"Don’t overdo it." He’d learned that arguing with her was a waste of oxygen.
"I should get some sleep.” Kane moved toward the door. “Darwin's got me on a schedule that I'm fairly certain violates his Hippocratic oath."
"Goodnight," Gideon said.
Kane took his cane and hobbled down the corridor.
Zadie stood at the sink washing the dishes. "He's scared."
"I don’t blame him," Gideon said. "Darwin told me what happened. I know that’s his area of expertise, and that drug he put Kane on has done wonders for a lot of people, but I’d be freaking out over all the what ifs."
"Between being a ghost and feeling useless, he’s not sure what to do with himself."
Gideon stood and took her hand. "That’s a tough spot to be in, but he’s got all of you. That’s something." He kissed her cheek. "It's everything."
"We’d all be lost without each other."
"Let’s go to bed." He looped his arm around her waist. "My room?"
"As if you have to ask."
"I wouldn't dare presume," he said. "But I'd never say no."
Just as they rounded the corner to head down the corridor toward the bedrooms, Zadie abruptly stopped. She put her hand on his chest. "Oh my," she whispered.
Wynn scurried out of her bedroom in sweatpants and a loose T-shirt. She pushed open Darwin’s door, not bothering to knock. A second later, the door clicked shut.
Zadie grabbed his arm. "It's eleven-thirty at night and they went to bed hours ago."
"I’m aware."
"She just waltzed right in like he… like he… was expecting her." Zadie glanced up with wide eyes. "I need details. Do you think this is a first-time thing? Or has it been going on? Because if Wynn has been sneaking into Darwin's room and didn't tell me?—"
"Or we could give them their privacy."
"Absolutely not." She pulled him down the corridor. "I hope she has to make a very embarrassing condom run with Scout. I hope Scout charges her a commentary fee. I hope there are follow-up questions."
"Darwin is personal friends with Gus. Gus runs this bunker through Shepherd." Gideon leaned against the wall opposite his door. "I'd bet money Shepherd keeps that kind of supply stocked."
Zadie's face went blank. "What?"
"Darwin thinks ahead. About everything. And I mean everything." Gideon chuckled. "You should see his meal planner."
"What are you saying?"
"Just that he’s probably the kind of man who has five conversations about sex before actually having it."
"Weird, but okay." She gasped. "Damn. That means there might have been condoms in this bunker the entire time."
"Maybe."
"And nobody told me." Her eyes narrowed. "Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to endure Scout's endless commentary about brand, color, and size preferences?—"
"You don’t know how long she’s been sneaking into his room," Gideon said. "This could be the first night. And stop stressing over Scout. She does it because she knows it bothers you. Remember, she’s not buying them for herself. Just you, and Coulter’s got his own stash, so there’s that."
"I didn’t think about that. Poor Scout." Zadie tugged him toward his room. "I do hope Wynn and Darwin are spending the night together because they’re perfect for each other."
"Agreed." Gideon opened his door. He turned and she was right there. Closer than he expected. The lamplight caught her eyes and turned the brown to something deeper.
