The Alliance (30 page)

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

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

Chapter
81

I thought I was growing too old to carry a child, but I was proved wrong. This only adds to my resolve to start a new life somewhere far away.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

Mia could feel Grant's eyes on her. She didn't know where he was, but he had to know her exact location.

“I thought this would be easier,” Alex said.

“We have to get inside,” Mia said.

“The glass won't break.”

With few other options Mia went up to the window and pushed it inward. It fell open with ease.

“So they don't shatter, but they open wide?” Alex asked.

“It's a way inside,” Mia said.

She pushed herself up and climbed in through the window. Alex followed her into the dark room. The lights flipped on. They were in a library. If Mia wasn't scared out of her mind she would have been overwhelmed by the amount of books.

“How did that happen?” Alex asked.

“He's letting us know he can see us,” Mia said.

“Is that a good thing?”

“I'm not sure,” Mia said.

A light clicked on in the hall and the library light went off.

“I think we should head that way,” Mia said.

“This is a bad idea,” Alex said.

“We're still alive, aren't we?” Mia said.

Mia went out into the hall. That light went off and another lit up.

“He's leading you right to him,” Alex said.

“I guess we can rule out his wanting to kill me on sight,” Mia said.

They rounded a few more corners and crossed the front foyer. Mia looked to Alex, who nodded.

“We should stop here,” Alex said. “Draw him out.”

Alex's idea was sound. Mia didn't know whether to proceed or not, but then she remembered Riley coming in the opposite way. If they gave Grant a second to look away from them he might notice her.

“You know he can hear us,” Mia said.

“I didn't think about that,” Alex said.

“Grant, stop this,” Mia said. “It's me you want, and I want Rod. I'll make a trade.”

Mia started unpacking all her guns. She threw them on the floor. The light leading the way started flashing on and off.

“If that's the way you want it, I'm coming armed,” Mia said.

She picked up her weapons again and the lights went dark.

“Fine,” Mia said. “I'll find you without your trail.”

“This is a bad idea,” Alex said.

“There could be men all around us,” Mia lied. “Don't be stupid.”

The light came back on and Alex held his gun in front of him. They'd won that battle and continued following the trail of lights. Mia tried her hardest to remember the way to the door. They followed lights to a giant ballroom. The space of the room was overwhelming. Mia felt too vulnerable. All the lights went out and one remained over a single door. Mia half expected the door to open by itself, but it stood closed.

“Are you sure?” Alex asked.

“What option do we have?” Mia asked.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

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

Chapter
82

The grand commander intends to let the next generation of females be raised by their parents. He has developed an ingenious system requiring their placement in the Registry when they come of age. I am still in awe.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

It didn't take long for Grant to spot the van parked outside his gates. It wasn't visible from his personal security camera, but he had installed some extra ones on the front gates and he recognized the vehicle immediately.

“They're in the house,” Hansen said. “Send someone to grab them.”

“I don't know what her plan is,” Grant said. “But she wants to draw us away from him, and I won't have that.”

Grant stood up and went to the bed. He pulled a gun out and pointed it down at the unconscious man.

“She won't try anything while he's still a hostage,” Grant said. “Look at the screen. Can you see any movement on any of the other cameras?”

“One of the screens is dark,” Hansen said. “Never mind. It was a fluke, it's just dark outside.”

“What camera?” Grant asked.

“The one of the east side of the house.”

“Turn on the hall lights,” Grant said.

“I don't know how to work your system,” Hansen said. “Technology is not my strong suit.”

“Fine,” Grant said. “Then switch with me. No matter what, don't take your eyes or weapon off of this man.”

Hansen stood up and went toward Rod. He looked silly pointing an assault rifle at the sleeping man, but Hansen hadn't had enough sense to pull out his pistol.

Grant went to the computer and checked out the screen. Everything looked normal. He watched Mia and Alex walk down the hallway. They were almost outside the door. Grant stood up and pointed his gun toward the door. He looked at his security system monitors. They were right outside.

“I have a gun pointed at Roderick,” Grant shouted. “If Alex steps in my line of sight I will shoot him dead, and if you try anything funny all of you are gone.”

There was silence. Grant heard a hand reach for the doorknob and it creaked open. Standing in the middle of the door frame was Amelia. She held her gun straight in front of her, a look of pure hatred across her face.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

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

Chapter
83

Every day I walk to the ocean and envision my escape. I have been testing the fence at that area. If I can break through, then make my way down the coast until I find a boat docked, maybe I will have a chance at freedom.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

“What are you doing?” Alex asked.

He was crouched down next to the room housing Rod. Mia was going against Riley's instructions, but their ploy was over with. She saw the redheaded woman pressed against the wall, twenty feet away from her. Not close enough to show up in whatever camera angle Grant had. This was Mia's only chance and she was taking it.

Grant was staring right at her. His gun was pointed at her head. Mia glanced to her left. Rod was lying in the bed. A man who wasn't Rex had a giant weapon next to his head.

“I want Carter's deal,” Mia said.

“What deal is that?” Grant asked.

“Me for Rod,” Mia said. “Alex will take him now.”

“That wasn't transferable,” Grant said.

“Then we can all kill each other,” Mia said.

“Step inside the room,” Grant said. “Then Hansen can push the bed out to Alex. I wouldn't take your time. Ever since you ran over Hansen he has been eager to get his revenge.”

Mia knew not to trust Grant; she was unsure how to proceed.

“I think revenge is your game,” Grant said.

Mia stepped inside the room. She blocked the door from slamming shut and trapping her.

“Hansen, wheel the bed out,” Grant said. “But don't take your weapon off of him.”

“Where should I push the bed?” Hansen asked.

“To the hallway of course,” Grant said.

A smile spread across his face. Mia knew he had no intention of letting any of them leave alive. The only reason Grant hadn't pulled the trigger yet was because of his arrogance. Mia had a feeling whatever death he was imagining for her was one thousand times worse than being shot in the head.

“What if they try to take me hostage?” Hansen asked.

“Tell them I don't care for you one bit and will spill your blood as quick as I spilled Rex's,” Grant said.

Mia breathed in hard. She kept her gun aimed at Grant and slid along the wall of the room, giving Hansen the space to wheel Rod's bed into the hallway.

“Oh,” Grant said. “You didn't think I would notice you turned my man against me?”

“I was never certain he switched sides,” Mia said.

“I was,” Grant said. “Tell me, do you regret his death? Or your father's? Or the agent you beat to death with a rock?”

“You mean the night I beat you?” Mia asked.

“If you beat me then why are you in my house?” Grant asked.

“I wanted to rub it in,” Mia said.

“I should shoot you right now,” Grant said.

“I'll pull the trigger first,” Mia said.

Grant did something so unexpected Mia didn't know how to respond. He lowered his gun.

“I'm all yours,” Grant said.

Every ounce of Mia's being told her to pull the trigger, but she knew that would mean Rod was dead, since Grant's newest henchman still had the weapon on him. She tried to focus on the future. If Grant's wedding didn't happen, then her chance at destroying the Registry would evaporate too. He had to survive tonight. Grant broke eye contact with Mia. She kept her focus on him as he made his way to the door. Mia was scared he was going to head into the hallway, but instead he lifted his arm and flung the door shut.

“Alone at last,” Grant said. “You haven't killed me yet.”

“Back away from me,” Mia said.

“Maybe I underestimated you,” Grant said.

Mia tried not to show any fear as he positioned himself in front of her, ignoring her request. He crept closer to Mia and she responded by pulling the gun into herself, making sure it was still pointed at him. Grant reached up and put his hand on her shoulder. Mia tried hard to fight off the chill that came with his touch. He ran his hand down her arm and pulled the weapon from her hand before flinging it across the room.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

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

Chapter
84

The grand commander has decided it is time we expand across the country. I have been chosen to head up one of the new areas. We are no longer fifty states but seven sections that are part of something bigger. I am eager to take my new post.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

Her fear was intoxicating. After he'd waited all this time, she was his. Grant had won. He took a few moments to rejoice in this moment. Grant moved behind Mia. He placed his hand on her shoulder and forced her to her knees.

“I really did want a long, drawn-­out death for you,” Grant said. “But I have too much on the line.”

Grant pulled the small revolver he had tucked away out of his pants. He cocked his weapon and pressed it to the back of Mia's head.

“You were more trouble than you were worth,” he said.

Grant looked down at her and felt his finger flinch. Before he could pull the trigger the door flew open, almost knocking him down. Grant raised his weapon and fired, hoping to kill anyone who would disrupt this moment. He shot at nothing and then felt intense pain between his legs. He instinctively tried to protect himself, only to see Mia rise and bring her hand up under his chin. The impact made him bite his tongue and fall back. A foot came down on his wrist and he reflexively released the gun. A redheaded woman stood over him.

“This was not part of the strategy,” she said.

“I had to improvise,” Mia said.

He looked up to see Mia pointing his own gun at him. Her arms were shaking.

“Kill him,” the strange woman said.

“I'm thinking about the bigger picture here,” Mia said.

There was a sharp pain in Grant's side. He curled over and tried to grab Mia's foot as she kicked him over and over in the side. He felt her kick upward and his head flung back. Grant stared at the floor. There was a trickle of blood. He wanted to bring his hands up to check if it was his. He shut his eyes, knowing when to bide his time.

“Where are Rod and Alex?” Mia asked.

“Alex is wheeling Rod out,” the stranger said. “I took care of the other guy as soon as they left the room.”

There was a third person? How did Grant miss that? Someone clever enough to break into his home undetected too, and a woman at that. He kept his eyes closed, faking unconsciousness.

“Let's get out of here,” Mia said. “Before I do kill him.”

The two women left with Grant's weapon. He heard their double footsteps down the hall before forcing himself up. Grant cracked his jaw and spat. His saliva was bright red. He went out of the room. Lying on the floor was Hansen's body. They'd forgotten to take his weapon. Grant picked up the rifle and ran toward the main entrance.

He pushed open the door to the ballroom to see Mia and her redheaded friend sprinting toward the other side. Grant lifted the rifle and pulled the trigger. The redhead let out a yelp and Mia bent down to wrap her new friend's arm around her shoulder, leading her out of the ballroom. Grant ran across the room into the hallway. He spotted the trail of blood and was glad he'd made contact. He kept moving through the halls, hearing their movements but unable to catch up.

The front door was wide open and the moonlight poured inside. Grant knew they'd made it outside. He saw their figures making their way down his driveway. Grant stopped and took aim. It was dark, but he had a shot at Mia and fired. He didn't wait this time and took aim again. Grant could tell by their movements that he hadn't made contact.

Instead of chasing them, Grant decided to try a more accurate method. He walked back into his home and ran up the stairs and into his bedroom. He went for his closet and pulled out one of his favorite weapons before going to his window. Grant looked through the scope on his favorite rifle. He spotted the white van. Alex was loading Rod into the back. Mia was helping the redhead inside.

“It's not as personal as I would have liked,” Grant said. “But good-­bye, Mia.”

He had a perfect shot at her back and Grant didn't hesitate as he pulled the trigger. A loud scream cut through the air. Grant turned around and sat down. This weapon was one of his first inventions. A sniper rifle that was incapable of missing. There was no way she'd survived that shot. Grant smiled to himself and ran his tongue over his bloody teeth. At least she was dead. Of that he was certain.