Hi Everyone – so sorry for the delay in getting this posted. Had to travel 18 hours earlier in the week and then finally got home (another 18 hours lol) today so trying to get this posted for you.

I appreciate all those who are reading, following and those leaving reviews – y'all are awesome.

Now without further ado, let's check in on Clarisse, Joseph and Jacob.

Chapter 11

"Hey little brother or is it big brother? I'm not sure which one of us came out first."

"It doesn't matter. As soon as you put my wife down, there will only be one of us." Joseph's hand trembled from the gamut of emotions running through him at that moment. He used the gun to point to a chair next to the wall. "Put her there."

Clarisse lifted her head and Joseph saw her…really saw her…for the first time since this whole ordeal happened. He saw the blood. He saw her face constricted in pain. He saw she was in distress. "Joseph, please…"

He had no idea what she was asking him to do. Shoot him? Let him go? What did she want?

"I have a better idea," Jacob began.

"I told you if I ever saw you again…"

"Yes, I know. You'd kill me. But I'm a changed man and I'm going to prove it to you. You put your gun away and I'll hand her over to your care. Then you two are going to hide until the coast is clear."

"So you can come back and kill us? I don't think so. You're going to set her down and then you and I are going to finish this."

"Boys!" Clarisse gasped. "Enough. Joseph, please do as he's asked. I need you."

The way her voice cracked and the desperation he heard caused him to put all anger and vengeance aside. He put the safety back on his weapon and tucked it in his waist band. "Give her to me."

Jacob made the few steps necessary to close the physical distance between him and his brother. He knew, though, that the emotional distance would never be broached. He had to find a way to make up for all the trouble he'd brought into their lives. He leaned down and kissed Clarisse on the temple. "I'm sorry, my queen. I will make this up to you."

He noticed Joseph's face flush with anger. Oh well, he needed to soak in as much of her as possible as he knew he'd never lay eyes on her again, much less be able to touch her. He'd miss that most of all.

Once the transfer was complete, Joseph pulled her close, trying to give her strength. He followed Jacob further into the secret passageway. A moment later, another secret door opened. "Hide in here. I'm going to go get some water and bring it to you. After that, you won't see me again. Once you hear us go by, wait until you're sure the coast is clear and then get her medical treatment. Don't wait."

"I can't let the Order disappear into the shadows again. They need to pay for what they've done."

Jacob let out a slow breath. "I know you have no reason to trust me, but this wasn't what I signed up for and I intend to make these sons of bitches pay. I vow this to you here and now, even if it costs me my life."

While Joseph tried to sort out everything Jacob was saying and if he believed him or not, Clarisse lifted her hand and touched Jacob's arm. "Make your mother proud."

Jacob blinked back tears. He was NOT going to cry. "I swear to you that I will."

A moment later, Jacob was gone. Joseph stepped into the room that Jacob had provided, hoping against all hope that he wasn't leaving them to be sitting ducks. He still had his coms but he didn't want to distract Shades and the team right now. He held Clarisse close, not daring to say a word until Jacob returned. He did adjust her slightly so his gun was in his hand…just in case.

After only a few minutes Jacob returned with a bottle of water. "It's all I could get from a small supply closet. No idea how long it's been there, but it's better than nothing." He looked at Clarisse. "Slow sips, okay?"

She nodded. "Be safe."

With those words, he closed the door and headed back toward the fray. Joseph adjusted Clarisse so she was sitting enough to give her some water. "What in God's name did they do to you?"

Forcing herself to sip slowly, she relished the feel of the water bringing life to her parched lips and throat. After several, she whispered, "Refused to give me any water. I'm very dehydrated."

He fought the rising anger. "I'm going to kill him."

She shook her head. "He protected me as best he could."

"Your arm would indicate otherwise."

"He somehow produced a GPS chip after cutting my arm. Though it hurt like hell, I preferred that to my thigh."

Joseph shook his head. "I don't understand."

"I'll tell you everything later. Right now, I just want you to hold me and trust your brother will keep his word."

Joseph decided that was good advice, except for maybe the second part. Wanting the team to not be in danger any longer, he activated his earpiece and hoped they could hear. "Shades. I've secured Clarisse in a reasonably safe spot. Get the hell out of there and wait at the cars. I'll radio you when it's safe to rendezvous. We'll need to get her back to the palace and get Doc Weston to meet us there. She needs medical attention, including IV fluids."

A moment later, he heard Shades command. "Fall back."

Within a minute, the sound of footsteps hurrying past their concealed location caused them both to hold their breath and pray they weren't found. Once the noise stopped, Joseph stood and carefully put Clarisse in the chair. "Wait here while I make sure the coast is clear."

Clarisse grabbed his hand. "I love you and I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you about the stairs."

He dropped to his knees and pulled her close. "This isn't your fault, love. If it hadn't been the elevator, it would have been somewhere or someone else. They would have grabbed whoever they could and had multiple contingency plans."

"Still, I'm sorry….for everything."

"No need to apologize. I'm going to make all of this up to you, I swear. I'll never betray your trust again."

He watched her open her mouth to speak, but then her body contorted with pain as her eyes closed. "I need to get you out of here."

Quickly and quietly he opened the door and peered into the hallway. No sign of life. He was going to risk it…risk them…risk her. He needed to get her to medical treatment. He picked her up and as gently as possible put her over his shoulder. He hated carrying her like this, but he needed his hand free to be able to shoot, if necessary. Her soft cries as she was maneuvered into position broke his heart. Steeling himself against the emotion, he opened the door, made one final check, and then headed to the exit. Once they cleared the doors and were outside, he radioed Shades. "Get here. Now!"

"On our way."

He stepped into the tree line to wait for their arrival. Once somewhat hidden again, he carefully maneuvered her back to be cradled in his arms. "I got you, my love. Hold on just a short time longer."

He felt her body relax. At first he was grateful, but then he realized she was now unconscious. "Shades!"

The screeching of tires answered the call. He moved quickly and got in the back seat with his precious cargo. "Get us there yesterday!"

As they sped down the road, he held her close and kept whispering, "Hold on, my love. Hold on. Please don't leave me."