His breathing was rough as his lips came to rest against the side of her head.
“Three.”
****
“NO WAY.”
Mona stared Zeke down.
“I mean it.” Shadow’s lead shook his head like that would make a difference. “It’s not happening.”
“You know as well as I do that this needs to happen.” Mona tried to stand a little taller, hoping it might make a difference. “Especially since Vincent’s still sitting on those pictures we took.”
All that work to be dead, wasted.
“I need you to convince Pierce we should do this.”
At least she no longer had to fight the urge to vomit anytime she had to deal with Zeke. It made things simpler.
Helped her focus on the task at hand. Especially since Zeke was her best option right now.
Getting him to help her wrap this whole mess up was imperative. “You should be flattered I trust you to keep me safe.”
“I don’t trust me to keep you safe, Mona.” Zeke leaned down, giving her the look that used to make her almost pass out. “It’s not happening.”
“I’ll call Vincent and he’ll make it happen.” It was a threat she really didn’t want to have to follow through on. Especially since she wasn’t as confident in Vincent’s protective abilities.
But he had to at least be decent at it, otherwise he wouldn’t be in charge of GHOST.
Probably.
“I liked it better when you were less,” Zeke’s eyes went to the defiant stance she’d seen Eva do a hundred times, “self-aware.”
“Thank you.” Mona smiled. It was nice that he’d noticed how much work she’d put into being better.
“Oh.” An older woman stepped into the training room where Mona found Zeke working with a few of the members of Alpha and Beta. “Look at this place.” Her brown eyes came to Mona. “You must be the lovely Mona.” She came at her suddenly, grabbing her in a tight hug. “I’m so glad Pierce finally found a nice girl.” She patted Mona’s cheek. “He’s been on his own for so long.”
She’d only seen Helen a handful of times and always from a distance through the lens of a surveillance camera. “How are you doing?”
“A hell of a lot better than I was yesterday, I can tell you that.” Helen shook her head, eyes wide. “I thought I was gonna have a heart attack waiting for them to get there.” She glanced at Zeke. “Then this one came rushing through my door and almost distracted me.” She gave him a wink.
Mona stared at Zeke as his skin started to pink under the cover of the beard just starting to fill in across his jaw. She leaned into Helen’s side. “I think you embarrassed him.”
“I’m sure it takes more than an old woman having a hot flash to get him all wound up.” Helen’s gaze moved around the large gymnasium-style room. “What a thing he’s built here.” She smiled softly. “I always knew Pierce was cut from a different cloth than the rest of them.”
“How’s Amelia handling things?” It was impossible to imagine what it would be like to find out all you thought you knew was a lie at such a confusing time.
“Well,” Helen sighed, “I’m not sure she’s handling anything well at this point.” The older woman turned toward the doors leading out of the room. “Could I get a tour?”
“Of course.” Mona shot Zeke a look, hoping he knew it meant this wasn’t over, then walked with Helen out into the hall of the building that housed the training spaces and the fully-filled bunk rooms. “Have you seen much yet?”
Helen glanced behind them. “Just whatever I saw on my way to find you.” She turned back to Mona. “I was hoping you could help me out.”
“Sure.” Mona made sure the next words came out easily in spite of the unease brewing in her belly. “I’m sure Pierce will be happy to get whatever you need.”
Helen’s expression turned sad. “I’m afraid this isn’t that sort of a thing.” She sighed. “Amelia’s been a handful lately. She’s always been a strong-willed girl, but ever since she was let go from her job she’s just been defiant as heck.” Helen shrugged. “I know all kids are like that, but I just can’t seem to find a way to help her through this.”
Helen was definitely coming to the wrong person with this. “I’m afraid I might not be much help when it comes to that.”
Mona spent her life being the quiet one. The agreeable one. The one no one noticed.