Left For Dead (The Guarded Secrets Series Book 3) (12 page)

Chapter 20

Seeker had taken us to a different location to organize ourselves a little before heading to the compound. After the first two bases were found and compromised, we had to take shelter in a recently obtained hiding place. I hoped that it would keep whoever was on our tail off us for a little bit longer. Since we didn’t know this one existed until Sharp Shooter told us where to go, we hoped whoever knew about the others wouldn’t find this one. I had a suspicion I knew who revealed our hiding spots; I just wasn’t sure how Camden could know about them.

Either way, for now we had to play a waiting game. We wanted to give Volodya a false sense of security. To let them venture between the known hideouts and discover nothing. Maybe they would think we left, or their information was faulty, but we needed a moment to collect our thoughts and let Volodya’s men wind down a little bit. I didn’t want to race into the compound with them on high alert and get caught behind their line. The new hideout would give us a few minutes to prepare and collect ourselves after the scare this morning. It would also give Demon and Katya a place to lay low in case things went haywire at the compound and they had to race out before I could get back. Seeker had said he would remain close to us, in case we needed him, but I knew Demon didn’t like that idea.

“You should go back to your house,” Demon said as he pushed the topic on Seeker to remain undercover. We didn’t want his cover blowing up and somehow getting back to Volodya before we could finish our mission. One agent was enough to have on Volodya’s list, we didn’t need another. “You shouldn’t be seen with us anymore than needed. I’ll take care of both of them, and then we can head back on Maverick’s plane together. It will seem less suspicious that way, and maybe we can all make it out of here.”

“No,” Seeker replied, brushing off Demon’s words as if they meant nothing to him. “I’ll be staying close by, hidden from view, to take you back to the plane myself. Sharp Shooter ordered it, and I follow orders just like you do, Demon. Stop arguing about it and take it at face value. I’m coming whether you like it or not.”

“Why would Sharp Shooter risk harming your cover to help us? That doesn’t make any sense.” I swiped the pieces of hair out of my face as I waited for Seeker to answer. He only offered a soft smile before replying.

“He thinks you’re all too emotionally involved in each other. I’m just here to make sure you do what you’re supposed to do in these cases and nothing else. I’ve already gotten word to Maverick that this is going to have to be a quick pick up and return trip. He’ll be here in ten hours, so you have until eight tonight to get Natasha and get yourselves to the pick up point. But let me make this point
very
clear, I will not wait. Once most of you have returned, and I have both girls, I’m leaving. We aren’t going to get caught with both daughters, and we certainly aren’t staying longer than needed. In other words, you know the rules—don’t fall behind.”

His words struck a chord, silencing everyone in the room, as he looked at each of us, taking the time to take in our expressions, and to make sure we understood the terms. We knew better than to fall behind, and since neither Demon nor Katya were coming with me, I knew the statement had been made specifically for me. I guess Demon had talked to him, or maybe he somehow heard about Mexico. I had a habit of getting left behind for one reason or another, but sometimes it couldn’t be avoided. It became just another part of my job, but normally someone came back for me even if it was against orders.

“I understand,” I replied. “I’ll keep the timing in mind once we start moving. For now, I’ll start planning a tentative route to take until I can find Natasha and get us out.”

“Glad to hear it. Now, finalize some kind of plan with each other. We leave in fifteen minutes. I’m going to get in contact with Spit Fire to see if she’s gotten anything out of Camden yet, and tell her the latest update.” Seeker turned away and proceeded to call Spit Fire so he could prepare for the trip back home. He had been here for months. I was sure he couldn’t wait to leave the barren area and cold temperatures behind for a little recuperation back at the agency. I know I would be. Maybe that was why he insisted on coming with us. He wanted to be on the first plane out of here.

“Come here, Night Stripe.”

I followed Demon’s order with hesitation and approached him. I took one last glance at Seeker, who remained tense while on the phone with his mentee, before taking a seat next to Demon on the floor. Once again the map of the compound had been laid out before us. I knew we couldn’t plan my exact path through the building, but the more I looked at it the better chance I had of remembering it when it came time to race through it. I knew the best route to take into the compound so I could look for Natasha almost unobstructed and well hidden from view. For now I’d take it.

“This is where I’ll meet you if things get messy. I’ll meet you here and take Natasha and you with me. So stay close, but not right behind me if possible. We want a little space in case they’re expecting multiple people. Our goal is to get both girls out of here safely, and that’s just what we will do.” His finger was placed over a room on the first floor in the back of the building. It had a window he could easily break to retrieve Natasha and I. It seemed to be as good a place as any.

“I shouldn’t have a problem getting her there, but what if I do?”

“No one here has ever seen your skills. Just use that to your advantage. They’ll be looking for you, and that may give us the break we need to get Natasha out. Focus on just staying out of sight. The more time they spend focusing on where you could be, the better. You stay hidden, then make noise somewhere else, and get yourself out. We can work with it from there. We have plenty of time, just use it wisely.”

“That won’t be a problem,” I said, confidence supporting my words. “I’ll make sure they never realize what hit them.”

“Especially if they’re focused on your decoys,” Demon stated with a smirk. “Just don’t get shot this time. Save me the trouble of having to take you to a hospital again.”

“Right,” I groaned, letting the venom lace my words. I knew the quip had been meant to loosen the tight noose around my neck, but it failed. I knew what was on the line, and no matter how much Demon joked around with me I knew it was more than just my life on the line. I had to remain focused, even if it meant putting slight pressure on me. “You just can’t let that one slide, can you?”

“No, I can’t.” His words were curt, turning serious as he looked at me again. “Just be prepared if this doesn’t go well, and remember our agreement. No matter what happens, we stick to that.”

I saw him tense, and knew what he was referring to. Last night we discussed what I should do if something went wrong. I knew Demon didn’t like it, but it had to happen. I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy in-and-out mission. Something in me knew just what I was up against and that I would need more time than I had. 

“If I fall behind, then follow protocol and leave me behind.” My voice was steady, even though the thought alone scared me. “Don’t put them on a plane and come back for me, Demon. You have to go with them. Katya won’t listen to anyone but you, and I’ve already told her to follow what I say. That means responsibility falls on you if I can’t make it out.”

“I’m not leaving you behind,” Demon had urged. “I didn’t leave you behind at Sandtown and I went to retrieve you when you went after Ash Crest. I saved you then, and I would do it again. I won’t leave you for dead. I’m not Renegade.”

The words had cut me deep, and I knew he did it on purpose. “I’m not saying you are, but Renegade was right to leave me. I’m just asking you to do the same and save them. I’ll get out just like I did in Mexico. Just promise me you’ll follow protocol.” It physically hurt me to ask him to leave me behind, but I knew he wouldn’t unless I said it was okay. I needed to know we hadn’t wasted our time only for them all to race back to save me. I needed to know he would be safe, and I’d handle myself from there.

“You don’t have a choice, Demon. You have to leave me. Come back for me later, but make sure they’re safe and out of here before you do. I don’t want us all caught—then all of this was for nothing.”

“Fine,” he had finally, but reluctantly agreed. “But only if you do the same if roles end up reversed.”

I tensed. I knew that I wouldn’t leave him behind. It wasn’t in me to leave a teammate behind, but if I had to agree to make sure he took care of Katya and Natasha, I would. He had no chance of being caught, it fell on me. So I agreed.

“If you fall behind, I’ll save the girls and come back once they’re safe.”

He nodded, accepting my answer before offering me a smile. “Now, let’s get this done so we can all go home and take a well-deserved rest. Then maybe you and Renegade can work out whatever is eating you two alive, and I know it’s not that he left you in Mexico if you’re saying he did the right thing now.”

“I’m not saying that,” I started. I didn’t want to admit to Demon that I had lied to him, and said what I needed to so he would agree to do what was needed for the mission, but maybe he was right. I knew my anger stemmed from something other than Renegade’s choice to leave me. I knew it came from my holding in the secret that connected us. I was lashing out with the anger I knew he’d force upon me if he learned the truth. I just didn’t think I could tell him, fearing his anger and resentment, not that I’d tell Demon that. “I’m saying he did was ordered of him. Not that he did the right thing to leave a teammate behind. That’s why I’m discussing it with you now in case the problem arises. I don’t want you to question it.”

“I won’t,” he promised as Seeker cried out that it was time for us to go. It was going to take time to get to the compound so we better move to give us the most time possible. Not that we needed it, but it was better safe than sorry.

Chapter 21

Demon and I arrived at the warehouse a little behind schedule, currently crouched in the thickest part of the surrounding foliage to remain hidden. We wanted to arrive before whoever Volodya had sent after us came back, but failed. We wanted to be on the safe side until we had Natasha in hand, which meant Seeker had dropped Demon and I off about a mile from the compound. The snowfall had accumulated since I had last ventured here, making it difficult to move. It would only cause more problems when I attempted to make it into the compound as well, slowing my movements and leaving tracks wherever I went.

“You’ll just have to deal with it, there’s nothing we can do about the weather,” Demon said as he placed a hand on my shoulder for comfort. “We’ll keep low until we see trouble starting or see you coming back out. Remember, we won’t be far, so if you need help be sure to signal us. I can come right away.”

“And leave Seeker with Katya again?” I asked, remembering the grimace that had passed between Katya and Seeker when Demon announced he was coming with me. He wanted to be sure that I got in without an issue, and then would rejoin them, but keep a close eye out for any sign of trouble. He’d be back if I needed him. I just hoped he remembered our deal. “They both looked so pleased to realize they had to play nice for a while.”

“I can’t help that they don’t get along. He’s blunt, and I don’t think she’s had someone treat her like that in her life. It must come as a shock.”

“I’m glad he did, though,” I replied, shaking my head at Katya’s unacceptable suggestion. “I can’t believe she tried to come along with us in the first place. I don’t care what she put in that note to her sister; I wasn’t taking her with me. I have enough to worry about without her trying to tag along. Seeker better keep a close eye on her.”

I turned my gaze toward him to let him know I meant every word of it. She tried to give me an ultimatum on the way here, she just had to drop one more bomb before I could get out of the car, but I wouldn’t give in as Sharp Shooter had. The sheer attempt she made infuriated me, especially after we discussed that I would get her out on my own. She had been waiting until the last possible moment to drop that
little
bit of information, hoping I’d
have
to take her with me. Too bad it backfired on her. She wouldn’t be coming with me.

“You said what?” I had all but screamed when she told me what was in the letter to her sister. “You
did not
tell her that.” The words had come off as more of a threat, almost daring her to correct me. “How stupid are you?”

Of course at that time Demon had told me to calm down, but that didn’t seem possible. My blood had come to a boil, and the fire coursing through me only heated up as I remembered her words.
I told her I’d be coming with you to save her. That’s how she would know to trust you. You have to take me with you or she won’t come willingly.
I had seen the same gleam in her eye that I had noticed back at CIRA, the one that said she knew she would get her way. Though she didn’t have a chance when it came to me, especially after she hid it from me for so long.

“Not only will you
not
be coming with me to get your sister, if I so much as find out that you left this car, I’ll get you both put in separate areas and you’ll never see her again. You just made this so much harder, because I can’t risk taking you into that building. I couldn’t even make it through the first time, and somehow you expect me to add you onto the list of things I need to worry about? Well, I have no qualms telling you that you’re wrong, and you’re stuck in this car. Now I have to find some way to get our sister to trust me, while avoiding the guards, your father, the cameras, and navigating an unfamiliar building. Congratulations. You probably just sent your sister and I to our deaths, but don’t worry, I won’t have you join us.”

My words had been ice cold, chilling, even to me, but I meant them. I stood by my choice, and decided that if Natasha didn’t trust me, I’d drag her out with a gag if I had to. Then I’d deal with Katya later, if Seeker didn’t kill her first. He had been just as angered by her actions as I had been. She had put all of our lives on the line with her reckless behavior, and while I saw a little of myself in her, I would never risk more lives than necessary. 

“Seeker better keep her in check. I don’t want her coming in here and getting us all killed before I even have a chance to find Natasha, let alone save her.”

“He will,” Demon promised. “And when I get back, I’ll be there to do the same. Don’t worry, she won’t be interrupting, whatever you have planned. She’ll be tied down to the car seat if needed.”

I smiled, holding back a laugh. Maybe then she couldn’t sneak out and mess everything up for me. I knew she would try if she was given half a chance because I would do the same thing in her place. The only difference is that I was trained and could handle whatever I got myself into. She couldn’t. “I’d like to see that, actually.”

Demon was about to speak, the smirk on his face telling me it would have been a joke to ease the mood, but something else caught his attention. “Wait, look,” he instructed, pointing off in the distance.

I squinted, straining to see what he saw. I could make out the outline of a black car, in contrast to the perfectly white snow, coming toward us. Instinctively, I lowered myself a little closer to the ground to stay hidden from view as the car pulled up to the compound. A group of guards approached from the large building, guns at the ready in case someone unwanted decided to make an appearance.

Don’t worry, boys, you’ll see me soon,
I thought with a mischievous smile as the car came to a full stop and was instantly surrounded by the guards.

Two men proceeded to get out of the driver and passenger’s sides. I noticed Nikolai’s familiar face as he turned to have a brief discussion with the men surrounding the vehicle. The other man had gone to open the back door to let the other passengers out. It didn’t take long for two large boots to step out of the car and walk around the door. Volodya patted the man on the shoulder and let out a laugh while stroking the beard that took up his face. He was a hefty man, he probably needed it to survive in the cold temperatures around here, and wore a thick coat.

“There,” Demon said, pointing to Volodya. “That’s Natasha.”

I craned my neck to get a better look, but Volodya blocked the smaller person from my view. I could see her boots treading lightly around Volodya until she came into view, eerily looking a lot like Katya. Her brown hair was slightly shorter, but the features of her face, even the high cheek bones, looked the same. She looked like a younger version of Katya. They were unmistakably sisters.

Natasha looked around, taking in the large concrete and metal warehouse before her. I could see the fear etched in her features. She knew that coming here meant nothing good, and depending if Katya put any other
extra
details, then Natasha may know what would come from her visit today. If her dad had his way, she’d be taken out, but not until she and Katya were both in his possession. He needed one to get the other, and he knew it.

“What do you think is in her backpack?” Demon questioned, noting the black bag on Natasha’s back.

“I hope it’s clothes or something, but since I don’t know for sure what Katya told Natasha in her note, I can’t be sure.” My eyes narrowed in anger. Katya had refused to divulge what else she put in the note when I said I wouldn’t take her with me. I didn’t need to know. I could live without knowing and had a better chance of living if I left her behind. I just didn’t want to give Katya another bargaining chip. “For all I know she could have a weapon in there to blow my head off if I don’t show up with Katya. It is Russia, after all.”

Demon chuckled, finding my stereotyping funny. I knew Katya wouldn’t have appreciated the comment, but Demon had a sense of humor for things like that. My eyes closed as I took his laugh as a breath of relief, letting my body relax slightly. I hadn’t even noticed how tense I was, ready to spring into action if needed until my muscles eased. Giving myself a moment, as Rum had instructed me to do before missions to clear my mind, I let everything wash away, coming to focus on the job at hand—saving Natasha and making it out alive.

As I tried to focus, a pang of anxiety went through me. My stomach tightened and threatened to double me over as I was overtaken by a sick feeling. The feeling vanished as I calmed my mind, replaying Rum’s advice from training.
Clear your mind of everything except the matter at hand. Anything else is a distraction. Focus, pay attention, and most importantly, survive.
I felt a calm wave wash over me, letting me breathe easily again before Demon called to me.

“Night Stripe, it’s time.”

I opened my eyes, renewed with focus and determination, to see the guards surrounding Natasha and Volodya. I swallowed the sickness as it came back up, but it didn’t help, the foreboding feeling wouldn’t waver. I would have to push it back and focus. There wasn’t another way, I needed to go now and follow after them.

“I’ll see you soon,” I said as I got up and followed after the guards. With them leading Volodya, no one would be sweeping until after they were safely in the building. It was now or never.

They slipped inside and I quickly followed them. I managed to squeeze in as the heavy metal door slowly closed, slamming shut behind me. I met a familiar scene of metal walkways, open areas, and guards. I took a deep breath and prayed the bad feeling would go away. I was trapped now, and the only way out was to finish my mission.