Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
He kicked out, slamming his heel into Adrian’s stomach, and used the momentum to twist away. He surged forward, swimming fast toward the edge.
He hauled himself out of the pool and hurried to where he’d left his cane and phone.
His bare foot clipped something, and he went down hard on his right shoulder, knocking the breath out of him.
He felt around and realized he’d hit a chair that shouldn’t’ve been there.
Adrian had rearranged things purposefully.
Gage pushed up onto his palms and listened.
Adrian’s wet feet were slapping against the ceramic tiles a few feet away, moving in his direction.
“You got me fired,” he said. His voice sounded strange…unstable. “Why would you do that? I helped you. I taught you to live better. And you just go to him.”
Gage stood, walking slower with his hands outstretched, searching for the chair where he’d left his things.
The lounger was there, but his cane and phone were gone.
He was kicking himself for taking his watch off, if he hadn’t, he could’ve used the emergency alert.
He would never make that mistake again.
Adrian rushed up behind him and slammed into his back with enough force to make him stagger forward.
Gage used the energy instead of fighting it.
He rotated, caught Adrian’s arm, and spun him around. His hands found skin, shoulder, then wrist. He twisted, stole Adrian’s balance, and slammed him to the floor in one clean maneuver.
Adrian hit the tile with a pained grunt.
“Adrian,” Gage said, in a measured voice. “Don’t do this. You can take my cane, phone, move furniture, and whatever else you think you need to do to get the upper hand, but I am still a Raven. I can still hurt you…badly.”
A ragged laugh came from the floor.
Gage held his stance, listening.
“Why would you hurt me? Don’t you know how much I love you?”
Gage gaped, stepping back carefully, trying to put more distance between them.
“Adrian, you might think you do,” he said, keeping his voice low, “but you don’t even know me.”
“And he does?” Adrian got to his feet, breathing fast. “He was always shitty to you. Can’t you see he’s manipulating you and taking advantage of your vulnerability?”
Gage’s blood sizzled.
“If you grab me again,” he warned between clenched teeth, “I’m gonna’ show you just how not vulnerable I am.”
“I’m so sick of people taking,” Adrian growled. “Taking and taking. All I do is give, and nobody gives back. Don’t I deserve something back?”
Adrian sounded as if he were talking himself into defending what he was about to do.
Gage frowned. “Adrian, you were doing your job. You weren’t giving me anything. You were teaching, and I was learning. That’s it.”
“You flirted with me, let me take you out…and for what? You were just using me.”
“I never flirted with you.”
“Yes, you did!” Adrian roared.
Gage moved toward the locker room doors, keeping his hands out to avoid the obstacles Adrian had made.
His fingers found the handle and pulled, but it didn’t budge.
He tried again, with more strength.
Nothing. It’d been rigged too.
If Adrian had done all this, his actions weren’t a moment of passion. It was a premeditated plan.
“What do you want?” he asked finally.
“I have to leave. Come with me. We can be together. I can help you.”
Adrian’s voice was closer.
“They’ll find Scar another partner. You’re too good for this place.”
Gage scoffed. “Too good? Do you know what we do here?”
“I know that Ex and Meridian are emotionless, evil killing drones,” Adrian laughed manically. “Grace is so mean, Jo doesn’t allow him to speak. And Valor and Zorion aren’t even human for fuck’s sake.”
Gage shook his head at how misinformed Adrian was, but his position didn’t allow him top secret clearance.
“I promise you, none of that’s true.”
“You don’t belong here, Gage.” Adrian was getting louder. “You’re not a killer like these guys…like your partner.”
Gage held his ground.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I’m never leaving the man I’m destined to be with for the rest of my life.” He let the next part hit like a door shutting. “And Scar will be my husband in three days.”
Silence.
“You’re a user.” Adrian’s tone was darker. “Just like all the rest of them.”
Gage’s stomach twisted. He knew the change in a man’s voice the moment he was about to do something violent.
“Please don’t make me do this,” he said, trying one last time to keep this from turning into a fight. “I am a Raven, but I’m not evil, deadly, or inhuman.” He softened his voice. “I’m sorry if you think I led you on. I swear to you that wasn’t my intention, but—”
“No buts,” Adrian snapped.
“Please Adrian. Don’t do anything you’re going to regret,” Gage said firmly. “My fiancé will kill you if you attack me.”
That must’ve been the wrong thing to say because Adrian charged at him with an angry shout.