Free Rebel Nation by Shaunta Grimes Page A

Isaiah’s voice was even, and angry, and something clicked for Clover. He’d been distant lately, although she didn’t really register it until right now. “You should have been the one to tell me that.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t know that at all,” Jude said.
    â€œI know there is some ranch somewhere outside the city that he’s holed up in.”
    Clover waited, to see if Isaiah would say more, but he just looked at her. “We’re leaving the city. Tonight.”
    â€œYou can’t do that.”
    â€œYes,” Jude said, “we can.”
    â€œWhy would you want to?” Isaiah looked at Bridget. “What’s going on?”
    â€œThere’s too much to explain right now,” Clover said. When she thought about telling him about the Freaks, about Leanne, about Bennett trying to put her back to work at the Company—it definitely was too much. “We have to go tonight. You’ll just have to trust us.”
    Isaiah was completely focused on Bridget. “You’re not thinking about leaving?”
    She looked miserable, sitting on the chair by the window, her arms wrapped around herself. “Are you going to go?”
    â€œWell, you aren’t going anywhere without me. And I’m not going anywhere if I don’t know more about what in the hell you guys are talking about.”
    Clover started to tell Isaiah about Bennett but then stopped herself. He would want to know how she knew, and she didn’t want to tell him about Leanne. “Bridget has to come with us,” she said.
    â€œWhy does she have to?”
    â€œBecause if she doesn’t, she’s going to be questioned when Bennett realizes that Clover is gone,” Jude cut in. “And so will you.”
    â€œI can handle questions.”
    â€œMaybe you can,” Clover said. “But do you want to put Bridget through that?”
    â€œTell me what the hell is going on, or I’m going to be forced to stop you. For your own good, Clover, so don’t look at me like that.”
    Would Bennett be able to find out which ranch the Freaks were at, if Isaiah told him that they were hiding at one? The Ponderosa used to be a theme park. Bennett might not ever make the connection. Bridget could lead him right to it, though. “You should come with us, Isaiah.”
    â€œNot until I know why you’re leaving.”
    â€œWe aren’t going to tell you,” Jude said. Isaiah gave a short, hard laugh. “Not until we’re out of the city. Then we’ll know for sure.”
    â€œKnow what?”
    â€œThat you’re one of us.” Jude tilted his head. “Maybe you want to ask West some questions.”
    â€œLeaving the city is stupid. No one leaves the city.”
    â€œBridget,” Clover said. “Are you going to say anything? Tell him that we have to go.”
    Bridget opened her mouth, but all that came out was a hard gasp. Her wet eyes and blotchy face made Clover want to scream.
    â€œDo you want to be questioned?” Clover asked. “Do you want to end up a ghost, like Jude’s brother? Just gone? Because that’s what will happen if you stay. We have to go, and if you don’t come with us, Bennett will come after you until you tell him what you know.”
    Had she forgotten that all of their lives were turned upside down because Bennett was sure that Bridget knew something she shouldn’t? West had been forced to help her, which was the only reason he was out of the city in the first place.
    â€œWhat does she know?” Isaiah asked. “She doesn’t know anything.”
    â€œShe knows everything,” Jude said. “And she couldn’t even keep herself from telling you about West. Are you going to put her up against Bennett? Really?”
    The tension in the room ramped up, suddenly, to the point where Clover couldn’t catch her breath. She forced herself to stay, but had to wrap her arms