Chapter Ten
Mallory pulled the car into the parking lot of Winchester Industries and switched off the engine.
Jefferies exited the car and opened her door. The gun he’d had earlier was nowhere to be seen. Then again, he’d left the only weapon he really needed back at the apartment with Amy, in the form of a six-foot soldier. “Now what?”
“Both of you get out and walk slowly to the entrance. One wrong word when we get inside, and I give the order to terminate your sister.”
It took everything Mallory had not to spit in Jefferies’s face. She slowly climbed from the vehicle and nearly stumbled into Vaulcron. She hadn’t heard him get out.
He held out a hand to steady her before turning to face their adversary. “I will kill you at the first opportunity.”
“If I had a nickel for every time I heard that,” Jefferies mumbled, waving them two of them forward.
Mallory’s view of Jefferies was blocked by Vaulcron’s massive shoulders and back. She stepped in close and followed him toward the tall building of Winchester Industries.
Jefferies flashed his ID at the camera situated outside the front entrance. A click sounded, indicating the door had unlocked.
Pulling it open, Jefferies nodded for them to enter.
The guard sitting at the front desk immediately got to his feet when he saw Jefferies. “Mr. Secretary, sir.”
“How are you doing, Willie?”
“Fine, sir. Got word that the president is on his way here. He should be here in a few…” His voice trailed off when he got a look at Vaulcron.
Jefferies quickly intervened. “The Bracadyte is here by order of the president. No one else is to know unless cleared by me first. Understood?”
Willie nearly tripped over his chair trying to move back. “Yes, of course.”
“There will be a crew of soldiers coming in shortly. They know what to do and where to set up. Allow them entry and don’t question them on anything.”
Willie glanced at Vaulcron before shifting his nervous gaze back to Jefferies. “They’ll all have security clearances to the building, sir. No questions asked.”
“Thank you, Willie. Also, send Glenn Anderson up when he arrives.” Jefferies trailed off toward the elevators with Mallory and Vaulcron, in tow.
Mallory stood quietly as the elevator took them to the top floor. The doors slid open with a ding.
“That way,” Jeffries ordered, pointing toward the end of the hall.
Mallory’s stomach flipped as they drew closer to the place Jefferies had indicated.
A massive iron door stood open, reminding her of something she’d seen once in a horror movie. “What is that?”
“It’s going to be your home for a while. Better get used to it.”
“That’s it? You brought us down here to keep us locked up in a padded room?”
“Get inside,” Jefferies demanded, nodding toward the iron door. “I’ll have some food delivered shortly."
Grinding her teeth in rage, Mallory marched into the room, comforted by the feel of Vaulcron behind her.
The door clicked shut, sealing their fate.
Mallory’s gaze traveled around the room, taking in everything from the large bed to the medical equipment situated next to it.
“What is this place?” Vaulcron turned in a half circle, his gaze moving around the room.
Mallory glanced at the bed once again. “It’s looks like some kind of a sleep study lab.”
“I am not sure what a sleep study lab is for, but the door indicates a prison.”
“Yes,” Mallory agreed. “Why have an iron door on a sleep study room?”
“I do not know.” Vaulcron strode to the bed and sat on the edge. “Come sit. I am certain we will have the answers we seek, soon enough.”
Mallory’s shoulders sagged from fatigue. She trailed over to the bed and sat next to Vaulcron. “We have to get out of here. I need to check on Amy. She must be terrified.”
Vaulcron wrapped a muscular arm around her and pulled her head down to his shoulder. He spoke in barely a whisper. “Zaureth is already on his way to your sister’s apartment.”
Mallory’s head shot up so fast she bumped his chin. “How do you know that?”
He lifted a finger to his temple. “He has been with us since we left your house tonight.”
Relief unlike any she’d ever felt before washed through Mallory in an instant. “He knows to be careful, right? I mean she’s not alone.”
Vaulcron nodded. “He is aware of the land walker and his weapons. Do not worry. Zaureth will save your sister.”
Mallory stared into Vaulcron’s guileless green eyes, comforted by the truth she saw there. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”
“It is not your fault, Mallory. It is my kind the human military are after.”
“I know, but I brought you here.” She looked away for a moment before meeting his gaze once more. “I need to tell you something.”
When he only stared back at her in open curiosity, she continued. “When I was contacted by you about doing your story, I had all intentions of airing everything about you. Including your location.”
Disappointment entered his eyes, but he didn’t snap her neck. That was a good sign.
“Then why did you not give the information to Jackson? You would not be in this situation now. Neither would your sister.”
“I couldn’t,” Mallory choked out. “I…”
“You what?” he persisted.
How could she tell him that she’d felt an instant attraction for him the moment she’d met him? That something about him pulled her to him like a magnet. That her heart skipped beats when she was in his presence? “I just couldn’t do it.”
He lifted a hand and cupped her cheek, tilting her face up to his. “I will not allow them to hurt you, Mallory. I will protect you with my life.”
And that was what scared her the most. She was responsible for him being in the States. If she’d just done the interview in Cuba and walked away, Vaulcron wouldn’t need to risk his life for her. “I’m so sorry.”
The door opened, admitting a frustrated-looking Jefferies carrying a tray of food. He sat it on a table near the entrance. “I suggest you eat. You’re going to be here for a while.”
“Wait,” Mallory called as he turned to leave. “What’s going to happen to us?”
A sigh escaped their captor. He pinched the bridge of his nose before stepping farther into the room. “Since we have been unsuccessful in obtaining the child born from Abbigail Sutherland, you two are going to create one for us.”
Mallory’s stomach lurched. She jumped to her feet in shock as understanding dawned. “You want to breed us? Like cattle?”
“We don’t want to, Miss Cahill. But we’re left with little choice at this point. Unless of course you want to give us the location of Doctor Sutherland’s child.”
Mallory swallowed back bile. “You can go straight to hell.”
“It didn’t have to be this way,” Jefferies muttered, freeing his pistol and aiming it at Vaulcron. “You, come with me.”
“What are you going to do to him?” Mallory grabbed hold of Vaulcron’s arm as he stood and moved in Jefferies’s direction.
Jefferies took a step forward, cocking the gun he held. “He won’t be harmed, Miss Cahill. Now, let him go.”
Vaulcron gently pulled free of her hold. “Do not worry for me. I will be fine.”
Tears of sorrow and fear welled up in her eyes. “Please don’t hurt him.”
Mallory stood paralyzed as Jefferies led Vaulcron from the room, closing the door behind him.