Keeping Me (Spy Chronicles Book 2)(16)

He hasn’t called me that in a while. I think he’s doing it because Sander is here. Guess he doesn’t want anybody to know that he sort of likes me.

“You already want to ditch me?” I ask. “What happened to training me and teaching me how to drive?”

“That’s still happening,” he says.

“Look at you two,” Sander says. “All getting along and stuff.”

I look at Sander. “I’ll have you know that I am a great traveling companion.”

“Yeah. As long as there was food in the car,” Bass says.

Sander laughs. “I told you that she likes to eat.”

“Guys, I think we’re ignoring the big picture here,” I say.

They both look at me.

“The electricity is off in all of the St. Louis area,” I say, reminding them that we are standing in the dark. “What are we supposed to do about that? And what about Nolan? He’s here.”

“It’s okay. We’ve got this,” Sander says, patting me on the back.

“What’s the plan?” I ask.

“It’s a need to know basis,” he says.

“I think this is a need to know situation,” I say.

“Sorry,” Sander says. “Orders. Your dad doesn’t want you knowing too much right now. He thinks it’ll scare you.”

Ugh.

I hate it when they leave me out of the plan. I know it’s not their fault. My dad is the one who ordered the information black-out on me. But it still infuriates me.

“Serenity, trust me,” Bass says. “I won’t let Nolan get you.”

“Don’t I deserve to know? This is all happening because of me,” I say.

Bass looks at Sander.

“Dude, no,” Sander says. “If you tell her anything, her dad will kill you. And you know he’s capable. Not even you are good enough to fight against it.”

“I’ll deal with my father,” I say.

“Let’s just say that if Nolan wants to lure us out, then that’s exactly what’s going to happen,” Bass says.

“He doesn’t want you guys. He just wants me,” I say.

“This isn’t about you, Princess,” he says. “It's about something so much bigger.”

I stomp my foot. “I hate you right now.”

“Back at ya,” Bass says.

“I’d punch you, but I’m pretty sure it would hurt me a lot more than it would hurt you,” I say, then take a step closer to him. “But rest assured, Sebastian, I will learn how to fight. And when I do, I will punch you.”

He laughs.

LAUGHS.

Which only makes me want to punch him more.

“I’ll look forward to the day that you take me on in a fight. I have a feeling that I will enjoy it very much,” he says.

I look at Sander. “Can you hit him for me?”

Sander grins. “Gladly. After we take care of this Nolan situation.”

“As if you could,” Bass says confidently.

Maybe Sander couldn’t win against Sebastian. But he could definitely get a few good hits in.

“Is my dad coming?” I ask.

“Why? Do you not trust us?” Sander asks.

“I trust you,” I say to Sander, then look at Bass. “I trust both of you. I just want to see my dad. Since, apparently, he is the only one who can tell me anything.”

The lights flicker on for a second and then back off. Sander and Bass both look at each other.

“Is that supposed to happen?” I ask.

The lights come back on again, only this time they stay on.

“Brett?” Bass asks Sander.

Sander nods once. “Most likely.”

“Brett? What about Brett?” I ask.

“Now he’s going to know we’re here,” Bass says.

“Wasn’t that the plan anyway?” Sander asks. “Look, whatever Brett, Jax, and Hunter are doing, they’re being smart about it. They trained at the same school we did, and trust me, they’re good.”

“Are we going to see them soon?” I ask.

I haven’t seen them since I was in the hospital, unless you count in passing while I was at the mall. I miss my friends. They, Nolan, Sander, and Gage were the first friends I ever made. I’ve hardly even gotten the chance to get to know them yet.

“Very soon,” Sander says.

“Call them,” Bass says.

“You sure?” he asks.

There they go. Talking in code again.

“I’m sure,” Bass says. “They just answered the call to war. We have no choice now.”

“How did they call war?” I ask.

But nobody answers me. They never do. Sander pulls a phone out of his pocket and Bass pulls me over towards the couch.

“You should sit,” he says.

I do. Because when Bass says I need to do something, I don’t question. I just do it. There might be a million questions running through my head right now, all of which he has the answer to, but if I’ve learned anything from the guys it’s trust now, ask questions later.

“The power... Nolan... he just knocked it out for the whole city?” I ask.

“He did,” Bass answers.