Underground 4 (9 page)

“You look like a douche bag,” Pete muttered.

Seamus scoffed. “Mate, I make this thing look good. I don't know what you're on about.” He walked into the room, flopping down on the couch. “Where are you two off to?”

“Lake is taking Lottey to a doctor,” answered Roman.

“Want me to escort you?” he offered, wiggling his eyebrows.

“No thanks,” Charlotte replied. “We're better off just the two of us. Plus, I'll have my feelers out for any trouble,” she said, tapping her head.

He gave her a knowing look, understanding why she hadn't had a grip on it when he’d first walked in.

“We should go,” Lake said. “It will be dark soon.”

Charlotte nodded. Turning to Pete, she gave him another kiss before following Lake out of the house. Hopefully they'd talk Seamus out of his crazy idea, because she knew full well what he intended to do. The thought had been there in the forefront of his mind, as clear as day. It was stupid and dangerous. Although, she had a feeling that was exactly why it appealed to him.

“I can't believe you're letting her go out there on her own,” Seamus said from behind him. Pete turned away from the door that Charlotte had disappeared through and faced his best friend.

“You underestimate her,” he replied. “I'm sure they'll be fine.” At least, that's what he'd be telling himself every second that she was gone. Part of him wanted to secretly follow them just to be sure, but he pushed that thought away. She'd probably sense him within seconds anyway if she was keeping her mind open.

Sighing, he walked to one of the chairs and sat down, facing his friend. It was going to be a long afternoon. “So, are you going to explain the get-up? You have that look in your eye.”

Roman sat in the other chair, the girls all leaving to head into the kitchen where lunch was still waiting to be cleaned up. The ex-New World soldier leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Pete could see from the pensive look on his face that he also suspected Seamus was up to something.

He hadn't missed the look on Charlotte's face either, wondering what his girl had figured out before the rest of them. Pete was too in-tuned with her not to notice the subtle change. He wondered if Roman had seen it as well. The two of them had been together long enough that it was possible. That pissed him off, but he fought it back.

Seamus looked between the two of them with an innocent look. They weren't fooled.

“Spit it out, mate,” Pete said.

“I can't imagine what you mean. What look?” Seamus said, splaying his hands in front of him.

“The look that tells us you've got something planned, and even you know it's not good,” Roman answered.

Seamus rolled his eyes. “You two sound like my parents. I'm just not sure which one of you is the mom.”

“Sometimes I feel like your mom,” Pete said, rubbing a hand down his face.

“Well that settles it then, doesn't it?” he said with a grin.

“Just tell us, Seamus,” Roman urged, sounding tired. “If you're really going to try and infiltrate the NWO, you're crazier than I thought.”

Seamus raised both eyebrows. “Can you read minds too all of a sudden?”

“Are you fucking insane? That's your plan?” Pete said, outraged. “They'd figure it out in a day, guaranteed. You're too cocky for your own good, you'd end up getting yourself caught in no time.”

“Ye of little faith,” he said, gripping his chest. “That hurts, mate.”

“He's right,” said Roman. “You don't carry yourself like a soldier.”

“Then I'll fake it,” he shot back.

“When Trent and the others get back here, no one is going anywhere. I'm sick of us all getting separated,” said Pete.

Seamus sighed. “It's not like I'm being kidnapped the way they were. I'm going in willingly, and I'll come back out every night to give reports.” He leaned forward excitedly. “Pete, this is our best chance to find out what Ludwig has planned. The man just bombed our homes again, and has upped his army's presence everywhere. Don't you want some intel? Think of how valuable that would be? I might even be able to figure out what they know about the General while I'm there.”

“Do you think they just broadcast these things in some employee bulletin?” Roman said, shaking his head. “Ludwig hardly shares his thoughts and plans with anyone. It's likely a waste of time.”

“It’s worth a shot though,” he pressed. “It's better than just staying hidden.”

Pete watched his friend, his mind racing. The rebel in him could see what Seamus was saying. Heck, if he didn't have Charlotte, that would have been him suggesting such a crazy idea. But the friend in him didn't like it at all. There was always something bad happening to someone in their group. He just wanted everyone safe for once. But, of course, safe did nothing for their cause.

“You're not seriously considering this, Pete,” Roman said incredulously.

He looked between them, seeing the knowing smile that spread slowly across Seamus' face.

“You don't know McKay,” Seamus said. “He's just as crazy as me. This is our chance, mate,” he continued, looking solely at Pete. His eyes pleaded with him to support him.

“You'd have to come back every night when your shift is done,” Pete stressed.

Seamus clapped, whooping. “Absolutely,” he agreed.

“And don't be taking any unnecessary chances that could get you in trouble. I mean it, Seamus, keep your head down, and stay out of harm’s way.”

“Scout’s honor,” he promised, raising his hand.

“You two are insane,” Roman said, shaking his head as he stood. “You're going to get yourself killed.”

Seamus just smiled, his eyes cold and steady. “I'm willing to risk it.”

“You're the one who took us, remember?” Phoenix said, squaring off with Bastian. “How can you even ask why we're here?”

He smiled coldly. “How do I know you didn't plan to be taken?”

She huffed out a breath. “You're joking right? You think we'd actually sign up for this shit?” She gestured around. “Get real, Bastian. What are you so paranoid about?”

His eyes narrowed. “Cut the shit, Red. Tell me why you're here or Pixie will pay the price for your lies.”

“Okay, enough!” Garrett said, stepping forward. “This is ridiculous. I don't see why there's a need to lie anymore. We're all stuck in the damn room anyway, might as well fess up.”

“Garrett,” came Trent's warning growl.

Garrett turned to face his brother. “What other choice do we have? I'm not letting Pixie get hurt.”

“He’s not going to hurt the lass,” Tyler said calmly, as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed against his chest.

Phoenix looked to see Bastian's face, but he kept his expression blank. Cold.

“Well I'm not willing to take that chance,” Garrett said, facing Bastian again. “Look, your guys took our friends and we came here to get them back. End of story. From what I've seen, you have plenty of fighters here, I'm sure you can let our friends go and we can all be on our way.”

The silence in the room felt heavy as they all waited to hear Bastian's reply. He kept his blank gaze on Garrett, seemingly processing what had just been told to him. Then he did something she hadn't expected.

He began to laugh.

CHAPTER TEN

“Let me get this straight,” said Bastian, his laughter ebbing. “You think you can waltz into my home, under the guise of being one of my patrons, with the intent of helping two of my fighters escape, and I'm just supposed to be okay with that? I should just ignore the betrayal and lies, and simply...let you
leave
?” He chuckled again. “How...quaint.”

“What you're doing is illegal,” Missy said. “You can't just take people off the streets and force them to do these things.”

“Is that so, sweetheart? And who are you going to report me to?”

“We need to get out of here, there are people counting on us!” Missy was pulled back into Tyler's arms as he quietly shushed her.

“Calm down, love,” he said softly.

It was too late though. Bastian's interest was piqued, Phoenix could see it in his gaze as it swung back to her.

“Care to explain?” he said.

She folded her arms over her chest. “Not really.”

He looked from one of them to another. She could practically see his brain working, the wheels turning as he tried to make sense of it all. Slowly he started to rub his chin, stroking his beard.

“Here's a story for you now,” he said slowly, walking toward one of the empty chairs. Swinging it around, he sat on it backwards, resting his arms on the back of it as he surveyed them all. “Once upon a time, there was a rumor going around about a group of girls who fancied themselves rebels.”

Phoenix stood up straighter, her anger sparking at his condescending tone. His eyes instantly landed on her, his lips pulling up into a knowing smile.

“These girls,” he continued, “fought for the people of the ghettos. Those poor souls repressed by the evil Ludwig Tennebris. People who –
counted
on them, you could say?” His eyes flickered to Missy. “I would imagine such girls would be well versed in fighting.” He stood up, the chair legs screeching across the floor. Phoenix flinched at the sound. “How am I doing so far?”

They all remained silent. Sweat cooled on the back of her neck. Phoenix didn't know what to expect now. It actually didn't surprise her that he'd put it all together. Bastian didn't come across as stupid, and she guessed he was well connected enough to know what happened within the city limits, even though he kept himself to the Outlands.

He snapped his fingers. “What did they call themselves again?” He looked up in thought.

“Archers,” Phoenix whispered.

“What was that?”

She clenched her fists. “The Archers.”

“Ah yes, the Archers. The weapon of the people. How does the battle go?”

Phoenix narrowed her eyes at him. “I wouldn't know, I've been stuck in this fucking place.”

“How irritating for you. Tell me, Red-”

“It's Phoenix.”

He stopped, both eyebrows raised. “Tell me, Phoenix, how can you expect to liberate the people of New Berlin if you can't even manage to take care of yourself?”

She moved before she could stop herself. Suddenly Trent was there, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her back.

“Calm down, princess,” he ordered in her ear.

“Tell me,” Bastian went on unfazed, “where do you men fit in? I was under the impression the Archers were all women.”

“We used to be part of the rebels under the General,” Garrett answered.

Bastian let out a low whistle. “Used to be?”

“Let's just say,” Tyler cut in, his deep brogue thick, “we didn't see eye to eye.”

“We don't belong here,” Trent said, his cheat vibrating against her back as he spoke. She thought she could see Bastian actually considering their situation, making hope flare in her chest. “Just return Pixie to us and we'll all leave you to your business, and us to ours.”

And just like that, his face shut down, his body going rigid.

“No one is going anywhere,” he snarled out through gritted teeth. Turning, he ripped open the door and walked out, slamming it behind him.

Garrett sighed. “Well that went better than expected.”