by Joni Hahn
When she smiled at him, Clint knew he’d been played like a worn guitar.
“That means we’ll need to keep Teague Hamilton.”
Like hell they would…
Outside, rapid gunfire erupted, stopping all conversation. Had the chamber opened early?
Grabbing a laptop off the coffee table, Jim pulled up security surveillance. “We have bogies penetrating the fence line.” Setting aside the computer, he leaned over Carol and kissed her, before running out the door.
With a growl of impatience, Carol yelled at the ceiling. “Will that damned D.I.R.E. never die?”
Another explosion rocked the building, knocking Clint into the bookcase behind him. This one sounded louder, felt more unstable than the first. Rushing to the window, he saw the grain bin in flames, whistling bullets flying in all directions, men scurrying around the yard, seeking cover.
He rushed to the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Carol demanded. “You’re too valuable to fight our battles.”
Stopping short, he glanced at James who showed no sign of rushing to help. “Why aren’t you headed out there? Or, do you have clones to do the killing for you?”
Hands in his pockets, James’ blue eyes glittered. “Who needs clones with my older brother around?”
Clint pretended to consider that. “True,” he said, before lowering his voice to a deadly rumble. “Keep that in mind.”
Chapter 16
Shudders of fear wracked Keegan’s body where she stood just outside the Madam’s living room. Cyrus stood feet away from her, alive, breathing and in control, with just the sound of his voice. When Hope and Jaydan had rescued her from the island, she’d thought she’d never have to look at him again.
Yet, as soon as she’d entered the living quarters, she smelled his cologne. The scent brought on instant revulsion as she recalled his naked body weighing her down on the bed, his heavy breathing at her ear mixed with vulgarities he knew made her cry—and delighting in them. It brought back memories of waking in the middle of the night to find him beside her in bed, and no one to help.
Her muscles accelerated, the fear buffeting strength into her limbs. How could her calm, rational Clint associate with him? How could he speak with him as though he were perfectly…normal?
Cyrus turned and headed straight for her. His face was flush, pulled into a guise of utter terror she’d seen few times in her life with him. As he brushed past her invisible form, she held her breath, hoping to avoid inhaling his scent. It wasn’t until he was completely out of sight that she let it out.
She checked her armband. Ten minutes until the chamber opened. While the agents took care of the hired guns outside, Monica had gone in search of Austin, with Angela still MIA. She’d come in search of Carol Robinson, expecting to see her surrounded by guards.
Stepping around the corner, Keegan saw her. She sat inside her living room, alone with Clint. “You need to find a way to get through to your brother, Clinton. We can’t afford the animosity.”
Clenching and unclenching his fists, Clint fidgeted before her. “In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s the hostile one.”
Her voice rose with authority, though her posture sagged in the chair. “I expect more from you, Clinton. You’re more levelheaded.”
Silence ensued. Levelheaded was the last thing Clint felt in that moment. She could see it in his handsome face.
“Why didn’t you tell me you went back and saved him?”
The dejected surrender in Clint’s voice tugged at her heart. She steeled herself against the sentiment.
“What was I supposed to say? You were a child when Nathan took me back.”
“And so you just let me live with the guilt?” The painful incredulity in Clint’s voice made Keegan wince despite her own resolve.
God, how she hated Carol Robinson. She would gladly kill her and with her death, destroy the cruelties she’d inflicted on Clint. Whether he’d played her and the agency, or proved loyal, she vowed Carol Robinson would die this day.
“I had no choice, Clinton.”
Ridicule carried his bitter laugh. “Of course, you did.”
“No, I didn’t. Our friends and neighbors knew he’d drowned that day. We had a funeral. I had to send him back to the past with your grandfather. I had no choice.” She winced with pain as she burrowed under a blanket.
If they weren’t discussing how she’d manipulated Clint and her ludicrous plans for the world, Keegan would’ve felt sorry for her. Even the most minute movement seemed to cause her pain, her breathing a struggle.
Clint paced the room, running his hands through his hair. Don’t let her fool you, baby. Don’t be that naïve.
Carol’s voice, now faint, held a note of tenderness. “A man so painfully in love is capable of self-torture beyond belief.”
Stopping in place, Clint turned to look at his mother. “East of Eden.”
Her chuckle sounded weak. “Yes, but I’m talking about you.” She breathed through her nose and let it out. “We need Keegan Meeks, Clinton.”
Keegan caught her breath. Why did they need her? What did she have that they couldn’t create now that they had Clint and Cyrus to clone again?
“Now, she’s stronger than any woman I know—besides myself.” Carol’s eyes fluttered shut.
Stronger.
The enhancements. Clint had given her the enhancements, knowing they needed her. With the serum, it would give them access to the strongest woman alive.
She would become another weapon.
All of that garbage about keeping her safe was just that—garbage. He’d played her for a sucker—and gotten amazing sex in the bargain.
Pounding a fist in the air, she squeezed her eyes shut in disgust. Ugh. She was such a fool. A stupid, idiotic, naïve fool. How could she have fallen for it? For him?
No. The word escaped her throat before she could take it back.
Frowning, Clint whipped around, his gaze searching the room. She should just kill him now. Save her and the others the trouble of hearing his lame excuses.
“Keegan?” Walking out into the entry, he looked around.
Scanning her forefinger over the screen, a bright light flashed before she appeared in front of Clint. Panic filled his eyes, turning them a stormy grey. Loathing and gut-wrenching pain pulled at her middle, clenching her teeth.
“I can’t believe I fell for it.” For you.
Grabbing her wrist, he tugged her down the hall and into a bedroom doorway.
Snatching away her hand, she told him, “I hate you, Clint Robinson. Do you hear me? I hate you for what you’ve done. When this day is through, one of us will be dead.”
His face paled. “God, Keegan, no—”
“Keegan?”
Cyrus’s voice sent a tidal wave of fear washing down her spine. He approached them with slow steps, his eyes taking in her every feature. She stood between the two men she feared most in the world, armed with the power to kill them both, and still she hesitated.
Why?
Because standing this close to Clint still made her heart soar. His presence still brought her a sense of peace, despite the volatile situation.
Because despite what he’d done to her, she still loved him, and she’d rather die herself than live without him.
Cyrus stared at the armbands on her forearms, his mouth set at an angry slant. “What have you done to her?” He turned wide, incredulous eyes on Clint.
“Protected her from you.” He turned his sorrowful gaze on Keegan. “Which is all I ever wanted to do.”
Pulling his lips in over his teeth, he turned away as though it hurt to look at her. When he spoke again, his voice was tender. “How could you mar such perfection?” He moved to stroke her cheek.
She backed away from his caress, her system humming with simmering strength, her mind fighting the nanobots that begged to form another machete in her hands.
Cyrus curled his hand into a fist, his nostrils flared. “
You used to let me touch you.”
“No.” She leveled him with a deadly glare, her accelerated mind zeroing in on Cyrus, on the abuse, the lies, the time stolen from her. “You used to force yourself on me.” She started toward him with menacing steps. “I lived in fear for over twenty years, Cyrus.”
His brow folded in genuine hurt as he shook his head in denial. “No, my love. That’s not true.”
With a hand on her wrist, Clint stopped her before snatching it away. “It is true, you sick bastard. I made sure it would never happen again.”
He turned his dazed eyes on Clint before looking back at her. “He’s the bastard, my love, unworthy of your body and your affection.”
“Finally, we agree on something.”
Clint stared into her eyes with sad finality, as though gazing at her for the first, and last, time. She’d told him one of them would die, but she didn’t mean it. She didn’t want him to die. She wanted him to wrap her in his arms and hold her forever.
Her alarm went off. So, did Clint’s phone.
The chamber.
Regret settled in her heart, leaving her chest heavy and aching. If she walked away now, her instincts told her it would be the last time she saw him. Hate battled with love in that moment, hating him for doing this to them when they’d found something breathtakingly beautiful.
Yet, she had to save the others, had to be there to ensure their safety. Clint had betrayed her, betrayed them all. He didn’t deserve her love or her remorse.
Giving herself space between them, she moved aside the cover on her armband and pressed her thumb against the scanner. With grieving eyes, Clint stepped back, as Cyrus stared open-mouthed.
“Keegan?!”
Green plasma filled the small space, Clint’s voice carrying through the dense fog. “I love you, Keegan.”
Sorrow threatened to choke her as Keegan landed outside the chamber. How could he tell her that now, when he’d betrayed her? When he’d picked his family over her and his friends?
Because he didn’t do any of those things. He’d sacrificed himself for you.
And, Carol had deceived him again.
Monica stepped out of the alcove that housed the chamber door, her shoulder back in place, her face wiped clean of blood to reveal cuts and dark bruises. “We decided to meet you here and let the agents take care of upstairs.”
“We?” She looked around, wondering who had accompanied Monica.
Austin Rose dropped out of the ceiling down the hall, his boots crunching on the debris littering the floor. His face was lit with excitement as he trotted over to them. “I think I got it all.”
“All?” Keegan said, glancing back and forth between the couple.
Monica smiled. “Jim told him where all of the weapons were stored, including the explosives.”
“Jim?” Keegan said, “as in Jim Monroe?”
“Yeah,” Austin said, with a wide grin. “Weird, huh?”
Weird didn’t begin to describe it. “I’m kinda more concerned with why?”
“He said when Mitchell showed him the pictures of him with his children, it changed everything. It proved Carol had lied to him and he’s pissed off. She’s dying and this plan is taking its toll on her. She thinks Teague and Clint can cure her, but Jim says she’s too far gone.” He lowered his voice. “At this point, he wants to put an end to all of this and let her spend her last days surrounded by her sons.”
Jim’s good heart had shown through the serum, his love for Carol, unshaken despite her deceit. If it hadn’t been for Mitchell coming here and showing him those pictures, they would all be in a much different, hopeless situation.
“That doesn’t eliminate Cyrus as a threat,” Keegan said, her muscles still hard, her mind still reeling from his presence.
The door behind Monica clunked, the lock sliding out of place. Grabbing the handle, Keegan pulled it aside with ease, the stench of Mitchell’s body overwhelming the remnant of gas. The agents stood in the center of the room, looking confused, but not crazed.
Hitting her hard fist against the control panel, the glass wall slid into a groove in the far wall. The women beamed at her, some with tears in their eyes as they rushed to hug her. Natalie was the last, her eyes darting to her new armbands before hugging her tight.
“Thank you, Keegy. You saved our lives.” Rushing over to Riordan, she spoke over her shoulder. “You have some explaining to do, Sister.”
The women all rushed to their super agents, while Austin placed a spare t-shirt over Mitchell’s face. She needed to get them out of there.
Keegan said, “The gas may take a while to completely recede. Close the door and stay in the tunnel until I come back for you. It’s not safe topside.”
Giving Monica a kiss, Austin moved to follow her. “I’m coming with you.”
“No. I need you to take care of them. Monica’s been through enough.”
Monica shook her head. “The women are perfectly—”
“No,” she said, her voice stern and impatient. “I need to know they’re safe. It’s one less thing I have to worry about.”
Hesitating, Austin gave a conciliatory nod. “If anyone comes down here, we’ll take the tunnel back in the other direction.”
Pulling her aside, Monica said, “Angela is still MIA. If she was in the middle of the shootout upstairs, she could be lying dead somewhere.”
Angela. They hadn’t heard from her since they’d first arrived. While Keegan had enlisted her to help the others escape, she knew Angela had an ulterior motive.
“Fill in the women on what’s happened,” she told them. “Once the agents have come around, make sure their armbands are activated in case you run into trouble.”
“What are you going to do?” Austin said.
“I’m going to find Angela.” She turned to go.
“What about Clint?” Monica said in a soft voice.
Keegan stopped in her tracks, her heart stopping, too. She spoke over the lump in her throat. “I have to eliminate all threats—if he’s one of them.”
* * *
A deathly silence hung over Carol’s living room, with only a random gunshot sounding outside. The D.I.R.E. agents had swept the farm with cool efficiency and were collecting bodies and information with their usual precision.
The Madam’s home was too quiet, too calm for Keegan’s peace of mind. With the two brothers in residence, and traces of a small war outside, calm just wasn’t doable at the moment. Something wasn’t right.
Peering around the corner, she willed her body to stop with the shaking already. Cyrus couldn’t hurt her anymore. She had to get that through her head. Now, she had powers that no other woman on earth possessed. No one could hurt her unless she was careless.
Like she was with Clint. No more.
Finding the room empty, she proceeded toward the back of the apartment. With her back against the wall, she advanced down a narrow hallway, moving with caution. Rushing past the two, open doorways, she stopped when the sound of voices reached her ears. They came from a third room a few feet away.
Darting into the doorway, she stilled when she spotted Angela standing over Carol, cowering in a corner. She held a gun against her chest, point blank.
“You killed Mitchell. You killed my husband.” Angela’s anguish rang in her words like a distant church bell, haunting and earnest.
Even though she was in a dire predicament, Carol’s tone remained patronizing. “Your husband destroyed my father’s island—our entire operation—and locked up my son. He had it coming.”
Angela released the gun safety. “You bitch. I should take you out to that barn and show you a truly painful death.”
“You won’t,” Carol said on a scoff. “You always run away when things get tough. Just ask Nathan, or your children, or Mitchell.” Her grin burned with pure evil. “Oh, that’s right. You can’t.”
Keegan couldn’t contain her gasp. With a loud scream, Angela pulled the trigger. Carol jolted where she stood, her
wide eyes frozen in disbelief. Blood rose to the surface of her blouse. Her head fell forward, before her body followed suit. Angela backed out of the way to let her hit the floor.
A shot fired behind Keegan. Angela dropped to the floor, a succinct hole in the back of her head. Whipping around, Keegan found Jim Monroe standing beside her, a small revolver in his hand. He rushed to Carol’s side and flipped her over. Sobs wracked his body as he brushed back the hair from her ashen face and spoke to her in hushed tones.
Kneeling beside Angela, Keegan checked her pulse, knowing what she’d find. Angela had found her way back to Mitchell. Again.
Chapter 17
Only a fool would think Angela hadn’t planned Carol’s murder all along. Having known Jim and Mitchell were best friends, Keegan wondered if Angela had also known the man would avenge Carol’s death. Mitchell would’ve done the same thing. Once again, she had taken the easy way out.
Jim’s tears tore at her heart, the injustice of it all no more evident than in his grief. At least, he had his children. They would release all traces of the serum and bring him back. It would be a changed world for him, like waking from a coma. His wife was dead, his best friend dead at his mistress’s hand. He would need his family, and they would need him.
With a lingering look at the macabre scene, Keegan left the room in search of Clint and Cyrus. Her work was far from over. If she’d learned anything today, she knew the only way to peace was through Cyrus’s death. As long as he lived the threat would remain. She would go mad if she had to live with it one more day.
Searching the rest of Carol’s living quarters, she found no sign of the brothers. After walking through the laboratory and nearby buildings, she made her way into the yard, the full moon casting an eerie stillness over the bare landscape. A D.I.R.E. agent informed her that they had rounded up all of the victims and suspects, and were sorting through them with the local police, on the other side of the fence. Keegan had no idea how the police had found out about the situation. Nevertheless, she was grateful for the help.
Now, she could send Natalie and the others to the D.I.R.E. agents working with the police. They could get them far away from the farm and back to safety. Mission accomplished.