She got in his face like a drill sergeant.
“I said. Are. You. Blind?”
“No…?”
“Then why are you clutching his goddamn arm?” she snarled.
She gently peeled Roz’s grip from his bicep and repositioned their hold, so Gage’s hand rested on the back of Roz’s upper arm.
“There,” she said. “Assist him, don’t lead him. He’s not a fuckin’ pony.”
Gage smiled.
The elevator ascended quietly while Rose continued to fill him in.
“There are quite a few of us assigned to you. Once we learn your preferences, we’ll be better able to anticipate your needs. Food, clothing, room adjustments, comfort items.”
“We’ll be fine,” Roz muttered.
“Everyone says that at first,” she said with a delicate laugh—Gage imagined she had a nice smile, full lips, and perfect teeth. “You should see how busy the Black and Browns keep their team. Grace cooks a lot, and Meridian has an extensive personal care regimen.”
Black and Browns? He hoped they were as decent as the Greens.
Rose punched in a code on the door, and a second later, it opened with a quiet hiss.
Roz stopped dead. “Holy fuck.”
Gage’s brows knit. “What?”
“It’s nice as hell, G.”
“This is just the basic layout. You, of course, can personalize it. You have clothes already stocked in the wardrobe. There’s food in the fridge and pantry, but I encourage you to make a list of what you like, and one of us will get it ordered for you.”
“Thank you,” Gage said.
“If you need anything, extension thirty-four reaches us at all hours.” She stopped walking as if remembering something. “Oh— And your partner’s quarters are directly across the hall.”
Gage straightened. “My partner?”
“Scar,” she said matter-of-factly.
Roz exploded. “Like hell that motherf—”
Gage snapped his hand up, quick and final, needing Roz to shut up.
“Is Scar here?” he asked tightly.
“No. The Blacks and Browns are still in the field, but Meridian never comes back empty-handed.”
“I want to know the moment he arrives,” he demanded.
“Absolutely, sir.”
Gage could feel the heat of Roz’s glare, but he ignored it and instead told him to show him around the place.
Roz grabbed his forearm, and Gage reversed the grip like they’d been shown.
They walked into what he assumed was the main area.
