Page 91 of Girl Lost

The realization hit her like a crushing blow. After so many questions, so many false starts, she finally had the answer.

The girl in her arms wasn’t her daughter. Not biologically. But she’d risked her life for Trinity, and she would do it again and again if that’s what it took to keep her safe. Blood didn’t make her family. Choice did.

Trinity was sobbing, near hysterics. They couldn’t sneak her out like this.

“It’s okay,” Luna whispered. “You’re safe now.”

“No, I’m not.” Trinity pulled back. “I can’t trust anyone. Not after what they did to me.”

“You can trust us. We’re friends of Stryker,” Luna said. “We were in the Warrior program too.”

“He’s the reason we came to find you.” Corbin added.

“You really know Stryker?” A flicker of hope flashed in Trinity’s eyes. “Where is he? Is he okay?”

“We’re going to find him,” Luna said. “I promise.”

“But first, we need to get you out of here.” Corbin handed the tablet to Summer and moved toward the door. “Give me a minute to find a cell signal and I’ll call for backup.”

“I’m ... I’m ... scared.” Trinity sniffled. The tears began to subside. “I don’t think I should leave. My ... heart.”

Luna said, “We’re going to get you the medical care you need.”

She eyed Corbin as he came closer. He shook his head and dropped his phone into his pocket. Still no signal. They couldn’t stay here and wait to be discovered. They had to get Trinity out. Not only could her heart provide evidence of every sinister thing happening here, but she wasn’t sure if it was even viable.

“Okay, Trin,” Luna said. “We’re going to all leave together. We have some medical experts on standby, and they need to look at your heart.”

Trinity shook her head. “I feel weak. What if I can’t make it? How do I know I can trust you?”

“You can trust them.” Summer dabbed Trinity’s tears with a tissue she’d plucked from a box. “They’re Alex and Lorelai Sinclair and they’re with the police.”

“Actually, that’s our cover names,” Luna said. “I’m Luna Rosati, and that’s Special Agent Corbin King.”

Summer’s eyes darted between Luna and Corbin. “Luna and ... and Corbin?” Her voice dropped to a near whisper. “You guys ... you’re ... you’re my parents.”

31

THEY WERE KEEPING HIMalert now. But he couldn’t move his legs.

Stryker tried to shift. Flex his toes. Nothing.

A heavy numbness pressed down. A leaden weight that started at his chest and extended to his feet.

Paralyzed.

Just breathe. Stay calm.

Nothing else had changed. Crisp hospital sheets against his skin. A gentle rise and fall of his chest with each breath. He could see the sterile white walls of the room. Medical equipment. One-way mirrors mocked his helplessness.

Relentless beeping of the monitors. An insidious reminder of his precarious existence.

But he couldn’t move his legs. He couldn’t feel them.

The injection. The sharp prick in his back. A zing down his spine ten times worse than jamming his funny bone.

A burning sensation spreading through his veins.

The doctor’s cold, clinical tone. “This will make things easier for you, Mr. King.”