“Right?”
“I’m glad we’ve finally been able to clear the air, because for a few days, I have been consciously thinking about my role in all of this and what I can do to support you.” He looks to me expectantly.
“Doctor is an important role as it is. Don’t worry yourself with counselling me.”
He looks to the ceiling, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “You do not want my counsel,” he states. He taps his fingers against his leg as an awkward moment passes.
“I’m not trying to sound rude, but I can’t see how your counsel will help me.” If we say counsel one more time…
“Because I am Non-EVO?”
“Because we’re not exactly the best of friends, and I find this proposition a little odd considering everything that has happened in the last ten minutes.”
Jonah sits in Rafe’s chair, laying his clasped hands on his lap. “And that is exactly why I can help you. I’m removed from the majority of the goings on here, I’m Non-EVO, and as you are aware, unbiased toward you. I believe you will find my advice very useful, and dare I say constructive.”
“I’m sure it would be.” It’s all I can do to not laugh out loud, instead, my mouth opens and closes whilst I try to think up a way to let him down gently.
“I would also like your counsel in return,” he says. “An open route of communication could be mutually beneficial for us both.” He straightens his tie. “I’m not sure if you have observed this, but people don’t appear to enjoy my company here. I asked Kid for counsel, and he told me to - and I quote - ‘remove the silver spoon from my arse.’ I didn’t care much for his advice. Now, you seem to have a way with people. Despite your clear aversion to attention and that foul temper of yours, they appear to like you a great deal. This intrigues me. If we showed a united front—”
“Okay, let me get this straight. You offer me counsel, and I vouch for you with the others, is that it?”
His face lights up and he pushes his glasses further up his nose. “Yes, a fair exchange, don’t you agree?”
“That depends on the quality of your counsel.”
“Oh, no need to worry there. I pride myself on giving informative, impartial advice.” I smile at him now. I never thought I’d say it, but I found someone stiffer than Lizzie Roscoe. “Perhaps I could sit with you at supper. I don’t tend to eat in the canteen because of the aforementioned reasons.”
His face suddenly takes a solemn look. Jonah risked everything to help Rafe, he saved my life, and has such an important role in The Hive, and yet, he eats alone. I feel like the worst human being ever. I’m guessing that this counsel he is offering is actually some kind of friendship. He’s throwing a rope from his sinking boat and hoping I’ll grab the other end.
“What’s your first piece of advice for me?” I ask.
Jonah grins widely. “First piece: you know where I am if you need to discuss anything. I understand there must be some things that you may find hard to talk to Rafe or the others about, and as I have said, I can offer—”
“Constructive counsel. Thank you, Jonah.”
Getting to his feet, he takes my elbow and helps me from the chair. He then embraces me and pats my back. It is the most uncomfortable, awkward hug in the history of hugs.
“I need to work on that,” he admits, and then says goodbye with a nod of his head.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A crowd has gathered in The Dungeon, expectantly awaiting my first, physical training session. I wear a pair of lycra shorts that leave nothing to the imagination, a training bra, and a jersey. Eventually, Rafe strolls through the door.
“Cub, you’ll be sparring with Vin today,” he orders. “We’ll see where you are at and go from there.”
Ordering Darcy to stay with Coco, I walk into the middle of the mats. Vin stretches his arms. I’m pretty certain he is flexing under that absurdly tight t-shirt. He winks at me before sauntering into position.
Rafe sees it too. “Don’t go easy on her. It won’t benefit anyone in the long run.”
“I always go hard,” Vin states with a waggle of eyebrows.
This garners a few chuckles from the onlookers.
Rafe stands behind me and places his hands on my shoulders. “Are you ready for this?” I nod. “Good. Vin will keep going until you tap out.”
“Who says it’ll be me tapping out?” I ask.
Rafe shakes his head in disbelief, but grins all the same. “No abilities, just hand to hand,” he calls out. “This is just for me to see your skill level. Don’t go getting cocky.”
With that, he crosses to the edge of the room and claps his hands. Vin starts dancing about on the spot, while I just assess him. Taking a deep breath, I remember what Cooper had taught me. Don’t panic, use my brain before I use my body. Positioning my feet and raising my fists, I make a move closer to Vin. He swings for me with an open hand that I duck. It is then, that I swing a true punch against Vin’s stomach with my right hand, followed by a jab with the left. He staggers back a little, coughing from the force, and shocked that I even made contact.
“Good, Kiddo.” The surprise is evident in Rafe’s voice. “Keep it up.” Vin advances on me again. “Keep her on the back foot!” Rafe shouts at him.
I have to spring away from Vin like a cat on a hot, tin roof. He really does have me on my toes. For a moment, I think I’m going to lose balance, and he clouts me in the stomach. As I fall to my knees, a loud gasp escapes the onlookers. Before I can even get up, he hits me around the face with an open hand. My lip splits on impact, and I’m sent sprawling sideways.
He’s far more skilled than me, stronger than me, but I’m cleverer. Leaning forward on my wrists, I make noises of pain and rock back and forth.
Vin leans closer, clearly concerned. “Tap out,” he whispers. Still, I keep my head down in apparent agony. “Cub?”
As he reaches out to touch my shoulder, I throw my head back and punch him straight in his manhood. He drops like a lead weight. Not missing my opportunity, I jump to my feet and kick him onto his back. He tries to fight back despite the pain in his groin, so I drop on top of him, sticking my elbow into the fleshy part of his thigh with all my weight. Cooper’s advice worked. ‘If you get knocked down, make sure to aim for the groin or the inner thighs.’ Vin groans as his muscle crunches under my elbow. Then, I get to my feet and stand on his neck with enough pressure to make my point.
Vin’s eyes meet mine and he taps the mat, but not without offering me his best smile first. “Fighting dirty,” he says, still cupping his balls.
Offering him my hand, I drag him to his feet. “I wouldn’t have beat you any other way.”
“Exactly!” Rafe bellows. “Clean or dirty, you fight to win. Nice work, Kiddo. I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting that. Where’d you learn to throw a punch like that?”
“The fight house,” Bo chimes in. Some people shift uneasily at the mention of those seedy, Non-EVO entertainment dens where EVO are fought to the death. “I thought everyone knew the story of where I met Leason? Where else do you think we got our pretty brands?” She holds up her wrist, scarred with the same EVO lettering as mine. “Anyway, she had some lessons from her cage fighter friend- Cooper.”
“You knew?” Vin asks her.
Bo just shrugs. “Hey, she brought you down a rung or two, didn’t she?”
“Touché,” Vin agrees. Taking my hand, his kisses my knuckles. “Until next time, Warrior Queen.”
“No way. What did I say?” I snap, protesting his pet name.
“It’s the perfect fit,” he replies, grinning over his shoulder at me. “You owe me that one. You’ve put me out of action for a few days.” He taps at his crotch.
“It could do with a rest,” Brick goads. “Cub did you a favour.”
I jog after Vin, stopping him in the corridor. “Thanks for going easy on me,” I say.
“I wasn’t—”
“An open-handed slap? You could have had me out cold within seconds.”
<
br /> He slaps me on the arm. “Nothing to do with going easy on you. I underestimated you. Next time, I beat the shit out of you.”
I laugh. “Deal.”
“Right now, I need to go and get some ice on the boys,” he says, hobbling away.
“You know that beating has only spurred him on,” Rio says, once I return to The Dungeon. “If there is something Vin likes more than a woman playing hard to get, it’s a woman playing hard to get who can kick his ass.”
“Masochist,” Coco scoffs.
“I’m not hard to get, I’m impossible to get.”
Rafe gestures me over to the punching bag. “Thirty more minutes on this, and then come to the office. Crow, push her if she needs it. I’m not sure what’s more important, kicking Towley’s ass or fighting off Vin’s advances.”
“Vin,” Kid states. “Although, Adam will see to that if we ever find him.”
Rafe doesn’t speak. He doesn’t even make eye contact with me. I watch him leave The Dungeon with an overwhelming impatience for the man to work miracles.
***
Darcy trots around the office, crossing in Rafe’s path and almost flooring him in the process. Rafe curses under his breath, but scruffs at Darcy’s head. I think the dog is growing on him, even if he is trying to break Rafe’s neck. Making a point of stepping over Darcy, he opens a drawer and hands me a large, paper bag, sticky taped closed at the opening. Tearing open the paper, I find a sketch pad, pencils, and charcoal.
“If you’re like me, you could do with these to de-stress,” he says. “If there are any supplies you would like, just let me know. I’m sure we can source something.”
I sit down on the floor to study my gifts. Darcy joins me. Rafe laughs at me sat in the middle of his office, but he takes a seat at his desk and sets to work.
“Any news on Adam and the TORO? It’s been three weeks since you showed me those pictures.” I know how it annoys him when I pester him, but I need to know. I’ve not been offered even a crumb of a hint that we’re getting close.
“As soon as we find something, you’ll be the first to know. I’m trying, Kiddo. I want to find him as much as you do.”
I suck in a lungful of air and attempt to link. I know Rafe watches me intently. What I wouldn’t give to hear Adam’s voice or sense his aura. Anything to tell me that my dream was more than just that.
“Any luck?” Rafe asks, softly. I don’t reply. “You’re safer because he doesn’t know you’re alive, Kiddo. I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, but this is how it has to be.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Rafe is summoned to the Tech lab over the comm system. I didn’t even know that there was an official Tech lab. I don’t miss the hope that flits behind his eyes. This has something to do with Adam, I sense it.
“You’re welcome to stay in the office and finish your sketch, or you can go and get yourself some dinner. I’ll be back shortly.”
Rather than beg to go with him, I let him leave. He said he’ll tell me as soon as he knows anything, and I plan to hold him to that. Adam’s face stares up at me from my sketch. It’s a good resemblance, and I pull the sheet from the book, fold it into four, and tuck it into my pocket. The next sketch is one I intend to give to Adam when we meet again- whenever that may be. The longer it is taking to find him, the more I worry that he is getting over me. That’s what people do when someone dies, right? Is he moving on already? Pushing those thoughts from my mind, I start to sketch Adam’s torso. I know the shape of his shoulders, his pecks… I add my own hand and forearm, my palm pressed against his heart. It only takes a few glimpses at the real thing for accuracy.
Rafe returns after about thirty minutes. He’s irritated, if not a little confused, and the line in his forehead has scrunched together to make a deep-set furrow.
“Everything alright?” I ask, purposely concentrating on my sketch.
Rafe paces from his desk to the wall and back again. “I need to show you something?”
My tummy knots a little. “Is it Adam?” I close my sketch pad and get to my feet.
“Yes, but something is confusing us.” He strides from the room, not bothering to check if I’m still following. He mentioned Adam, of course I’m still following.
Bypassing Jonah’s Med lab, we head to the far end of the corridor. Rafe opens the door onto a room full of monitors, machines, and Technokins. There is a constant whirring noise in the air, and an artificial light emits from the screens. There is a definite energy in the room, and most people hover in front of the largest screen.
“Move aside,” Rafe orders them, and he guides me front and centre. “Does this mean anything to you?”
The image is of Adam’s TORO camp, only this time, Adam lies on top of a truck beside a large piece of white cloth or sheet with words painted on it. ‘24 letters, 9 words, 1 meaning.’ Adam has one arm folded behind his head and the other hand on his chest. His legs cross at the ankles in a relaxed position. He looks as if he is sunbathing whilst in full TORO uniform
Crow and Bo enter the room. Crow squints at the screen, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Any idea what it means?”
“That’s what we’re trying to determine,” Rafe adds.
“It reminds me of something,” says Bo, drumming her fingers on the table top. “What is that saying? Eight letters, three words, one meaning. It means I love you.”
The sketch book slips through my fingers. “Times three,” I say. “Oh, my God, Adam knows I’m alive. He knew I’d see this. He’s letting me know that he knows.”
“What am I missing?” Rafe asks.
Crow takes a step backward. “It’s true, he knows Cub is alive.” The room falls silent, everyone looking to Crow for answers. “Cub and Adam have a thing- a private, couple thing.” He places his palm over Rafe’s heart. “I love you- I love you- I love you.”
Rafe’s face is one of utter, unabated shock. “Times three,” he whispers in realisation. “How could he know that she is here?”
“That’s not the question you should be asking,” says one of the Techs. “What is he planning to do about it?”
“He’ll come for me,” I state, retrieving my sketch book from the floor. There is no point pretending not to be ecstatic. “I’m off to the canteen.” I leave the room, bypassing Rio, Brick, Kid, Coco, and Vin as they race into the room. Adam knows I’m alive, he knows where I am, and he knows that I would have seen his message. That is all that matters. “I love you- I love you- I love you too,” I whisper into the air. “I’m waiting.”
There is a definite spring in my step as I skip into the Med Lab. Jonah looks up from a book, his glasses perched on the end of his nose.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
“Very,” he replies, tidying his work away.
***
Rafe purposely avoids me for the rest of the day. I get the feeling that Adam’s message has not only surprised him, but it has side-swiped him. If there is one thing I have learnt about Rafe, it is that he likes to be in control. He hasn’t any control over Adam, and he feels like Adam has made a fool of him.
The one question that burns in my mind, is that if Adam knows I’m alive, what has happened to our link? I’ve tried to link again, but it’s like hitting a wall. It literally feels like a brick wall in my mind that I can’t break through. My telepathy has never felt like that, let alone the link. If anything, I have a hard job to rein it in.
The Dungeon is empty. Rafe has everyone in a meeting about the new development. I don’t need to be involved. I’m not sure what Rafe thinks the threat is, but I could tell him straight that if Adam knew our location he’d be here already. I train on the punching bag until my body screams at me to stop. I fall into the bag, clinging to it as my body sways with the momentum. My legs can barely support my weight, so I slump onto the floor in a panting, hurting mess.
“The trick of training is to know when to stop,” comes Vin’s voice from the doorway. “Wearing yourself out defeats the purpose.”
“It’s already over. That boyfriend of yours really has Rafe’s knickers in a twist.”
“Adam isn’t a threat.”
“Not to you maybe.”
“Not to any of you,” I insist. “Don’t forget, it is Rafe who wants Adam and the TORO in on his objective. He should be happy.”
“Then, you don’t know your grandfather. Rafe wants to be the one holding the cards.”
“Well, such is life,” I say.
Vin laughs. “I agree. Rafe is a great man, and he took me in on Bo’s word even though we were E.N.C, but sometimes, a little of what we don’t want is good to keep us grounded.”
I rub at the back of my neck with the towel and take a seat beside him. “You knew Bo through the E.N.C?”
“No, I was in the fight house with you, Cub.” Vin takes off his shirt and reveals a web of scarring over his torso. I had to kill innocent people to be here, and that means I owe them, the universe… whatever. I need to use my life wisely. Use it to make a difference.”
“I’m sorry that I never asked you about yourself. I’m self-absorbed, but I’m working on it,” I say, offering him a grin.
Vin laughs away my apology. “I saw them carry you into the cells, and even though you had dyed your hair brown, I knew it was the infamous Theyda. I thought that was the end, right there. If they had Theyda Leason, then the rest of us were screwed.”
“Then, you met Rafe and he gave you the reason you needed to move passed the things you had to do at the fight house. I’m not judging, I’m just trying to suss out, Vin. You had to do what you had to do. We all did. We all will.”
“Maybe I survived to be here - doing this - aiding the rebellion?” he says, shrugging. I nod my head, letting the conversation rest. “Anyway, changing the subject. Something has been really bugging me since you woke up here. I’ve been trying to let it rest, but my ego just can’t take it anymore.” He smirks at my confusion. “You have not asked me what my ability is. It’s been killing me because - I’ve got to warn you - it’s awesome.”
EVO Nation Series Trilogy Box Set Page 63