Angels, Pop Stars, and...More Spies? Oh My!

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

By the time I got to the McGallen's, I knew I was limited for time. Sprinting up the front steps and through the front door, flanked by Ariana not far behind, I found all the McGallens in the living room. They looked up at me as I stamped in.

"Get up, now. We have to move."

President McGallen furrowed his eyebrows, standing up and tucking his newspaper under his arm. Margaret watched me with confusion as well. Ariana stood next to her mother, who was sitting.

"Ember, what-"

"I just got a call from Langley. We're going to be attacked. We need to get out of here."

President McGallen looked me over with his eyes, checking for anything odd. I almost rolled my eyes. Come on, he knows me better than that. I would never joke about something like this. He nodded and opened his mouth to speak when, suddenly, the windows towards the back of the room smashed inward. Glass shattered everywhere, covering the carpeted floor. Ariana and Margaret screamed, covering their heads instinctively and cowering as three men and a woman stepped in through the broken windows. The Secret Service men in the room drew their weapons, only to be shot by the men. President McGallen clutched Preston, who had been sitting next to him on the couch, by the shoulders, pushing Preston behind him in a protective maneuver. Skylar stared, wide-eyed, at the people, holding his hands up. Joshua looked like a stunned statue, frozen. His face was sheet white. He looked like he had seen a ghost. I followed his gaze to the woman. She smirked, removing her sunglasses that weren't needed, being night time.  

"Hello, Joshua. Aren't you happy to see your mother?"

My jaw almost dropped. Joshua's mother planned this all? She's the big leader?! Wow, I did not see that coming. I rested my hand on my gun, holstered and strapped around my waist but hidden by my shirt. The three men pointed the guns at the First Family, faces hidden by ski masks. It looked so Hollywood spy-movie like, but we all knew it wasn't a movie.

I studied Rebecca Hilton. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in silky waves, cutting off just below her waist. Her skin was a poreless porcelain alabaster. In six inch heels (not what I would have chosen for a raid but okay), eye level with me. She fixed me with a cold stare. Taking something out of a pocket in her blazer, I recognized it immediately. A pistol. I stared at her, straightening my back.

"Oh, and you must be my son's little girlfriend. I have to say, son, you have good taste. Hooking a CIA agent like her...damn. Your father must be very proud, aren't you, Andrew?"

She faced President McGallen, who glared at her and stood protectively by his wife. Preston peered around his father's torso, watching Rebecca carefully. President McGallen remained silent, pressing his lips together so tight they formed a straight line. Rebecca laughed, a dark sound that sent chills down my spine.  

"Oh, come on, Andrew. You can't ignore me now. Need I remind you, I wasn't the one who forgot the condom."

President McGallen's face heated in a raging blush, avoiding eye contact as Rebecca inched her way closer to him. My hand tightened around my gun. Where are all the Secret Service men? Did they really kill all of them? I guess I'm on my own. 

"Still not talking, hm? Well, I suppose we'll have to fix that won't we?"

In one swift movement, she pointed her gun at his chest, the barrel pressing into his rib cage. I could see the fear flicker in his blue eyes, but he refused to falter. His posture remained rigid. I smiled inwardly. He has learned from me. I pulled out my gun as well. The men whirled, turning their guns to me. Rebecca turned her head to me. I help my gun steady, my finger on the safety. I will shoot. 

"So Archer was right about you. Feisty and quick."

Archer. He tricked me! I knew it! I can't believe I let him fool me! Suddenly, one of the gunmen pulled off their mask. Indeed, it was a smirking Archer beneath. Anger flared in me.

"You lying, evil, disgusting bastard!" I screamed at him.

He shrugged, pointing his rifle at me.

"It's a game, Ember. Next time, try to learn how to play it."

I gritted my teeth. Gah! I glared at Rebecca again, keeping my gun aimed at her head. One shot. That's all it'll take. Then I saw Joshua out of the corner of my eye. He watched his mother and I stare each other down, conflicted. I can't shoot my...

"I will shoot you."

Rebecca laughed again, looking purely amused. What the hell is funny about any of this?! 

"I am sure you will. But, would yo do that to your boyfriend? Take away his mother."

"Don't play that card with me! Joshua is a thousand times the human being that you could ever be! Mother, my ass. You're a psycho."

Her green eyes narrowed. I held her gaze, unwavering. I can't show weakness. By now, Langley must suspect something is wrong. But, they're all the way across the country. What if they don't make it on time? I cleared my mind. I can't think of any of that right now. I must keep a clear focus.

"How dare you speak for my son that way! Who do you think you are?!"

"The girl who gave him all the love you never did."

Suddenly, she threw herself at me. I squeezed the trigger, but it missed her head as she grabbed me around my waist and pulled me down. Tugging on my hair and punching me, we wrestled. Margaret, Ariana, Skylar, and Preston backed into a corner of the room. Joshua and President McGallen took the gunmen, taking them by surprise by fighting. I scratched and spit, trying to get away from Rebecca.

"I am going to kill you, Ember! Just like I did your mother and father!"

I ignored her words. I think it's pretty clear now to me that both my parents were spies. That's nothing new. 

"Not if I can help it!"

With a new found burst of energy, I hoisted her to her feet and pinned her against the wall. She squirmed, trying to get away as I held her in place. Suddenly, her head came snapping back. Realizing what she was doing, I turned my head only to get a blow to the jaw. I cried out in pain, reaching up to grasp my jaw. She seized her opportunity. The next thing I knew, her hands were tightening around my throat, strangling me. I kicked and clawed at her hands, my lungs burning for oxygen. I tried to scream, but all that came out were gasps. She had a bloodthirsty look in her eyes, murderous. 

The next thing that happened surprised even me. Suddenly, just as I was giving up my struggle and embracing the fact that I was going to die, her grip loosened. A gunshot filled the house, breaking all the noise. I gasped for air, pushing myself back against the ruined sofa. My heart racing, I looked for the person who shot the gun. Standing over near the door, holding my gun, was Joshua. He had an unreadable expression on his face. He held my gun up, stunned. Rebecca's body slumped near my feet, a pool of blood forming around her and staining the pristine white carpets. I caught sight of the wound. Straight to the head. Suddenly, I blacked out completely.   

(Vote and comment! Whoa, heavy chapter. Who knew Joshua had it in him? Well, other than me. Sorry for any mistakes. It's late but I had to write this chapter.)