Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
brYNN AND THE GOONS
The night of the heist swallowed us whole. We crept toward Shoemaker’s mansion, it’s silhouette a dark monolith against the even darker sky. Not a sliver of moon offered solace and only oppressive clouds crammed overhead.
My nerves jangled like loose change in a dryer, but I forced myself to breathe. This was it - our one shot at taking down the man who’d made our lives a living hell. No pressure, right?
“Keep it tight,” Joel murmured.
The cousins and I huddled at a local park’s edge about a mile from the Shoemaker estate.
Sebastian nodded, his eyes reflecting a deft understanding that words were superfluous. Joel clapped a firm hand on my shoulder, a grounding presence despite the adrenaline rushing through my veins. Braxton flashed a grin, and his attempt at lightheartedness was appreciated all the same.
I swallowed hard, trying to quell the rebellion in my stomach. But I knew we’d never truly be free until Shoemaker was exposed.
“Remember, in and out like shadows,” Joel continued, slipping into the concealed entrance Elizabeth had divulged.
The tunnels below were suffocating, the darkness almost tangible, as if we waded through ink. Braxton had a flashlight and led the group. Sebastian’s steady breathing kept me tethered to the mission when every instinct shrieked at me to flee the claustrophobic confines.
My skin crawled as we crept through the damp passageways. I’d explored plenty of abandoned buildings, but this was different.
“Watch your step,” Braxton said.
The cousins led us through the serpentine paths, while my heart hammered in my chest. The sensation of being watched prickled my skin, even though logic told me we were alone.
Emerging from the earthen bowels through a storm drain, the cool night air was a balm to my frayed nerves. We were inside the fortress and standing in a dark section of the property.
I took a shaky breath, trying to center myself. We’d made it this far - now came the truly dangerous part.
“Braxton, you’re up,” Sebastian said, nodding toward the direction of the security hub.
“Time to work my magic!” Braxton grinned before disappearing into the yard’s darkness.
Joel caught my gaze, his own hardening with resolve. “I’ll circle back. Keep an eye out.”
“Stay safe.” I nodded. A lump formed in my throat.
Sebastian placed a hand on my arm. “Ready, babe?”
“I, yeah, I think so.” My voice wavered more than I liked.
As Joel started to move away, the sound of approaching footsteps halted us. Sebastian and I froze and ducked down behind a thick hedge. His instincts kicking in, I saw Joel press himself against the property wall, merging with the shadows. Two guards strolled the perimeter of the estate, chatting idly about the latest sports scores. My breath caught in my throat.
Well, this wasn’t exactly how I’d planned to spend my evening. Crouching behind shrubbery like some deranged garden gnome, praying these guards were as observant as a brick wall. But hey, who doesn’t love a little impromptu hide-and-seek?
Joel sprang into action, his movements a blur as he dispatched them with swift precision. He lunged at the first guard, a powerful jab to the jaw silencing him mid-sentence. Before the second guard could react, Joel delivered a spinning kick to his midsection, sending him crashing into the wall. The first guard, recovering slightly, swung his baton at Joel, but Joel blocked it effortlessly with his forearm and countered with a series of rapid punches, each one landing with pinpoint accuracy.
The second guard staggered to his feet, reaching for his radio. Joel didn’t give him a chance; he closed the distance with a lightning-fast roundhouse kick, knocking the radio from the guard’s hand. The guard tried to retaliate, throwing a wild punch, but Joel ducked under it and struck with an uppercut, lifting the guard off his feet and sending him to the ground, unconscious.
Breathing heavily but unharmed, Joel stood over the fallen guards, his eyes scanning the corridor for any more threats.
If violence were an art form, he’d be the Picasso of punching. Still, a nagging voice in my head wondered if I should be more concerned about how easily he took down those guards. But then again, in this world, having a one-man wrecking crew on your side wasn’t exactly a disadvantage.
“Nice moves,” I whispered when it was clear.
“Comes with the family name.” Joel grunted, a hint of pride lacing his words before he vanished once more into the maze of corridors. He turned back to me, a flicker of concern in his gaze. “You need to move, now,” he whispered urgently.
Sebastian and I continued on alone and slipped past the unconscious guards. We advanced toward the mansion. The lock on the side entrance yielded to my tools with a satisfying click, and we slipped inside, ghosts haunting the halls of our adversary. Every creak of the floor, every distant murmur of conversation was a potential threat, but together we moved with singular purpose.
“Left here,” I instructed, recalling the blueprints etched in my memory.
My hands trembled—a fact I’d never admit—aware that we drew closer to our goal with each passing moment. The Nant-bots, Shoemaker’s prized possession and our hope of turning the tides.
“Let’s hope these bots are worth the trouble.”
“They will be,” he assured me. And I believed him.
As we crept through the dimly lit corridors, I had the uneasy feeling that we were walking straight into the predator’s den. If life had taught me anything, it was that the most valuable things were often guarded by the sharpest teeth. And right now, those Nant-bots were looking like the grand prize in this warped game of cat and mouse.
Just another crappy day in the life of Brynn Soto, professional troublemaker and reluctant hero. I’d trade it all for a warm bed and a slice of pizza, but beggars can’t be choosers when the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
My limbs shook as we approached the lab where the Nant-bots were supposedly kept. My skin tingled with adrenaline and anticipation.
A faint hum, barely perceptible, reached my ears. It wasn’t the sound of machinery or guards—it was too organic, too alive.
“Wait,” I whispered, holding up a hand. “Something’s not right.”
I pressed my back against the wall, motioning for Sebastian to do the same.
Sebastian leaned in close, his breath warm against my cheek. “What is it?”
I shook my head, struggling to pinpoint the source. “I’m not sure, but—”
Suddenly, the hum intensified, transforming into a low, menacing growl. My stomach dropped. Realization hit me like a punch to the face.
“Shit,” I hissed. “Shoemaker’s got guard dogs.”
Of course he did. Because breaking into a high-security facility wasn’t challenging enough without adding rabid canines to the mix.
Sebastian’s face paled. “That wasn’t in the blueprints.”
“No kidding,” I muttered. “Any bright ideas, Porter?”
He hesitated, then reached into his jacket pocket. “I might have something. It’s experimental, but—”
A bark echoed through the corridor, followed by the sound of heavy paws against polished floors. Time was up.
I grabbed Sebastian’s arm. “Whatever it is, use it. Now.”
He pulled out a small, cylindrical device and twisted the top. A high-pitched frequency filled the air, inaudible to us but clearly affecting the approaching dogs. Their barks turned to whimpers, then silence. The dogs turned and took off in the opposite direction.
“Sonic deterrent,” Sebastian explained quietly. “Joel’s been working on it for crowd control.”
I raised an eyebrow, impressed despite myself. “Remind me to thank him later. For now, let’s move.”
In my experience, fortune had a nasty habit of changing sides when you least expected it.
We edged closer to Shoemaker’s lab, the very heart of his technological empire. I could feel each heartbeat throb in my temples, a rhythmic reminder of the stakes we were playing for. My fingertips grazed the cold wall as we turned another corner, the shadows cloaking our presence like an accomplice.
The pressure in the air was viscous enough to slice with my lock picks. Every step forward felt like tiptoeing through a minefield of consequences, but who didn’t love a good adrenaline rush with a side of potential imprisonment?
“Camera up ahead,” Sebastian whispered, his breath barely audible. His voice always had this steadiness, a calm that made me want to believe everything would turn out fine. He nodded at a small alcove to our right. “In there—quick.”
I darted into the alcove, pressing my back against the cool surface, feeling the roughness of the decorative paneling under my palms. Sebastian slid in beside me, his body heat warming me against the chill of the wall. We were inches apart, close enough that I could see the flecks of amber in his brown eyes.
Personal space? Never heard of it. I had to admit, being this close to Sebastian wasn’t the worst part of our little heist. But now was not the time to get distracted by pretty boys with sexy voices.
“Wait for it.” He was watching the camera through a sliver of space.
The red light atop the camera blinked methodically before panning away from us. Sebastian counted under his breath, timing its rotations.
“Now!” he urged.
We slipped out, moving in quickly with the oblivious lens, and one misstep meant disaster. The excitement of it surged through me—a cocktail of adrenaline and terror that no synthetic drug could ever replicate.
“Keep moving,” Sebastian said, his voice low.
Finally, the titanium doors of the lab stood before us, imposing yet promising. This was it—the moment of truth.
I felt like a cat burglar in a B-grade movie, minus the skin-tight catsuit and night-vision goggles. Though, come to think of it, those might have come in handy right about now.
“Cover me.” I took out my lock-pick set.
Sebastian kept watch, his gaze scanning for any sign of trouble.
The lock to Shoemaker’s lab was a high-end biometric scanner with a ten-digit keypad—an amateur’s nightmare, but I was far from that. I popped off the face-plate, exposing the tangle of wires beneath. With practiced skill, I crossed two wires, held my breath, and entered a code I’d memorized from Elizabeth’s intel.
Funny how a few crossed wires could make the difference between success and a one-way ticket to a detention center. Not that I was planning on the latter.
A soft click, and the door eased open. Elation rose up my chest from my stomach, and I tamped it down. Celebrations could wait until we were out of this house.
“Nice work.” There was something akin to admiration in his gaze—or perhaps it was just the reflection of the florescent lab lights in his pupils.
I shrugged, stepping into the lab. “Let’s grab what we came for and get out of here.”
Sebastian followed, closing the door behind us. Rows of gleaming Nant-bots lined the shelves, their intricate designs both intriguing and frightening in their potential.
“Over there.” I pointed to a secure storage unit nestled in the far corner of the room.
We approached cautiously, aware that even a single slip-up could trigger an alarm. I knelt before the unit, slipping picks from my sleeve. I tried to hurry. Time wasn’t something we had the luxury of squandering—not tonight. So, when the tumblers fell into place and the unit beeped open, my relief was short-lived.
Because that’s when all hell broke loose.
The instant I swung the door open, a piercing siren blared, the sound slicing through the sterile air of the lab. Red strobe lights pulsed blindingly, creating a nightmarish hue.
Shit! I’d successfully broken into the most secure lab in New Boston, only to be foiled by the world’s most obnoxious alarm clock.
“Damn it!” I cursed, heart hammering against my ribs. Panic clawed at my throat, threatening to choke me.
“Grab them, quickly!” Sebastian’s voice cut through the chaos, steady as ever.
I snatched up the sleek, metallic Nant-bots, tossing them into Sebastian’s waiting backpack. They clinked together, precious and perilous all at once.
“Let’s go!” I yelled over the din.
It was when we turned to flee, I realized my mistake.
In the tumult, I had lost sight of Sebastian. The corridors sprawled like a labyrinth before me, each one identical and foreboding. The shriek of alarms echoed off the walls, disorienting me further.
“Sebastian!” I called out, but my voice was swallowed by the noise.
Shit, shit, shit! I’d gone from master thief to lost puppy in the span of thirty seconds. Kay would never let me hear the end of this one.
I darted through the nearest doorway, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. My heartbeat was thundering in my chest, keeping time with the strobing emergency lights. I had to find Sebastian and the others before—
“Look what we have here,” a gruff voice slurred from the shadows.
Two men appeared and blocked my path.
My blood ran cold. Standing before me were Shoemaker’s henchmen, their bulky forms hindering the only exit. The same brutes who had nearly ended me months ago on Shoemaker’s orders. The shorter one stepped around me, now I had them blocking any escape.
Trapped like a rat in a maze, except the cheese at the end was more likely to be a face full of fist. Delightful.
“Lost, girly?” the larger one sneered, his grip tightening around a baton as if relishing a repeat performance.
“Actually, I’m part of the new security audit team,” I said, straightening my spine. “Surprise inspection. And, um, you two just failed miserably.”
Lying through my teeth had become second nature, like breathing or disappointing my parents. Not that I had parents to disappoint anymore.
The smaller one, muscles bulging beneath his too-tight uniform, grabbed my arm. “Nice try. What’re you really doin’ back here?”
“Improving your gene pool by sheer proximity.” I struggled in his grip, trying to yank free, but it was like tugging on a steel column.
“Ha! She’s got jokes.” The larger goon chuckled darkly. “Maybe we should call Mr. Shoemaker, see what he wants done with her.”
“Sure, call him. Tell him Brynn says hi. He’ll remember me.” I couldn’t keep the tremble out of my sass this time.
Their laughs were cruel, filled with malice. “You won’t be smirkin’ for long, fugitive.”
Fear crept up my throat like a cold, slimy tentacle. I swallowed hard, trying to push it back down.
Wait, what? Fugitive.
I frowned, my snark vanishing. “I don’t understand.”
Confusion replaced fear, leaving me feeling like I’d shown up to a costume party in my pajamas.
The larger goon leaned in, his breath hot on my face. “You’re all over the news, sweetheart. Wanted for impersonating an Elite. Ring any bells?”
My thoughts raced, pieces clicking into place. Elizabeth. The swap. Of course, Shoemaker would spin it this way.
I forced a laugh, hoping it didn’t sound as hollow as it sounded. “Me? An Elite? Please. I can barely impersonate a functioning adult most days.”
“Cute.” The smaller one scowled, his grip tightening. “But playtime’s over. Time to face the music, bitch.”
“More like a street rat!” The large henchmen chuckled again.
The slur hit me like a slap. I bristled, my fear momentarily eclipsed by indignation. “I’m not a street rat. I’m more of a...street cat. Independent, resourceful, and really good at landing on my feet.”
The larger goon snorted. “Won’t be landing on your feet where you’re headed.”
I raised an eyebrow, channeling every ounce of bravado I could muster. “Oh? Planning a trip to the anti-gravity chamber? How thoughtful. I’ve always wanted to float like a butterfly, sting like a...well, me.”
“Enough chatter,” the smaller one barked, yanking me forward. “Move it.”
As they started dragging me down the hallway, another wave of panic rocketed through me. Where were Sebastian and the others? Had they made it out? Or were they caught too, trapped like flies in Shoemaker’s web of deceit?
I dug my heels in, frantically searching for a way out. “Wait! Don’t I get a phone call? Or at least a strongly worded letter to my congressman?”
The larger guy snickered darkly. “Sure, sweetheart. We’ll let you call your lawyer... right after we feed you to the sharks.”
“Sharks?” I gasped in mock excitement. “How exotic! And here I thought I’d just get the standard ‘concrete shoes’ treatment. You guys really know how to treat a girl.”
Their laughter echoed off the walls, a chilling reminder of just how screwed I was. We rounded a corner, and I caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows. A burst of hope bloomed in my chest.
I cleared my throat, speaking a bit louder than necessary. “Well, gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure. Really. But I’m afraid I have a prior engagement. You know how it is—places to be, high tech to steal.”
My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat a reminder of how precarious this situation had become. I’d always prided myself on my ability to think on my feet, but now? Now I was so screwed.
The smaller goon’s grip loosened for a fraction of a second, surprise evident on his face. “What did you just say?”
I grinned. “Oh, nothing. Just pondering the finer points of corporate espionage and the going rate for top-secret military tech. You know, typical Tuesday night stuff.”
Adrenaline surged through my veins, sharpening my senses and dulling my better judgment. I wondered if I’d finally lost it, taunting these thugs like this.
The large henchman scowled, his face contorting in annoyance. “You’re a real comedian, huh? Think you’re gonna walk out of here just like that?”
“Listen, assholes,” I said, mustering every ounce of bravado I had left. “You can let me walk out of here, or you can deal with the paperwork of arresting me. And trust me, I’ve seen how you two spell. It won’t be pretty.”
My tone held more confidence than I felt. Inwardly, doubt gnawed at me, whispering that I’d pushed too far this time. But what choice did I have? Back down now, and I might as well hand over my freedom gift-wrapped.
“Shut up! Dumb bitch.” the smaller one snapped.
I tried to move out of his grip but he held on tight. Pain radiated up my arm. “Think about it. Do you really want to explain to Shoemaker why his precious Nant-bots are missing because you were too busy playing cops and robbers with little ol’ me?”
They exchanged uncertain glances, and I knew I’d struck a nerve.
Maybe I could talk my way out of this mess. I had nothing to lose…but my life.
“Maybe we just rough her up some,” the larger man suggested, stepping closer.
“Or maybe you let me go, and nobody has to know about this little incident.” Then suddenly my heart sank. I realized something crucial—my presence here endangered everyone I cared about now that I’d been caught by these two ass-wipes.
A sudden realization hit me like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from my lungs. I’d been so focused on the immediate danger, I’d overlooked the bigger picture. If these goons connected me to the Porters, it wouldn’t just be my ass on the line. I’d inadvertently painted a target on the backs of the people I’d come to care about over the last few months. The thought of my lovers caught in the crossfire of this mess made me feel physically ill. I had to find a way out, and fast—not just for my sake, but for everyone I’d stupidly dragged into this clusterfuck of a heist.
In that moment, I made a decision. With a swift move born of desperation, I stomped hard on the smaller henchman’s foot. As he howled, I twisted away from his loosened grip.
“Later, boys!”
I ran as fast as my feet could carry me, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Behind me, I could hear the men shouting and cursing, but I refused to look back. My only thought was to get out of this place and find a way to keep my loved ones safe.
I zigzagged through the mansion’s halls. Every step away from the lab felt like a betrayal, a fracture in the bond I shared with the cousins.
I burst through a door and found myself in a dimly lit hallway. It was eerily quiet. I couldn’t let my guard down just yet. Every instinct in me screamed to keep moving, so I did.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of running, I saw a door up ahead that led outside to the gardens. Relief flooded through me. I pushed open the door and stumbled out into the night air.
I took a moment to catch my breath. Then I started running again until the mansion was a mere silhouette against the starless sky. My chest heaved, my body wracked with adrenaline-fueled tremors. By saving myself, I’d abandoned them.
Sorry, guys. I hope you can forgive me. Even as the words left my lips, I knew our relationship would never be the same again.