Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) Read online

“I can do that, but it would be easier if we went out together. I take it you already have a plan,” she said.

  “Yes,” he replied. “I will go out and get our morning lattes. Like I usually do, I’ll pick up a coffee for Max and I will put the remedy in his drink. While I’m gone you will ask him to bring Morgan to the exam room. After Max is out cold, we get Morgan loose and head for Collin. Then we all head out to our rendezvous point where we meet up with Logan and Noah.”

  “There could be one problem with that plan,” she said thinking aloud.

  “Really,” Tristan grinned. “And what would that be?”

  “Getting through the gate where Collin is being held, you said that it has a fingerprint scan at the gate.”

  “Yeah, that’s right,” he replied.

  “I don’t think your print will work. Morgan and Collin have been getting out of the compound, why don’t we use the same route they have been using?” she asked.

  “I wish. They are jumping over the fence,” he said, still surprised himself that they could accomplish that feat.

  “Jumping a fifteen foot high voltage fence? I’m impressed, that wolf DNA is improving their abilities,” Victory said.

  “Yeah, but we don’t have the advantage of wolf DNA, not that I want it. But I have planned on a way to get in.” He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a tiny tin of Altoids. He placed the tin in her hands.

  “Are you trying to tell me I have bad breath?” she scowled at him.

  “No, open it,” he chuckled at her.

  She looked at him then down at the tin and opened it. Inside there were no mints, only a couple pieces of plastic or gum. “What is it?” she asked.

  He carefully pulled one of the pieces out and placed it on his thumb. “Meet Max’s print.”

  “So, you have been busy working at night, when did you get that, more to the point, how did you get that?” she asked.

  “I took it off a coffee mug that he left on his desk in his office.” He smiled at her, quite pleased with himself. “Of course I’ve been working, what did you think I was doing? Never mind don’t answer that, but I’ll tell you I would’ve rather been in bed with you,” he teased. “Speaking of which, it’s been a long night for both of us. Let’s try and get a few hours sleep.”

  “Sleep,” she repeated raising one eyebrow.

  “Yeah, after we unwind.” He smiled at her as he grabbed hold of the tie holding her shorts up. Her shorts dropped to the floor leaving her naked from the waist down.

  Victory didn’t move a muscle, bewitched by the pure lust in Tristan’s dazzling violet eyes. He took a step towards her and placed a hand on each side of her waist, right below the hem of her tee shirt. Leisurely he moved his hands up the sides of her body stopping at her breasts. He stroked both buds and felt her pulse beneath his hands suddenly increase. He continued up until he could slide the tee shirt off of her. Bringing the inferno that was Victory to him, he claimed her mouth with a fervor that consumed him. He felt her hands pull down the zipper to his jeans, then surround his shaft. He stepped out of his jeans as he pushed Victory back towards the wall.

  He lifted her off the floor, and she wrapped her legs around him. He positioned his body directly under her and slid her down the wall at the same time plunging up into her. She moaned with pleasure and wrapped her legs even more tightly around him as she thrust her hips towards him. Tristan could swear he saw flashing colors flood his head. No one ever made him feel like Victory could.

  Tristan carried her to the bed and the two of them fell into it. “I like your definition of unwinding Mr. Farraday,” she whispered into his ear as she began to nibble on his earlobe.

  She used his real name. Was she trying to tell him something? Was she telling him that this was very real to her? Hundreds of thoughts ran through his mind, but this was not the time to question her. Instead he simply responded, “I figured you would. I still feel wound up,” he teased.

  “We can’t have that,” she answered, as she pulled Tristan over the top of her.

  TWENTY-ONE

  After putting in a long day at the lab, Tristan and Victory headed out to take a walk in the jungle. With any luck he would locate the plants that Victory needed to make her sleeping potion. Victory was familiar with much of the foliage indigenous to the island, but Tristan was an expert. She enjoyed watching him wander through the forest looking at all the different plants. He would point out unusual plants and tell her their names and some interesting properties. He found everything she needed and then they headed back to the compound.

  “I’ll need to dry them before I make up the mixture. I’ll head back to my room and get them all laid out, then I’ll met you for dinner,” she said as she headed in the direction of their rooms.

  It was after nine when they sauntered out of the dining room, hand in hand. The compound was already quieting down for the night. Clouds were coming in from the ocean blocking the glow of the moon.

  “Looks like we have a storm heading this way,” Victory commented.

  “It’s the start of that season. But on the up side it will make it easier to get around the compound tonight. Morgan will be coming by in an hour or so,” Tristan breathed in her ear as they walked up the path.

  She slipped the keycard into the door and pushed it open. “I have a slight headache Tristan, I think I’m going to take a couple aspirins and lay down.”

  “Sounds like a good idea, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard,” he said.

  “I’m trying to get some results for Braxton.” She walked into her bedroom with Tristan behind her, he shut the door. “We’re getting really good at playing our parts,” she said with a grin.

  “A couple of real actors,” he responded. “Mission accomplished, whoever is listening will believe that we are in for the night and hopefully tune us out for the evening.”

  “You are going to take out Morgan’s tracker chip tonight?” she asked, as she sat on the edge of the bed taking her sneakers off.

  “No, I took a scalpel from the lab and I’m going to give it to him tonight, so that he will be ready tomorrow.”

  “You mean he has to remove the chip himself?” she asked.

  “That’s the plan,” he said.

  The thought of using a scalpel on herself sent shivers down her. “Morgan is approaching,” she turned her head towards the window.

  “You’re right, I caught his scent.” He walked to the window, opened it and waited for Morgan.

  “Hey Tristan, we’re ready for tomorrow on our end,” Morgan said shaking Tristan’s outstretched hand.

  “We’re on. We got all the plants we needed today. Victory has gone into the bathroom to work on Max’s sleeping potion. Here is a scalpel, and one of my team’s communication ear buds.”

  “Wow, that’s pretty cool; so give me the rundown on it.”

  “Press this little button and you will automatically be linked to the team. It’s sound sensitive, when you speak we will all be able to hear you. Make sure you don’t turn it on until I have taken the security grid down,” Tristan said.

  “Got it,”

  “How are things with Collin?” Tristan asked.

  “He’s getting jumpy and wants to leave asap.”

  “It’s your job to keep him under control Morgan. If anyone can do that, you can.”

  “Don’t worry; I’ll take care of him.”

  As if on cue the compound alarm went off. At nearly the same time the two men smelled smoke. “You smell that.” Tristan said.

  “Yeah, I do. Son of a bitch, it’s Collin. He said he needed some entertainment, that he might go find a book. I told him to stay put and I would bring him back something to read. He’s left the damn enclosure,” Morgan swore.

  “Damn it Morgan, I thought you said that you had him under control?” Tristan all but spat back.

  “I thought I did. He promised me he would stay put, but he’s getting more and more unpredictable each day.”

  Victor
y came running out of the bathroom. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s Collin, he’s left his enclosure again and this time he has started a fire to add to the confusion,” Tristan answered.

  “So now what?” Morgan asked. “They are probably out to shoot him this time.”

  Tristan answered without hesitation. “Looks like he’s forced our hand, we leave tonight. We’ll have to make some changes to the plan on the fly. Morgan you track Collin down and then stick to the plan, meet us at the rendezvous point as soon as you have Collin secure. I hope you have some idea where he is going.”

  “Like always, he’ll be heading for the forest,” Morgan said beginning to get antsy himself.

  “Okay, you are going to have to kick it into high gear when you leave here. Give me twenty minutes to take down the grid, then put in your ear bud. After I get that done we will contact Noah and Logan so that they can make the necessary changes to our escape. Victory, you will be with me.”

  “I need to go to the lab first. I can’t leave without all the research. I can’t afford to start this project from the beginning again. Morgan and Collin are running out of time.”

  “Okay, you go straight to the lab then meet me near the loading area. Do you know where that is?” Tristan asked.

  “Yes. It should only take me twenty minutes to gather up my laptop and all the data.”

  “Morgan you take off. Victory, go put on all black clothing, then head directly to the lab and please, be careful.”

  “I’m out of here, I’ll keep you updated as to my progress. After I secure Collin we will head for the rendezvous point.” Morgan melted into the shadows.

  “I need to leave,” Tristan said.

  “Go, I’ll be fine. Change, lab, loading area,” Victory reiterated.

  “That’s it, and stick to the plan. Victory, please be careful.” Tristan leaned inside the window, pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “See you soon.” With that he too was off into the darkness.

  Victory headed to the lab. The compound was chaotic with people trying to see what was happening, and others attempting to get the fire under control. Collin set the coffee shop on fire, and the thousands of books that had lined the walls were adding fuel to the fire. The building was a total loss, with flames shooting over twenty feet into the air. The only hope now was to stop it from spreading. The scene was so intense that Victory’s movements were going unnoticed.

  The lab was lit at the outside door with a small overhead light. Victory stopped, hidden by the shrubbery and listened, she heard no one in the area, and looked around to make sure that no one was near. After she was sure that she was alone, she walked up to the lab and unlocked the door.

  The inside was blanketed in darkness. Victory stepped into the building and reached out to switch on the light. She went straight to her workstation. Pulling the large backpack from her shoulder she placed it on the table, slipped in her laptop and the stack of files next to it, along with the CDs she had recorded. Then she went over to the cooler and emptied it of all the samples. She was so engrossed that she never noticed a shadow quickly pass in the doorway. As she was securing the contents of her backpack she realized her mistake. She heard the slightest rustle of clothing behind her. Before she had the opportunity to turn to see what made the noise, she was hit from behind and crumpled to the floor unconscious.

  * * *

  Tristan managed to disable the security grid in less than ten minutes. Collin’s fire served as a huge distraction and actually helped him, as there wasn’t a single man left inside the facility. He pushed the tiny button on his ear bud and popped it into his ear. “Noah, Logan, this is Tristan.”

  “Roger,” Noah replied. “What the hell is going on in there?”

  “Collin got impatient, decided to start the party without us,” Tristan said.

  “So he likes to play with fire,” Logan chimed in.

  “Yes, I guess he does. Morgan are you there?” Tristan asked.

  “Roger,” Morgan replied slightly winded. “I haven’t picked up Collin’s trail yet, but I must be closing in on him.”

  Logan was at the far side of the compound scouting out the area. “The compound is clear and the escape route is secure. I have made initial contact with our chopper. Pilot estimates thirty minutes to rendezvous.”

  Logan was cautiously approaching the helipad when he noticed a small chopper sitting on the tarmac. Man, they were in luck, Noah was a pilot. They could all be off this damn rock in minutes. That was if Morgan could locate Collin in time. Suddenly the chopper came to life as the blades started to rotate and the control lights inside came on. There were no outside lights illuminated, whoever was piloting that thing didn’t want to be seen. A terrible thought crossed his mind. “Morgan, you there? This is Logan.”

  “Hey Logan, I’m here,” Morgan responded.

  “Collin doesn’t happen to be a chopper pilot does he?” Logan asked.

  “If it flies Collin can pilot it,” Morgan replied.

  “Damn it,” was all the team heard. Logan was running full out toward the chopper, his only hope to reach it before it was too far off the ground. He reached the chopper and jumped, missing the rung by scant inches. As he jumped he saw another person slumped in the passenger’s seat.

  “Logan, what’s happening?” Tristan demanded.

  “God damn it. Collin took off in the chopper and I’m sure that he wasn’t alone,” Logan said.

  Tristan looked down at his watch, he had been so involved with everything that was going on that he lost track of time. Forty minutes had pasted since he left Victory and he hadn’t heard from her yet. Knowing her, she probably lost track of time and became engrossed with her work. He cleared his mind and reached for her. There was no response, he couldn’t feel her. There was nothing.

  “Come on Tristan, Morgan is already here at the rendezvous point. You and Victory have to get the lead out,” Noah said.

  “I’m heading back to the lab. I can’t reach Victory.” Tristan took off in the opposite direction running toward the lab. Three minutes later he reached the building and found the door wide open. He quietly moved toward the door. He filled his lungs with the night air and picked up Victory’s familiar scent, lavender and chamomile. Then his heart nearly stopped as he caught the ever slightest scent of Collin. Tristan froze, then forced himself to keep breathing as he slowly walked into the lab.

  The lab was empty. Turning on his flashlight he looked around, Victory’s workstation was cleaned of her computer and files. He shone his light on the floor and then he saw it, a reflection of jade and gold, Victory’s earring. A heart-wrenching scream tore through his soul, yet he didn’t utter a single sound. The room started spinning and Tristan dropped to his hands and knees.

  Wyatt was in the Situation Room keeping an eye on the extraction that was unexpectedly unfolding twelve hours ahead of schedule. He was reviewing the latest results when he succumbed to a wave of nausea followed by a blood curdling cry ringing through his brain.

  “Victory!”

  “Tristan, what’s happened,” Wyatt pressed. He never felt such a punch of pain or unadulterated terror resonate from his brother. While on assignments, Tristan was shot, stabbed, and tortured numerous times during his career and never had Wyatt felt this anguish from him. “Tristan, god damn it Tristan, answer me.” Wyatt got no response. “Get me a damn sat phone,” he yelled to his team.

  “Noah here.”

  “Noah, what’s happening there?” Wyatt demanded.

  “I’m at the rendezvous point with Logan and Morgan, we’re waiting for Tristan and Victory to join us. Looks like Collin took off in a chopper, not sure where he is headed. Logan thought there might have been someone else in the chopper with him.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Wyatt mumbled.

  “Sir,” Noah responded.

  “I think Collin took Victory,” Wyatt deduced. “Where is Tristan?”

  “Last time I heard he was heading back to the lab
to get Victory,” Noah responded.

  “How long ago?” Wyatt pushed.

  Noah glanced down at his watch. “About fifteen minutes ago. They should have been back here by now.”

  “Something’s wrong, one of you need to go and find Tristan. And keep me updated,” Wyatt ordered.

  “Yes sir, right away.” Noah switched off the phone and turned to the other two men. “Something’s up with Tristan, the Captain wants us to track him down.” Noah stuck his ear bud back his ear. “Tristan come in. Tristan. Damn. No answer, I’m heading back to get him.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Morgan chimed in.

  “No, you stay here with Logan, we need to get you out.”

  “Do you know where the lab is?” Morgan quizzed him.

  “Not exactly, I have a general idea, but it can’t be that hard to find.”

  “If you have to look for it you’re going to burn time,” Morgan pressed.

  “He has a point,” Logan said.

  “Fine, let’s go,” Noah quipped.

  “Great, follow me,” Morgan said and took off running.

  “Hey asshole, slow down,” Noah said through his ear bud. “We don’t all have dog genes.”

  “That’s wolf DNA, get it right,” Morgan teased as he slowed to human speed. “This way is a short cut. The lab is at the end of this path.”

  Five minutes later Morgan and Noah were at the perimeter of the lab. “Looks like the front door is open,” Noah commented.

  “Yeah, that’s not right. Something is clearly not right here. You wait here, give me one minute to get around back and I’ll go in through the exam room,” Morgan said, heading for the far side of the building.

  “Roger,” Noah looked at his watch then squatted down in the bushes and surveyed the surroundings.

  Morgan slipped around the building to the exam room door. Damn he hated this place and here he was going back in. He entered the exam room at the same time Noah came through the lab door.

  The lab was dark, but from the light shining in from the outside doorway he could make out a large figure on the floor. “Tristan?” Noah leaped toward the figure on the floor. “Tristan, are you hurt?” Noah grabbed one of Tristan’s shoulders. Tristan swung around springing to his feet and had Noah pinned to the wall in the same instant. “Tristan, hey man it’s me, Noah.”