by Rush, Lynn
His hand curved around my butt, then gripped the back of my thigh. Oh the electricity that ignited…
He pulled my leg up a little and shifted against me until I nearly leapt out of the bed. His kiss swallowed my cry as he picked up the pace. Heat and energy erupted in my chest, my abdomen…and lower.
I grabbed his shoulders as I arched into him. I closed my eyes, but bursts of white lights lined the corners of darkness. My lungs felt two sizes too small, but I just held on for dear life to the one person I trusted with my life.
And now, with my heart.
Chapter 35
Georgia’s scream shattered my utter sense of peace. With the speed of only a non-human, Nate jumped off me. He grabbed his shirt, and as he threaded his head through he stepped toward the door.
“Go fast. I’m coming.”
In a blur, he disappeared. With my normal, human speed, I threw on my clothes then followed, sprinting down the hall to the stairwell door in my bare feet. Not the smartest thing to do, but I had to hurry. Georgia was in trouble.
My bare feet made no noise on the cold, steel steps as I stormed down a floor.
I gripped the frigid metal railing as I skipped two steps at a time down that last flight. I yanked the door open and dashed toward our apartment.
Nate stood outside the door. “Everything’s okay.”
My heart still crashed against my chest as I darted into the apartment. “Georgia!”
“Here,” she said from her room.
I burst in and found her sitting on the floor, back sagging against the wall next to her chair. Black streaks of mascara-stained tears cut down her pale cheeks. Tim sat on his knees in front of her.
Wait. Was she smiling?
Were those tears of joy?
I looked at her hand, and in it, she held a brown leather covered book.
“I found Mom’s book.”
I sagged to my knees before her, mostly because I was crashing hard after the adrenaline rush she’d caused me but also at the realization of what my sister held in her hands.
Mom’s book.
“I remember Andrey crashing into the chair,” I half whispered, reliving the scene in my mind.
“It was hidden in the seat. I saw stuffing hanging out, and I was tucking it back in when I felt something.” Georgia brushed her red bangs off her forehead. “I dug a little further and there it was.”
“Come on,” Nate said from beside me. “Let’s go into the kitchen and check this famed book out.”
Within a minute or two I was sitting in a chair beside our tiny kitchen table. A Georgia-sized indentation in the wall made me shudder. Damn Andrey.
Georgia pulled her chair next to mine as Tim, Nate and Martin gathered in behind us. Georgia set the book down on the table and snagged my attention. “Should we have Scott come here and look with us?”
“Probably, but I can’t wait that long. And plus, they’re still at risk until we dump those trackers.” I glanced at Nate.
He nodded.
Georgia cracked the book open. The first page had Mom’s handwriting.
Dear Georgia. This, with the disc, will help you understand everything.”
Much love, Mom.
My breath left me, and my mouth went arid.
Georgia turned the page.
I felt the babies kick again today. Feels like they’re playing soccer with each other. Josh has kept us safe yet again, moving us to Trifle, AZ. He is my rock. Only two more months until our children are born. The Center will stop at nothing to get their hands on me and the babies. They don’t know I have twins, and we have decided to keep it that way.
I met a fantastic young couple, Lois and Gary. They want to adopt and seem like the perfect fit for one of my babies. They’ve grown up in Trifle, and I know they will provide a stable home for one of my children.
I’ve decided to keep a log of everything. Since I’m starting at my seventh month of pregnancy, these first few entries will be a recap.
I, Sarah H. Hillman, took part in an experiment offered by Zatech. My husband, Josh Hillman, worked there as an environmental scientist. He’d been there for several years working on state of the art and progressive ways to produce green energy. A new and upcoming strategy to combat use of fossil fuels.
It was an FDA approved experiment. Gone through the trials required before human testing was involved--supposedly. Josh looked over the specs and had been involved with everything to date. Confident in the outcome and on the verge of a spectacular success in finding clean fuel, we began testing.
First, we went through a physical to determine the baseline. Josh has enclosed the data from that round of testing, along with everything else he could find before we had to flee, in the back of this book. Then we began. Think of it as allergy shots. The subjects received the shots to supposedly test for allergies to the emission of the proposed fuels.
Anyway, several weeks of testing later, the scientists determined the experiment results insignificant. Josh read the results and confirmed the conclusion. The company shut down the division, and he transferred to the chemical engineering division.
A few years later, like I said in the video, I started exhibiting certain powers. Please refer to the video for the details. This book is mainly to name names. Site locations and activities and actions taken by The Center against us.
“So, those allergy shots were what changed her.”
“Yes. I’ve seen what they injected the subjects with, but I want to have a look at what she put in the book, too,” Nate said. “May I see it? And what does she mean by video?”
Georgia handed him the book, but something slid out from the back as she did. “Oh hey, what’s that?”
I grabbed it and flipped it over. An envelope addressed to Georgia. I handed it to her. She slid her finger beneath the lid and inside was a letter.
July 31st
Dear Georgia,
I’m sorry I had to leave. I had promised Sarah that I would give you whatever she sent to me after you graduated, when I told you of your adoption, but this is too scary for anyone to have. I should burn it, but my instincts tell me not to, so I hid it and ran. Your dad knows nothing of this. Sarah made this arrangement with me alone, and when I got the CD and book, I said nothing.
Let them chase me, instead of you. I’m not sure what Sarah was into, but you do not deserve to be any part of it. I’ve lived a full life. God chose me to adopt you. He brought you into our lives for some reason, but I will not allow any harm to come to you because of something Sarah was involved with.
I know I’m not your true mother, but I love you with all my heart, Georgia Kelsey. I hope you can forgive me for not telling you about your adoption earlier. I always wanted to, but when I give my word to someone, I follow through. And I promised Sarah I would keep your first name, Georgia, and I would give you what she sent me.
I will contact you and tell you everything. If you’re reading this and haven’t heard from me, I fear the worst. But know this. I love you and if I can, and when it’s safe, I will find you.
Love,
Mom.
“Oh my gosh,” Georgia said. She sagged against her chair.
“Lots of blank pages, but here in the middle, there’s a list of names and at the back I see some testing results.” Nate creased the page open and handed me the book.
I scanned the list and nothing popped out to me except the last name Landry.
“Georgia. This name here is Dr. B Landry. That’s Zach’s last name.”
“What?” She grabbed the book from me. “Zach’s mom’s first name is Elizabeth, I think.”
“Beth is short for Elizabeth,” Tim said.
“Zach’s mom?”
Georgia scanned the list. “I don’t know any of these names. Why would this make Lois run?”
“Lois is your adoptive mother?” Tim asked. He stood behind Georgia, hands rested on her shoulder.
She nodded. “We really need to find her.”
&nb
sp; “I think you’re right. But Jess hasn’t had any hits on her since Minnesota, has he?”
“No. But he’s been messing with Samantha stuff. Maybe we can pull him off that to focus on Lois and these names?”
“Worth a shot. We should get back to the house, huh?” I looked at Nate. “What about the tracers?”
“I think it’s our best bet to lure this Andrey guy to us if we keep these. He found you here, so he’s been watching you for who knows how long.”
“Nate, how can we help?” Martin said.
“I’m in, too.” Tim nodded.
Both looked to Nate, waiting for instruction. Such a young person, but Nate had years of experience on us all. It was then that I noticed just how old his eyes were. Normally I was lost in the flicker of the amber against the deep, chocolate brown color, but from this angle, he looked wise, years beyond his young, wrinkle-free, face.
“I think getting this Andrey and finding Georgia’s adoptive mother should be top priority. We have two humans to watch over as well. Zach Landry and Scott Smith, or Hillman as he’s truly known.”
“Where are they?”
“Jasmine has them at her safe house, but it’s been compromised with Mandy’s tracking devices. It’s out of the city, so we could see things coming if we set the trap for Andrey there.” Nate looked at me. “What do you think, Mandy?”
“I agree. Georgia?”
She nodded.
“Okay, gang, let’s go get our stuff. Meet here in ten.” Nate stood and nodded toward Tim and Martin. “Hustle.”
Tim bent and kissed Georgia’s cheek, then led Martin out of the kitchen. “Mandy, you two gather a few things, stay here, and stay alert. We’ll be back in ten.” I nodded and reached out for his hand. He grabbed my fingers and gave them a quick squeeze, then bolted out the door in a blur.
God I loved having him around. Georgia stared at the letter her adoptive mother wrote.
“You think Lois is okay?”
“I hope so. She evaded Scott and Jasmine in Minnesota. She must know what she’s doing a little bit.”
“But how would she, Mandy? She’s been living in small town, Trifle, all her life. How would she know anything about staying alive with Agents after her?”
“No idea, but it’s amazing what parents can keep from their kids, though, right? I had no clue about our Mom.”
“True.” Georgia looked at me. “You chose Nate over Zach, didn’t you?”
“How’d you know?”
“He was calling you Mandy, and you’re all gah-gah-eyes at him.”
I sagged into my chair. I should gather up some clothes and stuff to bring to the safe house, but I really didn’t care. Jasmine had most everything we needed, and despite nearly ten hours of sleep, I was still tired.
“Yeah, you know what, G?” I said.
She smiled. “What?”
“It’s just so nice that he’s like me. A mutant or whatever you call people like us. There’s a connection with him that could never be with Zach. Sure, he could understand about all this junk, but not as much as someone like Nate.”
“I know. I feel the same way about Tim.” Georgia arched an eyebrow. “What are you going to do about Zach, then?”
“Just tell him, I guess.” My stomach bottomed out and my heart fluttered. But was it from nerves or did I still have feelings for him?
Chapter 36
“I don’t like being separated from Georgia.” I looked through the back window as Nate drove.
“She wanted to ride with Tim, and there was no way Martin was fitting in the back of this car with two other people,” Nate laughed.
I laughed too. “That’s true, but it just feels weird, you know?”
“I know how it feels to be apart from you, and I don’t like it, so I can guess it’s pretty uncomfortable for you to be away from Georgia.” He smiled. “I didn’t have any true siblings, though.”
I reached over and twined my fingers with his. The turn to the long road leading to Jasmine’s house came into view. I glanced once more to Tim’s car, which followed close behind. The late afternoon sun had taken on a pink tinge as it prepared to set soon.
“So, if anything happens, remember where to meet, right?” Nate asked.
“Fifth tree to the left of the path next to the shed behind the house. I remember it.”
“You’re the strongest, then Georgia. The rest of us will cover you, back you up in any way we can, but when Andrey reveals himself, you turn on the ice. Like you did with me, I couldn’t get traction to run on the ice you laid down. Surround yourself with ice and once he hits it, he’ll slide. Then freeze or burn him. If you can get him alive, that’d be better. But it’s unlikely.”
“I tried to get the 4-1-1 from him when I saw him in California and pinned him to the tree, but he wasn’t talking.”
“If we have him long enough, I’ll make him talk.” Nate’s voice sounded dark.
“You know tactics, like Jasmine, huh?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to know.”
“I wouldn’t tell you, anyway.”
“You wouldn’t huh?”
“No.” He looked at me. “I’ll take care of it. You don’t need to see that stuff.”
Good, because I didn’t want to.
The car lurched to the side, then I bounced up as we navigated the dirt road disguised as a driveway to the house. The kitchen light beamed and two figures moved around, maybe cooking dinner?
Yep, just another day in the Hillman family. Cooking dinner, having grill outs at a safe house while waiting for a freak of nature Agent to come over and try and kill us all.
I love my life.
Nate navigated the car around the side, toward the garage, then slid the gear into park. He glanced at me, his eyes dark, and squeezed my hand. “Ready?”
“Not quite.” I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his. After a long couple of seconds, I pulled away. “Now I am.”
He brushed his lips against my cheek, and I drew in a deep breath, memorizing his smell. “Let’s get this guy, okay?”
Tim’s car crackled the gravel as he came to a stop next to ours. I pushed my door open and popped up in time to see Georgia’s head. I looked to the side door to the house and my heart plummeted.
Zach stood, arms crossed over his chest, staring at me. Oh crap, had he seen me kissing Nate?
All of us made our way toward the side entrance and Zach moved out of the way for Martin to go first. Who wouldn’t move if they saw a tank coming their way?
As I passed by Zach, he grabbed my hand. “I need to talk to you.”
I glanced ahead of me and saw Nate turn around. He nodded and smiled. “I’ll be in here with Scott, filling him in.”
The lack of jealousy in Nate’s tone of voice and demeanor totally confirmed I’d made the right choice.
“Mandy, what are you doing with him? How could you—?”
“No. Wait.” I shrugged out from Zach’s grasp and stepped back, toward the cars. “I’m sorry, Zach. I just can’t be with you.”
He shuffled over the gravel and put his hand on my shoulder. “But I told you why I did what I did. Samantha made me. I—”
“It’s not just that.” I peeled his hand off my shoulder, and his gray eyes flickered.
I remembered the first time he looked at me with such longing. “Nate’s like me. He understands. He—”
“I understand, too. I’ve covered for you. I’ve helped you. I know I’m not super-fast like him, or have special gifts, but I love you, Mandy. Doesn’t that count for something?”
“Loved me enough to tell me the truth about Samantha? The truth about why you stopped calling and broke up with me?” I shook my head. “No, you didn’t.”
“But—”
“Look, Zach. You were my first love. You’re an amazing guy, but I’m sorry. I’m with Nate.”
Zach looked past me, toward my car, but before I could look, someone said, “It’s time to come h
ome, Mandy.”
The voice, the female voice from The Center—er—wherever I was in June, sounded like a gong in my head. My heart exploded. Not so much from fear of getting captured, but how familiar it sounded. Again.
Zach’s eyes widened. “Mom? What are you doing here?”
Chapter 37
I turned around and put my arms out, keeping Zach behind me. Sure enough, Zach’s mom stood near the trunk of my car, flanked by three goons dressed in black fatigues, dart guns aimed.
“Mom?” Zach said.
“Shut up, Zach.” I was one step from the front bumper of my car. Maybe I could push Zach behind it to safety. “Jasmine, need a little help here,” I whispered.
“But how’d you find me?” Zach asked, ignoring my order to shut up.
He had no clue. She was an Agent or whatever Andrey called his goons. Her name was in the book, but that was a Center book. Did they branch off after my Mom’s experiment?
I squatted down, planted my hand beneath the front bumper and hoisted the car up. It flipped over, and I hoped I aimed well enough to crush someone. I sprayed an ice shield with my other hand and heard the pings of those wicked darts bouncing off. “Back up Zach. Now!”
I stepped back, but my heel landed on his foot. He hadn’t moved. The door burst open behind me.
“Mandy?” Nate yelled.
“Get Zach inside with Scott.”
“Martin, go. Keep them safe,” Nate ordered.
Streams of orange flame flickered in the corner of my eye and a scream followed. Two black figures flopped around on the ground.
Now, where did Zach’s mom go?
Nate stood by my side. “Jasmine’s security is seriously lacking.”
“We knew they’d come, right?” I said, as I stepped toward my now upside-down-car. “I was just hoping for a little more time to get ready.”
Georgia came to my other side. “Where’s Jasmine?” Georgia asked, as she handed me an earpiece.
Again with the Rambo junk. I shoved the electronic in.
“Ten more coming through the east side of the woods,” Tim’s voice echoed in my ear. “That makes at least twenty.”