CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
“Down this way, Ms. Marshall.” The CA soldier pointed to the hallway on the right. “Just follow me, and you won’t get lost.”
I brushed a piece of my black hair away from my face. “Rune’s there?”
She nodded. “Mr. Mason is waiting for you.”
My hand caked with dried blood waved in the direction we were supposed to go. “Lead the way then. But don’t walk too fast. I’m tired.”
Her gaze ran up and down my frame, blood and guts splattered every inch of my clothing and exposed flesh. “I would imagine so.”
She began the journey to Rune while I followed closely behind.
The black uniform she wore was glaringly clean under the harsh neon light. The white walls and white tiles should be repelling me out of the CA headquarters. But instead, they welcomed me further into their abyss of many hallways and stairs leading down and then up, pulling me deeper and deeper until I had lost all sense of direction.
I muttered, “It’s a damn maze in here.”
“Wood Corporation was the architecture company for this building. It’s supposed to confuse individuals who aren’t allowed inside.”
“Alaric did a stellar job with it then.”
She sniggered. “I think it was actually him who designed it, not one of his employees.”
“It makes sense. It’s an integral building for New City.”
And the soldier just kept walking.
“Are we even above ground right now?” I asked in exasperation. “There aren’t any windows in this part.”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“That’s so helpful. Fuck you very much.”
Her shoulders shook in front of me. Sounding amused, the soldier inquired, “I have a question for you.”
“I may not be at liberty to say.”
The soldier snorted. “I read in the rags that you’re dating Mr. Mason. Is that true?”
My blue eyes zeroed in on the back of her head. “Let me guess. You’re a fan of his.”
“That would be no. But I am curious. You never know if what you read is true.”
I rubbed at my forehead, ready for bed. A long shower first, of course. I explained in a quiet tired voice, “Yes, Rune and I are dating. It’s serious too. So if you know any women who want to jump him, tell them to please refrain—unless they like broken bones.”
“Thank you for being candid with me.” We moved down four more hallways before she eventually added, “I’ll let everyone know that Mr. Mason’s cock is off limits.”
Rune stuck his head outside a room, his brows furrowed. “Why are you talking about my cock?”
The soldier halted, her back straightening. “Sir, I apologize.”
“Don’t do it again. I’m taken,” he growled, his golden eyes alarmingly scary. Then his head disappeared back into the room.
It dawned on me that he couldn’t see me behind her. The small part of me that was showing was covered in dried blood. And the blood most likely hid my scent.
My lips trembled in humor as I passed her, patting her on the shoulder in sympathy.
But Rune unwittingly passed a test with flying colors. Because the soldier was knockout gorgeous. A typical man would beg to even speak with her, much less have sexual relations with her.
