Page 112 of Never the Same

“Mum. I can’t reach her.” Gideon dropped onto the couch. “If Tristan truly isn’t in on this, that means these assholes found out at some point he’s our brother, because Mum hid her pregnancy from everyone, including the protectors back then.”

“If they believe we’ve been corrupted or our bloodline is,” Julian went on, his tone as dark as the skies outside, “then in their minds, they think they have the right to take over themselves or pass on the so-called crown to someone else.”

Gideon tried the call again, but it clearly failed, because he slapped the phone against his leg. “My protector must’ve broken with them, or he wouldn’t have saved you.”

The jet bucked as we descended. Rain streaked the windows, lightning flashing, forcing me to grip the chair’s arms. “If they planned to kill me, they didn’t need to wipe my memories, right? Couldn’t they have just controlled me like they did with you two? And for that matter, why let you all live, but—”

“Bloody hell,” Gwen hissed. “The source code was just used in Surrey.” She looked up at me. “They’re at your parents’ house now.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Reed

Surrey, UK

The hangar doors rattled in the wind, rain blowing sideways across the tarmac and soaking us, even under the awning. The two planes sat dark and silent behind us, engines cooling. Gear was spread out across two folding tables: vests, mags, comms and more, all lit by a single buzzing lamp.

Sebastian’s two League operators and Carter’s Falcon Falls teammates were loading the two Black Hawks, prepping the helos.

Hollis fixed her French braid to her back, then slipped a plated vest over her head, and something in my chest pulled at the sight of her wearing it. She was going into battle with us. No stopping her. Hell, this was who she was.

I took over for her, and she quietly stared at me as I finished the job, my pulse pounding. Never thought I’d see the day where I’d go downrange with a woman I was . . .

Actually, scratch that.

I never thought I’d see the day I’d fall in love.

“They must be monitoring us somehow and figured out we all linked up at the hotel. Not sure how, but it’s the only thing that makes sense. I was careful to cover our tracks where we went after South America,” Gideon said, slamming a mag into his rifle. “My parents’ home was our bait, and they turned all of us against each other . . . not sure who we could trust, but—”

“Well, we’re finally two steps ahead of these bloody bastards and know where they’re holed up now,” Gwen interjected, earning her a small smile from Julian at her nine o’clock.

“Thanks mostly to you.” He winked.

Easton grumbled something under his breath and left, clearly not in the mood to third-wheel any exchanges between them.

“It’s time.” Ryder shot me a quick look, then brought his phone to his ear and walked away. Probably a call to his wife before we spun up.

Hollis exchanged a few words with her brothers before redirecting to me as everyone began heading for our rides. “Are you going to ask me if I’m sure I want to do this?” She draped her arms over my shoulders, our ammo-packed vests wedged between us.

“I know better than that.” I forced a smile. “But no dying on me, got it?”

“Because Audrey wouldn’t like it?” She raised her brows.

“No, because I’d have to chase after you to the other side and bring you back.” I leaned in and dropped my mouth over hers.

The taste of her was still on my tongue as we neared go-time from up in the air.

The storm churned black overhead, lightning throwing jagged light across the treetops. The rotor wash hammered rain sideways as the helo hovered above the clearing.

“Thirty seconds,” the pilot’s voice crackled over comms.

Delta and Foxtrot stacked tight at the doors, gloves ready on the ropes. Alpha mirrored us in the second bird, helmets down, every man coiled to drop.

“Now,” Ryder barked. He and Alex went first, disappearing into the storm.

Gideon and Julian exchanged a sign with Hollis—silent words between siblings—before dropping after them.

I glanced at the second bird, Easton steady behind the yoke, Gwen up front with her laptop and headphones on. She’d be staying airborne and out of harm’s way.