CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Why didn’t you tell me about the school?” asked Eazee, staring at his wife. He held her hand, gently rubbing his thumb over her soft skin. She still tended to be skittish at times, and the last thing he wanted was for her to be frightened of him. Chelsea looked up at him, shaking her head.
“It didn’t seem to matter any longer. With us being kidnapped or sold to the school, then kidnapped again, it just felt as though we were all in this terrible loop. We were told that the schools were shut down. The last one we had been in was taken down by all of you.”
“Babe, you said you were having nightmares. Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“Because,” she said quietly. “I didn’t help those kids that were screaming and crying. I knew it wasn’t just about getting teeth pulled, but I didn’t help them. I didn’t help the others when we were being held in that tunnel. I was pregnant and terrified and didn’t want anyone to know. I’m ashamed of myself.”
“Honey, you were a kid yourself,” said Eazee. “Did you think I would love you less? That will never happen. Never. We’re going to help Mav and Katelyn and all the others. We’re going to make sure we figure this shit out so that you’ll be free of nightmares.”
“I love you, Ethan,” she said, holding him tightly.
“I love you too, babe. Let’s go. Time for a big dinner in the grove tonight. The weather is finally decent, and we’re going to enjoy it.”
By the time they walked back to the grove, the dinner was in full swing. As usual, the amazing chefs had outdone themselves, and the tables were filled with local delicacies, including varieties of seafood that were now in peak season. Chelsea made her way to Katelyn, taking the seat beside her.
Although they were friends in school, they were never self-described besties. Their school didn’t really have those types of relationships. In fact, it seemed that when the girls formed attachments to one another, they were moved to other dorms to prevent anyone from becoming too close.
Chelsea and Katelyn had vowed to stay in touch. She knew that Katelyn had found work in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area and hoped she would help her with her situation. Unfortunately, things went sideways quickly for her until Ethan found her.
“How are you doing?” asked Chelsea.
“Better. Kennedy did some tests on me today, and I’m hoping to find out more. What about you?”
“Same. I was surprised when she asked me to come to the clinic. That’s how I found out that you were here. We have so many people sometimes we don’t meet the new arrivals for a few days. Did you see Victoria?”
“I did,” nodded Katelyn. “I’d completely forgotten about her and that I worked with her when she was a toddler. I can’t believe she remembered.”
“She’s a pretty remarkable young woman. She and Hayes, one of the young men that was taken with our group, are very close. He’s truly incredible. We’ve been trying to get a message to him about what’s happening.”
“Is he deployed?” asked Katelyn.
“We’re not even sure. He’s in Navy Intelligence but assigned to Special Forces. He had to go through all the same training as the SEALs. The last time we saw him, we barely recognized him. He’s very tall and used to be this skinny kid. Now,” smiled Chelsea, “now, he’s quite the handsome figure, and believe me, our Victoria has noticed.”
“Are they a couple? I mean, a romantic couple?” asked Katelyn.
“Yes, although I don’t believe they’ve done anything yet. She’s been afraid to go off the property unless with some of the seniors.”
“The seniors?”
“Yes. Like JT’s grandfather and Ethan’s grandfather, Ghost and Zeke. I think Victoria is most comfortable with Angel and Trak.”
“Oh, I think I met both of them,” smiled Katelyn. A blush crept up her cheeks, and she shook her head.
“Yep, you’ve met them,” laughed Chelsea. “If you haven’t noticed, all of the men and women here are incredibly beautiful. Gorgeous bodies, beautiful faces, intelligent, and they’re all uniquely different.”
“I did notice that,” nodded Katelyn. “Maverick’s father and mother are extraordinarily beautiful.” Chelsea nodded, then pointed to a table of older men.
“That group there makes my heart race,” she whispered. “Skull, Max, Dan, Noah, Frank, Dom, and Bodhi. They’re part of what we call Team Big.”
“Babe?” called Eazee as he walked toward their table. “You okay? You’re flush.”
“Am I?” Chelsea said, clearing her throat. “I think it’s just warm today. Katelyn and I were getting reacquainted.”
“Okay. As long as you’re feeling alright.” He walked back to grab more food, and the girls laughed, hugging one another.
“It’s good to have you here, Katelyn,” said Chelsea.
“I’m so grateful that Mav heard me screaming that night. I have no idea where I’d be without him.”
“We might be about to find out,” nodded Chelsea toward Kennedy, Suzette, and Riley. “Good news or bad?”
“That depends,” said Kennedy. “I think we all need to talk. All of us.”