24690 by Alaska Angelini, A. A. Dark Read Free Book Online

always did—waiting for his direction.
    “You’ll take the chopper to the office today and make an appearance.”
    “I went last time. You’re not going?”
    Bram picked up the coffee, casting me with a glance as he headed for the computer.
    “No. I have stuff to take care of here. You have it under control. I trust if there’s anything that needs to be done, you’ll handle it.”
    I breathed through the anger. He didn’t have anything to do here. He just wanted to watch her, like he always did.
    “Of course. Is there anything you need while I’m gone?”
    Bram sat, glancing up at me as his focus went between me and the screen. “No.” He paused. “Actually, yes. There’s a doctor in Medical. I think she’s new. Dr. Cortez, I believe she goes by. Find out who she is. I don’t remember approving her admittance here.”
    A smile tugged at my lips. “Because you didn’t. I did.” At his stare, I came closer. “It was a few months back. You asked me to go over the list and see who we needed for staff. She’s a surgeon. I had her taken from Baltimore. Her record is outstanding but not so much as to bring notice. She didn’t have much family or friends. It was an easy … kidnapping.”
    Bram nodded, going back to the monitor. “She gave slave twenty-four-six-ninety something last night. Some sort of weapon is my guess. I was half tempted to have it removed, but I don’t think I will. The slave believes the guards will disobey my orders and try to get back at her for my punishment over one of their own. Let her see she has nothing to worry over. As for the doctor, I will leave it to you to punish her. This was your doing. She obviously hasn’t been taught the ways of our world. I think if you’re going to become part of it, even more, it’s time you took these sort of matters into your own hands.”
    The challenging look was one meant to show me up. Little did Bram know, I wasn’t as good as he thought me to be. Truth was, he had no idea the man who rested inside.
    “Done. I’ll go see her now.”
    “Do that. Make it clear to her that she’s not to be encouraging these slaves. And in no way is she to give them weapons to hurt my guards.”
    “It won’t happen again. You have my word.” I bowed my head, turning and heading to the door. With how early it was, I doubted she was in Medical, but the staff had residence not far from there. And I knew where she resided. I’d seen to the placement of her quarters, myself.
    I shut the door, going in the direction of the long curved hall not far away. The guard stood erect, staring at the wall before him as I passed through the entrance. I was someone here. Someone they respected. Someone they were cautious over, which was good. They needed to fear me more than they knew. The ones I had on my side were a loyal few, but I knew to be careful.
    After a good hundred feet, the hall intersected, and I turned going down even further. When I passed the next guard, I paused, looking over his face. He was young. Maybe mid-twenties. He’d want to prove himself. They always did.
    “I have orders from Mr. Whitlock. We have a situation and I need you to follow me. Call your high leader and have him send a replacement for you.”
    “Yes, Master.”
    “I’m no master. Not yet. Sir will work just fine.”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    The guard radioed in and I waited. Within minutes, three men in black uniforms approached. Although I wanted to smile, I held in the reaction to the power I felt.
    “You stay,” I said, pointing to a shorter man just as young as the first. “You three follow me. We have a doctor who thinks it’s okay to pass weapons to slaves. Mr. Whitlock wants her dealt with accordingly.” I glanced back, taking in the way their hard faces stared ahead. When we turned again and approached the door, I gestured. “Open it.”
    The thicker of the two took lead, not even pausing as he grabbed the knob. When it didn’t turn in his hand, he brought his foot up