Page 128 of Trapped Truth

“Under duress, I seem to remember.”

“You’re a fine one to talk.” I slap his ass. “Don’t act like violence isn’t your preferred form of therapy versus sitting down with a dinosaur like Doctor Richards.”

Chuckling, Axel kisses the side of my braided hair. “Fair point.”

“She’ll get there, she just needs more time.”

“Time we don’t have.”

“Exactly.”

Our fingers plait together as we descend dust-ridden levels to reach the ground floor. The guys have set up a command centre of sorts, clearing a box-filled corner before pooling our equipment, weapons and food in one place for safe keeping.

Warner paces in the middle of the makeshift enclave, his head jerking towards us at the sound of our appearance. He’s closely flanked by Hyland, sitting in a corner while systematically dismantling our guns to clean the inner mechanisms.

“Is there a problem?” I quicken my steps to join them.

“Blaine.” Warner hitches a thumb toward the entrance. “He has something for us.”

“Where is he?”

Hyland slides the barrel of his gun into place, brows pinched together. “He said he’s coming back.”

“It’s time for your afternoon meds.” Concern etches across Axel’s face. “Shit, we’re off schedule.”

“Ax, relax. I can look after myself.”

“Clearly not, babe. Let me find them.”

“Please don’t make a fuss.”

“Someone has to! Dammit!”

Leaving him to rummage through bags for my stashed medication, I perch on an overturned bottle crate, gaze fixed on the entryway to our hiding place. We’ve barely seen Blaine’s men since arriving here under a cloak of utmost secrecy.

As far as I know, he’s allowed them to live. We have no real evidence they’ve done anything wrong, but paranoia is running high right now. Still, no one comes in here or disturbs us, and Blaine handles all communication and supply runs with his people directly.

“Here.” Axel stops next to me, a cracked bottle of water and pills in hand. “Swallow.”

I can’t suppress a smile while peering up at him.

“Not like that.” His face splits into a grin.

“You said it.”

“Em, don’t flirt with me. I’m stressed to the point that I wouldn’t hesitate to spread you open on a pile of old boxes and rail you into next Sunday, regardless of who’s watching.”

“Since when do we have a problem with watching?” Hyland speaks up.

After tapping his chin for a moment, Axel nods thoughtfully. “That’s at least one volunteer.”

“No one is doing any railing.” Warner’s words carry the bite of failing patience. “Em, take your medication. Blaine will be back any moment now. I want a goddamn breakthrough.”

At Axel’s pout, I accept the handful of coloured pills to begin choking them down. He doesn’t stray his eyes from me until I dramatically stick out my tongue for his approval, every pill taken.

“Good.” He tenderly grazes his knuckles down my cheek.

“Knew you’d approve of my excellent swallowing skills.”