Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

WHEN TEAGAN RETURNED to the kitchen with Seth, Rubin and Jillian looked up with hope in their eyes. "You're leaving tonight."

Jillian's eyes widened. "How? No one can leave Haven without permission."

"You and Rubin are. I hope you have nothing important in your quarters because it's not safe for you to go back to collect anything."

"We can't keep anything of worth in our quarters, so that's not a problem." Rubin's voice held an edge of bitterness. "Where will we go?"

"We have friends close by who will take you to a safe house," Seth said. "You'll have a team of bodyguards to watch over you 24 hours a day. We'll work out the rest of the details in time. If you want our help to escape and protection for the long term, you must testify. Otherwise, you'll be on your own."

Rubin scowled at Seth. "Peters hurt Jillian. He forced himself on her no matter how many times she said no. What he did was wrong. He has to pay for that. If that means testifying to put him in jail, then we'll testify. He's obsessed with her. Peters will never leave Jillian alone unless he's in jail or dead," he said flatly. "If you won't help us, I'll do the job myself."

Teagan studied him as he spoke to Seth. The teen meant every word. While she admired his determination to protect the girl he loved, Teagan worried about him going after Peters even if Artemis or Seth and his teammates captured the militia leader. For Rubin, revenge against Peters meant regaining the control stripped from him and punishing the man abusing Jillian.

"Will I have to return home?" Jillian asked.

Marsh shifted, drawing Jillian's attention to him. "Going to trial is slow. By the time you make it to the courtroom, you'll have had your eighteenth birthday. No one will force you to return home."

But what would happen after the trial? Witness protection? Teagan didn't like the idea of two teens in the world on their own without adults they trusted for guidance and safety.

Even though they believed they were in love, their relationship was new. Although she doubted Jillian would want to break protocol and contact her family, what about Rubin? Was he as willing to give up everything, including his family, for a woman he'd known for a few months?

Teagan didn't like their odds of surviving in witness protection unless it was with Fortress. Maddox was a miracle worker. If the couple went into Fortress Security's witness protection program, perhaps something could be worked out to help them survive. They needed a mentor close by in case they ran into trouble. She'd broach the topic with Maddox.

"Are you sure about this?" Seth asked.

"What choice do we have?" Rubin shook his head. "I have to protect Jillian better."

"It's my fault." More tears glimmered in Jillian's eyes. "I was terrified Mr. Peters or Mr. Richardson would hurt Rubin. He wanted to help me, to stand up to them and tell them to leave me alone, but I was afraid I would lose Rubin."

"You were right to be concerned," Violet said. "Based on what you've said, Peters is looking for a reason to get rid of Rubin so he can have access to you with no one getting in his way. You protected your boyfriend, Jillian. No one will fault you for doing what you believed was right."

"I should have done something before now." Rubin kissed Jillian's temple. "I'm sorry, baby."

"Peters would have killed you." Seth said. "Then where would your girlfriend be? With no protection. Rubin, Jillian, you have to be sure of your decision. Once you testify, your whole lives will change. You won't be able to go home or contact your family and friends. Members of militias have long memories. We're talking about new identities, new area, no family support. No contact with anyone from your old life. A clean break from everything and everyone you've ever known. Can you live with that for the rest of your lives?"

Rubin's chin raised. "We'll get married. We don't need anyone but each other."

Brave words from brave kids. Teagan's heart hurt for them and the hardships that lay ahead. The odds were against them making it unless someone helped.

She grabbed her phone and glanced at Seth as she stood. "I need to make a call."

Concern filled his eyes, but he gave a slight nod.

Teagan squeezed his shoulder as she walked past him and headed for her bedroom. Once the door closed behind her, she placed the call to Maddox.

"Yeah, Maddox," he said after the first ring.

"It's Teagan."

"Sit rep."

"Artemis is working on a plan to spring Jillian and her boyfriend, Rubin, tonight. We're also planning to hack Peters' computer. Peters leaves nothing out for us to see the target or the plan he's hatching."

"If you find the information you need tonight, leave the compound immediately. I don't like how this is playing out, Teagan."

"Same, boss."

"What do you need?"

"Private witness protection for Rubin and Jillian. I don't trust the feds to monitor them. I don't like the odds of Rubin and Jillian surviving the year without help."

Silence, then, "What do you suggest?"

"New identities for both of them. A new location with help to find jobs and funds for college if they want to go to school. A mentor to guide them and help with their security until we're sure they've slipped away from The Brotherhood."

Maddox snorted. "Is that all? Who's going to foot this bill?"

"I know it's an imposition, sir. But I want these kids safe. They won't be if they don't have help."

"I'm already several steps ahead of you, Teagan."

She blinked. "Sir?"

"Zane is working on their new identities, and I've talked to Josh Cahill. We're moving Rubin and Jillian to Otter Creek. The teams at PSI will watch over the kids. Plus, Josh will make Ethan Blackhawk, the police chief, aware of what's going on. Between the training teams at PSI and the Otter Creek police, we'll have Rubin and Jillian covered. We're working on finding jobs for them. I also planned on adding school funding to the bill we send to the feds."

Relief flooded her. "They won't like that."

"They owe us. I'll be happy to remind them if they balk, then go straight to Martin to get approval."

He would, too. Nothing made Brent Maddox happier than to cash in one of the many favors the government agencies owed him and Fortress. That being the case, she might as well ask for another security measure to protect the young couple. "One more favor, sir."

"Name it."

"Give them satellite phones and watches with GPS chips in them so they can call for help if they need it. And please make sure Jillian has some counseling."

"You got it. Anything else?"

"No, sir. Thank you, Brent. Look, if the expenses run too high and your cashed-in favors don't cover everything, let me know. I'll chip in funds to help." She suspected the rest of Artemis would do the same.

"I don't think it will come to that. If it does, I'll let you know. Keep me updated, Teagan. Any big changes occur, I want to know about them immediately." Brent ended the call.

Some of the tension racking her body drained away. Thank goodness. The people in Otter Creek were kind and would take the couple under their wings. Maybe, just maybe, this would all work out for the best for Rubin and Jillian. Even if they didn't stay together, they'd live in a town large enough that they wouldn't have to see each other every day.

A knock on the door brought Teagan to her feet. Seth stood in the hall.

"May I come in?"

She stepped back and closed the door behind him. "What's wrong?"

"You tell me. One minute you're fine. The next, you're upset and walking out to make a phone call. Is there something I should know, Teagan?"

She'd have to be careful of her facial expressions in the future. Apparently, she'd lost her ability to hide her thoughts and feelings. Not good on an operation like this one. "I'm okay, Seth." When his eyebrow rose, she cupped his cheek. "I was concerned about Rubin and Jillian being on their own with no one to help them after the trial."

"So am I. The odds of them staying off the radar of The Brotherhood are slim. Most people can't live off the grid, much less teenagers with zero experience in hiding from the enemy."

"Exactly. I called Maddox and asked for satellite phones and watches with GPS chips in them for the kids. He agreed to provide those and plans to move Rubin and Jillian to Otter Creek, where they'll have plenty of people who can help them and provide protection if necessary."

"The bodyguard school, right?"

She nodded. "They'll be able to go to college if they want and Maddox is working on jobs for them. They'll have options and a chance to have a life."

Seth gently tugged her into his arms. "Unlike what you went through."

"This isn't about me."

"Teagan, this mission has been personal for you since the beginning. I hate that this choice is necessary for the kids. I'm afraid they're too young to know their own hearts and minds." He eased her closer. "I love that you care so much for this young couple. You've been in their shoes and escaped. You know how difficult it is to make it on your own in a world of people who don't want to help. I love that you went beyond what's necessary to get Rubin and Jillian the help and protection they need to succeed and survive what's coming."

Seth bent his head and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. "You have a heart of gold, Teagan Paloni."

Teagan smiled. "How do you know the perfect things to say to me?"

"I pay attention. When you're with me, no one else matters. Besides, I'm making a study of all things Teagan."

"Funny. I'm making a study of all things Seth."

"Good. When this mission is over, we'll talk about where our relationship is going."

She froze, cold seeping into her bones. No. Please, no. "What does that mean?"

Seth smiled. "Nothing bad, I promise."

"That sounds like the prelude to a breakup talk."

"Not going to happen. I'm in this with you for the long haul, Teagan."

No matter how she twisted the words, Teagan was afraid to take what he said at face value. No one had ever claimed her for their own except Seth. Was he doing what she wanted most in this world? "Seth, please. Just tell me."

"I don't want to distract you."

"Too late. I'm already distracted, buddy. Now spill it. Are you breaking up with me?" Please, please, please, she begged silently. Don't let go of me. Don't throw me away, too .

Seth cupped her face between his palms. "I'm not breaking up with you, baby. In fact, I'm doing a terrible job of telling you I never want to let you go."

He captured her lips with his and plundered. No other word fit. Seth took control with fierce possession. When he finally broke the kiss, both of them gasped for air. "I'm yours, Teagan, for as long as you want me."

Wait. What did that mean? "You're mine?"

"Absolutely one hundred percent yours. Haven't you guessed yet? I love you, now and always. You own me, babe. Everything I am belongs to you, if you'll have me."

"Yes!" Teagan threw her arms around Seth and hugged him tightly, joy exploding inside her at his declaration. How was this possible? Although no one had ever loved her, this man had wiggled his way under the shields she'd erected to protect her heart and taken her captive. "I love you, too, Seth Dixon. More than I ever thought possible. You own my heart. Everything I am is yours."

"Thank God." Seth gathered her tight against him and spun Teagan around. After setting Teagan on her feet and stealing a series of deep kisses, Seth said, "We were made for each other. That running trail is going to be my favorite place in the entire world because it's where I met you and where I courted you."

She laughed. "You call jogging together courting?"

"You bet. Every run counted as a date. I'll spend the rest of our lives spoiling you."

Teagan's eyes widened. "The rest of our lives?" she whispered.

"I want to marry you, Teagan. The time and place are yours to choose, but I want you to be my wife. I'd marry you tomorrow if you'd agree to go to the courthouse."

Marriage? A dream come true. Her smile faded. "What about my job?"

"Your choice. Always."

"You don't mind that Artemis is deployed every other month?"

"Of course I do. Though I'll miss you like crazy, I don't want to stand in the way of what you feel called to do. You help people who are desperate for hope, Teagan. I understand the mission, and I'll help if I can. If not, I'll wait for you to return and nag Maddox and Murphy for updates when you're gone."

"You might have another job offer when this mission ends." She had a feeling Maddox was watching Seth and his team with an eye to recruiting them as a unit when this mission wound down. Her boss wouldn't be able to resist.

"You're serious?"

"Maddox needs help, and you and your teammates are a trained unit who worked together in hot zones. Your team is exactly the type of units he needs right now."

"I'll think about it and talk to the others once this mission is over. My team will go in together or not at all. They have to agree, and I'm not sure they'll be interested. We love our work, Teagan. As much as we'd love to help others outside the parameters of the law, we love being cops, and we're good at it."

"No pressure, all right? I just wanted you to know an offer might be forthcoming so you're prepared."

"After we've shut down The Brotherhood's agenda and secured Rubin and Jillian, my team and I will talk about it if Maddox extends an offer." He kissed her knuckles.

She hated to broach a topic sure to bring down their euphoric mood. "We need to talk."

His eyebrows rose. "Now who's hinting at a breakup? Are you turning down my marriage proposal, Paloni?"

"I didn't hear you pop the question, Dixon."

Another kiss, then, "I didn't want to scare you off. Besides, I want a ring to slide on your finger when I officially ask for your hand in marriage. So, if you're not breaking up with me, what do you want to talk about?"

"We need information fast."

Wariness filled his eyes. "Agreed."

"Artemis can handle the retrieval."

" You can handle the retrieval."

"Seth, this is what we do for a living, and we're good at it."

"Baby, if you get caught…."

"We'll deal with it. Have faith in me, all right?"

"Does it have to be you?" Seth held up his hand and sighed. "Forget I said that. Are you the recovery specialist on Artemis?"

She smiled.

"Of course you are. Who else would a cop fall for but someone who skates on the edge?"

"Good leaders make use of their team members' unique skill sets. This is one of mine."

"Point taken. All right. How can I help?"

"You and another member of your team can be the distraction if one is needed."

"What about Riley?"

"She's the computer expert. Riley might help us from outside the compound. If I can get into Peters' office and find the password, Riley can download everything from the hard drive, and we can leave the compound ourselves." Anything to keep Seth safe from retribution.

"I'm not holding my breath on that one. You know how it is, Teagan. These missions never go according to plan."

"We can't afford to wait. If Zane is hearing rumors on the Net, the plan is ramping up. I don't want innocents to die because I'm too slow to find the information we need to shut this down."

"Agreed."

"Let's go back to the others and talk to Riley. If she doesn't have what she needs to hack the computer remotely, we'll have to bring her inside Haven to work."

Seth opened the door and followed Teagan to the kitchen, where the others waited.

"Any news from Iona?" Teagan asked.

Violet shook her head.

Teagan slid her phone from her pocket and sent Riley a text. A minute later, her phone rang.

"What do you need?" Riley asked quietly.

"Do you have a gadget I can plug into a computer so you can troll through Peters' computer?"

"Never go anywhere without my toy. I'll give you the flash drive with the program on it when we spring the kids."

Excellent. The last thing she wanted to do was pull Riley into the compound. At least if Teagan was caught, she could come up with a legitimate excuse for being in the office. Riley was an intruder. "Great. Thanks, Riley."

"If you can't find the password, don't touch that computer. We can't afford to clue Peters in that you tried to access his computer."

"Got it. Besides, if I can find the information I need in hard copy, I won't need the password."

"Find the password, Teagan," Iona said. "Peters is a military man. If he was any good at all, he'll have more than one plan in the works. We need all of them so the local cops and the feds can derail each plan and bag all the participants."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do not put yourself at risk. None of you. Hear me?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Seth?"

"Right here."

"Here's the plan to get Rubin and Jillian out of the compound." She laid out the steps. "Questions or suggestions for improvement?"

"Sounds good to me," Seth said. "When should we be ready?"

"Thirty minutes. We'll have to be fast if the camp guards make rounds."

"They don't," he admitted. "That's something that will change. We'll be visiting the guards on duty tonight, doing unannounced spot checks."

"How soon?"

"We'll wait until Rubin and Jillian go to the rendezvous point before we start."

Iona laughed softly. "If you had enough time, you'd turn those boys into real security guards. Just don't do your job too well, Dixon."

"Copy that."

"We'll text you when we're ready." Iona ended the call.

"Are you sure this will work?" Jillian leaned closer to Rubin.

"We'll make it work," Marsh said. "This is your chance to escape Peters and this life. You don't want to wait, Jillian. Things will become more difficult from here."

"I don't understand."

"Trust us. Escaping tonight is the best option."

If everything went right, they'd all be out of here tonight. Teagan glanced at Seth. Unfortunately, Seth was right. Things never went according to plan. She hoped whatever happened that she and the rest of their team could handle it.