The Alliance (27 page)

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
72

I haven't gotten out of bed in weeks. My husband got angry with me and it felt nice to get some emotion out of him. I have survived too much to give up now and must find some motivation to continue on.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

“Today I knocked Frank down,” Corinna said.

“I don't know if I should congratulate you or reprimand Frank,” Riley said.

“Congratulate Corinna,” Frank said. “She executed that behind-­the-­back spin-­around move you taught us yesterday.”

“It was a more formal name than that,” Alex said.

“Names aren't important,” Riley said. “Thinking on your feet is. Rarely are fights choreographed.”

“And how is shooting going, Mia?” her mother asked.

Mia looked up from her plate. She hadn't been paying attention.

“What?” Mia asked.

“Are you hitting all your targets?”

“I'm getting a lot better,” Mia said.

“I never thought I would be discussing fighting and guns with my daughters,” she said. “Or encouraging them in these activities.” Mia's mother frowned.

“The idea is that you never have to use these skills,” Riley said. “They're there in case of an emergency.”

“When you first met in Mexico did you teach Mia how to use a sword first?” Corinna asked.

“We played a lot of chess,” Mia said.

“I've never heard of the game,” Corinna said. “Mia, will you teach me?”

Riley had taught Mia chess to sharpen her mind and increase her patience. Mia never wanted Corinna to have to make the types of decisions she had.

“Of course,” Mia lied.

“Mia didn't have as much time to learn as you do, we had more time,” Riley said. “And it was only the two of us. Once I'm satisfied with her skill level you'll have two teachers.”

Alex let out a yawn.

“We should get some sleep,” Mia said.

She stood up from the table, avoiding eye contact with any of them. Mia knew she might not make it back from rescuing Rod. If she saw any of their faces she feared she would burst into tears.

“I am tired,” Riley said.

“Training like this takes it out of me,” Frank said.

The rest of the table took turns agreeing.

“Good night,” Mia said.

She walked down the hallway into the room she shared with Riley. Mia peeled off her oversized sweatshirt and sweatpants and stepped into the tight black leggings Riley had given her. She pulled on a fitted black T-­shirt and was reaching for a black jacket when the door opened.

“What was that?” Riley asked. “Are you trying to make them suspicious?”

“I might never see them again,” Mia said.

“That was how you were acting,” Riley said.

“I'm scared,” Mia said.

“Don't be,” Riley said. “At least not tonight. We need to survey the grounds.”

Riley went for her small backpack and took a quick inventory.

“Do you have everything packed?” Mia asked.

“Yes,” Riley said. “Did you get the car keys?”

“I swiped them from the kitchen this afternoon,” Mia said. “Do you realize if we don't make it back then all they have is the van filled with bullet holes?”

“At least we're leaving them that,” Riley said. “And Frank did a good job patching up the holes; you can hardly tell what the van went through.”

Mia knew she was right. If Frank hadn't brought the second car up earlier then Mia and Riley would be taking their only means of transportation tonight.

“We wait one hour,” Riley said. “Make sure everyone is asleep then we leave.”

Mia nodded her head. The next hour felt like days.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
73

A group of young women was declared old enough to marry today. The grand commander made me responsible for finding a way to distribute their photos and wedding costs. I am happy for the new job and distraction.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

The road was pitch-­black. Andrew had already had to pull over twice to refill the gas tank and the group still wasn't getting any phone ser­vice. Zack kept raising the small device in the air, as if that would help him get a signal.

Andrew glanced in the rearview mirror. Trent was fast asleep and Carter was staring out the window. His face was covered with worry. Andrew knew why; after tonight they had two days to rescue his father. The two hadn't had much time to discuss their options, but rescuing Rod was still Andrew's top priority.

“Are we close to your old home?” Andrew asked.

“I don't have a clue where we are,” Carter said.

“The mountains are starting to change to red,” Andrew said. “That's how they looked from your backyard.”

“How can you tell in the dark?” Carter asked. “They all look the same to me.”

“Not the color,” Andrew said. “But the red mountains went flat on the top. The large peaks are disappearing; they're starting to turn flat.”

“I hadn't noticed,” Carter said.

Andrew glanced in the mirror again. Carter smiled a little. Their attention shifted when Zack's phone made a noise. Andrew felt a vibration in his pocket. They were in a ser­vice area. Before Andrew could pull out his phone Zack was already dialing out.

“Don't pull over,” Zack said. “We don't have time.”

Andrew kept driving.

“Yes,” Zack said. “It's me.”

Andrew knew it was going to get annoying only hearing one side of the conversation.

“How should I proceed? . . . Five days? . . . Shouldn't be a problem . . . Can you locate my position? . . . Twelve hours? . . . It's a relief to hear your voice too . . . Thank you. Good-­bye.”

Zack hung up the phone. Andrew and Carter waited for him to speak.

“We are to head straight for the capital,” Zack said. “The operation is still going ahead as planned. We're twelve hours away. Once we get closer I need to call for a rendezvous with Affinity's local contact. We move ahead from there.”

Andrew pulled the car over.

“What are you doing?” Zack asked.

“Making my phone call,” Andrew said.

He unbuckled his seat belt and climbed out of the car.

“We can't stop,” Zack said.

Andrew slammed the door, not caring about Zack's rationale. His hand was shaking as he pulled out his phone, but he was too focused to notice. His fingers started punching in the number he'd obsessed over so many times the past week. The phone started to ring and Andrew felt his breath tighten. He was so hopeful she would answer his call.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
74

My husband hit me today. We have been together for well over a decade now and he has never touched me that way before. It only cemented the idea in my mind that I am no longer a person, only a piece of property.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

Mia tried her best to tread lightly on the gravel leading up to the car. She went for the driver's seat while Riley walked around to the other side. The click of the door opening echoed across the sleepy ranch. Mia slid into the front seat and closed the door. Riley climbed in and did the same.

“So where are we going?” a voice asked from the backseat.

Mia let out a shriek. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She turned to defend herself, only to see a smiling Alex sitting in the backseat. Her sister was next to him.

“We weren't sure which car you would try to take,” Alex said. “So Frank and Laura are guarding the van. We got a little cold and decided to sit inside.”

“What are you guys doing here?”

“You've been acting so secretive; today was the worst,” Corinna said. “Then you felt the need to sleep at seven thirty at night? We're not as stupid as you think.”

“I don't think you're stupid,” Mia said.

The back door opened. Frank and Laura slid in. The four were crammed together in the backseat.

“Mia, I know you've changed in the past few months, but I've known you since the day you were born and can read you,” her mother said. “Now, will you tell us what is going on?”

“We're going to rescue someone,” Riley said.

“Stop,” Mia said.

“We want to help,” Corinna said.

“I can't focus on saving Rod if I'm worrying about all of you,” Mia said. “You and Mom especially.”

“So we're supposed to stay back and worry about you?” Mia's mother asked.

“We have limited time,” Mia said. “You're not ready to assist.”

“Mia's right,” Riley said. “You'll slow us down.”

“How will I slow you down?” Alex asked.

“Not you so much as them,” Riley said. “I'm sorry, ladies, but you can't defend yourselves. I was having you learn with the sticks as a distraction.”

“We figured that out the first day,” Mia's mother said. “Frank and Alex have been teaching us how to fight. We only use the stick in front of the window or when we think you're watching.”

“I've lost too many ­people already,” Mia said. “If I'm too worried about you I can't save Rod.”

“Where is Rod?” Alex asked. “Where are you stealing our car and running off to?”

“He's at Grant's house,” Mia said.

Everyone started responding at once. It was clear they were not on board with Mia's plan. Riley whistled and they all got quiet.

“Mia and I know what we're doing, or at least I do, and Mia is necessary for my strategy.”

“You're not taking my daughter to a madman alone.”

The group started talking all at once again. This wasn't part of the plan. Mia felt a vibration coming from her jacket pocket. At first she thought it was a reaction to all the voices speaking at once, but then she remembered her phone. Mia reached in and pulled out the small device to see the number she'd been dialing over and over appear.

“Hello,” Mia said.

She opened the car door and walked away as fast as possible.

“Andrew, are you there?”

“Yes,” Andrew said. “I'm here.”

Mia felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. He was alive.

“Where have you been?” Mia asked. “Where are you? I shouldn't have run off like that.”

“I'm safe, for now. It's so good to hear your voice.”

“I was scared something happened to you.”

“No you weren't,” Andrew said. “Deep down you knew I was safe, just like I knew you were.”

Mia smiled at his comment. “Where are you?”

“I'm not sure,” Andrew said. “The GPS should work again. You can track me. Where are you?”

“About two hundred miles east of the capital,” Mia said.

“We're supposed to meet there in twelve hours,” Andrew said.

“Meet where?”

“I won't know until we get closer,” Andrew said. “I want to come to you.”

“I was about to head that way,” Mia said. “I'm going after Rod.”

“That's a bad idea,” Andrew said.

“Grant's house is on a gigantic piece of property an hour south of the capital,” Mia said. “I am going to the area to scope it out and plan our attack.”

“I wish you wouldn't,” Andrew said. “But I didn't expect to hear anything else.”

“Will you meet me there?”

“I'm at least eleven hours away,” Andrew said.

“Well then I'll arrive first,” Mia said.

“I have to hang up,” Andrew said. “We're on a bit of a time crunch.”

“Please don't hang up yet,” Mia said.

“We'll discuss everything in person,” Andrew said.

“All right.”

“Mia,” Andrew said.

“Yes?”

“If you ever leave me for this long again I don't think I can survive it.”

A bigger smile spread across her face. “I suppose eleven more hours won't kill you?”

Andrew let out a laugh. “I hope not,” he said. “Protect yourself.”

“I'll see you soon.”

“Bye.”

With the final word came a click and the line went dead. Mia lowered her phone and went to the map. She highlighted his name and held down seven, prompting the GPS feature. The map zoomed out, covering the entire country. A green dot started flashing. Mia zoomed in on the blinking icon. Andrew was in the South Area, near the borders of the Midwest Area and the Northeast Area.

“Mia?” Corinna asked.

Mia looked up; all of them were out of the car.

“I don't have time to argue,” Mia said. “I don't think any of you are stupid. I just wanted to protect you. I feel a bit awkward because the way I treated you was how Andrew treated me, so I understand your anger and hurt. This is a dangerous mission; I don't want any of you to come, but I won't stop you from joining.”

Mia looked at the group. They all wore their everyday clothing. Frank's white T-­shirt looked electric in the moonlight.

“You have five minutes to change into dark, fitted clothing,” Mia said. “Whoever is coming, be outside by then. Frank, does the van work?”

“Except for some cosmetic issues,” he said.

“Five minutes,” Mia said.

All four of them went for the house.

“That was a distraction, right?” Riley asked. “We're leaving while they change?”

“No,” Mia said. “I can't keep them here. I shouldn't have tried.”

“I can't guarantee their safety.”

“Could you have guaranteed mine?” Mia asked.

“No,” Riley said.

“We have to give them the benefit of the doubt,” Mia said. “Besides, we're not going it alone anymore. Andrew is meeting us there.”

“Now, he's probably someone I can work with,” Riley said. “Congratulations.”

Mia's smile faded. Andrew was alive and he was safe, but for how long?