Page 15 of Cannon
And because I’m an idiot, I respond without thinking, “I’m always acting.”
His brows shoot up in surprise. “Sounds like we have some things to discuss, baby girl.”
“I’m kidding.” I blow out a careful, steadying breath. “It’s the concussion talking.” I glance at him out of the corner of my eye as we head out of the room and to mine next door. I don’t know what it is about him, but everything in me wants to trust someone.Anyone.And there’s just something about Dane. Dammit, I wish there was a way I could be sure.
He helps me over to the bed, and when I sit down, he sits by my side. The black pouch is scratchy against my lower back. My throat catches. What the hell reason would they have for hiding Will’s phone? I huff out a breath. The obvious answer is that there is something incriminating on it. Something that will give me clues as to what the hell happened in this house last year. I shoot Dane an awkward grin, knowing I have to get it off me so I stop panicking. “Sorry, I have to use the bathroom. I’ll just be a minute.”
“Okay. Uh. Do you need help?” He cocks his head to the side.
“What?”
“I mean… are you still dizzy?”
“Oh.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “I think I’m okay. I’ll shout if I need you.” Slowly, I stand and edge away, swiveling around to face him when he clears his throat.
“I’ll stay until you get back. Just to make sure you’re okay.” He gives me a reassuring smile, but I’d bet by the look in his eye that he really badly wants to figure me out. And I simply have no idea what to say or if I should trust anything he says. I know where his loyalties lie. How could I possibly trust him?
But then I look into his eyes and think about how he calls mebaby girlthe same way Will used to… and I dunno. I need someone. But is Dane the right choice?
No time to worry about it now. I’ve got to get this phone out of my pants and into hiding. I spin around and hurry into the bathroom, hoping the bulge on my backside isn’t apparent.
In the bathroom, I shut the door behind me and lock it. Wheels turning while my head still thumps viciously, I think back to the shower last night. Something Archer said gives me pause.I’d give anything to be watching us right now.Almost as if maybe he’d do that later? I scrape my teeth over my lip as I look around, eyes darting everywhere in a last-minute bid to find a camera—because Archer never had let on where they’re hidden, and I definitely think there’d be some in the bathroom, as uneasy as that makes me feel. I mean, would they really allow me an entire room where they can’t see what I’m doing? Doubtful.Think, Elliot, think.
They’re assholes, but not absolute heathens. At least I don’t think they are. They sure don’t seem to mind watching, like Archer mentioned… so I assume there’s a camera aimed at the shower. Maybe one at the sink or mirror?
If there’s a place he wouldn’t aim a camera, my best bet is at the toilet. I hurry over to it and turn around like I’m going to sit down to use the bathroom, rescuing the phone from my leggings, the entire time deathly afraid I’m going to drop the damn thing into the water. Keeping the phone close to my side, I pull my pants down the rest of the way and sit on the toilet. With the pouch firmly in my hand, next to my thigh, I glance to my side from my perch on the toilet. I’d left a box of tampons next to the toilet, so I tuck the pouch safely inside and maneuver it to the bottom. I can’t see it underneath the brightly packaged tampons; it’s hidden well enough for now. I guess everything rides on whether or not there’s a camera over here. And if there is, it’s too late. The deed is done.
Once I’ve got my leggings back up, I know I only have a minute or two before Dane starts worrying whether or not I’ve passed out in here, but I stop in front of the mirror anyway. He seemed genuine in his offer of help. I bite my lip, cataloging my blotchy face and the wild look in my eyes. I feel decidedly sweaty after my subterfuge. And the problem is it’s not over. I do not want anyone else to know I was in Kingston’s room. If they ask, I could totally lie, just like I did with Dane.
An idea pops into my head as footsteps sound on the other side of the door. “Elliot?” A light tap follows.
“I’m okay. Be right there.” I turn the faucet handle to cold, lean down and splash some water over my face. This is nuts. I blot my face dry on the hand towel and turn on my heel, rushing to the door. It unlocks when I turn the handle, and I pull it open to find Dane waiting for me on the other side.
He clenches his teeth together, in a tight, apologetic smile. “Sorry. I got nervous. You know they asked me to check on you, right?”
“I figured.” I blow out a hard breath and cross to the bed and sit down, patting the spot next to me before I scoot backward against the pillows and headboard.
It’s clear Dane is a little nervous to be anywhere near a bed with me. He looks around, chewing on his lip for a few moments before reluctantly sitting down a few feet from me.
I meet his eyes, shrugging. “Don’t worry. I don’t know where the cameras are, but there’s plenty of evidence to show everything is on the up-and-up.” I definitely don’t want Dane to get in trouble for something as innocent as hanging out in my room. Especially when they were the ones who asked him to check on me in the first place. I purse my lips as I tuck a few stray pieces of hair behind my ear. “So, where’d they go?” It struck me as we sat down that what I want to say to him, I can’t because of the cameras. I’d never imagined security cameras would have sound, but apparently the ones in Hawthorne Hall are top-of-the-line—thanks, Archer—and I know this because everyone was very clearly able to hear me cry out on that video the other night.
Dane shrugs. “I have an idea. But I wasn’t told. They’re letting those dipshits know they won’t stand for what’s been happening around here.”
My brows raise. “I saw Cannon take Bridger down”—my eyes flick to the window and I gesture with my chin—“out there.”
A soft chuckle falls from Dane’s lips. “Yeah. Does that surprise you?”
“That he’d want an eye for an eye? Times ten?” I exhale sharply as I consider. “No. I guess not.”
“Well, then you can probably deduce where they may have taken them tonight, like I did.”
My eyes narrow but it only takes a split second before the light bulb goes on in my head. “Oh, shit.” I cover my lips with a few fingers. I kinda feel bad for them… but also not.
“Yeah. So, you can imagine what that punishment might look like.”
Slowly, I nod. “Dane, could we go downstairs? I need a snack.”
“I could go get something for you. Whatever you want.”
