Rebel Heart

"These cancel out your thermal signature," he said, holding them out.

She looked at the grays, the clothing she'd seen for years on the people she thought were the country's enemies, then back at Brady. He was too hard to offer the type of empathy she wanted, but he was the man who'd been with her since the beginning of the end.

"You'll have to trust me," he said. "I'm the only person who can get you and the Horsemen to safety.

"I trusted the Guardian," she replied, taking the clothes from him.

"I haven't changed. The circumstances have."

Lana drew a deep breath. Elise had said to survive, and Lana had no doubt Brady was the only one who could help her. He had the support of his rebel army and now, the feds. They would need it, if Greenie found her. He'd throw everything he had after her.

And Brady would always protect her. She knew it, and it made her angrier at him for betraying her. Even his kisses, his hot touch, felt like lies. She'd truly cared for someone for the first time in her life, and he'd used her.

She ducked into the small room and changed clothes. As much as she didn't want to admit it, there was no way of knowing who the bad guys were, not with Mr. Tim's information about the shadow government.

"I'm ready," she said and returned to the hall.

Brady looked her over and drew a laser gun.

Lana crossed her arms, feeling very alone. The discovery of her true father did nothing to comfort her, not when she realized how much Mr. Tim had betrayed her. Brady motioned her towards the door and hung back, pressing his thumb to a keypad on the wall. She watched him enter a code and a countdown begin, and guessed he was destroying the comms center.

Stepping onto the ledge outside, Lana heard the sounds of gun and laser fire too close for her comfort, along with the beat of helicopters in the dark skies. Brady joined her and pulled the door closed behind them. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the micro and Horsemen, holding them out to her. Lana hesitated and then took them.

"You keep those safe, and I'll keep you safe," Brady said. "Deal?"

She nodded, understanding it was his way of showing he trusted her, even if she was too furious to trust him. She hurt too much right now. Lana unlocked her micro and forwarded everything to Mr. Tim that he requested.