Page 64

He shakes his head. “I knew he kept recordings, but nothing this extensive.” He looks at the sheer size of the collection. “Imogene is right. He didn’t trust me, Elon, and Silas the way he did her and Levi. They were devoted to him—and Serendee. He knew I had my issues with how he ran the community.”

Agent McNair turns to face the shelves, eyes landing on a section titled ‘Corrections.’ Each recording marked with a name and a date. I pull one out and hold it out to her.

Imogene Montgomery.

The date is from two months ago, before the banishment and Reeducation. I know that she’ll find sessions between me and Levi. Possibly the aftermath with me and Elon. She hands it over to Kane who pops it into one of the electronic devices.

“Stop,” Elon says, lunging for the screen. Levi and Silas block him, holding him back. He shoves against them. “Get the fuck out of my way. No one has the right to see what is on those tapes—”

“It’s okay, Elon.” This is what I need to do to get my men back. Honesty and transparency. I look at the agents. “Watch it. You need to know the truth.”

Kane presses play and an image comes on the screen. It’s me and Levi standing in the middle of the room—talking. The table is next to me, the leather strap on the flat surface. My cheeks burn and I look to the floor as the recording progresses. The whole room watches as I bend over that table and take Levi’s punishment.

An arm comes around my shoulder and Levi pulls me against his chest. I look up at his handsome face. “I’m sorry,” he says. I’m not sure if it’s about the Correction, or the fact this video is being exposed, or about everything that’s transpired in the last few weeks.

“Don’t apologize,” I whisper, under the sound of leather snapping against my skin and my following screams. My body lights on fire. Humiliation. Desperation. Confliction.

I turn, pushing past everyone and leave the room. I stop in the hallway and press my shaking body against the wall, trying to remain upright. A person emerges from the file room. The shoes stop in front of me. Black. Feminine.

“Imogene,” she says, her voice quiet. “I had no idea.”

I look up at her, past the blur of tears in my eyes and ask, “Is it enough?”

She nods. “It’s enough.”

I sink to the floor, relief rushing through me.

I have my men back.

24

Imogene

The ride to the safe house is long, and my stomach aches with panic. Agent McNair had to handle release paperwork for the guys before they could come. I didn’t like the idea of being separated from them, but there wasn’t any other choice. They’d meet us there.

Wherever “there” is. All I know is that it’s dark, and we turned off the highway and onto a dirt road fifteen minutes ago. Nothing about being surrounded by the thick forest of trees, tall pines that shoot straight up into the night sky, quells my nerves.

“Hey,” Silas says, nodding out the front window, “looks like we’re almost there.”

“There” turns out to be a small cabin tucked away in a forest. The car slows with the crunch of gravel under the tires, easing to a stop next to an identical SUV. The two agents get out, doors slamming behind them. “You really think he won’t find us here?” I ask, peering out the window.

“I think only a fool would underestimate Anex, and you’re the smartest person I know.”

“Although I appreciate the compliment, that’s not very comforting.” I roll my eyes and check out the other vehicle. “I wonder who that is?”

Neither Mallory or Kane seem concerned, and they open the back of the vehicle, removing the small amount of belongings we brought with us.

I climb out of the car just as the screen door whines and closes with a snap. Agent McNair steps out on the porch. My heart drops. “Did something happen?”

“Everything’s fine.” She gives me an unexpected smile. “Actually, I was able to handle everything over the phone. We just took a different route in case anyone had tracked us from the Center.”

“We?” I ask, rushing up the steps. She jerks her thumb over her shoulder, and I run past her, wrenching open the door and bursting inside.

They’re there. Hands free. Skinny and tired.

Mine.

“Oh my god.” I want to go to them, but I’m just struck by deep and sudden exhaustion. My arm presses into my stomach and I bend, a deep, unrecognizable, wail coming from inside.