Page 76 of Caged

“They’re loyal.” Bitterness seeped into my voice. “Why-”

“Nope, you had your question. It’s my turn again.” Maxwell’s feisty attitude did weird things to my insides, but I shut that shit down. Now wasn’t the time or place to catch feelings. Plus, I’d sworn them off forever.

I reminded myself that underdifferent circumstances she’d be annoying the fuck out of me.

“Jaden?” Something about her tone hinted she had a serious question.

Wanting to avoid it, I closed my eyes and said, “You know what, you’re right. I need to rest.”

I felt her arm brush against me as she leaned against the wall. Close enough to touch. But light years away.

Chapter 30

Cate

The foghorn ripped me from my fitful sleep. I wasn’t the only one. Jaden sprang to his feet in a flash and stalked to the middle of the cage. I was slower to get up, my energy waning as my body tried healing with a calorie deficit.

“How courteous of you to meet me half way on this sunny afternoon.” Roman always found a way to bring manners into the conversation.

We didn't respond.

When Roman asked who he should take, Jaden stepped forward. Giving Roman exactly what he wanted. He laughed and said, “Maxwell it is.”

He knows it’ll kill Jaden, the typical protective alpha male, to wait in the dark while he questions, and beats, me.

The sun was up, which meant it was Friday. We’d been here a day and a half. I prayed to every deity I could think of for John and the rest of SSI to find us sooner rather than later.There was no doubt in my mind they’d use every resource at their disposal, including my former boss. The FBIhad resources SSI didn’t, and a former FBI agent gone missing wasn’t something they’d take lightly.

But will they find us in time?

We followed the same routine: I was bound to the chair, he asked me questions, I refused to answer.

Only this time, his goons hit me harder, and Franks shocked me longer. By the time they finished, I could barely hold my head up.

I didn’t want to lean on Franks as he escorted me down the stairs but I didn’t have a choice.

Once again, Jaden stood at the far corner of our cell while they uncuffed me. I stared at him as he stared at the gun pointed at my head, a low, steady growl emanating from him. The cords in his neck standing out as he ground his back teeth together hard enough to turn coal into diamond.

My arms fell to my sides when the cuffs were removed. Staring at Jaden, I borrowed his strength to keep myself standing until I heard the basement door close.

As darkness engulfed us, my knees gave out. Whimpering, I sank to the ground. Before my head could hit the concrete, two strong arms caught me and scooped me up.

Jaden carried me to the back wall and used it to support his back as he slid to the floor, holding me close to his chest. Protecting me.

He smelled awful. The bitter scent of his pain and fear mixing with the metallic scent of my blood.

I probably smell worse.

Jaden held me, rocking back and forth in the silence.

I didn’t like showing weakness, but there was literally nothing I could do to stop the tears rolling down my cheeks. I was exhausted and everything hurt. Wanting to hold onto anger instead of fear, I focused on Roman’s sleazy, snake-like smile.

But it didn’t work. My body shook with memories of the cattle prod and the punches to my face and gut. Years of boxing competitively hadn’t come close to preparing me for this. Neither had the basic level of SERE training I had as a Marine.

Thankfully, the cold room stayed silent. The hand wiping the tears from my cheeks with a feather-light touch brought me back to the present. Despite his gentleness, I groaned at the touch.

“I’m sorry,” Jaden apologized.

“It’s okay.” Nothing was okay, but what could I say? He wasn’t trying to hurt me, and I didn’t want him to stop comforting me.

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