Page 61 of Jersey

I hiss as the freezing water rushes down my face and neck, paying no mind to the way it dampens my t-shirt.

I do this several more times until the rush of cold water no longer has the same effect on me, and then I refocus on my reflection in the mirror.

"You're safe. No matter what, you're safe."

It takes severallong moments of repeating that mantra before I can tell the difference in my pulse, but I feel like my system goes right back to the edge of shock when a rough knock echoes through the small bathroom.

"Dr. Rudd?"

"Y-yes?" I stammer.

"I have orders to take you back to the cabin."

I tilt my head in confusion.

"No, no thank you," I manage.

Silence fills the room, making me turn toward the closed bathroom door.

"Ma'am," he says, and I can hear the edge of frustration in his tone. "There's been an... incident. The team had to leave, and I have to get back to the cabin to be with Eli and the women."

"What kind of incident?" I ask, knowing that he isn't going to tell me a damn thing.

I roll my eyes at his silence, jolting when, a second later, his voice drifts through the door.

"They managed to catch up with a really bad guy. It's going to take all of them to bring him down."

I pull open the door and stare Lark in the eyes, trying my best to determine if he's telling me the truth or if he's feeding me lies to get me to obey.

I don't see an ounce of dishonesty on his face.

"What happens if I refuse?"

His lips form a flat line as he pulls in a deep breath. "My primary obligation is to the folks at the cabin."

Translation, he'll leave me here, and I'll have to fend for myself, despite the guy who was outside of my house earlier, if I don't leave when he does.

That realization makes me feel even safer around him and the others. He's not going to force me to do a damn thing. All of it is my choice, but I better make my decision soon. "How long do I have?"

"I can spare five minutes for you to pack a bag."

"Pack a bag?" Igrumble. "How long am I expected to stay there?"

"You're welcome as long as you'd like, I imagine, but it'll be another twelve to eighteen hours before the guys are able to wrap up their tasks and get back to Gatlinburg."

I give him a quick dip of my head. "May I have a few moments alone, please?"

Without another word, Lark exits the bedroom and pulls the door closed behind him.

How would it look for me to be at the cabin when Roman got home?

Would he hate that I'm there, invading his space?

Is he the one who requested I go to begin with?

I know Zeus knows about me at the club. Lark has to know as well. He was there with Roman one night, although I never caught his eyes on me while I was strapped to the cross.

It goes without saying that at least one of the three men has had some sort of conversation about what I've been up to with Mr. Hart, although no one has mentioned it to me.

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