3. Chapter 3 #3
I know it’s a casual gesture that Devlin means nothing by, but Roman isn’t like us.
He isn’t a social person, and people that he doesn’t know very well in his space makes him uncomfortable.
My skin prickles with annoyance, and I immediately get defensive.
I stand up and walk over beside Devlin, urging him to the side to get a better look at the screen.
His eyes are locked on the camera feed, so he steps over without paying any attention to how I’m ushering him away from Roman.
I take his place, using my thumb to rub against Roman’s shoulder.
He glances up at me, eyes full of appreciation as his body relaxes into me.
He returns his attention to the screens in front of him, but my stupid, traitorous heart is fluttering wildly in my chest, all my sense focused on the feeling that touching him sends through my body. I seriously hate this idiot.
“He’s looking a lot better,” Devlin says as he points to the screen.
“His hands and feet were covered in scrapes and cuts. Most of them seem to be healing, which is really good. I was worried about him getting an infection. Based on how quickly he’s recovering, he may have still been eating wherever he was, just not nearly enough.
He wouldn’t tell me shit, though. Even when Maven left the room.
He never said a single word. I don’t know if he can talk at all, honestly.
Mutism is pretty common for people that go through traumatic events.
It could even be selective, maybe with people he doesn’t know. ”
“I haven’t heard him say anything either, but I’ll keep checking the cameras and have Lance let you know if we notice any significant changes.”
I start to get excited by that idea, but I quickly realize that even though Roman could contact Devlin just as easily as he could contact me, it wouldn’t really make sense for him to.
I’m roommates with Devlin, so communicating with one another is not only easier for him and I, but it’s also far less suspicious.
“And if you notice any changes, let us know. If there’s anything we can do to help, we’re here.“ I add.
“Is it— Would it be alright if I came by a couple days a week to see him? It’d be a huge help if I could see how he’s responding to the feeding plan, that way I know whether he’s ready for more.
” He finally straightens up, tearing his eyes away from the screen.
I doubt he notices that I catch him glancing back up at Thorne again, because he tries to do it as quickly and discreetly as possible.
“Yeah, sure. Just get with Lance, and he can bring you over whenever.”
I glance down at Roman, confused why he wants me to bring him over, but he doesn’t bother looking up at me. Maybe he’s just uncomfortable with Devlin since they don’t know each other very well. He may want me to be here as a buffer.
“How are you going to get away from Cain so often?” I ask curiously. It’s a valid question, because I’ve never seen one without the other unless I was in the med bay. Him being here alone just feels… strange.
“I’ll— don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it.” He replies as he checks the watch on his wrist. “Speaking of which, I need to get going.”
“Right. I’ll see you later.” I nod to him before he heads toward the door. Neither he nor Roman say anything else to one another. I don’t know where they fucking grew up, but they both have terrible social etiquette.
Silence settles in the room as I walk over to his bookshelf and start skimming through the titles. Most of them are about coding and computer shit, but there’s one that sticks out. I pull it from the shelf, running my finger across the golden filigree on the front.
“Can I borrow this?” I ask as I look up at him.
He looks over at me, his eyes darting to the book in my hand. I expect him to deny me, especially with the way he looks at the book, but he nods. “I’ve already read it. You can have it.”
“Are you sure?” I ask as I flip it open, combing through the decorative pages. It has to be a collector’s edition.
“I’m positive,” he says before turning back to his computer.
I scan through the pages as I walk over to the couch and stuff it into my bag for later.
“Well…” He pauses. as he flips a switch on a surge protector, turning all the monitors off. It almost feels weird in here without them on. “That didn’t really give us much information, but now we have an open line of communication.”
He turns around in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. My eyes trail over the muscle in his arms and the way the shirt clings to his flesh.
Curse him and his good looks. I tear my eyes away, annoyed with myself for checking him out. Again.
“That alone is worth its weight in gold. It’s our best bet at learning anything about Salem.” I offer as I lean back, plopping myself onto the sofa.
“Agreed,” he replies with a nod. “That quesadilla didn’t really hit the spot. I think I’m gonna go grab something at the coffee shop.”
“Ha!” I blurt as I scramble off the couch. “As if you even have to ask.”
”I didn’t ask.”
“Because you knew you didn’t have to. Now, let’s go.“ I demand as I nod toward the door.
I could swear the corner of his lips curl into a smirk, but I’m obviously seeing shit. There’s no way I broke through Roman Easton’s fortress.