“Then we better find docs who know what they’re doing,” Angel said.
“Sure. Like who?” Owen asked.
“Like Wynn’s parents. I believe they’re still alive. They were researchers for the Omnis. Jafaar has them now.”
Owen checked Addy, who met his glance with just a little glimmer of hope. “What makes you think they have a clue as to what to do to reverse this?” he asked Angel.
“They were groundbreakers in nanotechnology research. Her dad was a chemical engineer, and her mom was a molecular biologist. They both died in a suspicious lab fire. While you were gone, Jafaar had Wynn kidnapped. She was stung with a tiny bumblebee drone that injected her with something that knocked her out. Later, when she had a chance to get away from Jafaar, she saw a couple who might have been her parents. I think I saw her mom at her house just after it was hit by some Omnis.”
“Addy was stung by a bee a few months ago,” Owen said.
“You said Jax told you that your dad was looking for all of Omni’s scientists and because of that, King was killing them,” Ty said. “Maybe that’s why Wynn’s parents made a run for it? It was run or die.”
Owen nodded. “We’d only just started our meeting downstairs, but I can see it involves more than just our team. I want everyone there. Let’s convene in the living room in a half-hour.” He looked back at Addy and Troy, who was leaning against his mom, watching him with big eyes. “It’s not a talk for children.”
“Then I’ll sit it out,” Addy said.
“No. We need you. We need all the women there. And Russ and Jim.”
“Casey can sit the boys,” Kit said. “I’ll set up a movie for them—a couple of movies. But let’s hold the meeting after dinner. We need time to go through Addy’s things.”
Owen accepted that. “After dinner, then. We can meet in the dining room instead of the living room.”
Max frowned and exchanged glances with Greer.
“Spit it out, Max,” Owen said.
“Can we trust her?” He thrust his chin toward Addy. “We don’t know anything about her.”
“Yes.”
“No,” Addy whispered from behind his shoulder.
“No?” Owen lifted a brow.
She shook her head as she looked at what she could see of his team. “What if Cecil and others can hear through me? What if I’m broadcasting?”
“Who’s Cecil?” Greer asked.
“Cecil Edwards. My demon. Her hell,” Ace answered.
“How would that work?” Kelan asked.
“No idea,” Addy said. She was still slightly behind Owen, shamefully glad he stood between her and his team. “But then, my eyes shouldn’t change when I’m angry. And all of the other weird stuff that’s going on shouldn’t be happening either. I don’t know how any of this works.”
“Right,” Kit sighed. “Best we can do is have Kelan wand you to see if you’re sending off signals.” He shook his head. “That’s the weirdest thing I never thought I’d hear myself say. Greer, Max, finish going through her devices. The rest of you—go through her bags and clothes. Not sure what we’re looking for, but since we know the Omnis can weaponize insect drones, I don’t want to be too careful.”
“Agreed,” Owen said. “I want Lion at the meeting. And Blade’s dad, too.”
“Roger that,” Kit said.
The room emptied out, leaving Owen alone with Addy and Troy. Her boy seemed terrified. Owen smiled and set a hand on his head, then looked at Addy. “I’d like to say everything is going to work out, but we both know that’s not a given. And I want to ask you to trust me, but I know that resource has been depleted for a long time. So I’m just going to say that you have me and my entire team behind you. They’re bright, capable warriors. Every one of them has been harmed by the Omnis; they have skin in the game. I trust them with our lives. You and Troy are safe here. Most of all, you aren’t alone—you’ve got all of us with you.”
Addy almost wavered. She’d heard similar heartfelt offerings from her brother two years ago and had fallen for them. Completely. She’d believed Wendell, and look where she was for it…an Omni science experiment, still under Cecil’s thumb, not a step closer to having her son back.
“Do you think Wendell was ever even looking for Augie?”
Owen stroked her cheek, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “I think so, at least until he learned which pride he was with. Lion is a natural leader. Augie would have been safe with him. I think Jax felt finding my dad and stopping the slaughter of the Omni scientists was a higher priority. He thought you were dying, you know. He needed them to save you. We still do.” He shook his head. “All I know for a fact is that I love you.”
Troy moved between them to hug Owen. “I love you, too, Mr. Tremaine.”
Owen smiled at her. He knelt and set a hand on Troy’s shoulder. “Thanks, bud. We’re going to get through this.”
“I know. We’ll keep Mom safe, like Augie would have done.”
“Just like that.” Owen nodded. “We’ll make your brother proud. You know, everyone here calls me Owen. You think, if it’s all right with your mom, that you could do that too?”
Troy looked up at her and smiled when she nodded. “I guess that’s okay. Owen.”
“Do your men need my help getting into my devices?” Addy asked.
Owen stood, then handed her his phone with a text screen open. “Enter your passwords. They’ll take it from there.”
16
Addy went to her room after the meeting in the den. Troy had gone off with Zavi again. Those two were going to be a handful, having the run of a place the size of this one. She splashed her face with cool water, then got a washcloth and ran it under the cold tap. She wrung it out, then put it over her eyes, trying to get them to go back to being normal. Was that even possible?
After a few minutes, she checked the clock on her nightstand. It was almost time to meet for dinner. Her purse had been delivered to her room, along with all her other things. Her sunglasses were in there. She put them on, then left her room. She ran into Owen’s cousin by the backstairs.
“Hi, Addy,” Val said.
“Val.” Addy stopped in the hallway. Of all Owen’s team, Val felt the safest to her, maybe because he was Owen’s cousin.
“I guess you aren’t broadcasting all of our secrets, since you aren’t in isolation.” He grinned.
“No. But the eye thing has gotten worse.”
“Do they hurt? Does light bother them?” he asked.
“No. I just don’t like being different.”
Val shrugged. “We all have our issues. Rocco, for instance, is recovering from severe PTSD. Blade’s dad was one of King’s henchmen. Kit’s mom was an alcoholic and an escapee from an Omni isolationist group. Greer sees ghosts. My dad is some evil kingpin. Max was a felon who almost killed Owen—”
“Why did he do that?”
“He was angry for the trickery that dragged him into this mess,” Val said. “For a while, he blamed Owen, but we know now it was the Omnis who brought him in.”
“What issue does Owen have?”
“Owen? Hmmm. His is the worst of all. For a decade, he’s just been a tin man, hollow and aching for his heart, which he lost when he lost you.”
She sighed and took off her glasses. Val’s eyes widened. “Goddamn.” He lifted her chin, bringing her face more into the light of the hallway. “They’re purple now.”
“Are they?” She pivoted on her heel and hurried into the hall restroom. “Oh my God. What am I going to do?”
“Nothing. They’re gorgeous,” Val said, leaning against the doorjamb. “I just told you we all have our issues. Yours happens to be eyes that light up like mood rings. Let’s enjoy that.”
“I’ll freak everyone out.”
“Yeah, but in a good way.”
“Addy?” a woman asked from the doorway.
Addy turned around to find Ace standing there. She knew those eyes, that beautiful, angular face—sh
e’d remembered them as soon as she’d seen her in Owen’s den. Her arm was in a cast. “Ace? Is that really you?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t come to say hello before this. I wasn’t ready to face you.”
“Why?”
“Because of what I did to you.”
Addy reached over and took Ace’s good hand. “You didn’t do anything to me.”
“I failed you. In so many ways. You asked me to stop taping you. I didn’t. Then when I gave my tapes over to your brother, I didn’t give him the one of you because I felt guilty for taping when you’d asked me to stop.”
“Ace, honey, you were a kid. I don’t blame you for anything. How could you have known what to do in that situation?”
“I could have gotten you out. I knew the ways.”
“You aren’t to blame for what the Omnis did. They are.” Addy felt fierce and angry suddenly. It probably showed in her eyes, magnified by the big tears pooling there. “We survived. They don’t get to have us. Not any part of us.” She hugged Ace, and felt relieved when Ace hugged her back.
“I’m sorry,” Ace said.
“I’m glad you’re here, out of that world.”
Ace nodded then caught Addy’s shoulder as she studied her eyes. “Your eyes are beautiful. Do they just change randomly? Like on a timer? Like LED Christmas lights?” She smiled.
Addy chuckled. “I don’t know. This just started happening. It’s crazy.”
Ace shook her head. “It’s not crazy. It’s biology. Lots of animals change color, like chameleons and octopuses.” Ace hugged her again. “I can’t wait to catch up with you, share our stories. I’m so glad you were strong.”
Addy returned the hug, not entirely sure she had survived…at least not yet. “I want to hear your story, too. It can’t have been easy for you.”
“It wasn’t. I’m getting back on my feet.” Ace released Addy so she could put an arm around Val’s waist. “I have Val and the team now—a home and a purpose.”
“I’m happy for you,” Addy said.
Val led them out into the hall. “So go ahead and wear your glasses, Addy. Or put out your crazy shingle. No one will judge you here.”
“Yeah, no one cares about my hair anymore,” Ace said. “At first, they were a little weirded out.” She looked up at Val. “God, can you imagine if I could get my hair to change color on its own?”
“I love it when you call me God.” Val laughed when she punched his side. “Maybe the good doctors Ratcliff can get to work on that. As soon as we find them, that is.” They moved down the hall toward the huge living room that was at the heart of this mansion.
Addy followed a little more slowly, bracing herself to join Owen’s people. Her son and Zavi ran toward her down the long hallway. Troy’s face was alight with childish joy, mirroring Zavi’s mood.
“Mom! Zavi eats with the watchers. Can I do that?”
“No. You’ll eat with me.” He was fearless here, happy just being a boy. She loved that this place had brought it out in him, but everything was still so new, and she wasn’t as trusting as he was. She knew too much to be naive.
“Mom, pleeease.”
“Troy—” Before she could finish her response, Owen joined them.
“I understand the watchers eat dinner first, Addy,” he said. “They weren’t here when I left, so some changes have been made to our routine, since the table isn’t big enough to accommodate everyone. Casey, Kit’s daughter, and Zavi, Rocco’s son, have been joining them. Sort of a segregation of children and adults. Troy’s welcome to join them.”
“I don’t know these watchers or why they’re here…” Her voice trailed off. Maybe they’d come for Troy.
“You will after our meeting tonight. I was surprised to learn they were here, but they’re safe, and I’m glad for it. You’re welcome to stay with Troy, but I’d like you to eat with me. They’ll just be in the dining room. We’ll be next to them in the living room.”
“So can I, Mom?” Troy asked.
Addy sent Owen a quick look, then nodded.
The boys laughed and jumped up and down. “Zavi said I can have a sleepover after dinner. Can I do that, too?”
“No. We don’t want to impose. It’s our first night here.”
Once again, Owen stepped in. “They’ll be near Rocco and Mandy, in their suite of rooms. No one’s leaving the house. It’ll help with our meeting, since I expect it will run long.”
“The meeting Mandy and Rocco will be at too. No?”
“Yes, they’ll be there. And while they are, Casey will babysit the boys. It’s just a sleepover, Addy. Remember when I’d come for the weekend?”
“And you and my brother would pick on me?”
Owen looked shocked. “Never. Really, we strive for normalcy here. There’s so little of it in what we do,” Owen said. “Let the boys have a sleepover.”
“Please, Mom!” Troy said.
“I’ll talk to Mr. and Mrs. Silas,” Addy replied. “If it’s all right with them, it’s all right with me.”
“Yes!” Troy shouted, then both boys ran off down the hall.
She looked at Owen, thinking she should put her sunglasses back on just to block him from getting in. They started toward the big living room. She stepped closer to him and said quietly, “I very clearly remember an October night that you were over. You dangled a life-sized scarecrow outside my window, making it dance and move.”
Owen chuckled.
“It made this horrible moaning noise.”
“Scared you, huh?” Owen laughed.
“Scared me?” she said, like that was the understatement of the year. “You then spent the whole weekend popping out of hiding places, shouting ‘boo!’”
Owen squeezed his eyes shut as he laughed. “And every time you were startled. Every damned time.”
“I’m so glad I could be the source of your jollies.”
“I never knew screams could hit the octave you did when you saw that scarecrow.” He laughed. “Oh, your face…”
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Not at you. With you.” He shook his head, still laughing. “No. No, I am laughing at you.”
She leaned near him. “Well, I do believe I wet the bed as well. Roberta was not happy.”
Owen looked at her in shock, then laughed. The more he thought about it, the more he laughed, until he bent over and held his knees, he was laughing so hard. He lifted a hand. “No. Wait. I can’t take any more. It hurts.”
She couldn’t quite keep a smile from her face. Owen used to laugh so easily when they were children…before…everything. She used to laugh, too.
He straightened, sobering as the last ripples of laughter faded away. His pale blue eyes held hers. She fought a shiver. How many nights and days had she conjured up the image of them like this, standing close as they were now, just him and her, their eyes dancing, saying things they didn’t openly acknowledge?
“I had to sleep with Wendell for days after you left. I couldn’t go to my parents. They never liked their sleep interrupted. You know how they were. But Wendell let me stay with him when I got scared. He was there for me when it counted. In those days. I thought he still was, but now I don’t know.”
He gave her a slight bow, and, to his credit, kept a straight face. “My deepest apologies, my Laidy. I’ll find a way to atone for that terrible weekend. I have a lifetime of sins to make up to you. It’s a debt I take seriously.”
Addy felt heat rise from her neck to her face. She wondered if her eyes were changing to yet another color.
“And we’ll figure out where Jax stands,” he said. “I have my doubts, too, but that doesn’t mean they’re real.”
She turned from him to see everyone who was gathered in the living room watching their exchange in stunned silence. They all seemed in awe of Owen, just as she was.
She whispered, “We have an audience.”
As Owen looked into the room, everyone quickly returned to what they were doing. Except V
al. He gave her a wink and lifted his beer. As they stepped down from the foyer into the living room, he went behind the bar and poured a glass of Balcones for Owen.
“Addy, what’s your pleasure?” Val asked.
She blinked, taken aback by his question. Memories so horrible that they needed to be burned jumped to the front of her mind.
“To drink,” Val clarified, yanking her back to the present. “What can I pour for you?”
Addy lowered her gaze and forced herself to slow her breathing. “Um. Wine. I guess.” She flashed a glance around the bar. “Whatever’s open.”
“Pinot Noir it is.”
He poured the glass. She grabbed it and quickly lifted it for a sip, just catching the tail end of the confused look Val shared with Owen. “I’m glad you’re being brave,” Val said in a quiet voice not meant for the whole room.
Again, she missed his meaning. He pointed to her sunglasses, which were perched on her head. “Smart to keep them near. Wear them when you feel uncomfortable. Or don’t wear them at all. Either way, be at ease with us. You and Troy are safe here. Soon Augie will be, too.”
His words of kindness left her feeling raw and exposed. Kindness had been so scarce in her world that it actually hurt to feel it. She looked over at Owen, who was watching her. Val stepped away from the bar and went to the oversized armchair Ace was sitting in. Lifting her like she was a mere pillow, he sat down and settled her on his lap. She leaned against him, entirely comfortable with his open affection in front of all these people.
“There’s something I’ve been curious about for a while,” Val said, looking at Ty. “As far as you know, was Jax ever here at the house?”
“Not when I lived here,” Ty answered.
Val looked around at the group. “And we’re pretty sure Jax was Ace’s handler, right?”
“We got his fingerprints everywhere at Ace’s stash house,” Greer said.
“Plus he admitted to it,” Owen said. “Why?”
“Ace saw blueprints of the bunker and the tunnel leading into it,” Val said. “Those were never publicly available. The original bunker and the modifications Bladen made weren’t submitted for county permits. Those plans don’t exist anywhere Angel has been able to find. So how did Jax have them to show to Ace?”
Forsaken Duty, The Red Team Series, Book 9 Page 15