The Collection by Shannon Stoker Page B

different back then, lacking the self-esteem he now possessed, plagued with shyness and a miserable stutter. He’d been released the same day as four others, including Erik, a pompous ass who teased Grant for his speech patterns.
    While Grant had developed into a very different man, some of his characteristics had always been present, including his thirst for revenge. The five thirteen-year-olds had gathered on the street and debated where to look for work. Grant had spent years waiting for this moment—not to be free from the orphanage but to take his vengeance.
    He walked up to Erik and acted as if he was going to whisper something into his ear. Instead Grant slid the butcher knife he had stolen from the kitchen out of his long-sleeved shirt and straight into Erik’s gut. Erik didn’t know what had happened, and the other young men weren’t paying any attention.
    â€œIt’s a hard world out here,” Grant whispered. His stutter was gone.
    Grant yanked his knife out and backed away. He enjoyed the look of terror on Erik’s face. Erik brought his hands forward, covering his wound. Grant started walking away, not wanting to run or draw attention. He tossed the knife in a garbage can and rounded a corner. That was the first man he’d ever killed, and he had felt such vindication.
    Yes, that was perhaps the last time he’d felt such pure glee. Grant wondered what his thirteen-year-old self would think of him now. Wealthy, adored, and receiving personal phone calls from the grand commander. Grant’s smile faded.
    Erik crossed you once and you took care of him; now you let little girls beat you.
    Grant heard his own voice in his head. No, the game isn’t over. She hasn’t won; I haven’t shown my hand yet. He knew his plan wasn’t moving fast enough and doubted himself for a moment. Then the moment passed and Grant let himself relax a bit. Patience was a necessity to victory, and Grant knew she would come home in due time.

Chapter 15
    America is a worldwide bully. If the Registry isn’t stopped, how long until it spreads into other countries?
    â€”Comment from the Global Reporter message board
    â€œWhat if we break into Dalmy’s house at night, take her hostage, and then trade her?” Mia asked.
    â€œI told you,” Riley said. “The house isn’t an option. It’s impenetrable.”
    â€œBut you broke into an army base.”
    â€œI broke into an oversized, poorly guarded militia front,” Riley said.
    â€œWhy don’t we bust in there and break them out?”
    â€œOne person undetected was risky enough,” Riley said. “Going in with two and moving out with four is a death wish.”
    â€œFive,” Mia said. “We’re looking for Nathan too.”
    â€œFive,” Riley said. “That means locating the men, and I don’t have a map or the aerial surveillance to get that information.”
    â€œYou keep shooting everything down,” Mia said. “The best option was still my first suggestion. We become Dalmy’s girls, then hold her hostage. I can make a new friend.”
    â€œHow will you explain our presence? An American and an Irishwoman wandering around in Mexico?”
    â€œI’m here on my honeymoon and ran away from my husband,” Mia said. “I stuck out my thumb and you picked me up. Then our car ran out of gas.”
    â€œDays after a helicopter crash?”
    â€œDo you have a better idea?” Mia asked.
    Riley was quiet.
    â€œI think I should go alone,” Mia said. “That way you can cover for me if anything goes wrong.”
    â€œBack to me saving you again,” Riley said.
    â€œNot me,” Mia said. “Andrew and Carter. If something goes wrong, get them out.”
    â€œAnd what if the soldier who saw us is there?”
    â€œYou threw him over a cliff. I think the odds are in our favor that he’s out of commission. Tell me what is