Page 40 of Bound By Water
Roughly three hours later, there’s a knock on the door. Stealing myself to face Quaid’s scowling countenance, I’m surprised to see a good-looking guy standing in the hall dressed similarly to me. Dark brown hair with equally dark eyes and a tanned complexion, he easily looks like he could be Trent’s brother. When he flashes an eerily similar perfect white smile, I instinctively take a step back.
He holds up his hands. “It’s okay. I’m Gabe, and I’m here to take you to dinner.” His chuckle echoes in the empty hallway.
Uneasy, I motion for him to start walking and fall in slightly behind him. I don’t want to be caught off guard.
“It takes a little while to get used to things around here, but it beats the street. There’s food, a roof over your head, places to practice your power, and people just like you,” he assures me. “It’s safe here. And I’m sure you’ll make friends in no time. Like me.”
He reaches for the door and swings it open. A sea of grey sweats greets me. Creepy.
Gabe reaches out to grab my elbow, but I step away from his grasp. “I see my friend over there. Thanks for helping me find the cafeteria.” I don’t actually see anyone, but he reminds me too much of Trent. Not sure why. There’s just something about him.
“Okay, find me when you’re ready to leave, and I’ll walk you back to your room,” he says with a shrug and a slight frown.
Not a chance. Although, I have no idea how I’ll find my way back when everything looks the same. I’m a sight navigator. Turn left by the Starbucks, and right by the McDonald’s. That’s how I navigate roads and life. White on white isn’t helpful.
Arms circle me, and I inhale sharply, but the crisp notes of spring with an underlying scent of sweet honeysuckle ease my fear.
“River!” I turn in his arms and hug him tightly. “Are you okay? They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
He raises a finger to his lips and pulls me into the corner. “They have cameras everywhere. I left my room earlier and went exploring, and they sent someone to escort me back.” His green eyes are darting around the room behind me. “Who was that guy with you?”
“Gabe. My door was locked, so I had to wait for him to escort me to dinner,” I tell him, then remember how he picked the lock on the warehouse. “Maybe I need to learn lock-picking while I’m here.”
His lips twitch. “Couldn’t hurt. I can’t always be the one to rescue you.”
I laugh, but I’m only half-joking. If they’re offering the skills I need in this new life, I’m all in. Whatever they want to teach me.
“Brad’s here,” I tell him. When he gives me a confused look, I explain further. “Sorry. One of Lionel’s best friends. He helped us escape.” I go on to explain how Brad and Phoenix have been watching us. “Brad said Jordan left before Raven raided his place.”
Instead of being happy, River frowns. “That’s what they’re telling you, but how do you know for sure? Until I see Jordan again, I won’t hold my breath.”
“Lionel trusted Brad, and that’s good enough for me,” I tell River. It’s not that I don’t understand how he feels, but I’m not sure his isolated approach will work for me. “I trust you, but I need more than just you in my life.”
He flashes me a wry smile. “I told you not to trust me, either.” He sweeps a lock of hair behind my ear. “More people means more risk.”
“Not for me. People have a habit of dying and leaving me all alone,” I state quietly. There’s only so much I can take until there’s nothing left of me to salvage.
He leans in and places a sweet kiss on my lips. “I understand. I do.” He insists. “I’m starving. Let’s grab some dinner. Then you’re coming back to my room with me. I don’t like being alone. Gives me too much time to think.”
The thought of lying in a real bed with him makes my cheeks flush.
He leans down and whispers, “Sleep, nothing else. I swear.”
Maybe I should be relieved he’s a good guy, but I’m not.
CHAPTER20
QUAID
After wrapping up my report from our surveillance, I head to Oliver’s office to discuss our next steps. When I arrive, Oliver Harrison, my oldest friend and Phoenix’s commanding officer, is standing with Brad, watching the monitors on the wall. The cameras show River and Greer walking around the cafeteria. I wonder how Oliver is going to handle the situation. We knew Greer was coming, but River is an unknown who we’ve let into our compound. Something we never do.
Whatever he decides, I trust it will be the right decision. Oliver and I went to West Point together. Both of us Army brats, but that is where the similarities end. Oliver’s grandfather was a general and his father a colonel before he left the service to be a senator. Generations of service to our country and obscene family wealth is one hell of a legacy. Oliver wears the mantle of heir well.
My father was a grunt. Career military from the ground up. I lived on bases throughout the world. Army was drilled it into me from a young age. Tough and rough around the edges. I’m the guy you want by your side in combat.
Most of our classmates were surprised when Oliver and I started hanging out, but we only saw the Army in our blood, not the status of our birth. Add in our inherent ambition, and our friendship was as easy as breathing.
While we both reached the rank of Major, Oliver is the one who leads Phoenix. His strengths lie in strategy and political maneuvering, which is only helped further by his mental power. My strengths lie in leading missions and tactical explorations, and my ability to manipulate fire comes in handy when dealing with the enemy.
