Page 87 of Trapped Truth

“Understood,” Warner clips out. “What time will you be done?”

Faintly, I hear him respond, “Late.”

“Copy that. Check in when you’re headed home.”

Another throaty response down the phone line.

Nodding, Warner moves to end the call. “Tell Axel to remain sharp. Be safe, both of you.”

Splitting up our team for today’s mercy mission wasn’t my choice. With so many moving pieces to organise, it became necessary. Hyland and Axel are handling the relocation of Luke and Jayce while we handle Gracie and her family.

I’m not sure how cooperative his ex-wife is being. Uprooting her entire life and entrusting it to Sabre must’ve been a tall order after the trauma in her past. I understand why she’s protective of Luke, but this isn’t a game. Nor are we doing this for the hell of it.

Ending the call, Warner heaves a drained sigh. “They’re about half an hour from the safe house. Apparently, Jayce took her sweet time packing their stuff for relocation.”

“She doesn’t trust us, Warner.”

“I get that. Not sure Hyland does.”

“He’s terrified, that’s all. We all know what Madden’s capable of. If he’s taking this fight to our families and friends, then all bets are off.”

“How did he even find them?” He shakes his head, strangling the steering wheel.

“That’s what Kade and Hudson are hopefully going to find out.”

“We don’t exactly have time for some long-winded, bureaucratic investigation.”

“You think Hudson is bureaucratic?” I snort.

After a beat, he sighs. “I suppose not.”

After all the coincidences of late, none of us are feeling particularly trusting. Least of all the directors. They’re handling the leak personally, re-vetting every single Sabre employee for any signs of sabotage.

Riding in the back seat of our hurriedly rented SUV, Blaine has held his tongue since touchdown. I have to crane my neck to turn and look if he’s even awake.

“You still with us?”

Lips pursed, he looks up from his phone. “You’re not the only one handling moving parts. I have people at risk depending on me too.”

“Shit. Raye and Spyder?”

“Secure for now; we’ve found a new, safe location.”

“I’m sorry, Blaine.” I wince at myself. “I was being insensitive.”

“It’s fine. I know my efforts are divided in this fight.” Darkness filters over his features. “Yet that doesn’t mean I’m going to abandon those who stood beside me when I had nothing.”

“No one is accusing you of disloyalty.” Warner is quick to reply. “You take care of your people, Blaine. I don’t want to see anyone else caught in the firing line.”

“Do you mean that?” One of Blaine’s raven brows darts up.

“I mean it.”

Witnessing their united front is oddly touching. If I’m not mistaken, a tiny smile plays across Blaine’s lips. He isn’t as immune to the power of belonging as he’d have us all believe. I know this family means a lot to him too.

Despite Hollywood stereotypes, safe houses are relatively normal looking homes. There are no high-tech, locked and bolted panic rooms or shoe racks stacked with high-powered weapons. This three-bedroom home is nestled in the quiet normalcy of the West Midlands.

Rather than opt to drive with us, Gracie’s parents accepted our protection while we follow them to their new home. It must’ve been a hard decision to leave their whole lives behind overnight. Cars, phones, jobs. Everything.