Page 30 of Heart’s Prisoner

"He will be taken care of," was Cole's only reply.

Lana cursed silently. Seething, she turned away, tugging her arm away from the guard.

Chapter Nine

Lana wasn't allowed back into the lab for nearly a week. In that time she made at least a half a dozen requests to be let back in, all which were ignored. Feeling defeated, Lana sulked in her room but didn't stop her work. Frustrated by their disregard for Xerus and by their need to not let her get too close, Lana accessed the QS data as well as all information that they had on Asset X so far and began studying diligently. She watched every video, again and again, watching Xerus movements, his body language, learning how he expressed himself in ways that didn't always show clearly on his face.

When there was finally hope that she would be able to return, she was told she must first go through several psychoanalysis and evaluations before she was deemed proper to continue her work on level twelve. Lana accepted and was even happy to walk up to level six to complete them, knowing it was her chance to vent to the one person who might hear her out.

"It's a total disregard for my work," Lana said to Nicole as they sat in Nicole's study. "I had every right to be there just as anyone. The situation involved my patient so I should have been able to tend to him. Officer Torrence had no right to keep me from him. And another thing..."

Nicole sat quietly and just listened. Patient and bright as always.

"I'm truly sorry that happened," she said when Lana had finished. "Did you ever find out what happened to Asset X?"

"Dr. Dahlia Gray was kind enough to give me an update. He did wake up eventually and seems...stable. But whether there was any lasting damage from the shocks, she couldn't say."

Nicole nodded her head, thinking for a moment. "Well, I don't blame your frustrations at all, Lana. I will speak to my uncle and let him know you should be allowed back. But as a warning, I would be careful going against any more orders. Not just saying this as your therapist but as a friend. Be careful. I know my uncle. He puts on a face for professionalism. But..." Nicole looked away and frowned. "He finds ways to get what he wants."

***

Lana stepped out of the elevator and walked straight for the door, nodding her head at David who let her through. The usual guards huddling by the door gave her cold glares as she passed. As she entered, she looked up and saw on the monitor that Xerus was awake. He sat facing the wall, his eyes closed as if meditating.

"Welcome back, Lana. Feeling better?"

Lana skimmed her eyes down and smiled at Cole with a fake grin. "I am."

"Good. That's good to hear."

Lana clutched her ISpad in both hands. "And if it's not too much trouble I'd like to get started right away if you–"

"So this is the lady who works with the thing huh?"

Lana turned toward one of the unit doors and saw a group of guards standing near the edge of the lab. They were unfamiliar to her save for Torrence. The one who spoke smiled at her; a large, beefy man with a mustache and shadow of a beard. The smile was somehow off putting. He waved her to come over.

"Come here, sweetheart, let's take a look at you."

Lana looked at Cole. "Who are they?" she asked.

"After the incident, it was Officer Torrence's request to bring in a new security team. I was inclined to agree with the decision."

Lana looked back over and the smiling guard shrugged as Torrence whispered something to him. Then the man laughed. The group moved into the lab and as they approached, Lana caught the red stars with a golden eagle above them on their uniforms. She'd seen those badges before.

"This is S division SEAL team 6," Cole said. "Officer James Galger is their leader."

Lana stiffened. Jesus, how did Torrence acquire the most advanced tactical team within the system's registry.Themilitary's top soldiers.

Officer Galger's eyes drifted down her body. "You guys let a cutie like this near that lovecraftian horror?" He shook his head. "Awful I tell ya." He put out his hand and gave her another ear to ear grin.

Lana took his hand hesitantly. "I'm Dr. Lana Hart. I work exclusively with Xer–with Asset X."

"Lucky bastard." Galger gripped her hand firmly when she tried to pull away. "Well, you take care, Lana." His steel-gray eyes seemed odd somehow like they saw beyond her or through her. They didn't shine. With his buzzed head and his tattooed neck (twin knives in the shape of a cross), he looked almost criminal.

Lana tugged her hand away. "Nice to meet you," she murmured, turning away. The others in the group watched her carefully but she paid them no attention. "Officer Torrence if you don't mind, I'd like to get into the unit now."

Torrence glanced at Galger, who shrugged. Slowly the team of soldiers drifted off to take positions near the unit's door as Torrence went to the controls.

Lana didn't hesitate. As soon as the door slid open enough, she slipped through and made her way down the hall. When she made it to the sliding door, she was forced to wait until the main door closed shut. Once it did, she hurried into the room.

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