Chapter 690 Chapter 690
Deva said her goodbye and waited until the others did as well.
“Deva? You still on?” It was Amari. “Figure this saves me calling you.” She laughed.
Since Amari had mated with Tripp, she’d noticed she laughed more. Deva grinned when Taggart chuckled. “I’m still here.”
“Zain is not a traitor. When we get back, I’m finding out who Calum sent. If they hurt one spot of his furry ass...”
“I’m sure Calum didn’t send a hitman after him.” She looked at Taggart for his thoughts, but he just gave her a quick side-eye and kept driving.
“Why didn’t he call one of us? If there was a problem, Tripp and I could have gotten there in no time. Konner could have flown...”
“Maybe there was no time.” Deva looked out the window, trying not to think of all the reasons he’d have to leave in a hurry.
“Yeah, I guess. I’m going to kick his ass when we find him.”
Deva chuckled. “I just want him to be okay.”
“Same. I like this ride. So much legroom. Do you think they’ll let us choose which transport vehicle we get?”
Deva glanced at Taggart, knowing that no matter the assignment she was given, he would be right beside her. The strange part was that the idea didn’t bother her. “I guess that depends on where everyone is going.”
“I like this one.” Amari blew into the phone. “There’s a lot of kids to transport.”
Deva smiled. “I don’t think they’ll make anyone transport all of them.”
Taggart pointed. “I stop here.”
She leaned over and looked at the gas gauge. “We should fill it.”
“Ja.”
“We’re stopping at the—” She turned and looked around. There was nothing else in sight. “At the gas station.”
“We’re going to top up too. We’re probably ten minutes behind you.” Amari sighed. “I’m hungry. Is it a store or just pumps?”
Deva grinned. “Store. I need a snack too.”
“Gummy bears.” Amari laughed. “I only grabbed my run pack.”
Taggart pulled in.
“I’ll pump.” Deva grabbed her phone out of the cupholder and opened the door.
“I go inside and take look.”
Deva selected the grade and picked up the nozzle. Turning, she opened the gas cap. “I can’t wait to see the factory.”
“It’s pretty epic. Huge. I like that it’s a one-stop. Everything is there.”
She glanced through the window but didn’t see Taggart inside. Maybe he went to the bathroom. “I think that’s great. Going to the Headquarters and then having to go somewhere else to grab some sleep wasn’t always convenient.”
Amari snorted. “Especially when you barely had your eyes open by the time you got there.”
The pump clicked off, so she put the nozzle back and then closed the gas cap. Going around to the other side, she looked in to see if Taggart was in sight, to motion for him to pay. She didn’t see him. Amari and Tripp were talking about something, and she didn’t want to interrupt to tell her she’d see her soon.
Going over, she opened the door to the store and went in. Looking around, she didn’t see Taggart anywhere. The clerk was behind the glass enclosure, with his head down, reading something. Walking down the center aisle, she headed to the back area, hoping he was back there. There was one washroom and a door stating, ‘employees only.’ Did she knock? That was a little too intrusive for her. Glancing down, she saw what looked like blood on the floor. Inhaling slowly, she let her cat process for her. It was definitely blood, and she knew it was fresh. Stepping over it, she grabbed the bathroom door handle and turned it. It wasn’t locked. “Amari.” She opened the door and looked inside. No one was in there. “There’s blood, and Taggart isn’t in the store.”
“Step on it,” Amari responded. “Did you see anyone else when you got there?”
Deva reached down and then remembered she didn’t have her gun on her. “There was one car and a small pickup.” She quickly walked back past the clerk. “Forgot my wallet, be right back.” She said on her way by.
Going out, she opened the door and leaned over to grab her handgun from between the seats. “I’m going around the back.”
“Watch your back. Keep me on the line. We’ll be there in less than five now.”
Deva nodded. “Okay.” She went down the side of the building and stopped at the corner. Someone was talking very loudly in another language, and it wasn’t Taggart’s voice.
Squatting down, she leaned closer to get a quick look around the corner. Taggart was there, his hands raised in the air. Blood was dripping down the side of his face. Two men stood there. One had a gun pointed at him. The other one was talking and waving his hand around.
Standing up, she stepped back a few feet. “Two men have Taggart. Speaking another language.”
“We see the station. I’ll circle around the left side.” Tripp said something in the background, and Deva could only make out his tone and a few words. It sounded like he was on the phone talking to someone else.
“Okay.”
“Wait for us if you can, girl.” Amari sounded excited.
“Mmhmm.” Deva moved closer to the corner again. Gripping the gun in her hands, she kept it pointed at the ground and was just about to step around when a movement to her right caught her eye. Turning, she saw a man standing behind the signage board. He wasn’t wearing any shoes. He put his finger to his mouth. She didn’t know him, but she’d take the help if that’s what his presence meant. She nodded and jerked her chin toward the corner, telling him she was going. He nodded quickly and poked his finger into his chest and then made walking fingers, motioning that he was going to circle out around. She gave him another abrupt nod.