The computer is from the early two thousands, which might seem like an ancient piece of technology by today’s standards. It connects to the internet only when plugged in by a thin gray cable, which connects to the motel’s copper line. The guests might use Wi-Fi, but everything here is hard wired.
Luke and Ella sit down at the computer, which is currently not connected to anything. Leo goes to bed. I decide I have to do something with my hands, so I microwave a ration pouch for us all. These freeze-dried meals are actually quite good.
By midday, everyone who wants to eat Bolognese reheated from 2019 has done so, and we are all asleep. Aside from Leo whohas gone to bed, everybody else is in the lounge. There are three couches arranged in a U shape, blue and softly upholstered. Luke is asleep on one, Ella is passed out on another, and I decide to take the third. The tyranny of a solitary bedroom feels too much to bear right now. We are animals retreating to a burrow, licking our wounds, and preparing for better days to come.
Ella
I have some amends to make with this family, and with one man in particular.
“So you got shot,” I say, sliding into Leo’s room. He’s sitting up in bed, reading a book. His features crease with annoyance at my comment though his eyes lighten when he sees me.
“I’m not in the mood for your brat behavior,” he says, closing the book and giving me his full attention.
“I’m sorry you got shot,” I correct myself.
“Just as well for you I did. If I had found you in the wild myself, it would not have been as pleasant an affair as I am sure your interlude with Aiden was. He has the patience of an eldest sibling. I do not.”
He’s always been somewhat brusque when dealing with me, but I think that wound is annoying him more than usual. I can see in his eyes the fact that he wishes he could get up and grab me, bend me to his will, do terrible things to me.
Leo is not a good person, and he is an even worse man. But in a world full of evils, he at least wants the best for me. At least, in so far as the best is being one of his possessions.
I feel bad for him. It’s not fun being shot.
I sit down on the bed by his feet.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“I don’t know. You could keep threatening me if you wanted. You seemed to enjoy it.”
He narrows his eyes at me like he’s trying to work out if I am fucking with him or not. But I’m not.
“I’m just trying to keep you company,” I explain. “I can go, if you want.”
“No,” he says, his voice slightly husky. “Lock the door.”
I do as he says almost without thinking about it. Then I come back to the bed, but before I can sit down, he throws back the covers and crooks a finger at me. He’s wearing boxer shorts and nothing else. He has a bandage over his stomach, but other than that he looks muscular and powerful.
“Take your clothes off,” he orders. “You can leave your underwear on, if you like.”
He is watching me, and I feel myself blush as I receive that order. I feel suddenly shy. It is a lot to take your clothes off for a man and slide into bed beside him.
I lower my eyes and fumble with my shirt, like I’ve forgotten how to undress myself.
He waits patiently. I thought he might get annoyed with me, but he seems content to watch me as I squirm. Then I realize that he’s probably enjoying this part too.
Leo
I forgot how adorable she can be. One moment, a sassy temptress; the next, as shy as the virgin she certainly is not. I enjoy the tension in this room as she struggles with herself.
“Come here,” I eventually say. It is hard to help her undress with one hand, but I do it anyway because I am a gentleman. I slide her shirt up over her head, she kicks her shorts off, and I pull her into bed. She snuggles against me, all curvy and sweet, her face pressing into my neck. I feel her inhale me deeply. I stay still, not wanting to interrupt her tenderness. So much of our interactions have been governed by chaos and dominance.
“I’m sorry you got shot,” she repeats. “Please don’t do it again.”
“I will try not to. To be fair, that’s really more about what Luke is willing to do. He was doing his best to deal with the situation. Don’t worry. We’re going to be okay. We’re all going to be okay.”
I hold her close, and as I say those words, I feel like they are true. We are going to be okay. In spite of the fact that we are in a bunker, and being hunted by a man I would put money on being obsessed with Aiden, we are going to survive.
I had planned to fuck Ella, but as she snuggles into me, her breathing slows, and after a few minutes, she is fast asleep. There is a peace in the room, and in my heart, that I have not feltbefore. Lying in bed, holding the woman I would die for, feeling my gut and my heart heal in two different, but entirely real ways.
