Rhett

Every day Ava and I were separated, I had slowly lost a piece of myself. After last night, it wouldn’t be a piece—all of me would shatter when I had to let her go.

Last night had been surreal, and I would never forget what we shared. Having Ava remember loving me meant everything.

Kidnapping her and fighting to bring her back to the rebel base, to get her to remember us, had been worth the risk. Not only for my selfish need, but Ava was an asset to our team.

If I had it my way, I would destroy all the serum plus any studies and data, so no one could ever recreate it.

Ava and I used to talk about adopting children after we escaped from ISAN and settling down. I loved Ava whether she could bear children or not.

Three days. Ava needed to survive three days. Three days with Mr. Novak, that crazy son of a bitch. And I had to hold my shit together and not fall apart. I wouldn’t be able to sleep or breathe freely until she was back safe in my arms.

Ozzie and Reyna sat in the back of the truck, ready to head out. I waited between Ava and Cleo as Zen gave his speech.

“Ava, you have three days. We’ll meet you at the rendezvous point. Rhett will give you the location.” Zen turned to me, his jaw set in stone. “Look after my daughter. Don’t let anything happen to her.”

“Dad.” Cleo sighed, her face contorting with annoyance. “Rhett is not my keeper. I can take care of myself.”

Zen kissed his daughter’s forehead. “I know you can, but I’ll feel better letting you go if I have others looking after you, too. Rhett will have to ditch the truck on the way back, and a glider will be waiting for you. We’ll retrieve it at another time. Now, go. It’s almost noon.”

I gave a brisk nod to Zen and pulled up my gloves. “See you in a few hours.” I saluted.

Zen patted Ava’s shoulder. “Be safe. Best of luck to you. After today, you’ll never be asked to go back to ISAN, so make it count.”

With that speech, I drove us out of Hope City and into civilization where all seemed perfect and no one knew of our existence. Silence filled the space in the truck. I glanced at Ava beside me every now and then. She faced the window, her shoulders relaxed as if we were going for a fun ride. Not a sign of any nervousness from her.

Ava hid her feelings well. I wished I knew her thoughts. I wanted to comfort her, reassure her everything was going to be fine, that we would see each other again. Shifting in my seat, I released a heavy sigh. I ran one hand through my hair and gripped the wheel tighter. Perhaps I needed comfort more than her.

As if she could read my mind, she placed a hand on my leg. With that simple touch, she made my breathing and muscles ease. But the adrenaline pumping through my blood had my pulse thumping faster.

Steady, Rhett. Can’t think straight if you’re a mess.

I took a couple of deep breaths and became the leader I needed to be. “We’re going to have to go on foot after I ditch this truck. Reyna and Cleo, stay by the entrance. Ozzie, you come with me and Ava. We stick to the plan.”

“About that ...” Reyna tapped my headrest to get my attention.

“It’s a stupid plan, Rhett.” Cleo stuck out her tongue at me. “I only agreed because my father wouldn’t let me go if I hadn’t.” She twisted her braids into a coil, shoved them under her beanie, and adjusted her fake glasses.

“Yeah. I agree with Cleo. It’s ridiculous. Why does Ozzie get to go and we don’t?”

Not now, Reyna. Not you too. Don’t argue with me. I don’t have time for this.

Reyna ruffled my hair and sat back. “Don’t you think it’s safer for all of us to be together? We rarely split up.”

“I have to agree with the girls.” Ozzie shifted his cap on his red mop of a wig.

I had asked him to keep a lookout for Council drones and anything suspicious.

“You would agree with the girls, wouldn’t you?” I said, half joking.

Ozzie jabbed my shoulder, then turned back to observing. “You don’t have to stick to Zen’s plan, that’s all I’m saying. Sometimes your ferret plan works out better.”

“Compliments will get you nowhere.” I furrowed my brow.

Their doubt heightened my own disagreement with Zen. He had planned around his daughter, to keep her from going up to the room. I had agreed to it. If I stuck to Zen’s scheme and something happened to Cleo, I would bear no guilt.

It should be a simple in and out. But something in my gut tugged at me. I told myself it was taking Ava back to ISAN that had me paranoid. I had to think that. It was the only way I could let her go.

“We’re safer in numbers. That’s what you always say.” Ava squinted and rubbed her temples.

That’s what you always say?

What memory had popped into her head? I had said that many times, especially during training. I squeezed her hand still on my lap.

“Fine.” I let out an aggravated breath. “Just be careful. We should be fine.” The last sentence was more for me than them. “Keep your head down. There are cameras everywhere. And if you see any Council guards, don’t panic. If you don’t look like you’re hiding something, they won’t stop you.”

After I parked the truck, we trekked a mile into the city.