He stood at the door, speaking to Stacey from admissions, who always wore her hair in a neat bun and was always nearby, ready to give Tyler a helping hand. I swallowed the bitter taste of envy in my mouth but couldn’t seem to look away from how their heads bent toward each other, how she nodded and smiled before touching him on the arm and strutting past me without even looking in my direction.
But Stacey was completely forgotten once I reached Tyler—chased out of my mind by the way his shirt stretched over the muscles in his forearm as he pushed the messy brown locks off his forehead.
“Hey.” He gave me a tired smile.
Our session was shorter than usual, Tyler flying through the topics we needed to cover without pause, his shoulders slumped, his beautiful gray eyes almost never meeting mine.
We were interrupted by one of the admin staff coming in to ask Tyler a question. I packed up my books and excused myself, letting him get back to work. He barely spared me a wave goodbye as he rummaged through the pile of papers on his desk.
On the elevator ride down, I bit my lip and told myself yet again he was just busy, preoccupied, that his wavering attention wasn’t personal.
It still hurt.
Outside, I patted myself on the back for not letting the tears overflow. Kyo spotted me at the same time I saw him and provided the perfect distraction, smiling widely from across the square and waving me over.
We found a picnic table near the cafeteria and sat down across from each other, both of us eager to get into our mutually beneficial exchange of information.
Kyo had a warm, relaxed manner that kept the conversation flowing naturally, despite my sometimes awkwardness and the way I asked a million questions without pausing. Unfortunately, he couldn’t tell me much about the plane crash that I didn’t already know. But he did help me get the pieces straight in my head, confirming what I’d managed to get out of Tyler and Alec.
Over the course of the past few months, I hadn’t abandoned my quest for answers. The search for Charlie and the work to solve the mystery of who was behind it all was taking up most of everyone’s time, but I’d still found a few opportunities to ask Tyler about the plane crash. Even Alec had answered some questions for me once, when he’d been in a good mood.
They told me the crash was not accidental; I’d suspected as much based on the crash investigators being so cagey about their findings. It was deliberately brought down by a targeted missile. They suspected it was an assassination attempt on the life of Senator Christine Anderson. She was supposed to have been on the flight but had ended up on a different one at the last second.
Kyo spoke about the crash not being accidental but didn’t elaborate on the specifics, which told me Tyler had crossed the “classified” line by filling that detail in for me. They all remained tight-lipped about who they suspected was behind it though.
Knowing Ty had put my need for answers above his work made me feel better about his recent distance. I dug one nail into a groove in the timber tabletop, letting a smile cross my features. Maybe he really was just run down.
“So, the fact that the plane crash was deliberate is a good thing?” Kyo’s laughter contained a hint of apprehension.
I lifted my head and laughed. “No! Sorry, I got lost on a tangent in my head. I do that sometimes.”
“Care to share who was making you smile like that?”
I smiled again—I couldn’t help it—and cleared my throat, looking away.
“Ah, so not Ethan, then.” Kyo leaned forward on his elbows, grinning mischievously.
My face fell. Shit! I’d gotten so relaxed with this charming, friendly man I’d inadvertently clued him in to the fact that my boyfriend was not the only man in my life.
“I didn’t say that.” Remembering that deflection had worked so well earlier, I decided to try it again. “One of the other things I’ve been thinking about is why you guys were able to make it to the crash site so fast. It’s like you knew it was going to happen . . .” I let the implications hang in the air between us.
Kyo watched me for a few moments, a challenge in his eyes, then chose to drop it and answer my unasked question. “That was pure coincidence. We were in Hawaii wrapping up another job. We were simply the closest team.”
“What job?”
He grinned. “Classified,” we both said at the same time, and I rolled my eyes.
Kyo chuckled. “It’s my turn to ask questions.”
I folded my arms on the table. “Shoot. But I have to warn you, I’m limited in what I can tell you due to the strict policies of girl code. Some things are classified.”
He laughed, launching right in. “Is Dorothy single?”
“Yes, but don’t ever call her that—she hates it. Call her Dot.”
“Noted. Anything else I should avoid?”
“Leather. Foods containing palm oil. And anything tested on animals. Oh, and don’t ever bring up dog breeders.” I winced. Anything to do with animal welfare set her off.
Kyo fired off questions almost as fast as I had. I answered some and remained cagey about others.
As he was trying to squeeze info out of me about Dot’s exes—and refusing to believe I didn’t know anything, as she’d been single the whole time I’d known her—Jamie and Marcus walked up. They seated themselves at the table, and both greeted me warmly.
“Dude, you know this assignment isn’t to embed yourself with the natives, right?” Marcus teased, pointing at the cafeteria nearby. “You embracing campus life? Gonna eat here?”
“Hey, the food here is actually not that bad.” I defended my beloved source of sustenance.
“I say why not!” Jamie piped in, his red hair looking more orange in the midday sun. “This assignment is the easiest one we’ve had in ages.”
“Shits all over the three months we spent in that hovel in Uzbekistan,” Kyo agreed, and they all laughed at the inside joke. I smiled and tried not to be awkward.
“He means that literally,” Marcus smiled at me, making me feel at ease once more. “We were in an actual hovel, gathering intel.”
Kyo coughed and gave him a pointed look.
“I get the feeling that’s classified.” I raised my brows at him but let a teasing smile pull at my lips.
They all laughed, and Jamie pulled his phone out of one of the many pockets in his cargo pants, typing something into it quickly.
Despite joking about divulging restricted information, they were clearly very serious about their work. But I marveled at how easygoing and fun they all were. They shared things about their personal lives, their families, their hometowns. How in the hell did Alec fit with them? They were so warm and friendly, and he was so . . . not.
Kyo stretched his arms over his head and groaned, rubbing his belly. “I actually am pretty hungry. Wanna go into town?”
“Ace is on his way.” Jamie whipped his phone out again to check it. I guess that’s who he was texting. And that was my cue to bail.
Just as I moved to gather my books, Alec arrived at our table, an easy smile on his face. The sight of him looking relaxed was so shocking I abandoned my retreat and stared at him.
The smile fell as soon as he saw me.
“Wanna go into town for lunch?” Kyo asked as they all got up from their seats. “The Indian place looks good.”
“Sure” was Alec’s clipped answer as he avoided looking at me. Kyo frowned.
“You coming, Eve?” Marcus asked as I got up, holding my books close to my chest.
“I don’t know . . .”
“Yeah, come with.” Jamie smiled, his invitation genuine. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe with us.”
He was half joking, but clearly he thought my hesitation was because I felt unsafe off campus.
I smiled back but it felt forced. “Thanks, but it’s not that. I . . . uh . . .” I couldn’t help glancing in Alec’s direction. I had no idea how to end the sentence; I couldn’t think of a lie quick enough.
Alec’s eyes met mine, and
he made a visible effort to relax his posture. “You should come, Eve. I’m . . . I’d like you to come.”
I stared at him, stunned. I would have assumed he was just putting it on for his team—trying to look casual so they wouldn’t get suspicious—but his voice had that honey quality in it that told me he was being honest, genuine. He actually wants me to come to lunch? I couldn’t quite believe it.
He’d been acting strange ever since I told him how much he’d hurt me. He no longer immediately left any room I entered and had been joining us for meals more often. Whenever I glanced in his direction, I would catch him staring at me as if he were trying to do algebra. It was creeping me out, but at least he wasn’t looking at me as if I’d just kicked his puppy anymore.
The invitation to lunch—actively attempting to spend time with me—was another new development.
I blinked slowly, still gaping at him. The determined expression on his face was melting more and more into worry the longer I didn’t reply. His eyes darted around, not focusing on anything, and he cleared his throat.
“Eve!” Zara waved to me from near the entrance to the cafeteria, snapping me out of my shock and providing the perfect excuse.
“Sorry! Gotta go! Enjoy your lunch!” The words rushed out, too loud and high-pitched, and I hurried away without waiting for a response.
Halfway across the grass, I couldn’t resist looking over my shoulder. The four black-clad men were walking away in the opposite direction, heading for the main gate.
Alec was lagging behind as the others chatted, his hands in his pockets, his broad back rigid. He turned a split second after I did, and our eyes met. We both faltered in our steps. I had a strong urge to catch up to him, say I’d changed my mind. I wanted so badly for us to have that kind of easy relationship—one where every single interaction wasn’t fraught with tension and hurt. But that wasn’t our reality. I squeezed the books tighter to my chest, hoping to alleviate the heaviness I suddenly felt there.
Alec was the first to turn away. I was expecting him to be angry, frustrated, but more than anything, he looked . . . sad.
Seven
The distinctive rumble of Ethan’s voice on the other side of my res hall door made me move to open it, but the seriousness of his tone pulled me up short.
“. . . sure about this. I don’t like it.”
I stared intently at the closed door, leaning forward to hear better.
“I don’t like it either, man, but Alec needs us.” Josh sounded just as somber. The mention of Alec immediately raised my suspicions. I glanced at the multitude of locks; they were all unlocked. I could get busted listening in at any second.
“I know. It’s just . . . if something happens, we’ll all be at least an hour away . . .” Ethan sounded torn.
“Trust me, I know how you’re feeling. But she said she was staying in. I even sussed Dot out, and she went on about how we weren’t invited to the girls’ night in. Eve will be safe in her res hall all night. And Tyler has ordered a whole unit of Melior meatheads to monitor the building.”
Ethan just grunted. He didn’t sound convinced.
I knew I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but they were standing right outside the door and talking about me. I couldn’t help myself. The talk of stalking me by Melior proxy wasn’t all that surprising. Them being away from me, however . . . I burned to know what it had to do with Alec.
I leaned a little closer, careful not to make any sounds.
“Maybe one of us should stay behind,” Ethan offered. “Dana will be there.”
“And what? Crash the girls’ night? I don’t think that would go down well.” Josh sounded amused. “Plus, you know they don’t let Dana in until after the match. And anyway, could you really stay back in Bradford Hills knowing what Alec is putting himself through?”
“No,” Ethan growled. “Dammit. He’s such an idiot. Why is he doing this?”
“I don’t know, man. That’s why I want to be there. That’s why Tyler is using major Melior Group resources to keep Eve safe so he can be there too. Maybe he’s not doing as well as—”
A warm body pressed up against my back, and since I was being sneaky as fuck, it startled the living daylights out of me.
“Whatcha doin’?” Zara whispered into my hair, and I jumped—literally jumped into the air—my heart flying into my throat as I gave a strangled shriek.
Zara threw her head back and laughed, thoroughly amused, just as the boys burst into the room.
“What’s going on?” Ethan boomed as Zara’s laughter quieted to giggles.
“Nothing!” I burst out before she could narc on me, giving them my best reassuring smile. “Nothing,” I repeated, throwing Zara a warning look that I’m sure had a hint of panic in it. Thankfully she kept her mouth shut. “Let’s get going.”
I grabbed my bag and herded everyone out, even as Ethan started protesting, demanding to know what was going on. He really was on edge. Zara locked the door behind us and managed to distract him with chitchat. That bitch was sneaky, catching me off guard like that, but she was loyal too.
As we walked to class, I worked at calming my breathing. Of course, Josh noticed something was off. He cocked his head and raised a blond brow.
In answer, I rolled my eyes and nodded toward Zara just ahead of us, chatting with Ethan. His brows furrowed; he wasn’t convinced my mood was just about Zara. I gave him a warm smile and twined my arm around his, leaning my head on his shoulder for a second before walking ahead into the lecture hall.
He was starting to rub off on me. His uncanny ability to notice things most people didn’t, coupled with our always having to pretend there was nothing between us in public, had made us both excellent silent communicators.
He wasn’t likely to let it go, but the busy day ahead wouldn’t leave any chance to talk.
The little bit of information I’d overheard plagued me all day, my brain naturally filling in the gaps with the worst possible explanations. I was distracted in all my classes, wondering what Alec was up to, with Dana, that had the guys so worried. I couldn’t just come out and ask them; that would mean admitting I’d eavesdropped.
So, naturally, I did the most mature thing possible—I obsessed over it until I’d whipped myself up into being pissed off at them for not telling me about it.
By the time our girls’ night in rolled around, I was in a foul mood. I was flicking through channels and trying to take my mind off the situation while Zara studied in her room. When Dot knocked on the door, I stayed firmly planted on the couch.
She knocked again. “Open up, bitches! I have snacks!”
“I’ll get it.” Zara gave me a pointed look as she passed me, and I stuck my tongue out at her once her back was turned.
She undid the multiple locks, and Dot came into the room in a flurry of bags, pillows, and silky black hair, Squiggles darting madly in and out of the pile of stuff she deposited in the middle of the floor.
“Jesus, Dot. Are you moving in?” Zara started relocking the bolts.
“Whatever. I like to be prepared.” Dot smiled sweetly, and I snorted.
They both turned to me, and I gave Dot an unenthusiastic “hey,” pulling the blanket I’d draped over myself closer to my neck.
They exchanged confused looks. Dot gestured to me with her head, raising her eyebrow in silent question. Zara shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest.
I couldn’t believe it. A couple of months ago these two weren’t even speaking. Now they were having silent conversations?
“Don’t look at each other about me! I’m right here, dammit!” I sat up straight, my hands in tight fists.
“What?” Dot laughed, but Zara had had enough.
“What’s up your ass?” she demanded.
Her delivery left much to be desired, but she got straight to the point. That’s why I loved her.
I groaned and flopped back against the couch, the fight draining out of me. It wasn’t fair to take things out on them.
“What’s going on, sweetness?” Dot sat beside me, and Zara lowered herself to the ground on the other side of the coffee table, rummaging through Dot’s bags.
“I overheard Ethan and Josh talking earlier, and I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, but I heard something, and I don’t have the full story, and it’s driving me mental.”
“Aww. Did you have a fight with your harem? Is that why Alec’s team are camped outside your building instead of one of your guys being here?”
“Don’t call them that!” I whacked her lightly with the back of my hand, but I couldn’t help laughing a little.
“Who’s outside our building?” Zara walked over to the window as she devoured a bag of chips. After a few seconds, she whistled low. “Wow. They’re not even being subtle about it. They just checked Pete’s ID and frisked him.” She chuckled. Pete was doing his honors in Variant studies and lived one floor above us; we’d exchanged polite chitchat in the elevator.
I finally peeled myself off the couch to stand next to her. In the waning evening light, I could clearly see Kyo and Marcus, fully armed, on the ground below us. I would’ve bet money Jamie was at the rear of the building.
“What did you do?” Zara asked around a mouthful of chips.
I sighed and sat back down. I told them everything I’d heard the guys say, hoping Dot and Zara could shed some light on what they were talking about.
“They won’t let Dana in until after the match? That’s what he said?” Dot asked.
“Yup.”
She looked over at Zara, who was leaning against the window, frowning.
I looked between them. The fact that they weren’t teasing me about eavesdropping on a conversation between my boyfriends and getting all worked up about it was making me nervous. This was exactly the kind of thing Dot liked to give me shit about.
“Guys, what am I missing here?”
They exchanged a wary look.
“The Hole?” Zara asked.
“Yeah, I’m thinkin’ The Hole.” Dot ran her hands through her hair.
Vital Found (The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy Book 2) Page 8