Cole swings open the door, looking slightly flustered. “What is it?”
“This building’s on lockdown until further notice,” a man says.
“Whose orders?” Cole asks.
“Wilson’s.”
“Great,” Cole says. Then he closes the door while shaking his head. “Looks like we’re stuck here… damn.” He runs back to me with a hungry expression.
Another knock interrupts him and I roll my eyes. “Really! Hurry up, answer it.” He throws on his shirt and swings open the door again. Wilson stands there looking formidable in his uniform and polished black boots. Two other guards stand off his shoulders in the hallway, loaded down with ammunition and large guns. My heart pounds so hard I’m sure everyone can hear it. I can scarcely breathe for fear of him sensing my weakness.
Cole immediately salutes and steps aside. Wilson motions the two guards into Cole’s kitchen and their hard eyes inspect me.
“This building’s been placed on lockdown. Two suspects came through here. One’s dark, about five-foot-nine and the other is light-skinned, about six feet. They’re carrying stolen weapons. Have you seen them or anyone suspicious come through here?” Wilson’s commandeering voice cuts me to the core. His gaze settles on me, sitting at the table, trying to look inconspicuous.
“No, sir,” Cole says. “I’ll keep a lookout though.”
“Shoot to kill. The last thing I need are more prisoners,” Wilson replies while keeping his steel eyes locked on me.
They unnerve me, so I cast mine down to my feet, hoping he doesn’t inspect my room and see the drawings on the wall.
“All night we’ll be performing random searches, so don’t expect to get much sleep,” Wilson says. This time he turns toward Cole. “You’re still expected to repost on time to training tomorrow.” Wilson looks over Cole’s shoulder. “What the hell is she doing in your room?”
“I was going over the rules with her, sir. She seems to have forgotten some… Just keeping her in line, sir.”
“Write them down. Make her read them… There’s no reason you should be having a one-on-one. Now get her ass back to her room.”
“Yes, sir,” Cole says.
“Now,” Wilson commands.
The other two guards stare, lusty-eyed, as I stand and move toward the door. My hands tremble at my sides as fear rushes through my veins. His narrow eyes and icy demeanor instantly terrorize me and I’m tempted to run. My palms sweat as I turn the knob and go to my room, praying they don’t follow.
CHAPTER 14
Time tick, tick, ticks past. Anxiety claws at my insides, ripping holes into my sanity. It feels like I’ve been trapped in my room forever. All I hear are doors slamming and people cursing in the hall, along with the heavy footfalls of guards outside my door. My eyes feel stuck wide open, and I sit on my mattress, wrapping my arms around my knees.
I lie down, attempting to fall asleep, but Cole’s words keep playing through my head. This is our secret and no one else can know about it. But what about Sutton and Bruno who already seem well-informed? And now I completely understand how Claire and Mac were caught—everyone always watches you. Maybe Alyssa was right about life in the Hole. Maybe she did have it easier knowing she’d never have to grow up in this forsaken place.
But I can’t deny how I feel toward Cole. Nothing and no one could ever compare to him. All I can think about are his honest brown eyes, the scar on his lip, and the intense expression when he kisses me that sucks me in like a vacuum. I feel drunk on him—just crazy about his face, his hands, and his body. Too crazy.
“Lexi, you awake?”
I push up on my elbows and see the door cracked open with light pouring in from behind. He stands there squinting his eyes into my cave-like room.
“Yeah, what’s up? Is the lockdown over?”
“Nah, I can’t sleep. Figured if you couldn’t be in my room, then I can at least sneak into yours.” He slowly walks over and plops himself next to me with his head leaning back against the wall.
“He really freaks me out… makes my stomach uneasy. I hope he doesn’t come back.” I motion toward the door and he knows exactly to whom I’m referring.
“Baby, I hate to break it to you, but everything makes your stomach uneasy.”
“No. This unease is different. There’s nothing I can do about the uncontrolled puking. It just happens. But now it’s more like a sickening nervousness.”
“Right. Whatever that means.”
“If he’s second in command, then where’s the commander?”
“Well, Wilson usually oversees the transformation center and lab while the commander controls the Hole itself… but rumors of the revolt have changed that, I guess.”
“Hmm, well, they’re both disgusting.” I lean my head against his shoulder, staring into the shadows.
“I’ve seen them both abuse their power. It’s sickening, really.” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close.
I savor the heat rolling off his body and fall silent for a moment.