Midnight Surrender (Freedom Fighters Series Book 2) Read Online Free

Armed refugee soldiers stood at their post outside my door and never left, except to switch. Darren informed everyone the guards were for my protection but who really believed that? Was there nobody who became suspicious or doubted his intent? No one who wondered why I was always behind lock and key?
    Darren walked into the room the following morning after breakfast, looking angry and irritated. He paced back and forth across the hard floors, nearly forgetting I was there. I watched warily, hoping he would not vent at me.
    “I have a meeting. One I think you should attend. Put down your book and follow me,” he ordered.
    I slipped off the bed and cautiously followed behind, careful to keep a small distance. We ended up in a large conference room, surrounded by military posters, war bond advertisements, and old militia propaganda posters. We sat at the end of a long wooden table. The room was a startling white, walls and furniture alike. Sterile. Creepy. Cold.
    Several minutes passed by.
    When the doors at the other end of the room finally opened, I could not have been more surprised. My eyes widened and I could not stop the gasp that escaped my lips. Mal and Donnovan entered the room and stood before us.
    “Lizzie!” Mal exclaimed, running to me and scooping me up in a bear hug.
    I laughed. “How have you been Mal?”
    “Good, long time no see.” He glanced at my belly. “I hope you are all right.”
    He whispered the last part in my ear, too quiet for Darren to hear.
    “No,” I whispered and then spoke louder. “I’ve missed you Mal.”
    He slipped his arm around me and hugged me to his side, a protective gesture that seemed to bother Darren.
    “That’s enough catching up. Who is this Donnovan I needed to meet?”
    Donnovan looked uncomfortable but managed to act like he never saw me before.
    “I gave you the details, remember?” Mal reminded him.
    Darren’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me again.”
    Mal stayed by my side. “I found him beaten and almost passed out. He needed help and medical attention. He begged to speak to the leader.”
    Darren turned his attention to Donnovan. “What do you want?”
    “The militia tried to kill me. I hate them. I want to join the refugees and give them serious payback and all the hell I can,” he answered.
    Darren seemed to ponder his words. “Why should I trust you?”
    “You probably shouldn’t. I wouldn’t. But I am offering a trade until I prove myself. I know military secrets, schematics, plans and information you will need to defeat the militia. Let me help and I promise you will not regret it.”
    Nobody spoke for a minute.
    “What has he been doing for the last week?” Darren asked, his eyes never leaving Donnovan’s face.
    “Patrols and basic training. Nothing else without your approval,” Mal replied, his face carefully blank.
    Darren nodded. “Why does the militia want you dead?”
    “I found out they were experimenting on their soldiers, sneaking drugs into the food, and putting surveillance equipment everywhere. They nearly killed me when I threatened to expose their lies and deception,” Donnovan told him, bitterness in his voice.
    He must have been convincing because Darren smiled. “I think we can find common ground. But let me make myself clear. If you harm anyone here you will be punished. If you are spying for the enemy you will be punished. If I find any cause to doubt your one hundred percent dedication to the refugees, you will be dealt with quickly and severely.”
    “You have my word,” Donnovan promised.
    “Good, because your first test is now.”
    He gestured to one of the guards and he disappeared out the door. A few minutes later he returned with two militia soldiers, one of whom was Parker. The young soldier who watched the front militia gates. I knew him. He was only a kid, maybe seventeen at most.
    Without warning several refugee guards came in with baseball bats and started to beat the militia soldiers. Terror gripped me and I