“Of myself?” Reyna asked, confused where this conversation was going.
“You have to make decisions that you can live with.”
“I know what I can live with.”
“Choose justice, Miss Reyna.” Genevieve’s hand clasped around hers. “Do the right thing when the time comes.”
Reyna closed her hand tight around Genevieve’s. “I will.”
“You reminded Master Washington so much of his Mistress Elisa. He’d only ever trust you with this.”
“I’ll make him proud.”
Genevieve nodded. “I know you will.”
Chapter 32
Reyna bounced from foot to foot in the back of the black van. Zoya had hooked it up with several video screens so they could see everything playing out. Nearly everyone was wired with a tiny camera and they were broadcasting everything live. Anyone who wanted to see the realities of Visage now could. People had called Everett’s video propaganda, but they were listening after video of his murder was released…and they were enraptured now that Elle was broadcasting live for the first time ever.
From Reyna’s vantage point, she could see what she now called the storming of the camps. It was frantic and manic and totally incredible. Guns going off to stop the vampires from obstructing their entrance. People rushing forward through the front. Mayhem as they moved deeper through the trenches.
Humans poured from the front entrance as they escaped their vampire guards and made it out. And all of this was just in the first couple minutes.
Madness.
Panic.
Distraction.
That’s what Reyna wanted and needed.
“Your cue,” Zoya said as a flare erupted on one of the screens.
“We’re sure he’s in there?” Reyna asked.
Beckham nodded. “Affirmative.”
Gabe slid open the van door. He jumped down enthusiastically. “I’m fucking ready for this shit.”
Meghan shook her head. “Only you are this happy about it.”
Jodie cocked the gun in her hand and shrugged. “I don’t know. They gave me a gun. I’m pretty stoked.”
Tye just jumped out of the van and adjusted the many guns strapped on him. Philippé stepped out with them, leaving Gerard with Beckham. Zoya was on comms and Katarina had gone in first.
Beckham grasped Reyna’s chin and turned her to face him again. “If anything goes wrong, I’m coming in after you.”
“It’ll go to plan.”
“It never goes to plan.”
“Okay. Yeah. It never goes to plan.” Reyna ran her hand down her ponytail and shrugged. Her nerves ate at her as she played the plan over and over again in her head.
“Don’t do anything reckless.”
She arched an eyebrow.
“Anything more reckless than normal.” Then he kissed her with none of the softness of the one at his place. This was fierce and loyal and demanding. His emotions exploded through her all at once. She could sense him, feel him, taste him. It was so intoxicating that she thought she’d never be able to walk away from this. Never be able to go into that pit of Hell. Not if it meant she did it without him.
“You won’t,” he said, reading her thoughts. “I’ll be with you every step, remember?”
“Good,” she gasped.
“You’re bloody coming out of there.”
A cool smile pressed to her lips. Adrenaline pumping through her veins and pushing her into action. “You bet I am.”
* * *
—
Reyna followed the vanguard of her army.
Gabe paved the way to a back entrance into the camp. They’d scoped it out yesterday to check for guards. There were two on the door at all times and a rotating round who patrolled the perimeter. And despite the fact that Reyna hated the idea, Beckham had contacted Rowland to get inside information—schematics, blueprints, passcodes, everything that would help. They’d debated it for a long time, but it was the only way that they knew they could definitely get to Harrington. It was a risk. The biggest risk Beckham might have ever taken. But at the end of the day, Rowland wanted to depose Harrington as much as they did. The enemy of my enemy was my friend, even if she hated him. She just hoped the bastard played his part.
Tye discreetly cut his way through the fencing with a cool-looking laser that Katarina had provided. It took a full minute while they waited anxiously before they could slip through the hole he’d created. Reyna ducked over to the other side, with Gabe flanking her rear.
The distraction had done its job. All the guards were missing from the back door and the patrol was gone. That didn’t mean they wouldn’t meet someone on the inside, but for now they were in the clear.
Reyna hurried after Jodie and Meghan to the back door. She plastered herself against the wall. Her breathing heavy and terrified.
“You’re doing great,” she heard Beckham’s commanding voice in her ear.
She pressed her finger to the tiny earpiece. It was amazing to be able to hear him. Though she knew she wanted to rely more on sensing him. She opened herself to him and sensed him in the van. Good. Close enough. Not too far away.