Revolution (Replica) Read Online Free Page A

to contain a cry of dismay.
    A mob of reporters, snapping pictures and shouting questions, were being held back by security officers as Gerald and Esmeralda Lake, Nadia’s parents, were dragged out of the Lake Towers in handcuffs. Her father’s face was white, his eyes glazed with shock, and her mother was openly sobbing. As if that weren’t bad enough, Gerri’s husband was being dragged along right behind them. He must have gone over to their apartment to share in their grief over Gerri’s death, thereby making it easy for Dorothy to round up everyone together. Gerri’s two kids, Corinne and Rory, were both howling with tears as members of Child Protective Services carried them out of the building.
    “No,” Nadia gasped, shaking her head as if she could make the horrifying images go away. She had tried so hard to protect her family, especially her little niece and nephew. Thanks to Nadia’s decisions, Gerri was dead. Now their parents and Gerri’s husband were in custody, and her children about to disappear into the foster care system. It was more than Nadia could take.
    Dante wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Nadia’s eyes remained dry, but her heart was hammering and she could hardly draw in a full breath. Her skin felt cold and clammy, and the floor beneath her seemed to be moving. A detached part of her mind wondered if she was having a full-fledged panic attack. As scared as she was for herself and her friends, it couldn’t compare to the fear she felt for her family, who had no idea what was going on and who were helpless to defend themselves against Thea’s cruelty.
    Dante slammed the window shut with more force than necessary while Nadia stood paralyzed by mute horror. He gently guided her away from the window and toward their makeshift sofa.
    *   *   *
    “So to sum up,” Nate said, when he, Kurt, and Agnes returned to the apartment after their failed attempt to get a phone signal, “we can’t get out of the Basement. We can’t call anyone. Some number of Basement-dwellers will be eager to turn us in because they hate us for being Execs or they just want the reward money. And we don’t have enough money to keep a roof over our heads and food in our mouths for more than about a week.”
    As bad as everything about their situation seemed, it was that last part that was the most immediate concern. Money didn’t solve all the world’s problems, but it sure could be helpful.
    “There are ways we can earn money,” Kurt said tentatively, watching closely for Nate’s reaction. Nate might not even have realized what he was suggesting if it weren’t for the way he was looking at him.
    “No,” Nate said, proud of himself for keeping his voice calm and level, even if his blood pressure did go through the roof. “You are not working ever again. Period.”
    Agnes blushed a deep, dark red when she figured out the implications of the exchange, and even Dante looked uncomfortable, pointedly looking away. Only Nadia seemed unfazed by Kurt’s suggestion.
    “I agree with Nate,” she said. “You’re taking enough risks for us as it is.”
    “And if it’s the only way we can get money?” Kurt challenged.
    “Maybe it isn’t,” Nadia said. “I know the resistance doesn’t want to help us or shelter us or anything like that. But maybe they’d be willing to pay us for information.”
    Kurt scowled at her. “You mean information like the stuff I already know about Dorothy and Thea? Stuff I would tell them for free? You know I am still a member of the resistance, least as far as I know. I haven’t disobeyed any orders.”
    “Only because you haven’t talked to anyone yet,” Dante countered. “You know they’re going to order you to stay away from Nate and Nadia the second you check in. You’re going to have to choose between their resistance and ours.” His glance flicked quickly to Nate and back. “I’m going to take a wild guess and say you’ll choose ours. And if