Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7)

by Crystal Perkins

  “There may be ten openings once this is all said and done.”

  “I don’t believe that. The mentors would be crazy to fire all of you.”

  “Everyone is replaceable. So maybe you’ll get your shot after all.”

  “I wouldn’t want it like that.”

  “You’d make a good agent. I’d be okay with you taking my spot.”

  “Really?” she asks, with a raised eyebrow.

  “Well, not exactly okay with it, but I’d rather it be someone I know wants it and would do a good job, then some of the other women I’ve seen try and go through training.”

  “They didn’t really want it?”

  “No. They wanted the glory, or the prestige. Our job is about way more than that, and trust me, it’s rarely glamorous. Anyone who wasn’t in training for the right reasons was quickly weeded out.”

  “How did they even get recruited?”

  “That’s a hard question to answer since I’ve never recruited anyone. I know that some of us are people they helped—or in my case, pretended to help. And then a few helped out on missions, or came from law enforcement backgrounds. They’ve just always told us that they saw something in us that made them know we were the right choice. For the women who didn’t make it, whatever they had in them that caused them to be chosen, wasn’t enough to override the things that made them fail.”

  “Ainsley’s going to teach me how to shoot a gun, and maybe fight, but I don’t know if there’s anything special about me.”

  “You’re letting me hide out here, so I’d say you’re pretty damn special, Sierra.”

  “It’s my pleasure. Really. Now, I’ll let you have some alone time.”

  “Thank you.”

  I get up and go to my room, thoughts swirling through my head. I still can’t believe Mallory did this to me. That they all lied to me for seven years while they pretended to care for me. All they wanted was the jewels, just like everyone else. Except for Brayden. He wants them, but he was willing to put his love for me first. That’s why I wish I could just give them to him. He’s the only one who deserves them. It’s not my call to make, though.

  If I knew then what I know now, I’m not sure I would’ve agreed to that oath. I was a fifteen year old girl who had just watched her father die in front of her. I wanted vengeance and revenge. Stealing the jewels seemed like the answer, and the oath was just the icing on the proverbial cake. It helped protect someone I loved, while allowing me to be an “honorable” thief. So then again, I may have still done it.

  My phone rings; I see that it’s Tegan, so I answer immediately. “Did you get her, Teeg? Is she okay?”

  “Yes and yes. There were only five guys on her. We didn’t even have to kill anyone.”

  “Faith must be so disappointed.”

  “I heard that,” I hear in the background.

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  “Anyway, we just dropped her at the secure location, and now we’re heading back to Europe, but Ainsley said you need to get into your apartment.”

  “Not my apartment, exactly, but the building, yes.”

  “Well, my guys are on it. Cal says if you stop by at seven tonight, you can walk right in.”

  “Really?” What the heck is Cal going to do?

  “Yep. He said you’ll have ten to fifteen minutes. Ainsley said she can freeze the system for you so no one from outside of the building will see you either.”

  “I have the best friends ever.”

  “Right back at cha, Darce.”

  I spend the rest of the afternoon gathering all of the supplies I’ll need. If I had access to my office at the Foundation, or even my apartment, I could just grab a bag. Since that’s not an option, I have to make trips to the hardware store and REI. All of those years I was on my own, without a group of billionaires to fund equipment for me, has paid off. I can put together almost anything I need from basic stores. There is one thing I can’t get ready made from a store, though. I call Tegan back, and she tells me she has one in her apartment and will make sure Caleb has it ready for me.

  I head out around 6:30 in the car Sierra rented for me. I want to park a few blocks away to make my getaway easier. My phone rings through the Bluetooth before I get there. “Hey Ainsley, what’s up?”

  “I can’t get you in yet. I’ve just lost all Society privileges. I can get back in, because I built the system, but it’ll take me a little time.”

  “I’ll get her in,” Scott says, all of a sudden on the call with us. Damn these tech savvy people. And love them at the same time. “I got the notification that your access was revoked, so I thought I’d jump into this call.”

  “Your mom will be pissed if she finds out.”

  “I’m not worried. Just walk me through the plan.”

  “Thanks, Scott.”

  “Sure thing, Darce.”

  I disconnect with them so they can work it out, and make my roundabout way to the building. I walk through the unlocked doors at exactly seven to find a smiling Caleb and Ethan waiting for me. The guards at the desk are slumped over, and the elevator is open.

  “Hi guys. Do I even want to know what happened?”

  “Dad and I made them some brownies,” Ethan tells me.

  “With a few extra ingredients in them,” Caleb adds with a wink. “You’ve probably got fifteen minutes, but I’d plan for ten, just in case.”

  “Thanks. I really appreciate this,” I tell him as I take the bag I need from his hands.

  “Be safe.”

  “I’ll try.”

  I take the elevator to the roof and then run to the middle where the giant tower is. Ainsley and Scott built it to control the invisible field surrounding the building that blocks everything from bugs to missiles. I placed the jewels at the top before it was activated, but I had to ask for it to be turned off tonight. The jewels are safe, but I’d be fried if I tried to climb it while it’s powered up.

  My ten minutes are almost up when I make it to the top of the 50 foot tower. I may have been able to make my own climbing rig, but it’s not really a good substitute for top of the line gear, especially on a windy night. I almost fell twice, and my hands are shaking as I pull up the panel that I hid the jewels in two years ago. I reach in and grasp the pouch, zipping it inside my motorcycle jacket, before I climb up to stand on the panels.

  I open the bag I got from Caleb, take out the glider inside, and unfold it to its full length. It’s another of Ainsley’s gadgets and should fly me to my car with no problems. I hold up the detachable sensor so it can gauge the wind factor and then strap on the wings. With a running start, I’m off and soaring into the night sky.

  I overshoot a little and land right on the roof of the car; the momentum causes me to roll off onto the ground. I have to laugh at myself as I get up. Thank God it’s dark. Once I’ve freed myself from the glider, and climbed into the car, I immediately start it up and get the hell out of Dodge. Or in this case, Summerlin.

  Scott’s name is flashing on my Bluetooth before I’ve even gone a block. “Did you have to scare the shit out of me? Two times? And that roll off the car? Christ, Darcy. I have a family now. You can’t go making me have a heart attack.”

  “I didn’t intend to almost fall. I was terrified there for a few seconds, too. I mean, I know I had a harness, but it’s not a Society issued one, so who knows if it would’ve held.”

  “Not helping my heart rate.”

  “I’m on the ground. You know I can’t fall now, right?”

  “I’ve learned to never underestimate any of the women in my life.”

  “Thank you for helping me, Scott.”

  “I don’t know what’s going on with my mom and her friends, but I can’t believe they would’ve ever set out to hurt you. That’s not how they work. Just try to hang in there until we can all figure this out. I’ll help all of you out as much as I can.”

  “I appreciate it more than you know. If I don’t see you again, I nee
d you to know that your friendship has meant so much to me over the years.”

  “We’re going to see each other again, but you should know that I feel the same way. Be careful, Darce, and know that I’ve got your back.”

  Tears are running down my face as I hang up. When I was younger, I wanted to be on my own, not depending on anyone. I realize that since I joined the Society, I’ve become so comfortable leaning on everyone else, that I just took it for granted that we’d always have each other. I’m also realizing that this mission may be the last one where we’re all together, and it hurts almost as much as the thought of losing Brayden does.

  * * *

  Brayden

  Breakfast is a strained affair since Reina is back. She’s not speaking to the Society founders—or her husband—but she’s here. That gives me even more hope that things will be okay for Darcy. Until she takes out her cell phone.

  “What phone is that?” Matt asks her.

  “It’s my personal one,” she answers, not looking up from it.

  “Since when?”

  “Since your grandmother had my access revoked.”

  “Gram?”

  “She’s either with us, or against us.”

  Reina looks up then. “I can’t believe I ever looked up to you.”

  “If she’s not with you, why is she here? Maybe I should have her put in the dungeon with the other traitors,” Derrick says.

  “I didn’t know you had a death wish,” Matt tells him.

  “She can’t be that formidable,” Derrick scoffs at him.

  “Oh, she is. But I’m the one who’s going to kill you if anyone puts their hands on my wife.”

  “It’s nice to know you care,” Reina says, getting up from the table.

  “Come on, Rei.”

  “I’d rather go.”

  “I’ll understand if you need to side with her, Matt,” Jane Corrigan tells him.

  “Family comes first. Always. When it didn’t, you know what happened. She’ll get over it.”

  I can see that Alex wants to say something, but she knows she needs to help us later, and so she can’t publicly side with Reina. I’m with her, though. I don’t think Reina’s just going to get over this. But that’s not my problem to worry about. I have enough on my plate.

  I manage to get through all of my official duties for the day, without looking too nervous. I figure being a jilted fiancé should give me a little leeway. I see Jessica and Alex approach my mother, uncle, and Derrick, which is my cue to get downstairs.

  I’m the last to arrive outside the dungeon, and I join the others as we watch the show unfold. Stella and Jen look like they’ve stepped off the pages of Playboy, only with clothes on. Scandalous clothes, but the important parts are mostly covered. The guards don’t stand a chance.

  Within minutes, they’ve convinced the guards that nothing could possibly happen if they step away for a few minutes for some fun. As soon as they round the corner, we run down the stairs. Matt places the devices on the doors of the two cells, and they open within seconds. Noah and Zack run into the one with the girls, who are both lying down unchained. I guess the guards didn’t see them as much of a threat since they’ve been underfeeding them.

  The guys are chained to the wall, but Matt quickly frees them. True to what Stella said, they seem to be doing fine, and run from their cell. Aiden and Nate offer to take Ellie and Jade from the other guys, but they tell them to just go behind us, along with Jake. We get up the steps, but the guards are back, looking pissed and holding onto Stella and Jen. Once the girls see us, they spring into action, knocking both guys unconscious. I knew my cousin was a badass, but damn.

  “Let’s go,” Stella says, not even breaking a sweat.

  We hear music and screaming as soon as we get outside. The girls say they can walk, because they know we need them to, and we all blend into the crowd that’s enjoying the impromptu Storyside concert. I force myself to look at the band, and not at the people I just helped escape. I can’t draw any attention to them as they get away from the castle. I look at Noah, and he smirks back at me. Who knew we’d be so good at assisting in a prison break?

  Chapter 15

  Darcy

  Sneaking back onto the island wasn’t as hard as I expected. Then again, who would ever think I’d want to come back? Jenysis is letting us stay in her house, which she rarely uses, since she usually stays with Brayden when she visits. It’s on a secluded part of the island, and has huge privacy walls. Ainsley and Aiden built a sophisticated security system for the property in less than an hour, so none of us are worried about being found. We’re just worried about how everything is going to play out.

  “So what? We just have to wait here and see if ‘certain events’ happen?” Nate asks me in annoyance.

  “Pretty much.”

  “How do we even know something will happen?”

  “Not everyone wants Brayden to be crowned. Something will happen. I don’t know what, but something.”

  “Will it be enough to satisfy your oath?” Faith asks me.

  “I hope so. If not, the jewels go back with me.”

  “Can we see them? Are they like the ones at the Tower of London?”

  “No, and kind of,” I tell Stella with a smile.

  “Ugh. I have to protect pretty things, and I can’t even see them. How is that fair?”

  “You’re not protecting them, I am.”

  “We’re with you. Have you not realized that by now?”

  “You can go back to the Society. Tell them you made a mistake. I hate that you’ve been thrown out because you want to help me.”

  “We’re not going back without you,” Reina says, entering the room.

  “What are you doing here, Rei?”

  “I can’t be around Matt right now. His family loyalty bullshit is making me want to punch him. Hard.”

  “You know why, Reina,” Nate tells her. “The last time he didn’t put his family first, Miles was physically abused by their father. He still feels guilty about that.”

  “But what about us? Not just me, but you guys, too. You’re his family. The one he chose. How can he put all of us aside like we’re nothing to him?”

  “He helped rescue us.”

  “Yeah, but he’s going to fight you if it comes to it.”

  “Then let’s pray it doesn’t.”

  “How were things at the castle when you left?” I ask her, trying to change the subject.

  “Everything seems to be on track for the coronation. Derrick was acting a little strange—on edge—but everyone else is just acting like it’s business as usual.”

  Derrick’s cracking. I knew he would. I need him to in order for this to end. I just wish I knew what he was going to do. He’s such a wild card that it could be anything, because he’ll do anything to stop Brayden from being crowned.

  “There’s still two weeks before Brayden is crowned. We should be there as security. I don’t trust the palace guards.”

  “The ones Jen and I distracted were pretty smarmy. That’s why we couldn’t keep them away any longer,” Stella says.

  “You did great. We got out,” Aiden reminds her.

  “They must be Derrick’s. I know there are those who are loyal to Brayden’s family, but the ones who are loyal to Derrick are the ones I’m worried about,” I tell them,

  “What would Derrick have to gain by keeping Brayden from becoming king?”

  “Everything,” Reina answers for me. “Well, if he could get rid of Steven, too, that is. I looked through quite a few books in the library while I was ignoring Matt. I read all about their crazy laws and traditions. If Brayden and Steven are out of the picture, Derrick could be named king.”

  “Son of a bitch. I knew I didn’t like that guy,” Wayne says.

  “Can you still hack into the security system, Ainsley?”

  “Sure.”

  “Please do. If we can at least have eyes on everyone, we’ll know if anything goes down.”

&n
bsp; “I’ll start right now,” she says, pulling out her new tablet.

  Everything we had that was given to us by the Society is useless now. They’ve cut us off from most of our resources, but we still have each other, and I wouldn’t count us out. We’re definitely a force to be reckoned with.

  “If you weren’t in more trouble than me, you could apply for my job,” Reina tells me with a laugh.

  “Not hardly. No one can do as good a job as you, and Jane knows it.”

  “I’m not sure I could work for them again, even if they did come to their senses. What they did to you—it’s just wrong. So wrong. They’re not the people I thought they were.”

  “I feel the same,” Faith says, and all of the other women agree as well.

  “Thank you all for the support, but we’ve done so much good. I want you to go back if you get the chance. You don’t have to socialize with them, or even be friends, but you can continue to do great things and save people. That’s more important than me.”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, but thank you for giving us the option to take an offer with a clear conscience if we’re given one.”

  “Of course.”

  We work out a schedule to monitor the security feeds of the castle once Ainsley is in the system. I’m on late night duty, so I should take a nap. Instead, I’m curled up on a lounge chair, staring out at the ocean, trying to organize my thoughts.

  “What can I do for you, Darce?” Jade asks, coming to sit next to me.

  “You don’t have to do anything.”

  “You stopped the man I love from killing himself. I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life.”

  “When Nate finally admitted that he loved you, I thought there might be hope for me to find love, too.”

  “And you did. It was great to see you so happy with Brayden.”

  “I wouldn’t call falling in love with a man I can never have ‘great.’ I mean, it was for the short time we had together, but I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from it.”

  “So what you’re saying is that I need to get you lots of ice cream once we get back home.”

  “Do we have a home?”

  “I honestly don’t know, but we’ll still be friends no matter what. All of us will.”