Page 73 of Rebel
My blood runs cold. Carter slams a fist against the table. “They put a price on you.”
Divine’s fingers hover over the keyboard. “That’s not all. Look.” She expands the data file, and more text is hidden in the code.
Carter’s eyes meet mine, steady, lethal. “We ride now.”
Allura shakes her head. “No. We lock down.”
Raven steps forward. “Allura.”
“No arguments,” Allura cuts her off. “We go to ground until Divine finds where this signal started. Raven, Sloane, you two lock the front and back gates. French, you and Iris sweep the perimeter. Rebel, you and Calypso get the women out. All of them. Use the tunnels.”
My heart sinks. Shit. If I’m in trouble, then so is mynephew. I catch Allura’s gaze, and the fear must be written all over my face. “We’ll get him and keep him safe.”
“What about me?” Carter asks. His grip on my hand is tight, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he releases me.
“You’re to stay here and help Divine with the data breach,” Allura demands.
“I’m not leaving Rebel,” Carter argues.
“You don’t have a choice, Soldier. You’re the only one with the skill set to help her, and she needs you to do it from here.”
I squeeze Carter’s hand in mine, gaining his attention. “I’ll be fine. You stop the threat here, and I’ll get the women and children to safety.”
His hand cups the side of my face. “I don’t like it, Wildcat.”
“I know, but it’s not your choice.” I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss Carter with everything I have. Everything I’ve been afraid to say and everything I’m feeling. He kisses me back just as fiercely, and I pull away too soon.
Calypso appears in the doorway, pale and sweating, clutching a file box like it’s a weapon. “Already started,” she says. “Shelter transport’s ready. Farris is driving.”
Allura nods. “Good. Move fast.”
I grab my gun and knives and follow Calypso out into the storm. The tunnels behind the compound are narrow, damp, and old, built during the club’s early days as escape routes for gun runs gone wrong. Tonight, they’re salvation.
We move the women and children. Those from theshelter, the ones who cleaned for us, who trusted us with their safety. They cling to each other, eyes wide, faces streaked with fear and fluorescent light.
French’s voice crackles through the comm.“Perimeter clear so far. Capone’s men are holding the outer blocks. Torch and Blayze are covering the rear alley.”
“Allura?” I ask.
“Raven’s sealing the upper windows,”she responds.“We’ll ride out once Divine kills the signal.”
In the tunnel, Annabelle whimpers in Calypso’s arms. “Mama, it’s dark.”
Calypso kisses her forehead. “I know, baby. But we’re brave, right?”
“Brave,” Annabelle echoes, small but strong.
I crouch, meeting her eyes. “You remember what Aunt Rebel said? Brave meanskeep walking, even when you’re scared.”
She nods and tightens her grip.
Carter’s voice bursts through comms.“Rebel, get clear. The trace is heating up. It’s not just a data breach. It’s a location ping. They’re using the servers to triangulate the compound.”
“How long do we have?” I demand.
Divine’s reply is brittle. “Less than fifteen minutes. I’m seeing active drones mobilizing downtown.”
“Allura!” I shout. “They’re coming. Now.”
