39. Chapter 39
Chapter thirty-nine
Remington
It’s been more than a week since I gave Lincoln the flash drive.
Handing over the story and photographs felt like ridding myself of a huge burden. I’m not as paranoid or fearful going out in public.
I’m still hyperalert, but nothing odd or strange has occurred, and I haven’t noticed anyone following me. With every uneventful day that goes by, I feel more comfortable. Lighter. Less afraid. I’m beginning to hope the Consortium no longer sees me as a threat.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we’re not still being careful. As a precaution, Colton gave me a special necklace that has a hidden tracker. It makes me feel better to know that, should anything happen to me, he’ll be able to find me.
My rehab’s going well. I still have some residual numbness, and I have to wear a brace, but getting my cast off is an incredible feeling. And Ricochet’s on cloud nine. He was released to full duty a couple of days ago. I was so happy for him I almost cried.
When he got the news, he surprised me with flowers, thanking me for making him stick to his restrictions, for pushing him and keeping him on track. He told me I helped ensure he didn’t lose his Trident. It was emotional for both of us, and his heartfelt confession did make me cry.
I’m feeling so much better, I’m even thinking about returning to work. Nothing out of the country, but maybe a local wedding or quincea?era. Something simple and innocent to ease myself back in.
Since reconnecting, Colton and I spend all our free time together.
He even gave me a key to his place since I’m practically living there.
I feel safe when I’m with him. I sleep without nightmares.
We talk and laugh, genuinely enjoying each other’s company.
And the sex is phenomenal. We can hardly keep our hands off each other.
He makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.
I’ve fallen hard for Colton Ryback. If I’m honest, I’m completely head over heels for him.
We hang out with the team a lot, who feel like brothers now. And for the first time in a long time, I’ve made a close friend in Tallahassee, who I’ve grown to love like a sister.
Life is good.
Tonight, I’m cooking Colton dinner, and stopped to pick up groceries. I find myself smiling as I weave my way through the parking lot, heading for my car.
My phone pings, alerting me to a text message. I pull out my phone and stop to read it. As soon as I see the sender, my heart starts to pound.
Lincoln: Just wanted to give you a heads-up. The story is breaking tomorrow.
I stare at the screen for a handful of seconds before shoving the phone back into my pocket. I knew it was coming, but still, the news throws me. In less than twenty-four hours, all hell’s going to break loose. I feel a sudden urgency to get back to Colton’s as fast as possible.
I pick up my pace and hurry toward my car when an eerie feeling engulfs me. The hair on the back of my neck prickles. A wave of fear surges through me, making me freeze and glance around.
Across the parking lot—only a couple hundred feet away—stands Senator Thornton. The man in the suit. He’s next to a shiny black SUV, watching me. The back door stands open as if he’s expecting me to stroll over and get into his vehicle. I’m so staggered by the sight of him, my brain falters.
The bag of groceries slips from my arms, spilling and skittering the contents across the blacktop at my feet. My inhale is sharp. My pulse goes wild, and my breath comes in labored bursts.
Does he know Lincoln’s breaking the story? Is that why he’s here?
A montage of flashbacks begin to rocket through my head. Quick, vivid memories of the torture I suffered at this man’s hands.
Our eyes catch, and we stare at each other across the distance separating us.
I want to run, but my fight-or-flight instinct has abandoned me.
It’s like my brain is an empty void. I tell myself to run, but my legs won’t cooperate.
My head and feet have disconnected from each other.
Instead of fleeing for my life, my body refuses to move, and I continue to stand stiff and motionless.
Then, as suddenly as they left, my faculties come roaring back. My brain comes back online and my feet finally decide to cooperate. I spin to sprint, coming face-to-face with a wall of goons. I shift to the right, trying to escape, but it’s no use.
I’m caught and dragged across the parking lot.
No. Not again. I won’t survive this time.
I scream for help and struggle to break free, but it’s hopeless.
They shove me into the back of the waiting SUV, the man in the suit sliding in after me.
Scrambling across the seat, I jerk the door handle, but it’s locked and won’t open no matter how many times I yank on it.
Trapped and scared shitless, I sit pressed against the door, as far away from him as I can get.
The monster from my nightmares has me in his clutches again.
As the SUV merges into traffic, Thornton rolls down his window and holds out his hand. “Please give me your cell phone.”
Disobeying him isn’t an option, so I dig it out of my pocket and hand it over without argument. I hear the fading ping of an incoming text as my brand-new phone disappears out the window with a flick of his wrist.
Are you kidding me?
It’s a ridiculous thought considering the circumstances, but I want to scream at him that I just got that phone.
My fingers skim my necklace. The only thing saving me from diving head-first into a full-blown panic attack is knowing Colton can track me. If he was the one texting me, he’ll check my location when he doesn’t hear from me.
“I was quite pleased to hear you protected me during your meeting with the FBI,” Thornton announces as the window glides back up.
Did he just confirm those two agents are dirty and working for him?
He doesn’t mention Lincoln. It’s little comfort, but I can only hope that means Thornton isn’t aware of him or the storm on the horizon that’s coming for him and the Consortium.
I won’t allow myself to consider the possibility that they’re onto Lincoln.
That they’ll hunt him down, find a way to quash the story, and kill him before he can publish it.
There’s already been too much misery and bloodshed.
I refuse to believe the Consortium is going to win yet again.
No. Not happening. I have faith Colton will come for me and the Consortium will finally get what’s coming to them.
We ride in silence for what turns out to be a twenty-minute drive to the airport and a waiting helicopter. I try to bolt when his man opens the door, but once again, I fail.
The longer we’re in the air, the more worried I become. The farther he takes me, the longer it’ll take for Colton to reach me. We follow the Pacific coastline for about an hour, then turn inland. I recognize the area, we’re in Beverly Hills.
The helicopter dips as we approach a mansion that must be at least fifty thousand square feet. The estate is so massive, the helo is able to land right on the perfectly manicured emerald grass in the backyard.
They don’t waste any time, dragging me out and leading me inside.
At the base of the staircase, Thornton turns me over to his guards. “I look forward to seeing you later, Ms. James.” His tone is polite and pleasant, but the ominous words scare me more than anything he’s ever said.
Then, for the first time, he smiles at me. How is it possible for a smile to be predatory, ugly, and feral all at the same time? With his dead eyes, it’s equal parts threatening and disturbing. I wish I’d never seen it.