Page 128 of Ravage
I throw my head back against the hard headrest and release an exasperated sigh. “Does your phone have music?”
“I’m not wasting the battery in case we need it.” Aiden keeps his eyes focused on the line of traffic in front of us.
“I need it.”
He scoffs at me. “We should talk about our plan when we get there.”
I roll my window down to let in the fresh air and honks of the city. We need to get to the outskirts and then it’ll be clear sailing. I perch my elbow on the door and subconsciously tug my hood down further. A habitual check any time I leave our space.
I suspect they have access to the satellites and cameras available. It’s the only explanation for how they find me so quickly if I ever go outside.
Just before we got off the island, Aiden and Jackson found out about the students turned lab rats. How they were trying to extract the gifts out of their blood to be used somehow. After GE kept showing up when I’d appear outside, we figured out that they must want my gift. I’m obviously non-compliant to their attempted indoctrination, so all that’s left is to take my blood and use it. We can’t let them have the power to turn off and on people’s gifts at their will. So, I stick to the plan of staying inside the Tower. Raegan was the exception. And now, because Aiden’s too paranoid for me to be left alone at the safehouse if this is a trap meant to get me alone.
I don’t mind because I hate being cooped up inside. I want to fight. To get my hands dirty and take out some of this pent-up rage on the people responsible for everything that went wrong in our lives. Instead, I’m a burden to my brothers. They have to protect me like I’m a defenseless prize. I hate that. They already looked out for me after Vera’s death. They’ve put up with my foul attitude that has been my constant partner for years.
Learning computers and the internet has eased some of that guilt, but it’s not enough for me. I should be there when they take the organization down. I want to know everyone involved in what happened to Vera.
“We already have a plan. Kellan’s group is going after the asshat politician, you and I are checking for our missing people, and Elias is going straight in and out once they have Portia.”
I almost sneered at Raegan that I told her so. That she brought nothing but trouble to those around her. I know I’m an asshole and completely capable of saying shit like that if I want to. But for whatever reason, I held my tongue on it. I hate her for what she did to Vera. For betraying me. For pretending to care about me. About us. She doesn’t deserve me holding my tongue.
But I did it anyway and I think that pisses me off most of all.
Because maybe things aren’t as clear cut as I thought.
My fingers tap against the side of the door in tune to a favorite song to distract myself.
“I need you to stick by me this time. Last time we got separated and you were almost taken, even if they didn’t realize who you were.”
I blow out a breath. My foot starts moving to the same beat in my head, popping up and down with my heel. There’s no carpet in here, so my boot hits the metal floor with a deep clang. Aiden presses his lips together in annoyance, but doesn’t say anything.
I drop my heel back down and leave it there.
I may enjoy pissing the others off, but not Aiden. I owe him my life. I’ll forever owe him that debt for what he’s done, and what he’s given up, for me.
As soon as we learned that GE had sent an elite group specifically to hunt me down and take me back by any means necessary, Aiden has hardly left my side. He had a chance at another life when we got back from the island. Instead, he chose to be stuck with me.
“I know the drill.”
“I didn’t say anything earlier but…I’m also keeping an eye out for that man who came to the Guild and spoke to Raegan. Gordon.”
My brows knit as I stare outside while remembering that moment. “Why?” My stomach is uneasy recalling what happened, my chest tight.
“Because we’re looking for people higher up the food chain and he seems to fit that bill, doesn’t he?”
He’s not wrong, but I also know it’s more than that. Aiden’s targeting him because of Raegan. I don’t argue with him. Gordon may be our ticket to the board and answers about Raegan.
And Vera.
Pain burns the back of my throat and my hand starts to shake. I clench my hands before Aiden can notice and swallow the pain back down.
I will get answers.
Whatever it takes.
She deserves her brother knowing what happened to her and why. Then I’ll know exactly what to do to bring her justice.
The last light turns green, and Aiden guns it. Or, he tries to. His foot drops to the floor with the clutch out and the car barely increases its speed. It apparently needs to gain traction, because it finally starts to move. Aiden shoves it in gear and then jams the clutch again while the car struggles to gain momentum.
