Both men looked at her expectantly, so she slipped past them, trying her best to not touch either. She entered a small room. A quick glance revealed concrete floor, walls, and ceiling. A small cot, made of a wood frame and green fabric, stood against one wall, a thin blanket opposite a pillow without a case. Integrity looked back to Ben, opened her mouth to speak, then closed it when he turned away. “The bathroom's through here,” he said, opening a door that looked much newer than the rest of the building. Without a backward glance, Ben headed toward the doorway, the two men looming in the exit. Unable to help herself, Integrity spoke.
“Ben?” He paused, turned to look at her. Suddenly unsure what to say, but not wanting him to leave, she muttered, “Why here?” She gestured at the room.
“Simple,” he replied. “One way in, one way out. A small building. How can we not keep you safe here?” Integrity frowned. “What, don't tell me you're still worried about that blood sucking leech?”
“Oh, no, I'm not worried about him.” Even to her own ears, her protestation sounded lame and weak. She was worried about Bowman, but she didn't want Ben to know that, since it obviously bothered him. Now he frowned.
Stepping nearer, he cupped the back of her neck with both hands. Her eyes were drawn to his by some force she couldn't control. He studied her eyes and she felt as though he could read her thoughts. After a moment, he said, “I don't know what kind of control they've got over you, but I promise you I'll break it.” He spoke with increasing fervor, though his anger was not directed toward her. He pressed his lips fiercely to her forehead and her breathing stopped. He clutched her to him and said firmly, “I'll get them out of your head if it's the last thing I do.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Determined that she will never grow up or act like an adult, Laurie D'Ghent is well on her way to achieving her goal. The mother of the world's most beautiful, fun, and aggravating little girl, and wife to the world's funniest, and most aggravating man, she currently lives in the middle-of-nowhere Nevada where there is not much else to do but write and read. Music playlists for each book in the Destine series can be found on YouTube.
Integrity: Book One of the Destine Series Page 20