Chosen (32 page)

Warren was right. They would kill her. “So what am I supposed to do for you?”

“For now, I prefer to keep a close watch on you. The best way to do that is to make you a member of my personal security team.”

Will laughed in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Actually, no. It’s brilliant, if I do say so myself. I can personally keep track of you and ensure your loyalty. And if something should happen to me that you caused or could have prevented, Ms. Thompson is disposed of.”

Will scoured his mind thinking of a way out of this. The only one he could come up with was to try to escape.

“Will, you are much too obvious. I can see you are searching for another option, but there is none. Suppose you get past all the armed men here, and I must admit it is a possibility. Just remember that you will both be hunted, and not just by our group but the other group as well. This past week will seem like a cakewalk compared to the life you will live. What about when Emma is very pregnant? Or after the baby is born? How hard will it be to run then?”

He was right and Will hated him for it. They couldn’t run forever, especially with a baby. Will sank into the chair.

“That’s a good boy, listening to reason. I assure you, we will take very good care of her.”

“I want more than your assurance, Senator. I want your guarantee. And I assure
you
, that if anyone hurts her I will hunt them down and kill them. But you Mr. Senator, will be first.”

“Then I think we’ve reached an agreement.” He beamed with approval. “First I want to meet with Emma, and then you and I will leave for Washington.”

Will resisted the urge to ask what he planned to say to her. “I would like to see her before I go.”

“I’m sure you would, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Senator Warren said.

“The only reason I spent the afternoon with her is because she kept asking for me and hurting herself trying to get to me. If I just disappear, the same thing will happen. Let me tell her goodbye. Please.” Will had never begged before, but he was willing to do it for Emma.

Warren tilted his head and smiled. “This is why you will make a valuable asset to my team. You point out subtle things I might miss. See? I’m not a monster, Will. I’m a reasonable man.”

Will disagreed, but kept his opinion to himself.

“Let’s go see her then. I’m eager to get back to Washington. Lots of things to look forward to. Things are changing.”

If one more person tells me that, I’m going to fucking punch them in the face
.

The security detail accompanied them back to the medical building. Will found himself observing the guards, weighing the risks. Six men. It would be tricky, but he could do it. Then what? Emma couldn’t run. He could use her as a hostage; they wanted her alive at this point. But that would never work. They knew he’d never hurt her. He could use the senator as a hostage instead. The thought excited him. It could work, but he’d have to hold Warren, and move Emma all the while keeping several men with guns at bay. It would be a logistical nightmare. Plus, they might use Emma against him. And even if they got away, then what?

The group continued across the compound, the thumping of the footsteps filling the silence, every step an albatross tugging on Will’s resolve. How could he leave her here?

They entered the building and Will knew he had to make his decision soon. He glanced around. No vehicles out front; that could be a problem. He would need a getaway car. One guard sat at a desk in the front. He appeared bored until their group showed up, then snapped to attention. He would be more aware with the senator upstairs, but he looked like an easy target to get past. Will couldn’t see what type of gun he had. Most likely a handgun. Most security guards did. The lax security earlier told him they weren’t used to providing actual protection, which was surprising given the clientele they must be used to protecting. But then again, they were in a secret compound in rural South Dakota.

They reached the elevator bank. Two elevators, three floors; that would work against him. Emma was on the second floor. By the time he got Emma and Warren on the elevator and got to the first floor, every armed man would be waiting for the doors to open. It still might work; it would just be harder.

The group boarded the elevator. Will would have preferred to take the stairs. There were too many bodies on this elevator. He observed the operations panel. Emergency switch, phone, three floors and a basement. An escape hatch in the ceiling. If Emma wasn’t hurt they could get on the elevator and climb out the top and buy themselves more time. But she was, so that wasn’t an option.
Shit
. This fucking sucked.

The doors opened and they exited as a pack, Will in the center, Warren in the lead. Will wondered what Warren would say to her. That’s what killed him the most, the thought of not being here to protect her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering anymore. If only he could be sure she would really be safe, and dare he hope, somewhat happy.

They reached her room and two more guards stood outside her door. A total of nine men. Still doable. He only had to overpower one, grab Warren and figure out the rest from there. The group stopped.

“How’s our patient doing this evening?” Warren asked with a chipper tone.

The nurse’s eyes widened and her face paled. “Senator Warren,” she stammered, standing straighter. “Uh, she’s been sleeping, Senator. She was much better after he showed up.” She pointed to Will.

“Yes, I heard he had a calming influence on her. Let’s hope it continues.” He looked directly at Will and narrowed his eyes. “Will, I’m going to ask you to remain outside while we have our chat.”

Will didn’t like the order but knew he had no choice so he said nothing, in an attempt to look passive. But Warren read right through him and chuckled as he turned to walk in the room.

***

Emma woke to see a tall and handsome man standing next to her bed. His face lit up with a warm smile.

“Hello, Emma,” the man said. “Glad to see that you’re on the way to recovery. We were very worried about you.”

She blinked. Who was he? He seemed familiar.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself.” He extended his hand. “U.S. Senator Phillip Warren, from the great state of California.”

She had no idea why a senator would be in her room, let alone Senator Warren. She knew he was running for president. She reached out her hand, but she was either weaker than she realized or the pain medication threw off her coordination and her hand fell before reaching his. He smiled at her and patted her hand in a fatherly gesture.

“That’s okay. You’re still tired.”

She looked around for Will. “I don’t understand why you’re here.”

“I had to meet our special guest. You have been much anticipated.”

“I don’t understand.”

He waved to the chair by her bed. “May I?”

“Of course,” she said, but her stomach clenched in spasms.

He sat down and leaned toward her. “I bet you have no idea how special you really are.”

She stared at him in confusion.

“No, I can see that you don’t. You, Emmanuella Thompson, are priceless.”

The moment he called her Emmanuella the familiar feeling of dread sent prickles crawling up her back. “I don’t understand…”

“What if I told you the fate of the world was in your hands?”

Emma stared at him in disbelief. “I’d tell you that you were crazy.”

He laughed. “I think that’s the second time tonight I’ve been called crazy. No, I can assure you that I’m not.”

“Where’s Will?” Something didn’t feel right, no matter how friendly he appeared.

Senator Warren sat up. “He’s busy at the moment.”

“Could you tell him I need him? I’m sure he’ll come right away.”

The senator narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, appraising her. He caught himself and smiled again. “I’m sure he’ll come when he’s able.”

Now, she worried for Will’s safety. He said he’d stay with her until they made him leave. Anything could have happened to him while she was knocked out. While there was a chance that he had lied about staying, she didn’t think he had.

Will said he could feel her in the woods and knew she was alive. He thought it was one sided, but if he told the truth and it really happened, maybe she could do the same for him. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the mark Jake had branded on her back, thinking of Will. A feeling of him rushed through her, strength and loyalty and an overwhelming surge of regret. He was anxious, but safe.

“Are you alright?” the senator’s voice rose.

Emma opened her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m still groggy and keep dozing off.”

He cleared his throat. “As I was saying, you are a very important person to us. We realize you have been through quite an ordeal and would like to offer you our protection.”

“Who is
we
?”

“Myself and my associates. We are friends to you and would like to keep you safe. Unfortunately, while I would love to personally oversee your convalescence, I have other pressing matters to attend to. My son Alex has graciously offered to see after you.”

“That is very kind of you and your son, but it really isn’t necessary. I’m sure Will can handle my care until I am well enough to take care of myself. Thank you.”

His eyes hardened. “I’m sure Mr. Davenport is capable of many things, including overseeing your medical care. However, he’ll be preoccupied. He has agreed to work for my security detail. In fact, we leave tonight. But there’s nothing to worry about,” he said, trying to sound light and jovial. “Alex is eager to step in and take over.”

The way he said the last part raised a prickle of warning. “I really need to speak to Will.”

“I’m sure he’ll be around shortly. We’ll see if he has time before he leaves for Washington.”

“I’m quite certain he wouldn’t leave without saying something to me.”

He shrugged with a wave of his hand. “Perhaps.”

“Senator Warren, you told me that the fate of the world rests on my shoulders. What makes you say that?”

His face brightened. “You, my dear, are very special. There have been prophecies about you. Your son will be a light unto the world.”

“Jake?”

“No, not Jake. Your other son.”

“I don’t have another son.”

He smiled with a glint in his eye. “Not yet.”

The night of Jake’s conception flooded back into her memory. She gripped the bedrail and gasped.

Senator Warren rose from his chair. “Are you all right? I’m sure it’s a bit shocking to find out that you’re pregnant this way.”

“Pregnant?” How…? She hadn’t even slept with anyone…
Will
. But it would be too soon to know. That was only a couple of days ago.

“Yes. You will have a son.”

How would he know that? How did these people know about Jake and her real name? “Aren’t you supposed to be accompanied by a chorus of angels to make an announcement like that?”

He laughed, his eyes twinkling with delight. “Oh, my dear, you are not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?” she sneered.

He titled his head as he appraised her. “Someone more malleable.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“No disappointment at all. But I do say, you will be a challenge for my son,” he said with a chuckle.

“I’ll be a challenge for no one. I am not a possession to be handed around from person to person.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You are a valuable possession,” his voice lowered, taking an ominous tone.

“I want Will.”

“I told you, Will is busy.”

“Will!” She called out. It worked before. If she called loud enough they might bring him again. “Will!”

“Emma, I must insist that you stop.”

“I’ll stop when you bring Will to see me.”

He rolled his eyes, then he sighed. “Give me a moment.” He stepped out into the hall.

Will tensed the moment heard her call his name. The guards around him reached for their guns and he stopped. Waiting. A moment later the senator came out and walked to him his mouth pursed into a grimace.

“She insists on seeing you and is being most uncooperative.”

Will snorted. “That sounds like Emma.”

“Maybe so, but I’ll allow you into see her on the condition that you convince her to cooperate.”

“Why would I do that?”

Warren raised an eyebrow with a leer.”Because her life depends on it. Yes, we need her alive to deliver this baby, but there’s nothing that tells us we need her after.”

Will wished he could kill this man with his bare hands, but he’d save that for another day. “What do you want me to tell her? I presume you don’t want me to tell her what you just told me. That might not be very effective with Emma.”

Warren scoffed. “Of course not. We don’t need to make this difficult. Tell her to trust us. Tell her to cooperate. Tell her to give Alex a chance.”

“
Alex
? Alex from the meeting this morning?” But now Will saw the resemblance.

“Yes, Alex is my son and will see to her care.”

Will really didn’t like the way he said “her care.” And he really didn’t like the thought of Alex being anywhere near her. Unfortunately, he didn’t know what he could do about it. “All right.”

Senator Warren smiled. “Excellent. You’ll go in with me and convince her, then tell her goodbye. I’ve already told her that you’re leaving with me tonight.”

They walked through the door, Will still trying to figure out an escape plan until he saw her on the bed. She looked so pale and fragile he had no idea how he’d ever get her out. He reminded himself that he’d brought Emma here because she would have died without medical care. There was no way he could take her.

She saw him and the fury on her face melted into relief. His heart crumbled, unsure he could really do it. He couldn’t take her, couldn’t leave her. That didn’t leave very many options. He walked to her side and took her hands in his, not caring if any of them saw. They knew he had a bond to her, why should he try to hide it?

“Will, he says you’re leaving with him to go to Washington. What is he talking about?” She glared, chipping a crack in his resolve. He wasn’t sure he could do this.