Page 22 of Harris

“How does anyone?”

“Touche.”

The streams of people enjoying a night on the town began to thin as the hours wore on, and he wondered if they would try anything or simply give up and leave.

“We’re going to try something,” Brick announced from the speaker. “Eyes on Harris as he exits.”

Woodley hadn’t expected that announcement and wasn’t sure he would like this, but he had little say in the matter.

***

Harris

The elevator doors opened, and Harris stepped into the lobby dressed in his joggers. He gave a quick look around, noticing itwas completely empty other than the guy behind the check-in desk, who nodded at him in greeting.

With a quick nod in return, he walked straight to the front doors.Time to take a run.Either this worked, and they attempted to kidnap him while he was on his own, or he’d have to think of something else. It shouldn’t have been this hard to get abducted as a Noah survivor, but here they were.

I don’t like this,Jennifer said through their link.

What else is new,Harris teased back to his sister.

Just be careful, butthead or nothing will stop us from tearing this city apart.

I’m sure you and the team will come get me if I need you.

I wasn’t talking about the team. Me and Woodley ain’t afraid of setting a few fires in the right places to get our point across.

The muggy nighttime air swallowed him as he stepped outside onto the empty sidewalk. He didn’t bother looking left. He knew the van was sitting there in wait, so he made a show of trying to decide which way to go and decided on left. He stretched out his arms and legs in a show of preparing for a run. After rolling his shoulders, he re-tied his shoes, giving them the perfect opportunity to do a grab-and-dash. If they didn’t take the bait this time, Harris wasn’t sure what he’d have to do other than throw himself in front of their damn van.

He could feel everyone watching him, friend and foe, as Woodley, Gunner, and Conor were also out there keeping track of him. He knew his lover was likely cursing him at that moment, but he had to do what needed to be done. He had to get on the inside so they could shut them down before they could do any serious damage, and if they managed to get more information on other cells located across the country, that would be a bonus.

The van is on the move,Jennifer said, transferring messages from the team to him through their link.

Got it.He could feel his pulse accelerating as he started a slow jog; at the same time his adrenaline spiked. He felt the change in the air and knew the action was about to start.

Harris prepared himself for the squealing tires, the rough grab and shove into the back of the van. It was a strange situation knowing you were about to be abducted and not only preparing for it but wanting it.

Woodley was right. This was fucked up.

He heard an engine roar and tires squeal as his gut clenched in anticipation, but then he heard the unmistakable crunch of metal and a horn blaring as vehicles collided. Harris spun around to see a late-model Ford sedan’s passenger door now molded to the van’s front bumper. Moments later, the van hit reverse, sheering its bumper off before swinging around and taking off down the street.

What the fuck was going on? Hell of a time for a fender bender. The roads had been empty, so where did the Ford come from? People began to converge on the scene as the driver of the sedan opened his door, and the moment he stepped out, Harris knew the shit was about to hit the fan.

What the hell was the giant doing here? Did he show up to save him? Or was he part of another group that was after them? Too many players were on the field to get a clear feel for what would be the next move.

Brick, Shaw, and Fletcher came running out of the hotel, and he knew not to expect Woodley, Gunner, and Conor because they weren’t supposed to be in town, so they’d stay in their vehicle and watch from a distance.

“Stay on alert,” Brick ordered as the team joined him on the sidewalk. “We don’t know what this guy wants.”

Harris didn’t miss the slight bulge from guns under the team’s clothing. They were prepared for any eventuality. The stranger’s long stride was eating up ground fast as he headed their way, and the team immediately fanned out into defensive positions. It was so subtle, but Harris believed the guy noticed the maneuver because he casually lifted his shirt to show he wasn’t armed.

Military or law enforcement, for sure. He was a few feet away before he stopped.

“It would be best if you weren’t running around alone,” he stated. His voice was gruff and deep. “Our kind never should.”

Brick took a few steps forward, and Harris could feel the alphas squaring off. No one who wanted to walk away unscathed would want to get between the two at that moment.

“Who the fuck are you?” Brick growled, getting straight to the point. Why waste time?

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