Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“You do realize that West, and anyone we dose before I perfect the serum, will be little more than an animal on a Red Dart-created leash?”
“The Zodius are animals,” I remind him. “I want an animal who can face an animal and win, an animal who is both powerful and in control.”
“Very well then,” Chin agrees. “I assume I will have the Red Dart application immediately available?”
“Of course, you will. We’ll bring West in tonight when he returns from Washington.”
Chapter Twelve
Addie
I’m sick the entire flight, fighting to stay in my seat rather than hanging over a disgusting airplane toilet. When we finally land, it feels as if it takes ten years to exit the plane. But finally, I step into the airport with Brock by my side, and I can feel Creed nearby.
Feel him.
I can’t even explain what that means, but it’s just a sense inside me—an understanding that he is close.
And while he’s not close enough to suit me, he’s too close for Brock’s safety. “I need to drop by the ladies’ room,” I say, “and since I’m under the weather, I’m going to call it a day. No dinner for me tonight.”
“I’ll wait on you and help you with your bags. I should probably give you a ride home, too.”
“I’ll be fine to drive,” I say. “I need my car tomorrow. But you can help with my bags. No complaint there.”
“I thought you needed a bathroom.” His tone is pure suspicion.
“Changed my mind. Rather just get home.”
Twenty minutes later, Brock drops my bag in the trunk of my new red Beetle and gives me a critical once-over that says I still look like walking death.
“You sure you can drive?” he asks, though he doesn’t seem inclined to convince me otherwise, which is a pleasant surprise and a huge relief.
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “See you in the morning.”
He offers me a two-finger salute and saunters away. A frown puckers my brow. Why had that been so easy? Didn’t he want to kill me? I turn to my car and get in, uneasiness in my stomach as I slip the key into the ignition.
Chapter Thirteen
Brock
It’s finally time.
A message from the general has set into action what I’ve been waiting for, what I’ve long craved.
I am to become a GTECH.
With a hurried stride, I make my way through long-term parking and stop short with my Ford pickup in my line of sight. Dumbass Lucian is leaning against it, all nonchalant, as if me interacting with a member of Zodius Nation isn’t a major fucking problem. Addie could drive by any moment.
“Are you crazy?” I demand, stepping close to him, trying to block the view between the roadway and him by way of body position.
“That’s not a very friendly welcome,” Lucian chides, unmoved in every possible way by my concern.
I motion to the truck. “Get in before someone sees us.” I click the locks open and round the bed of the truck, lifting the tarp along the way to toss my bag under.
Lucian doesn’t move. “It was Creed who followed us last night,” he announces. “His unfortunate involvement demands aggressive actions. We’ve set plans in motion—Addie will be dead within the hour. I’ve arranged for the Secretary of State to pressure Lawrence for access to Red Dart during his briefing. You’ll step up to manage Red Dart while Lawrence grieves.”
Adrenaline surges, and I charge back toward him, facing off with him. “Lawrence entrusted me with his daughter. If anything happens to her, he’ll blame me. I’ll be the last person he trusts to take care of things while he buries Addie.”
“He can’t blame you for a car accident when he let that happen to her mother.” He smirks. “It’ll really fuck with Lawrence. And there is no way you could prevent such a thing.”
“You can’t be sure a car accident will kill her,” I argue, trying anything to shut this down.
Lucian’s lips curve sardonically. “You underestimate me, Brock. There’s a little alien something we call ‘Stardust’ in her exhaust. It’ll cause a brain aneurysm. It is undetectable in human testing. Her car will crash. She’s dead, regardless of cause. I suggest you get to the lab so you can be there by Lawrence’s side when he hears the brutal news. Be ready to take control.” The wind lifts, and he is gone.
I stand there for all of three seconds before I start running toward Addie’s car. If anything happens to Addie, I don’t care what the cause; Lawrence will go ballistic. And I’m not losing my chance at conversion over that bitch. By the time I reach Addie’s prior location, I’m out of breath, and her stupid little Beetle is sitting where it had been, with Addie nowhere in sight.
I huff out a breath of relief. She must have forgotten something inside the airport. I’ll wait. Thirty minutes later, there’s no sign of Addie. I lift the hood of her car and disable the battery. Then, for good measure, I pull out a pocket knife and slice two tires.