Chapter 106Before reaching Sarah's hideout, they had to go on a roundabout way. They changed their vehicles three times, drove through villages and passageways that were not in use or even hiked through thick forest at one point. By the time they arrived, everyone was tired.“Welcome to the Nest,” Sarah said as they walked up to a big wooden house situated in the middle of a clearing. The structure appeared ancient and worn out but James could still notice some hints of sophisticated security arrangements within the natural setting in which it was located.Inside, the log cabin contrasted sharply with its exterior. There was a line-up of modern computers and communication devices on one wall while another wall displayed an assortment of impressive weapons. The lounge area looked simple though very comfortable for everybody present."Make yourselves at home," Sarah said." “We’ll stay here for some time.”As everyone got comfortable, James couldn’t just wonder about this whole set up u
Chapter 107James looked down at his watch. It was nearly time to go. The team was kitted out in all-black tactical gear. His gaze fell on Lily who happened to notice and gave a small smile, which he tried to reciprocate, though at the same time, his stomach felt i"Alright, people," Sarah's voice boomed in low, serious tones. "Let's go over the plan one last time."Together they huddled around an impromptu table, blueprints of Elena's compound spread over the top."Jack and I will enter through the sewers here," she pointed to a spot on the map. "We'll need to disable the security systems and take out as many guards as possible to create a diversion."Jack nodded; his mouth was a hard line. "Once we've got everyone's attention, James and Lily will sneak in through the entrance here." He pointed out another on the blueprints."Right—your job is to get to Elena's office on the top floor," Sarah kept going. "Find her files. Download everything you can. Louis will be in the van—monitorin
Chapter 108The alarms were so noisy, beating, that it became hard to recall the usual cliche of one's heart pounding. For James, it certainly was; he had one priority: to get through to Lily."Where would Elena get her to?" he yelled over the tumult to Sarah.Sarah shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe her office?""Worth a shot," Jack said, already leading the charge with his gun ready.They turned the corner and all but ran into two more guards. Jack was quick on the response, smashing one across the face with the butt of his weapon. James didn't make out quite as well: he reared off, tried to spear the second guard to the ground, and could do little more than push him back against the wall."Where's Lily?" he growled.The man's eyes went wide. "I-I don't know who that is!"James struck him with the shoulder blade again. "Blonde woman. Elena just took her. Where?""Top floor! Elena's private rooms!" the guard squeaked.James let him fall and turned to the others. "Come on."They fou
Chapter 109James and Lily had been driving all day. The old, rattling, shaking car they'd rented kept going. James was tired; the road was dull, long. A long time ago, Lily had fallen asleep.As the sun started to rise, James saw the turnoff he was looking for. He gently shook Lily awake."We're almost there," he said.Lily rubbed at her eyes and looked around. They seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, no doubt."Where are we?" she asked."A good hour from Asheville. The cabin's just ahead there," James assured.They bumped along the crummy dirt road for another ten minutes. At last, they arrived in a small clearing. Lying in the trees was a snug-looking little log cabin.James pulled over and turned off the car, and they both got out to stretch their stiff legs."It's beautiful," Lily said, looking around at the peaceful forest."It is," James agreed. "My grandfather built it. I used to come here when I was a kid."He dragged their few belongings from the car and ushered her insid
Chapter 110James rose early the next morning. He lay in bed not sleeping due to the thoughts running through his mind as to what was happening to them. It did not sit well for him that she was to pretend and join Elena. He lifted his eyes to the wooden ceiling of the cabin and had a new thought starting to form in his mind.He rose up real quiet, not wanting to wake up Lily. He went into the kitchen, took some coffee, and sat beside this arm-wobbling table. He took a notebook out from his bag and started to write down everything coming to his mind on paper.One hour later, Lily yawned her way out of the bedroom. "Morning," she mumbled, shuffling right past him toward the stove with the coffee pot."Hey," said James, looking up from his notes. "Sleep okay?"Lily shrugged. "To the best of my ability, under the circumstances." She poured coffee to cup and she sat down across from James. "What is all this?" she asked, nodding at his notebook.James took a deep breath. "I've been thinki
Chapter 111James and Lily got up the following morning to start their plan. They had a light breakfast and got done to go out in the town. It was as if they were going to step out of the house when James's phone rang. He did not recognize the number."Hello?" he answered cautiously."James? This is Maggie," came the voice of Lily's cousin, quite panicked."Maggie? What's wrong?" James quickly put the phone on speaker so Lily could listen."It's Elena," Maggie had hiccoughs between the sobs as she spoke out her words. "She. she took Ave. And Michael. he's been hurt. It's bad, James."Lily gasped, her face going pale. James felt his stomach drop. "What happened?" he demanded."I don't know everything," Maggie sobbed. "Elena showed up at the house with a few guys. They took Ave. Michael tried to intervene, and. and Elena stabbed him. He's in the hospital now. Not doing well."Lily let out a broken sob, and James wrapped an arm around her, trying to keep his own panic at bay. "Where's Av
Chapter 112James and Lily had gotten little sleep the night before. They had spent the night at the hospital, speaking with everyone who seemed to have an interest in their daughter, laboriously working out their plan to save Ave. By morning, they were exhausted but resolute."Okay, let's go over what we know," said James, taking a sip of his coffee in the hospital cafeteria.She set the bag on her lap and nodded. "Elena has Ave. She wants your company and for you to divorce me. We have…" she checked her watch, "about 18 hours left before her deadline.""Yeah," James nodded. "And she still has Jack and Sarah too. We haven't heard anything from Louis either."At that mention of the missing friends, Lily's face fell. "God, I hope they're okay."Over the table, James reached and grasped her hand in his. "We'll get them all back. I promise."Then his secure phone buzzed. It was Mike."James, we might have something," Mike said when James answered. "We traced that call from Elena. It boun
Chapter 113James's brain was storming up as much as it could while Elena's men dragged him under in the warehouse. He had to get free, to get to Ave, but first, he had to know where this was all leading because everything was just too crazy.What felt like an eternity of twists and turns later, they bundled him into a darkened room. Small, with just one bulb that cast flickering shadows overhead and bared the concrete walls. The door slammed shut behind him, and James found himself all alone with Elena.She circled him, a predator sizing up its prey. "You know, James, I really did hope we could do this the easy way," she said, her voice oozing with false disappointment. "But you just had to play the hero, didn't you?"James glared at her. "Where's Ave?" he demanded.Elena chuckled. "Oh, she's safe. For now. But her continued well-being depends entirely on you.""What do you want?" James growled, but he knew the answer."The same thing I've always wanted," Elena replied smoothly. "You