Genes, page 7
You’re stronger than this. Stronger than that weasel of a man. Get him back for all the misery, not just for yourself, but for the other kids.
I had never told anyone there were a bunch of us, all abused and degraded, except for my foster father’s two biological children. They had privileges and favor and were as malicious as he was.
“Get her. Stop her,” my childhood nightmare shouted.
Glass shattered behind me. More thumps and clanking.
“Come back here and pay for this,” a woman bellowed.
“I’m reporting this to the guards.”
Screams and shouts continued.
I managed to avoid breaking anything as I raced to stay ahead of him, but just enough to keep him on my trail. The map I had pulled up with Helix showed me a dead end ahead.
Good. I’d corner him there.
Someone grabbed me in a chokehold as I slowed to make my stand. A knife pressed to my neck.
“Stay back or I’ll cut her.” The husky feminine voice was also familiar.
I could have fought her off easily, but I waited to assess the situation. Helix showed me she was alone, but there could be someone farther away with a gun pointed at me. I worried for my friends as well, and I had to consider the citizens.
I panted out of breath, adrenaline still pumping. My eyes skirted toward Rhett and around him, looking for my foster father. When she pressed the knife tighter, my stomach flipped, hand shaking, unsure if I could remove the knife from my throat. One wrong move, I could die.
“Wait. We’ve got no beef with you. Just let her go.” Rhett raised his sleeve and then pressed something on his chip.
A slick move to alert our other troop.
Then he raised both of his hands, one folded into a fist—signaling Tamara to stay behind.
It didn’t matter what he asked Tamara to do. We were surrounded by my foster father and four men pointing Tasers at us.
How in the world had he gotten weapons inside? Well, it was a black market after all. Half the people here were skilled criminals.
The shopkeepers turned their heads, minding their own business.
“You,” he snarled at Rhett. “We meet again.”
“You son of a b—”
A Taser pressed against Rhett’s head, and then Tamara walked out of a shadow with a weapon pointed at her back.
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you. Have a little respect for my father.”
The hair on my arm rose. It had been years since I had seen him. A bit taller and bulkier, but he was undoubtedly Cory, my foster father’s oldest son. He had the same curly hair and cruel eyes as his father.
“How have you been, Ava?” My foster father’s eyes beamed at the promise of torture, his teeth still stained the color of piss. “I didn’t recognize you at first. I thought you were just a decent piece of ass. But I thought, what girl would be bold enough to flip me off? And of course I thought of you.” He moved closer. “I’ve thought of you plenty. I searched for you, but you were like a ghost. I ran into Rhett and his friends not too long ago. We had some unfinished business, but thanks to you, I have a second chance.”
“You’re Ava’s foster father?” Rhett’s nostrils flared. “If I’d known, I would have killed you then.”
“So sentimental, lover boy. Too bad you didn’t. Showing mercy doesn’t get you anywhere. You can call me Vito. And it seems Ava has spoken a great deal about me. She must have missed me as much as I missed her. My, my, Ava. You have blossomed into a beautiful woman.” He ran a hand down my hair.
“Don’t touch me,” I said, recoiling.
I’d never known his name. I had to call him Father, and so did everyone else.
I cringed away from him, and when he laughed, I spat on him. Liquid dripped down from his cheek. A low rumble escaped his mouth and he didn’t bother to wipe it.
“You’re an animal,” I hissed, fury rising in me. “You’re nothing but a rat who preys on children.”
My head whipped to the side as his palm connected with my cheek. Warm blood trickled from my lip.
Rhett growled.
“Have a little respect for your elder, sweetheart,” Vito sneered, his alcoholic breath stunk, brushing against my face.
“Don’t touch her.” Rhett could do nothing but watch, his eyes wide and furious.
Tamara scanned about as if gauging her chances.
No, not yet, Tamara. Don’t make a move. I would have never thought to worry about Tamara, but I didn’t know what her true self was capable of.
“Ava, do something or I will,” Rhett said.
I had ferreted a plan, but I couldn’t share it with him. If I didn’t act soon, Rhett would, so I winked at him letting him know I had it under control.
“You keep great company,” Vito said. “Now I can bring the three of you in for a hefty award. For the bounty on you alone, Ava, I could retire.”
I licked the blood from the cut on my lip. “Then what are you waiting for? And before you act, Mr. Novak—I’m assuming he’s the one who arranged this bounty hunting stuff—will have you killed if I come back damaged. You see, he has a thing for me, just like you. You’re both sickos.”
Vito swore. “Let’s go,” he said to his men.
Rhett looked at me, silently asking why I was taking so long. Tamara looked worried as the men guided us between the shops. I wanted to get to a more crowded area and use our surroundings to create mayhem.
The person holding me at knifepoint lagged and we ended up being last.
A soft, earnest voice brushed the tips of my ears. “Ava. I didn’t know it was you. It’s so good to see you. It’s me, Naomi. I’ll help you escape. Tell me what to do.”
“Naomi.” My heart skipped a beat in elation. I wanted to squeeze her in my arms.
It had been so long since I’d seen her. Naomi and her older sister, Natalie, had always been nice to me. When I’d run, the sisters had decided to stay, too scared of Vito.
“Where’s Natalie?”
When she didn’t answer, I figured something terrible had happened.
“I wish we had run away with you.”
“You can still. Come with me when we leave here.”
We banked around a booth of bootleg home appliances. Rhett glanced my way, earning him a thump on the head with the Taser.
“Hey.” I tapped the guy’s shoulder. “Nobody hits my boyfriend.”
“What the he—”
My fist interrupted him.
“It’s about time,” Rhett said. Then he head-butted the guy next to him, confiscated his Taser, and Tased him.
Tamara whirled on the guy holding her prisoner, twisted his wrist, and flipped him over into a table selling utensils. The owner bellowed and threw himself aside to dodge the onslaught of spoons, forks, and knives.
Tamara picked up a pair of weapons. Perfect. I did the same. Then she hurled them one by one to disarm the thugs who were making a break for it. The knives hit their marks with precision. Vito’s goons thudded to the ground, flat on their faces. People screamed and raced to get away.
Atta girl. No Helix needed. Away from ISAN, her power emerged on its own.
When Vito tried to bail, I grabbed his cloak and spun him around. After a sharp jab to his nose, I smashed my heel sideways into his shin and brought him down to his knees. Then I gripped his hair, yanked his head forward, and pinned a small kitchen knife under his chin.
Vito scowled. “I should have turned you over when I first took you home. Who knew a scrawny kid would be such a prize? Now be a good girl and let me go.”
I seethed. “Naomi. What shall I do with him?”
Naomi came to my side, trembling. She had grown taller, cropped her hair short, and had lost some weight. Her face was pale, as if she rarely saw sunlight.
“I don’t know where to start. He’s done so many horrible things.” Anger and fear were in her voice. “He has more kids locked up. He’s going to sell them to someone.”
Memories poured into my mind. Wrath burned through my blood. All his cruelness, and all his ugly words, and all the lashes under his belt. No more.
I could end him. Kill him now. It would give me pleasure to see him bleed to death. I had dreamed about it many times. The decision was in my hands.
I pierced the tip deeper into his flesh and nicked him.
“Ava. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.” Rhett became the voice of reason, made me hesitate.
I didn’t release the weapon even after blood dripped down Vito’s neck. But I was no murderer, no matter how badly I wanted to kill him.
Naomi could lead the way to Vito’s home and release the kids.
I didn’t care we were on the fifth floor of the black market. I didn’t care if people watched us. I didn’t care we were out of time. I would end this right here. Shut him down for good, the right way.
Ozzie, Reyna, and Cleo found us but kept their distance. Ozzie chewed something, probably food from a stall. Reyna and Cleo watched the crowd, their posture tense.
Vito spat on the ground. “You’re a rat, Ava, and you’ll always be one. Nobody cares for you. You’re not important to anyone. Your father threw you away. Your mother died because of you. You have nothing. You are nothing.”
Vito had some balls to talk with such detestation when I clearly had the upper hand. In the past, he’d always known his words held power over me, but not this time.
I laughed, not because his words were funny, but because I wished I had been wiser in my younger years. Enough to realize his words carried no weight to anyone except scared children. He made me feel small so he could feel big.
He was no man, but a rodent himself.
Vito was a nobody who made dirty money by selling children.
He had been the monster under my bed, in my closet, and in my mind. Vito had impaled me with cruel words and those dagger-sharp, hateful eyes. All I’d wanted was basic kindness and to have a sense of a home, and he’d given none of that.
But no more. I was older, wiser, and I knew so much better.
I squared my shoulders. “I’m not a rat. And you made a grave mistake by coming after me. I’m bringing you down, and you can rot in hell. I don’t care what happens to you when I turn you in. Nighty-night, Father.”
“Wait. I can give you—”
“I don’t give a damn.”
I gestured to Naomi, who had positioned herself in front of him.
“This is for my sister and for all the kids you tortured, asshole.” Naomi’s fury was palpable as she socked him in the face. Twice. Then Tased him longer than needed.
Vito writhed spasmodically and collapsed. If we’d had time, I would have tortured him. Being Tased was too quick and easy. He deserved much more misery and pain.
Reyna came closer and grimaced. “Oh, God. Not him again.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Him again?” Ozzie shook his head in repulsion.
“Naomi, you all right?” My fingers cuffed around her wrist to get her attention.
Her eyes were trained so hard on Vito I thought she would never look away. I understood the hate she had for this man for all the terrible things he had done to her and everyone she cared about.
She wrapped her arms around me so fast, I almost lost my balance.
“It’s so good to see you, Ava.” Her voice was soft but jubilant, a complete turnaround from moments ago.
“Likewise.” I pulled back to see her teary face, and my own tears threatened to escape.
“We need to help the other kids.”
“I can send someone. You should come with me. Would you like to?” I looked to Rhett for confirmation.
We’d never talked about bringing anyone to our base with us, so I didn’t know how to go about the procedure with Zen. If there was one.
When Rhett didn’t answer, Naomi lowered her voice so only we could hear. “I know about ISAN and I myself have an ability.”
Ability? Now was not the time to ask. We needed to get out.
“Rhett?” I drawled.
“Fine. But we have to go now. The guards are on their way.” Rhett shoved a Taser he’d taken off one of Vito’s men into his waistband.
“What do I do with him?” I nudged Vito with my boot.
“Leave him. He’s not worth your time or even a second of thought.” Rhett guided me away from Vito. “I’ll take care of him. I’ll inform Zen of his child trafficking operation. Vito will be out of business and behind bars.”
“Guys?” Ozzie called urgently, looking down toward the crumbling second story. “Hurry. ISAN is here.”
Chapter Nine — Old Friends
Ava
Ozzie’s words impaled me. My muscles tightened as I held onto Rhett’s shoulder for a brief moment to collect myself. It would be the first time I had to face Justine and Payton after I had escaped. I didn’t want to hurt them.
Why? How?
Stupid questions.
You know why, Ava. They guessed we needed a remedy and this was the place to get it.
I spotted Justine climbing to the second level on the other side of the market. Mitch, Payton, and few new girls sprinted behind Russ.
“Do you see them?” I gestured at them.
“I sure do,” Reyna snarled.
“Mitch.” Ozzie swore.
“No.” Rhett pulled out his Taser. “Mitch comes here when he needs to tell me something since we can’t meet at his apartment anymore. The black market is our second rendezvous point. Zeke said Mitch was here yesterday. I need you to distract their squad and get to the glider while I meet up with him.”
“No.” Cleo wrenched Rhett’s shirt as he turned to leave.
Rhett gently peeled Cleo’s hand off him. “I’ll be fine. Worry about yourself first.”
She cared about him still. I didn’t blame her. Cleo blinked when she caught me looking at her. I stepped over to Rhett. I didn’t need to make this more uncomfortable than it already was.
“We’ve done this plenty of times.” Rhett kissed my forehead. “I’ll be fine. We’ve got Mitch and Russ on our side now, remember? Go. Stay safe. Meet me back at the glider.”
“Okay. Be careful.” I watched him pivot past the table with mechanical toys.
“I know this place well.” Naomi’s eyes glinted. “I can show you the faster way out.”
“First, I need Justine to see me.” Getting her attention was a tactical gambit.
I crept toward the uneven edge as the shopkeepers returned items that had dropped or broken. Justine and her group had split up, moving swiftly down an aisle of booths. I could no longer see Mitch or Russ.
I gave a wolf whistle. “Hey, Justine!”
Though many heads turned toward me and I’d grabbed the interest of the market guards, only one mattered. Justine pointed at me from the ledge facing us.
Just then, Payton pointed a gun-like gadget at me. A thin rope uncoiled from the barrel and slung a brace around a metal beam.
Payton secured his end, soared across, and landed where we had stood seconds before. His unit followed, red beams streaking the air, and pellets raining from their Tasers.
Justine wasn’t the captain, despite her boasts.
“Hurry.” Naomi looked at us over her shoulder. “I’m taking you to a private exit, but the market guards know the layout.”
And so did I. I willed my Helix, but there were too many people and too many doors. I had no idea which exit she had in mind, so I let Naomi be the frontrunner.
Payton’s team slowed to avoid the market guards.
Citizens screamed. People slammed into each other. Some got hit by ISAN Tasers and collapsed. ISAN assassins were forbidden to shoot civilians. They must be desperate to catch me. Or they simply sucked.
Payton’s team and the market guards gave chase while Naomi steered us to an exit marked for vendors only.
Naomi tilted her head. “Hurry. This way.”
“Wait.” I gripped her arm. “Why are we going up instead of down?”
For a second, I doubted her. Had I made a hasty decision inviting her with us? No, I had been her captive at first, but after she’d found out who I was, she’d offered to help me escape.
“Ava, trust me. I want to get out of here as much as you do.”
At my nod, she proceeded. As footsteps pounded behind us, we ascended.
On the twentieth floor, we exited through a door to the roof, panting. The chilly breeze did nothing to cool the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
A quarter of the roof had been demolished, slanting to a twenty-story fall. Steel and concrete—the foundation of the building—showed through each level below.
My stomach dropped. I dragged my feet backward. The view of the city’s destruction was worse up here than on the ground. Half of the building surfaces were missing. As if a giant sword had slashed off the faces and limbs of the edifices.
“What do we do next? They’ll be here any minute.” Cleo aimed a Taser at the door.
On my mental map, I detected five people coming up the stairs. “No guards. Payton’s team must have taken care of them.”
“This will slow them down.” White light illuminated from Naomi’s hands. Then the light glowed red. She gripped the handle until it warped. “I give off heat.” She looked down at her palms and then smiled at me. “And I can burn things.”
I gaped at her wordlessly. So this was her ability.
“Wow,” Reyna breathed.
Ozzie gawked. “Cool.”
“Let’s ogle later. They’re on the eighteenth floor.” Tamara patted the daggers, two strapped into scabbards on her waist and two shoved behind her waistband.
She had stealthily taken more weapons from the booth when we’d fled.
Reyna’s eyelashes batted. “Girl, you’re dangerous. Four knives?”
Tamara’s eyes shimmered. “I’m good with knives. I never miss.”
“How does she know they’re almost here?” Naomi asked.
“If you know about ISAN,” Tamara said, “then you know we all have heightened senses, but some of us have distinctive powers like you. I can sense things through vibration and people’s energy. I’m somewhat clairvoyant.” Tamara spoke without an ounce of shyness or hesitation. The old Tamara would’ve been reluctant to share.
