02 Masked-New World

by Stalder, Janelle

  “Shut the front door,” Lake said softly, her head shaking side to side.

  “How is that possible? We’ve just heard accounts that Weapon X was in a shootout with one of your father’s men,” Phoenix said, eyeing her sceptically.

  “That’s one of the things we need your help with,” Trent said, running his hand through his hair like he always did when he was stressed, Charlotte noticed.

  “Why don’t we all sit down then,” Harvey suggested. “I can see we have bigger problems than I initially thought. I’ll get us some drinks.”

  Harvey disappeared into the back while the rest of them found chairs to sit on. The room was stuffed and uncomfortably silent. The Archers were staring at her like they were waiting for her to stand up and start killing them all. Charlotte knew right then that it was going to take a lot to get this group of girls to trust her. She’d been on the enemy side for too long.

  She sat between Pete and Tyler, trying her best to ignore their stares. Pete reached over and gave her hand a squeeze, his silent promise that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Not that she needed it. Charlotte wasn’t worried about any of these girls. She’d been taking care of herself since she was sixteen, and wasn’t planning on stopping now. But still, it was nice to finally have someone else there to help her.

  You always had Roman, she reminded herself. That thought depressed her, as it always did whenever she thought of Roman. It was hard to go from thinking of him as her closest friend, to being so mad at him for his stunt with Pete and Seamus, she wasn’t sure if she could ever be his friend again. Part of her still had soft feelings for him, especially since he had seemed sincerely apologetic about what he’d done. Even so, it didn’t matter now that she was in league with the resistance. There was no way she and Roman could be friends after all this. It was another loss to add to her many, but it hurt the most for some reason.

  “Here we go,” Harvey said, walking back in carrying a tray of drinks. Another person walked in behind him and Charlotte felt Tyler stiffen beside her instantly. A thin girl, only slightly taller than Charlotte, walked behind Harvey, her long, blonde hair swept to the side in a messy braid, and her pale blue eyes focused on her task and not on the room full of strangers. Charlotte could see from the stiff set of her shoulders that the girl was nervous.

  “Michael, you remember my other daughter, Missy,” Harvey said, motioning to the girl as she placed the second tray down beside his. She smiled over at Pete’s dad as he greeted her, the strain in her shoulders relaxing a fraction. Charlotte turned to look at Tyler and saw that he hadn’t yet taken his eyes off Missy. He seemed completely entranced by the shy girl, watching her closely until she disappeared into the other room again. She didn’t come back out as they explained their situation with Bridgette, but Charlotte was positive his eyes kept glancing back at that doorway from time to time.

  “Well this seems easy enough,” Phoenix said, the other girls nodding their heads in agreement.

  “Really? Please, enlighten us,” Trent said after grunting in what Charlotte was sure was disbelief. Pete’s older brother seemed rather unimpressed with the Archer’s leader.

  She shrugged him off, not even bothering to look his way as she answered. “All we need to do is come up with a distraction that will get Roman and Bridgette out of headquarters. When they come out to investigate, we’ll wait until Bridgette is away from the others and then take her. It will just look like a kidnapping, and if we’re lucky, will get blamed on Douglas. Ludwig will be so focused on searching for him, the rest of you will be able to stay here and figure out your long term plan in peace,” she explained, smiling triumphantly. Charlotte hated to admit it, but it was kind of a good plan. Something they should have thought of themselves, except they didn’t have the manpower or supplies to create a distraction themselves. With the help of the Archers, it might just be possible to pull off.

  Trent rubbed his chin thoughtfully across from Charlotte. He looked up to meet Pete’s eye, the two of them having some sort of silent conversation. Pete was technically in charge of this small group since he had been the highest in position when they were part of her father’s rebels. Pete had been second in command then, so it only made sense that he lead this group. However, ever since they had started on this journey, it felt like Pete was taking a step back and letting all of them have more of a say. Charlotte thought he didn’t want anyone feeling like he was turning into her father by controlling of everything they did.

  Trent looked away from his brother, focusing back on the bright red head of Phoenix. “What kind of distraction are we talking about?” he asked.

  She smiled a smile that spoke loudly of trouble. “The kind that is sure to get their attention,” she answered. She looked over and gave the small, pale girl, Pixie, a knowing look. Pixie nodded, her face expressionless just as it had been since they’d met. Did she ever smile? Charlotte wondered.

  “Care to fill us in?” Pete said.

  “Our little Pixie is a genius at explosives,” Lake said by way of explanation.

  “Don’t you worry that pretty little head of yours, X,” Phoenix said, looking at Charlotte, “we’ll get your sister back.”

  After a lot of arguing, mostly on Phoenix and Trent’s part, they finally settled on what building they would hit. It had to be one close enough to headquarters to get their immediate attention, but far enough away from the western ghetto so as to look as though it was the General’s crew that had done it. However, it still needed to be sort of close to their side of the city so they could get out with Bridgette quickly enough. If everything went as planned, no one would get caught or hurt.

  “Thankfully we have Ludwig’s special weapon on our side now,” Phoenix said. “It’ll be your job to listen and see if anyone follows us, X.”

  “Her name is Charlotte,” Trent said, teeth clenched. Phoenix rolled her eyes.

  “I think it’s about time for bed, don’t you all?” Harvey said, rising from his seat. “We have bedrooms all upstairs that you can share. Two to a room.”

  “Want to be my bunk buddy?” Pete whispered, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

  Charlotte bit back a smile as she tapped her chin in thought. “Hmmm,” she said, “I don’t know. Only if you promise to keep your hands to yourself.”

  His smile was pure sin. “Sure, but I can also promise you that’s one promise I don’t intend to keep.”

  Her blood was already boiling and they were still sitting in a room full of people. How did Pete manage to do that to her every time?

  Missy had been nervous all afternoon. Their father had told them a couple of days ago that his old friend and his sons, along with a group of others, were going to be arriving in the ghetto today. Apparently they had left the group being run by the man most called the General, and were now looking for a safe place to lay low. Phoenix had jumped at the opportunity immediately since she was always looking for more manpower.

  It seemed to Missy that her sister was even more set in her desire to ruin the current government than ever before. Missy knew her sister’s rage had a lot to do with what had happened to Missy. She hated that her past and her weakness now was affecting Phoenix. If only Missy could get over it, then her sister would have no choice but to as well. Except Missy couldn’t seem to get over it. She despised being weak, but that’s exactly what she was now.

  Ever since the incident, Missy had become a scared little rabbit, barely able to leave the house most days. When she’d finally drudge up enough courage to go out, her panic attacks would come back before she even stepped a foot out the door. If she managed to get past that, which often took her many minutes of deep breathing and mental reproaching, she’d get herself maybe to the end of the street before another attack would start, and she’d be turning around again and back home before she knew it.

  It was an awful way to live, and yet she was stuck. At home she was safe, it was as simple as that. The girls were her family and she was the most comfortable ju
st around them. They didn’t make her feel as pathetic as she really was. They just treated her like they did before everything happened, despite the fact that she never went out with them anymore. A part of her missed the streets; missed the people and energy. But then another part reminded her how dangerous and unpredictable the streets could be, and she’d remember why it was better she wasn’t out there anymore.

  The fact that they had people coming over to stay with them wasn’t what had her nervous all that afternoon. No, it was that they were a group of men that were planning on staying with them. Missy wasn’t good around men anymore. Their size and strength made her nervous, and now she’d have a bunch of them in her house with her. Strangers. It had her hand shakings the entire time she’d waited to hear the front door open.

  Her father knew how hard this was for her, she could tell. He’d told her a million times already that she didn’t have to socialize with them, and was more than welcome to stay in the kitchen or her bedroom while they were here. She was thankful for his offer, and also a little pissed off that he coddled her so much. She guessed she’d asked for it with her behaviour. No one seemed able to push her past her comfort zone, not even her.

  When the front door finally did open, Missy thought she’d have a heart attack. Her heart beat so fast and loud, she was almost positive they’d be able to hear it in the next room. Her father had given her one last comforting look before going out to greet their guests. Missy wasn’t ready to follow, so she crept up to the doorway, and peaked through the small crack of the open door. It only allowed her to see half the room, but it was the half where they all stood.

  That was when she saw him, standing off just behind the tiny girl she’d soon learn was none other than the infamous Weapon X. The man she stared at was terrifying, and yet her eyes wouldn’t look away, as though they were drawn to him against her will. He was the tallest of them all, his shoulders broad, arms thick and powerful looking. He didn’t stand like he was trying to intimidate anyone, but he achieved that none-the-less.

  Eyes so pale she couldn’t quite make out their colour from where she stood, seemed to regard each of them closely, looking through and into them. His hair was shaved at the sides with the top longer and swept back off his face. The shaved parts were tattooed she noticed, making her shiver in unease. From the rest of the exposed parts of him, she could tell most of him was covered in ink. A thick beard and mustache covered the bottom half of his face, almost hiding his lips, but not quite. Missy could still see the plump shape of them.

  He was beautiful and scary all at the same time. Missy had shrunk back, hiding behind the door as her father had walked back into the kitchen to get drinks. He’d insisted she help him, and no argument seemed to dissuade him. So Missy had had to go out there, and to her utter horror, the beautiful, scary man had watched her the entire time. It made her feel like prey being watched, and yet she didn’t feel like she was in danger from him.

  That had almost made her drop the tray she’d been holding. For the first time in almost a year, Missy didn’t feel an immediate threat from someone of the opposite sex. On the contrary, he seemed to watch her with a sort of interest and reverence that left her mouth dry and head confused. She couldn’t get back into the kitchen fast enough. Only she knew that she had secretly watched him for most of the night. There had been times when he’d look her way. Once she thought he might have seen her, but she knew it was impossible. Then she’d wondered if he had been looking for her. That thought made her heart race again and she knew right then she was going to have to stay as far away from that man as possible. He confused her too much, and if she had learned one thing in life so far, it was that men couldn’t be trusted. It didn’t matter that when she looked really closely at those cold eyes, she saw that they were actually quite warm when they wanted to be. Or that, despite his size, there was something comforting and safe about him. All she knew was that he was trouble, and she did not want any more trouble.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  For the past two days Bridgette had been hiding in her room. Being around Eve was getting on her nerves for some reason she couldn’t quite decide on. She was the type of woman who liked to have all the attention on her, and it drove Bridgette nuts. She also had an uncanny ability to make Bridgette feel small and insignificant whenever she was around.

  She also happened to flirt with Roman – non-stop. Not that it bothered Bridgette, because really, she didn’t care who flirted with Roman. It was just annoying to watch. The laughing, the flipping of the hair, the constant touching of his arms…it was too much. So Bridgette decided it was just easier if she stayed out of the way. It wasn’t like Roman seemed to notice. He was too busy giving all his attention to Miss Perfect.

  Bridgette stared at her reflection in the mirror, pushing thoughts of Eve away. So what if Roman liked her? If Bridgette was being honest with herself, it made perfect sense. Eve was one of those women who were always so put together and attractive, it was only reasonable for any man to be drawn to her. Especially if she was interested, which she clearly was in Roman. One would have to be blind not to see that the other woman wanted the second in command.

  Bridgette started to comb out the tangles of her wet hair vigorously. She was not angry or jealous, she reminded herself. Roman was off limits. She was only there to complete her task and get back to her sister. So why did she feel sick every time she pictured the two of them together? Why did she wish it was her he was paying attention to, and not Eve?

  “I need to get out of here,” she said to her reflection. Today she’d go down to the basement and scout out where to place the bomb. The arms dealers were set to arrive any day, according to Ludwig. They were keeping an unpredictable flight schedule just to be safe. Bridgette got the impression Ludwig, Sal and the rest of the New World order were way more edgy than any of the lowers she knew.

  A knock on the door had her scurrying to pull the dreaded mask over her face, causing her wet hair to stick to the back of her neck uncomfortably. When she pulled open the door, her breath came out in a loud whoosh at the sight of Roman standing there, dressed in only his black cargo pants. Sculpted, olive skin filled her vision as she blinked slowly. Why did he have to be so gorgeous? Bridgette gave her a head a shake before raising her eyes to meet his. He was watching her closely, his face set in a serious expression she couldn’t quite read.

  “Y-yes?” she said, clearing the hoarseness from her voice.

  “The way you’re looking at me could give a man ideas, Lottey,” he replied in a husky voice.

  If only, she thought. Forcing herself to look relaxed, she leaned a shoulder against the doorway, crossing her arms over her chest while rolling her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she scoffed. “I was just surprised to see you. Anyone tell you they made these things called shirts? You might want to get yourself one.” Seriously. Before she melted in front of him. Someone get the man a shirt!

  A small smile tugged at his lips. “Uh huh, sure,” he teased. “I just came by to see if you wanted to train for an hour or so.”

  Bridgette looked left and right down the hall. “Where’s your little pet?” Alarm bells starting ringing in her head. She did not just say that. Could she sound any more jealous?

  He actually had the nerve to chuckle. “If you’re referring to Eve,” he said, fighting off a grin, “she’s gone over to the warehouse to check on some new arrivals.”

  “So you thought you’d come find me?” Bridgette Hatcher! She scolded herself. Her mouth suddenly had a mind of its own.

  “Yeah,” he said simply.

  “Wow. Don’t I feel special.” She turned to pull on her boots, trying her best to appear calm and casual. At least her bitchy attitude wouldn’t look abnormal, considering Charlotte would probably have acted the same way if she were here. Except she wouldn’t be doing it because she was jealous of this man and another woman, her inner voice pointed out. Whatever, she thought. Bridgette was always the nice sister. Onc
e in a while she was allowed to act prickly. It was just unfortunate for Roman that he was the one on the other end of it at the present moment.

  They walked down the hall side by side, their shoulders brushing. For whatever reason, Bridgette didn’t increase the space between them, even though she knew she should.

  “You’ve been hiding away in that room a lot lately,” Roman commented, breaking the silence.

  “Have I?” she replied, playing dumb.

  He chuckled. “You wouldn’t be avoiding a certain visitor, would you?”

  “Not at all,” she said. Her newly found inner Charlotte had to have the last word, however. “I just happen to be allergic to giggling.”

  He stopped, forcing her to follow suit. His expression was serious as they face each other. “One would think you’re slightly jealous,” he said, his voice dropping lower.

  “What would I have to be jealous of?” she asked.

  Pounding footsteps approached them bursting their private bubble.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” the soldier said, his voice coming out quickly. He must have ran the entire way, Bridgette thought. “There’s been an explosion.”

  “What?” they both said in unison.

  “Where?” Roman asked.

  “At the warehouse.”

  “Shit!” Roman took a few steps back, running his hands through his hair. Then he froze, the colour draining from his face. “Eve just went over there.”

  Crap. Bridgette might dislike the girl, but she wouldn’t wish harm on anyone. Well, maybe her father, she thought.

  “We better go,” she said, turning to walk quickly down the rest of the hall. What did she plan to do to exactly? She wondered. Bridgette was slowly growing so accustomed to her new, fake position as Weapon X, that she hadn’t even thought twice about going out and seeing the scene of the explosion. Normally she would have tried to hide and ignore it. Head down, blinders on. That had been her way of life for so long, it surprised her that she was jumping to the rescue now at the first sign of trouble. It made her wonder if this change in her life was affecting her in a positive way, or a negative one.