Page 19 of Act of Command

Brad’s gaze narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Just that I knew deep down he was trying to find me. That he was really upset that I’d gone missing and that he blamed himself for some reason. And then it just felt like he was headed in the wrong direction. I called to him and in my dream, he answered in my head. He said I needed to stay strong for him, that he was coming. He also said he’d kill anyone who touched me. But I think something happened to him.”

Brad exhaled slowly. “Have you had dreams in the past? Anything like this?”

“No.”

“Tell me more of the man.”

She stood and walked slowly towards the window. “I don’t know him. I only saw him for a few minutes from afar. He just, well, I can’t explain it. He sort of called to me from across campus. Weird, huh?”

Brad put his palm to the window once more. “Not weird in the least, Mae.”

“Why would I dream of him searching for me? When I saw him he was dressed like a rich professor, but in my dream, he had on Special Forces gear.” She tipped her head, thinking more on her bizarre dream.

Brad kept his hand pressed to the window. “I’ve been worried about you. I told you not to drink the water they brought after the guards changed shifts. It was laced with sedatives and other shit.”

Mae had been so thirsty that she’d given in and drank it. She rubbed her throat. “I don’t know why I’m so thirsty here.”

“The drugs cause it,” he said. “You get used to it.”

Her heart ached for him, knowing he’d spent so much time as the captive of maniacs. “How are you sane? I wouldn’t be in your shoes.”

He met her gaze. “I was in grad school when I was taken. Before that, I was a frogman.”

“Frogman?” she asked.

“Navy SEAL,” he offered, a quirky grin spreading over his face. “When Vic and I decided to continue our education, we thought we’d put the most dangerous part of our lives behind us. We were wrong.”

“Vic?” she questioned, wondering who the other man was.

“Fellow frogman, best buddy from childhood and guy who was snatched with me. There was a woman too at the time. Kimberly.” He closed his eyes a moment. “I could hear her when we were first taken. I remember the guards then talking about taking Vic to try to breed her. That was the last I saw of either Vic or Kimberly. And that was months ago.”

Her stomach clenched. “They’re probably safe, right?”

He sighed. “I’d like to believe so, but history has shown me that the women held like this don’t fare well.” He closed his mouth and glanced away. “Some they manage to get knocked up. A few of those I’ve seen go to term and they die during delivery. Others die during the pregnancy. I haven’t seen one woman they’ve bred make it past any of that. I’m sorry, Mae.”

Mae stiffened, realizing he’d stopped talking because he’d confessed women like her died in this environment. He didn’t want to scare her. Too late, she was already terrified. The longer she remained in the place, the more she began to realize how warm her body was starting to feel. She also felt as if she may be sick at any moment. Bringing a hand to her forehead, she swiped, coming away with sweat.

Brad watched the act, his eyes widening. “Shit.”

“Brad?”

He sniffed the air and took a step back from the window. “They laced your food with fertility drugs, and if I’m right, aphrodisiacs. Way more than I’ve ever smelled them give another before.”

Mae swayed, her stomach cramping as she did. She leaned against the window. “I hurt.”

Brad eased closer to the window, looking hesitant, as if he feared he might actually be able to break through the thick glass between them and harm her. Maybe he could. She didn’t know. She wiped sweat from her neck and he watched the act as if it were soft-core porn.

“I shouldn’t have drank the water,” she said, cramping more.

“Look at me,” he said.

She did.

“Focus on me and just breathe.” He touched the glass. “Relax.”

She was burning up from the inside out and he wanted her to relax? Was he insane? All she wanted to do was crawl on the floor and submit to anyone at the moment who was willing to take her. The thought scared her. She sank to the floor, no longer able to see Brad through the window. She drew her legs up, her knees going to her chest as she began to shake uncontrollably. It took her a moment to realize Brad was humming near the vent, much like she’d done when he’d been on the verge of losing control.

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