CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I OPENED MY EYES, IMMERSED IN WARMTH. THE SKY OUTSIDE was still dark, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than the sight before me.
Hal lay on his back, one leg intertwined with mine, an arm curled above his head, the other wrapped around my waist, tucking me into his side, as if he had held me all night, which maybe he had.
His face was relaxed, his dark blond hair tousled.
I thought of brushing it away as my eyes traced over his broad shoulders and sculpted chest that lay exposed.
I drank in every curve of his muscles before landing on my glowing wrist on his chest, close to his heart.
I bit my lip, staring at my hand against his skin, impossibly smooth and hard.
I could lean closer and replace my hand with my lips.
I startled at the thought, embarrassment and heat flushing through me.
My heart picked up its pace. I should remove my hand, should get out of bed and put distance between us. I knew I should, yet I didn’t move.
His breathing hitched, and I realized too late that he hadn’t been sleeping.
I crashed into starburst amber eyes. The hand around my waist tightened, drawing me closer.
I let Hal pull me in until my body was flush against his, my hand caught between us, no room to think of anything but him and the feel of his warm strength surrounding me.
Hal’s hand dragged lazily up my spine, and I arched into him until his lips were inches from mine.
“You just going to look at me, Moonlight?” Hal whispered, his hand leaving goosebumps in its wake as he swept along my back, venturing lower.
“Emeline, Emeeelinnne.”
Hal froze.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I pushed us apart, heart racing. Had Hal’s cuff not worked? Had my performance last night been too much? Had they come for me?
Thump. Thump Thump.
“For fuck’s sake, Emeline,” an exasperated male voice called from the opposite side of my door.
Hal lifted a finger to his mouth before gesturing toward the bathroom.
I nodded as he stood, the sheets falling off, clad in nothing but his briefs.
My heart hammered for more than one reason as his sculpted back flexed when he bent down, grabbing his jumpsuit, undershirt, and boots before disappearing into my bathroom.
For such a large man, he moved with stealthy efficiency.
I swept the room as he shut the door, ensuring nothing was left behind. I placed my glowing wrist under the scanner before I cracked the door to find Gregory staring at the ceiling.
“Fuck, finally.” Gregory pushed past me without an invitation.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, chasing after him, positioning myself between him and the bathroom door. Gregory took in my room, nose scrunched.
“You live here?” he asked incredulously.
“Obviously. What are you doing here?” I repeated, my heart refusing to slow. He was still in the wrinkled suit from last night. I could smell the wine wafting off of him.
“I seem to be tasked with fetching duties,” Gregory drawled, looking around the room. “I can’t believe people live like this.”
My cheeks heated. “Fetching what, exactly?”
Gregory rubbed his temples. “You, obviously. Please tell me being a Minor doesn’t make you dense.”
“You’re a horrible person,” I seethed.
“Through and through.” Gregory grinned at me.
“You pissed a lot of people off last night with your performance. Which I loved, just so you know. I haven’t seen Father that mad in a long time.
Usually, it’s directed at me.” Gregory stopped, his head tilted as he took in the black boxes next to the counter. “What are these?”
“They bring me food and take away my trash and dirty clothing,” I told him as he opened one of the doors and inspected it. “Where are you taking me?”
Gregory tore his eyes from the boxes, cursing. “Do you have some tea or water? Anything to stop the fucking pounding.”
“There’s water from the faucet.”
“You’re joking, right?” he demanded, pulling away from my counter.
I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Gross, you’re serious.
I’ll wait. Here,” he tossed a bag to me.
“Get dressed and be quick about it. I’ll be in the Pod.
I can’t stay in this hovel.” Gregory gave my living quarters one more scrutinizing glare before making his way to the door.
“Oh, and bring the gown,” he shot over his shoulder before leaving.
I shut the door behind him before sprinting to the bathroom. My legs screamed with each step. I wrenched the door open, coming face-to-face with Hal.
“Who was that?” Hal asked quietly, his jumpsuit and undershirt back on.
“One of my birth brothers. He’s taking me somewhere.” I twisted my hands together.
“Which one?”
“Gregory, the middle one.”
Hal peered out the window at the Pod waiting below. I retrieved the bag to find a simple champagne-colored day dress, brown slippers, and a suede brown clutch.
“I’ll be right back.” I strode into the bathroom, quickly slipping on the dress.
It had long sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a gathered skirt.
I tidied myself up, taming my hair into a low bun.
My stomach flipped at the blue and brown eyes reflected in the mirror.
I didn’t have a way to hide my defect. Collin hadn’t seen me without a lens.
I should be worried about the implications of Collin seeing me as I truly was, but I couldn’t find it.
Would they know Hal had stayed here? Had I endangered Hal?
I could only hope they didn’t know. They would know about last night.
About the way I had stormed out. What were the ramifications of that?
Did I care if the Illum had put me in blue? If Collin had put me in blue?
I strode out of the bathroom, my worries racing after me, to find Hal leaning against the counter, arms crossed.
“Moonlight,” Hal began as I grabbed the blue dress off the ground, shoving it unceremoniously into the bag. I spun around, looking for my gold clutch from last night. “Moonlight—”
I grabbed it off the floor, fishing out my Comm Device. I had five messages. I hadn’t thought to check it last night. I thrust it into the suede bag. I’d read them on the way. I swallowed, or tried to. My throat was bone-dry. I made my way to the sink, filling a cup with water.
“Moonlight, look at me. Do you remember what I said last night?” he asked, taking the cup and grabbing me with both hands, his eyes wide. “Trust what you see, not what they say.”
I nodded, throat tight. I tried to reassure him but couldn’t get the words out. “I have to go,” I said instead. “My Mate, he’s not Elite. He’s Illum. I have to go.”
“I will wait for you in your office,” Hal said, stepping away.
He didn’t seem surprised at the revelation.
A ding filled the room as food was delivered to the first black box.
My HI turned on, and Hal walked over to the orb, messing with it until it quieted.
How did he know how to turn that off? If I’d had time, I would have asked.
I opened the door as my stomach protested fiercely. “Here, I scanned so you would have something to eat.”
Hal scoffed. “You’re the one who needs it. You ran all that way.”
“So did you. It’s your night, right? You won’t get food now.”
Hal looked like he wanted to say something but stopped. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do.” I bent down, grabbing the bag with the blue dress and my clutch.
“I don’t deserve it,” Hal said.
“You do,” I assured him as I strode out of the room, even though I felt I was leaving some crucial part of me behind.
The sky was still dark as I approached the lone Pod, stepping past puddles from last night’s storm. My breath clouded in the cold morning air. Gregory was sprawled across one side of the Pod, mindlessly twisting a gold ring he wore. I scanned and sat across from him, and the Pod took off.
“Took you long enough,” Gregory drawled.
I ignored him. I couldn’t figure him out. He had turned his nose up at my living quarters and remained silent when Vincent had suggested the Elimination Act, but he had told me he liked me. He seemed unimpressed with our birth family. I grabbed my Comm Device, pulling up the first of five messages.
Should be able to make it for dessert. Apologies for being held up.
Phillip messaged me and told me you left
Emeline, what’s happened
All were sent before curfew while I was running. There were two from Lo.
You going to be back in time to talk?
Guess not . . . Can’t wait to hear about it tomorrow.
Every warm feeling I had found upon waking slipped out of my reach. I didn’t reply to Collin. Gregory hadn’t told me where we were going, but I assumed Collin waited at the end of this ride. Dread filled me at the thought. I sent Lo a quick message.
Last night was a mess. I’ll have to tell you later. I hope your yearly went okay.
I rested my head against the glass as my thoughts skipped from one to the next, leaving me dizzy.
“Please don’t hit the emergency button again,” Gregory quipped.
My eyes flew to him. “How did you know about that?”
“Lesson number one, little sister: They are always watching you. They are always a step ahead.” He stared out the roof, not even bothering to look at me.
Had Hal gotten out of my living quarters unseen, or had the Illum found out?
I could only hope that the metal cuff worked as well as Hal thought.
Gregory’s off-key humming pulled me from my downward spiral.
“Why are you here?” I snapped.