Page 43 of All The Way Under
“Where is asset twelve?” Too casual? Who knows, but the terror I feel is building its way from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head. The need to see her and be close to her is the only thing that matters right now.
“Ravelo had business with her,” Nery says.
Tapping my fingers against my jeans, I try to rein it in. The emotions are wild, licking up my spine, twirling from my heart and mind like a dance. A dance with the fucking devil. One in which I’m damned to an eternity of this absolute mire love has caused.
Love. I admitted it to myself.
Not only is this a chink in my armor, but it could also mean my death. Because doesn’t it always for me?
Right now, I want to pummel his face until he tells me where she is, and that would cause chaos. I’d be tased and tranquilized immediately.
“Oh, business in the garden? Is she showing him the improvement to the irrigation line?” I say it in his native tongue because if I said it in English, it would sound like a threat. There’s no keeping my cool.
He shakes his head. “You’re going back to your cell for the night. Asset twelve has business in the main office. Raza is going to take you back now.”
He looks over to Turner and Collin, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
“Did they tell you anything of significance?”
This is where I need to lie to keep him on my good side.
“Only that they don’t have anyone to pay their ransom,” I reply, and then, because I need some predictability, I say, “They mentioned trying to make a run for it tomorrow morning. They know Saturday mornings are when the fishing boat docks at the west dock to deliver the resupply to the base.”
That’s extremely specific information. For them to know that would imply the brothers are at risk of fleeing. It’s my information, though, and there’s a lot more where that came from.
“I’m not going to allow them out anymore,” he replies.
Exactly as I knew he would.
“Thank you.” Nery nods, and Raza appears, leading me to the exit.
I don’t try to make conversation with him as we head back. I keep my eyes peeled, desperate to make sure she’s not at the garden or the junk pit where the bikes are being fixed.
The sun hasn’t set yet, but with each passing second that I can’t see Saylor, the rare feeling of vulnerability rears like an ugly monster I have no chance of defeating. Raza unlocks the rusted padlock and opens the door. I’m slow to go in, and he notices my hesitation.
“Asset twelve will be staying in another holding cell for the remainder of her time here. You have this one to yourself.”
The next question comes without my permission.
“Why?”
Even I hear the panic, so when he raises one brow before he responds, I’m not surprised.
“She requested it. You’ll have more space. She’s a wild animal. Ravelo was doing you a favor by getting rid of her.”
I don’t like the implication of his last sentence. In fact, it makes me want to kill him and find her immediately, but I must stay cool, calm, and collected.
Do I know how to do that?
Walking forward, I allow myself to be caged. The lock makes a clanging sound against the bars.
“You will still have to work with her during the day,” Raza admits, eyes downcast. He thinks I don’t want to be around her. I guess I should mark that as a win.
“I’ll do whatever I have to do,” I reply. “Any word on my ransom?”
Keep him talking. That’s all I can think will help me figure out where she is. There aren’t any other holding cell cages on this base save for this one and the one the brothers share. They must have her in the main building structure, which all the guards have access to.
“There will be soon,” Raza replies. “You keep your ears open like you always do, and I’ll be here for you early tomorrow.”
