The Alliance Boxset Books 4-6

Chapter 18-1

Chapter Eighteen

Destin jerked awake when he heard a chime. Rising stiffly out of the chair, he stumbled around it briefly before striding toward the door. He laid his palm against the control pad next to the door, pulled it open, and blinked in surprise when he saw Tim and Mason standing on the other side.

“What is it? What time is it?” Destin muttered, glancing around for a clock.

“Three a.m. Get your shoes and jacket,” Tim stated, stepping inside.

“What’s going on? Three o’clock! Where’s Sula? She should have been back before now,” Destin groaned and ran his hands through his hair. “I fell asleep.”

“Yeah, we kind of figured that. You’re allowed to at times,” Mason said, pushing past him. “Where are your shoes?”

“My shoes… Uh, by the chair, I think. What the hell is going on?” Destin asked, turning to follow them. “God, I need some coffee if you guys are going to ask me any questions.”

“You can get it when we get there,” Tim replied, grabbing Destin’s jacket off the back of the couch while Mason grabbed his shoes.

“What the f**k is going on?” Destin demanded, standing still and frowning at the other two men before his face paled. “Sula….”

“Yeah, the blue… lady,” Mason said, shoving Destin’s shoes at him.

“Cutter just contacted us. Beth and your lady friend were attacked. Both of them are injured,” Tim said. “We’re going with you. Trig is checking the transport out and waiting for us.”

“s**t! Do you know how bad they’re hurt? What info do you have on who attacked them? How the hell could they have been attacked on the base?” Destin growled, pulling his shoes on and grabbing his jacket. He started for the door before he turned and glanced around the room. “I need a weapon.”

“Troy and Richard are meeting us at the platform with some,” Mason told him. “Come on.”

Destin nodded and turned on his heel. They turned as the doors to the lift closed. Destin felt his stomach drop when the elevator quickly descended to the Launch Platform level.

“Cutter notified Trig of what happened and wanted to make sure that you were still safe. Mason and I were finishing up a last minute security check when we ran into him. I suggested we notify you while he checked the transport since he knows how to fly the damn things,” Tim explained.

Destin nodded, stepping forward when the lift slowed. He turned sideways, exiting the lift before the doors had a chance to open all the way. Troy and Richard were talking quietly near a console. They both started forward at the same time. Troy was holding a small tote bag in his left hand.

“Destin, sorry to hear about your lady,” Richard said.

“What else have you heard?” Destin demanded, taking the bag from Troy.

“Just that Beth and the Councilor were attacked,” Richard said with a shake of his head. “We’re still trying to figure out how that could happen right under the Trivators’ noses.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure they are trying to figure it out, too,” Tim retorted.

“We’re ready to go,” Trig stated from the platform.

Destin kept his features blank as he boarded the transport. The grim look on Trig’s face showed he wasn’t happy about what happened either. Destin reached over and pulled the straps over his chest. Through the windows, he could see Troy and Richard lift their hands in support. His throat tightened. He had been through a lot with these men over the last nine years. They had all lost people they cared about.

“I’m sorry, Destin,” Tim said quietly, leaning forward in his seat.

“For what?” Destin asked.

Tim was silent for a brief second. He glanced down at his clasped hands. Destin could see the muscle throbbing in the other man’s jaw. Tim glanced at him again and released a deep breath.

“You really care about her, don’t you?” Tim asked instead.

This time it was Destin’s turn to be silent. He could feel both Tim and Mason’s eyes on him. Glancing out the front windshield, he debated if he should admit how much he did care. Hell, he had just accepted it today. The thought of losing her before he had a chance to tell her sent a shaft of physical pain shooting through his body.

“I love her,” he finally murmured, turning back to look at the two men he considered to be friends. “She… She’s strong and loyal… and has an incredible sense of humor when you get to know her.” Tim sat back, his face reflecting his shock. Destin looked at Mason. The big man surprised him. Mason had a crooked grin on his face. “What are you grinning at?” Destin demanded, frowning at the big man.

“I kind of thought you might have fallen for her when you came close to whipping my ass earlier in the conference room. You deserve love, Destin. If the blue lady makes you happy, I’ll stand by you,” Mason promised.

Destin pressed his lips together and nodded. He saw Tim give him a nod in agreement as well. Destin refocused on the scene outside the window. They were beginning their descent over the base. He could see the markings of the landing pad. His left hand clenched on the small tote bag that Troy had given him. He unzipped it and began removing the weapons inside, checking each, and fitting them around his body. As far as he was concerned, whoever in the hell attacked Sula and Beth made a critical error. It was personal now.