Page 112 of Red Captive
Five days later…
There is a knock at my door. I look up from my laptop and at the time on the corner of the screen. It’s already past nine o’clock.
Who could it be?
Probably work. That’s all there’s been since the coup attempt.
My eyes are scratchy. I’ve been pulling long hours.
I sigh as I stand, rubbing on the back of my neck. I arch my back, feeling something crack.
They knock again.
“Yeah, yeah, coming.” Then I have a thought. It’s left field. What if it’s Jen? I get a skip to my step and quickly open the door, a smile starting to form.
It falters as disappointment hits hard when I see the person scowling at me.
Crap! I don’t need this. Not right now.
“It’s late,” I tell her. “What are you doing here?” I don’t mince my words. The only female I want is leaving in two days. I’m cutup about it and trying hard to keep my distance so that I don’t make it any more difficult than it already is.
“You’re a complete asshole,” Natalia tells me, pointing a finger at me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
She barges her way into my apartment.
I close the door and turn. “I’m not sure what you mean. I had to quit at The Pit. I explained everything to Roscoe, who seemed fine with it. Arctic needs me. It—”
She widens her eyes. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?”
“Natalia, it’s late and I’m really tired. I don’t have time for games. Why are you here, exactly?” I narrow my eyes.
“I’m here to kick your ass. You clearly need it kicked.”
I walk back to the door and open it. “If you’re going to insult me, you should leave.”
“You love Jen. Why are you letting her go? You fool!”
I feel a stabbing pain in the center of my heart. I’ve been doing my best not to think of Jen and her pending departure. I’ve been working my fingers to the bone to tighten security at the palace, but also so that I don’t have to think about it…about her.
I close the door. “Jen wants to go back to be with her family. She wants to go back to the Mainland, and that’s all there is to it.”
“Oh, really now? That’s all there is to it, huh? Have you asked her what she wants?”
“I don’t have to. She’s always made it clear. We discussed it before everything happened, and the plan was always for her to return. I was going to take care of them until they were on their feet.”
“What about the fact that the two of you love each other? What about that?”
“Jen has her priorities, and I have mine,” I state simply. It’s true. What does this have to do with her, anyway?
“Is that all you have to say?” She folds her arms. “Is that it? You love her, and you’re not going after her? Why not?”
I swallow thickly. Anything I say would be a fat excuse.
“I didn’t figure you for a coward, Steel.” Her eyes are blazing.
I look down at my feet. “She’s given me zero indication that she wants to stay. She told me not to come to the airport to say goodbye.” I shrug. “I think you’re wrong.” I shake my head. “I don’t think she feels the same way about me. I’ve been hoping she would call or stop by.”
Natalia does a double-take. “That human insisted on coming here to the castle to save your dumb ass. She risked her own life for yours. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.” She snorts. “Maybe I was wrong about you.”