Page 62 of Sacrificing Zoriah

“Now we get the dead bodies out of your living room,” she says.

“I have the directions to the hatch written down. I know I told you, but…” Huxley starts to say.

“We’ve been there,” Lance says carefully.

“What?” I ask. “When? Are they…”

“They’re gone,” Venessa says. I blink at her, not wanting to believe it. “It took us a while to get in, but they aren’t there. Techs got into the system, and the last time the hatch was opened was when Huxley left.”

“Then how…”

“They had a way out,” Huxley says. “That’s the only way.”

“I would like for you to come back with us and see if maybe you can find a way out. You were there, so you’d be our best option.”

“I don’t know if I can…”

“Can we be with him?” I ask.

“Of course. I know you want to go through the place you were kept also, so we can do that after the hatch.” Lance says. “Thescene should be processed by morning so you all can walk through.”

“How are you going to find them?” I ask. “Am I at risk? Is Huxley? Why are you people…”

“I’ll explain. Are we good to take her upstairs?” Roman asks, cutting me off. I go to say more, but he covers my mouth and pulls my back against his chest. I cross my arms over my chest and give up.

“Yes. Just keep us updated and don’t call the agency phone,” Lance says.

“You got it,” Roman says as he scoops me into his arms and takes me upstairs. When we get to the room, he sits me on the bed, and everyone is standing in front of me with the door shut.

“What?” I snap but stop and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry… What’s going on?”

“We will be locating the group and handling them,” Roman says. “Lance and Vanessa will keep us updated with anything they find. They’re afraid they will somehow get out of it if they don’t die, and we all want you and Hux to get justice.”

“I want Dad to have a choice in killing Richard,” I say.

“Really?” Dad asks, hiding a smile.

“Yes. He killed your wife and hurt your little girl. He took so many years from you and me both. You deserve justice also.”

“I’m excited to see this,” Corbin laughs.

“Do we have any idea where they went?” I ask.

“Maybe. Let’s see the hatch and the house first, and then go from there,” Roman says. “Get up there and lie down. We will all be here.”

“Okay,” I yawn.

I move up the bed to curl up under the blankets while everyone joins me by sitting and chatting. Huxley is stroking my hair as Roman and Ben have their hands on my hip and thigh. It’s mindless and natural for them as they talk. I feel safe and happy surrounded by everyone.

Chapter Seventeen

Zoriah

I am sitting atthe kitchen island with my head in my arms. I slept well, oddly, but I am still so tired. I woke up wrapped in Huxley’s arms. We were practically clinging to each other, but he was sleeping so peacefully.

“Have you eaten?” Roman asks from the other side of the counter.

“Mmm,” I grunt, unmoving.

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