Chapter 12

12

Cody's world swam back into focus, a kaleidoscope of blurred shapes and muffled sounds gradually sharpening into coherence. His body felt like it had been struck by lightning, every nerve ending singing with residual electricity. The mattress pressed against his cheek, grounding him as he struggled to regain control of his limbs.

"Cody? Can you hear me?" Paige's voice cut through the fog, laced with concern.

He managed a groan in response, his throat feeling like sandpaper. Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up to a sitting position. The room spun lazily around him, and he blinked hard, trying to clear his vision.

The door burst open, footsteps thundering as the team rushed in. Tai's voice rang out, "He's awake!"

Cody finally made it to his feet, swaying slightly. He felt like a newborn colt, all wobbly legs and uncertain balance. "Takes more than a little zap to keep me down," he croaked, aiming for nonchalance but sounding more like he'd gargled with gravel.

Tai approached, waving some kind of handheld device. It emitted a series of beeps and whirs, sounding for all the world like a prop from a low-budget sci-fi movie. After a moment, the big man's face split into a grin. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. The tracker is officially dead."

The words took a moment to sink in. Dead. The tracker was dead. Cody felt a wave of relief so intense it nearly knocked him off his feet again. For five long years, he'd lived with that chip in his neck, a constant reminder of his chains. Now, suddenly, impossibly, he was free.

He took a deep breath, savoring the simple act of inhaling. The air tasted sweeter somehow, filled with possibility.

As the team celebrated, trading high fives and chest bumps, Cody's gaze sought out Paige. She stood a little apart from the group, her eyes fixed on him. The relief on her face was palpable, written in the relaxed set of her shoulders and the soft curve of her smile.

For a moment, he allowed himself to wish, before shoving faded dreams aside. Letting her close again would never be safe. Not for her. And certainly not for him.

He squared his shoulders, pushing down the surge of longing. "Thanks, Paige," he said, his voice steady now. "Guess you didn't kill me after all."

She rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. "Don't sound so disappointed. Now, let's get you checked out properly. Can't have you keeling over after all that effort."

As the team ushered him towards the door, Cody cast one last glance at Paige. For better or worse, she'd set him free. Now he just had to figure out what to do with that freedom.

Cody followed the team into the great room, his senses still heightened from the adrenaline rush of the tracker's deactivation. As he entered, he took a moment to really observe the people around him, these strangers who had become his unlikely allies.

The rich aroma of spices and roasted meat hit him like a welcoming embrace, making his stomach growl in anticipation. Mason stood at the head of a massive family-style dining table, looking for all the world like a proud father presiding over a holiday feast. The man's gruff exterior was at odds with the spread he'd prepared. He looked like he'd be more at home in a boxing ring than a kitchen, with his scarred knuckles and vigilant eyes that cataloged every movement in the room. Yet here he was, nurturing everyone with food. Cody suppressed a smile, suspecting Mason wouldn't appreciate being called out on his softer side.

"Dig in, folks," Mason beamed, gesturing to the spread before them.

Platters of golden-brown roasted chicken nestled next to bowls of steaming vegetables. A mountain of fluffy mashed potatoes threatened to topple over, while gravy boats stood at the ready. Freshly baked rolls, their crusts still crackling, filled the air with a homey scent that made Cody's mouth water.

As the team settled around the table, Cody observed them more closely. Bridger took a seat, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room. His eyes, though, were sharp and attentive, missing nothing. He reminded Cody of a chess master, always thinking several moves ahead.

Tai, a veritable mountain of a man, squeezed into a chair comically small for his frame. Despite the serious situation, his eyes twinkled with good humor. Cody found himself drawn to Tai's easy warmth, a reminder that light could exist even in the darkest of situations.

His gaze drifted to Fenn and Kate, noticing the subtle dance between them. A lingering touch here, a shared glance there. The realization hit him: they were a couple. The tenderness in their interactions spoke of a deep, comfortable love. Something in Cody's chest tightened at the sight.

Graham, with his salt-and-pepper hair and weathered face, took his place at the table like a grizzled elder statesman. His presence grounded the group, a living reminder of experience and resilience.

As Cody observed them all, a bittersweet realization washed over him. This was a real family, bonded not by blood but by choice and shared purpose. It was everything he'd never had, everything he'd longed for during his lonely years with the Consortium.

But it was Paige who truly captured his attention, drawing his gaze like a magnet. She moved with a grace and confidence that hadn't been there in college, a testament to the years and experiences that had shaped her. Cody felt a familiar ache in his chest, a longing for what might have been. He remembered the shy smiles they'd shared over textbooks, the electric brush of hands reaching for the same coffee cup. Back then, the possibility of "them" had seemed infinite.

Now, watching her interact with her team—her family—Cody was acutely aware of the chasm between them. He'd destroyed any chance they might have had, any shadow of feeling she might have harbored for him. It had been necessary to protect her.

But knowing that didn't ease the regret.

As they all settled around the table, passing dishes and filling plates, he cleared his throat. "I've got some thoughts about the best way to help your friend."

All eyes turned to him, forks pausing midway to mouths. He took a deep breath. "The Consortium is planning to unleash a virus. Not a biological one, but a digital one. It's designed to disrupt financial markets on a global scale."

Rather than the shock he expected, the team reacted with barely muted interest.

Bridger nodded, a forkful of chicken halfway to his mouth. "That tracks with what Jason told us."

Cody shook his head, pushing his untouched plate away. "There's more. The virus? It's just the tip of the iceberg. It's part of a larger plan to destabilize governments and spark global conflict."

The clatter of cutlery ceased as the gravity of his words sank in. Paige leaned forward, her eyes intense. "How deep does this go?"

He met her gaze, willing her to see the truth in his eyes. "The Consortium isn't the ultimate mastermind here. They're working for, or being manipulated by, a previously unknown organization. One with even greater reach and resources. We need to grab that virus before it's released. I figure if we mess that up they'll be so busy scrambling Jason will be able to rejoin you before they even notice."

The silence that followed was deafening. Cody could almost hear the gears turning in everyone's minds as they processed this new information.

Tai broke the silence, his usual humor subdued. "Well, folks, looks like we've graduated from the minor leagues to the World Series of evil organizations."

Cody couldn't help but smile, despite the gravity of the situation. Leave it to Tai to find levity in the face of potential global chaos.

Mason leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "This changes everything. I don't care what Jason thinks. We can't let him tackle this on his own. We're going to need a new game plan."

As the team began to discuss strategies, Cody caught Paige watching him again. This time, her expression was unreadable.

He offered her a small smile, hoping to convey his commitment to their cause. Whatever came next, he was in this fight with them. With her. For better or worse, his path was now irrevocably intertwined with Redemption Inc.

They hadn't even begun working together and he could already tell, leaving was going to hurt. A lot.

As the team began to discuss strategies, the air thick with tension and determination, Graham suddenly stood up, his chair scraping against the floor.

"Cody," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind, "how about you help me with KP duty?"

Cody blinked in surprise. Graham had been the most reserved towards him, keeping a wary distance. "Uh, sure," he replied, pushing back from the table.

As they traveled back and forth gathering plates, Cody's mind raced. Was this an olive branch? A chance to prove himself? He watched Graham's back, trying to read the older man's intentions.

Then, as the older man started in on the dishes, realization dawned. Cody glanced back at the team, huddled close, voices low. A rueful smile tugged at his lips.

He grabbed a dishtowel. "They want to strategize alone."

Graham nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes as he filled the sink with hot water and added dish soap. "Sharp as they say you are. Give ‘em some time to process. You've dropped quite the bomb on us."

Cody nodded, understanding the unspoken message. Trust was a fragile thing, built in small moments like these. As he plunged his hands into the water, he found himself oddly grateful for the mundane task.

It was a start, a small step towards belonging. Being accepted would make his work easier.

Or so he told himself.