"You're repulsive."
Paul shook his head as if I didn't understand.
"Forest needs to fall apart. That man is so bottled up inside his head, he can't find his way free of the walls he's built around himself to keep others out. You think you have him? That he loves you? He might. I think it's highly probable Forest is in fact in love with you. I've never seen a man sacrifice so much for someone he didn't love. But the thing about Forest is that he doesn't know how to love another person. You're doomed without me."
"Doomed?"
"Yes."
"And you know what he needs?" Our entire conversation was insane. It made no sense.
"I know how to bring about the truths we hide inside ourselves. I know how to free him. When I succeed, he'll be a man capable of the most intense love. He'll love you, unconditionally."
"Then fucking free him from this nightmare. How does a man like you find his way working for a monster like Snowden? How can you stand by and let that cretin do whatever it is he's doing to Forest? How can you stand there and mock Forest? Tell him you're going to rape him? You're insane and don't even know it. You're repulsive."
"This conversation is over."
"Over? I'd say we've barely begun. And you're wrong about Forest."
"I'm not wrong."
"You're an arrogant prick."
"You're repeating yourself. Be a smart girl, and don't antagonize me. You don't want to be on my bad side."
"If you know about Forest and me, that means Snowden knows too."
That would be the one thing which could destroy Forest.
"I told you…" Paul gave an exaggerated eye roll. "Your secret is safe with me."
"But you work for Snowden."
"Our relationship is…complex."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means we're not discussing it. But we are discussing Forest."
"I have no interest in talking about Forest with you."
"And yet you will. You want to understand him."
"I understand him just fine."
"But you don't know why the air crackles between him and me but doesn't between the two of you. That's a mystery you can't solve."
"Forest is bi-sexual. He's attracted to men. Of course, things are going to be different." My shoulders twitched as if that was an obvious statement. The truth was far different.
"He fucks a lot of men, but he's only attracted to a particular kind of man."
"You don't know him at all."
"It seems I know him better than you. But don't worry. We'll share him just fine."
"Share him?" My eyes popped with indignation. "You're insane."
"Not insane, but I accept neither of us has the entirety of what he needs. You and I are two sides of a coin. He needs us both to be whole. Once you accept that, accept me and my role, we'll do just fine—you and me. We."
"He. Doesn't. Know. You." My fists clenched as I bit out the words. "You're helping the man he hates. You're standing by while Snowden does horrible things to him. If you think that makes you someone he needs, you're as delusional as Snowden. Forest might feel some sense of attraction to you—you're his type—but it won't last. He knows what you are. Everything you stand for is something he hates. You lost him before you ever began. Forest will eat you alive."
"That you believe that is cute, little girl." He reached for me and yanked me down the hall.
"Get your fucking hands off me."
"Such foul words from Forest's angel." He didn't let go and continued to drag me down the hall, away from Forest.
I dug in my heels, and Paul spun me around to face him. Nearly as tall as Forest, I had to crane my neck, but I wasn't about to back down.
"I said to let me go."
"Do as I say and there'll be no reason for me to touch you. Trust me when I say you're not my type. Resist, and I won't think twice about slinging you over my shoulder and carrying you the rest of the way to your rooms."
To my rooms.
I didn't want to go back there.
"Isn't there someplace else we can go? Outside? A library?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I don't think that's wise."
"Why?"
"This is not a place where a woman typically wanders around."
"Why is that?"
I barraged him with questions, hoping he'd finally answer one, but he gave me a look which told me how stupid that last question had been.
"Oh, right. Den of sex thieves and murderers."
"Sex thieves?" He gave a smirk. "That's a new one."
"Whatever." It chaffed me that I'd said the wrong thing. "That's not what I meant, and you know it. Sex-traffickers. Thieves. Murderers. Rapists."
"This place is what it is, and it's not safe for you to go wandering about."
"But I have you to protect me." I injected as much venom as I could.
And an idea was forming in my head.
If I went to the room, I wouldn't be able to tell Forest anything about this place.
I didn't know what it would take to escape, but surely, we needed to know something about the layout.
Our little tour this morning had been a blur. I'd been too concerned about Forest that I hadn't paid attention. The least I could do was learn how to find my way around this monstrous place.
"You're going to your room where you'll be safe."
"Safe?"
From murderers, thieves, rapists, and worse. I wasn't safe.
Paul walked beside me, navigating a maze of passageways as he led me back the way we'd come. He ignored me for the most part, our previous conversation abandoned, and scrolled through whatever messages, emails, and social media he had on his phone.
Finally, we arrived in a corridor I remembered and stopped before a door which hitched my shoulders together until they practically touched my ears.
Paul activated the outer lock with a retinal scan. The door unlocked, and he swung it inward, holding it open for me.
I ducked beneath his arm and took in a deep breath.
Great. What was I going to do with myself while Forest…Sharp pains stabbed through my abdomen, thinking about what was happening in that basement. I held my hand to my mouth to stave off the retching sensation filling my gut.
"Can I get you something? You look like you're going to puke." Paul looked genuinely concerned.
The problem I had with Paul was that he was stunning, incredibly perceptive, and even a tiny bit considerate. I found myself staring when I shouldn't. Not that I was attracted to him. Well, I was, there was an inherent beauty to the way he carried himself.
Easy on the eye, I drank him in whenever I thought he wasn't looking. The man might be gay, but that didn't mean I wouldn't stop to admire the scenery.
"I'm good. Thanks."
He went to the small kitchenette and poured two glasses of water. He brought me one then sat on the couch. Dismissing me, he pulled out his phone and disappeared inside the electronic world.
I drank the water, then took the time to explore our accommodations. Well-appointed, we had been given a spacious retreat. There was nothing special, but the minimalistic decor gave the space an understated elegance.
Paul ignored me as I opened every cupboard in the kitchen, walked the perimeters of each of the rooms, dug in the drawers, opened the curtains, and stared out on a bleak landscape of white.
"Where are we?" I propped my hands on my hips and kept my back to Paul.
"Does it matter?" His raspy voice tumbled in the air.
"Is there a reason not to tell me?" I spun around. "It's not like we're going anywhere."
"Then there's no reason it matters. Enjoy the scenery. It's beautiful."
Beautifully stark. Inhospitable. A death trap to anyone without appropriate snow survival gear. It was the perfect trap.
"Shit!" Paul's curse drew my attention. He stood and patted down his pockets. "Shit!"
"Be careful. Your monosyllabic vocabulary is quite
telling."
"What?"
"You're a syllable away from devolving into grunts like a caveman."
"Haha, not funny. You need to work on your humor." He glanced at his phone and bit back another curse. "You don't happen to have a charging cord?"
I patted down my non-existent pockets. The slim skirt had a zipper, a button, and no pockets.
"Sorry, but I seem to have left my purse behind when your goons kidnapped me. I'm fresh out of charging cords."
He gave another eye roll. "Yeah, work on that humor, little girl."
I lifted my hands. "Sorry, but I'm plumb out of witty replies."
"My phone's about to die."
"Don't care. Not my problem. But when you grab that charging cord, do you mind bringing me a phone?"
His look could cut steel.
"A tablet?"
He cocked his head.
"A book?" I gestured around the room. "You realize there is nothing for me to do? No books. No games. No puzzles. Nada. Nothing to cook with. No sharp knives to stab you with."
The corner of his mouth almost lifted into a grin with that last comment.
"Come on, Paul. Being a prisoner is one thing, but don't I get something for good behavior? I'm dying here."
It had not escaped my notice we had been alone for going on an hour.
An hour where Forest was trapped in that basement with a predator.
"Shit." He glanced at his phone then waved it at me. "It died."
"It died?"
"That's what I said."
"You waited until it was that low before you started looking for a charger? Who does that?" I tapped my foot. "I keep mine charged above fifty percent at all times. You should try it."
"Again. Not funny."
"I guess you can stare at the walls with me." I gave a shrug. I didn't care if he grew as bored as I did watching the paint peel.
"I need to grab my cord. Come on."
"Come on?"
He moved to the door. "Yeah. Come on."
"I thought I had to stay here? That it wasn't safe for a woman to wander around out there."
"You'll be safe with me."
"I'll stay here. Thank you very much."
"You're not staying here alone."
"Why not?"
"Because Snowden promised Forest you wouldn't. He left precise instructions about adhering to his arrangement with Forest."
"And why do you think that is?"
"Because…" He drew the word out as if my question was the stupidest thing in the world.
"Because, why?"
"Because he wants Forest to trust him."
"That's not what Snowden wants."
"Perhaps not, but it doesn't change my orders."
"Which are what exactly?"
"To watch over you and keep you safe."
"Which I'm certain you're thrilled about. It means you're not with them. It's killing you, isn't it, to be dismissed like that? I bet you thought you'd be right by your boss's side, taking the scraps he threw you."
"He's not my boss."
"Then, what is he?"
"I told you it was complicated." He gestured toward the door. "Your choice, little girl. You can walk on your own two feet, or I can sling you over my shoulder caveman-style. Either way, it's time for a field trip."
"To get me a book?"
"Is that what you want?"
"No. I want a tablet with an entire library of books on it. A stack of puzzles, cards, games, something to dull the interminable boredom your presence brings."
"You say the sweetest things." He snapped his fingers. "Choose, little girl. Feet or shoulder?"
It was my turn to roll my eyes. "I'm perfectly capable of walking."
He held the door for me and ushered me out into the hall. Something occurred to me, and I couldn't resist poking the beast.
"By the way, who is Piper?"
All the blood in Paul's face drained away, leaving him ghostly white.
"What did you say?" His clipped tone had me drawing back as if I'd been bitten by a snake.
"Piper?" My voice wavered. Meek and a little scared by the tone in his voice, I backed away from him.
"Where did you hear that name?" His command shot through me, demanding an answer.
"Something Forest said," I mumbled the words, feeling all the world as if I'd done something wrong.
"And what was that?" Another sharp rap of his words cut through the air.
"He said Piper would be very disappointed in you."
His voice dropped to an awed whisper. "She's alive?"
"Who is she?"
He gave a sharp shake of his head and glanced down the hall.
"No one."
"Doesn't sound like no one."
Paul moved so quickly I didn't see him coming. One minute I was standing in the hall, the next I was back in the room, slammed hard against the wall with the breath knocked out of me. I gasped as he shoved his face in mine. A hair's breadth separated us.
Leaning close, his warm, rich scent flooded my nostrils. "I'm only going to say this once: never say that name again. Not if you want to live."
"Who is she?"
"No one. She's no one." I opened my mouth, but he covered it with his hand. "I'm serious. Speak her name again, and it's the last thing you do. That person is dead."
"I don't think—"
"You don't understand. She's dead."
I didn't think that was true. The way Forest mentioned Piper said she was very much alive. Not just that, but Forest knew her on more than a casual level.
Warned to keep my mouth shut, we headed back into the hall. I tried to memorize our route but got lost after ten turns.
We ran into a lot of people, more than I expected, and he appeared to be a well-liked man. The others deferred to him on an instinctual level; profound respect flowed outward from them. Snowden might be the man in charge, but I had no illusion as to who led these men.
I filed that fact away.
We entered an office where he grabbed a charging cable then marched directly back to my room. The scanner read his retina. The lock whirred open with a click. Paul slowly opened the door.
I entered then came to a stop. Forest lay huddled in the fetal position on the floor, arms wrapped around his legs, eyes lined tight with pain with tears flowing.
"Forest!" I ran to him and surveyed the damage. Welts decorated his flesh. Blood seeped from cuts. Deep purplish bruising covered an incredible amount of skin. I tilted my head toward Paul. "What the hell did he do to him?"
Forest didn't respond except to tighten the grip he had on his legs.
"Don't just stand there," I screamed at Paul. "Help me."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sara
“What do you want me to do?” Paul stood by the door as it slowly swung closed. The automatic lock engaged, sealing us in.
“How about you help me pick him up off the floor for starters?” I looked at him incredulous he asked the question.
Forest’s body shook. He mumbled something I couldn’t understand, repeating a phrase over and over again.
“I’m here, Forest. I’m here.” I wrapped my arms around him. “You’re safe.”
Covered in blood, sweat, tears, and…other stuff, his skin felt cool and clammy.
“He’s in shock.” I tried to lift Forest, even knowing I couldn’t, then turned to Paul, pleading. “Please, help me get him into the bathroom.”
In addition to the large, two-person shower, our bathroom had an oversized tub.
Paul came over and pushed me out of the way. I moved with an irritated huff. He knelt beside Forest, hooked Forest’s arm over his shoulder, and slowly lifted him to a standing position.
“Help me steady him.” Paul strained with Forest’s weight.
I did as Paul instructed, not that I helped much.
With his face beet red with strain, Paul tried to steady Forest, but Forest was as limp as a noodle. Paul hoisted Forest into a fireman
’s carry.
“Now what?” Paul asked. “You want him in bed?”
“No, we need to get him washed up.”
“We?” His lips turned up with the beginnings of a smirk. “I thought there was no we.”
“Don’t be an ass.” I pointed toward the bathroom. “Take him in there.”
I rushed ahead of Paul, still not sure if the tub or shower would be best. Paul took the decision out of my hands and lowered Forest to the floor of the shower. He propped Forest in the corner and straightened Forest’s legs out in front of him.
“You’re going to need help.” He pulled off his shirt, revealing a rippling expanse of washboard perfection.
I backed away. “No way am I getting in there with you.”
“He’s a big guy, and you’re a—”
“If you say little girl one more time, I’m going to smack you.”
“I was going to say tiny, but don’t get your panties in a wad. I’m not getting naked, just stripping down to my briefs. Remember? I don’t like girls. You have nothing to worry about. That’s why I’m your guard.”
He stepped out of the shower, toed off his shoes, stripped out of his pants, and removed his socks. My mouth gaped, and he huffed a soft laugh.
“Yeah, I get that a lot. Close your mouth, little girl; this isn’t playtime.”
“You fucking bastard.”
“Well, I’m a bastard, and I like to fuck, so I’d say that’s a fairly accurate statement. Now, if you’re going to help, I suggest you strip and join me.”
Strip and join Paul in the shower with Forest? Had the world gone insane?
A low, moan escaped Forest. His head rolled sideways.
“Angle the shower away from him, please.” I began to strip. “Run it as hot as you can stand.” When I got down to my bra and panties, I joined Paul in the shower and crouched down in front of Forest. Reverently, I leaned in and brushed my lips over his.
Cold and unmoving, Forest’s unresponsiveness worried me.
“Did you know Snowden would do this to him?”
Paul refused to meet my eyes. He tested the temperature of the water and adjusted it.
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