Monday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.BLAIR SWIRLED THE WINE in her paper cup. As a kid she'd spent plenty of nights drinking with the others around her age. No one cared so long as they didn't get too sick and could do their chores the next day.Things were a little different now.Sonny's kids were kept apart from the rest, probably at the urging of the lawyers for whatever reason. But that didn't mean that other children weren't walking the same path she did. At least for them they weren't tied to this place. They had options outside the sanctuary and freedoms she could have only dreamed of.She was forging her own path now.Too bad she still needed her father and his people for a little while longer.Blair let her gaze skim the scantily clad people. This side of the river there were fewer rules. The established residents didn't hide their resentment of her. It was misplaced. She'd never intended to touch this enclave behind the hill so long as they kept their acti
Lumen did her best to not stare.Her face, those eyes and hair, they were all Nabanita's.What were the chances?"Hey, Aspen." Rain turned toward the other girl. There had to be at least ten years age difference between them. "These two just arrived. Can you show me the welcome process for the paperwork?"Aspen glanced over the two of them. She didn't look like a fifteen-year-old. The way she carried herself was world weary, as if she were tired of everything. What the hell was going on here?"Are you two traveling together? Married?" Aspen picked up a clipboard from a table. Rain came to stand just behind Aspen, watching over her shoulder. "We try to give couples a little more privacy."Max glanced at Lumen. His warm smile made the small building far too hot."You could say we're together," he said."You make such a cute couple," Rain gushed.Aspen made a few notes. "How long are you planning on staying? Or are you staying? Do you have a host?""Can't say that we'r
Tuesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX KEPT A HOLD of Lumen's hand. He'd caught enough men eyeing her to make him uncomfortable. She hadn't seemed to notice. He wasn't sure if he was glad about that or not. Then again, it was more likely she was aware and pushing on like always.All of those questions about sexual preferences and history stuck in his head. He didn't like the idea of sharing that with strangers. It wasn't their damn business.They'd stashed their bags in the tiniest cabin known to man before meeting up with their new head of family.Rain had enthusiastically explained that everyone was organized into families, that way no one was ever alone. And if the exchange he'd overheard in the office was normal, it also meant there were people assigned to watch each other as well."I think we should avoid our family as much as possible," Lumen said as they struck out on their own.He shoved his hands in his pockets as they walked when what he really wanted t
Tuesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN TRIED NOT TO stare around her as they were shown into Larry's private villa on the Guyana side of the river. While the home was about fifteen years old, it had been built well and had all the creature comforts someone with money could want.Including a six foot canvas of Larry himself surrounded by mostly nude young women lying on what she could only guess was a bed of roses."Either of you want a drink?" Larry walked past the canvas without so much as a glance."Sure," Max replied automatically.Lumen knew he'd just hold it to be polite."No, thanks," she said.Right now Larry was the last person she'd trust in all of this."What brought you to here? Sonny, I mean?" Max asked.She was eternally grateful that Max was carrying the conversation. Something about those three men had made Lumen feel like a deer in crosshairs."I met Sonny in...1984? I was a young lawyer, doing everything right. I had everything I was su
Wednesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX HELD THE DOOR for Lumen then locked their cabin. They hadn't said much to each other this morning after a night of tossing and turning. Their little AC unit had stopped working and there hadn't been enough of a breeze through the windows to cool the small space. It was clear Lumen hadn't wanted to talk to him after his confession last night. Cold showers first thing had helped some, but if he knew Lumen she was just as grouchy as he was feeling. Probably more.Neither of them had ever been big into discussing their feelings. He'd been too busy trying to excel. She'd been managing school, a part-time job, extracurricular activities, all while keeping her head down at home. Her parent's marriage hadn't been happy, and it was no surprise that they'd divorced quickly two months after Lumen graduated high school. To say the wedding had been a tense affair was an understatement. The less they said this morning, the better.He still
Wednesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.ASPEN COULDN'T BREATHE. SHE couldn't move. She couldn't do anything.This was her nightmare.She'd known this would happen eventually, but she'd thought she would see it coming.Not now. Not like this. Not when Buzz was still somewhere locked up because he'd been protecting her.She had to do something. The longer she sat here frozen the more assured these people would be that the book was what they thought it was.Aspen should have burned it. That was the safest thing to do.Move, damn it."Uh, what?" Aspen whirled around and shoved the roll top down. Maybe she could convince them it was something else? "That? Oh, no. It's a cookbook. We should get on to your schedule."Who were these people?She hadn't seen them in the database, but they could know someone. They could be connected."I read Nabanita's book," the woman chimed in."I don't know what you're talking about," Aspen said.She could feel sweat dripping
Wednesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN SAT ON THE curb next to Aspen and pulled her close. Aspen buried her face against Lumen's shoulder as her slight body shook with all the pent up fear, anger, grief. Everything she'd been dealing with. Alone.Max met her gaze over Aspen's head. There was a barely contained fury in his eyes and the desire to see the whole world burned to the ground. It made Lumen think of how she'd come to meet the boy next door. How the kids had talked about why Lumen's family had to move. She'd been picked on because of her father's indiscretion. Until a skinny boy with a sharp chin and a buzz cut stood in front of her and told the other kids to stop.He'd become her hero the first day they met. The core of who he was hadn't changed. Max might have made the decision to take a different path in life, but that didn't change who he was on a base level. He was still a fierce protector.There was no doubt in Lumen's mind about Aspen and her inten
Wednesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX HELD UP A hand to shield his eyes as he stared out over the deep pool. They were close to fifty yards above the water. He stared down into the blue depths, but that wasn't what he saw.This morning still weighed heavily on him. Aspen's explanation of the system here behind the scenes made him sick to his stomach. Aspen was a kid. She shouldn't be involved in this shit, and yet she was. Because her piece of shit, father.All of that made it hard for Max to get into the mood to jump off a cliff for fun.Truth was, he'd done more dangerous jumps in the Navy, but that was with all the safety personnel on call. If this group had a First Aid kit, he'd be surprised. Generally speaking, it should be fine though.Lumen stood on the very edge wearing board shorts and a tankini top. Her eyes were wide as she stared into the pool below.They hadn't spoken much after Aspen left them. She'd manned the attendant shed while he'd done some
Three months later. Ibiza.THEY SHOULD HAVE ELOPED.Lumen was ready to throw the silly bouquets into the water, scream at the top of her lungs and jump off the cliff herself. Alone.Jennifer appeared almost instantly. "Have a drink, you look stressed."Lumen considered the beverage. She'd meant to abstain from anything that might make her the least bit emotional until after the wedding, but right now it was just what the doctor ordered. She took the glass and downed the contents in two gulps."Way to chug," Jennifer snickered.Lumen thrust the glass back at her. "You. Shut it."Prudence burst in through the curtain, one sheer panel sticking to her bun of braids.Lumen jumped, startled by the sudden appearance. "Shit, what?""It happened," Prudence blurted.Lumen pressed her hand to her chest. "What happened? What now? Fucking hell, people. This is a wedding not... I don't know. What?"Prudence cringed. "I should have thought about this. You might not want to hear before th
Sunday. Hotel, Boa Vista, Brazil.MAX WAS WAITING WITH a plate the moment Lumen appeared. Jennifer and Prudence both glared at him, but he managed to get Lumen's attention and steer her into the bedroom where their things had been left. He could tell that Lumen was exhausted and in more pain than she wanted to admit. Besides, she'd never been much for messy emotions and she'd already told him he loved her today. That alone would leave Lumen wanting to avoid groups."Oh, thank you." She settled on the edge of the bed and grimaced."You seemed to be kind of done."Lumen chuckled. "You still know me so well."Max offered her the sandwich. He wished he could give her more, but it was what was on hand for now.The desire to touch her was driving him crazy, but he didn't dare. Instead he retreated to the one arm chair in the room and sat at a safe distance. She might have forgiven him for today, but he kept replaying it and all the moments he should have acted differently.Maybe he
Sunday. Hospital, Boa Vista, Brazil.LUMEN WASN'T SURE WHAT she liked the least, the pain or the way all the drugs made it feel as though she were moving through quicksand. Or that gel stuff the kids liked playing with.She sighed, only to be reminded that her ribs were. Not broken, so that was a relief. The fractures were tiny, hairline cracks, so in the scope of things it was nearly a best case situation. Didn't change the fact that right now she hurt like hell.A nurse with kind eyes stepped behind the curtain. She'd been working double time considering her grasp of English was the best of those currently working. "The doctor says you're good to go.""Thanks. Thank you. For everything. You've been a great help.""I chose the right time to come home, didn't I?" The nurse chuckled. "Do you want me to let your husband come back?"Husband.Lumen swallowed.In the confusion of arriving at the hospital, it had been easy to just let people draw the conclusion. Now, after Lumen ha
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN FELT AS THOUGH she were being grilled alive lying in the bed of the pickup with the afternoon sun baking her. Her shoulder throbbed and if she breathed too deeply her ribs hurt. She didn't think they were broken. Fractured or bruised, but not broken. That was good.Thomas spat curses as he wrestled with the newly flat tire."Hurry up," Blair demanded.Lumen winced.That wasn't going to go over well."What did you say to me?" Thomas said in a dangerous tone.There was a heavy thud.Lumen imagined Thomas dropping the tire iron as he rose to direct his wrath at a new target."They're going to find us. We need to get clear of here," Blair said."What the fuck do you think I'm doing?""God, I never should have listened to you.""If it weren't for me, you'd be locked in your daddy's pleasure palace waiting on him to stick you with a needle and turn you into a good little daughter.""Shut up!" Blair roared. "Why don'
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.THE DRAMA AT THE front gate dragged on.Max ground his teeth.They couldn't take off down the road without raising questions. They were stuck here, with all eyes on them, until someone made a move.He prayed Lumen was safe, that she could last a little longer."Canteens are full," Prudence said from the back of the SUV."Did we find sunblock? These meat heads won't think about that until it's too late," Jennifer said."Yeah, there's some." Prudence shifted behind Max. "Everything's ready. How's it looking out there?""The same," Vito replied. It was pretty much the only thing he'd said since indicating he would be going with them on this adventure.That left Brett and three other Aegis Group guys to guard Nabanita and her family. Those weren't great numbers given the situation, but Max was willing to believe they could hold their own."Have we heard from Zain?" Max asked."Nothing yet," Prudence replied.Max pulled ou
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN SAT ON THE bottom bunk watching the only door to the room, but it was still shut.Had Blair really not realized her phone was missing? Was something else going on?"Breakfast should have come by now," Buzz said for at least the fifth time, if not more. "Something's not right."That last bit was new.She turned her head and watched him pacing, eyes on the door like hers."Hey?" she said. "It's going to be okay.""You don't know that.""I do."She still hadn't told him what she'd done, though he'd seen. He had to have seen.He kept pacing, not listening to her at all.Poor kid, he'd been locked up for over a week from the sound of things. She doubted he'd had a lot of company."What's their reasoning keeping you locked up like this?" she asked to get him out of his own head."I don't know," Buzz said."Okay, well, what have they said? What do you know?""Nothing. I know nothing, okay?""I see."He sighed
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX SAT IN THE backseat of another SUV and watched as Nabanita and William once more tried to reason with the idiots at the gate.This time, however, there hadn't been just an attendant at the gate. They'd been met with four armed men who appeared to be from Sonny's personal guard. Just how many of them were there? A truck was parked in front of the entrance. There was no way to easily drive in.This was all Zain's plan.Max didn't pretend to understand the maneuvers, only that they were testing the waters today. Dangling Nabanita and William as a decoy was their aim."Think they've brought up the book?" Jennifer asked."If I were them I'd be sweating bullets," Prudence muttered.Orion glanced back and caught Max's eye.He looked away quickly. The last thing he wanted to do right now was talk."Notice anything off that we might not?" Orion asked.Max sighed and looked back at the gate. "Thomas isn't out there this time. H
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN LAY ON THE top bunk staring at the ceiling. Buzz had fallen asleep again finally.They'd spent most of the night doing that. Talking, drifting off into silence and sleeping a bit. Eventually one of them would wake up, then the other and it began again.He'd seemed to understand without her needing to say it that there were some things they just couldn't talk about.Buzz was a perceptive kid.Like his sister.It killed Lumen that they needed to be this grown up.Kids should get to be kids.She prayed Max and Aspen were safe, that they'd gotten to the others and were hatching some mad scheme. Lumen had no doubt that the girls wouldn't rest until she was sprung from this prison. Unlike Jennifer, Lumen knew the lengths her coworkers and friends would go to for one of their own. She'd never doubted the resolve of those she worked with. Aegis Group had become her family in a way.The real question was, how long would it tak
Sunday. Safe House, Boa Vista, Brazil.THE GRAY DAWN BROKE on the horizon as Max and the others rolled through the front gate of the safe house. He eyed the surveillance men. They were mostly the same ones he'd seen before he'd left. Still the battle hardened faces of men who knew what they were doing.Which meant it was Sonny keeping an eye on them and bypassing Thomas.Max hadn't seen it until the very end, but there was a dividing line between Thomas and Sonny. The two didn't always know what the other was doing.Fuck all of them.Vito pulled the SUV into the garage where they could safely unload. They needed to keep Max and Aspen's whereabouts under wraps for as long as possible.It had taken them hours to land and get back. More time than he'd have thought necessary. All of which meant that Lumen was still back there. Alone. Going through who knew what.Max stuffed all the frustration down inside of him as he opened the SUV door and helped Aspen out. She'd held he