“Where is he?” Reyna asked. The room was empty. Beckham was supposed to be here. He was supposed to be waiting for her. She’d been anticipating this moment for eight long weeks. Her chest ached at the thought that he wasn’t here.
He had to know. He couldn’t have cut himself off from Elle entirely. Not if there was a chance she could get out. That just…that seemed impossible.
“He’s not here,” Meghan said.
She whirled around. “He’s not here?”
“Beckham?” Meghan asked warily.
“Who else?”
Meghan swallowed. “He uh…he hasn’t been here in weeks.”
“What?” Reyna nearly shouted.
“Or at least…I haven’t seen him in weeks. Tye and I are a step down from high command. From what I know, he’s been trying to keep a low profile. He was under investigation after your disappearance. From what I heard, he went to Harrington himself and told him that you’d run away once he found out what had happened to you.”
“How…how long have you known?”
“We knew you’d been kidnapped almost right away, but it took weeks for us to find out where he’d taken you. We thought we’d lose Beckham and the information he provided, but from what I know, he had to play it off like nothing had happened.”
Reyna winced. Nothing had happened. He’d had to act like he hadn’t cared what happened to her for eight long weeks. He must have been convincing for Harrington to allow him to stay in his position as a senior vice president of Visage. Because the alternative wasn’t possible. She couldn’t conceive that he actually didn’t care about her. Or what had happened.
“So…when is he coming back?”
Meghan shrugged sadly. “I really don’t know. I’m sorry. Why don’t I show you around in the meantime?”
“Okay,” Reyna said hollowly.
Reyna followed Meghan and Jodie down the hallway and through Elle headquarters. Maybe it would grow on her like the idea of rebelling against Visage had in the first place. Everett had once told her that Elle had been the leader when Visage had first come to power. She’d been killed in a riot, fighting for the protection of humans. Equality and autonomy and all that came later after everyone realized how bad it had gotten. Reyna couldn’t help but feel discouraged that this organization had been around all this time and all Visage seemed to do was amass more power. Starting one silly fire wasn’t going to stop Visage from taking over the government. Harrington was unstoppable.
She still couldn’t believe that they’d slipped out right from under his nose. He was probably going ballistic. That made her quirk a smile.
They moved into a hallway, which Reyna was surprised to see full of people. Some stopped to say hi to Meghan. Others high-fived Tye as they passed. But everyone was busy and engaged and…happy.
Reyna and Jodie received a few strange looks, but overall, most people waved or smiled or ignored them entirely. They must be so used to strangers in their midst it didn’t even faze them.
They turned the first corner and Reyna froze.
“Surprise!” Meghan called, holding her hands out.
“Reyna,” Brian whispered in shock.
Drew couldn’t even get words out. He was sputtering.
Then she was running. She couldn’t hear or see anything else going on around her. She collided with her brothers, throwing her arms wide around them. They tightened their grip on her and she breathed them in.
Her brothers. Oh God. Brian and Drew were safe. They weren’t in the warehouses anymore slaving away. They were here in Elle. Safe and sound.
Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t even care that she was soaking through Brian’s T-shirt as she buried her head in it.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Brian said, brushing her hair back.
“We were so worried, Rey,” Drew added.
“You’re alive. God, we pushed for your escape every single day.”
“What happened?” Reyna gushed. “How are you guys here?”
“The day after you were kidnapped a group of Elle agents showed up at our apartment,” Brian told her. “They told us what happened to you and that we needed to leave with them. There was a fear that Harrington would try to kidnap us as well and torture us to use against you. We didn’t believe them at first, but then Visage’s men actually showed up. We decided to trust Elle and it’s been great so far. We’re so glad we could be here with Elle and working with them to try to get you home.”
“We’re so glad you’re home,” Drew said.
Reyna wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “It’s so good to see you. So good.”
“What did they do…” Drew trailed off.
She shook her head. She wasn’t ready to discuss what had happened in that basement in Visage.
“Hey, guys,” Meghan said, jumping into the conversation.
“Hey, Meghan,” Brian said with an easy smile.
She nodded her head at him. “How’s Laura?”
“Laura is here!” Reyna gasped. They’d gotten Brian’s girlfriend out too. Man, they were thorough.
“Yeah. It was part of my stipulations for leaving. She’s been living in that home since her parents died and well…” Brian scratched the back of his head as if he were embarrassed.
“They’re engaged,” Drew filled in.
Reyna’s jaw dropped open. Her brother was engaged. He had gotten engaged while she had been locked up in isolation. They’d uprooted their whole lives for her. And yet, she was so glad that they were here. They were here and safe and she wouldn’t have to worry about them out in the real world. It was smart of Elle to bring them here, especially if Visage was after them. She knew for certain she wouldn’t have been able to hold out against their suffering. Not a chance.
“Yeah. We’re engaged,” Brian said. “We can go back to our rooms and you can see her until they have a room worked out for you.”
“She already has a room,” Meghan said. She threw her thumb back at Jodie. “It’s this one we have to figure out accommodations for.”
“I don’t care about a room,” Jodie said. “And I’m all for what appears to be a happy reunion. But first, food.”
Reyna’s stomach grumbled as if on command. She remembered that she’d only had that banana all day. It was the first day in more than eight weeks that she’d gone without a full meal. It used to be irregular for her to eat more than one full meal. Things changed quickly around here.
“Food it is, then,” Meghan chirped.
Reyna introduced Jodie to her two brothers as they followed Meghan and Tye to the cafeteria. It was in between mealtimes so the place was deserted, which was a relief. She wanted to talk and hear about their experience at Elle so far.
When Jodie went with Meghan and Tye to rummage through the pantry, she turned back to her brothers. “I’m really really really glad that you’re safe. I tried not to wonder what would happen to you after I was taken.”
“You’re happy we’re safe?” Drew gasped out. “Reyna, you were kidnapped.”
“Did anything…happen to you?” Brian asked circumspectly.
Reyna chewed on her lip. She knew what he was asking. What kind of horrors had she endured? “I’m alive and healthy. That’s all that matters right now, okay?”
“That’s not…” Drew started, but Brian cut him off, “You can tell us when you’re ready.”
She nodded and gave them an appreciative smile. “Can you fill me in on what’s been going on since I was taken? I feel like I’ve missed so much.”
“Well, we’re at Elle HQ,” Brian told her. “It’s an enormous operation. We weren’t sure of it when we first got here, but they really are working for vampire and human equality. That isn’t just a line that they feed you. Everyone here has a job. The inner circle of command delegates out tasks and it trickles down through the ranks. Drew and I are both working in security.”
“You’re working security?” Her mouth was agape and fear crept through her.
“Yeah,” Brian said as if it were no big deal. “It’s hard to find guys around here with any fighting skills.”
“Is this job dangerous?” she squeaked. Her brothers exchanged a look she knew all too well. “Don’t you dare shield me from this.”
“It’s not a walk in the park,” Drew said. “We have pretty grueling training, fighting techniques, strategy classes, weapons…”
“I’ve been locked up and you two have been training to get yourself killed,” she whispered in horror.
“Rey, it’s not like that,” Drew said, reaching out for her.
Brian straightened instead. “We had to do our part. After you were kidnapped, we had no idea what was going to happen. We spent every day feeling utterly helpless in all of this. We did the only thing we could—we trained. We bought into the cause and we’re going to keep fighting for what’s right if it keeps you safe,” Brian said passionately. “The leader of Elle is ex-military. Not many people have ever met Sydney or even know what she looks like. But it doesn’t matter anyway, she’s in charge and doing a great job. We’re happy to be working for her. Happy to have a purpose in all of this.”
Reyna sighed and then nodded. She might not agree with her brothers working on a security detail where they could be harmed, but she understood the idea of needing purpose. It was something that she had so desperately needed while living with Beckham. Something Harrington could never give her. Her heart squeezed. She didn’t want to think about Harrington, and her heart hurt too bad to think about Becks.
“Okay!” Meghan’s cheery tone rang out as she exited the kitchen. “Here you go,” she said, passing Reyna a sandwich and a bag of potato chips. “Best we can do until next shift comes in to cook.” Her eyes darted between Reyna, Brian, and Drew. “How about I show you to your room? You look exhausted.”
“Sure.” She was both exhausted and wired. All of her emotions roiling through her at lightning speed.
“Great! Jodie is going to tag along with us. Tye will take Brian and Drew back to their command.” Reyna opened her mouth to protest, but Meghan barreled forward. “They’ll come see you after their shift is finished. You could use some rest.”
“It’s fine,” Brian said, kissing her forehead. “We’ll be fine. You’re in good hands. You’re safe here. We’ll find you later.”
“Love you, Rey,” Drew said. He dragged her into another hug and then all the guys disappeared.
Jodie trotted out of the back room with her mouth full of a gigantic bite of her sandwich. “The iiii ta da fer.”
Reyna’s eyebrows rose. “What?”
Jodie chewed and swallowed. Then she repeated, “This is to die for.”
“PB&J, baby,” Meghan said.
“Peanut butter,” she groaned. “I missed peanut butter.” She took another huge bite.
“Let’s get out of here. I think a tour can wait for tomorrow when you’re both fed, rested, and have begun to acclimate,” Meghan said. She was already storming out of the cafeteria.
Reyna and Jodie shared a look. It said everything that neither of them could speak of. They weren’t going to be acclimated. Not now…maybe not ever.
Still they followed Meghan. They took an elevator up two levels before exiting onto a floor that read RESIDENCE.
Meghan cocked her head to the side. “We only have so much space for housing right now. That’s the main room where the girls bunk, but the outer walls are all private or shared private rooms. Hard to come by.” Meghan grinned devilishly. “But this one is yours.”
Reyna stopped and stared at the closed door. There was even a plaque with a sliding tray that had her name on it.
“You planned for me being here?” she whispered, hope filling her.
“Something like that.”
Reyna twisted the knob and pushed the door open. She gaped at her surroundings when she entered. “Oh my God.”
“Cushy,” Jodie said. “Enough room in here for two. Don’t you think?”
“Up to Reyna,” Meghan said. “I’ve got extra space if you want to crash with me until we find something else.”
She could hear Meghan and Jodie making arrangements but her mind was lost on this room. It was nearly identical to the one that she had stayed in at Beckham’s penthouse. The bed was enormous and high off of the ground with the same comforter. Photographs lined the walls. Before it had always been Beckham’s pictures. But now she was amazed to find her own images staring back at her in frames and on canvas. Black-and-white photographs straight from the website Perspective that she had used to showcase her art. Visage had worried that it was an Elle sympathizer website. Turned out they were right.
She walked in a hazy dream to the closet and laughed. None of the silky doll outfits awaited her. Just practical jeans, fit T-shirts, and a whole rack of Converse to choose from. There was also an olive-green military-issue jacket, two ball caps, and her backpack. She pulled open the first drawer and grinned from ear to ear. Well…it seemed he hadn’t taken away all the sexy garments. Lace bras and silk thongs and satin matching sets and corsets and lingerie galore. Drawer after drawer after drawer.
“He did this,” she said, shutting the door with reddening cheeks.
“Yeah. He started to set this room up for you when he thought you were going to join us.”
“Thanks, Meghan,” Reyna said softly. “For everything.”
“Of course. I’ll just…” She gestured to the door that Jodie had already walked out of. “If you need anything, take the elevator down two floors and someone will find me.”
Reyna nodded and listened for the click of the door closing behind her. The rest of the day caught up with her in a rush and she sank into the pillow-top mattress. Adrenaline wore off and exhaustion hit her anew. Without warning, tears sprang to her eyes. She was free. She was finally free. She couldn’t believe it.
And yet, Beckham wasn’t here. After everything she’d gone through, she’d thought that he would be here waiting for her. Her eyes moved around the room that had been created for her. She saw it for what it was—a slice of a once-wonderful life. Beckham had done this for her. He’d wanted her to feel like home when he brought her here. Which meant that he’d always intended for her to show up.
But if that was the case, then where was he?