“What the hell? Jenna!” Julie shrieked. She ran up next to them. The waiting SUV was just ahead.
“Julie!” She yelled. “Tell Gideon. Tell him that they have me. Brant ordered for me—” She was pushed into the waiting SUV.
“I will—” She heard Julie shout, just before the door closed, cutting her off.
****
The bus station was quiet. According to the board, there was no bus leaving for another three hours. Jenna didn’t care since she wasn’t taking a bus. This was Brant’s way of trying to get her as far away from vampire territory as possible. As far away from Gideon as possible. Well, tough luck for him.
She watched as the SUV pulled away. Waiting patiently until the taillights rounded the corner up ahead. Then she took real stock of her surroundings. Good, an ATM.
Her bag was really heavy, already her shoulder ached and her lower back protested. She rummaged in her purse until she found her wallet, withdrawing her bank card. After putting it in the machine and typing in her pin, she found herself looking up to the heavens and praying. Hopefully there was something in her account. Aside from a few bucks in her purse, she was pretty much broke.
If there was money in her account, she would withdraw the maximum amount. Being a police officer, Liam would be able to pick up on this transaction. She was one hundred percent sure that he was monitoring her. That he was still looking for her. She needed to hurry. She tapped on the plastic next to the buttons on the machine.
Jenna almost shrieked out loud when her bank balance appeared. It would be more than enough to tide her over. Enough for the next year, let alone a few weeks. According to her statement, there’d been two transactions made, one from Gideon and another from The Program.
That had to be Brant. She shook her head, anger coursing through her all over again. Thank god her burner cell phone still had a little bit of life left in it. It would be enough to call a cab so that she could get the hell out of there.
She stuffed the money into her purse and her card and statement followed straight behind. She pulled her phone out of her bag as she turned, walking straight into a solid chest.
Jenna’s eyes tracked upwards. Her hands began to tremble, her lower lip quivered. Icy fear settled in the pit of her stomach. If she had actually eaten her breakfast this morning, it would’ve come up. She made a moaning noise that was born of dread and fear so deep that she was sure she would never recover.
Liam grinned. It was wild, angry, so far from being humorous it was scary. It was like something from a horror movie. “Hi, Jen-doll, I’ve missed you, babe.” Then he punched her straight in the face. She flew backwards, her head hitting the asphalt with a crack. Then she blacked out.
****
“You said that Gideon could what...?” Brant roared. “The program is my baby…mine! You had no fucking right!”
“I had every right,” Zane snarled. “You agreed that I could make the decision and I did. Deal with it.”
Brant paced to the other side of the room. It was a colossal mess. His desk was smashed through the middle, the broken pieces scattered. Papers and files were in haphazard stacks.
“I expected you to choose from one of the runners-up. Gideon didn’t even take part and does not deserve a place in this first heat.” Brant’s eyes glowed.
“He is one of the top elite. Head of security for the program. He deserves this more than most.” Zane’s voice was low, deep and menacing. “As to the program being yours…you are fucked in the head if you believe that. We both have our roles to play in this.”
“All I have to say is, well done to you.” Brant’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “So far you’ve done a fantastic job of keeping unauthorized males away from the humans. You have forced me to take matters into my own hands. Fucking forced me.” Brant was breathing hard.
Zane narrowed his eyes. “What have you done?”
Brant narrowed his eyes right back and folded his arms across his chest. “Only what I had to do.”
It felt like an ice cold fist took ahold of Gideon’s heart. It squeezed. His breath froze in his lungs.
“What the fuck have you done?” Zane pointed a finger at Brant’s chest. He spoke softly and carefully.
“What I had to…” Brant paused. “I had her escorted off the property. And you…” Brant pointed at Gideon. “You can fucking forget the program. Forget that female. Since you didn’t rut her I am willing to overlook this. She’s gone. It’s time to move on.”
Gideon didn’t wait to hear what else Brant had to say.
Escorted off the property. Escorted off. Fucking gone. The words played on repeat in his head. His female was in danger.