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“Yep,” I confirm.

“You don’t care?”

“Nope.”

“Alright. I just wanted to make sure.”

“If you’re afraid, you can always turn back.”

“I am not afraid. You wouldn’t like me so much if you knew all the things I’ve done and seen,” he warns.

“Ryker basically said the same thing. I don’t get scared so easily anymore.” I grin.

“Good. I would hate to be on a suicide mission with someone weak,” he scoffs.

I roll my eyes and keep moving. Carol is leading us outside of the city. Ava would be an asset right now. She would know where Carol would be. I made sure Ava was still safe, though Tristan was still on guard duty at his place. She wanted to come, but I assured her I knew what I was doing.

I would survive this. Carol was an obstacle in my way to having a good life with Ryker. When River asked me if I was afraid, I didn’t lie. I dug deep inside and only came up with rage. She fucked with my mind all my life. She dug her hands inside my mind and planted the seeds of insecurity, doubt, and shame. She probably thought Ryker was dead, and I would look for her. She was luring me to her so she could kill me as she planned. But in my new body, with my new powers, she’ll find I’m not so easy to kill.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Serenity

“Do we have a plan?” River asks.

He stands beside me outside an innocent-looking mansion in the hills. The lights shine bright inside. There was a large gate at the end of the driveway. A tall stone fence surrounded the property. We easily jumped it and landed on the other side. We hid in the shadows, staring at the side of the house.

Guards patrol the front door and the back but left the side vulnerable. They are human. One of them smells like candy—I can hear its crunch as he chews. They carried guns, though. If the bullets were the same as the one Carol used, we might be in trouble.

I didn’t let that fact deter me, though. I would have to be quicker than a bullet.

No problem, right?

“The plan is, I walk through the front door. You stay out here. I don’t want her to know you are with me.”

“That’s a shit plan,” he whispers.

“Are you in?” I whisper back.

“Of course. I have pulled off many shit plans over the years.” He looks offended by the suggestion.

“It’s time to have a heavy conversation with Carol,” I say.

We grin at each other. He shakes his head and sits down, leaning against the fence.

I walk across the lawn slowly, crouching but swiveling my head to keep the guard's insight. They are either stupid guards, or I was expected. They don’t even look my way. The one in the front startles as I walk around the corner. He reaches to pull out his gun. Before he can, I blur behind him, grab the gun and knock him out with it.

Excitement courses through me. I bounce from one foot to the other, waving the gun in the air. This is fun. I can see the appeal of being faster than anyone in the world. Now, let’s just hope I can be faster than Carol’s trigger finger.

In a tribute to Riker, I tie the man’s hands behind his back and drag him to the side of the house. In my enthusiasm, I threw the gun on the other side of the bushes, or at least that's where I was aiming. I didn’t take into account my new throwing arm. Well, it’s lost to me now. I glance at River to see him give me a thumbs up. I roll my eyes and shake out my shoulders.

I slowly turn the doorknob. The stupid thing squeaks as I push it open. Okay, so maybe I’m not ready to be a spy. Fucking door.

A chandelier above me lights the entryway. Whoever owns this is rolling in money. There are stairs directly in front of me and two rooms on either side. One door is closed, but the other double doors are wide open.

I carefully walk over and stop. Carol is seated on an elegant couch. She holds a teacup in her steady hand, sipping delicately. Her posture is entirely confident and knowing. The long classy dress she wears is red and clinging to her frame. The fire roars in the fireplace she faces as she stares into the flames.

I must have moved slightly, drawing her attention. She tries to hide it, but I see the spark of fear in her eyes as she takes me in, but she straightens her spine and looks at me with anger instead.