But what about Tracker? He was pale, his eyes glazed. He couldn’t even stand up on his own. What had The General done to him? How could Nate help him? His “injuries” were internal, an unknown drug swarming through his bloodstream.
My heart squeezed, terror wrapping around it.
Would Nate be able to save him? Or would he die because of me?
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Jessica
A half hour later, we were heading back to the underground hideout in the woods. Logan rode Tracker’s bike back, leaving room for Tracker in the Escalade. Tracker faded in and out of consciousness throughout the journey, not fully aware of what was going on around him. Nate and Tony sat up front, with Noah and Tracker in the middle seat, and me in the very back seat all by myself. Luke drove Ryan back with him in his Camaro.
I remained silent as the dregs talked about the mission and about what type of drug they believed the General had been pumping into Tracker. I found myself glancing at Tracker every so often, but his expression was dazed, his eyes blank. He didn’t speak, except to mumble incoherently. Nate kept casting worried glances in the rearview mirror at him. If Nate was worried, then I was scared to death. I prayed over and over that Tracker would recover from whatever drug The General had given him. Please God, don’t let him die.
An hour and a half later, we neared the woods. Tracker sat up straighter in his seat, his eyes slowly clearing. “Waters said he had soldiers searching for our hideout here. We need to be cautious and ready for an attack.”
The other dregs exchanged glances.
“Eliza,” I whispered as fear squeezed my heart. She was alone here. Had The General’s soldiers found her?
Tension filled the vehicle as we traveled closer to the haunted mansion. Nate slowed the Escalade and nodded toward his window. “Look.”
Everyone glanced to the left. A body of a man lay in the bushes near the side of the road.
The dregs gripped their weapons, their gazes alert, as they stared out of the vehicle.
Why was a dead soldier out there? Had The General’s men found the dregs’ hideout? If so, then who had killed that soldier?
Oh God, was Eliza okay? My fear escalated the closer we got.
Another body lay off to the right side of the vehicle as we reached the back of the mansion. I stared out through the darkness. Another soldier? I wasn’t sure, but I thought it was.
Nate brought the vehicle to a stop in the trees. “Let’s take a look before we enter the garage.”
Doors opened. Nate, Tony and Noah slipped out, leaving Tracker and me alone. Though Noah’s arm was freshly wounded from a bullet hole, apparently he felt well enough to help. I glanced at Tracker, then reached over the seat and held his hand.
“How are you doing?”
He turned his head, his gaze seeking mine. “It just hurts everywhere. This shit they gave me is brutal. It makes my head spin.”
I squeezed his hand tighter. “Hang in there. You’re going to be okay.”
He closed his eyes, his head lolling back against the seat. “Fuck, it hurts.” His hand tightened around mine.
I didn’t know what to do. How could I help him?
The doors opened. Nate, Tony and Noah slipped back in the Escalade.
“We found three more bodies near the entrance,” Nate said. “Someone took them all out. An experienced killer.”
An experienced killer? A chill crept down my spine. Was Eliza okay?
“Where’s Eliza?” I whispered.
“We don’t know yet,” Nate responded. He drove the vehicle forward and entered the garage. Ryan and Luke were already there. Logan pulled in behind us on Tracker’s Ducati.
Everyone climbed out of the Escalade. Tony and Nate helped Tracker, who leaned heavily on them as they all headed across the forest for the underground entrance. Luke and Logan helped Ryan, who was obviously in great pain. Noah clutched his bandaged arm, but he didn’t appear to be in too much distress as he took up the rear with me, checking for danger.
I glanced down at the bodies they were talking about, then glanced away. Who had killed these men? Had they been sent to dispatch the dregs as Tracker had suggested?
We entered the tunnel and headed through the maze. The ghosts swirled around, following us for several turns, then disappeared. The closer we got to the dregs’ underground apartments, the more worried I became for Eliza.
Please God, let her be okay.
Finally, we reached the long corridor where the dregs resided. Tony let go of Tracker and moved in the lead, slowly checking for danger. A door opened down the hallway—Gordon’s old apartment—and Eliza cautiously stepped out. When she spied us, her eyes filled with tears and she rushed forward into my arms.
“Jess! Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I assured her, squeezing her tightly. “What about you?” I stepped back to check her for injuries. “What happened?”
She swallowed hard, glancing up as the dregs surrounded us. “I’m fine. A bunch of guys with guns came in here. But Jacob stopped them.” She hitched in a breath. “He killed them all, then dragged their bodies outside. He said he would remove the bodies later.” Then she smiled. “It was awesome! You should have seen it. He’s like a ghost, some kind of karate expert or something.”
Phantom of Death. That’s what Nate had said Jacob’s nickname was. Now I think I understood the meaning of it. I thought of those bodies outside and let out an involuntary shiver.
Everyone exchanged glances. “Jacob came back?” Tracker hissed. “Seriously? Where is that traitor?”
Eliza’s eyes widened. She stepped back. “He’s…in his room, I think. With his little girl.”
Silence descended. At that exact moment, a door opened farther down the hall. Jacob stepped out with the same little girl The General’s men had handed to him out on that dirt road. The child couldn’t be any older than four or five and had gorgeous, curly blond ringlets. She was absolutely adorable. Jacob paused, immediately bending to lift the little girl protectively into his arms.
“Fuck,” Tracker whispered from behind me. “He’s got a kid. Why didn’t he tell us?”
Tony surged toward Jacob, his face etched in fury. “Traitor!”
When none of the other dregs made any move to stop him, I screamed, “No!” and raced after Tony, fearing he would hurt Jacob’s child. “He has a little girl!” I grabbed Tony’s arm, trying to stop him, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave. Impossible. He kept moving forward, flinging my arm aside without even stopping. Scrambling faster, I dived in between them before Tony could attack. I pressed my palms into Tony’s chest.
“Stop!”
Tony came to an abrupt halt, his cold black gaze narrowing on me. “Move aside, Jessica. I’m going to kill that traitor.”
“No. Please, Tony. He didn’t mean to betray Tracker. He had no choice. Look!” I spun around and pointed at the adorable little girl. “He has a child. They made him do it. You would have done the same thing! All of you would! And I’m fine. They didn’t hurt me, you know that.”
“You may be fine, but look at Tracker.” Tony flung his arm toward Tracker, who was pale and weak, his eyes still glazed. “He might not survive the night. Because of him!” He jabbed a finger at Jacob, sneering.
The other dregs came forward and Nate and Logan grabbed Tony’s arms, holding him back.
“Easy,” Nate murmured. “Jessica’s right.”
I glanced at Jacob, who was staring at me with a look of stunned disbelief. Then he warily glanced at the dregs who’d all gathered around. “I lured them here on purpose, so I could kill them. They’re all dead. I lived up to my name. I was the Phantom of Death, so there’s no need to worry. Please, don’t hurt my kid.” His raspy voice didn’t sound right with the pleading in that last sentence. “I’m all she has left.” He looked at Tracker, who was leaning against the wall next to Ryan, his face strained. “I didn’t want to do it, Tracker.” He swallowed hard. “But they killed her
mother and threatened to kill her too if I didn’t give Jessica to them. I’m sorry, man. I had no choice.”
No one spoke for several heartbeats, then Eliza hurried forward and plucked the little girl from Jacob’s arms. “Come on, Hazel. We can have that tea party now.”
Hazel? Eliza had obviously already met Jacob’s daughter. I stared as the little girl wrapped her arms trustingly around my sister’s neck and nodded. The child stared wide-eyed at the dregs, revealing large, beautiful blue eyes. Jacob’s eyes.
Jacob looked relieved as Eliza took Hazel back to Gordon’s apartment. I hesitated, glancing after Eliza and Hazel, then back at the dregs. What would they do to Jacob now?
“You can’t kill him,” I said aloud. “He has a little girl. And he killed all those men who came here to kill you guys.” I glanced at each of them, urging them to understand. “If he hadn’t been here, Eliza would likely be dead, and your hideout would be history. You have to let it go. Forgive him. Please. I already did.”
Tony spat at Jacob’s feet and jerked free from the hold Nate and Logan had on him. “There’s no excuse for betraying one of your brothers. I will never forgive you. You’re not one of us anymore.”
“What if that was your child?” I whispered. “What would you have done?”
Tony spun around, glaring at me. “I don’t have a kid and I never will.” Without another word, he marched off. Moments later his apartment door slammed shut.
“I say we let him stay for now,” Noah said quietly. “Just until he finds another place to go. But Tony’s right. He’s not one of us anymore. He’s an outsider now. He can’t be trusted.”
There were murmurs of agreement amongst the other dregs.
“Outsider,” Ryan hissed through his pain, glaring at Jacob.
“Let’s get Ryan to his room so I can take care of his bullet wound,” Nate said. He glanced at Tracker. “You need to go lay down, Tracker. I’ll tend to Ryan’s injury first, then I’ll see what I can do for you.”
Tracker nodded, his face pale. The dregs all began disbursing, Luke and Nate leading Ryan away while Logan helped Tracker toward his apartment.
Jacob glanced back at me as everyone walked away. “Thank you. You didn’t have to forgive me. I probably wouldn’t have.” He looked down at his feet. “Tell Eliza to bring Hazel back when she’s ready for a break. I don’t know much about kids, so I’m at a loss what to do with her.”
I hesitated. “It’s okay. We’ll help you out. Eliza’s really good with kids.”
With a relieved and obviously grateful nod, Jacob turned away. “I’ve got some bodies to get rid of.”
I hurried down the corridor after Logan and Tracker, catching up with them just as they entered Tracker’s apartment. Logan helped Tracker to his bed, then turned from the room.
“You gonna be all right with him?”
I nodded. “I’ll be fine. Thanks, Logan.”
After Logan left, I tried to help Tracker get comfortable, fluffing the pillow behind his head and tucking the covers around him. He was shivering now, his limbs quaking as if he were freezing. His teeth started to chatter. He moaned softly and closed his eyes.
“It hurts, Jess,” he whispered, clutching my hand. “Everywhere.”
My heart pinched. Worry clenched at my gut. I didn’t know what to do for him, so I climbed in the bed and cuddled next to him, wrapping my arms around him, trying to share my warmth.
“Hang in there,” I whispered. “Everything’s going to be okay. Nate will be here soon. He’ll know what to do.”
Tracker moaned again, his hand tightening around mine. I held him, waiting for Nate to arrive, wishing I could do something more for him. It seemed like forever, but was probably only fifteen or twenty minutes before Nate showed up.
“I wish I knew what kind of drug they gave you, Tracker.” Nate sighed. “Then I could have an idea how to help you, but I don’t have a clue.” He opened his medical kit and checked Tracker’s vitals. “Jesus, your heartrate is nearly twice as fast as it should be and your blood pressure is 190 over 100. That’s dangerously high. You should go to a hospital.”
Tracker shook his head. “No hospitals. It’s too dangerous.”
Nate sighed. “You’re right, but you should know that I might not be able to save you.”
Tracker mumbled something indiscernible, then moaned softly, twisting his head from side to side. He clenched his fists, gripping the covers in his hands. He was hurting and I felt so helpless.
“Do something for him,” I pleaded, looking at Nate. “Please.”
Nate sighed again and rubbed a hand over his face. “My medical supplies are running low. I don’t have the proper stuff to treat him with.” His eyes filled with concern. “All I can do is give him some fluids and hope it’s enough.”
“Can’t you ease his pain?” I whispered.
Nate sighed. “In order to ease someone’s pain, I have to touch the place of injury, and then focus my healing power on that injury. I don’t know where Tracker’s injury is. It’s everywhere, coursing through his veins. I can’t help with that.” Frustration crossed his features. “I don’t know what to do for him.”
“Give him the fluids, then.” I prayed it would be enough. “Please. Do whatever you have to.”
Tracker began to whimper softly, his body shaking harder. I squeezed him against me, trying to soothe him, though I doubted I was doing much.
Nate hooked him up to an IV, setting the valve the way he wanted it, then stepped away from the bed. “I’ll be back to check on him a little later. Let me know immediately if his condition worsens. I’m sorry. There’s nothing else I can do.”
“Thank you.”
With a nod, Nate left.
Tracker continued to shiver and moan for over an hour, then, finally, he grew still. I leaned over to press my ear to his chest, making sure he was still alive. His heart thudded rapidly against his ribs.
Thump thump thump thump thump.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I snuggled back against him. He was just asleep. He’d finally given in to exhaustion. But his body was still in shock, trying to fight off whatever The General had given him. I didn’t dare leave him for fear he would die while I was gone. So I remained in the bed with him, snuggling close, my hand over his heart, and prayed he would get better soon.
Nate returned to check on him a few hours later. He said Tracker’s vitals were still high and that Tracker had likely passed out from too much stress on his organs.
“He may not wake for a while, Jessica.” He paused, his gaze serious. “Whatever they gave him is messing him up. You need to be prepared for the worst. It’s possible he might not wake at all.”
I swallowed hard. Tracker’s situation was direr than I’d imagined. He could die. Die.
My chest squeezed. Tears sprang to my eyes. No! I couldn’t lose him. Not now, dammit. He was special. A good man. And I loved him. So much it made my heart hurt. Together, we’d discovered what true love was. He might be in denial, he might not realize what it was yet, but I knew he’d felt it, too. He’d drawn that beautiful rose and left it by my pillow. That meant something, right?
Please God, don’t take him away from me. I just found him.
“Thanks, Nate.” My lip trembled. “Will you check on Eliza for me?”
“I’ll send her in to see you.”
I squeezed Tracker tightly against me one last time, not wanting to let him go. But I needed to pee, and there was nothing I could do for him while he slept, anyway. With a sigh, I rose from the bed and turned back to stare down at him. He was out cold. He might never wake again.
What would I do if he died? I hadn’t told him how I felt about him. If he died, he would never know I loved him.
A heaviness settled into my chest. My eyes filled with tears. Forcing back a sob, I went to use the restroom and tried to get a grip. When I came out, Eliza was there, staring down at Tracker in the bed.
“What happened to him?” she asked. “Nate
said he might die.”
I drew in a ragged breath and shook my head. “He was given some kind of experimental drug. We don’t know what it was, but it was bad.” A huge lump formed in my throat. I swallowed hard. I’d been strong for so long, but now I felt so weak. So helpless. I couldn’t save him. No one could. I might lose him before I’d ever truly had him.
Please God, don’t take him away.
Eliza pulled me into her arms and gently patted my back. “It’s going to be all right,” she soothed gently. “Isn’t that what you always tell me when things turn bad? He’s a dreg. He’s tough.”
I clung to my little sister, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Yes.”
But this time everything wasn’t fine.
The only thing that could save Tracker now would be his will to survive and whether or not his body could recover from whatever The General had given him.
It’s going to be all right.
If I told myself that enough times, would it be true?
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Tracker
Fever wracked my body, pulling me under, fire raging through my veins. Then coldness settled in, ice burrowing under my skin, sinking in deep to freeze my heart. I screamed and floundered, lost in the darkness, lost in the battle between hot and cold, consumed by the foreignness coursing through my bloodstream. I tried to focus on something good, something that would help me forget the pain.
The Tracker Page 29