The Face of a Rogue Read online

  “Hey, Curly,” Will said.

  “Yeah?”

  “What’s happening here?”

  Curly shrugged in the dark. “I’m waiting for a ride. You guys are prisoners.”

  “Ha,” Joey said. “Seems like you’re in the same boat as us, dude.”

  “Think again,” Curly said. “You guys are in handcuffs, not me.”

  Will’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness enough to see the silhouettes of the other Amigos and Curly. “So this is the Changers’ version of rescuing you?”

  Curly wandered over to the door. He pressed his hands against the seam around the frame. “You know what, guy? I’m not in the mood to answer to Punks about anything the Changers do. Suffice it to say I’ll be leaving here shortly, and you won’t.”

  Will snorted. “So you’re a lower-level type, huh? Why else would they leave you here to go fetch Logan? You can’t be trusted?”

  Adam sat down. The seat of his jeans soaked up the wetness from the floor. “The way that Angelica person treated him, he’s low level.” He grunted. “Got it!” He stood up, his cuffed hands now in front of him. “You guys need to do this. Get your hands in the front. It’s way more comfortable.”

  Curly’s face reddened, unnoticed by the Amigos. He turned around to face them. “If you guys only knew. You’d be on my side.”

  “What, be a Changer?” Will said. “Not on your life. Not on my life. I’d die first.”

  “I can arrange that,” Curly said.

  Raymond sauntered up to the broken glass doors of the warehouse. He glanced at the blue suits waiting in the taxis in the middle of the street, then back into the darkened building.

  Two blue suits walked out in front of Angelica. The guard nearest Raymond placed his hand gently on Raymond’s chest and pushed him back, clearing the entrance for Angelica.

  Raymond puffed up. “Hey, dude!”

  Two additional blue suits rushed to block Raymond as their boss exited.

  Angelica stopped behind the guards, turned to face Raymond and folded her arms. “What’s this? Another homeless person?”

  Raymond used both hands to smooth his hair over his scalp. He attempted in vain to brush the dried mud and blood from his jacket as he tipped his chin to Angelica. “Hey, baby.” He smiled.

  Angelica pushed between the guards and walked up to Raymond. “Oh, really. Baby?” She eyed him up and down and smirked. “So what’s your story, big guy?”

  “Well, I quit the Punks, and I want to join the Changers.”

  Angelica was mildly amused. “Oh, really?” She raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

  “Oh, I’d be a great addition to your team. I know all about the Punks. I’m Raymond, by the way.”

  Angelica looked down her nose at Raymond’s grimy hand. “That’s it?”

  Raymond dropped his hand and wiped it on his jeans. He smiled again. “Yeah. And it doesn’t hurt that you and me are both good-looking.”

  “Are. You. Serious.” She glanced behind her at the warehouse door. “Come with me, baby. Let’s see just how good you are.”

  Raymond’s heart pounded in his chest. He pushed himself between the guards, eyeing Angelica’s perfect shape as he followed her into the warehouse.

  Angelica waited for him and stopped the guards as Raymond entered. “Two of you wait here. The rest can get in the taxis. I won’t be long.”

  Raymond stopped in the light cast from the street, just inside the broken doors. Angelica reached down and grabbed his hand and led him into the darkness. “Oh, your hand is so strong.”

  “Oh, baby, you’re gonna be impressed. I’m gonna leave you so satisfied, you’ll be wanting more,” he said.

  Angelica stopped and turned around to face Raymond. “Let’s see what you’re made of, big boy.” She encircled his neck with her arms and placed her face to his.

  Raymond’s hands were shaking as he ran them over the smooth material of her jumpsuit. He squeezed gently when he felt the soft curves of her hips and buttocks. He pushed his open mouth over hers and closed his eyes, savoring the scent of her breath.

  Angelica’s grip on his neck tightened. She pressed her body against his and dug her fingernails into his neck.

  “Ow—” His attempt to speak was muffled as he tried to pull his head backward and disengage his face from hers.

  Angelica’s body moved forward in perfect sync with Raymond’s attempt to withdraw. The hair on her scalp prickled her pores as goosebumps rose stiffly under the braid. And her nails dug deeper into his neck. A slight gag released a horde of nanobots from her mouth to his.

  Warmth rose from deep within Raymond’s chest, extending to his arms, then his legs. The heat became unbearable, and he twisted his head in a vain attempt to dislodge the Changer’s grip on his body. The sensation of falling into fire overwhelmed the disgraced Punk, and his skin withered as his muscles shrank, becoming useless. Raymond saw a flash of bright white before losing consciousness.

  Angelica stood firm, her feet apart at shoulder width, hugging the limp body of skin that two minutes ago was Raymond. She looked up at the pitch-black ceiling and laughed. “Oh baby!” she shouted, opening her arms and releasing the corpse. She glanced toward the two blue suits by the door and swiped her arm across her mouth. “Get over here,” she said.

  The two guards turned and approached Angelica as she bent over and grabbed the collar of Raymond’s leather jacket. “Open that door.” She dragged the limp hunk of human skin covered in leather and denim to the barred door. One of the guards opened the door and stood back. Angelica walked to the entrance and slung the corpse one-handed into the room. “Hey, Punks. This guy’s going to wait with you. Try not to disturb him. He’s a little worn out.” And she laughed again.

  The guard slammed the door shut, threw the steel bar back in place and led Angelica out the two broken doors to the street.

  Chapter 35

  Not My Mission

  Krystal’s cell buzzed as she stepped out of her BearCat at Punk headquarters. “Hi, Felix.”

  Ryker exited the passenger side and walked around to the back of the vehicle. He snatched his and Krystal’s dusters from a hook just inside the rear door. He threw the coats over one shoulder and met Krystal at the front of the truck.

  “I have located that man, Raymond, in Tremayne. He is in the old section of town, near the homeless shelter.”

  “Dammit, Felix. I just came from there. I’m at headquarters now.”

  “Yes, I know. But there is more. The three boys in Tremayne have encountered trouble. Raymond is with them.”

  She looked up at Ryker. “Where are the three Rogues?”

  Ryker checked the time on his cell. “They’re probably just about at the city limit by now.” He frowned and tipped his chin up. “Why? What’s up?”

  Krystal fought shaking. “I don’t know. Somehow Ray’s with the Amigos.” She turned back to her cell. “Felix, are the three boys still in the same place with the homeless guy?”

  “Yes. But they are no longer in charge. They were accosted by a group of Changer guards, led by Angelica DeMone. They have been placed inside the building along with Raymond and the homeless man.”

  “Wait. Who?”

  “Ms. DeMone is the Changers’ security chief. She replaced Silver. You must hurry, Krystal.”

  “Okay. Fred, Thomas and Silver are on their way there now.”

  “I do not like the sound of that. I would not advise sending Silver at this time. She is unproven.”

  “Well, it’s too late for that. I made the call to send her.”

  “Okay, my friend. I’ll do my best to track them and update you as necessary. Goodbye.”

  Ryker grabbed Krystal’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “Krys, what’s happening? You look pale.”

  She looked into his eyes. “The Amigos are in trouble, and I might have made things worse for them.”

  He dropped his hands fr
om her shoulders. “How?”

  “Look. I made the decision to leave them there in Old Town, knowing full well that maniac Raymond was on the loose.”

  Ryker looked relieved. “That’s it? The Amigos can handle Ray.”

  “Long story short, Ryk. They got ambushed by a bunch of Changer guards. And now they’re housed up in that building with Raymond.” She glanced across the compound at the Depot. “And Felix doesn’t fully trust Silver.” She began to pace. “Some fucking leader I turned out to be.”

  “Heads up,” Ryker said. He tossed her duster to her. “You’re the leader of this mission. When you fuck up, fix it. Then move forward.” He pulled on his duster, leaving it unbuttoned.

  Krystal stopped pacing. She put her duster on and walked up to Ryker. “Thanks. I needed that. Last thing I wanna look like is a frail, emotional woman.”

  Ryker smiled. “We all have emotions, Krys. You’re not frail by any stretch.” His ears flushed hot as he embraced her. “And you’re all woman, like it or not.”

  For a moment, she felt weak and vulnerable. She allowed herself a split second of comfort from Ryker’s embrace before pushing him away with both hands. “We have work to do.”

  Ryker stood alone and watched Krystal walk swiftly toward the Depot.

  Fred turned his borrowed BearCat right at Habiliment Avenue off the highway. “Not many people on the streets tonight. This town must close up early.”

  “It’s past rush hour,” Thomas said. “Businesses probably close early on weeknights.”

  The two-way radio on the dash cracked to life. “Fred, it’s Krystal. Do you copy?”

  Fred snatched the mic from its mount. “This is Fred. Go ahead, Krystal.”

  “You guys might be walking into a trap. We just got word from Felix that the Amigos were waylaid by a bunch of Changer guards and Raymond is with them.”

  Fred glanced across the cab at Thomas. “I copied that, Krystal. So, what do you suggest?”

  “That building we directed you to, they’re all inside. You’ve both been trained to use those nines you’re packing. Have them ready. If there’s any question, shoot to kill.”

  Silver scoffed from the jump seat behind the security screen. “Ha. This should be entertaining.”

  “There’s no word on how many Changers are there. I have no idea why they didn’t kill the Amigos and Raymond.”

  “So our goal is the same—pick up the homeless guy, return to base. 10-4?”

  “That goal is the same. But first and foremost, get the Three Amigos out of there alive. We’re rolling additional trucks from inside the city to your location now.”

  “Got it.”

  “Just be careful. Contact me as soon as you have a bead on the situation.”

  “10-4, Krystal.”

  A heavy bank of fog drifted slowly between the warehouse and the three electric taxi vans parked in the middle of the street. Angelica strode through the broken glass doors and turned down the sidewalk toward Charlie’s House. She pointed at two of the biggest blue suits. “You and you. Follow me. The rest of you wait in the taxis.”

  The two Changer guards chased after Angelica, struggling to match her pace. When she reached the brightly lit entrance to the homeless shelter, she pushed hard on the door. It swung inward, hitting the rubber doorstop on the wall before bouncing back at the guards in tow.

  The lady behind the counter greeted the new visitors with a smile. “Hi. Welcome to Charlie’s House. How may I help you?”

  “Looking for a tall guy named Logan. New resident.”

  The nice lady scanned a clipboard in front of her and ran her finger down a list of names on the top sheet of paper. “Hmm… Hmm.” She looked up. “We don’t have anyone here named Logan, ma’am.”

  “Look again, lady.” Angelica glanced at the clipboard. “He might be using a different name. He’s a tall handsome guy, but not too smart.”

  “I heard that.” The voice came from behind Angelica. She swung around to see Johnny standing, arms folded across his chest.

  She eyed him up and down. “You look like shit, Logan. Come with me.” She turned to leave.

  “Whoa, Ms. DeMone,” Johnny said, stopping at the door. “Mr. Dyer and I are here on orders from Levi.”

  Angelica turned around and walked up to Johnny. She pushed her breasts firmly against his chest. “You’re a drag on this team, Logan. My orders supersede yours. You separated from Dyer—big mistake. Our leader is pissed about it, I’m up way past my bedtime, and I’m not in any mood to hear lame excuses or BS from you. Now follow me and get your ass in the taxi I have waiting for you.” She turned and walked toward the waiting vans.

  Johnny followed. “I’m reporting your unprofessional behavior, DeMone.”

  “Report what you want,” she said, not turning around. “I’ll have your rank for this, if only for the fact I have to be your babysitter and come this far just to fetch and return you to the Underground.” She shook her head as she approached the taxis. “You’ll be out of Levi’s inner circle before the Hyperloop hits headquarters.”

  Fred cruised past Charlie’s House and eyed the four figures on the sidewalk. “Check it out, people. There’s Logan and two Changer guards.”

  Thomas turned in his seat. “Any idea who’s leading them? She looks fierce.”

  Silver crouched up out of her seat and pressed her face against the small side window. “It’s that woman that was with Levi at 225 Maple. Probably the bitch that took my place as head of security.” She scowled. “Had to be a female, didn’t it, Leader?”

  Thomas turned around as Fred glanced at Silver in the rearview mirror. “Leader?”

  “I mean Levi,” she said.

  Thomas glanced out the windshield. “Warehouse is on the left. Those three vans are out of place, partner. Make a U around them and park on the curb facing the other direction.”

  “Good idea,” Fred said. He passed the three vehicles and negotiated the U-turn, taking all five lanes to complete the maneuver. He pulled to the curb directly in front of the empty abandoned warehouse. “I’m going to leave it running.”

  “Sounds good,” Thomas said, opening the passenger door.

  The trio met at the warehouse doors. Fred glanced down the sidewalk toward Charlie’s House. “They’re not too far away. We better hurry.”

  Thomas pulled a flashlight from his utility belt and pointed it into the murk. “Holy hell, guys. This place is wretched.” Grit on the floor mixed with moisture—a slurping sound accompanied every step.

  “I’m waiting here,” Silver said. “You two can act like real Punks and play in the mud.”

  Fred stopped and looked at her. “We’re all in this together. You take the good with the bad, whatever side you’re on.”

  “I’m on the winning side, wherever that is,” Silver said. “I haven’t felt like a winner since I hooked up with the Punks.”

  “You gotta fight for your side. If you’re on the losing team, fight to win, or don’t even bother.”

  Silver rolled her eyes. “You’re pathetic, Garrison.”

  “Hey, guys,” Thomas said. “There’s a door.”

  The three Rogue Changers made their way into the darkness to the rusty steel barricade. Fred pressed his ear against the cold damp steel. “Voices.” He took a step back and banged his fist on the door. “Hey,” he shouted. “Will, are you there?”

  “Fred!” It was Will’s voice, muffled by the barrier. “We’re here.”

  “Are you guys okay? Is Raymond with you?”

  “We’re fine. Ray’s here, but he’s dead. Can you open up?”

  Fred looked at Thomas and motioned to the bar over the door. Thomas slipped his flashlight into his belt and hoisted the heavy bar up. He threw it off to the side and let go. The trio flinched as the metal hit the concrete floor. Fred twisted the handle and pulled on the heavy steel panel. The Amigos were face to face with the Rogues when the door opened.


  “Man, are we glad to see you guys,” Will said. “Are the Changers still here?”

  “They’re headed this way,” Fred said. “We have to go. Now.”

  Silver squinted through the darkness into the tiny room. “So that’s the homeless guy prisoner?”

  “That’s him,” Fred said. He motioned to Curly. “Let’s go. You’re coming with us.”

  “Hell I am, loser.”

  Fred pulled his 9mm pistol from the holster on his thigh and pointed it at Curly. “Move. Now. I’ll shoot you here because I don’t know you or care about you. You’ll either get into that BearCat out there, or you can lie dead in this smelly room with that Punk on the floor.”

  Curly walked toward Fred and the other Rogues. He stopped and spit on Fred’s chest. “Fuck you.”

  Fred looked down at Curly’s saliva on his jacket. “Oh, really?” He backhanded the man square on the cheek with the butt of his pistol then pushed the business end against Curly’s head and glanced at Thomas. “Cuff this asshole.”

  The party of seven exited the warehouse. Fred held the BearCat’s back door open for the Three Amigos and Curly while they piled inside. Thomas hopped into the shotgun seat.

  Fred turned to Silver. “Well? Get in.”

  Silver stood, feet apart, hands on her hips, staring at the approaching Changers. “Hang on a sec, Garrison.”

  Fred turned and glanced down the sidewalk. The fierce-looking unknown woman was walking swiftly toward him. Logan and the two blue-suited Changer guards followed closely behind. “Silver, we have to get out of here.”

  Silver remained firm. Her eyes narrowed as the woman approached. “Hey, bitch.” She tipped her chin up.

  The Changers stopped at arm’s length in front of Silver.

  “Who are you?” Silver said.

  Johnny changed his appearance back to his normal. He smiled. “Hi, Silver. We gonna see a girl fight?”

  “Hello, Logan. Who’s this woman?” she said.

  “Well, girls. Let me make the introductions. Ms. DeMone, this is Silver Long. She is the former head of security of the Changers North America organization.”