Anomalous Rogues, page 16
“Her?” Tristan echoed.
“It’s complicated,” the man replied. “I need you to be my eyes and ears in that place.” He grabbed his wallet, then pulled out a card from inside and handed it to Tristan. “If you’re interested, give me a call.”
“Thank you…” Tristan took the card and glanced at the name. “Mr. Blackwell.”
“I hope to hear from you soon, Mr. Grant,” Blackwell said, backing away. “See you around.”
After Blackwell left, Tristan found himself staring at the card. He’d been planning on quitting the tracker training for fear of getting caught, but maybe that would put him at a disadvantage. Overseeing a blacksite would keep him on the inside and give him the upper hand. If he knew who the trackers were targeting, he could warn them. Or if they got caught, at least he could make sure they weren’t mistreated.
He wondered what Anya’s opinion would be of his idea. Would she think he was crazy for even thinking it, or would she consider it brave and worth the risk? He still didn’t know her well enough to be sure how she would react to certain things, but his feelings for her were still strong.
If he was being completely honest with himself, the only reason he would risk it was to keep her safe. If she was ever caught, he would have the means to release her, and that alone would be worth the risk.
He lifted his eyes to look at his mother through the glass one last time. If it hadn’t been for wanting to wake her, Tristan would’ve never invited Anya into his life. He would’ve had no reason to draw close to her. Even after everything that happened, he felt no regrets. He would do it all over again if it meant being able to walk outside to the car and find Anya there waiting for him.
He would do it all over again if it meant having Anya in his life—in his heart.
Tristan’s heart soared as he spotted Anya leaning against his car in the parking lot. She hung up the phone, then turned to him with a smile. Good thing she had some change of clothes inside her car.
“That was Uncle Evan,” she said, shoving the phone into the back pocket of her jeans. “He found Sage and she’s agreed to help with Rowan. We just have to find a machine to drain his serum.”
“I might be able to help with that, but it will cost you,” he teased, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
Her smile grew wider. “Oh yeah?”
“Yep.”
“Do tell.”
He flashed her a wicked grin. “How’s this for a hint?” He leaned in and pressed his lips gently to hers.
“Was Zane in there?” Chloe’s voice came from the backseat. “Did they take him?”
Tristan pulled back to find her head sticking out of the back window.
“Yes, they took him and his younger brother but they’re not here,” he replied, hating being the bearer of bad news. “They were transferred to another blacksite. For now, the location is unknown, but I’m sure that as soon as he’s put into the system, it will be updated.”
“Wait…” Anya gave Tristan a puzzled look. “Zane has a younger brother?”
“It’s his half-brother. His father remarried.” Chloe sighed. “Probably another change from your time jump.”
It seemed Anya spent some time catching Chloe up on all that she’d missed.
“Is there any reception in this place?” Chloe asked, stepping out of the car and lifting her phone in the air. “I need to call my mom. She wants me to go live with her after graduation.”
“Are you?” Anya asked.
“I guess we’ll see.” Chloe walked over to a nearby tree under the shade and made her call.
“Quit making that face,” Tristan said, pulling Anya close again.
“What face?”
“You’re sad,” he noted. “She just might stay after all.”
“That’s not the reason for the face,” Anya confessed. “Not entirely, anyway.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I still plan on leaving after graduation.” She lowered her eyes but stayed in his arms. “Even though my uncle is alive, and Rowan will no longer be a threat, my situation hasn’t changed. My DNA is still the same.”
“And you don’t think it’s safe here?”
“If I stay, my uncle will continue with his endless anomalous research,” she said, meeting his eyes again. “And that’s what got him killed the first time.”
“What makes you think his life will be better without you?” he asked.
“For one thing, he will no longer have any secrets to keep, and that alone will be a weight off his shoulders.”
“What about Rowan?”
She sighed, then leaned her head on his chest. “It breaks my heart to leave him, but… it’s what’s best for him.”
When she said nothing, Tristan wrapped his strong arms around her. “How do you feel about Aspen Bay?”
Anya lifted her head and met his eyes. “North Carolina?”
He nodded. “I was offered a job there and seeing that my father will be in prison for a while, I’m free to go pretty much anywhere I want.”
Anya narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you asking me to go away with you after graduation?”
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Seeing that you’ve already made up your mind about leaving, and I don’t have any intention of letting you go, it only makes sense that we start this new phase of our lives...together.”
A beaming smile lit up her features like the most beautiful sunrise.
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
Her grin was wide and perky as she hung onto his neck. “I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather start a new beginning with.”
She pressed her lips to his and the taste of strawberries overtook his senses.
“Get a room, you two,” Chloe’s voice came from behind them, and Anya laughed against Tristan’s mouth.
“So…” Anya glanced at her friend. “Will you be staying or going?”
“Both,” Chloe said with a cunning arched brow. “My mom thinks I’ll be staying here another year.”
Anya gave her a quizzical look. “But you’re not?”
“Nope.” Chloe crossed her arms and leaned against the car. “I’m going to find Zane.”
“Now?”
“I’ll be leaving the day after graduation,” she said. “You guys wanna come with?”
Anya glanced at Tristan. She didn’t have to say anything, he knew what her answer would be. And he felt the same way.
He turned to look at Chloe. “Count us in.”
Thank you for reading yet another installment of the Anomalous Series. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review.
Keep reading for an excerpt of the next book in the series.
OPPOSING FORCES
Book 3
When a book about telekinesis shows up in Brooke’s locker, she knows someone has seen her use her ability...
As if that’s not enough to shoot her nerves, inside the book is a coded message about her mother’s death, and if she wants to know more, she’ll need to follow the instructions.
The only other anomalous she can turn to for help is her crush’s best friend, Jackson, the most annoying cretin in her life. But also the only one with the guts to follow the clues with her.
The last thing she expects is for her heart to get tangled between Jackson and the danger that lurks in the shadows...
You will not be able to put this thrilling sci-fi romance down, because these friends-to-lovers will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Get it today!
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J.C. Skylar, Anomalous Rogues
