Page 52 of After the Burn

“It was more than obvious to me that y’all knew each other. And the guys didn’t deny it.” She raised an eyebrow. “Was I wrong?”

There was no use in playing games. She knew too much.

“No.”

She nodded. “I need to get to the clinic and let you two get settled. Use today to rest and get cleaned up. There are some clothes in the closet that I think should fit, but you’ll be taken to the department store later to pick a few more items.” Harper pulled Rory to her feet. “Tomorrow you’ll have a one-on-one interview with Gideon to determine where you’ll fit best. Take the opportunity to ask him any questions you have.”

“Can we trust him?” I asked her point-blank.

Harper stared at me for a moment. “Only to a point. I’d keep your relationship with the guys and where you were staying before you came here to yourself.” Her face grew even more serious, if that were possible. “Especially if there are more females. I understand why he’s doing what he’s doing here, but that doesn’t make it right.”

“Are we prisoners here?” I asked as Lila settled on one of the beds.

“No. You’re allowed to leave the building, but I’d advise caution. Men who have waited a while to find a woman can be dangerous.”

I nodded in understanding as she grabbed Rory’s hand and left the room.

Lila sighed, resting her arms behind her head. “This sucks. We need to get back to the farmhouse.”

“We do. But for now, we have to figure out what’s going on here. Adrian and Beck will have more information.” I shrugged out of my dirty clothes and grabbed some clean underwear from one of the drawers.

“What are you going to do?” Lila yawned and snuggled her pillow.

“Take the first hot shower I’ve had in weeks, then get some rest. I’m sure it won’t be long before the guys find a way to contact us.”

Lila laughed sleepily. “You… they won’t wait long before finding a way to get to you.”

“We’ll see. Now get some rest.” I smirked as I shut the door and turned the water to ‘hot as hell.’

She wasn’t wrong. Beck’s feelings were a given, but after spending the last few months with Adrian, I’d realized his feelings were genuine and that he wasn’t going anywhere either.

I just hadn’t decided what to do about it.

I was confused, to say the least.

My feelings for Beck had grown, but Adrian was a part of me, and I couldn’t deny that.

No matter how much I wanted to.

Hours later, I woke with Adrian’s hand covering my mouth.

He smelled like smoke, cold air, and something sharper that always reminded me of expensive whiskey and bad decisions.

I had become very familiar with it over these past months.

My body reacted before my brain fully caught up, and I twisted hard beneath the blankets, already driving an elbow back when his other hand instantly caught my wrist.

“Easy,” he murmured against my ear. “It’s just me.”

My pulse sped up at the feel of his warm breath. He had that effect on me, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I hated him.

The motel room sat dark, except for thin moonlight bleeding through the curtains. Lila slept heavily in the other bed, facing the wall, completely oblivious.

“How in the hell did you get in here?” I whispered once he pulled his hand away.

Adrian’s mouth tilted slightly. “I have my ways.”

“Apparently.” I frowned.