The Alliance (33 page)

 

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Chapter
91

I informed the grand commander of my wife's help with these babies. He seemed interested in her skills but ordered that she only stay with those under the age of two. I wouldn't want her poisoning the minds of the older children either.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

“So can you give us a hint as to your wedding-­night attire?” Greg asked.

Grant let out a rehearsed chuckle. “Some things are best kept as surprises,” he said.

“Thank you to Grant Marsden for letting us tour his home again, and don't forget to tune in two nights from now, when the wedding is broadcast live.”

“I wish everyone across the country could attend,” Grant said. “But my home is not that accommodating.”

Greg let out a loud laugh and Grant forced the pasted smile to remain on his face. He would never let such lowlifes into his home.

“We do have one final announcement before our program finishes,” Greg said.

He stood up from his chair and Grant rose from the love seat. They were in his home; he hated it that Greg sat on the single seat chair. It made it look like he was the homeowner, the one in control. As Grant had predicted, Ian walked on camera. He shook Greg and Grant's hands before sitting down on the couch.

“Grand Commander,” Greg said.

“Hello, Greg,” Ian said. “Thank you for inviting me on your program.”

“The honor is mine,” Greg said. “There is an announcement you wanted to make?”

Ian turned to look straight into the camera.

“There are rumors flying around that I am stepping down,” Ian said. “I wanted to reassure the American ­people that those are entirely false. I will be your grand commander until my heart ceases to beat.”

Of course he will,
Grant thought.

“But even I am not immortal,” Ian said. “I was planning on waiting until the big day to make this public, but I don't want to overshadow this exemplary young man's wedding. When I do pass it is my intention that Grant Marsden continue in my footsteps as the next grand commander of this fine country.”

Surprises were not one of Grant's fortes. He had thought this announcement would be made in a formal press conference, not on a cheap nightly talk show.

“That is fantastic news,” Greg said. “It appears Grant is at a loss for words.”

“I hope that day does not come for several years,” Grant said. “But when it does I will try my best to continue on in your place.”

Grant kept his eyes on Ian and not the camera.

“I am certain the rest of the country is as happy with this development as I am,” Greg said. “Good night, America. I will see you tomorrow.”

The camera cut out.

“That went well,” Greg said. “I'll make sure your awkward pause is edited out, but tomorrow the ceremony will be live, so you better be on your best behavior.”

Greg stood up and started directing his crew to pack up their equipment.

“Why didn't you tell me you were doing that?” Grant asked.

“We had discussed it before,” Ian said. “I thought you would be pleased.”

“I am,” Grant said. “Was that my early wedding gift?”

“You're welcome,” Ian said. He leaned in to Grant's ear and whispered, “Six, eleven, thirteen, two, four, fourteen, ten, eight, fourteen.”

Grant's eyes went wide.

“Now let me tell you how you change the code,” Ian said. “But I won't allow that until I'm on my deathbed.”

“Thank you,” Grant said.

He meant it. Ian had given Grant everything he needed to kill the man and take over the country. Amelia was no longer a threat and everything required for Grant to take power was in place. It was the best day of his life.

 

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Chapter
92

My husband thinks I have given up any attempt at escape, but he could not be more wrong. I am more than a woman, or a mother; I am a person and will strive to be treated as such.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

Mia's eyes popped open from her dreamless sleep. The room was dark, but she could feel the body in bed next to hers. She turned over and saw Andrew; a piece of his brown hair had fallen over his forehead. He was alive and next to her, safe. One thing went according to plan. She thought about the last time they'd slept so close to each other. Mia had tried to kiss him; he'd woken up and yelled at her. Back then she'd thought they would never be together, but so many things had changed since that day. Mia moved her head forward and placed her lips against his.

She felt his arm pull her tighter against him. Their kiss grew deeper, but soon he was pulling away.

“I've missed you,” he said.

Mia did not want to speak. She didn't want to hear an apology or make one of her own. They were past that. She didn't want to talk about her parents' deaths or her run-­in with Grant. Right now she only wanted Andrew, and she had him. She rolled him over onto his back and climbed on top of him.

“I don't want to separate again,” Andrew said.

Mia bent down and kissed his lips. His hands gripped her cheeks and he tried to lift his head to meet her. Then his lips closed off again.

“Will you marry me?” Andrew asked.

A small breath escaped Mia's lips.

“Never,” she said.

His arms went up behind her head and pulled her back down toward his. She never stopped kissing him. He returned her passion and they fell into each other.

 

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Chapter
93

My years in the new area have gone by smoothly. I am supplied more than enough money to take care of the young boys and pay my employees. I could not have hoped for such a wonderful life.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

“We should find out where everyone else is,” Mia said.

Andrew kept his arms around Mia. He didn't want to get out of the bed, but he knew she was right. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head before she rolled away from him. He pulled on his clothes while she did the same. Andrew could not remember a time in his life when he had been this happy. He felt a hand grip his wrist and turned to face Mia. She didn't say anything and instead gave him another deep, passionate kiss. When she pulled away the gray light from the window was pouring in and her blue eyes looked electric.

“If I died today I would die a happy man,” Andrew said.

“You shouldn't say that around me,” Mia said. “It might actually happen, and I'd like to do that again at some point.”

“Married or not, I am yours forever,” Andrew said.

“I've known that since before you did,” Mia said.

She slid her hand down his arm and stood up from the bed.

“I thought Greg Finnegan would have a larger house,” Andrew said.

“There's no way this is his home,” Mia said. “My guess is this is one of his many houses.”

“I didn't realize Affinity's members were so famous,” Andrew said.

“Are you ready to head downstairs?” Mia asked.

No,
Andrew thought to himself. He wanted to stay in this room and hear what had happened to Mia the past few weeks. He wanted to hold her while she talked about Flo and her mother. He wanted to hear anything she had to say, but he knew where she wanted to go right now, so he said the only word he could.

“Yes.”

She stood up from the bed and he followed her to the door. They walked down the stairs. Something smelled amazing; Andrew felt his mouth watering. They made it into the kitchen and there stood Greg Finnegan, working away over the stove.

“Good, some of my visitors are awake,” Greg said. “By the looks of it that sleep did you good. The two of you are glowing.”

Andrew felt his eyes widen and he looked away.

“Everyone else is asleep,” Greg said. “I expect them to start tumbling downstairs soon. I thought you could all use some food and then we could start our plans for the next two days.”

“Plans?” Andrew asked.

“Of course,” Greg said. “In two nights we take out the Registry and mandatory ser­vice, and Mrs. Marsden makes her television debut.”

Andrew looked at Mia. He wasn't sure she was ready for more action after losing her mother and rescuing Rod. Instead of fear or apprehension, a large smile crossed her face. Andrew felt like everything was right in the world again.

 

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Chapter
94

I finally did it. I am stowed away in the back of a truck. I have no clue where it is heading, but it is better than where I have been.

—­The diary of Megan Jean

Riley hobbled into the kitchen with Alex. She was smiling and laughing. They stopped when they spotted Mia.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Alex asked.

“I would be better if the two of you would stop looking at me like that,” Mia said.

“You were so upset this morning,” Riley said. “With good reason. Maybe you should take some time to yourself.”

“Time is something we don't have,” Zack said.

He walked into the kitchen as well; another man followed behind him. Mia recognized him but couldn't place him at first. He walked up to her and held his hand out.

“Trent Quillian,” he said. “We met a few weeks ago. Sorry about holding a gun to your head and all that stuff.”

“It's been an interesting ­couple of weeks,” Andrew said.

Mia did not return his handshake. He gave a nervous laugh and put it down.

“I told you not to kill him,” Mia said. “Not to start trusting him.”

“I'll explain later,” Andrew said. “But he has proved himself.”

“Why do you say we don't have any time?” Riley asked Zack.

“Grant's wedding is less than forty-­eight hours away,” Greg said. “That is when we strike.”

“No,” Riley said.

“Absolutely not,” Alex finished.

“You two don't have to help,” Mia said. “But we're moving forward.”

Both of them looked at her with shock.

“You just lost your mother this morning,” Riley said. “I was shot in the leg, your big Affinity leader has his arm in a cast, one of our members is in a coma—­we need more time.”

“I'm ready to finish this,” Mia said. “You don't understand how dangerous Grant is; if he spends one day as grand commander I can't imagine the horrors that await this country.”

“Andrew,” Alex said, “talk some sense into her. We need to regroup.”

“I trust you, but Rex is dead,” Andrew said. “There is no way to prove you're Grant's wife. They'll make you out as a liar.”

“That does make things a bit difficult,” Greg said.

“Did you grab all the bags from the van?” Mia asked.

“They're by the garage,” Greg said.

Mia walked over toward the entrance. There she saw her mother's satchel. Mia flipped it open and pulled out the book before she returned to the group. She handed it to Greg. He started flipping through the pages before slamming it shut.

“So it is settled then,” Greg said. “More than enough to proof of Mia's identity.”

Mia silently thanked her mother.

“I've prepared a delicious meal for all of you, so please have a seat.”

Mia could feel Alex and Riley staring at her in disapproval, but Mia knew once this was over her mother's death wouldn't have been for nothing, and that was more important than focusing on her grief.

The table was long and had a bench on each side where four ­people could fit, with a chair at each end. Everyone took a seat.

“What about Corinna, Carter, Frank, and Rod?” Andrew asked.

“Frank is in the shower,” Alex said. “He'll be down soon.”

“I made enough for everyone,” Greg said. “But we should let them sleep as long as they like. I can only hang out here another hour before I head home.”

Mia gave Andrew a look; her initial guess was correct.

“I was wondering why the most trusted man in America lived in such an average house,” Trent said.

“This is not in my name and not traceable back to me,” Greg said. “I use it to house runaways.”

“I never would have guessed you were sympathetic to women,” Mia said.

“Why?”

“You seem so loyal to the grand commander,” Mia said.

“Keep your enemies close,” Greg said.

They all sat down around the table. Footsteps came from down the hallway. Mia tried to see who was coming. When Carter stepped into the light Rod's arm was draped around his shoulder. Andrew stood up to help them and Mia walked over with him.

The portly man had lost a great deal of weight. He looked like flesh and bones. His gray hair was greasy and stuck to his head.

“I would give you a hug,” he said, “but if I take my arm off of Carter's shoulders I think I'll fall.”

Mia wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt her eyes sting with tears of joy, knowing they wouldn't fall.

“I am so sorry to hear about your mother,” Rod said. “I owe her my life.”

“I'm sorry we didn't come for you sooner,” Mia said.

“I didn't tell you about my relationship with Affinity to protect the cause,” Roderick said. “I thought by keeping Carter in the dark I was giving him more of a childhood. I should have known better than to keep something like that from you.”

“It's done with,” Mia said. “No more apologies.”

She released Rod's waist. Carter and Andrew helped him sit at the table. Mia caught sight of his bandaged wrist and wondered what atrocities Grant had put the man through. Her desire to stop him only strengthened.

“It appears I'm the newbie,” Rod said. “I don't know most of you.”

The group went around and gave introductions.

“I'm Zack,” Zack said. “Also a member of Affinity.”

“Have we ever had personal contact?”

“No,” Zack said. “But I was aware of your existence.”

Soon Frank and Corinna came down and squeezed in on one of the benches.

“So, Riley,” Rod said. “Irish government? How did you get in contact with this group?”

“I helped Mia pose as a prostitute in order to rescue your son and Andrew from a well-­organized and unstable militant group that was brainwashing them,” Riley said.

Rod's cheeks puffed up as he formed a smile. “I suppose in another situation that would sound abnormal,” he said. “But not here.”

Andrew passed Mia a salad bowl and she put a scoop on her plate. Mia took a look around the table. All of the ­people she loved most in the world were present. If they hadn't been gathered together to bring down an unfair government it would have looked like they were here to celebrate a holiday. Some of them were family, some cherished friends, and others newcomers who shared Mia's outlook. It shocked her that even in this time of sorrow and struggle she felt a sense of happiness.