Sinner Reborn

by Morgan Kelley

  Yeah, he hoped so too.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  Elizabeth made the call. She wanted to make sure her team was safe. First, she called Maura and heard the news. She wasn’t happy, but the major assured her that it was going to be handled. Jagger was on his way, and they would get Nathaniel Carter back.

  Maura asked her not to tell Callista and Quinn.

  That went against her gut, but what could she do? They were family, and probably knew best. Besides, she knew Doctor Gaines well enough that she’d do something stupid.

  In fact, it would be dangerous.

  So, she did what a good boss would do.

  Calling Callie, she gave her a directive.

  “Get out.”

  Callie had barely had time to say hello when she heard her boss’s voice over the phone.

  “What?”

  Elizabeth wanted to make herself crystal clear. “Put me on speaker.” If Callie wouldn’t listen, Quinn absolutely would.

  “Okay, you’re on speaker.”

  “I want you to pack up and move out in the next thirty minutes. Don’t check out. Just get in your vehicle and head back to FBI West.”

  “Why?” Callie asked, even as her husband began grabbing their gear.

  “Oracle has been compromised. Wade Miller is in your area, and we’ve had complications with the other half of the team. You’re bugging out.”

  “What about Jagger? We should call him…”

  She cut her off. “He’s on his way to extricate Oracle. He’s going to get her and rendezvous later. We don’t have time to argue, Doctor. I’m giving you an order. BUG OUT!”

  Quinn wasn’t going to waste any time. “Director, we’ll be on the road in five minutes. Thank you for the heads up.”

  Elizabeth cut the call.

  Callie stared at her husband. “Something bad happened. I don’t ever remember hearing Elizabeth get so worked up.”

  That told him everything he needed to know. He was going to move double time. He’d text his sister, but he was afraid to know. If Callie’s boss was this worked up, Maura probably had her hands full.

  “Let’s go, honey,” he stated, meeting her at the door. In all honesty, he was glad to be getting out of there.

  Good riddance.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  Two Hours Later

  When Nate came too, he was in a world of hurt. His nose was broken, he was pretty sure he was missing some teeth, and his body was pretty damaged. He couldn’t move his arm, and he wasn’t tied down.

  That said it all.

  He recalled being a punching bag for the two men as their boss looked on. Now, he was on the ground in what appeared to be some abandoned lot. In front of him was some sort of plant.

  He smelled something in the air.

  Fuel?

  Petroleum?

  Whatever it was, he was sure it was dangerous. Who knew what the man had planned next? If he wanted to break him, he wasn’t going to do it.

  He’d never give Avalon’s location away.

  Never.

  “I see you’re awake,” stated Wade Greene.

  Nate could barely move his head. His face was swelling, his eyes were nearly closed, and seeing was a bitch.

  “I happen to have your phone, Director Carter. Let me tell you my plan. Obviously, you’re not going to give Avalon up, and that’s impressive. These men would have broken hours ago. So, kudos to you. Only, I don’t have time to play games. I’m going to make a call.”

  Nate didn't speak.

  He was having a hard time thinking. He was pretty sure his brain was scrambled.

  Wade searched the phone and found the number he wanted. Dialing it, he waited.

  “Nate! Are you okay?” came a woman’s voice.

  He put it on speaker.

  “Major Gaines, my name is Wade Greene, but you may know me as Wade Miller. I happen to have your friend here, and I thought we could negotiate.”

  Maura wanted to be sick. Avalon was listening, and so was Luke. This was strategically a bad position to be in.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “I want Avalon, and you want your director back. We can make a fair trade.”

  Melissa started screaming.

  “Gag her.”

  “Who was that?” Maura asked, trying to work a plan up in her head.

  “That was Avalon’s mother. She’s here too. I’m having a little reunion.”

  Maura didn't speak. This was worse than she thought. Wade Miller/Greene had two hostages, and the only way to save them was with Avalon’s life.

  “Where are you?”

  “You can find us at the old petroleum processing plant outside Fredricksville. You have two hours to get here. Before you tell me that you won’t make it, Major, let me tell you that Nathaniel Carter isn't in good shape. He’s got some internal bleeding, and if you bullshit me, it’ll only get worse.”

  “Don’t do it, Maura!” Nate yelled, only to get kicked in the head. He went out like a light.

  “The clock is ticking. I’ll swap my daughter for him. It’s a fair trade.”

  With that, the phone went dead.

  Maura put it in her pocket.

  “Trade me,” Avalon stated.

  Maura shook her head. “I can’t. You know I can’t do that, Avalon. You’re our top priority.”

  “It’s my father, isn't it?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re going to let Nate die.”

  “I’m sorry. Oracle has to remain intact at all costs. You’re my mission. Unfortunately, he’s classified collateral damage”

  Even Luke looked horrified by what she was saying. Now he had to hope the woman he loved didn't mean it. Maura couldn’t be that cold.

  “You can’t do this,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. With her hand, she wiped some blood from below her nose. “He can’t die. If he does, I’m lost. We have a better shot at saving him than walking away!”

  Luke rubbed his hand up and down Avalon’s arm. “It’s okay, honey. Maura knows what she’s doing. Nate’s going to be fine.”

  “That’s a lie.” She pulled away from him to stand by herself.

  Maura went to speak.

  “No! This is part of it. This is all part of the prophecy. Everyone uses me to find the answers, and I’m giving you the right one. We have to go. We can’t let Nate die. He’s not meant to go down like this. If you let him, then you change everything from here on out. We have to save him. Use me.”

  Maura moved toward her. “If we take you there, the odds are you’ll die. Yes, Nate will live, but what does that solve, and for who?”

  She stared at her with blind eyes. “The difference is it should be my choice, Maura. Everyone takes that from me, and now you are too.”

  “You’ll die.”

  “I’ll be free, and Nate will live. It’s not his time. It’s mine. My father is a sick man. He’s clearly not going to stop at this. If he has Nate’s phone, he has everything. He knows about Suzie, Callie and Quinn’s home. He knows about Luke.”

  Maura was getting sicker by the second.

  “What if he goes after your fiancé next? Then what? If it were the man you love being held, what would you risk?”

  She stared at him.

  Luke didn't envy the position she was in.

  “Everything.”

  “Then let me have that option. For ten years I’ve been the bird in the gilded cage. Set me free. Let me take him down. If I go out in the process, I’ll be able to escape this. Would you want this life?” she asked. “Would you want to be a prisoner and used until one day they put a bullet in your brain because you have too many secrets?”

  She closed her eyes.

  “It’s my only way out. Set me free, Maura. Please, God! Set me free.”

  Maura knew what she needed to do. Pulling out her phone, she made a call.

  “Jagger?”

  “I’m almost there.
”

  “Turn around. We have a plan.”

  She told him about the plant and what they had to do. She told him he needed to be ready to yank Avalon at the last possible second.

  “On it,” he said, hanging up as he turned his vehicle around.

  Maura moved closer to Avalon and took her icy hands in hers. “You have one shot at this. If we jack it up, you could die.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “If we fail, Nate’s going to die. That’s far worse to me.”

  They grabbed their things and headed out.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Two Hours Later

  Saturday Twelve A.M.

  N ate knew he was going to die. He could feel life leaving his body. He was now in and out of consciousness, and he was okay with it being over.

  At least he didn't break.

  At least he didn't betray the woman he loved.

  He thought back to the last moments with Avalon. He pictured them making love, and it gave him peace. It was like she was there with him, her hands gently soothing his broken body. Nate swore he could hear her laughter in his mind.

  He was losing his marbles.

  When he looked over, he could see one of the big goons holding a gun. It looked like he was going to meet his maker, and soon. Closing his eyes, he didn't care.

  He’d kept her safe.

  Nate had done what he promised. Avalon would live to see another day. He wasn’t surprised she’d been right. One of them had to die, and he’d made that choice for them.

  He’d go down.

  Take one for the team.

  It looked like Nate didn't have to watch the woman he loved lose her life to some crazy.

  It was worth it all.

  “His time is up. Put four bullets in his stomach. He’ll bleed out slowly.”

  Nate held his breath.

  “I’m here, Dad,” came the familiar voice.

  “Wait!”

  Wade Greene turned, and so did the men.

  “Avalon?” he asked, as she moved into sight. “Is that you, baby?”

  She was sickened by his use of that nickname, but she’d swallow it. Until she could make him pay, she’d let him think she was going to play along.

  “Yes, Dad, it’s me.”

  As soon as she got close enough, Nate struggled to move toward her. “Avi, no! Go! I didn't die to have him get you!”

  When the men moved toward him, Avalon stared blindly at her father. “Please stop hurting him or I’m leaving.”

  He called off his thugs.

  “I want to see if he’s okay,” she stated, moving toward Nate on the ground. When she knelt beside him, she pulled his body against hers. Immediately, her hands moved over his face. She was horrified by what they’d done to him.

  He was battered.

  Bruised.

  Broken.

  “I’m so glad you came,” Wade Greene said. “Your mother is here too.”

  Avalon lifted her head to find the woman’s aura. “Hello, Mother. I see we meet again.”

  The woman wept and tried to scoot away from Avalon. She couldn’t understand how the piercing gaze picked her out when her child was blind.

  “Father, this wasn’t necessary. You didn't have to hurt him.” Gently, she lowered her mouth to his, kissing his split lips.

  “Avi, please go. God! Please go.”

  “Shhhh, my love. I’m okay. You can’t change fate, Nathaniel. We discussed this. You knew this time was coming. This is exactly how it was supposed to be. It was always my life for yours.”

  He wanted to weep, but he couldn’t. With damaged fingers, he struggled to hold onto her. His body was broken, but he refused to let her slip away.

  “We should go, Avalon. I want to talk privately with you. I don’t doubt that Major Gaines is somewhere nearby, ready to attack.”

  When he said it, both goons lifted their guns and pointed them at Nate and Melissa Miller.

  “How did you find out about me, Father?” she asked, buying herself more time with the man she loved. This was going to be the last time she touched him, and she wanted him to know how she felt.

  “My sister came across you at Quantico. She told me everything. I didn't know you were out there. Had I, I would have searched for you sooner.”

  He glared at the woman who gave her up. “She threw you away.”

  “So you punished the family for hurting me?”

  “Yes.”

  Avalon stroked Nate’s face. He was struggling to get up. “It’s okay, my love. I’m here.”

  Nate wanted to scream in rage. Maura brought her right into the trap. It was one he fought so hard against. Now he was broken and couldn’t save her.

  He failed.

  After everything, he failed.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked, glancing over sightlessly at the man who gave her life.

  “She lied and hid you. She took what was mine. You should have been mine, Avalon.”

  “Did you want the child or the Oracle?” she asked. “Which mattered more?”

  It caught him off guard so much that he couldn’t answer. It was what she suspected.

  “I've been trying to find you.”

  “Well, you did. Now what?”

  “We’ll get reacquainted. We’ll talk. Then I’ll let your…” He stared down at the ruined man, “guardian go.”

  “You raped my mother, and I’m the byproduct of that. You created me, Father. I see everything you’re planning. I’m a sin.”

  The man said nothing.

  Avalon knew it was time. “I love you, Nathaniel Carter. I’ll always love you.”

  The tears filled his swollen eyes.

  As she stood, his fingers found her ankle. “Avi, keep your promise to me. Find me again. Please don’t let me wander forever without you.”

  She kissed him again before helping him lean back on the ground. When she turned, she could see her father’s hand out for her. His aura was muddled with black and brown. He was sick.

  This was her death.

  “You’ll come with me?” he asked.

  “I made a promise. You’ll set them free?”

  He smiled wickedly. “I will. My men have their instructions.”

  “Avalon! No!” Nate bellowed, seeing the sick twisted look on the man’s face. He wasn’t going to free them. There was no way in hell it was happening. “NO!”

  She blew him a kiss.

  “I love you! Please don’t go!”

  She took her father’s hand and let him escort her across the parking lot. Once they were inside the building, the men faced the two hostages.

  They didn't hesitate.

  They pulled the triggers.

  Nate heard the popping sound and felt the sting of bullets impacting flesh. They didn't pierce the new military hoodie that he’d accidentally taken.

  He’d live. Again, she’d been taken from him. Nate would have rather died in that moment. Then he could be waiting on the other side for the woman he loved.

  From outside the area, there were two pops, and both men fell. Luke came running toward his fallen friend.

  Maura was right behind, slinging the rifle over her body. “I’m going for Avalon,” she shouted, heading straight for the building. “Call an ambulance!”

  Luke did just that, but before she could get inside, there was a horrible explosion.

  The building blew.

  The flames erupted from the wreckage, throwing Maura back. Nate howled in pain at what had just happened.

  Avalon went in.

  Something went wrong.

  She wasn’t coming out.

  “AVALON!” he screamed, fighting against Luke to drag himself toward the flames. He had to save her.

  He had to…

  A second explosion went off, rocking the ground.

  Maura was up, limping toward the men. “We have to move back. She’s gone.”

  Nate knew in that moment.

  There was nothing he could do.
<
br />   Avalon was dead.

  And essentially, so was he.

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  Everything from that point was a blur and haze. Nathaniel Carter felt himself being strapped into a gurney, he could hear people talking, but he didn't care.

  He wanted to die.

  All the way to the hospital, he prayed for death. He’d never wanted anything more in his life. He’d just been forced to watch the woman he loved die in a ball of flames.

  Avalon was free, but in the process, he was damned to hell.

  As they wheeled him down the hall, the white lights above him were hypnotic. He focused on them, and them alone.

  He worried about nothing.

  Not living.

  Not breathing.

  He heard the words as he slipped into the darkness. He heard the doctors say ‘medically induced coma’ and he prayed he never came out of it.

  At least there he could hide.

  Here, he could mourn the day he lost his heart.

  He whispered her name as the drugs took effect. “Avalon, find me again.”

  * * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *

  They checked on him.

  Every day, they came and made sure he was still breathing. Nate was on a mass of tubes and machines, struggling to keep him alive. The more the doctors won the battle, the harder he fought from the inside to lose.

  It was a war, but ultimately, he wasn’t going to win. The day he woke up, he had people who loved him there. Callie held his hand, her eyes filled with tears. Quinn was behind her, his eyes sharing so much pain for his brother and friend. Then there was Luke—he looked beyond concerned.

  When Luke opened his mouth to speak, Nate closed his eyes and shook his head. He didn't want to hear it. He’d survived, only to know the truth.

  He was alone.

  When the nurse began pulling his breathing tube out, he hissed out the words. “Throw them out. I want to be alone.”

  The hurt was there, and they understood it. No one wanted Nate to hurt any more than he was, so they left. With his good hand, he grabbed the nurse’s arm.