Judgement 8 (Subject Alpha #1) (23 page)

THE ROOM WAS DARK and empty when I woke the next morning. Silence greeted me, which after living in the Judgement dorms for so long was a bit of a luxury.

Stretching out, I groaned in appreciation at the way my body throbbed deliciously. Reid was a lot of things and I’d recently found out he was also an amazing lover. He seemed to read me, know everything I wanted and needed, giving me amazing and mind-blowing orgasms.

With a smile I rolled over to the side of the bed and dropped to the floor on my hands and knees, immediately snapping into my usual morning press-ups. They were the only thing that kick started my body every morning and even though I grumbled like a hungry bear with bad wind throughout the whole process, I valued what they did for my body.

My eyes closed as I lowered and lifted, my mind getting active, ready to face the day ahead.

I wasn’t sure if I trusted Reid fully, however I was also aware not to let him in on that little secret. Something inside me didn’t doubt he loved me, but the niggly part of my brain also wondered if, when he needed to make the choice, would I come before Judgement?

I quickly showered in the enormous en-suite attached to my room, dressed in some clothes Petra had placed in a large wardrobe for me then slowly strolled through the house, appreciating the modern and antique furnishings on way through. I was awed by the opulence. What I couldn’t grasp was how she could afford living like this when she had been holed up in Judgement for so many years. But none of that was my business.

As I stepped off the last stair that led into a huge foyer, a large man in a suit stood by the front door; his hands were linked behind his back and large shades covered his eyes. On seeing me, he stepped forwards and tipped his head in acknowledgment. “Good morning, Miss Rowe. Ms McCallum asked for me to direct you to the breakfast room.”

I sank my teeth into my lower lip. Breakfast room?

Smiling widely and taking everything as it came, I nodded to him. “Thank you.”

With a sweep of his arm, he guided me down a corridor.

“So.” He turned to look at me as I spoke to him. “What do you do?”

“I’m Ms McCallum’s personal security.”

Pursing my lips, I nodded, wondering how special you had to be to warrant your own personal bodyguard.

“And now I’m also yours, Miss Rowe.” My footing stuttered and I frowned at him. “If you have a grievance with that, I’m not particularly bothered. My job is to escort you and keep you safe, and I’m afraid you don’t have much of choice.”

I stared at him, wide-eyed. “Are you always this blunt?”

“Yes.”

“Well I’m not disputing your . . . skill, but I’m pretty sure you are not equipped to handle Judgement.”

His lips twitched at one side, a small smile lifting the corner. “You’d be surprised, Miss Rowe.”

Sighing, yet again going with something I knew I had no control over, I nodded. “Okay.” He stared at my hand as I thrust it towards him. “Then I suppose we’d better become friends. Please call me Elina.”

Smiling widely, probably happy with my acceptance, he grasped my hand tightly. “Jayson.”

“Well, Jayson, show me the food. The beast in my belly thinks my throat has been cut.”

He escorted me down the hallway and as he pushed open a door for me to enter I stiffened when my appearance caused Reid and Petra to jump apart quickly.

Petra blushed but smiled, and Reid just gave me his usual glower when he noticed Jayson slip his hand to the base of my back, guiding me into the room.

“Although I have absolutely no doubt that was innocent, let’s give him something to think about, shall we, Elina?” Jayson muttered, knowing they wouldn’t hear us from where they stood at the other side of the huge room.

“I like you Jayson,” I whispered back. “I think we’re going to get on really well.”

“I certainly hope so.”

I smiled up at him, playing the game easily. And to be honest, Jayson was no hardship to flirt with. His tall, at least 6 foot muscular frame was wide. His blond, messy but short hair stuck up in every direction on his head but the style suited him. His jaw was square and covered in a couple of days’ growth. He looked like he was made for the job he was in; tough and not to be messed with. But his smile was easy and relaxed.

“When you’re ready to see the grounds, please let me know, Elina, and I’ll be more than happy to escort you.”

I smiled at Jayson when a faint growl resounded from Reid’s direction. “Thank you, I’ll be sure to find you after breakfast, Jayson.”

Jayson tipped his head and smiled. “Excellent. Enjoy your breakfast, and make sure to feed the beast.”

“Oh I will.” I grinned at him before he slipped back through the door and closed it quietly behind him.

“Making new friends already, Elina?” Reid asked sharply.

“Yes.” I nodded eagerly, looking back towards the door to hide my smirk. “Jayson’s awesome.”

“That he is.” Petra smiled. “And isn’t he just divine to look at?” She giggled like a schoolgirl. I joined her when Reid huffed and narrowed his eyes.

“Please help yourself to breakfast,” Petra said, pointing towards some large domed silver platters on one of the side tables.

Lifting a few of the lids and inspecting the choices available, I eventually chose a plate of scrambled eggs and wheat toast.

“Did you sleep well?” Petra asked as I shovelled in my breakfast. I was famished. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten something decent.

“Like a log, thank you.”

She smiled and nodded. “Good. Now . . .”

The door opened again and my face grinned but my heart wept when Lettie came barrelling into the room and jumped straight onto my knee. “El!” She beamed at me, her arms flinging around my neck to pull me down for a tight hug.

“Hey, sweetie.” I snuggled her as hard, nuzzling her neck and inhaling her sweet scent. Eventually I took her shoulders and pulled her back slightly to inspect her. My lip nearly popped under the pressure of my teeth when I saw a few bruises on her arms.

“Who did this?”

She frowned at me, giving me her usual look of annoyance. “Oh don’t start, grumpy knickers. I’ve not seen you properly for ages. I’ve missed your pretty smile.”

Cupping her cheeks with both my hands, I scanned her sweet face, etching her to my memory. My eyes filled with tears causing Lettie to lower her gaze.

“You know,” she whispered. I nodded, tilting her head back up so I could look in her eyes, which were tinged with a slight hint of yellow.

“Oh, Lettie, I’m so . . .”

“Don’t you dare be sorry,” she grumbled. “It isn’t your fault.”

But it was, all of it. I gave her a forced smile and swallowed back the guilt; it wouldn’t help her and she didn’t deserve my heartache on top of her parents.’ I needed to be the strong one. Reid and Petra had more right to grieve for her than I did, so I had to be the one who held them all together.

“Your home is stunning, Lettie,” I said, changing the subject.

Her eyes widened and she nodded. “Isn’t it? It’s a lot better than the dorms in Judgement.”

“And you get to see the sky as much as you want now.”

“I know!” Her giggle was contagious and I laughed with her, delighting in her happiness as she jumped back off my knee and went to Petra, kissing her before she climbed onto Reid’s knee. He shuffled her further on and handed her some of the pastry he had chosen for his own breakfast.

“This is just great,” Lettie mumbled excitedly around her food, her gaze switching between Petra and Reid. “My Mummy and Daddy back together.” Lettie swung her happy face to me. “They’re getting married again, El, next week and I get to wear a pretty dress. You know how much I want to be a bridesmaid.”

Reid cringed, his eyes closing for a moment while his throat moved manically as he tried to swallow his food.

“This is the best thing God could have given me before I die,” Lettie continued happily.

My heart exploded in my chest as each muscle in my body tensed and my throat constricted, attempting to keep the egg down that wanted to force itself back up.

Petra smiled widely at Lettie. “I know, baby. I know how much it means to you.”

Reid slowly lifted his eyes to look at me, his whole body tense; guilt and remorse evident on his face. I stared at him, unable to do anything else. My mouth went dry as all the moisture was forced into my tear ducts. I didn’t understand. They were back together? Then what had last night been?

I scrambled backwards when the egg decided it wasn’t going down, only up.

“El?” Lettie shouted as I hurried across the room.

“I’m okay, Lettie,” I managed to squeak. “Tummy bug.”

“Another one?”

I nodded as I burst through the door. Jayson’s eyes widened in horror when I slapped my hand over my mouth. Taking my arm, he pulled me across the hallway and flung open a door, revealing a bathroom.

“Do you need me?”

I shook my head, bending swiftly over the toilet bowl just in time. Jayson grimaced then nodded and stepped back through the door. “I’ll be outside.”

Tears accompanied the vomit, devastation emptying from me in huge heaves. They were remarrying? But . . .

I groaned when another wave of sickness had me whispering sweet nothings into the loo. More tears accompanied it but I told myself it was due to the force of my retching.

I frowned, listening when raised voices caught my attention outside the door.

“I don’t think Elina would appreciate your company at the moment, Mr McCallum,” Jayson said in a stern voice.

“I’m sorry?” I cringed at Reid’s acid tone.

I sat silent, Jayson, bless him, was doing his best to keep Reid away, and right then, he was right to. I think I might have hurt him if I’d come face to face with him.

“I’m sure,” Reid hissed, “whatever
Mi
s
s Rowe
wants, is actually none of your—fucking—business.”

“Reid,” I shouted through the groans. “Just go away, please. At least leave me to spew in bloody peace and go back to your wife!”

I scuttled back when the door flew open and Reid’s towering frame glared down at me. All of a sudden he disappeared backwards. Then he was back. Then Jayson came into view. Then he glided back out. I couldn’t keep up.

“What the fuck is going on?” A man’s voice shouted.

The oxygen in the atmosphere seemed to be sucked away with the silence that fell heavy.

“Excuse me, Mr McCallum,” Jayson spoke respectfully, making me frown. Not two minutes ago he was trying to strangle Reid.

After another bout of silence, I climbed off the floor and peeked around the door. Jayson swung his face to me from his position beside the door and smiled, but other than that, the hallway was empty.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded to him, still swinging my gaze in every direction. “Where did he go?”

“With Mr McCallum.”

“Yeah, Reid, where did he go?”

“With Mr McCallum. Into his office,” Jayson repeated.

“Oh.” I rolled my eyes. “He went with Logan. Sorry, I’m out of it.”

Jayson shook his head. “No, he went to talk about something with Mr McCallum.”

I stared at him. “Bloody hell, Jayson. Are you always this . . . difficult?”

His mouth popped open but then he chuckled. “Only when I’m trying to converse with
blondes.
” The way he said ‘blondes’ with a wink made me glower at him.

“I’ll have you know, I’m quite an intelligent woman.”

He nodded slowly then slipped his arm around my shoulder and side hugged me, laughing and mumbling an ‘of course you are’ under his breath. I couldn’t help but smile. This huge slab of muscle was really quite sweet.

“Right, Jayson, let’s start again. Where did Reid go?”

“He—went—with—Mr McCallum—into—his—office.”

I nodded with each slow word. “So—he’s—in—Logan’s—office?”

He shook his head slowly, his lips twitching in amusement. “No—he’s—in—Mr McCallum’s—office.”

“Bloody hell! He’s with Logan, his brother!”

“No, Elina.” He chuckled. “He’s with Mr McCallum, his father.”

I gawped at him. “What?” I coughed, clearing the squeak in my throat. “What?”

“Would you like me to escort you there?” He gave me a sceptical look, obviously thinking I was gonna throw up again with the way the blood rushed from my face.

I shook my head. “Uhh, no. No, I’m . . . Thank you anyway.”

“Are you okay?” Jayson asked when I turned and walked away.

I nodded then shook my head. “Mmm.”

He continued to stare after me as I glided up the stairs. I grabbed my shoes and phone, and sneakily shoved the toothbrush that had been laid to one side for me into the backpack Jonah had brought from the safe house. Then Jayson stared at me again when I walked back into the foyer and out of the front door.

THE DRIVEWAY WAS LONGER than a damn airport runway and my ankle twisted twice in my haste to hurry across the gravel.

“Elina!”

I groaned and rolled my eyes when I heard my own personal magnet running behind me.

“Go away, Jonah!”

“Where are you going?” he asked when he caught up to me, his hand snatching my arm to stop me.

“Home.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Home? You have one then?” I flinched, making him realise what he’d said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. But where are you going to go?”