I’m being completely honest, I wish Alpha team had saved you instead of me. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”
“Zoe, don’t ever say that again. I’d never wish what happened to me on another person.”
She pulls me into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you made it home safe, and I want you to tell me as much as you can.”
I wipe my palms on my jeans, confused as to why they’re suddenly sweaty. Zoe asking about what happened is a trigger. I feel it buzzing in my blood and vibrating under my skin. A queasiness unsettles my belly.
But I use the techniques the Facility taught me and control my body’s reactions.
I am in control. Those are just memories. They have no power to hurt me.
It’s the litany drilled into all of us when we first arrive. We’re survivors. Strong. Resilient. Capable survivors.
We aren’t victims.
If I say it enough times, one day, I might believe it.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s just a little further.” The expression on Zoe’s face gives me pause. She’s got something to share. It’s a secret, and I can tell it’s a big one.
Twenty-Four
Moira
We keep our conversation light, avoiding trigger topics, and I ask her about Axel and the rock on her finger.
“I can’t believe you’re engaged.”
“Neither can I.” She lifts her hand and twists the gorgeous rock on her finger. Sunlight makes it glitter like a million-faceted gem.
“I thought you hated him.”
“I did.”
“When Three showed up, how long did it take before you knew it was him?”
“I didn’t know Three was Axel at first.”
“I would’ve thought you would’ve known. You always went on and on about growing up with him, and being in love with him, since you were, what? Five?”
“Yeah. First crush. First love. First heartbreak.”
“And now, he’s your fiancé.” I stop and hug her. “I’m really happy for you.”
Getting engaged is what a normal girl would do, not broken people like me.
“I’m happy for you. You can’t tell me things aren’t getting serious with Four—um, Griff. You’ve been living with him for the past week.”
“I’m not sure how serious we are. He’s more overprotective than anything else. It’s almost like he’s keeping me under his thumb where he can watch over me. I don’t know if I’d call that a relationship.”
“From the way he was looking at you, I’d say he’s decided you belong to him. That man is definitely interested. I practically swooned from the overprotective vibes he was putting off.”
“I suppose.” I place a hand over my belly. It’s weird how simply talking about Griff gives me butterflies. “I kind of wish he was here, now.”
“So, you like him?” Zoe’s single brow arches, inquisitive and demanding an answer.
“I’ve had a crush on him from the day we met. Although, I never knew his real name. He was Alpha-Four when he rescued me in Manila, then just overbearing and obnoxious Four here during sparring practice. He never went easy on me.”
“They never do.”
“You’re telling me Axel wasn’t easy on you?”
“Never. And I totally get it. It pisses me off, but if they let us win without earning it, that does us no favors.”
“Well, I wish I’d fought back better back on that beach.”
“We were both drugged. Don’t you dare head down that road. They paid those college kids to drug us.”
“They did?”
“You didn’t know?”
“Like I said, most of that night is foggy.”
“What do you remember?”
“Getting taken. Then waking up on a cold concrete floor.”
“Wow, you lost a lot of time.” Zoe ducks her head and glances out over the ocean. A breeze lifts her hair, blowing it out behind her. She tucks her hair behind her ears and kicks at the rocks. She won’t look at me. “I thought you were dead.”
“Why?”
“Jack went to town on you. Kicked you in the gut, the ribs, and your head before one of them put a bullet in his head.”
“That was Bossman. He and Shelly talked about it. I still can’t believe that really happened.”
“You had to have been out for a long time.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because they put us on a plane and flew us to Colombia.”
“Colombia? I guess that makes sense.”
“Why?”
“I woke up on a cargo container ship, although it took some time before I figured that out. We were headed to New Orleans.”
“Well, the team tracked us and raided the building where we were being held. They rescued me, but couldn’t find you in the chaos of everything happening.”
“Maybe I never made it to the building? Maybe we landed and they put me on