28. Raegan
Chapter twenty-eight
Raegan
I scream, grabbing for my knee and finding firm resistance. Something squeezes my hand, but the other one is free and swings toward my knee. It’s stopped before I can reach it, and my arm is pulled back over my head.
The pain needles into my knee, stabbing and blinding me with pain. I struggle against whatever’s holding me down, fighting back and then going rigid when the pain becomes too much.
“Let her heal you, beautiful. It’s almost over,” Kellan’s voice cuts through the pain, reminding me that I’m not back with Gordon.
Warmth spreads through my knee, and the pain recedes.
I open my eyes to find the guys at my side, Cassandra between them as she concentrates over my knee. Gabriel thrashes on the bed next to me.
“Gabriel?!”
“I’ve got him,” Zedd states stoically, turning Gabriel to his side until he settles and then lifting him in his arms.
“I can heal him after Raegan,” Cassandra offers distractedly, her glowing eyes still pinned on my knee.
Zedd strides from the bed toward the door. “There’s nothing physical to heal. I’m taking him to our room to rest.”
Cibrina steps forward. “I’ll walk you there and get whatever you need for him.”
He nods, leaving the room with Cibrina close behind.
I hope he’s okay. I know he said he felt the pain, but was that a seizure? He didn’t say there would be more to it for him.
A sharp pinch stings my knee, and I clench my teeth and squeeze my hands to get through it.
And then the pain is gone, replaced by a dull ache. Weariness sweeps through me. My eyelids grow heavy, but I force them to stay open.
“There. Your knee is good as new again.” Cassandra smiles at me and stands. “After some rest, I expect you’ll be fully recovered tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” I say with a smile in return.
She looks apprehensively at the line of men at my bedside, like she’s considering saying more but thinks better of it. “Let me know if you need anything else,” she offers instead, waving and exiting my room.
Leaving me with them.
Aiden. Kellan. Jackson. Dane.
How much of my memory did they witness?
I tug on my hands, and this time, Jackson releases them. I push myself upright to lean on the headboard. Jack helps me up and shifts my pillow at my back.
I’m too scared to look at them. Too scared to see their faces. Would it be disappointment? Anger? Fear?
I killed three people at Gordon’s command in that memory.
Aiden speaks up first. I expect this. He would be the one to flay me for giving in. For proving that no matter what I say or what I intend, I’m a villain when I’m with them.
“How does your knee feel?” he asks instead. There’s nothing angry or accusatory in his tone.
“It’s fine. I mean, it aches, but I can already tell the difference.” He nods like he’s satisfied with that answer, but I’m still confused as heck. “Did you…see?”
His dark brown eyes bore into mine. “Did I see what Gordon made you do before he shot you? Yes. We all did.”
Uneasiness swirls in my gut. I feel lightheaded and woozy now. From the healing? Or knowing that they saw all of that? My face falls into my hand, hiding half of my expression from view. I close my eyes. Don’t freak out. Don’t lose it right here when they’re all watching.
Aiden stands. “Get some rest. There’s nothing else you need to do right now aside from that.”
Kell stands abruptly. “I need to go train,” he mutters roughly.
“I’ll go with you,” Dane says, getting up to follow him.
All three of them leave without further comment.
I’m not sure how to take it. Are they upset with me? Did that just screw up everything I’ve worked for?
“Don’t misunderstand,” Jackson says, shifting to stand where I can see him. His hood is down, revealing his haphazardly sexy black hair and bringing more light to his deeper blue eyes. He smiles knowingly. “It’s not you. They need to let some anger out, and your room isn’t the place.”
If it were anyone else telling me it’s not you , I wouldn’t believe them.
But coming from Jack, I try to accept it as the truth.
“And you?” I quietly ask.
“Mm…I can be patient. Save it for when it’ll be used better.”
Oh. I wish I had his level of control, but I’m sure my impulsivity falls somewhere between Dane and Kellan.
“Right now, all I need is you, little one.”
He heels his boots off, then pulls his hoodie over his head and drops it to the floor. Pulling back the covers, he encourages me under them first before he joins me.
Jackson tucks me into his side, my head on his chest and his arm wrapped around my back. He strokes my hair, staring at the ceiling like he’s viewing and processing all the information in his head.
“That was the girl on the island,” he observes calmly.
“Mm,” I confirm softly, even though he hadn’t posed it as a question.
“He used her against you.” Again, he’s stating it as a fact. I don’t say anything this time, not trusting my voice or mental state to attempt to elaborate any further.
He kisses my hair. “Sleep. I’ll stay with you until you wake.”
“Catch.” Dane tosses a fresh water bottle at me after I finish off my first one. “I know you’re gung-ho with training now that your knee is better, but can we stop for a lunch break? I’m starving.”
I take one more mouthful and screw the cap back on to prevent myself from drinking too much, too fast after the workout we’ve put in. It’s been a few days since Gabriel fixed my knee. When I went to check on him after getting sleep from the healing, he was bright and chipper. No sign of what he’d gone through for me. No visible one, at least.
I can’t imagine what memories he’s been left with from others. What horrors and tortures has he seen— experienced —to help them?
And, of all people, why did he help me when he didn’t know me?
He brushed off my concern with some off-handed comment about fighting for love that I didn’t understand and sent me on my way to test out my new knee while he enjoyed himself a bath.
Since then, I’ve spent most of my time training with Kellan and Dane. More Guild members have been steadily joining these sessions as well, so Kellan has partnered me with Dane when he needs to help other teams decide what to work on.
“Good idea,” Kellan cuts in, stealing the bottle from my hand and drinking the rest of it. I smack him, and he grins. “Let’s hit the showers and meet out here in fifteen.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Wait. Here? I was going to go back to my room—”
“Today, we’re going to the mess hall for lunch.” He turns his gaze to mine. “To sit. At a table.” His grin progressively widens as he tacks on more expectations. “With people.”
I snatch the empty water bottle from him and take the opportunity to move away and toss it in the bin. “Is there a point to all this?”
“Well, I’m glad you asked, beautiful. You’ve been here now, what, a few weeks? And you’ve somehow avoided all interaction with the members here. I know you’re not shy. So, I figured I’d help you out.”
I haven’t been avoiding them. Have I?
I guess I do spend all my time when we’re not out of the bunker either in my room, Aiden’s office, or this training room. I’m not avoiding anyone. I’m just…not going out of my way to meet them, either.
Am I putting them in danger by knowing me? Look what’s happening between the guys and Gordon. And poor Reid got mixed in by association.
Could I really risk these people, who Aiden and the others fought to save?
“I’m trying to reduce her casualties by association.”
My gaze clashes with Dane as his words ring in my ears. He catches my stare and holds it as if waiting to see what I need from him. It’s such a different look from when I’d first arrived in this city. The vitriol he’d slung at me during that time burned deeper than I’d ever admit.
His eyes shutter, and he inhales sharply. “Fuck.” He storms over to me and crushes me in a hug. “I didn’t mean that. I was just angry and trying to say anything that could hurt you. I’m sorry, Rae.”
I breathe him in, my hands gripping his shirt.
“What the hell did you say?” Kellan growls, yanking Dane back and looking like he’s ready to swing at him.
“Kell, it’s fine. He wasn’t wrong.” Portia was taken because of me. The guys are being hunted down because of me.
“Of course I was,” Dane snaps. “If you’re guilty of that, then so are we. So am I. They’ve been looking for me, too.”
“And you were staying hidden until I came along.”
“Will someone tell me what the fuck you’re talking about?” Kellan snarls.
“I made a stupid comment about people getting hurt around her,” Dane grumbles at him before turning back to me. “Everyone associated with GE has that risk, Rae. Especially the members who are starting to help us when we go to the islands. That’s why Kellan’s been training them and why you should get to know them. So, we can reduce that risk by being better prepared and working as a team.”
Kellan smacks the back of Dane’s head.
“Gah! What the fuck, man?” he shouts, grabbing and then rubbing that spot.
“Dane’s an idiot. But also, yes to what he just said. I’m not letting you hide in the shadows anymore, beautiful. So, get that fine ass in the shower and meet me here, or I’ll drag you, sweaty and sexy as you are, to meet them right now.”
“You wouldn’t…” I start, but the words barely leave my lips before I know he fucking would.
He bends, a wolfish grin on his face as he fingers a strand of hair hanging free from my tie. “I’ll even throw you over my shoulder and make you greet them like that if you test me.”
Prick.
After a shower and picking out our lunches in the mess hall, Kellan leads us to one of the many tables in this two-story space. I still can’t get over how large of a room this is and the fact that it’s underground. The greenery in this area makes it feel like the room was built into a forest rather than the other way around.
Kellan sets our tray down in an open spot with room for three. I recognize the small group around us as the ones who joined us on the last island, and wonder if he picked this table because of them.
“Kellan! Hey, is that her?” someone further down the table asks excitedly.
“Welcome.” Evie smiles across from me.
There’s more hushed whispering at the other end of the table, but thankfully, the ones we’re closest to are content to let me settle in and eat. “It’s…Evie, right?” I ask, giving her a return smile.
She nods, her brown hair falling over her shoulder in the movement. “I’m glad you’ve joined us for lunch. I’ve been told by new members that things can be overwhelming, so feel free to ask any of us if you have questions or need something.” The voices at the other end continue to heighten, eclipsing her last words.
Evie slams her fist down on the table, and everything on it rattles. “Quiet down there!”
“Aw, come on, Eves. Either ask the good questions or trade places with me!” one of them calls back.
Someone else leans to the middle of the table, craning around the line of others on this side until they can see me. “Is it true you’ve escaped GE twice?”
“Are you Aiden’s girl?” another jumps in.
“Of course, she is!” a third person answers. “He had a whole manhunt for her. The entire Guild was out looking. He’s never asked us to do anything for him before.”
“I’ll bet you five hundred, she’s not!” Silas, the one who’d tried setting up a wager before the rescue mission, stomps his feet down and leans forward. He grins wildly down the table at the others, waiting to see who’ll take his bet this time.
Evie’s hand pushes the side of Silas’s face, forcing his head to the side. “Stop trying to take everyone’s money. No one’s going to bet against you anymore.”
“Leggo my face,” he mumbles, his cheek smushed behind her hand. A vine wraps around her wrist, and her hand gets pulled back.
Dane leans to whisper in my ear, “Eat, Rae. They’ll keep going like this until someone stops them.”
Right. Eating. I take another bite of my meal, but it’s hard to focus on it when the two across from me are going at it.
Evie yanks against the vine, then grabs the knife by her plate and cuts herself free.
Kellan chuckles on my other side as he eats and watches the show.
“Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here, sweetling,” a voice whispers behind me.
I jolt and spin around, but no one’s there.
The invisible guy.
Kell fists the air and jerks his arm like he’s shoving something back. Dane’s out of his seat and takes a half-step in front of me.
“You got something to say, Harvey?” Kellan challenges.
The invisible man chuckles as his body slowly appears. His face is split with a grin, his blue eyes twinkling, and his hands shoved casually in his pockets. Harvey shrugs, his gaze flipping between the two at my side before landing on me. “Just offering an escape from the table before another fight broke out.”
“And you had to hide yourself to do that?” Dane crosses his arms over his chest, looking unamused.
The Guild member laughs again. “You know me,” he answers flippantly. “It’s too much fun surprising others. It’s one of the few talents I have,” he adds, holding a hand to his chest.
Kellan snorts and shakes his head, readying to say something else, but it’s my turn. “I’m all set right here, thanks.”
“Is that you, Reggie?”
Gabriel saunters over from another table, wearing tight pants, tall boots, and a colorful poncho. His hazel eyes sweep over Harvey as he passes. “Mm, hello.” He hip-bumps Kellan to nudge him over so he can squeeze onto the bench next to me. Kellan frowns, but does it while I make as much room for him as possible on my side.
“Gabriel,” I greet him with a smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, I’m just swell,” he says, smiling warmly. “Really enjoying this jungle of fun. Have you seen the waterfalls here? Fascinating!”
“I’ve seen that one.” I point to the raised stream that spills over this floor to the one below.
He makes a sharp noise with his lips. “That one has nothing over the one by the koi pond. You must explore more, dear! Or is your knee still giving you trouble?”
“No, my knee’s been amazing. I still need to make that up to you. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”
“Oh, Aiden-dear’s already taken care of that.” His head angles back to take in the view of this two-story eating and common area. “This is everything I’ve wanted.”
“You’re joining the Guild?”
“Yup! Me and Zedd.” He flicks his hand back to the table from where he came, and I realize that Harvey is nowhere to be seen. It’s probably for the best. I don’t mind his carefree nature, but he’s playing a dangerous game sneaking up on me.
Zedd’s sitting on the opposite side of the table, girls swarming around him while he ignores them for his lunch.
“Unbelievable,” Dane gripes when he sees the musician.
“What?” Kellan prompts with a shit-eating grin. “Still salty he refused to give you an autograph?”
Dane turns his glare on him. “Shut it, Kell. I just can’t believe this is the same guy they show on TV and in concerts.”
Gabriel snickers. “My Zedd is a different person on a stage or with a mic in his hand. It’s one of the reasons we usually try to keep a low profile.” He waves his hand. “In any case, I’m looking forward to the party Aiden said will be hosted here soon. Can you imagine what that’ll look like in a jungle like this?”
I frown, confused. “What party?”
“Oh. You’re here,” a low, steady voice interrupts from behind Evie. I turn in my seat, as most of the rest of the table does while they whisper and gossip amongst themselves about everything they’re hearing and watching. The voice belongs to Reid, who’s holding a tray with both hands as Tinsley hangs on one of his arms with barely contained energy. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his blue eyes pinned to mine as if there isn’t a full table of faces staring at him. The whispering pauses, like they’re all holding their breath to watch this exchange.
I must be missing something. Why would he care about me? Aside from him helping the guys find me, and that he was also a captive of GE’s, I know nothing about this guy.
“I’m good,” I reply slowly.
He nods stiffly. His gaze shifts to Kellan and Dane, who are both eyeing him suspiciously. “Don’t get the wrong idea,” he says to them, then walks away without further explanation.
Dane and Kellan share a look.
I decide to ask them about it later, when we’re not surrounded by others who are now returning to their gossip.
“Woah.”
“Did you see that?”
“He talked to her!”
Evie’s still staring after him with her brows furrowed.
“What’s the big deal?” I ask her.
She turns slowly, dragging her gaze from them after they sit at a vacant table. “They’ve been here for over a month and he hasn’t said a word to anyone here. Other than the mission, where I think he spoke two words, some of the members were beginning to think he was mute.”
Oh. He talked plenty when we were at the library.
I check in with Dane and Kellan, and the latter shrugs. “He’s not chatty, but he does talk.”
Gabriel chuckles. “He fits the brooding man role quite well. What’s his interest in you?”
I frown, staring across the tables to where he and Tinsley sit. “I have no idea.”
“There you are.” Aiden strides up to the table, looking from Kellan, to me and Dane. “I’ve got a fresh lead. Be prepared to leave tomorrow evening for another island.”
“Lead on what?” I ask, curious.
His eyes lock on mine. “On your father.”