“I don’t think it’s that simple, Karl, and we will take every precaution and security measure—”

“He’s already pissed on all your security measures! He got into your father’s house. Shot his bodyguard. Killed your brothers—”

“Because we didn’t know what we were dealing with.”

“Do you really think it’s going to matter? He’s an accomplished thief who can steal any identity. He will escape. And when he does, the first place he’s going is—” He glanced back at me and stopped.

“Paige is right,” Lucas said. “I will fight this, Karl. I could not agree with you more on every point you’ve made. Jasper Haig should be treated as a criminal, not as a research subject.” His voice dropped. “But getting my father to agree, even under the circumstances, may be beyond even my influence.”

AND, FOR NOW, it was.

Lucas argued. Paige argued. I argued. Karl threatened. Benicio would not budge.

All this had begun with one woman’s paranoid delusions, convincing her sons that they had to spend their lives running because, if they stopped, the Cabal would pounce on them and they’d live out their days as laboratory rats. In trying to escape that fate, Jaz found himself living it. For now…

Would he stay locked up? Karl didn’t believe it. Neither did I. Jaz would never throw up his hands and say “guess you got me.” While he could draw breath, he’d be plotting his escape and his revenge. Karl had killed his brother. He’d never forget that.

Lucas had promised to keep us updated on his situation and we’d continue fighting for his execution. For now, though, that had to wait, and I had to concentrate on getting back to the life I thought I’d lost. My job, my family, my home. It was all waiting for me. And Karl. Most of all, Karl.

Hours later, Karl and I stood outside Cortez Cabal headquarters, staring up at the morning sun.

“Another sunny day,” Karl said.

“I’m tired of sunny.”

“I hear Philly’s expecting a snowstorm tonight.”

“Good. We’ll be just in time.”

His hand cupped mine. “Are you sure? You still have a few days. We can get away. I’ll take you anyplace you want to go.”

“I want to go home.” I looked up at him. “I want to go visit with my mother and tell her you’re moving to Philly. I want to tour overpriced condos that displaced impoverished seniors, and needle you about it mercilessly. Then I want to take you home, hole up for the storm, then go back to work chasing alien abduction stories and Hell Spawn sightings.”

“Are you sure?”

I lifted onto my tiptoes and kissed his chin. “Absolutely.”

LUCAS 21

LUCAS

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