Chapter 12
Twelve
R iver’s and my second day living inside a mountain is fairly normal. We get dressed and cuddle up on the couch, watching old movies on the Sanctuary’s streaming service. So many of the amenities in this place remind me of life before the Affliction. It makes the hours go by a little quicker while we wait to hear about the guys.
Well into our second movie, there's a knock at the door. Jumping up from the pile of pillows and blankets River and I have surrounded ourselves with, I rush across the room and swing open the door.
Ridge takes a second to look me over before smirking. “You're settling in well, I see.”
My gaze travels down to my shirt and jeans and comes to a screeching stop on my socks. They're fluffy and have unicorns standing on rainbows printed on them. I cross one foot over the other and say, “They were the first comfortable pair I saw.”
“Good choice.” He smiles widely, holding up two envelopes. “I came by to drop off your IDs and instructions for your first day of work. I also thought you might like to visit your friends.”
River doesn’t wait for him to say more. She springs from the couch and sprints down the hallway to her room.
I grin at her excitement before opening the door and stepping to the side. “You want anything to drink while you wait for us?”
“I'm good,” Ridge says, moving the blankets over and sitting on the couch. He points at the rom-com movie still playing on the television. “This is one of my favorites.”
“Me too,” I say, walking into the hall.
River and I rush around the bathroom, throwing on the mascara and lip gloss we found in a small makeup case. I don't know why we're going through all this trouble. The boys have seen us covered in blood and reeking; simply being clean is a vast improvement in our beauty regiments. Still, there is this part of us that wants to make a good impression.
We both come hopping out of our rooms, sliding shoes on our feet.
Ridge stands when we return to the living room. He gives us both a nod and opens the front door for us. “Ready?”
“Do we need a door key?” I ask.
“Nope, no one will enter your home unless you invite them.”
River laughs. “Is everyone here a vampire? Is that why they built this place where the sun doesn't shine?” She turns to me and fake whispers, “We gave up Zs for vampires.”
Ridge's deep chuckle resounds in the street. “No, everyone has what they need here, so there's no reason for them to take what you have. And if someone chooses to break the rules, judgment is swift. If you knowingly break the law and do harm to someone or their property, you're out.”
I look at him from the corner of my eye. “Harsh.”
He shrugs. “We can't tolerate things like that. Smaller offenses we can work out: arguments and a good old fistfight, but murder, robbery, and being a menace to our society, absolutely not. There's no correctional system, no prison. If you're ignoring the laws, you must leave. It's harsh, but necessary when living on rationed food and in a confined space. People have worked hard to get here and to live without fear of what lurks outside of these walls. Feeding and housing someone who blatantly doesn't want to follow the rules is counterproductive.”
I get it, but there is one thing about this place that still has me confused. “I understand the need for law and order, but if the system is working, then why is it so difficult to find the Sanctuary? Why the riddles? You can clearly accommodate more people.”
“When you have to fight for something, you appreciate it that much more. Wouldn't you agree?” he asks.
I nod.
I've spent two years fighting, and I've always been grateful for a reprieve. It's like when the boys came into our lives and took on some of the burdens of maintaining and protecting our home. Every day, I feel blessed that they stumbled upon us. I suppose everyone here holds the same grateful sentiment.
We enter the military facility, and as we walk through to the holding area, Ridge says, “The only reason we agreed to this is that your friends have passed their medical testing. We finished the interviews with them this morning and are working on placing them. Since this isn't a standard procedure, I can't promise you a ton of time with them.” Ridge opens the door built into the glass wall of a conference room.
River and I sit across from each other at an oval table surrounded by a dozen high-back chairs. The smell of freshly-brewed coffee lingers in the air. I breathe it in, hoping it will settle my nerves. But my leg bounces up and down anyway. I grit my teeth while River taps her fingers on the wooden tabletop. Every second that ticks by pushes me closer to losing my mind.
Thankfully, I don’t get the chance to snap. The guys appear on the other side of the glass wall, and River and I rise to our feet. They're accompanied by four guards, including Ridge. Each boy has showered and wears the same black outfits that River and I wore, but none of them are smiling. It's a total relief to see they're all well, even if they're not happy about being locked up.
They enter the conference room and the gloom written on their faces immediately vanishes. River practically runs me over and flings herself into Noah's waiting arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he bear-hugs her. Her voice muffled against his shoulder as she tells him she misses him.
I pass by Wes and Aiden and give them each a quick squeeze on the arm, making my way to Ryland. When I reach him, I brush my hand against his clean-shaven cheek, confirming that he's real and safe. He turns his head into my palm and gives it a light kiss.
“Are you okay?” I ask him, searching his face for any sign that he isn't.
“I am now.” Ryland presses his lips to mine, and a guard taps on the glass, shaking his head. I roll my eyes and pull Ryland toward me for another kiss. I'll be damned if someone is going to tell me I can't touch him. Not here. Not ever.
We pull apart and I turn to Aiden and Wes, looking uncomfortable in the middle of all the public displays of affection. I pull them both in for a hug, and River joins us. Once everyone calms down, we sit at the table. Ryland takes the chair next to me, and I slip my hand into his where nobody can see.
“They said you were released yesterday,” Noah states, looking River over.
“Yeah, they gave us our living quarters and job assignments,” I answer.
Ryland squeezes my hand. “Everything seems as normal as it can be out there? Is there anything we should worry about?”
“No, it's kind of amazing. Our living quarters are exceptional, and there are no arranged marriages.” I say with a playful wink.
Wes leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “At this point, anything is better than sharing a cell with Noah and his constant ramblings about River. River this, River that. ”
“You snore,” Noah counters.
Wes straightens and scrunches his face. “Oh, and you don't? Just wait, River, every night for the rest of your life.”
Her face lights up. “I don't mind.”
“Anyway.” Aiden jumps in before they get out of control. “What do they have you doing?”
While River tells everyone about our job assignments, Ryland leans into my side and whispers, “Something feels off about this.”
For as long as I've known him, he's never been one to accept that things can be easy. He's always anticipating the next attack, and for once, I want him to relax and know it's going to be all right.
“I felt the same way. I was waiting for the kicker, but there doesn't seem to be one. Everything is organized, and the people we saw in the common areas were welcoming. It's going to be okay, Ry.”
His mouth kicks up in a lopsided grin, and the worry in his eyes dissipates into something darker—lustful. A look that makes the butterflies I felt earlier seem inconsequential. “Have I ever told you how much I love when you call me that?”
“Maybe once or twice.” I lean in a little closer and make sure my lips brush against his ear. “I can't wait to show you my big, new bed and say it to you there.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Ryland and Quinn! Christ, someone get us out of here, so they can get a room!” Wes playfully says.
“What?” Ryland snaps.
Aiden's boisterous laughter fills the air. “I was asking Quinn why she thought the president picked her to be his assistant.”
“Really?” Ryland asks.
“Yeah. According to him, Ridge gave me a shining review,” I say.
“Ridge?”
“Ridge is Major Spencer,” River jumps in. “I think he has a thing for Quinn.”
“He doesn't.” I glare at River before turning back to Ryland. “He's just being nice.”
Wes looks out the glass wall at the man in question. “Sure, he seems like he's waiting to give all of us hugs when we walk out of here.”
Ridge stands across the hall with his arms crossed, scowling as he looks in on us. He comes across as anything but friendly at the moment, but I can't chalk it up to him being mean. He's with his soldiers and working. If he went around acting like a marshmallow puff all day, I doubt his troops would respect him. Ridge's gaze lands on me, and he makes a circular motion with his hand, indicating we need to wrap it up.
“I start my job tomorrow, so I'll find you after I'm done. That's if they release you,” I say to Ryland.
“I know you feel safe here, but still keep your guard up.” He brushes a loose strand of hair from my face. “I don't want anything to happen to you. I have plans for us.”
I press my thighs together at the implication and manage to nod.
He leans in and brushes his lips against mine.
The door to the room opens, and a soldier announces, “Time’s up, guys.”
The boys stand and follow the soldiers out of the room. River and I stay where we are and wave goodbye. All the happiness we felt earlier is sucked out of the room. We came here to live the best life possible with the men we love, and it hasn't happened yet. It's a heavy disappointment.
Ridge stands in the doorway and says, “You two look like you’ve lost your puppies.”
“Does a boyfriend count?” River asks, resting her chin in her palm.
“Come on. I know what will cheer you up.” He jerks his head to the side, signaling us to follow him.
We stroll through the market area until we reach a little shop on a corner. The window has a hand-painted sign, advertising the Sanctuary Ice Cream Shoppe. Inside, residents occupy several metal tables while enjoying their treats.
“I heard ice cream has a way of mending a girl who feels a little down,” Ridge says with a smile.
I eye the display freezer as we step closer, catching sight of the large barrels of pastel-colored ice cream inside. It's a food I've missed the most since normal life came to a complete halt. Ice cream was always the thing I ran to when life sucked. It has a way of making everything better, even if it's only for a short while.