Revisited (Redemption Series) (30 page)

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Edwards. We’ll have you out in no time.” The older man, Dr. Merriweather, attempted to console her.

Lily nodded and got into place on the table. Her hair was moved from the back of her neck before she felt a small pin prick at the base of her skull. The carbon steel scalpel sliced through her skin with ease. Small spreaders kept the incision open until the procedure was complete.

“Here we are.” Lily heard the old chip clink against the glass of the lab tube as Dr. Merriweather dropped it in.

The doctor replaced the chip with the updated version before cleaning the area and moving the spreaders so the incision could heal. He turned to his computer and stroked the keys. Lily gasped as she felt a slight shock, and a wave of electricity traveled all the way down her spine.

He chuckled. “Sorry, forgot to warn you about that. The signal is strong and seems to be in complete working order.”

Lily brought her hand up to feel the small bump on the back of her neck. The new chip would do everything the last one had, but processed the information differently. Only Lily knew
how
the information was processed, and that it was under Eli Manchester’s sole control to activate the kill switch.

Lily sat up and jumped from the operating table with a little more enthusiasm than she had intended. A new sensation coursed through her veins. Her vision was clearer, her reflexes stronger. She felt even better than she had before the kill switch had been activated.

“How do you feel?”

Lily turned to meet the doctor’s gaze with a soft smile. “Like I could take on the world.”

He waited patiently in the customs line at JFK International Airport. The tailored black suit hung in perfect order, even after over fourteen hours of travel.

The line moved slowly, but he enjoyed the time to reflect on what he was about to do.

When he approached the counter, he handed his passport to the customs agent.

The agent looked at him, then back at the picture repeatedly before she began to enter some information into her computer.

He admitted the shortened hair was a change he would have to get used to, but he rather liked his new look and the portrait on his passport.

“Are you visiting New York on business or pleasure, Mr. Blackbourn?” the agent asked as her stamp hovered above his passport.

“Pleasure.” He smiled with a sultry glint in his eyes.

The agent smiled back, thinking he was definitely a bit creepy, but ninety-five percent of the people she checked in were. “I hope you enjoy your stay in our country.” She pressed the stamp down on the passport and glanced at his name once more before handing it back to him.

“Your first name has an odd spelling. How is it pronounced?”

“It’s Filipp,” he answered, stowing his passport in his inside suit pocket.

“Very unique,” she quipped.

“It has a rich, family history.” Gideon winked at her before he tapped the counter. He strolled through the airport with defined purpose. It was a solid plan. This time it would work. He smiled wide as he made it to the line of taxis outside the terminal.

“It’s time to begin.”