Tested (16 page)

Missy smiled tiredly. “It was a fight, but she eventually saw that this was the best choice.”

He shook his head, his eyes darkening with what she thought was guilt.

“I wanted to come, Tyler. I wanted to get you back.”

He was silent for a moment as he looked closely at her. “Why? Why risk it, especially after everything…”

Missy flinched. “You remember?”

He swallowed, nodding. “I remember everything now. I remember them bringing me here. They had me strapped down to a bed for days, injecting me with something that made my veins burn. Then I was in this room and everything just went fuzzy. All I could feel was anger. I couldn’t remember anything but I knew that I wanted to kill the people who entered the room.” He paused. “Until you walked in.”

His hand was stroking through her hair again as though he were trying to reassure himself that she was ok. She could see the concern in his eyes.

“I’ve acted like a barbarian this entire time. Why on earth did you agree to stay with me?”

Missy was shaking her head the second he started to speak again. “You’ve been nothing but kind to me, Tyler. You don’t have to feel guilty about anything. You protected me from the men here, and made sure they didn’t give me those drugs. I owe you so much.”

He scoffed. “I’m the reason you’re locked in here. God knows what the others must think. When was the last time you contacted anyone? Phoenix must be losing her shit.”

Missy grimaced. “It’s possible. It’s been a long time. Honestly, I don’t even know how long. There are no windows here, so I don’t even know when it’s night or day.”

He cursed under his breath. “How were you getting into contact with them?”

“They gave me a phone. It’s hidden at Bridgette’s apartment.”

The stiffness in his shoulders seemed to relax. “Okay, that’s good. We need to get it and make sure they know that we’re alive and that I’m back in control of my thoughts.”

“How is that?” she asked. “What happened all of a sudden?”

One of his hands left her to rub down his face. Missy took a small step back so she could look at him better.

“I don’t know really,” he replied. “Lately things have been becoming clearer. There was this fogginess in my mind for so long, but it’s been lifting over the past few days. Today was even stranger. The more I worked, the more my mind felt healthier, so I just kept pushing myself. I was confused for a moment there until I looked at you, and it was like something just clicked. It was the strangest thing. I wanted to go to you right away, but I had to force myself to keep fighting.”

The joy flowing through her was the most she’d ever felt. “I’m just so happy,” she admitted, her eyes blurring. Tyler took a step forward, closing what little distance she had put between them.

“Don’t get upset,” he said.

“I’m not,” she assured him. “I’m just relieved that you’re back. I was starting to think I’d lost you for good.”

His jaw twitched. She saw his throat work as he swallowed tightly, one of his hands reaching up to cup her face again.

“I can’t thank you enough for sticking by me,” he said hoarsely. “You must have been terrified, and I didn’t help. I’m so sorry, Missy. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”

Missy gripped his forearm, staring into his eyes, praying he’d believe the truth of everything she was saying. “You don’t owe me an apology, Tyler. You don’t owe me anything. I wanted to be here. I chose to be here. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“Why?”

“Because…” she trailed off. What was she supposed to say? Because she had feelings for him? The old Tyler was attracted to her, but he was also drugged and thought she was his property. . This Tyler, with his mind and senses all back and in control, might want nothing to do with her. She may have finally gotten over her fears of the opposite sex and fallen for someone, only to have them not return those feelings. Well hadn’t she just put herself in an awkward position.

“Missy,” he urged.

She couldn’t find the words, whether they were the honest truth or some quickly made up lie to save face. Instead she just stood there, dumbfounded. Her mouth opened and shut like a fish floundering.
Say something!
Her inner voice pleaded. Looking away from him, she stared at his chest, racking her brain for a reasonable excuse as to why she’d put herself through all of this for him, considering he knew how she felt about men. She’d never even been overly friendly to him before any of this happened.

Tyler’s hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head, gently tilting it back until she was looking up at him again in the eyes. Without a word, he leaned down and traced her lips slowly with his. It was such a gentle, soft touch, she actually found herself sighing out loud, her body melting against his. The arm wrapped around her waist tightened as his lips became firmer on hers.

Opening up to him, she moaned loudly when his tongue swept inside, tasting every inch of her mouth. Her own tongue moved against his, drawing him in deeper, relishing their connection. His hands moved to grip her waist and lifted her easily. Without thinking, Missy wrapped her legs around his waist, never once breaking their kiss.

Tyler walked them backwards until her back hit the wall. He pinned her there, tilting his head to deepen the kiss even more. Missy wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him with all she had. Small moans escaped her as she rubbed against him shamelessly. Tyler growled deep in his chest, a sound that no longer frightened her, only heightening her desire. His hands flexed on her hips as though he were forcing them not to move anywhere else.

But she wanted him to. Oh, how she wanted him to. She wanted his hands on every part of her. Her breasts felt heavier, her core pulsing with a need she thought was long lost. Still, his kiss never ended, never ventured further to anything else. He just thoroughly branded and owned her with his mouth, kissing her like she’d never been kissed before.

When he finally pulled away, both of them were breathing heavily, their breaths mingling as he leaned his forehead against hers. He inhaled deeply through his nose, exhaling slowly as he tried to gain some ounce of control. She should have been doing the same, but she couldn’t seem to slow the beating of her heart, and honestly, she didn’t want to. She just wanted him. She’d been burning for him for so long now. He’d kept himself distant, never touching her the way she dreamt. Now that he was, that need she’d been fighting was clawing at her from the inside.

“Is that why?” he said, lifting his head to look at her. “Is that why you’re really here still? Please tell me it is.”

The hope in his voice killed her. How could he doubt her desire for him when she was practically rubbing herself on him like a damn cat in heat? Of course, after the way she’d reacted to him the second he’d arrived at her home, she couldn’t blame him for being confused or doubtful. Surely he knew things were different now, didn’t he? If he remembered everything, he must remember the little things that had happened between them before now?

“Do you feel what I feel between us?” he asked, his eyes searching as she remained quiet.

Missy nodded, tightening her arms around his neck. “I’ve wanted you since the second you stepped into my house, I just didn’t want to admit it,” she confessed. “Truthfully, you scared me.” Her eyes took in his body that was securely pinning her to the wall. “You’re kind of intimidating,” she said with a small grin.

His lips twitched. “I would never use my size against you,” he said seriously.

“I know that,” she said. “I knew that even when you were talking in single word sentences.”

“You were terrified of me. I remember,” he said with a frown.

Her chest hurt at the thought that she’d injured his feelings. “I was terrified of everything back then.”

“But not anymore?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “You’re not scared now.”

Missy shook her head and smiled. “No, not anymore. And definitely not with you. I don’t think I could ever be scared of you again.”

“Good,” he said simply. “I would never do anything to hurt you, and I’m going to do everything I can to get us out of here.”

Relief washed over her so great she almost started crying. Finally,
finally,
they could put their heads together and figure out a way out of here. She just hoped they weren’t too late. With the General and his army getting ready to make a move, the clock was ticking down – fast.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Life had grown increasingly boring. It was funny how everything he had worked for his entire life had come to pass, and yet he was bored to death by it. Ludwig looked down at the city he’d shaped, and couldn’t help but wonder what Di and Roman were doing out there in the streets. There was no one left here to talk to, no one to sit with at the end of a long day and just shoot the shit with.

With a sigh, he turned away and headed toward the bar for his usual glass of whisky. It was the only thing he found himself looking forward to anymore. Taking a large gulp, Ludwig settled down into one of the large wingback chairs in front of the fire, and got ready to zone out like he usually did around this time of the night.

Things were about to get interesting in New Berlin, a fact that would have normally excited him. While part of him was looking forward to how this new play would change the game board, it just wasn’t the same when there was no one around to enjoy it with him.

“Sir?”

Taking another slow sip, he turned and regarded the solider standing just inside the doorway. “Yes?”

“Everything is set for 21:00. I just wanted to inform you.”

Ludwig nodded, looking away again. “Good. Let me know when it’s over.”

“Yes, sir.”

He could sense the man hesitate and Ludwig found his annoyance building.

“Is there something else?” he asked, his voice harsher than was probably needed.

“Yes, sir,” the soldier replied. “I noticed something today that will please you, I believe.”

Ludwig looked back at him wondering what the hell the man could possibly think would please him.
This should be good
, he thought. The man shifted nervously under Ludwig’s scrutiny.

“Well?” he prompted when the man didn’t immediately expand.

“It has to do with those female rebels, sir. I believe I spotted one in the upper section. It wasn’t the same one we lost track of, but I’m pretty sure this one was there the night of the mask as well.”

The drink slowly lowered. “Go on.”

“You look too thin.”

Lake smiled, taking a bite of the biscuit still lying on her plate. She looked up at her Great Aunt and knew the words and harsh tone were nothing but her way of showing concern. Aunt Angela was her late grandmother’s sister, the only person still alive in her family. That she knew of at least. It was hard to get away for a visit, but she tried to as often as she could.

“I’m the same size I’ve always been,” she replied easily. This was a common exchange between them, so much so it was almost comforting to have the old lady complain about her weight. Angela could not be described as a tiny woman, by any means. She had curves to last for days, but Lake had always thought she wore them well. Her dark skin was barely lined with age, a trait Lake prayed she inherited when she started to grow older.

“So what kind of trouble have you been up to lately?” her Aunt asked, sipping her tea. Lake looked at the fine china and thought it was probably worth more than anything she owned.

“None,” she lied, smiling. “The girls and I have been laying low.”

Her eyebrows rose, disbelievingly. “I heard there was a huge shoot out at the masked event the New World Order threw last month. You’re telling me you had nothing to do with it?”

Lake sat back, keeping her expression calm. “We’re not the only group fighting for a better world, Aunite. Just because there’s a rebel attack doesn’t mean it’s us.”

“Mmm hmm,” she hummed. “Is that why you discreetly suggested I not attend the function?”

The woman was way too quick for her age. “You were the one complaining and saying that your hip couldn’t handle standing around all night. I simply said it was probably better you not go for that reason. I had no idea there was going to be trouble. Although, to be honest, I’m happy you never went, all things considered.”

Her aunt placed the cup back on the saucer. “You know you can always come live with me, Lake. It would keep you safe and out of trouble, and I wouldn’t have to be worried about you constantly.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, Auntie,” she said quickly.

Angela grunted. “As if I could just sit here all day and not be, knowing what you’re out there doing. Just knowing you live in one of those ghettos is enough to have your grandmamma looking down on me disapprovingly. She wouldn’t want such a life for you.”

“Grandma wouldn’t want this kind of life for anyone,” Lake pointed out. They stared at each other, until Lake felt her shoulders drop. She hated fighting with her when she came for a visit. “I can’t pretend to be an Upper when I’m not. I have friends that count on me. I can’t just turn my back on them. Please try to understand.”