Firsts

Sorry for not updating until this week, at least I'm making up for it.

Chapter Twenty-Three: We Promise

Leo's P.O.V

One week, three days ago.

I wait patiently in line ready to pay for my belongings, Janelle stands beside me our hands interlocked. I mentally plead to anyone who will listen that I don't hurt her despite the fact she seems to trust me completely. It's been a rough few weeks with constant arguing but with my bionic trig l training I mastered my strength. It's probably the only reason I decided to give myself another chance with Janelle.

"Leo?" She calls with a gentle smile.

I turn to face her with my own bright smile. This is why I broke up with her. I realized she means the world to me and I would never her to get hurt. At the time taking a break seemed ideal. However, then Marcus announced his pregnancy and relationship with Sebastian. It was then I realized that the same danger Janelle runs, my family does too, that was the reason I ran.

Before I can reply Janelle my eye catches sight of a young suspicious boy who's looking around. I blink for a second and he's staring directly at me just before he disappears into thin air.

My mouth hangs agape and Janelle shakes my shoulder lightly. I quickly scan the empty spot and look around trying to find the boy. I find him. He's standing right outside mockingly.

Forgetting the wait in line I drop the snacks I carried and run out the store. I can hear Janelle screaming my name but I'm focused on the boy who's very real and running away from me.

"I'm sorry Janelle, I'll call you!" I promise.

I should've known it was a trap the moment I set to follow him. I just didn't expect to be part of a maniac's plan.

"Well, well Dooley," Krane smirks the scar engraved on his face wrinkles.

"Krane," I spit and yank at the restrains wrapped around my wrists.

"Douglas wasn't a complete idiot or failure. He was naive though," the monster begins.

I glare but don't take the bait.

"Donald wasn't half bad either but not as smart," he continues.

I look behind me and all around the crumbled property that used to belong to Douglas. I notice I'm completely surrounded by people of varying ages who have the indistinct tritan app color in their eyes.

"What do you want?" I question.

"I wanted Chase but I'll settle for Marcus," he answers bluntly.

I scoff, "If you think Sebastian will let you you're wrong, we already deactivated the tritan app."

"Oh I know."

At his casual response I narrow my eyes.

"Sebastian won't do the dirty work because you will," he adds.

It only then that one of the bionic soldiers pushes my head forward while another unties my bionic arms and straps it to the surgical table before me. Panic flashes in my eyes and I scream when Krane picks up a scalpel and pierces my skin, blood quickly beading.

"Like I said, Douglas is smart but not enough to beat me. Even without enough muscle mass I can implant and activate the tritan app," he begins as his gloved hands get stained.

I try not to look but it's impossible when I'm being forced to, the pain now a slowly numbing throb.

"See this?" Krane holds a small chip.

I gulp hard at the sight when he moves it closer to the gash on my arm.

"True you don't have a chip in your neck but this one will connect to your bionics now and will transmit electric pulses at my command through your nerves thus allowing a faux tritan app, how do you like my latest invention?" He explains.

I struggle more but it's too late. I immediately feel as electrical pulses run through my arm down the rest of my body. My mind feels numb and I lose control of my limbs. Instantly I detect the difference between the true tritan app and this. While being manipulated by Krane I'm conscious of everything I do and say whereas the tritan app, bionics don't recollect what they did. This is probably the worst for of torture.

Chase's P.O.V

Present.

"I want to go," I state once the door to our room closes.

"No," Adam immediately replies.

"Okay let me rephrase that," I hiss with a hand on my hip, "I'm going to go."

"Then let me make it clear, no."

I stare at Adam shocked and I can't help my hormonal tears as I sniffle. Adam, who had been preparing to leave for the mission, stops at the sound of my pitiful whimper. His hard angered eyes soften when they land on me. My chest heaves in broken sobs as I wipe my eyes repeatedly with the back of my hand.

"Chasey," He coos.

I back away from his comforting touch and hug myself, the babies kicking relentless.

"Chase look at me," he begs.

A heavy hand lands on my shoulder and gently turns me around.

"I need to go," I whisper.

"I know you do but it's dangerous for you and our little ones," Adam explains.

His palm cups my belly and the twins calm down almost instantly. With his free hand he wipes away my tears and presses a kiss to my forehead, the height difference making him lean down just a bit, especially with my protruding belly in the way. I understand him more than anything but Marcus needs us and so does Leo because he wouldn't do something like that. Leo loves Marcus like the brother he is, I know that for a fact.

"Please Adam," I beg.

He bites his lip clearly debating but a knock on the door interrupts us. Adam sits me down on the bed and moves to open the door before the knocking seizes. Sebastian stands with a mission duffle bag in hand with his suit on. His eyes look at Adam devastated and I can only imagine the worry and pain he must be living through right now.

He looks at me and notices the tears which makes him raise a questioning brow at Adam.

"He wants to go," Adam explains with a sigh.

"I will go," I add from behind him.

He rolls his eyes but Sebastian takes my decision seriously which makes me delighted.

"I think it's a great idea," he replies sincerely.

Adam glares but turns and help me up.

"I know you're worried," he sympathizes, "but Chase is not only trained for this but also intelligent."

"He's pregnant," Adam argues.

"Adam," I plea with a hand on his tensed shoulder.

I know his fear. He's terrified Krane will take me and our children away, I understand more than anyone because I hold that fear in my heart as well.

"What about Audrey?" He asks.

It's then that Tasha appears with Audrey in her arms, her eyes red rimmed from obvious crying.

"I'll take care of my grandbaby as long as you bring both my sons home," she answers.

Her recognition as Marcus being her son as well makes me tear up but I hold it together because we need to get both our brothers back. They're counting on us.

A determination to end all of this glints in Adam's eyes as he nods understandingly.

"I promise we'll bring them home," Adam assures.

"We promise," I correct as I grasp his hand in mine.