The Gender Game 2 by Bella Forrest (audio ebook reader .TXT) 📕

I knew there were three people for certain—the two nameless women and Ms. Dale. That was a lot for me to try and take on by myself. I needed leverage, something they wanted and would bargain for. I looked down to the gleaming silver case I held, a slow smile playing on my lips.

I could both give them what they wanted, and not at the same time.

Without hesitating, I carefully placed the broken egg on the desk. Pulling my backpack off my shoulders, I pulled the real egg out.

The label designating the failed test came away freely under my fingers. I applied it to my egg and then replaced it on the shelf. I closed the cabinet doors and locked them. I took the ‘fake’ egg and placed it in my bag. Then I grabbed the key that hung around my neck. I untied the fabric it hung on, and took the key off.

There was a small key on the key ring. It wasn’t exactly the same, but maybe they wouldn’t notice. I took it off the keychain and slipped it onto the fabric, retying it around my neck.

I slipped the real key in my pocket. It made me nervous to do so, but I didn’t want to leave both the real egg and real key in the same room together.

Satisfied and with the beginning ideas of a plan forming in my mind, I put on my backpack.

I gave one last look at the office as I swung the door shut behind me. It was the best I could do under the circumstances. With a little luck, I could bargain with the women upstairs, save Viggo, and then rescue my brother.

I looked up at the ceiling. Viggo was up there, waiting for me. I wasn’t going to let him down. Besides, I needed to catch up with him on the whole saving each other’s life thing.

I headed to the hatch. It swung open easily under my hands, and I entered the stairwell cautiously. When I didn’t immediately encounter anyone, I let out the breath I had been holding, and stepped further out into the landing, keeping my footsteps as silent as possible.

I anticipated a guard in the stairwell, yet there were no sounds coming from the landing above. Still, I moved slowly and cautiously.

Each second weighed on me heavily. My heart was beating loudly in my ears. It took me twice as long as I wanted to go up the first flight of stairs. When I reached the top, I ducked down, and peered up to the next landing.

It was completely devoid of anything. Straightening, I moved up the stairs and to the hatch that separated me from Viggo.

Slowly, I placed my hands on the wheel and began to turn. Everything in the facility was well maintained, and the wheel turned silently under my hands. As long as I didn’t turn it too far, no one would hear me open the door. However, if they were looking at it, they would see it spinning. I hoped that luck would find me again, but just in case, I pulled the gun out of my pocket and clicked the safety off.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door. I kept my body pressed against the side of the door, just in case anyone inside opened fire. As the door swung open, I peeked through the widening gap down the hallway.

Nobody.

I was beginning to doubt the proficiency of this team. It seemed like they didn’t care if I took them unaware.

Still, I had doubts. It could be a trap—maybe they were hiding inside the rooms themselves, waiting for me.

Viggo had been in the third room to my left. Taking a deep breath, I crouched low and entered the hallway.

I peeked through the observation windows in each room as I passed, but they were empty. Except for Viggo’s.

I glanced in quickly, and saw Ms. Dale standing over Viggo.

He looked terrible, his face bloody and raw. Viggo and Ms. Dale were talking, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

I started to go for the door, when I saw Ms. Dale reach to the small of her back. I noticed the pistol there. My heart leapt in my throat. She was going to kill him! I felt the icy hand of determination clawing at my spine, whispering to me that I had to stop her. My hand tightened on my gun and I moved over to the door and swung it open, leveling my gun at Ms. Dale.

“Don’t do it,” I ordered as the cold rage raced through my veins.

33

Viggo

I gaped at Violet as she barreled through the door, her gun drawn. She looked amazing, in spite of the streaks of dirt caking her from top to bottom.

Her gray eyes were focused solely on Ms. Dale, her stance spread, her hands steady. She was ready to kill.

“Violet,” I said softly, and I saw her eyes flick to me and then back to Ms. Dale.

“Release him,” Violet commanded.

Ms. Dale looked from Violet to me. Bending over, she started rummaging through the twins’ pockets. Violet watched her steadily, her focus unwavering. A part of me wanted to tell her to stop, that Ms. Dale was helping me, but after what Ms. Dale had revealed to me, I wasn’t sure what to do. I needed to sit on the information, until I could process it. Now was not that time.

I heard the jingle of keys as Ms. Dale pulled them out, and slowly stood up, her hands raised. She backed up over to me, carefully stepping over the two unconscious women on the floor, and reached over to unlock my hands.

I flexed them as soon as I could, ignoring the twinges of pain coming from other places as I did so. Snatching the keys from her hands, I released my legs quickly, and then stood up.

“Pass him your gun,” Violet ordered, her focus never