Chapter 36

Deva put the last case into the van and closed the door. They weren’t traveling with as many supplies as they normally did, but this was a transport with three teens, so aside from snacks, she didn’t think the rest would be missed.

Now that she knew where the factory was, she had looked it up on the map, and it was going to be a long drive. There was still no word from Blair with a location to meet, but they could always adjust their route when they knew.

Walking around the van, she looked at the tires. They weren’t new, but there was good tread on them. The trip would be easy until they hit snow again.

“Did you grab the winter gear?”

She turned to see Amari coming out carrying winter jackets. “I was going in to get them next.”

“I want it all ready to go in case we need to leave in a hurry.”

Deva nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”

Amari opened their van and tossed them in. “We might be moving out earlier. Calum is uncomfortable after they found Taggart.”

Deva looked at the house and then back to her. “If he’s uncomfortable, I’m scared.”

“Right. My thoughts too.” Amari jerked her head to the other side of the yard. “He looks okay now.”

Deva turned and saw Taggart coming down the hill. She looked around the yard. He’d gone for a run alone. Taking a deep breath, she blew it out. “I don’t know how he does it. Being hunted all the time.”

Amari snorted. “We all are. At least he knows they’re coming for him, and he’s not getting tranq’d through the window.”

Deva nodded. “I’d forgotten that part.”

“Wished I could.” Amari closed the door and turned around. “I’m going to see if the schedule is the same. Tripp is figuring out a route. We plan to drive straight for two days, taking turns until we know we’re across the border in more friendly territory.”

“Is any of it friendly anymore?” She crossed her arms over her chest and glanced at Taggart, who was walking toward her.

“Not really—that’s about to change soon.” Amari laughed and walked back to the house. “I’ve never been so excited about Christmas before.” She called over her shoulder.

Deva watched Taggart, he was checking her out, and she realized it was more likely he was trying to decide her mood. She may have been a bit abrupt earlier, but she had a good reason. He was being hunted. Here, not in Europe. She knew that he didn’t bring the problems here, they had been around for a very long time, but she felt that he needed to find somewhere to lay low until the Alliance had things under control. The problem was he wouldn’t do that. Taggart was not the kind of man who was going to sit in the background while others did all the work.

The door slamming made her turn to see Konner, Terah, and Willow coming out. She straightened her spine.

“We’re going early,” Konner said on his way by her. “Go see Calum.”

With a quick look at Taggart, she saw that he had heard, too and was heading to the house now. Turning on her heel, she went toward the door. She still needed to grab the winter gear. As soon as she stepped inside, she knew the entire plan of staggering their exits had been overwritten. Everyone was in motion. Cases were stacked by the door for those that hadn’t packed their vehicles yet.

She went into the small sitting room and made her way over to Calum. He was on the phone.

“Did you pack the van?” Illias looked up from the case he was fitting electronics into.

“I just need the winter gear.”

He nodded but didn’t look at her. Picking up an envelope, he held it out to her. “Your funds. The ones with the kids are heading out shortly. See Calum about routes. We’re sending you off in different directions to start.”

Taking the envelope, she tucked it into her run pack. With Calum still on the phone, she went over to the box with the winter coats in it. She had no idea what size the girls were. Turning around, she went back over to Illias. “Who are we taking? Three teen girls.”

Illias paused in packing and flipped through the papers beside the case. “Missy, Jo, and Julia.” He straightened. “You’ll have to stop to buy them winter boots along the way. We didn’t get them here in time.”

Reaching over the case, she grabbed a pen and wrote the names on the back of her hand. “Thanks.” Handing him the pen, she turned and almost walked right into Taggart.

“We go soon?”

She nodded. “Yeah. All of us taking kids are leaving now.” She pointed to Calum. “Can you talk to Calum and get the direction we’re to head in? I’m going to find the girls and get jackets that fit them.” She looked him up and down. “Make sure you grab one too.”

He looked down at her, and she could see the questions in his expression. “I think we have to talk and drive. Is the van packed?”

“Yeah. We have enough basics. We can stop and grab other things along the way.”

“Okay. Good. I talk to Calum now.” He turned and moved through the bodies to where Calum stood, speaking to Asher.

Blowing out a sharp breath, Deva made her way to the stairs and went up to find the girls. The idea of transporting three teen girls made her think of her sisters. Of course, these girls would just be happy to be free and not whine about the long drive. She hoped.

She walked by the first room the boys were in. She couldn’t remember who the team was to drive the young boys, but she wished them luck in that.

The older girls were all in one room. There were seven, all awkwardly huddled on the big bed. “Hi, I’m Deva.” She smiled and tried not to let the emotions show too much on her face. These girls were too thin, their hair scraggly, and their clothes barely fit them. “I’m going to be taking Missy,” she waited for one of them to nod and smiled at her. “Jo and Julia.” Two girls with dark, almost orange hair nodded. “Can you come down and pick out a jacket? If we can’t find one that fits, we’ll stop along the way and buy one as well as boots before we get to the snow.”

“We’re going to where there’s snow?” Jo looked at Julia. “We’ve never seen snow.”

Deva smiled. “Well, then you’re going to be thrilled because back home, we got a lot of it right now.”

Missy was slow to move, so she held out her hand. “I hear you’re going to your uncles?” There was no mistaking she was related to Blair, with her gorgeous eyes and pale hair.

“I don’t know him.” She took Deva’s hand, and Deva squeezed because hers was shaking.

“He’s great. His mate is amazing. You’ll love her.” She started guiding them downstairs.

“Okay,” Missy whispered.

Deva swallowed down the anger that started to fill her. These girls should be worried about clothes, makeup, and anything else, but instead, their only concern was surviving. When they reached the bottom, she motioned to the corner. “Box of coats is over there. Go get one.” She stood there and watched them go over.

“Makes you want to kill something, huh? Seeing how scared they are.”

She turned around to see a shorter woman with dark brown hair standing there.

“I’m Kelii. From the cleanup team.” She smiled. “Illias and I are meeting up with Tait along the way.”

Deva nodded. “Who are you transporting?”

“Four girls. Teens.”

“They’re in the last room upstairs.”

“I’ll get them after I get the van packed. Any idea why we’re moving this soon?”

Deva stepped into the doorway and saw Taggart talking to Calum and nodding. “Some people from Europe tracked down Taggart here.”

“I can’t wait for the day they’re all out of business, and the biggest decision I have to make in a day is what to wear.” She grinned.

“Right now, I can’t think past Christmas.” Taggart caught her attention and nodded.

“It’s going to be a merry one this year.” Kelii turned and went into the kitchen.

Deva went over to Taggart. “You know we’re going now?”

“I do.”

“Okay, I’m going to get the girls, and we can get going.”

He nodded. “I go to van after I see Tripp to thank for help.” Walking over to the corner, he picked up a worn backpack and slung it over his shoulder.

Asher stepped in front of her. “You keep your gun in reach and eyes open wide.” He gave her a concerned look. “We’re not even waiting for Andi. We’re going to pick her up on the way.”

Deva nodded. “I’m starting to think them finding Taggart today was a good thing.”

“Right. I thought that too. Without that happening, we’d be sitting ducks here.” He grasped her shoulder for a second and nodded. “Check-in from time to time. I’ll see you at the Factory when we get there. Journee is going to stay there with Madilyn.”

She could see the worry in his eyes. There was a lot to worry about. Zain missing. Getting the children to the destination without incident. She looked around. “If you see Calla, tell her to check in too. One of us is already missing. We don’t need anymore.”

“Yeah. Be careful.” He turned sideways and went around her in the doorway.

Blowing out a breath, she took a deep breath and went over to the girls. “Did you find one that fits?” They nodded. “Okay. We’re going to get going.”

“Will Tesha be where we’re going?” Missy asked.

“I’m not sure where she’s going right now, but you’ll see her again.” She smiled, even though she honestly felt like there was nothing to smile about. “Taggart is waiting out in the van. We should get going.”

She closed the door and then opened the passenger one. Turning, she looked around and then spotted Amari climbing into their ride. She waved to her and then got in. Getting in, she turned to see the girls all sitting together. “Seatbelts on?” They nodded.

“We ready?”

She looked at Taggart, and even though he was smiling and his tone was easy, she could see the dire serious expression in his eyes. She nodded and then put her seatbelt on. Making sure the girls couldn’t see, she leaned down and picked up her pack and set it between her legs. Reaching in, she felt the holster for her gun and took it out. She set it in the pocket of the door and then turned to see Taggart give her a little nod. “Let’s do this.”