Chapter 322

The door to the outside opened. Cassidy and I picked up the bomb and ran out to the parking lot.

“We need to get it away from the building,” Cassidy said.

There was a field beyond the parking lot, but we’d never be able to run there in time and then get far enough away before it exploded to not get killed.

I spotted Elliot Gray’s truck parked a few feet away and realized the parking lot tilted toward the field. It gave me an idea.

I opened the driver’s door. “Help me put it on the seat,” I told Cassidy.

She didn’t argue. We had fifteen seconds until the red light came on. Ten seconds after that, the bomb would explode.

After the box was on the driver's seat, I stepped on the brake and put the transmission in neutral before closing the door.

Then Cassidy and I pushed the already rolling truck to get it moving faster and rushed back inside the passageway door.

We were about fifteen feet inside the passage when the sound of the explosion tore through the air.

When it was over, we ran back to the door and looked outside. What was left of the pickup was burning in the field. The high grass was on fire, too, and a few cars parked in the lot and the back of the building showed damage from the explosion.

“But nobody was killed,” Cassidy said. “Using that pickup was a great idea. But the owner may not think so.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to buy him a new one.” I had to smile. We were alive, and the danger was over. Amy’s dad would understand.

“Let’s get to Victor’s office,” I said. “He’s going to be worried after the explosion.”

We hurried to the bathroom and then through the hall to Victor’s office. He and Alex were in the outer office organizing loyal security guards to search for us.

Victor cleared the room and took me into his arms. “When I heard the explosion, I thought I lost you.”

“We’re fine,” I said. “But I owe Mr. Gray a new pickup truck.”

I waited for Alex and Cassidy to finish their happy reunion before beginning to explain what happened. It was Cassidy’s story too.

Afterward, Victor gave orders to Association staff that would tie up all the loose ends for now, and we left for Alex’s mansion.

I still had the memory cards from my cameras in my pocket, and we wanted to see what was on them.

Findlay and Tony were coming too. Alex promised a grand lunch to celebrate our victory over the faction.

We gathered in the living room, and Cassidy put the memory cards into her laptop. The footage showed various faction members, most of whom were known by someone in our group.

The biggest surprise was seeing John Cameron being escorted through the passages with Chloe at his side.

“I never should have recommended her, Victor,”

Findlay said. “I should have known her loyalty could be bought.”

“It’s not your fault, Findlay,” Victor replied. “She had me fooled too.”

After a fabulous lunch, Alex asked Benson to bring his best bottle of champagne, and we toasted today’s win over the faction.

“There is more work to be done to eradicate them.

The danger to us and the world isn’t completely gone, but it’s in retreat,” Victor said as he raised his glass.

“And we’ll all live to fight another day,” Cassidy added. “Thank you, Daisy, for finding me in the passages and for your cool head while we were getting rid of the bomb.”

“Have you told Elliot about his truck yet?” Alex asked with a chuckle.

“I called him on our way here,” I replied. “He said he had his eye on a new truck anyhow, and the old one was insured.”

The adrenaline had worn off, and I began to yawn.

“I think Daisy needs a nap,” Victor said.

“That sounds like a good idea,” Cassidy agreed. “I’ve never had such a hard workout like the one Daisy and I got today.”

We said our goodbyes, and everyone left to be alone with their mate. The big bed in Victor’s apartment felt fantastic when I climbed between the sheets.

I was asleep within seconds, waking in time to shower before dinner.

My muscles were stiff as I climbed from the bed, but a warm shower loosened them up. I felt much better by the time I found Victor in the kitchen, unboxing food from Gilded.

He ordered all my favorites. We took the food to the dining room, and I was surprised by the candles, crystal glasses, and fine china already on the table.

“This is so romantic,” I said and kissed him. “Thank you, darling.”

“I wanted to show you how much you mean to me.” Victor took my hand. “I thought I lost you twice today. Please don’t frighten me like that again.”

“I thought I did rather well during the crises.” I took a sip from the glass of wine he handed me.

“You were marvelous,” Victor agreed. “It makes me feel a bit guilty for not being around to protect you, but you certainly can handle yourself. You’ve become a formidable woman.”

Victor chose a piece of steak tartare and held it to my lips. “For you, my beautiful warrior.”

I accepted his offering and chewed slowly. The raw beef was perfectly seasoned and cut to make it more tender and juicy.

After licking blood from my lips, I fed Victor a piece. He took the meat in his teeth and chewed while gazing into my eyes. He then licked each of my fingers that had touched the meat.

It was romantic and sexy, just the kind of evening we needed after such a stressful day.

My phone interrupted our evening. My phone’s caller ID told me it was Shane Ross.

“Ooh, I’m sorry, darling, but I must answer this call.” I pressed the accept button and said hello.

“Daisy, I hope you’re not busy,” Shane said. “I heard about your exciting day and that you were a hero. You should write about it.”

“Maybe I will,” I agreed.

“Anyhow, I thought we could begin investigating further for your story tomorrow,” Shane said. “There’s more to be uncovered. I can feel it.”

“That sounds good, but it would have to be after my classes,” I told him. “I missed all of them today and shouldn’t miss anymore. It would be hard to catch up.”

Shane sighed dramatically. “That’s a shame. Someone with your gift for investigations shouldn’t waste their time in a classroom listening to boring lectures.”

Maybe he was right. Today taught me how unpredictable life is and how it could end suddenly. Perhaps I didn’t need a degree to achieve my goals.

“I’m going to class tomorrow,” I said. “But I’ll think about it. A few of my classes do seem like a waste of my time.”

Victor dropped his fork on the table and was staring at me with a shocked look in his eyes.

“Shane, I have to go,” I said into the phone. “If you want to meet me on campus around three thirty, we could snoop around and talk to people.”

“Sure, but you’d be better off skipping it,” he repeated.

“See you tomorrow,” I chuckled and hung up.

“Tell me you weren’t serious!” Victor exploded. “You’ve only been going to college for two weeks, and you want to quit?”

“I said I would think about it,” I argued. “I’m going to classes tomorrow.”

“Daisy, a degree from Frampton U will open doors for you,” Victor advised. “Don’t throw it away.”

“Would you be embarrassed if I did?” I asked. My emotions were still raw from the events of the day, and my anger was growing more than it should. Yet, I couldn’t stop myself from lashing out. “Does your fiancée have to have a fancy degree?”

His emotions were close to the surface, too. “I never said that, but I never thought you would consider doing something this stupid, like dropping out of school.”

“So, now I’m stupid!” I stood. “Is that how you really feel about me? Do you think I’m stupid?”

“No! I said considering dropping out of school already was stupid.” Victor stood. “Stop twisting my words.”

Inside, I knew I was being a little irrational, but I couldn’t help it. I was almost blown to bits by a bomb today, and it made me feel like I had to hurry to achieve my goals.

But Victor wouldn’t understand that, and I was too frustrated to explain it. Plus, I didn’t like anyone telling me what to do.

I had to walk away from Victor before saying something horrible I didn’t mean.

Tears stung my eyes. “I can’t do this right now,” I said and walked out of the room.