Behind the Mask

Chapter 95

Multiple POVs

Corey's POV

I didn't even hesitate. When the redline hit, I put it on speaker. Kota and I were still in the loft with Marissa, Luke, and Gabe. Dominic had arrived only a few minutes before the transmission began. I had no idea if Victor had gotten it as well, but I had to assume he did.

"Should have known your boss couldn't be trusted to keep his word." We heard Nate yell at someone.

Diego's voice came through the line, "Oh, he kept his word to the Academy and now you will be handed over, but not before I have my fun. You get to be my new toy"

"Fuck you, Diego!" Nate yelled.

"When Doc finishes with you, fucking me will be one of your favorite things to do," Diego laughed, then we heard a shot.

Marissa and Kota both screamed, "Nate!" but the line had already gone silent.

"I need that jet, now!" Kota roared at Dominic as Marissa clung to him sobbing. He cupped her face in his hands, "Kitten, listen to me. I'm going to bring him home, I promise." She sniffled and nodded her head as he pressed his lips to her forehead. He gave all of us a pained look over her head and mouthed, Take care of her, then hurried out of the room with Dominic.

I quickly stepped behind her and wrapped her in my arms. Her body shook and I lifted her into my arms, carrying her to the bedroom. Her silent tears soaked my shirt as she clung to me. I sat her on the bed gently then reached for a water bottle. Her hands shook as she drank. I was petrified that she would go into shock. After drinking almost half the bottle, she held it out to me. "Thank you," she whispered.

I placed the bottle on the nightstand and then took her hands, "Kota will bring him back." I'm not sure if I was trying to assure her or myself - perhaps both. I knew some of the others probably heard the transmission and we needed to talk, but right now I needed to make sure she would be alright. I ran my hand over her cheekbone, then leaned in to kiss her softly. "I love you, little one. We are going to keep you safe, I promise."

"It's not me I'm worried about, it never was," she said firmly. "I can accept my own pain, hell even my own death, but I cannot accept any of you getting hurt because of me. Aurora needs her fathers." She squeezed my hands, "Be realistic. There is a high possibility that I am a ticking time bomb. We have no idea what Murdoch placed in my subconscious."

I'm not sure if I was more shocked by her words or the quick change in persona. It was as if she had flipped a switch. "Hey, where is all of this coming from? You've been fine."

"It's only been a short time, Corey. Murdoch gave me years of false memories in a matter of weeks. Not to mention this," she lifted her dress to show the Ra brand. "We don't even know what trigger Murdoch implanted in my brain - or if he did the same to Silas. If he gets his hands on Nate..." her words trailed off and she quickly brushed tears from her eyes. "Promise me that you will do whatever you have to, Corey. Save Aurora. Save your husbands, and future husbands - even if that means killing me."

"Not a fucking chance," Gabe growled from the door. "I told you once, little girl, and I'll say it again. You are not leaving us and we are not giving up on you, so don't give up on us."

New York: Axel's POV

When Victor turned on the audio, we all froze. Morales' betrayal wasn't really a shock, but when I heard Diego mention Nate becoming his toy, I saw red.

Then the sound of that gunshot...

For a moment, there wasn't a sound in the room, then all hell broke loose. Victor let out a low wailing moan and all around me people were yelling - some panicking. "Fucking shut up!" I roared. I looked at Victor who was fighting back tears, "I know this is hard, but we can't help him now. What we can do is make damn sure Murdoch never gets his hands on him."