Page 18 of Guarded from Corruption

Jade gives the comforter another tug as she glances over her shoulder at me. Her voice is carefully light. “Of course. You’ll be right in the building. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well.” I leave the doorway and head into the bedroom, feeling more worried the closer I get to her. While Jade’s been trying to keep up a good front since she got up this morning—she already had coffee made and was cooking breakfast by the time I got out of the shower—upon closer inspection, it’s clear she’s anything but okay.

It’s not just how pale she is; the pink scratches and bluish shadows under her eyes the only spots of color on her face. Or how she keeps gnawing on her lower lip when she thinks I’m not looking.

It’s the tension running like electricity through her body—tightening her jaw and shoulders and making her hands shake slightly.

And it’s the look in her eyes; that peaceful sky blue turned stormy with fear and worry.

“I’m fine, Niall.” Jade runs her hand across the already immaculate comforter again before turning to face me. Her chin has a stubborn little jut to it as she adds, “You said it’s safe here. So why wouldn’t I be okay?”

Because it’s only been one day since I picked her up in the woods?

Because I slept on the floor in the bedroom last night because it was the only way Jade could get any sleep between the nightmares?

Because the idea of leaving her alone just feels wrong?

I’ve been debating all morning on whether to go to our team meeting or not.

On one hand, I know Jade’s absolutely safe, and if she needs me, I’ll only be a few minutes away. She can call me with the new phone I gave her or she can use the intercom Matt just hooked up the other day. And Jade’s been insistent that it’s fine; she’s an adult and is perfectly capable of staying in my apartment alone.

But…

I don’t want to leave her. There’s this gut-deep need to be sure she’s okay. Not a phone call or a few minute walk away, but right here. Not just thinking that Jade’s alright, but seeing her with my own eyes.

The rest of the team will understand if I skip the meeting.

Except I want to be a part of the discussion about how we’re going to keep Jade safe. How we’re going to catch the people who did this to her. It’s not that I don’t trust the rest of my team to do the best thing for Jade, but I’m the one who knows her.

Jade is still staring at me, her eyebrows raised expectantly as she waits for my answer.

As I don’t think giving her a recap of my inner dialogue is a great idea, I try for something vague and tactful. “You just haven’t been here long. And this is a new place. I just don’t want you to feel… uncomfortable.”

“I won’t.” It’s quick. Defiant. A determined look comes into her eyes, chasing away the lingering fear. She holds my gaze as she says firmly, “This is your new team, Niall. You should be at the meeting. I’ll be fine here while you’re gone. I’ll just… read or watch TV or something.”

I’m wavering. If I insist on staying back now, Jade will think I don’t trust her. If I go…

“You’re going.” Jade takes my hand and for a second, all my focus shifts to the feel of her fingers wrapped around mine. How soft they are. So slender, but deceptively strong. The sizzle of heat radiating from her skin to mine.

While I’m still processing, she tows me out of the bedroom and marches me to the front door. “I’ll be fine. Really. Go meet with your team.”

So I guess it’s decided.

But before I leave, I can’t help saying, “My number is already programmed into the phone I gave you. Call if you need anything. Or use the intercom. Okay?”

“I will. But I’ll be fine.” She gives me a tiny smile. “Really.”

It doesn’t stop me from worrying.

I’ve seen Jade smile hundreds of times, and that smile wasn’t close to genuine.

It’ll only be an hour. Maybe less. And this meeting is important. Not just to the new Blade and Arrow team, but also for Jade’s safety. So it’s a good thing I’m going.

Once I get to the conference room, it’s easier to set my worries aside. As I slide into a seat at the large, glossy table, surrounded by the members of my team, a rush of excitement shoots through me. After three years, I’m back in it. I’m doing something important again.

Dante gives me a quick chin lift from the head of the table. “How’s Jade doing?”

“As good as she can be,” I reply. “Not great, of course. But she’s trying to be strong.”

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