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“Is it really that simple?”
“No. It’s not simple at all. There are things I found out this morning I need to tell you.”
“Not now, not here. And, Addie, don’t tell anyone what has happened. Don’t trust anyone, and don’t let your father being your father make you feel safe with him.”
“You know how I feel about him, more so now than ever. They locked up the other bonded couples. You need to know that. There are other new developments, and you need to be careful. They’re more afraid of the X2 than ever. They could try to lock you up, too. I’m afraid for you.”
“I’m always careful, which is why we can’t risk being seen together. I need to go and so do you. I’ll come for you tonight.” He backs away and then he’s walking away toward the elevators where he will surely leave the research facility.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I’m behind my desk, reading through the classified documents my father actually sent me, which almost shocked me, taking notes, when Katie appears in my doorway. “Any news?”
“They all agreed to go in for the studies, so no one was actually turned into prisoners. Dr. Chin seems hellbent on changing that though.”
“Meaning what?” she asks, claiming the chair in front of me.
I hesitate, because the data I’m looking at has not been cleared for anyone but me. “There were developments this weekend. I’ll tell you more when I can. I’m going to try and get you clearance. I need to get my father some counter notes to those Chin has provided.”
“Let me help. Please. I won’t say a word.”
I hesitate and fret internally, but this project I’m working on isn’t just my life and Creed’s. But we’re talking about a wrong move creating a world event that might not be able to be undone. “Okay,” I say, and I stick a USB drive into my computer. “I’ll save the data, but I swear to you, Katie, if you share this information, it’s a court martial for us both.”
“I would never do that.”
“You came to me the other day.”
“That was a rumor, not classified material.”
I study her a moment, and everything in my gut says to trust her and involve her in this. I add the data to the drive and hand it to her. “Take it home. Don’t look at it here, no matter how much it kills you to wait.”
“I’m going home at lunch. I’ll work from home this afternoon. How do you want me to send you my thoughts?”
“Put them on a drive. I don’t even want you to call me. It’s too risky.”
“Okay. I need to tell you something, though. Caleb Rain came to my house early this morning.”
“What? Why?”
“He’s concerned his brother is off the deep end. He doesn’t know how to bring him back. He feels he’s dangerous. He wanted me to tell him he could be saved.”
Creed’s concerns about Julian are now front and center once again. “What did you say?”
“I told him I’d come to you. He didn’t want me to because of who you are, but I told him you’re on his side. He’s worried about how his brother might impact the other X2-positives. I think he and Creed are quite close. I think he thinks his brother has to go to protect Creed and the others like him, though I’m not sure anyone is quite like Creed.”
“Go?” I ask. “What does that mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes,” I say, ice sliding down my spine. Caleb thinks Julian must die. “But I think it might be too little, too late.” I hand her the data drive. “Go home. Read it. We have a lot to figure out. We should go to Vegas this weekend and work the data and figure it all out, maybe get a place up there we can work the next few weekends.”
She nods and accepts the drive, before pushing to her feet and heading for the door. “Katie,” I call out.
“Yes?” she says, turning back to me.
“I’m not seeing where any of the X2 have special gifts. They’re just stronger and faster, and more testosterone-triggered. Is there more to it than that?”
“There are rumors. Creed. You know, there are whispers he’s able to use the wind a lot more effectively than the others. Like it’s part of him. The others, not so much.”
I nod and she exits the room, but I can’t stop thinking about what she’s said about rumors. Creed hides just how powerful he is. How many of the other X2-positive soldiers do the same? And what are the consequences of what we don’t know, and they do?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I force myself to stay late at work, trying not to draw attention to me and Creed, but I’m dying inside with the need to see him. Finally, though, I step into the parking lot and reach my car only to hear, “Addie!”
