Chapter 27
When I landed on my feet successfully after dangling from a tree branch for a full six minutes, I silently thanked God. I had done this alone when I was sixteen to eighteen, but it had been a while. Still, this was the most effective escape, since this part of the mansion opened directly to the backyard:
I sighed in relief, adjusted my backpack, and pulled up my hood. But just then, the sound of footsteps made me freeze. Quickly, I hid behind the tree. Under the garden light, a tall shadow appeared on the ground. First, I saw a pair of black shoes–not shiny, low–key. My gaze traveled up, and the man was unfamiliar. He had rust–colored skin and sharp, dark eyes. He wore simple black trousers and a t–shirt. Then I saw the gun at his side.
1 immediately slipped my hand into my hoodie’s pocket, clutching the handle of the gun Killian had given me.
Killian… then it hit me. This must be the guy assigned to keep an eye on this place. He looked just like David–ordinary. The kind of person who could blend in anywhere and wouldn’t be remembered if you passed him on the street.
Still hidden behind the tree, I waited for him to pass. But he didn’t budge. He was looking directly at the tree, as if he could see through it.
Damn him. Does he know I’m here?
“Ma’am, it’s not safe out here. If you’d like to go somewhere, we can escort you,” he said in a polite tone, which surprised me a little.
I hesitated before stepping out from behind the tree.
“I don’t need an escort. I need to get out of here undetected, and no one is allowed to follow me,” I commanded. If what Killian said about David was true, then the same must apply to anyone stationed here. The real danger was inside the mansion, not necessarily outside it.
“Ma’am, that wouldn’t be prudent.”
“I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’m meeting a friend. I’ll be back in two hours. Until then, you are not to report this to anyone.”
He looked like he was considering it.
“Two hours,” he finally agreed.
“You, or any of your companions, are not allowed to follow me.”
I knew I couldn’t trust his words completely or be sure how strictly he would follow my commands, but under the circumstances, I was already out. I
needed to go.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What’s your name?”
“Josh.”
Fake name. Definitely fake. He’s not a Josh, but whatever.
“Josh, thank you.”
I turned and headed toward the back corner of the yard. The wall there was slightly shorter, and since it was near the storeroom, there was a pile of furniture that would help me climb over it.
Clank. Clank.
I walked down the iron stairs into the bunker. It was pitch dark. I switched on the lights using the lever on the wall.
The underground garage stretched out before me, its thirty–foot ceiling supported by iron beams. At the far end, the server station glowed, and in the corner, six or seven workstations sat in disarray–chairs knocked over, half–eaten burgers and chip packets littering the floor.
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Chapter 27
Jina is a neat freak. There’s no way she would let this place get so messy.
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The garage was divided into three sections. One corner was the training room, where Jina taught her minions how to beat people up–and sometimes dragged us in, too. The opposite corner housed the cyber workstation–the heart of this place, where seven people worked to keep everything running. The third section was dominated by large, glowing servers, their tangled wires running across the floor.
Above the servers was a balcony, leading to an office with closed curtains. Hanging over it was the KJM logo.
I sighed.
Once again, I tried calling everyone. Kevin was unreachable, and neither Jina nor anyone else was picking up.
No doubt about it. Something had happened. They were trying to hide it.
I hate not knowing. But for me, finding out is easy if I really want to.
I headed to the workstation and logged into the computer.
It took me ten minutes to access the information.
What the hell are they doing there?
I frowned but had no time to waste. Grabbing my bag again, I climbed the stairs to the balcony and burst into the office. Pressing my thumb to the electronic lock, I waited as it made a low, electric hiss before unlocking.
I stepped inside, heading straight for the wooden desk. Opening a drawer, I pulled out a set of keys.
I turned off the system, shut off the lights–everything powered down except for the servers. Then, I climbed back toward the exit.
The ground floor was a mess. A single car, two scooters, and three bikes were parked there. The last bike–red, black, and sleek–was mine, shining as
ever.
Firebolt.
I had only ridden Firebolt once since I bought it.
I suppose today is the day.
The road was familiar. I had sneaked in here many nights before. The cyber café was old but always had the latest systems.
Forty minutes later, I pulled into the alleyway, parked my bike, and set it on its stand. Taking off my helmet, I placed it in front and pulled out one of my AirPods, stuffing it back into my pocket.
I closed my eyes.
There was a simple reason I was here.
They were hiding something.
I walked up to the door and pushed it open.
Above me, neon lights flickered–The Cyber Café though only half the sign was glowing. The owner still hadn’t invested in upgrading the place. Despite its shabby look, the café was packed. Like I said, the system services here never failed.
“lan, Sky, Matt, and Ria, are you coming out? Or should I come in?” I called, my voice cutting through the furious clicking of keyboards and gaming
noises.
“Who is it?!” a deep male voice snapped.
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Chapter 27
A man in his sixties, with an army–style haircut, appeared in front of me.
I smiled.
“Young lady, I suggest-” But he stopped mid–sentence as I pulled down my hood. A grin spread across his face.
“Well, look who’s here.” He steadied his arms.
I half–hugged him, accepting his grandfatherly embrace.
“I missed you, kiddo,” he said warmly.
“I have to cut this short, Uncle Ray. Where are they?”
“They’re in trouble.” His smile faded as he stepped back, reading my expression.
“What do you think?” I asked.
I scanned the room twice before spotting four familiar heads huddled in a corner.
They had frozen in place. They had clearly heard me.
“I’ll see you later, Uncle Ray.”
“Be nice, kid.”
“Hm.” I nodded but didn’t mean it.
I walked past two aisles and entered the third.
One seat behind them was empty, so I took it.
The sound of rolling chair wheels made their shoulders tense.
“Well…” I sighed. “Are you going to turn around and talk, or…?” My tone was cold and emotionless.
lan was the first to turn.
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“M, listen…” He stopped when he saw my expression. Running a hand through his messy dark hair, he looked nervous. He was three years older than me, an experienced computer engineer. He rubbed his sharp nose wearily.
“All of you, turn around,” I commanded.
The others hesitated before facing me.
Sky’s ink–black eyes blinked, her small face trembling.
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“Don’t bully them,” Rja said, pulling the lollipop out of her mouth. Her dirty blonde hair was tied in a messy bun.
“I told them to report to you first,” Matt said with a shrug, his nonchalant expression making me want to smack him.
“Report what?”
lan wouldn’t look at me.
Sky, looking scared, wasn’t going to say anything.
“It’s about Kevin,” Ria finally said after a moment of hesitation.
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Chapter 27
My heart sank.
“What
about him?”
“He’s disappeared,” Matt said, tipping the bandage off.
