several sheets of paper. He handed them over to Luca, who read them, so grateful to be holding proof that Joli was still alive, still safe. If she had access to her computer, the Bellator Dei obviously hadn’t realized her loyalties were divided because she loved her brother.
“Those were sent to us, to the very room where we were holding our meeting, through a hotel printer. I was hoping perhaps you could provide us some information about your sister’s particular skill set when it comes to either her own programs or access to tracking programs, databases, and information security.”
“I don’t know everything she can do. I know the names of some of the apps they made.”
Everyone had already gone through and deleted most of their game apps, though the Bellator Dei apps weren’t available in English language markets…yet.
“It is not only her. There are others in the organization with dangerous skills.” Luca looked at Oscar. “They have a protocol, a program they made for me and others who have outside jobs. The program works on less-secure information sources. I was able to activate it on a computer here in the library to access Boston traffic cameras.” Luca pointed at the ceiling. “That is how I followed Oscar, when I thought he was Langston. If she helped you,” Luca said, leaning forward, “then why didn’t you save her too? Why did we leave Rome without her?”
Owen rubbed his jaw. “She is still committed to the Bellator Dei cause, Luca. She seems to think you’ve lost your way.”
Luca nodded. He knew that, knew that he would have to work very hard to convince Joli to betray the Campisis and the Bellator Dei. They’d fulfilled her desperate desire for a family, and they’d recognized and supported her academic pursuits even though it went against the “traditional” marriage model they espoused. While he’d seen their evil deeds up close, Joli had been sheltered from the bad stuff.
“We can’t rescue a woman who isn’t in danger, Luca,” Devon said. “Who doesn’t want to be rescued. To do so is kidnapping.”
Luca wanted to argue that point, but he wasn’t sure how.
“I’ll find a way to contact her, Luca,” Oscar said, reaching over to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I’ll hack into whatever I have to. I’ll make sure the two of you have a safe way to communicate.”
Luca nodded slowly, grateful for Oscar’s help. His lover knew how much his sister meant to him, how much he longed to see her removed from the grips of the Bellator Dei. “Thank you,” he said softly.
The Grand Master turned her attention to Selene. “I understand you were quite convincing in your role as a…what did you call it, Owen?”
“Supervillain,” Franco replied before Owen could respond. “Totally fits. Selene Gallio. Did you know she was active in the Hyborian Age?”
“Which age?” Luca asked, more than a little confused.
“He’s talking about a comic book; please ignore him,” Sebastian said with a sigh.
Selene smiled. “I sincerely hope that was my swan song. My parents insist I was named after the Lunar deity, so I’ll probably try to put away my supervillain powers. I’ve intimidated my last mercenary.”
Franco was visibly disappointed. “With great power—”
“If you quote Spider-Man one more time—” Sebastian snapped.
Devon leaned forward, ignoring the byplay. “Norah released the bomb design on the dark web the moment we received word Oscar and Luca were safe.”
“What about Luca?” Oscar asked. “Do the Bellator Dei know he’s turned? Sorry about the phrasing.”
Luca shrugged.
“Did they try to contact you before they abandoned their main facility?” Devon asked.
“I don’t know.”
“That means one of three things. First, they know you are now a member of the Trinity Masters and therefore lost to them. I doubt this is the case, since even if your sister is somehow tracking you—and we have to assume that’s why she knew where you were—knowing your location would not be enough for them to uncover our secrets.”
“We swept him for implants,” Sebastian said.
“I thought about that, how she found me, us…” Luca said. “I think…I think perhaps she was watching the mercenaries. The leadership always knew they were dangerous, and she may have been tracking them, even if she wasn’t asked to. Oscar and I sent her a message from the hotel. Then the mercenaries went to the same location.”
“She grabbed the location of the hotel from my FTP upload information?” Oscar asked.
“Jennika believes so, though there’s no way to know for sure.”