her away from him. He took a step back as though he needed to distance himself from her. His gray eyes, usually so full of laughter, were cold and hard as he visually assessed her, taking in the blood and bruises. When he seemed satisfied by what he saw, he released her without a word. He walked past her toward the other vehicle, leaving her feeling hollow and confused. She turned slowly to watch him walk away from her, feeling like she’d been punched in the stomach. Falling back on old habits, she stifled her hurt and schooled her features to a neutral expression. She took as deep a breath as her ribs would allow before walking slowly back toward the SUV where Declan was standing. She did her best to ignore him as he looked at her, his eyebrows raised in silent question.
Corbin approached Declan and held out a hand. “Mr. Thomas? I’m Corbin Teague. I was sent to bring you guys in.” Declan shook his hand as he glanced from Sawyer’s face to Corbin’s.
“Nice to meet you,” Declan said, his tone unsure. “I take it you and Sawyer know one another?”
Corbin didn’t look in her direction which caused a shock of pain Sawyer hadn’t expected. He wouldn’t even look at her. Sawyer felt her hurt switch to annoyance. She watched as Corbin gave a brief dismissive nod to Declan’s question then looked toward the SUV behind him.
“You have the Warren family with you?” he asked in a stiff, formal tone. Sawyer had never heard that voice from him. She was suddenly angry. Angry at the situation, angry at Corbin, angry at whoever had sent him to bring her home.
“They’re all safe, Teague,” she said angrily. She purposely used his last name, avoiding any familiarity. “I did my job.” She stalked over to the back door of the SUV and opened it to a very awake Bree who was looking at her intently.
“Friend of yours?” Bree asked sweetly, nodding her head toward Corbin. “He’s cute,” she said, her voice teasing.
Sawyer rolled her eyes. “Shut up before I shoot you,” she growled. Bree looked to be stifling a laugh which pissed Sawyer off even more. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice low. Sawyer felt Bree’s hand on her arm and looked at the other woman. “What?” she snapped.
Bree surprised her with a small smile as she said. “It’s going to be okay, Sawyer.” She wasn’t sure what made Bree say that or why the words had a calming effect on her, but they did. She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled deeply, trying to pull her usual cloak of cocky confidence around her shoulders.
“Come on,” she said in a much calmer tone than before. “We need to hurry in case they’re tracking this truck.”
Rylee and Bree helped Jon climb out of the truck while Sawyer went to the back to grab their gear. As she was reaching for the last bag, she heard a female voice speak from behind her. “It’s good to see you in one piece, Sawyer.”
Sawyer whirled around to see a familiar figure before her. She hadn’t even glanced at the other agent after she’d seen Corbin standing there. She was shocked at her lack of focus. “Gwynn,” she said with a smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you earlier.”
The older woman waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. “You were a little distracted,” she said with a smile as she reached out to pull Sawyer into a hug.
Gwynn was old enough to be Sawyer’s mother but didn’t look her age. Her long red hair was pulled into a tight braid down her back and her skin was flawless, save for the jagged scar that started just below her left ear and snaked down the side of her neck, nearly to her collar bone. Gwynn rarely discussed the scar’s origin and it was something of a legend at their compound. Gwynn Donnelly was a bit of a legend herself. She oversaw training at the Praetor compound where Sawyer had grown up. She very rarely went on field missions these days and Sawyer was a little surprised to see her here now. Even so, she returned Gwynn’s hug and said, “It’s good to see you.”
Gwynn said as she pulled away, “Not quite as good as seeing him, though.” She tilted her head in the direction of the van where Corbin was helping Jon climb inside.
Sawyer followed her gaze, her stomach doing flips as she looked at him again. She tamped down the feeling and looked at the bag in her hands. She wanted to ask Gwynn a million questions but now wasn’t the time.
“When we get home and you get patched up, come by my quarters and we’ll have a drink. You’ve missed a lot in the last few months,” Gwynn said gently. “I’ll fill you in.”
Sawyer was grateful that Gwynn seemed to know exactly what she needed without saying a word. She nodded and gave her a grateful smile. She took one last look at the SUV, full of bullet holes and Jon’s blood, feeling again the terror of their flight from the motel. She closed her eyes as she remembered the pain in Bree’s face and the desperation in Rylee’s voice as she begged Jon to stay with her. She’d never felt more relieved to be going home.
It took a few minutes but they managed to get everyone into the van, along with the belongings they’d been a
ble to grab when they fled the motel. Sawyer was bone–tired and now that the safety of the group wasn’t sitting solely on her own shoulders, she wished she could shut down and sleep. However, her brain was spinning in a million different directions. How was Corbin here? She felt a dozen different emotions where he was concerned and didn’t know which to deal with first. Shock warred with joy equally. The sight of him emerging from the van and standing there had caught her completely off–guard. Even after they’d been in the van for nearly twenty minutes, she kept stealing glances at him, confirming to herself that he really was there. He was whole and healthy and alive. He’d pushed her away and she didn’t understand his behavior, but he was alive. She decided that whatever else she might be feeling, happiness took the top spot. It was an odd sensation, like hearing a song she used to know. She could hum the tune but the words escaped her. It had been so long since she’d allowed herself to just be happy for a moment, but now she forced herself to push everything else away and focus on one solid fact. Corbin was okay. She allowed herself a small smile as she gazed out the window.
As they drove through the afternoon, Corbin and Gwynn told them what to expect once they arrived. Sawyer was largely silent, allowing the others to do the talking. Occasionally she would answer a question posed by Declan or Bree. When they got to the compound they would be disarmed and taken to meet Conrad Brooks, the leader of their branch. From there, they would be debriefed individually by Praetors from the intelligence sector.
“What does that mean?” Declan asked, his voice suspicious.
Sawyer spoke for the first time in several minutes. “The intelligence sector is made up of Praetors with specific abilities. Anything from clairvoyance to someone who can sense dishonesty. They’re not field agents because they’re too valuable to risk. It’s not always guaranteed to spot a lie, but it’s useful.”
The remainder of the ride was made in silence, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Rylee was growing more anxious with every mile. She’d never planned to go back. Her only family was here in this van with her. She hadn’t left anyone behind when they’d left all those years ago. The idea of returning now was causing a ball of dread to pool in her stomach. She squeezed Jon’s hand tighter as he slept, his head resting against the tinted window. She watched him for a moment, reassured by the steady movement of his chest as he breathed in and out. He was still so pale. Her heart clenched again as she remembered trying to project her strength into him and not being able to find him in her mind. She knew now what it felt like to lose him. She’d do anything to never feel that again.
Rylee hated the idea of bringing Bree into her world. They’d tried so hard to keep her from it. To keep her safe. It hadn’t changed a thing. In the end, their daughter had been pulled into the world they’d tried so hard to save her from. She didn’t know what the future held, but she silently vowed to do whatever it took to keep her family safe.
Chapter 4
When the van finally came to a stop and Gwynn turned off the engine, Bree looked around in confusion. They were in a city she didn’t recognize, in an industrial area. The van was parked in a lot crowded with other vehicles. The lot, with its fence topped with razor wire reminded Bree of a police impound lot. Corbin and Gwynn climbed out, the others following their lead.
Jon managed to climb out of the van unassisted. The sleep he’d gotten on the drive here seemed to have helped him regain some of his strength. Rafe had healed his wounds but he couldn’t replace the blood he’d lost. What Jon needed most now was more rest and fluids. Bree was worried as she caught a glimpse of his pale skin in the early evening light. He quickly flashed her a smile.
“I’m fine, kiddo. Stop looking at me like that.” Jon sounded almost normal as he spoke, but she wasn’t entirely convinced. She returned his smile, trying to trust his word that he really was okay.
Corbin waited until everyone was ready, their gear in hand before motioning for them to follow him. Jon and Rylee came next, followed by Bree and Declan. Sawyer and Gwynn brought up the rear as they walked between the rows of parked cars. Bree’s eyes continuously scanned the darkened lot, her mind inventing shadowy figures ready to pounce. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She felt a hand on hers and looked over to see Declan giving her a reassuring smile. She gave his hand a grateful squeeze and took a calming breath as she returned the smile.
They followed Corbin as he made his way to the end of the row of vehicles. He seemed alert but unconcerned and Bree felt her nerves slowly ease as she watched his unhurried, almost casual pace. It was clear that he was focused on their surroundings but he didn’t appear to be anxious. When they reached a locked gate, he pressed a series of buttons on a silver keypad. The gate swung open silently and he walked through, emerging onto a nondescript street lined with red brick buildings. They walked down the sidewalk, following Corbin closely. He approached a metal door set into the wall of one of the buildings. When the rest of the group had gathered around him, Corbin trained his gaze on a spot about a foot above the door. Bree followed his gaze and noticed a blemish in the brick. It wasn’t something someone would notice unless they were looking for it. She thought it was probably a camera but it was difficult to tell in the dim evening light. After a moment, the metal door clicked and Corbin reached for the handle, pulling it open. He motioned for them to precede him as he held the door. They all filed inside.
Bree didn’t know what she’d expected to find, but it wasn’t this. She followed her parents inside, still holding Declan’s hand in hers. It hadn’t occurred to her to release it, and she was glad he hadn’t yet pulled away. There was something comforting about the feel of his fingers entwined with her own. It made her feel a little less overwhelmed in this strange new situation. She studied the building as they walked further inside. The utilitarian look of the outside hadn’t prepared her for the elegance of the interior. The large room before her was brightly lit and tastefully decorated. There was a seating area to her left with several plush chairs and low tables. Ahead of her stood a man in a suit and tie, hands clasped before him, silently watching the group as they approached. Corbin moved up to take the lead position and approached the man. As he did so, the man’s relaxed posture changed. His hands moved to his sides and his feet came together so that he was standing taller. Corbin nodded at the man in greeting before he raised his hands out to his sides. The man quickly and efficiently located and removed the guns and knives Corbin had been carrying.
Bree had known they would be disarmed when they arrived, but the idea of being left without a method of defense bothered her more than she wanted to admit. When the man was satisfied that Corbin had no more weapons, Sawyer stepped forward to submit to his search. He laid the weapons on a table behind him. Declan gave Bree’s hand a small squeeze before releasing it and stepping up for his turn. One by one, they all were disarmed. The suited man then gestured for them to continue. Corbin led the way across the marble tiled floor to a small bank of elevators. Another man in a dark suit stood sentry to one side of the elevator. He reached over to press a button as the group approached. They waited only a moment before the doors opened and the man waved them inside, giving a nod at Gwynn as the doors closed behind them.
Corbin pressed a button and the elevator began to move. Not up, as Bree had expected, but down. She wondered how big this building was. Just how many Praetorians lived here? How many compounds were there like this one? Did Ephraim have something similar? How large was his army compared to theirs? Her mind was suddenly a blur and her heart was racing. She felt Declan’s hand on hers again and once again, his touch had a calming effect on her. Looking over, she gave him a grateful smile. She’d never been a high–strung person but now it seemed like she’d forgotten what calm even was.
The elevator travelled down and down. There was no indication of how far they were going or which floors they passed, if any. After a time, the elevator finally came to a stop. The doors opened and they were introduced to the Praetorian
compound.
The room before them was large with a high ceiling. There were 2 rows of desks with people seated at each, staring at computer screens, their backs to the elevator. None of them looked up when the group stepped from the elevator. The arrival of several dirty, injured people must be a regular occurrence, Bree thought. At the other end of the room, there was a large office separated by a wall of glass.
Corbin walked between the rows of desks toward the office. Sawyer followed him and the others fell in behind them. As they passed the people sitting at their desks, Bree could see several of them glancing covertly at the newcomers, curiosity shining in their eyes. She wondered what they must think of this group. They were filthy, covered in blood, clearly exhausted. Not to mention they were strangers to this place. All except for Sawyer, Corbin and Gwynn. They were from this place, had likely lived here all their lives.
She wondered how long Sawyer had been gone on her mission to find them and babysit. Was there someone here who’d been worried about her? Was there someone that she was happy to come home to? Judging by the blank expression she'd been wearing since they piled into the van, Bree found it impossible to tell what Sawyer was feeling or thinking.
She studied Corbin as he led the group. He walked with quiet confidence, seeming completely sure of his place here. He was probably well respected, judging by the demeanor of the people around them. Gwynn was older than he and most likely outranked him, but she allowed him to lead the group, which meant that she probably respected him as well. Sawyer seemed to have some hostility toward him, but that didn't mean much. She was hostile toward most people, it seemed. Corbin, however, was only hostile to Sawyer. He'd been polite to the rest of the group, smiling when he'd introduced himself, answering everyone's questions during the drive. Bree wondered if something had happened between Sawyer and Corbin to cause the anger she saw when they looked at one another. She knew next to nothing about Sawyer's past. She hadn’t volunteered much information about herself during the few months since she’d arrived to protect them. Bree’s wandering thoughts distracted her from the long walk and she was surprised to see that they'd arrived at the door to the office. Corbin held it open and they filed inside.
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