“It makes sense; she was jealous of you. She wanted you out of the picture. I’ve seen woman do more if they feel threatened.”
Lydia pushed from the table and threw her napkin away. She leaned against the counter. “What I don’t get is how she planned to get me out of here without being seen. Do you think she was working with someone else inside the compound?”
Rick rose from the table and walked over to Lydia. He pulled her into his arms. “I don’t know. Maybe the general has some more answers for us. He’s expecting us at eight in the conference room.”
Lydia glanced down at her bare legs. “I can’t go anywhere looking like this, and I need a shower.” She looked at her watch. “I’m going to be late.” She looked up into his eyes. “Why don’t you go ahead and go?” She used her thumb to point back to his room. “I’m just going to take a quick shower, and then I’ll catch up to you.”
Rick shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere. Look what happened last time I left you by yourself.”
Lydia patted his chest. “Suit yourself. You’re going to be late too.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’re worth it.”
Rick didn’t attempt to take a shower with her. Had he, they would have been a lot later getting to the meeting than they actually were. He was worried about Lydia and her safety. The looks people were giving her were some that he had a hard time deciphering. He couldn’t guess whether the other employees were mad at her or concerned.
****
Lydia pushed open the door to the conference room. She had a lot of explaining to do and a lot to take in. She still couldn’t comprehend that Marlaina had hated her enough to hand her over to the one man who was after her. Lydia just wanted to go home. She wished that her life was simple and gift-free. At the very least, she wished she had more stability.
Lydia eyed the people at the table. The general sat at the head. He radiated power even without any gifts. His presence alone ensured her cooperation. Brody’s brother, Ridge, was on his left. Lydia hadn’t spent much time with Brody’s twin, but she could immediately tell them apart. Maybe not from their looks, but their actions were completely different. Ridge tapped the eraser of the pencil on the paper in front of him. His sad eyes bored into her. She could feel the pity he had for her. Brody sat next to him, doodling on a piece of paper. If she had to guess, it was a woman’s body that held his attention. Briggs sat on the other side of the table with a scowl etched on his face, his unhappiness evident.
Jamie pushed away from where she’d been sitting next to Briggs. She approached Lydia. “How are you feeling?”
Lydia could tell that the conversation had come to a halt when they’d entered. Rick’s palm on her back did little to soothe her nerves. Whatever they’d been discussing, Briggs didn’t much like, and that concerned her. “I’m feeling better.”
Lydia pulled out the chair at the end of the table, opposite the general. “I guess you all want to know what happened?”
Everyone at the table turned to look at her as Rick sat beside her and Jamie returned to her seat.
The general nodded. “First, let me apologize. It has come to our attention that Marlaina has been giving information about you to an unknown informant since the day after your arrival. Cell phone and text messages have confirmed it. Had I ever expected that she was a threat, she would have been handled before I ever brought you here.”
From the corner of her eye, Lydia noticed Rick cross his arms over his chest.
Lydia gave a slight nod. “It’s not your fault, general. I believe my friendship with Brody is what pushed her over the edge. I think in her mind she believed we were together.”
Brody snapped his head up and looked at her. “What?” he asked incredulously. He held up his palms. “I never, not even once, led her to believe that there was anything between the two of us, so forgive me if I don’t understand.”
“Must be all of that charm you exude,” Rick mumbled beneath his breath.
Lydia kicked him under the table. Rick straightened in his chair and raised a brow in her direction. “Regardless, I was a threat she wanted to get rid of. She mentally attacked me and almost won.”
Ridge leaned forward, his gaze intent. “Where did you get the gun? I don’t recall the general saying that you were armed.”
Lydia exchanged a look with Rick, and he nodded. “Rick gave it to me to protect myself, and I’m glad he did. If he hadn’t, I would be in the hands of that maniac, if not dead.”
Ridge wrote something on the paper in front of him. “Have you had any formal training with a weapon?”
Lydia shook her head.
Ridge groaned. “Then it starts today, and I’ll train you myself.”
Briggs protested. “That’s not necessary. I’ll do it.”
Ridge narrowed his eyes at the silent giant. “And why is it that you don’t want me to train her?”