Page 44 of These Deadly Dreams

“I think the best option is to meet him somewhere neutral,” Sterling says, running a hand through his hair. He winces as his fingers tangle in some knots, and my own fingers itch to brush through them. “We tell him when and where, and that he is to meet us alone. No Sam. We also need to make copies of the results so we at least have something in case he decides to ruin the originals.”

Kai nods and folds the papers, setting them on the end table. “I’ll call him tomorrow. We’ll meet somewhere public, too. Less chance of him going crazy on us.”

“What about you, Cade?” Sterling asks quietly. “Have you heard anything lately? Will this impact your situation?”

I glance at Cade, brows furrowed. “Heard about what? And what situation?”

He sighs heavily, rubbing a hand down his face. “It’s a long story. One I probably should have told you already, but,” he pauses to swallow. “It’s not easy to talk about.” He turns to me, eyes wide and pleading. “I promise, I’ll tell you sometime. It doesn’t affect you, so don’t worry about that. I just … I need to prepare myself for it.”

I nod and take his hand, threading our fingers together. “I get it. Take whatever time you need.”

He leans over and gives me a soft kiss. “Thank you,” he says against my lips, before pulling away. “I haven’t heard anything. But I’ll deal with whatever fallout this brings.”

“You sure?” Kai asks worriedly. His quiet words almost drowned out by the boom of thunder outside the windows.

“Yeah. This needs to happen. I won’t let Ellis stay under Kennedy’s thumb any longer.”

“Okay, then I think we need to discuss what I found in Noah’s office.” Sterling glances at me, eyes creased with concern, before he looks down at his phone. “I’m going to send you guys these pictures I took. I snapped as many as I could before we had to run, so I’m sure there is more in that file. Possibly more in the cabinet.”

Bile climbs up my throat as dread sinks in. I wait impatiently for the pictures to send, and when lightning flashes through the window and thunder booms on its heels, I jump. Kai’s phone lights up first, so I lean over to him and hold my breath as he clicks the first picture. A printed copy of an email, sent to Noah Martin from Sam Morris.

My eyes scan it at the same time Cade reads, “Top Secret: Project Bellona. Noah. The building has been secured. Equipment has been ordered for the experiments we discussed. We’ll need to reinforce the basement walls to protect against any rogue powers we may pull out of the subjects on accident. I have a contractor working to get a plan together to create a room where we can test the weapons as well. Below is a list of names I think may be worth looking into for possible subjects.”

As my gaze travels down the list of names, I already know what I’ll find. Still, ice floods my veins when I read mine and my sister’s names. The room is silent save for the rain pounding the roof and the almost constant rumble of thunder. Kai’s muscles are hard as a rock under me, vibrating with the strain to keep himself in control. I latch onto that sensation or else I’ll probably end up shutting down again.

“What’s next,” I ask hoarsely.

Kai slides his thumb across the screen. The next picture is a copy of the deed to the elementary school Sam bought. The warehouse, as he calls it. Kai slides his thumb across the screen again. This is a document detailing the progress made with Subject 1. I’m able to read that they didn’t find what they were looking for, but Kai swipes again right as I got to the descriptions of Subject 1’s treatment. It’s probably for the best I didn’t see it.

We spend the next half hour looking at various documents that detail the progress made on various subjects, the reports from the builders on the renovations to the building, and random email threads between Sam and Noah. Through it all, the rain continues to pour down, thunder booms, lightning flares, and wind batters the cabin. The weather is appropriately fitting for the situation.

A soft rumbling growl from Sterling catches my attention. I peer over at him, but he’s focused on his phone, his grip so tight I’m surprised the device doesn’t crack in half. Kai stiffens under me, and I look down at his cell. Immediately, my name pops out at me. I quickly scan the document, realizing it’s an email from Sam to Noah detailing his plan with me. And by detailing, I mean detailing.

“Don’t let her read that!” Cade jumps up and grabs Kai’s phone, but not before Kai exited out of the picture.

It doesn't matter though, I saw enough. Cold sweat breaks out over my skin at the same time heat courses through me, shame no doubt turning my tan complexion flush. Oh, gods. The guys have read what Sam did to me. In detail. My body trembles, and I want nothing more than to run upstairs and lock myself in the room. It’s one thing for them to know what he did in my own words. It’s another beast entirely to read it in detail from the monster himself.

Kai grabs my face in a not-so-gentle grip and forces me to look at him. I try to break free, too embarrassed to meet his gaze, but he’s stronger than me. “Do not be ashamed, Ellis. It wasn’t your fault, you were a victim. I never want to sense that shame and guilt from you again.” His words are stern, but the undercurrent of love can’t be ignored.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. Logically, I know his words are true. But getting my heart on the same page is a battle I’m not sure I’ll ever win. “I don’t want you guys to think differently of me. Or treat me differently.” My whispered words are almost lost in the rain pelting the windows.

Kneeling on the floor next to me, Cade grabs my hand. “Love, nothing will ever make us think differently of you. You’re our mate. Our soul-bonded. Our beloved. We will love you, cherish you, and protect you, no matter what. You never need to hide yourself from us.”

My gaze wants to travel to Sterling, to see his reaction, to get his confirmation nothing will change. But I’m too scared. If I see his rejection of me right now, I’ll crumble. So I stare into Cade’s violet eyes, letting myself drown in the adoration I see shining in their depths.

“Tell me you understand,” Cade whispers, his thumb rubbing soothingly across the back of my hand.

I nod my head, unable to voice the words for fear they will betray me. Cade narrows his eyes at me, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Knowing him, he probably does. Eventually, he sighs and returns to his spot on the couch, but his hand never leaves mine. Tucked tightly between two of my guys, their steady strength a pillar I can lean on, my anxiety slowly fades to a mere trickle rather than a raging torrent.

“Okay,” Cade says, running his free hand down his face. “Now we know what Sam’s plan is, and we know Noah is in on it. What do we do about it?”

“Drew said he needs at least another week of casing the outside of the warehouse,” Sterling says, leaning back in his chair. “After that, he’d need probably a couple more weeks to scout the inside before we’d even be able to develop a plan.”

My stomach plummets again. “Three weeks? I just want all this to end.” The despair in my voice is clear. “And what will we do once Drew finishes his scouting? Blow the place up? Tell the authorities?”

Sterling’s eyes are understanding when he looks at me. “I think we would need to figure out if the authorities are in Sam or Noah’s pockets. If they are, things will get a lot messier.”

I slump against the back of the couch as exhaustion crawls through my limbs. Why can’t anything be easy for me? Just once, I’d like something to go my way and not be dramatic. I’m so tired of always fighting, always being on guard. What would my life look like without a threat hanging over my head? Would Kai and Cade take me on dates like normal couples? Not that we’re normal by any stretch.

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