Something churns inside me as I watch the torment flicker through Caden’s face. The idea that they think he could have arranged the death of all those carriers, of Tabatha, that he could have been behind my own death had I not slipped away from the camp when I did, moves through me like a steamroller. It’s not right. I quiver with indignation. The sudden need to protect him, shield him, surges through me. I squeeze my hands into fists, my nails cutting tiny moons into my palms.
“Anyone else think this way?” Caden’s gaze sweeps the room, his brown eyes gleaming fire. “Anyone else think I’m up for sabotaging what my own father worked so hard to build? That I would kill one of us in this cell?”
Several eyes dip and study the floor almost guiltily. Marcus stares hard out at the group, his expression one of frustration. Clearly he wants others to step up and take a stand against Caden, but their faith in Caden isn’t shaken. At least not to the degree that Marcus wants.
“Then it’s settled,” Terrence announces, releasing his hold on Caden. “We’re in lockdown until it’s safe enough to resume activities.”
Normalcy slowly returns. People continue eating.
Caden and Terrence leave the room, Marcus and Ruben hot on their heels. Clearly the discussion isn’t entirely finished, but apparently the remaining conversation will be held in private. Junie and I exchange looks before following. After those accusations, this involves me now, and I intend to be present.
Marcus’s voice can be heard inside the controls room. Junie pushes the door open and stands there with her hands on her hips like she has every right to be a part of this discussion. I hover behind, a little to her right. Caden and Marcus stand nose to nose, ready to go at it.
“This isn’t over. They might believe you today, but that won’t last,” Marcus is saying. “Not after I convince them that you’re letting that girl impair your judgment. They’re starting to doubt you. You’ve lost objectivity. Suddenly she’s back here and now you’ve halted all convoys. Convenient,” he says with a sneer, his strong features twisting into something ugly. As ugly as his thoughts.
“You’re wrong.” I don’t even think. My voice just spills out of me in a loud tumble of words, rising over the room. “I’ve decided to stay. So I’m not the reason we’re in lockdown.” I twist my fingers together until they feel numb and bloodless and add again, determined for everyone here to understand that Caden is not some evil villain, “I’m staying.”
I’m not sure who looks more shocked at my announcement, Caden or Marcus. Caden quickly masks it, though. He lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck. Only I notice how that hand has the slightest shake to it. His eyebrows draw close together as he looks at me, and I know he’s trying to figure out why I did what I just did. The others in this room might not think twice about what I just said, but for Caden it carries meaning. I’ve given him my trust.
Marcus’s expression twists into anger, and he looks like he wants to tear me apart. Nothing new, I guess.
“You’re staying?” Junie demands.
I actually let her question roll around in my thoughts, trying to be honest with myself. What am I saying? I still have to get to the refuge eventually. My friends are there. And my hope for the future.
Meeting her probing gaze, I nod once, trying not to feel guilty over the lie. Especially since she’s really been the only one I could call a friend here.
“It seems your accusations are unfounded,” Terrence smoothly inserts.
Marcus storms off, Ruben close on his heels. Caden’s gaze catches mine. He sends me a single nod of acknowledgment. He might not fully understand my reasons—I don’t even fully understand them—but he appreciates my help.
Suddenly the dinner I ate moments before tastes like dust in my mouth, and I’m afraid I’m going to be sick. What have I done? Even worse than these feelings is the sudden realization that staying here with Caden doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. Still feeling Caden’s gaze on me, I murmur something and flee the room. I don’t make it far down the hall before a door swings open and Marcus and Ruben step out.
My pulse jumps at my neck. Clearly they were waiting for me. I start to spin around, not too brave to head back into the main room crowded with people to avoid them. Only another one of Marcus’s goons stands there. I don’t know his name, but I’ve seen him around Marcus before, hovering at the periphery.
When I turn to face Marcus, he’s already moved in front of me. I square my shoulders, convinced that showing fear will only satisfy him.
“You just don’t stop, do you?” His nasal voice comes out softly, and my skin reacts with a shiver. He brushes my hair back from my ear, and everything inside me contracts.
I knock his hand aside and try to walk past him, intent on getting to Junie’s room and closing myself inside. Even as I try, I know it won’t work. A guy like Marcus is used to getting his way. He’s not letting me go until he’s done with me.
He grabs my arm and slams me against the wall. I wince. The force sends my teeth rattling inside my head. “I’m talking to you.”
I reach for my voice, lost somewhere inside my constricted throat. “And I’m not interested in hearing what you have to say.”
He laughs cruelly. “I love how you think you have a choice.” He pushes his face closer, and I smell dinner secondhand on his breath, fumes of tomato and garlic. He must have had more than one helping. “I don’t know what you have going with Caden, but it’s only going to make things worse for you. You’re in for a rude awakening if you think staying here is a good plan.”