Page 5 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part two
“Why the hell would we take you with us?”
“Because I know these people.” How did I miss that fucking accent? Or better yet, how did he hide it so well? He looks nothing like the mild mannered Professor anymore, he looks every bit the trained agent that he is. Even his fucking demeanor is different. “I have the video feed pulled up in the van, but we need a plan.”
Axel gives us a warning look to stay put and follows Tivon to the van with Kai trailing close behind them. While Axel and Tivon talk in hushed voices, I pull Kira against me again. “Are you okay? What the fuck happened?”
“He saved me,” she admits. “I got separated from Keon, and one of the other guys was dragging me away when Tivon showed up.” Kira gasps and pulls away. “Keon?”
I swallow and cup her cheeks. “We got him out, but something pierced through the vest. Cole and Sean took him to the hospital, and we’re waiting for an update.”
“It’s my fault!” Kira cries. “I was so scared of the fire, and he was distracted trying to get me out.”
“None of this is your fault, Baby girl.” Gavin pulls her from my arms and leads her over to the curb. He sits down, pulling her into his lap. I sit beside them, and grab her thigh for comfort. “Keon did what any of us would have done. All we can do now is wait for them to tell us he’s fine. Keon’s tough.”
“What about the bullets?”
“Straight to the vest,” I assure her.
“I can’t lose him,” Kira whispers, tears pouring down her face, “or Ari, or Jason. We need to bring them home.”
“And we will,” Axel announces, walking to us. “He’s coming with us.”
As much as I want to argue, I trust Axel and if he believes Tivon, I’m going to have to try to believe him too.
“Let’s go,” Kira says, jumping to her feet, but Axel is already shaking his head.
“You’re going to the house with Chelsea and Nolan. You don’t need to be anywhere near this.”
Kira opens her mouth to argue, so I grab her hand. “He’s right, Little warrior. We’ve put you in enough danger.”
“Plus,” Axel adds, “your brother should be landing soon.”
I watch all the color drain from Kira’s face. “You called Kane?”
“I didn’t have a choice. You got in trouble under our watch, and I’d never keep that from him.” Axel’s eyes swing between me and Gavin. “Have fun explaining this one.”
Axel walks off without a word, and I have half the mind to grab Kira and fucking run. I’m not scared of many people, but Kane doesn’t strike me as someone who’s going to stop to ask questions.
It might not matter if we find Ari and Jason, or if Keon comes out of surgery okay.
Because we’re all fucking dead anyway.
3
ARI
Islump back against the wall, wincing in pain. They haven’t let up for two days, beating the shit out of me every chance they get.
The first time they beat me, I wished for my death. The second time, I was planning theirs. They took my family from me, and I’ll make every one of these motherfuckers pay. I inspect the cuffs through blurry eyes, trying to see if I can slip out of them. All I need is my arms, and I can fight my way out of here. They don’t have kill orders or they would have shot me on the spot, which means they have to keep me alive or face my father’s wrath. The worst they can do is shove me back in here.
I get up onto my knees, already breathing heavily. “Motherfucker,” I grit out when my ribs scream in protest. Several are broken, I have no doubt about that. My nose is also broken, but everything else is superficial, nothing that I haven’t dealt with before. I finally get my feet under me, and stagger into the wall. I’m inspecting the cuffs when a scream splits the air. My heart starts pounding in my chest and I rush to the door of my cell.
They scream louder, and then I hear the voice. “Please let me out.”
“Jason?” I holler back.
“Ari?” he answers, and I almost slump to the floor.They lied to me?This whole time Jason’s been alive, and that means there’s a chance the rest of my team might be too. He has to be close. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry about me, Sweet cheeks. Are you?”
