Page 88 of Omega Tricked
I couldn’t admit I’d rather take a bullet for him than see one hair on his head harmed. That would put me in a position of weakness. Dylan had to at least suspect I would kill him to keep him in line. If he thought he could manipulate me, that would be bad.
Without answering him, I stood and moved to the door. “You should rest. Tomorrow is going to be a horrible day for all of us.”
As I closed the door, I caught a glimpse of him. His eyes simmered with hostility. After the intense connection we’d shared together in the compound, it was gut-wrenching to see the contempt he now had for me. But I had no choice but to continue on this demoralizing path.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dylan
I woke to the realization I was about to puke. I jumped from the bed and hobbled to the door, almost falling on my face because my ankles were tied. The door was locked, and I willed my stomach to calm as I pounded frantically on the door. “I need to use the bathroom,” I called. “Please. I’m sick.”
It took a few moments, but the door opened and Lex stood there looking exhausted. I must have looked convincingly ill because he immediately helped me down the hall to the restroom. He cut the ties around my wrists quickly, and I stumbled to my knees, reaching the toilet just in time.
It felt like an hour passed with me dry heaving into the porcelain bowl. I was covered in sweat when I finally slid to the floor, lying with my hot cheek against the cool tile. I groaned and trembled, feeling like I was about to die. I couldn’t even think straight I felt so sick. I had no idea if Lex was still in the room or not. Eventually, my breathing slowed, and I heard the scrape of a shoe behind me. I lifted my head and found Lex sitting on the floor next to the tub.
His eyes were dark with worry. “Feel better?”
I didn’t respond; I simply groaned and dropped my head again. I was so weak. I couldn’t even contemplate getting to my feet. If he wanted me to go back to my room, he was going to have to carry me. Slowly, the nausea began to fade. The perspiration dried on my skin, and the trembling stopped. I was still very weak, but I managed to sit up.
“You didn’t have to stay,” I mumbled, pulling myself to my feet by hanging on to the sink counter. I rinsed my mouth with water and leaned on the vanity.
“You had me worried.”
I met his gaze in the mirror. “Go to hell.”
His jaw tensed, and he rose. “I’m just concerned.”
My laugh was harsh. “Right.” I wiped my face and stumbled toward the door.
He caught me, or I’d have gone face-first into the wall. I wasn’t about to thank him; instead I jerked away. His familiar scent made my heart ache. It was like the Lex I knew had died, but his memory lingered on in this stranger.
He surprised me when he cut the ties around my ankles. “I don’t want you to fall,” he said gruffly.
I thought he’d lead me back to my room, but he didn’t. He took me downstairs and into the kitchen. Gabriele was there cooking a giant pan of eggs. There was also a big frying pan with country-style potatoes sizzling on another burner. It was a bizarrely domestic scene. Unfortunately, the smell of food immediately made my stomach roll, and I gagged and turned quickly to leave the kitchen. Since Lex was right behind me, I bumped into him. When his big hands descended on my shoulders to steady me, I yanked away.
He scowled but didn’t speak. I pushed past him, and he followed. I had no idea where to go, or even if I was allowed to roam. But since he wasn’t stopping me, I headed toward the front door. I needed fresh air, and the entire house smelled of food. I stepped out onto the porch and inhaled. The scent of ragweed and hay filled my nose, helping to calm my swirling stomach.
I sank onto the porch steps, and when Lex sat next to me, I gave him a dirty look. He didn’t react; his face was an emotionless mask. I hugged my legs, resting my chin on my knees, and I closed my eyes. Meadowlarks sang a lilting tune in the big oaks that surrounded the house. If I pretended hard enough, I could almost make myself believe I wasn’t in one of the worst nightmares of my life. I had no idea where Charles was, and I was afraid to ask. It worried me that Hank also didn’t seem to be around. Was he torturing Charles as I sat here feeling sorry for myself?
I didn’t want to talk to Lex, but I really wanted to know where Charles was. So I cleared my throat and asked, “Where’s Charles?”
“Sleeping.” His voice was equally gruff.
“You wouldn’t lie about that?”
“No.” He sounded insulted.
I stared across the yard of the old farmhouse. There was a tire swing hanging from one of the largest oaks, but my guess was you’d be taking your life in your hands to use it. This had probably been a pretty nice spread at one time, before years of neglect had allowed the golden weeds to strangle away all signs of civilization.
I was extremely annoyed at how aware I was of Lex next to me. I wanted to hate him so much, and a part of me did. But talking to him last night had almost made it harder to truly loathe him. Being mad at him was kind of like being angry at a shark for being a shark. He seemed to live in an alternate reality. It was obvious he didn’t really see his behavior as that strange. I suppose growing up how he had, his twisted concept of loyalty and honor had been drilled into him. He truly seemed to think how he’d handled everything was the right way. Although, I did occasionally see glimpses of regret in his blue eyes. But I didn’t see actual remorse.
“What if Charles still won’t talk to you today?” I asked.
He sighed. “Someone has to pay.”
“But, by now, you must know that Charles didn’t kill your dad.”
“Yes.”
