“If my security team is compromised, I’ll find them,” Rhys says in a dark voice.
Andy sighs heavily from the bed, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. He’s slumped back into his pillows, eyes halfclosed despite the thick tension in the room. It’s obvious telling us what he heard in the isolation ward has drained him.
“Sleep, Dad,” Rachel murmurs as she leans forward to press a kiss to his cheek. “We’ll come see you tomorrow.”
A sleepy smile spreads across his face. “Sleep does sound good. Thank you all for coming.”
We all bid him goodnight and make our way out of his room. The atmosphere is more subdued than it was earlier, with Rachel, Tamsin and my brother going their separate ways back to their homes, leaving me and the guys to head towards the cabin. The night air is bitingly cold as we trudge our way through the forest and toward home.
Thankfully, inside is warm thanks to the fire still smouldering in the fireplace. Harlow greets us with a wagging stubby tail and happy yips before trotting off back to her place in front of the fire. Rhys kisses the top of my head before striding towards the office to put a plan of action into place. Alex, Theo and I silently go upstairs to my bedroom, all of us exhausted and still reeling from everything Andy just told us.
While it’s given us some answers, like why Elsa betrayed Haven the way she did, there are still questions without answers. Such ashowshe even started her arrangement with the Scourge. Or if there are traitors still amongst us.
A Gentle Hand
Rhys
The past few dayshave been hell.
Ever since Tobias pointed out the obvious, that there’s a chance Elsa didn’t record all of her co-conspirators like we hoped, I’ve spent most of my time trying to find traitors within my ranks.
The first man I ruled out was Anthony. He’s been with me since the beginning, and I trust him with my life. Of course, that didn’t stop me from double-checking every report he’s made within the past few months to verify. But he’s clean and once I told him what I was doing, he jumped in with both feet to help.
So far we haven’t found anyone suspicious and we’ve tried everything. From diving into reports to even listening in on interrogations without people’s knowledge in order to make sure they’re clean. Hell, we even bugged the security staff room using a radio in order to root out any traitors. So far, nothing.
I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or if the traitors are one step ahead of us.
And to top it all off, there still hasn’t been an attack. In fact, it’s like the gangs have disappeared. There’s been no patrols, no scouting.Nothing.
It’s making me antsy.
Because if I were Luke or Mark, I would have attacked immediately and taken Haven before we were ready. But the longer he waits, the stronger and more fortified we become. And since I know that man isn’t an idiot, it means he’s planning something.
Somethingbig.
I stand in one of the watchtowers over the main gate, looking out at the dark expanse beyond the wall. There are a couple of flashes of light among the trees; most likely the bright, alien eyes of the infected as they wander the land for their next meal. Their hungry moans and growls fill the still night air.
I’m not sure what I’m doing up here. It’s not like I’m needed; we have several security members who are more than capable of keeping watch during the night. Plus, with my ribs still broken, I won’t be much good in a fight. But the idea of going back to the cabin has the skin between my shoulder blades itching.
It’s nothing to do with Ollie or the guys. If anything, since her scene with Alex, things have been amazing between us. Sure, I miss sex, but with everything going on, none of us have really been in the mood. Instead, there’s been a ton of cuddling and kissing, something I didn’t know I wanted or needed until Ollie.
That woman has changed me and the others for the better. I just wish I knew what the fuck Luke, Elsa and Mark were up to so I could keep her safe.
“Quiet night,” Anthony says as he steps up to my side and peers out into the dark.
I grunt. “Isn’t it always?”
“Sure, but I was expecting Luke and his boys to have stormed the gates by now.” He glances at me. “Is that why you’re up here instead of curled up inside with your girl?”
I sigh. “Something like that, yeah.” I scan along the fence line, looking foranythingthat could tell me what the fuck Luke is up to. “Something isn’t right, and I don’t like not knowing.”
Anthony hums in agreement. “Explosives, maybe?”
“Maybe. But wouldn’t he have used them the last time he was here when he nabbed me and Ollie?” It’s something that’s been playing on my mind. If he has the means to destroy us, why didn’t he? And what’s taking him so long to attack?
Anthony moves to lean against the outer wall surrounding the watchtower. “You think he wants to keep this place in one piece?”
“It’d make sense why he didn’t bomb the shit out of us. Of course, that’s assuming they have explosives.” It’s a solid assumption though, especially after the way they bombed the house we were staying in nearly a month ago on our journey to their camp.
