Divided (The United Trilogy Book 2)

by Wheeler, Jaci

  “Roz, we talked about this already. You are doing an amazing job, and I’m so proud of you for taking a stand. Malik and I both are, but this is your stand to take, not ours.”

  He is right. They have had their chances and they have chosen to walk away. But this time, I am choosing to fight.

  “I know. I just wish I can have you both with me.” He smiles sadly and Dex nods.

  “I know, Tink. We will figure something out.”

  Thankfully, that’s when Malik decided to steer us back on track. “Remember that the loophole is your Ace. You can’t play it until you absolutely have to. You can’t tell anyone about the retired Council members. If it comes down to where it is a split vote, bring it up as a suggestion. They can’t know that you know anything about the loophole. This is very important, Roz.”

  If anything, this is the most important thing. Dex and Malik can both get in so much trouble if the Council realizes that they have been coaching me. They might even be tried for treason. However, I will not give them anything that can fuel their fire.

  “So once I tell them what I want, we will vote. If its split, I will make sure to ask if there is any protocol in a split vote and ask if any old members can come forward, but only after I somehow contact this Ed Jones guy to see if he is on our side,” I recite.

  Malik is nodding. “Yes, very good. Remember to bide your time, Roz. Get your facts straight and wait it out if you need to. This isn’t a sprint. When you go to them the first time, it’s only to get everything off your chest and lay the ground work. Don’t let them get suspicious. Your best bet to find Ed is to go to the Dying and the homes for the convalescing. If you schedule your next few tours for those departments, it shouldn’t raise any concern and you can still work on finding Ed.” He is right; that is my best shot, so I have added it to the list. After we find Ed I will still have to talk him into coming with me to this meeting, then I have to come up with a solution. That was going to be the hardest part since the people of the OC wanted to be here. Malik and Dex are going to have to help a lot on this end.

  “Which reminds me…I found a way to be able to keep in touch with you." I announce.

  I can see a light spark in Dex’s eyes. This is one of our biggest concerns: being completely cut off from each other.

  “I’m going to have Green transferred down here. He is the second-in-command and he is very trust worthy. It’s time for the patrol guys to switch anyway, so it will not raise eyebrows. Since this is going to be a hot Zone once I bring everything to light and put it on the table, it is only natural to put Green here. He will be able to pass notes to and from us, but don’t give anything or say anything to anyone else but Green, potentially Jeff Adams also.

  Malik nods his head and Dex joins him. The excitement in his eyes says that we will have a way to sneak around the watchful eyes of the Council.

  I give Dex a teasing glare. “No sending love letters either. This is for official business only.” He gives a mock pout.

  “Oh come on, how can I not talk about your beauty? It would just be unnatural.” Malik laughs and I hit him on the arm, but I think I hurt my hand more than his arm. He scoops me up and starts tickling me until I squeal in surrender.

  Once he puts me down, I sober again. “I can’t believe I only have a few days left here.” Tears start to form in my eyes.

  “Hush now,” Malik scolds me. “You are going to be great and so busy that you will hardly miss us.” I smile at him in gratitude, but he is very wrong. I miss them already and I haven’t even left.

  We agreed that that’s enough plotting for one day and Malik goes to join the men’s hunting party.

  “Would you like to help me fish?” Dex asks innocently. That just means he will fish while I keep him company.

  “I’d like nothing more, Sir.”

  We head to our spot by the pond where Dex sets up his pole and leans it against the tree. He looks at me and says, “I’m going to miss you so much, you know that?”

  “I think I have an idea how much!” I wink at him. I trace the scare on his face with my finger. “This one is my favorite.” He gives me an odd look. “You have favorite scars?” he asks, bewildered.

  “Of course I do. This one brings a certain ruggedness to your otherwise beautiful face.” He laughs.

  “I can’t tell if that is a complement or an insult. You think I’m beautiful, do you? I bet you say that to all the boys.” I laugh back at him.

  “Only to you and Wes, and I think Green is too, but I have never told him.” I don’t know why I am so honest about this. I should be too embarrassed, but I don’t like keeping anything from him.

  “Green, huh? Do I have to be jealous of him now? He’s not going to be stepping in on my girl, is he?” he asks challengingly.

  “So now I’m your girl?” I ask.

  He gives me a stern look.

  “You better believe it! And no more climbing in bed with Wes, you hear me?” I laugh at the ridiculousness of him being jealous of Wesley.

  “Yes, master.” I say, teasing him.

  “Oh yes, that is much better.”

  I’m going to miss our light banter when I go back. Sigh.

  “Are you sure I can’t talk you and Grace into coming back with me?” I know I shouldn’t bring it up, but I can’t help it. I’ll miss him. His face instantly falls.

  “Even if I wanted to, Roz, they won’t let me in because of the ban. I have nothing but bad memories of that place anyway. I don’t want to associate them with you. You are separate from that world to me. Here, you are my President Princess. There, you represent all of the things that were taken from me.”

  That is the most he has shared about his life, and as much as I want to demand answers to all the questions, I have to be okay with taking only what he gives me.

  “We can make new good memories. If I get the Council to vote the way I want them to, you can take Peter’s place on the Council when he retires.” Dex heaves out a sigh.

  “Roz, don’t hold your breath on that. Even if I didn't leave, I don’t think I was ever who the Council wanted. It’s the one area where they have no say in the matter. Let’s not ruin what little time we have together by talking about them. Why don’t you go back to telling me how good looking I am?”

  I laugh again and swat at him but he ducked my reach.

  “Like your ego can take more. I’m afraid your head is going to float away.” He laughs and traps my arms behind me so I can’t hit him, and then he leans down and kisses me.

  “Only you, Roz, can see the beauty in the broken.” The fact that he sees himself as broken breaks my heart. I stroke his face gently and he pushes it into my palm, closing his eyes.

  “You were never broken, Dex; you are too strong, and don’t forget that. If you allow them to break you, they will win. You have the scars to hold the pieces together. This right here,” I say, running a finger down the scar on his face, “This proves that you are still whole, held together by the pain of your past experiences that remind you that you made it through.” He smiles at me now. “Are you ever going to tell me how you got them?” I ask him. I can’t bear to ask him directly; I don’t want to bring it up if he isn’t ready, but I do want to know.

  His eyes have turned sad. “Yes, one day. When it doesn’t hurt so bad and all this is finally over and we can put it all behind us and be together.” I savor the idea of all this behind us and Dex and I are together. It feels like a dream that will never happen.

  “Do you honestly think that will happen, Dex?”

  “I hope so, and if anyone can make it happen, it’s you, Roz.”

  Chapter Six

  This last week has flown by so fast that I was not prepared for the onslaught of emotions that I never imagined to have. Last night, I read and sang to Grace for the last time. I stroked her hair and told her how much I am going to miss her and that she has to make me proud by continuing to eat and sleep well for Dex. Once she fell asleep, Dex holds me while I sob. I must
have cried for an hour but he only keeps on holding me and telling me that everything will be fine. I wish I could believe that. Zara told me that she'll be gone when I wake up that morning, because she isn’t very good with good-byes, so she is going to work early, but that she was so happy to have gotten to know me. We both hugged and cried, and I told her that I will see her again. I am leaving all of the clothes I have with me in hope that she can get some use from them.

  Masters showed up just before breakfast. I scan him in and we eat with everyone before we leave. While all this is happening, Grace has a death grip on me. She has hardly eaten today and so I place her on my lap, whispering words of comfort I don’t really believe. Everyone comes to me and says their good-byes and how much they will miss me. Malik hasn’t said much, and only gives me a tight embrace and promises that he will do everything in his power to help me. I thank him and then I run into Dex’s arms. He whispers words of comfort and declarations of love to me, and all I can do is cry and shake my head.

  Masters clears his throat and shoots Dex a look. Dex nods and whispers to me again, “Come now, Princess. You need to be my fierce warrior, okay? Dry those beautiful eyes and give me a smile. Can you do that?”

  I shake my head no, but I do my best to pull myself together. I don’t want Masters to see me this way. I take a few deep breaths and look up into deep brown eyes. I nod once and bring my hand to his face. I trace his scar and then bring his face down so that I can kiss him soundly before turning and heading towards the gate. Masters stands there, looking from Dex to me, completely shocked.

  This time, Dex clears his throat. “You are going to go with her, right?” He asks. I look back at Masters. This question seems to bring him out of his daze. He nods and starts to walk after me. Dex puts his hand on Masters’ arm. “Look after her, Masters, and promise me that you will not let anything happen to her.”

  Masters is looking at him as if he is an old friend now. “I promise, Dex. I’ll keep her safe.” Dex slaps him on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

  “Get to it then. This girl’s got a country to run.” He tosses me a wink and then goes to pick up Grace. I smile and wave to everyone and head to the scooter that is waiting for me.

  Before I can hop on, Masters turns to me and places both hands on my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes. “Are you alright, Roz?” I don’t want to lie to him but I feel as though my heart is actually breaking. I don’t want to leave this place or these people behind. I close my eyes for a moment then just look up at him without answering. He understands even if I don’t speak.

  “Okay then. Let’s get you to the train and you can fill me in on our way.”

  Once we reach the train and settled, I try to think of how much I can tell Masters. I have decided to find out how much he knows first.

  “So you knew about Malik and Dex?” I ask even though I know that as head of defense, he must have. Masters confirms it by nodding.

  “Yes, I’ve known them both for a while, which is why I knew you would be safe there and find some answers. But it looks like you found more than I was expecting, eh?” He is obviously talking about my relationship with Dex but I don’t want to go into it right now.

  “How’s Natasha doing? Have you given her a ring yet?” Masters only laughs.

  “It’s none of my business. Point taken.” He says. I smile at him. As closed off as Masters tries to be, we have come to pretty good understanding and friendship.

  “I’ve missed you, ya big brute.” I said with a smile.

  He smiles down at me in return. “I’ve missed you too, little one. Now, enough with the sentimental crap; we need to get on the same page before we hit the Ministry.”

  He is right. As much as I want to curl up into a ball and sleep my worries away, I cannot. The minute we hit the Ministry, the Council will have Annabelle waiting for me.

  “You are right. I’m going to leave some details out and there’s a few things I can’t say, but I’m pretty sure you already have an idea about what’s going on.” He nods his head.

  “No matter what your views are Masters I don’t care, I’m going to fight for what I think is best for this Country and I need to know you will back me up, no matter what.”

  “No matter what.” He replies with conviction. I know I can count on him.

  I fill him in on whatever I can tell him. I spoke to him about replacing Holder with Green and he has surprisingly agreed. I also told him that there is someone I am looking for and that the only way to find him is to look for him myself. I haven’t given him Ed’s name but I have informed him that starting next week, we are going to tour the home for the dying and the convalescing. He has agreed with everything I tell him and I am able to at least breathe easy, knowing that Masters is by my side.

  “One last thing, Masters; I’m sorry to put you in this position and I’m not sure where things stand with you and Tash right now, but you can’t tell her any of this. It’s an order Kevin, anything I tell you about Ministry business is in the vault. Understand?”

  He studies me for a moment; he looks like he wants to argue, but all he does in the end is just nod. “Natasha understands that secrecy is a part of the job, as it is with hers as well.”

  Good, for a minute I imagine him saying that he can’t do it. I know Natasha is on my side, but she also backs the Ministry and what they do. If she knows that I am trying to find a way to change that, she can easily become a very big problem.

  Once Masters is fully on board with my plan, I am finally able to sit back and relax for a bit.

  “So you are really going to do it, take on the Council?” he inquires with a look of awe in his eyes.

  “I’m going to try.”

  “You will be the first, Roz. Not one previous President has tried to fight the Council, not one.” This can’t be true, can it? As in, never? How can they just accept at face value everything they are told? Nonetheless, looking back at the only two presidents I’ve met, I can understand why: they are both powerful men with high intelligence and strong values in particular areas, but they are older and don't have as much fight in them. Choosing me, the younger one, was a good move on their part, but it also means I have more fight in me. I have more conviction and I refuse to sit back and be anyone’s puppet.

  “We will be there soon.” Masters breaks through my thoughts.

  “If you want to be taken seriously, you are going to have to look the part. I brought a suit made for you; it’s in the bathroom compartment. Go change.” I smile at him and make my way back to the bathroom. That is thoughtful of him to think about something so minor, yet he is right. What was I thinking, going to meet with the ten most powerful people in the country in my jeans and dirty t-shirt?

  I pull the suit out of the bag and I can’t help but laugh out loud at the sight of the bright red suite with a white lace blouse underneath. A matching red knee length pencil skirt accompanies the jacket. It will make me look powerful, sleek and refined. I put the ensemble on and the white pumps that I have found to go with them. Hanging on the hanger is the necklace from my mother. Master has obviously thought of everything. I pull my hair back into a twist and look into the mirror. All traces of that naive sixteen year old girl are now gone. In her place is a strong, powerful and confident woman. This is going to work, there is no failing, I encourage myself. I square my shoulders and approach Masters who lets out a long whistle.

  “You know if this job falls through, you can have a killer career as a personal designer. I didn’t know you had it in you.” I tease him as Master gives me his signature glare.

  “I asked Natasha for help to make you look more presentable. The red was her idea because she said that besides from being the national color, it instills confidence and brings men to their knees.” He grins slyly. Leave it to Natasha to come through for me even though I’ve kept her in the complete dark.

  “Should I take a picture and send it to Dex for you?” Masters asks smugly. I shoot him a death glare and before I
can blink, a flash goes off.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I state in shock. “You keep a camera on you?”

  “You never know when you need to photograph evidence,” he answers with a grin. “I never would have imagined you two together, you know that? Total opposites in every way; it’s almost comical.”

  “Well, I am glad I can give you a nice laugh,” I say with bitterness in my tone.

  Masters’ face instantly softens. “Hey now, I am not making fun of you. I meant what I said. I wouldn’t have expected it but somehow it works. I haven’t seen him that happy in a long time, and he brings out a much needed vulnerability in you that I’m glad to have seen.” His words calm me. He thinks we are a good match, and I am so happy to hear that.

  “You are going to break a lot of hearts though; everyone has their hearts set on you and Wes getting together.” He says with a sly grin.

  I can’t stop the groan that comes out. “Seriously, when are people going to get it that you can be friends with someone of the opposite sex without being romantic. Poor Wes, everyone is going to think I jilted him.”

  Masters is already bursting out with laughter by now.

  “You know, Tash has been good for you too. You look much happier and I’m glad for that. You truly deserve to be happy.”

  He puts his arm on my shoulder and I try to lighten the moment. “Just think of how cute and menacing your little babies are going to be.”

  Upon hearing my comment, it's his turn to groan now.

  The train comes to a stop and the lightness of the moment evaporates in an instant. My stomach dropped to the floor and for a moment, I think I am going to be sick. Masters is at my side immediately and has his arm around me for support. “Are you going to be alright, Roz? I can tell them that you are not feeling well and that you need a few days.” I am thankful that he is so considerate, but as much as I want to hide out, I need to get this over with.