Page 78 of Fury
Hollyn bit her lip. “Maybe you should go back and rest, Archie. You’ve been through?—”
“Did you know I have a couple sisters?”
“What?” Hollyn twitched. Talk about a jarring subject jump. “Uh, no. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention them.”
Hollyn stood and tried to nonchalantly maneuver so Archie would come away from the door. If she could just get a clear shot, she could bolt out of here and find Davis.
“They’re younger than me. Haven’t seen them in a while.”
Where was this going? The dregs of sleep clogged her thoughts. “You should visit them when this is all over. Family is important.”
“Sorry, Hol. Didn’t mean to go there.” He smiled.
The nickname coming from him didn’t feel the way it did when Davis used it. Instead, it felt forced and highly awkward.
Archie tapped the edge of the bed with his good fist then stood. “Remember that game we used to play in the lab?” He looked at her. “Hypothesis: people will go to lengths they never imagined to protect those they love. Agree or disagree?”
Her heart was thundering in her chest now. She felt like a caged mouse a snake was about to devour. She could yell for help . . . but he was still too close. He could easily attack her, or worse, before any of the team reached them. Speaking of which?—wherewas the team?
“Agree,” he prompted, “or disagree?”
“Agree,” Hollyn replied quietly. “It’s human nature.”
Archie nodded, seemingly in thought. “I loved you, you know.”
Hollyn widened her eyes. What was she supposed to say tothat? “Archie . . . ”
“Yeah, I was always too chicken to tell you. Then it was too late.”
Yes. It absolutely was too late. He’dalwaysfelt like a brother to her. And even if he hadn’t, she’d been in love with Davis since high school.
The realization surprised her, but it was true. Shewasin love with Davis.
Trust no one but Davis. Dad’s warning replayed in her mind.
“Look,” she started softly. She just had to placate him. Keep him calm. If he’d just take a couple more steps, she’d have a shot of escape. But he wasn’t moving now. “A lot has happened in the last couple of days. I really think you should get some sleep. I’m sure Glace could give you something to help.” She swallowed and tried to force a laugh, which just came out flat. “We both know we’re not at our best when we’re sleep deprived.”
“Right.” Archie nodded. “That would probably be good. I can’t really think straight.”
Hollyn seized her chance. Stepped toward the hallway. “I’ll just go get?—”
But Archie blocked her path in one fluid movement. Before she knew what was happening, he was kissing her. Hollyn tensed, her entire body revolting. She jerked her head back. Pushed him away as hard as she could. “Stop!”
“Hollyn—” he tried.
“No!” Hollyn forced distance between them, continuing to hold up her hand. “Never, Archie. No, that’s—it’s not going to happen.”
He dug his hands into his hair, a frenzied look twisting his expression. “I’m . . . sorry, Hollyn.”
Without another word, he slipped out of the room.
Heart racing, Hollyn tried to think straight.Whathad just happened?
Davis. She needed Davis.
She reached for the microchip on the nightstand. Froze.
“No,” she breathed. Rushed over. “No, no.” She ran her hand along the entire top of the stand. It’d been right there! Where could it have gone? Maybe she’d knocked it off in her sleep?