The hotel wasn’t hard to find. It was one of the tallest buildings in the town. And when I saw it, I started jogging.
23
Adam
Leah had been upset. In the morning, she asked me several times if I wanted to leave the resort.
I hadn’t told her about my worries about getting shot but she probably had her own concerns. She’d seen the same things I’d seen. Of course, the thought had crossed her mind.
I kissed her good bye but she didn’t want to let go.
“It’s going to be fine,” I said looking into her eyes. “Just stay here, okay?”
“What if I need something?” she asked.
“You don’t,” I said. “Just watch some movies or read a book. Time will fly by.”
Leah snorted. “Right. I’m going to be worried sick about you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me,” I said trying to show confidence. I’d once been a confident guy but now it felt so fake. Hopefully, she didn’t notice.
“I’ll always worry. At least until I know we’re truly safe,” Leah said.
We gave each other a hug that was tighter… longer… and I worried it was the last time I’d see her. But of course, I couldn’t say that. I couldn’t show that.
“Lock the door behind me, okay?” I said.
“I will,” Leah said.
And with that… I left. I walked down the path that would take me to the center of the resort.
There were three armed guards waiting there. One of them waved as they saw me approach.
“Adam, right?” he said sticking out his hand.
“That’s me,” I said shaking his hand firmly.
“I’m Leo, good to meet you,” he said gesturing to the other two guys. “You’ll be with me today but this is Geoff and Benji.”
They each gave me a nod and a polite smile. Their fathers had probably been important, wealthy guys back in California too. I could tell just by the way they stood.
“Have any training with a weapon?” Leo asked.
I shook my head. “No formal training.”
I’d used a gun — more than once, in fact — but I didn’t know what I’d been doing. Using it because I had to wasn’t the same as knowing what I’d been doing.
“That’s okay,” Leo said. “You likely won’t need to use one. Shall we get started?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” I said.
“Awesome,” Leo replied. “Have a good day, men.”
“You too,” the other two said nearly at the same time.
Leo grinned. “We will… we will.” He turned to me. “Follow me.”
We walked through the resort without an umbrella. Leo brought me inside every building, telling me what each was used for, who worked there, what was stored inside. It was so much information I couldn’t remember even a third of it. I’d gotten turned around so much every time we exited a building, it took me several seconds to reorient myself.
“This building is where we keep all the clothing, bedding, pillows, even fabric for those who like to sew,” Leo said holding the door for me. “The women in here clean everything thoroughly and then organize it.”
Women of all ages moved around the room doing this or that. They were all chatting as they worked with a smile on their face. It seemed, like the others I’d seen working around the resort, that they were happy even though they appeared to be servants.
The wealthy men and women, like my dad, Mr. Tate, and his daughter, and those only with connections like Eva, me, and Leah didn’t do anything. We were tended to and it just didn’t seem fair.
“Where’s Leslie?” Leo asked one of the women.
She shrugged and Leo scowled. He jerked his head toward a door at the back of the room.
His feet slapped the floor as he walked to the door. I cautiously followed him.
Leo didn’t knock. He pushed open the door and the woman’s mouth popped open. She quickly flicked a cigarette out the window and pretended as though she was washing her hands in the bathroom sink.
“Dude,” she snapped. “This is the women’s room.”
“Dude,” Leo mocked. “This is a no smoking resort.”
“You’re seeing things,” she said flipping her long platinum hair over her shoulder.
Leo snorted. “Am I smelling things too?”
He grabbed the woman roughly by her shirt and dragged her out of the bathroom. “Leslie, Leslie, Leslie.”
“This is abuse,” she shouted. The others looked horrified but they didn’t come to her defense or aid.
“What’s going on here?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Smoking… fires… anything that can destroy this place is against the rules,” Leo said between his teeth. He didn’t take his eyes off Leslie. “Her carelessness could burn down the whole resort.”
Leslie rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t stop raining. The resort isn’t going to burn down.”
“It isn’t raining inside, Leslie,” Leo said leaning toward her.
Leslie didn’t back away from him. Instead, she wrinkled up her nose.
“God,” she said pinching her nostrils. “Your breath is terrible.”
Having been with him all morning, she wasn’t wrong. “You didn’t mind it when you came knocking on my door in the middle of the night a few weeks ago.”
“Get over it already,” Leslie said. “I was drunk. Desperate. It was a mistake.”
“You think you’re really special, don’t you?” Leo said under his breath. He practically sneered at the woman.
Leslie sighed. “Get on with it already. What’s my punishment?”
Leo pulled his hand back and smacked her across the face. Her head jerked to the side and she kept it there.
“Hey, man,” I said. “You can’t hit her like that.”
Leo turned sharply on me. “Do we have a problem here?”
Everyone in the room looked at me. It was so silent in the room I could hear my heart beating… in my throat.
“I just don’t think—”
“I don’t care what you think,” Leo said. “The reason you’re here is because you aren’t trusted. I know what your girlfriend did.” Leo leaned in close. “I can ruin you so I suggest you back… the fuck… down.”
I held up my hands and took a step back but I felt disgusted with myself. Someone should have been there for the woman and none of us were.
Leo clasped his hands behind his back. “Everyone here must follow the rules. It keeps everything running smoothly. No one is exempt from following our rules. When they’re broken, a punishment follows. Always. We do not tolerate anything that puts the resort in jeopardy and that includes potential traitors.”
He looked over at me after the last word. I swallowed and kept my lips sealed but maintained eye contact.
Leo grabbed Leslie's arm and jerked her to her feet. Her limbs were like rubber. The confident look she’d had in her eyes was gone.
“Let’s go,” he said.
I wanted to turn and apologize to the women. I wanted to grab Leslie and save her from whatever her punishment would be.
But I was selfish.
I was scared.
I couldn’t risk anything happening to Leah, my dad, or myself. I had to fall in line.
I followed Leo out of the building and down the path toward the building they’d dragged Leah inside not that long ago. Just the sight of the building turned my blood icy.
“I’ll deal with her,” Leo said. “Meet me at the tree tomorrow morning.”
“More training? I thought it was just today that I was going to shadow you?” I asked.
Leo shook his head. “No, you’re with me until we know you can be trusted.”
I exhaled. Leslie dared a look in my direction but it was quick.
“I can be trusted,” I said.
“That’s for me to determine,” Leo said. “See you tomorrow.”
“You got it,” I said.
Leo exhaled and puffed out his ch
est. “Hopefully, we won’t have another outburst like we did today.”
I nodded as I turned away. I had to follow their rules. The sooner I was trusted, the sooner I could stop working alongside the guards.
At least that’s what I hoped.
24
Stevie
My head was moving side to side. “No, Kieran. It’s not safe.”
“Kieran, I’m sorry,” Josh said.
Winter threw the fork she was holding into the sink. The sound of it clanking was like fingernails on a chalkboard. She stormed out of the room, pushing past me as she stomped toward the hallway.
The door slamming to her room was her way of saying she wasn’t going to participate, even though what was happening was partially her fault.
“A child. Just like a child to run off and slam the door,” Kieran shouted without moving. Her face was redder than a ripe tomato.
I was glad Winter had left because, honestly, I was afraid of what Kieran might do if the girl had stayed.
“I thought that with everything that happened, the fact that we’d almost died… everything that had happened to Lucy and I would be enough to change your behavior.” Kieran sucked in a breath as she pressed her hand to her chest. “It’s too much, Josh. I can’t even stand to look at you. You’re a horrible, disgusting person that doesn’t give a shit about anyone but yourself!”
“Mom?” Lucy said cautiously entering the room. “Are you okay?”
“No,” Kieran said. “I’m not.” She shoved Josh into the counter. “Tell her. Tell her what you did… what you were doing with that child.”
Lucy’s eyes narrowed. “What child.”
“The new girl, Winter.” Kieran aggressively pointed toward the empty hallway behind Lucy.
“Can we just talk about this privately?” Josh said reaching out for Kieran’s hand.
She pulled it back as if he were covered in worms. “No, we can’t. It’s over. I’m done. I was an idiot to believe it wouldn’t happen again. You think by the third time I would have learned but no.”
“Dad?” Lucy said softly. “What’s going on?”
“Grownup stuff,” he said.
Kieran groaned and threw her hands in the air. She turned and looked me straight in the eyes.
“I’m not going to be able to stay if he’s here,” Kieran said pointing her finger at him.
“Let’s just all calm down. We’ll talk about it, okay?” I asked calmly.
“We can talk all you want but I’m not going to change my mind,” Kieran said. “He goes or Lucy and I do.”
I swallowed and held out my hands. Kieran didn’t wait to hear what I had to say. She left the room with a heavy huff.
“Different room,” I said pointing at Josh. “And not the one down the hall, catch my drift?”
“I’ll stay in the garage,” Josh said clenching his fist. “She needs time. And space. She’ll come around. The last time, she almost killed me.”
My brow wrinkled.
Josh laughed. “Not really.”
“Just stay away from her for now,” I said. I turned to leave, glancing back at him over my shoulder. “Don’t let her see you. I’ll get you some linen and a sleeping bag.”
“Hey, Stevie?”
“Yeah?”
Josh exhaled. “What were you going to do… you know when you saw us?”
“Just make sure you stopped,” I said.
“You weren’t going to tell Kieran?”
I shrugged. “I guess not.”
“Huh,” Josh said.
“Not that I would have wanted to,” I said. It was my turn to look away. “But we need to do our best to keep the peace.”
“Well, I appreciate it even though it didn’t matter,” Josh said.
I pressed my lips together. “Don’t. I wasn’t doing it for you.”
Gage came in from the garage. “What’s going on in here?”
“Come with me,” I said jerking my chin to the side. “I’ll fill you in.”
Josh lowered his head. He grabbed a six-pack of beer from the floor and went into the garage.
“Hey,” Gage said as the door closed. “I haven’t counted that yet.”
“Just let it go,” I said.
It didn’t take long to tell Gage everything. He admitted to having heard some of it through the door which was why he opted to stay in the garage.
“We need to figure out something to do,” Gage said.
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone is so stressed and worried,” Gage said. “Finding this place didn’t change much as far as that’s concerned. It’s too hard to adjust to being holed up and nowhere to go.”
I twisted my fingers. “Maybe you’re right. But what can we do?”
“You know, Shawn and I hauled a generator back here,” Gage said tapping his chin. “It’s small but maybe we could get the TV working. We could watch a movie or something. Or there are board games.”
“I think board games would be a terrible idea,” I said with a laugh.
“It’s a bit late now but I’ll talk to Shawn about it tomorrow,” Gage said. His lips curled into a smile. “We’ve even got popcorn.”
I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes. “Butter? Lots of salt?”
“Just like in the movie theaters,” Gage said placing his hand on my shoulder. “Should we make an announcement tonight or tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” I said.
“Sounds good,” Gage said. “Are you feeling all right?”
My eyebrows squeezed together. “Yeah, why?”
“You look terrible.”
“Thanks,” I said as I combed my fingers through my hair.
Gage laughed. “You’re beautiful. I just mean you look beat. How have you been sleeping?”
“What’s sleep?” I asked.
“Call it a day,” Gage said. “I think I’m going to. I know it feels like there is tons to do but we’re good. We’re ahead of schedule.”
“What schedule?”
Gage shrugged. “We have enough supplies for all of us.”
“For how long do you think?” I asked.
“Months,” Gage said. “And Lucy’s chickens might actually lay eggs.”
Gage placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me. He gently pushed me toward the stairs.
“See you in the morning,” Gage said.
“Are you sure?” I asked looking over his shoulder. I was trying to find any excuse to stay up. Surely, I was needed.
“Positive,” Gage said. “I’m going to eat something and go to bed early too.”
I crossed my arms. “Who’s taking the first watch.”
“Lucy, I think,” Gage said. “Then Shawn, then me.”
“What about me?” I asked.
“You’re off today.”
I waved my hands. “Oh, no, no, no. That’s not fair.”
“Everyone else takes a full night off, you get one too,” Gage said.
“I don’t think I’ll need to,” I said.
“Do I need to tie you to the bed?” Gage asked.
Shawn came into the room and his eyes widened. “What did I walk in on?”
“She won’t go to sleep,” Gage said.
“I don’t know her as well as you do but seems to me, she can be awfully stubborn,” Shawn said.
“Okay, let’s just talk as if I’m not here,” I said.
They both laughed. Gage smacked Shawn on the shoulder.
“Can you get her upstairs? I need to use the bathroom,” Gage said.
“Yeah, no problem,” Shawn said no longer laughing.
“Thanks,” Gage said. “Make sure she goes to sleep.”
Shawn rubbed his chin. “I’ll try.”
Gage walked away without realizing how uncomfortable he’d left us. I swallowed down the sour taste that was bubbling up at the back of my throat.
“I can find my own way upstairs,” I said.
“I should probably do what Gage said,” Sha
wn said. He reached his hand forward and lightly brushed the back of my hand with his fingertips. “Just to your door. If you tell me to leave, I will.”
My lips felt as though they’d been glued shut. I couldn’t say anything. I laced my fingers with Shawn’s and climbed the stairs.
We entered my room and I closed the door. He stood there staring at me, waiting for me to send him away.
I looked up into his eyes. He was like a statue. Unmoving. Frozen.
A shiver moved down my spine as I placed my hands on his stomach. My heart raced as I slid my fingertips upward, feeling the gentle hills and valleys of his body.
“Stev—”
I placed a finger over his lips. It was better if we didn’t talk. Talking would allow me to think and thinking would make me stop everything.
I didn’t feel like thinking. That’s what I’ve done my entire life.
Thinking.
Putting everyone else first.
I needed a break.
I reached up, curling my hands around his neck. He barely moved as I leaned closer.
It was like an explosion when our lips touched. His hands came alive as he tried to touch every inch of my body.
I didn’t understand how his touch could be so utterly exquisite and almost painful at the same time. The expression on his face told me he felt the same.
Shawn’s arms curled around my middle and he lifted me with ease. I wrapped my legs around him as he pushed my back against the wall.
He kissed down the side of my neck. It was like Shawn was starving and he was devouring me as if I were his favorite meal.
My head pressed back against the wall. Shivers surged through my body as he cupped my breast.
Shawn’s touch wasn’t like anything I ever experienced before. I couldn’t get enough.
I gasped as he spun me around and dropped me on the bed. The springs squeaked and creaked but I’d barely noticed.
My breath hitched when Shawn’s hand slid between my legs. I pulled back and his eyes narrowed.
A smile curled at the ends of my lips as I undid my pants. I reached forward and popped the button on his jeans.
The Reset Series | Book 4 | Swamp Page 12