The Girl Who Kicked Ass (Death Fields 3)

“She’s getting into position now with her army.” He glances between the two of us. “She and Jane both are tired of the sabotage and stealing. They think this is the perfect time for you to face off.”

“They just want to keep us away from PharmaCorp,” Davis says.

“They do, and don’t get any ideas about going there instead. That is a death trap. Trust me.”

His words sink in. Trust me. “What do you think we should do, then?”

Wyatt’s eyebrows lift in surprise that I’ve asked for his opinion. “I think you should go in there and tear them apart. Don’t back down. Don’t let them walk away.”

Davis crosses his arms over his chest and nods.

“And you think we can do it?” I ask.

Wyatt tilts his head and gives me the kind of look that makes my knees weak. “I think you guys are the only ones who can.”

*

Any light I’d seen in Cole’s eyes earlier in the night dissipates when we tell him the information from Wyatt. We’re honest about where it came from—hoping it will provide legitimacy but he turns to me, his voice heavy with betrayal, and asks, “You’ve been in touch with him? This whole time?”

“No,” I promise, but it rings false. I look at Davis for help.

“Wyatt has been working with Erwin for an extended period, probably since you broke out of Fort Shaw. Much of our intelligence about Jane’s activities comes from him, and although he’s not an official member he’s committed to the Resistance.” He nods at me. “Alex has not been privy to that information.”

Cole considers this and the result seems to be that he’s less hurt, but definitely still angry. The others don’t look particularly pleased with me, either.

“And you believe this?” Paul asks me.

I swallow. “I do.”

“Where is he now?” Cole asks, voice on edge.

“He left and didn’t say where he was going from here.” I glare at the group, none of whom seem satisfied. “It’s not like we invited him inside.”

“Well, why not? Maybe we could have gotten more information out of him or heard it from him directly,” Parker eyes me with suspicion. “Or are you the only one allowed to talk to him.”

“I haven’t been talking to him!”

Jude jumps in and says, “Wyatt saved all our asses more than once—we owe him the benefit of the doubt.”

Parker groans and tugs at her hair when he says this, as though he’s the most gullible person ever. I give him a thankful smile—but it’s not a surprise. Jude has looked up to Wyatt since the day we found him.

Paul calmly walks over and takes my hand. “I know you feel defensive. We’re just trying to figure it all out. I mean, it’s a lot to take in when you consider the fact he’s here telling us we’re about to get ambushed by Chloe and that prick Hayes, because they know we’re coming. Who told her we’re coming? Do we really know which side Wyatt is playing?”

I do not want to go down this path again. I can’t. I need to know where I’m headed and who I’m going there with. I have to have faith that Wyatt is telling me the truth. That Davis trusts him. Otherwise there’s no way I can get into this battle with Chloe and Jane. I meet the eye of each member of my team and say, “I believe him.”

Cole holds my eyes but his jaw remains tight. I glance at Paul who nods and says, “That’s enough for me.”

“Okay then,” Jude agrees. “Let’s figure out Plan B.”

Everyone agrees—except Cole, who looks lost in his thoughts.

“Cole,” Davis says, “We need everyone. You in?”

I wait for his features to soften. For his stubbornness to fade. He tips back on his heels, but instead of coming over to the rest of us he turns and walks to where we left our bags. He grabs his bag and his jacket off the front counter.

I race over as he shoves his arms in the sleeves. “Where are you going?”

“I’m out,” he says, working the straps of his backpack over his shoulders.