Chapter 32 Raegan
Chapter thirty-two
Raegan
We’re the last ones to arrive at Elias’s apartment for the final meeting. Portia lets us in, waggling her eyebrows at me as if she knows exactly why we’re all late, then giggles and drags me inside. Alice and Sam are sitting on the kitchen island stools.
I offer them a smile. “Hey. Thanks for coming.”
Sam gives me a slight nod and types into a cell phone. He lifts the screen so I can read it.
I want to help you.
Smiling wider, my gaze switches from the message to his face. “Thank you.” The texts are a great way to communicate for now, but I hope one day I’ll be able to hear his voice, too.
Alice scoffs. “You don’t really need me now that he’s coming. All that training was for nothing.”
“Don’t be a jelly Nelly!” Portia waves her hand and grins. “We need you, too. It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation. You just upped your skill on your path to badassery like the rest of us. Be proud of that.”
Alice’s sour expression softens, and she looks away.
Portia tosses me a wink when she’s not looking, and pulls me to the couch where the others are already settled around or near it.
“I’m sorry we kept you waiting.” Aiden’s smooth tone doesn’t hide the undercurrent of annoyance aimed at me and the other three at fault. It’s hard to say if it’s because we made Elias wait on us or because he’s jealous he didn’t have the time to join us.
I’m betting on the latter.
As if hearing my thoughts, his dark brown eyes lock on mine with so much intensity it takes my breath away.
Portia snickers, and I bump her with my elbow.
“We were just discussing the West Coast Gifted Enterprise headquarters,” Elias dives right in.
He’s relaxed in his usual seat while Noah sits in a folding chair beside him with a laptop.
“Raegan took care of the one on the East coast, but they have one other major location if you’re looking to cause the most damage to Charles. ”
Taking down another primary office with the last of his board would be a double fuck you.
It’s perfect.
Dane opens his laptop next to me. “What’s the address?”
Noah shares it, and Dane pulls it up on the screen. Reid leans over the couch with a furrowed brow.
“Do you recognize it?” I ask him.
He nods. “It’s an admin building. Legal, HR, accounts payable... all the paperwork to make Gifted Enterprise look like it’s a legitimate business.” Reid straightens. “It’s not useful for information on its illegal activities, but losing it will make future moves difficult for Charles.”
“One HQ is a tragedy. Two is a target,” Noah shares softly, and Elias dips his chin.
“People will start asking questions. Some may pass it off as a coincidence, but others will realize they’re being targeted. And then they'll try to figure out why anyone would go after a nonprofit for children with learning disabilities.”
Kellan chuckles. “I’m sure the psycho will love the sudden attention.”
“Serves him right after the smear campaign he put us through,” Dane grumbles.
Glancing back at Reid, I ask another question. “Are the workers innocent?”
He shakes his head. “They know. They help cover it up.” He turns to Aiden. “How many?” I assume he’s asking for the number of people he’ll be teleporting there.
“We’re going to drive,” Aiden replies.
Dane types on the keyboard and then supplies, “It’s a six-hour drive from here. Seven with fuel stops.” He passes the laptop to Aiden.
I frown. “Why would we drive?”
Aiden starts clicking and focuses on the screen.
“First, because it’ll provide us with a secure and hidden location to work from.
Mostly, I don’t want to wear out Reid if we need to escape.
It will be a large group of us once your half-siblings join us and we won’t have Evie to shrink the group’s size and reduce that burden. ”
My mood sobers at the reminder of Evie’s condition.
His face tightens with concentration, and then he faces Elias. “We’ll need a discreet vehicle that fits eleven with dark tinted windows.” Aiden surveys the rest of the room. “After we arrive, Sam will go to the coffee shop across the street.”
Sam’s eyes widen when he hears his name, his attention now locked on Aiden.
“He’ll text his siblings to meet him there once they arrive with their board member. After all seven are there, Sam will give the okay for us to proceed with the plan.”
Sam nods once, acknowledging his role.
“Tinsley, Reid, Portia, and Noah will ensure the area is clear of bystanders. If we plan for the meeting to take place at ten, that time should have the least amount of traffic outside during business hours. Kellan and Dane will stay in the vehicle for back-up. Dane needs to keep up the ruse as Charles for any additional messages from the board as well as hack into any security cameras with views of the headquarters and surrounding streets to make sure they stop working while we’re there.
“Then, Alice will hide herself and Raegan so she can take the building down. Tinsley and Reid will knock back or move any lower debris to keep it from going too far, as long as you can do it without being seen. Portia and Noah will be on standby to direct innocent civilians away or erase their memories if they see something they shouldn’t.
Jackson and I will help with anything higher up from a nearby building roof so any strays land with the rest of the building. ”
Aiden pauses to take a breath. “With the building destroyed and the board dead, Reid will teleport the rescued invisible crew to Hype with Sam to get settled. Then we’ll drive the car back, rest, and put together the final plan to kill Charles once and for all.”
Reid makes a low grunt, drawing our attention.
“This will destroy a lot of what Charles has built in one hit. The board he’s cultivated to support him and the legitimate business to cover his tracks.
He’ll be exposed and weak.” His gaze locks on Aiden’s.
“I’ve never seen him lose control before, but this might do it.
I’ve waited a long time for this. I’m glad to be a part of it. ”
My chest swells with hope. If we pull this off, we might have an advantage against him. The psycho mastermind might make a mistake.
We could win.
Aiden nods, his expression resolute. He scans the rest of the room. “Any questions?”
He returns the laptop to Dane, who murmurs, “We'll need to leave at three in the morning to make that time.”
“I’ll have the vehicle waiting for you outside at two-thirty,” Elias confirms.
Aiden nods, his gaze flicking between Dane and Reid. “Send the message. Then get some sleep. Our mission starts in six hours.”
Jackson carefully fits his rolled-up hoodie over my head.
He guides it down my sides, then nods for me to seek out the arms. There’s a protective layer between me and his knives, but it’s better to move slowly than to catch anything accidentally.
He’s filled this hoodie with his spare knives even though the plan shouldn’t involve me fighting anyone directly.
It still puts him and the others more at ease since they won’t be right beside me.
He pushes the gaiter over my head next, then pulls it up to cover the bottom half of my face. His hood is last, blocking my face from view of any overhead cameras.
The others are dressed similarly with either hoodies or a hat and sunglasses.
“Elias has the car ready. Make sure your face is hidden before you step outside,” Aiden directs us. He’s wearing a gray zip-up jacket that he probably borrowed from Dane or Kellan. I can’t imagine him owning one of those himself.
Dane’s in a pale blue and white hoodie and jeans with a cap and sunglasses.
Kell stands out the most with his size, but if all goes to plan, he won’t be leaving the car anyway.
He grins through the dark blue hood and pushes the center of his sunglasses up his nose.
“I feel like we’re cosplaying at something.
And failing.” He snickers, nudging Aiden’s shoulder.
Aiden definitely looks out of place and uncomfortable. “It's just for the cameras,” he reminds Kellan. “You can take them off once we’re in the car. Elias has assured me the tint is dark enough that cameras won’t be able to see inside.”
Portia links her arm through mine. “I can’t wait to see your gift in action!
” She’s dressed in business casual clothes to fit in with the people who might be walking around that area.
I thought she’d look sad and dull in monotone and without any colorful flair, but somehow, she looks like a cosplay sexy secretary.
Her smile widens when she catches me eyeing her outfit, and she pushes her fake glasses up her nose. “What? I can be a plain Jane to go undercover.”
Scoffing, I shake my head. “Sorry to disappoint you, but there isn’t a plain Jane bone in your body.”
We join the rest of the group at the front entrance to Hype.
Cibrina greets us with a warm smile. “I’ve packed sandwiches, water, and snacks in the car for you. Make sure you eat something before the big mission and take care of yourselves.”
Alice’s brows pinch. “How long are we going to be gone for? I thought this was just a day.”
Tinsley shrugs from where she’s reading an open textbook. “It takes as long as it takes.” She snaps the book shut and smiles at Alice. “Plus, it’s always good to stay hydrated when using your gift.”
Reid opens the door to reveal the car.
Aiden frowns, turning to Elias. “We didn’t want flashy. We’re trying to not stand out.”
Elias slides his hands into his slacks and offers a polite smile.
“You asked for something that comfortably seats eleven. Considering the height of some of the group, there needed to be ample space in the back seats as well. This is what’s available with those requirements.
Unless you’d prefer I find you a short school bus instead. ”
Kellan howls with laughter, and Dane scoffs, pushing him to the door. “Shut up and get in. You’re driving.”
Aiden’s stone-faced when he appraises Elias with his dark stare. I grab his arm and smile at Elias. “Thank you,” I emphasize sweetly, “for everything you’ve done for us, Elias. We really appreciate it and are in your debt.”
He bows with a hand over his heart. “For you, Raegan, it’s always a pleasure.”
Aiden’s arm bulges in my grasp, and Portia giggles behind me. I shove him toward the car while Portia and Noah say their goodbyes to Elias.
Sam keeps shuffling his feet while he waits for the next step. I offer him a warm smile. “Do you want to take the back row?” The further away he is from the crowd, the more comfortable I think he’ll be. “I’ll sit in front of you and you can squeeze my arm or shoulder if you need anything.”
He nods twice, his arms crossed and gaze locked on the ground.
Cibrina smiles and waves us off as we pile into the massive black vehicle with shining chrome accents that reflect the neon lights of the city in their pre-dawn glow. The interior is just as luxurious with leather seats, plenty of legroom, and air control per seat.
Kellan whistles from the driver’s seat, where a screen the length of the dash gives him all the information he could need on the car’s stats. “Goddamn. This is fancy fancy.” He strokes his hands along the curve of the wheel. “Let’s hope they didn’t waste all the money on looks.”
He pushes a button, and the engine roars to life. “Buckle up, buttercups!”
“Who the fuck are you calling buttercup?” Alice snarks from the first row window seat. Reid made Tinsley switch with him, so he’s between the two girls. I don’t think Alice can or would do anything to Tinsley, but he’s nothing if not overprotective of her.
Portia invites Sam to sit with her and Noah in the back row, but Noah stealthily maneuvers himself between them, so Sam’s in the window seat and Portia’s on the aisle.
Jack, Dane, and I are in the middle row. It’s roomy as heck, even sandwiched between the other two rows. There’s plenty of room to stretch my legs and between us. The headspace is so far above mine that I can almost stand.
“They’re going to think someone famous is in here,” Dane mutters as he discovers a hidden tray on one side of his seat.
I don’t disagree. It looks like an SUV limo with full tints like people with money and power ride around in.
“If we need to teleport it back, will you be able to move it?” Aiden asks Reid from the passenger seat.
Reid considers quietly, then replies, “Even if I can, it won’t be easy. It’ll be draining.”
Aiden nods. “If it comes to that, we’ll abandon it.”
Kellan snorts as he drives us away from Hype to the nearest highway. “You just want to come back to Elias without it.”
“I would never be so petty.”
Dane rolls his eyes and smirks at me. I lean toward him, and he automatically bends so I can whisper in his ear. “Only this group could be so unserious at the start of a big mission.”
His smirk spreads to a grin and a low chuckle. “Gotta have some fun between fights of life and death.” As soon as the words leave him, his expression darkens. Then, as if catching himself, he forces a small smile for me.
I squeeze his hand. He grazes his thumb over mine.
“You don’t have to pretend you’re okay with me. I’d rather know exactly what you’re feeling.”
“I am okay. Sometimes it just creeps up on me. Then I remind myself this was what she wanted. GE isn’t hurting her anymore.”
I nod, pride and sadness blending in my chest to a warm ache.
He checks the time on his phone. “We’ve a while until we get there if you want to rest on me and Jack.”
It's just before three in the morning—when the Hype bar and nightclub usually closes for the night but Elias had them close an hour earlier because of this.
Dane lifts his arm expectantly, and I lean into him. Jackson removes my boots and holds my feet on his lap so I’m completely horizontal. Considering how much work I have ahead of me, I won't refuse a few more hours of sleep.