Mindsiege (Mindspeak #2)(61)
We went over my part of the plan one last time.
“Your job is to learn more about the trackers. Who has them? How are they inserted? How are they manipulated? Who controls them?”
The more I thought about the plan, the more nauseated I became. Not to mention my goal of getting Jonas and everyone else out of my head.
“You cannot mindspeak to me once our plan is put into place. So when I let go of you outside the next building, you’re on your own until we meet up later tonight. Do you understand?”
I cocked my head. “Of course I understand. I can’t mindspeak to you if I have any hope of learning what I need to from Jonas without him getting suspicious. Like I told Seth, since I can’t escape this crazy, stupid situation, I want to know everything. Maybe then we’ll find a way out.”
Jack stopped and turned to me. He pulled me close and whispered, “I hope so.” He brushed his hand down the length of my cheek, then leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. After two light touches with his lips, he pressed harder, deepening the kiss and taking my breath with it.
I pulled away first, swallowing hard. My heart constricted, but I had to ignore the ache for now. “You haven’t told me your part of the plan.”
His lips tugged downward. “I can’t. We can’t risk Jonas reading your mind once the shield is broken, and learning what I’m up to. But I will tell you that part of my job is to find out why my mom is keeping Father’s whereabouts a big secret.”
Jack was scared I would blow the entire plan, and for good reason. I would never forgive myself if something happened to Addison or Danielle—or anyone—because of my vulnerable mind. “When will I see you again?”
He rubbed his thumb across my lips, my cheek. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Anything to keep touching me. “You’ll see me soon. I promise. Try not to anticipate that moment though. The plan will work better, the less you know.” After one last kiss to my lips, Jack stared into my eyes. Promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks. You’ll call out to me if your life is in danger in any way. I will come immediately.
I lifted his hand and brushed my lips across his knuckles. You know I can’t promise that.
He countered with a lingering kiss to my forehead. I love you for your courage and your honesty.
I love you for seeing things in me that aren’t there. I gave him a weak smile.
Then, he let go.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I found Jonas at the gym where Wellington’s boxing and wrestling teams worked out. I was pretty sure no one from those teams remained on campus. Regardless, we were alone.
He worked the speed bag as I approached. The room reeked of leather and sweat. I searched my mind, and didn’t see his small presence there at first, but remembered that Jack had said Jonas was always there. I examined the darker corners. That’s where I found him hanging out, practically dormant. I tried to watch how the small specks representing Jonas’s invasion into my mind reacted when I spoke. Hey, Jonas.
The specks came alive as if just awoken. Jonas reached up and stopped the bag with both hands. “Where’ve you been?” he asked, keeping his back to me.
“Checking on Dani. Seeing if she got as much pleasure out of shooting you as I would have.” I forced a smile.
He turned in time to see the smile. “I definitely expected more of a thank-you for taking a bullet for you.”
I cocked my head. “Did you take a bullet for me?”
A smirk spread across Jonas’s face. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe you only thought she was going to aim at me? I’ve been wondering if Dani was actually aiming at you. Maybe she hit her target.”
“Why would Dani be firing at me?” he asked.
“Why would she want to shoot me?” I countered, then continued. “Let’s back up. Let’s say that someone from the IIA was sending me a message through Dani. And the message was giving me less than twenty-four hours to turn myself over to the IIA. If that were the case, why would the IIA then shoot me?”
Jonas’s grin grew. “Hmmm. Well thought out. But you forget one thing. The rubber bullets most likely would not have hit you in a body part that would have seriously hurt you, let alone kill you. What if the IIA wanted you to feel pain? What if they wanted you to know they were serious about making your beloved best friend do something she’d rather die than do? And of course, they knew your boyfriend would heal you anyway.”
He was right. Dani said so herself. She’d rather die than hurt me. And I felt the same way.
“Also good points.” I walked around him and punched the speed bag while avoiding eye contact. I could barely reach the bag at the height it was set, but it was something to hit. I needed Jonas if I had any hope of saving Dani. I turned back to him. He was closer than I expected. My breath caught. Searching his eyes, I wondered if it was truly lack of trust that made me nervous around him, or something else entirely. My eyes slammed shut. When I reopened them, he remained inches from me. Willing my pulse to slow, I asked, “What do you think I should do?”
“About?”
He smelled of a hard workout mixed with the hint of deodorant. Moisture seeped through his gray T-shirt. “Should I turn myself over to the IIA? Would that save Dani?”
Jonas’s grin disappeared. “Are you asking if I think the IIA would leave Dani alone and not use the tracker inside her head? Not try to remotely control her again? I can’t answer that.” He reached up and stopped the speed bag I had set in motion. He looked everywhere but at me. “As far as turning yourself over to the IIA… I don’t know, Lexi.” He sighed while wiping his forehead on the sleeve of his shirt.