CHAPTER NINETEEN

Twelve o’clock.

Harper’s digital watch displayed the time in bold black numbers. A raindrop splattered on the small face and she brushed it off before she turned her attention back to the veiled position she’d staked out. The facility was just beyond the dense trees and thick brush that kept her well hidden.

In precisely one hour, Rome would show up with reinforcements. To bring Jeff Donovan and the Five Watch faction to justice.

But in a few minutes, she would face Jeff and the faction on her own. To bring vengeance.

She knew full well what her and Rome’s plan was. The intricate timing Rome had established and every move she was supposed to make.

But this morning, as she lay awake in Rome’s secure arms, rehashing the plan over and over in her mind, she knew she couldn’t do it.

She couldn’t do it and be whole with herself.

Rome had drawn a line and she was about to cross it. She refused to wait. Waiting meant justice, not vengeance. And the only justice she could understand was to avenge her brother’s death by wiping out Jeff and his faction. That way, there was no chance they could exploit and murder anyone else. They deserved as much and more for all the lives they’d ruined.

Bowing her head, she closed her eyes and looked inside herself for a long moment. Was she doing the right thing?

Sharp visions of Rome flowed unbidden into her thoughts. Confident and honorable. Strong yet vulnerable. He’d allowed her to see his weaknesses just as she had shown hers to him. They’d seen each other at their best and worst. They’d shared triumphs and setbacks.

And they’d loved.

She’d never loved anyone as she loved Rome. Never thought herself capable of that depth of emotion. Of wanting to give everything she had been and everything she ever hoped to be to someone. She’d always kept her heart locked down somewhere deep inside herself.

But Rome had somehow unlocked it. Without her knowing. Or maybe she had known. Because from the moment she’d awakened tied to his couch, she’d known he was someone who could change her life. And not just because of her horrible situation, but because of the amazing man he was.

He’d told her he loved her. And he meant it. Of that she had no doubt. She just had to look at what he’d given to her and given up for her.

He had given her his heart, body, and soul. He was sacrificing his career and possibly his life. And he’d asked nothing in return except that she believe in him. And she truly did. She believed in everything he stood for and everything he was.

But she also believed that this was something that she had to do. For Bobby. Vengeance was the only thing that could make this right. She hoped Rome’s love included clemency. Because no matter how much she wanted to believe, she knew in her every fiber she would die today. She just hoped Rome would forgive her for it.

Her life and love were sacrifices she would willingly make to see Bobby’s killers revenged.

She opened her eyes and narrowed her focus. Ready to face whatever may lie ahead. She was on the block. Time for the race.

From her crouched position, Harper peered from behind a moss-covered log to study the outside of the Five Watch facility. It looked very different from the covert entrance to Bobby’s lab and the other obscure entrance she and Rome had snuck into a few days ago. Plain. Ordinary. Like any other boring office park.

On the tree-lined hill, she was able to look down, unnoticed, onto the scene. A couple of guys were wandering around the courtyard, just going about their business. Anyone else might think they were just normal building security guards on their tedious rounds.

But she knew better. They walked with subtle purpose and were, no doubt, armed to the teeth with weapons and maybe even psi powers like hers.

Well, not exactly like hers, she thought with a wicked grin.

The layout was very similar to the map she and Rome had made. There were three sturdy buildings in a squared horseshoe shape. In the middle was a wellmanicured grassy quad, lined with cherry trees, many of them bare, and wet cement walkways that were soaked from the steady rain.

Her own plan was simple. Walk right up and challenge them. The more armed men who came to take her, the more she’d be able to get rid of, until there was no one left.

Given that Jeff had kept her alive for experiments, she was banking on the assumption that he wouldn’t just have her shot on sight. He probably wanted to go another few rounds with her in the labs with the horrific equipment. But if they did start shooting, she’d just stop the bullets.

And even though she couldn’t see all of them, she knew they’d be waiting for her. Her goading of Jeff had ensured he’d be there with practically an army. She knew she’d gotten a rise out of him by his way-too-controlled responses. Rome had been impressed.

Rome. She had to purge him from her thoughts to do this. She took a deep breath to calm her mind. Just as she’d done before a race.

She glanced up at the tumultuous, cloudy sky. Though an incessant rain was coming down, daylight was the key. She needed to stay out of the shadowy cover from those looming buildings.

Besides, she liked the invigorating natural shower and briefly wondered how much of that was her love of water or her need for it. Either way, she looked forward to what was about to come.

Checking her watch once more, she creeped around the thick uprooted base of the log and headed carefully down the wet slope, weaving between the trees. Slick pine needles and moss covered the ground, and she slid several times on the moist, loose soil as she made her way toward the facility.

Harper reached the outskirts and ducked behind a cluster of nearby brush. The flanking two buildings loomed larger from the level ground than they had seemed to from her previous elevated vantage point. Though vacant just a few moments ago, someone could easily be on guard from up there without her knowing. She’d have to keep alert and stay aware at all times.

Taking a deep breath, she braced herself, knowing she was doing what she had to do. Then Harper stood and, with deliberate strides, warily headed toward the open entrance. The damp roadway was spongy under her sneakers, drawing little splashes with each step.

Harper reached the edge of her cover. She could see past the trees that made up the boundary. The two sentries were talking together, facing each other, rifles resting placidly on their shoulders. One more step and she’d cross the point of no return.

And she wouldn’t return. She knew her time had to be just about up. And the last thing to do before she checked out was wreak havoc on those who had destroyed all that her brother had stood for.

Rome wouldn’t be here for another thirty minutes. Enough time for her to pull back and wait to put their plan in motion. Enough time for her to move forward and take solitary action.

She took a step forward, moving ahead to seek revenge.

Rome smoothly crossed the threshold from slumber to consciousness. Eyes still closed, he rolled over and went to throw his arm across Harper’s warm body. His eyes snapped open when all he felt was cool sheets.

Harper was gone. Leaning on one elbow, he ran his hand over her side of the bed. The flannel material wasn’t just cool. It was cold. With a frown, he peered around the modest cabin, quickly searching and listening for any sign of her.

On the hardwood floor near the bathroom door, he spied a neatly folded pile of her clothes. He let out the heavy breath he hadn’t even known he was holding.

His tossed the comforter to the side and climbed naked out of the bed. Long strides carried him to the front window. Frowning, he peered out the hazy glass, looked through the misty rain besieging the dense trees. The Bug was still there, but Harper wasn’t.