“You’re right,” he agrees, his voice rough. “I should have thought of it myself.”
I shoot him a faint smile. “I felt responsible. My father never would have used the ultrasound machine on her if he wasn’t teaching me.”
“Not your fuckin’ fault. Has Nolan spoken to you about any of it?”
“No,” I mutter quietly, shooting a furtive glance toward the man in question. “He got caught up with Fenix. After that, I kept out of his way.”
Hayze exhales hard. “You know they’ll want to punish her.”
“That’s why I had to do something. She’d already endured enough.” I glance quickly toward the older men, then bring my gaze back to Hayze before quickly finishing, “No reason to believe that they noticed anything amiss, though. I put the key back first thing.” I don’t know if continuing to move it from the hook is a measure we could—or even should—take to ensure she’s left alone, though. Could cause trouble later. Grimacing, I shake my head. “We both know Arrow’s been sneaking down to see her for a long time. Hayze—”We need to coordinate with them.
Eyes flicking toward the other two, my friend holds up a hand and simply nods, seeming to guess the path my thoughts have taken. I shrug, understanding him just as well.Later. We’ll talk later.
I’ve only just turned around to finish my assigned work when my father barks, “Cross. Come here a minute, would you?”
I stiffen, snapping to attention, mildly concerned that he noticed my longer-than-necessary break.
After I join him, his anxious gaze darts in the direction of the building, though it’s impossible to see through the trees. “If you’re about done there, could you head back and check on Fenix for me?”
I nod, relieved it’s only that. “Of course. Anything in particular you need me to do?”
“Check his vitals and make sure the IV drip is still going. Remind Eight that she needs to have him drinkplenty of water. Once you’ve done that, report back.” He scratches the side of his head, eyes traveling to survey what we’ve accomplished today. “I believe we’re going to be down here a while yet.”
“You got it.” I take off but am waylaid by Arrow before I can slip away among the trees.
“You’re going in?” His anxiety levels are through the roof.
My brows furrow as I study him. “Yes.”
Speaking in low tones, he murmurs, “Can you do something for me?” At my careful nod, he continues, “See if you can find a way to check on Delilah somehow. Tell her I’ll try to see her soon.”
My brow raises, but I don’t comment. Arrow’s obsession with Delilah is growing by the day. I rub the back of my hand over my sweaty brow. I can’t blame him. Don’t even believe for a second that I’m impervious to this girl. As I stand there, I see her in my mind’s eye. All that fear… but also the trust she had in me to help her through the chaos that’d ensued after her IUD was found.
I blink, refocusing on Arrow. “Yeah. I need to check on her, anyway.” In truth, my intention the second my father said I could check on Fenix was to steal a few minutes with her to make sure she’s okay after yesterday, both physically and emotionally. I have concerns about both.
With that thought in my mind, I take off, hustling back through the dense woods. I’ll see Fenix for sure—his sudden illness is bothering the shit out of me—andthen I’ll see if I can locate Delilah. The women probably threw her headlong back into her chores. Not that they have a choice.
My teeth clench together, grinding slowly as I break through the trees into the field between the forest and the main building.
Fortunately, Fenix is alert when I go to look in on him, though pale and a bit weak. I check his vitals and finding them within normal ranges, I breathe out a sigh of relief. The sudden onset of his illness just makes no sense. With it in my head that I’m going to do some research, I ruffle a hand through his hair. “Make sure you rest and drink water when Eight gives it to you.”
He frowns but nods. “I feel mostly okay now.” His lip trembles, and it guts me a little bit because I know I’m the only one he’d let see that. He wouldn’t have shown an ounce of fear to my father. And what kind of craziness is it that we’re forced to hide our emotions, our weaknesses, or be ridiculed for them?
My teeth grind at the injustice of it all. “Good. I’m glad you feel better.” I shoot him a smile, handing him the book that’s on the bedside table. “Rest up, I mean it. I’ll come back and check on you later.” He nods and cracks the book open.
I slip out of my father’s infirmary with zero intention of reporting immediately back to him. Instead, I spend the next few minutes looking for any sign of Delilah, finally locating her in Henry’s bathroom. She’s on hands and knees scrubbing and doesn’t realize I’m watching her at first, so I take a few seconds to observe.Every movement she makes is cautious and slow.
I work a jaw to the side, picking up a blanket from the foot of the bed before moving to stand in the doorway. “Lilah,” I whisper.
Her head whips around, blue eyes wide with surprise as they land on me. Those luscious lips part. “Yes?”
I close the distance, then hold out my hand to help her to her feet. “Come on.”
Delilah hesitates, glancing from me to the wet sponge she’d been using to clean the floor of the shower. “But I’m not done.”
I shrug. “So, you’ll return to finish later. I need you to come with me now.”
She eyes me warily, tongue slipping out to wet her lower lip, but she finally nods and puts her hand in mine. I don’t let go, liking the feel of our fingers interlaced. We move as quickly through the halls as I think she’s able, heading away from the rooms inhabited by the Collective. My heart thuds heavy in my chest, and I glance at her to find she’s watching me, curiosity filling her expression. She remains silent as we take one turn, then another, before I finally lead her into the new wing.
