Chapter 3
ALEX
Alex’s stomach churned as the word “trouble” left his mouth. Trouble had become their constant companion, weaving itself into every aspect of their lives. It seemed like they couldn’t catch a break, always one step away from disaster.
“Trouble enough that you were about to break into a DHS facility?”
Alex shrugged, a wince tugging at his lips. “Well…that’s sort of strong. More like…some creative tricks with the power grid–”
“While I burst in triumphantly and drag you to safety,” Kyle added.
“Yeah, that part was still a work in progress, but…that was the rough plan.” Alex shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Okay? Does someone want to tell me why?”
“Umm, maybe not on DHS property. I feel like…we’re being watched.” Alex glanced up at the cameras on the corners of the building.
Ava followed his gaze before nodding. “Right. Yes, let’s head back home and talk there.”
Kyle hurried across the parking lot. “Shotgun.”
“Wait, with who?” Alex asked as they followed behind him.
Kyle twisted to eye them. “Ava’s my first choice. No offense. I know we’re bros, but…she’s way cooler. And you drive so slow.”
Ava burst into laughter, smacking Alex’s chest. “He’s right. I told you. I so told you.”
“I don’t drive that slow! Come on!”
“Mmm-hmmm,” Ava said as she palmed her keys and unlocked her doors. “Race you home.”
“Race…oh come on, Avs. This is so juvenile.”
Ava opened her driver door. “Says the man who’s going to lose because he drives so slow.”
She slid into the driver’s seat and fired the engine, revving it.
He rolled his eyes at her as he climbed behind the wheel of his own car. “I’m not racing you, Ava, just go.”
She peeled from the space before she sped from the lot. He tapped his hands-free button. “Call Ava’s phone.”
She picked up a second later. “Where you at, slow poke?”
“Still in the parking lot. I’m not racing you. This isn’t high school, Avs.”
“You’re not racing me because you can’t keep up. Come on, old man. The gas is on the right.”
He pulled onto the street. “I know where it is.”
“Hey, you’re the one who said our conversation was urgent enough to need to break into Homeland Security. Now, you’re lollygagging somewhere back there like we have all the time in the world.”
He pressed his accelerator a little harder. “Good point. Maybe we should talk now.”
“You’re not going to drop a bombshell big enough that I’ll wreck the car, are you?”
“No,” Alex said, hesitating. “Oh wait, are you going to drop any bombshells from whole DHS interview?”
“No, but there is something we need to talk about. You first.”
He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I really hate those words anymore.”
“Sorry, babe, but we have some decisions to make.”
He swallowed hard, his stomach clenching. “Okay, well, before we make those, Raven is…ravening again.”
“What does he want?” she asked.
“You to deliver the flash drive. Apparently, he texted you while you were with the DHS, but you didn’t answer.”
“He wasn’t happy about that,” Kyle chimed in.
“I think that’s Raven’s default setting,” Ava answered. “Why didn’t you take it to him?”
“He wouldn’t let us,” Kyle answered. “Apparently, we’re not as cute as you, though, I think he’s wrong about that. I am pretty cute.”
“You’re such a doll. I can’t believe he didn’t go for it.”
“Hey, hey, real husband on the line,” Alex said, a smile playing on his lips at their banter despite the tension at his temples.
“Well, if I’m being fair,” Ava answered, “Kyle is super cute. But you are even cuter. And the pair of you…wow, what was Raven thinking?”
“Pretty sure he was thinking a cute blonde girl was way better than the pair of us,” Alex said. “And he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’s kind of a pain like that.”
“So…I need to take this flash drive to him.”
“You’re so smart, Sparky. Yep, he wants it by three. And I wasn’t about to tell our aviary ally that you were meeting with the DHS.”
“Good call, babe. I’m at home and running in to grab the drive. If you ever get here, we can all go together.”
“Ohhh,” Alex said as he turned onto their street, “triple threat with all of us.”
“He’s going to have to get used to you at some point if we’re going to work together.” Ava’s door slammed on the other end as he pulled into their driveway.
She waved as she strode to the house. He pulled in next to her car, killing his engine before he slid from inside and crossed to climb into her backseat. “Umm, hey, any chance we could–”
“Nope,” Kyle said with a shake of his head. “I called shotgun at the DHS. We’re not switching.”
“Kind of weird that she’s my wife, and I’m in the backseat.”
Kyle twisted to face him. “You can’t call wife every time to get your way. This is a partner situation, not a spouse situation.”
“Wait, what?” Alex screwed up his face.
“We’re doing Raven things. Raven things are partnership things. We’re all equal in the partnership. If this was a date…you clearly have precedence.”
Alex shifted his seat. “Why would you be on a date with us?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it would happen. Like a nice dinner out, and also you don’t want me to feel left out so you take me too.”
“No,” Alex said with a shake of his head. “Although nice dinner out is…a stretch. I mean, Ava and I are more into gaming nights.”
“Oh, well, there you go… gaming night, and I’m just…sitting there alone, so you give me a controller and let me play, too.”
Ava slid in behind the wheel, eyeing them. “Everything okay here?”
“Yeah. Kyle was just inviting himself to our next gaming session. Although, he’ll defer to me as the real spouse. But in this situation, we’re all equal.”
Ava narrowed her eyes as she nodded. “Right. That makes perfect sense. Okay. I assume I’m going to our special place?”
“Yep. I called ahead. We’ll take the chopper. I’m not wasting all afternoon driving to meet this guy’s demands.”
Ava headed for the airport and within twenty minutes, they were air bound, soaring toward the city. They landed on StoneCorp’s roof shortly after, choosing to walk to the meeting location.
“So, what happened at DHS?” Alex asked.
“They want me to tell them everything I know, including about Raven, in exchange for full immunity for the two of us.”
“Ahhh, not to be a nudge, here but…what about me?” Kyle asked.
“Oh, I don’t think you’re really in danger of being accused of anything,” Ava said, slicking a lock of hair behind her ear.
“Really? I’ve done some crazy illegal stuff,” Kyle said. “Like…you know, breaking into that Board place.”
Ava slid an arm around his shoulders. “They’re not holding that against you, Doc. The only time you came up was…”
“Yeah? When?” His voice took on a nervous tone.
“When they asked about you checking me into a hotel room.”
“Ohhh, right. How did you explain that?”
Ava shrugged. “I may or may not have let them think we were having an affair.”
Kyle’s eyes went wide, his chest puffing. “Really? You did that for me. Wow, Ava. Thanks.”
“Wait, wait, wait, you told them you were having an affair with Doc?”
“Well, I wasn’t about to admit that I had a murder charge pending that we swept under the rug with Raven’s help.”
Kyle adjusted the lapels of his jacket. “They totally bought the affair thing because it’s so plausible.”
Alex’s features pinched. “Yeah, but–”
Ava pulled him closer and planted a kiss on him. “But what, babe?”
He shrugged as he slipped an arm around her waist. “Nothing. It all seems clear now.”
She giggled as she wrapped an arm around him. “I thought it might. Look, it wasn’t easy trying to dodge their questions. I didn’t want to give up Raven. But we may have no choice.”
“I won’t fight you on this. I’m not as fond of Raven as you are,” Alex said, his loyalty to the man not strong.
Ava sucked in a breath. “I just think he’s proven himself more than once. The weapon, the breeching of the Board facility, shooting Miranda. He’s gone above and beyond to prove his loyalty to us.”
“But has he?” Alex asked. “He’s given us nothing on The Board but tidbits. Why is he hiding his identity?”
Ava shook her head. “I don’t know, but giving him up to DHS could ruin everything.”
“Or it could make everything better,” Alex said. “I mean…it’s getting exhausting doing this on our own. Maybe we should let the government step in.”
“Also, to have my bro’s back on this,” Kyle said, clapping Alex on the back, “if Raven truly wants to take down The Board, how would telling DHS about him hurt? He’s on their side.”
“So, you think I should take the deal? Tell them about Raven?”
Alex shrugged. Was there a better way here? “Let’s see what he says today when we drop the drive off. Maybe he’ll make the decision for us.”
They turned the corner, the abandoned warehouse looming in front of them, its darkened windows and crumbling facade making Alex shiver. His heart pounded as they approached, every step echoing.
Ava nodded. “We’ll see.”
“Avs,” Alex said, tugging her back by her elbow.
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
She grinned at up him, a relieved sigh escaping her. “I love you, too.”
Kyle heaved a sigh, drawing their attention. “No, it’s fine. I’m just third-wheeling over here. It’s fine.”
Ava chuckled as she threaded her arm through Alex’s and led them to the warehouse. They pushed inside the darkened space, the door slamming behind them ominously.
Alex startled, hating the meeting space Raven used. “Hey,” he whispered, “when you were with Raven, were there any clues to his identity?”
“No,” she said in a low voice. “There were pictures on the mantel, but he had them turned over. I tried to look at them, but he got a little agitated by that.”
“Of course, he did,” Alex said with a groan.
“Any chance you could find your way back to this place?” Kyle asked.
Ava shook her head as they crept forward. “No, unlike Sebastian, Raven has a brain in his head and knocks me out before transporting me.”
“Clever bird,” Kyle said as they approached the bright light streaming from an open door.
Ava stepped into the space, her gaze darting around. “Hello?”
Movement caught Alex’s eyes from a dark corner, a rose in his hand. “You disappoint me again, Ava. If I wanted to meet with Frick and Frack, I could have done that.” His robotic voice echoed in the empty warehouse, sending a shiver down Alex’s spine.
Ava clicked her tongue. “We’re a team, remember?”
“Also, we have names,” Kyle added. “Doc and Maverick.”
Raven tilted his head. “This is why I prefer to meet alone.”
Ava raised the flash drive. “You don’t get to make all the decisions. We’re a team. Here’s the drive.”
He stepped closer to her. “Bring it to me.”
She sucked in a breath as Alex slid in front of her. “No. This isn’t some kind of sick game of power. You can’t just demand she bring it to you. If you want it, come and get it.”
“With pleasure,” he said, tightening his gloves as he flexed his fists.
Ava tugged Alex back, shoving him behind her. “Don’t touch him.”
“Give me the drive.”
She held it out, but as Raven reached for it, she pulled it back. “Two things first.”
Raven heaved a sigh. “What are your demands?”
“First, I want you to decrypt it here, in front of us.”
Alex lifted his chin at her request. She’d read his mind. She didn’t trust Raven either. He could feed them an entirely fake set of files, and they’d never know.”
“I can’t. I don’t have the tools.”
“Then you don’t get it. This was a waste of time.” She pocketed the drive and stepped back.
“I’ll decrypt it–”
“No, we want to be there when you do it. I’m not taking your word for whatever was on this drive,” Alex said, wagging a finger at him.
“Fine. I’ll do it in front of Ava. Only Ava.”
Alex narrowed his eyes. “Wait, why?”
“Because I’m only taking one of you.”
“Whoa,” Alex said as Kyle stepped forward, too, each of them shielding her. “She’s not going anywhere.”
“You know the drill, Ava. If you’re going to command central, I have rules. So, what’s it going to be?” Raven’s robotic voice sent a shiver down Alex’s spine as he glanced back at Ava.
“Avs, don’t do this.”
Ava flicked her gaze back and forth between Kyle and Alex before she stepped forward, her wrists out. “Deal.”
“Ava, no!” Alex said as Raven tugged a restraint from his pocket and slipped it around her wrists, tightening it.
“How can we trust that you won’t change out the drive?” Kyle asked.
Alex’s heart hammered against his ribs. “That drive is password-protected with a special blend of my own encryption. Breakable, yes, but not in the amount of time it would take for Ava to wake up. You’ll need the password from Ava to get to those files. But I still don’t agree with this.”
“I’ll be back soon, babe,” Ava said, nodding at Raven.
He rubbed the rose’s petals against her cheek before he lifted a canister from his pocket, spraying it in her face.
Alex watched in horror as Ava fell unconscious into Raven’s arms. “See you soon,” Raven said.
His features formed fists, his eyes clouding with tears as the man carried Ava away from him.
“We should follow him,” Kyle whispered.
Alex poked a finger at the man with a nod. But before they could leave, Raven returned. He tossed something into the middle of the floor. It spewed smoke. “Can’t have you following me.”
Alex coughed and choked, trying to cover his nose when he started to feel light-headed. The world closed in around him before everything turned black.