I nodded slowly, so relieved he was talking to me, at the same time leery of what he'd say. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I sank into his side, soaking up his warmth. "I vaguely remember when I came here. It was...overwhelming. I was younger, it was easier for me to handle it."

I drew my fingers through the sand, the gritty bits clinging to my skin.

"And as for your dad...I'm sorry."

Of course he was, and of course he knew exactly how I felt because he'd gone through it. "How'd they die?" I dared to look at him.

He swallowed hard, staring out at the dark waves. I wasn't sure if I'd gone too far, if perhaps he'd change the subject. But finally he looked down at me.

"I was there right before it happened."

My heart stopped. The pain I felt for him was almost unbearable. Compa.s.sion took hold of my chest and squeezed.

"They worked for S.P.I., supposedly. We're still not sure if S.P.I. is even a legitimate branch of the government. But anyway, they were draining them. That headache you have is nothing compared to what they experienced. One night they decided to break out. But S.P.I. found out. While they were escaping, they were captured."

I rested my head on his shoulder. I didn't need to know more, but I did wonder how much he'd seen. I prayed he hadn't been there when his parents died.

"Cam," he said softly. "I didn't introduce you to that woman because she's worse than Emily."

Relief was sweet. "Oh."

"When I see her, she always tells me to call her, I never do. She's a fake and it's easiest just to play along."

Wonderful, he'd read those thoughts as well. Still, I smiled, the tension in my body easing some.

"The hostess who checked us in is dating a friend of mine; that's how I know her."

Heat shot to my cheeks. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have let him read my mind. I was beginning to look like a total idiot.

"And Olivia...she's...I don't know."

But I did. She was jealous. Just as I'd a.s.sumed, so why didn't I go with my gut? Why had I let petty insecurities get the better of me? "I'm sorry," I sighed. "I hate not knowing what you're thinking. I'm not use to it, you know?" I looked up at him and he nodded.

"I've felt the same about you. I don't have a clue what you're thinking and it's frustrating as h.e.l.l and interesting at the same time."

I grinned, a teasing smile. "You find me interesting?"

He smiled back, reaching out and tucking a lose lock of hair behind my ear, letting his fingers trail down the line of my jaw, light as a feather. "Yeah, you could say that."

I rested my hand on his drawn up knees, turning to get closer to him. "If you want to know something about me, just ask."

The wind ruffled his hair, and his gaze dropping to my lips. "You'll answer? No matter what the question is?"

"Sure," I said, wondering if I'd regret my ready reply.

"Well, I've been wondering..." He leaned closer to me, his mouth next to my ear, his breath warm on my skin. "If you liked our kiss."

Heat swept through my body. I couldn't believe he even had to ask that question. I was blushing, but fortunately it was too dark to tell. At least I hoped it was too dark. I didn't want to seem like some inexperienced loser.

He pulled back and looked directly at me. "Well?"

"Yes." I smiled. "I liked it, very much."

He drew his finger down the side of my face, a gentle touch. A buoy dinged somewhere out on the ocean, an eerie, magical sound. "And would you mind, very much, if I kissed you again?"

My heart squeezed. "No, I don't think I would."

He grinned as he leaned closer to me. Before his lips touched mine, he paused, his breath warm on my lips. Savoring the moment, I closed my eyes. An unsteady heartbeat later, I felt him lean into me and then his lips met mine.

His mouth was warm, firm. Lovely. His arm tightened around my shoulders, drawing me closer to his chest, while his other hand cupped the side of my face. I wanted to touch him, to pull him even closer, to do anything possibly to keep him from moving away. I slipped my hands up his chest, my palm lingering over his heart, the beat steady and strong. My entire body tingled, from my toes to my fingertips. When his tongue slipped across my bottom lip, I shivered. I could kiss him forever.

"Well, how sweet. Young love," the unfamiliar voice was like a foghorn.

Lewis jerked back, his breathing harsh. His narrowed eyes were focused on some point behind me. Startled, I spun around. A man stood near the sh.o.r.e, only feet from us. It was too dark to make out his features, but I could tell he was older, maybe Aaron's age. He wore a dark suit and a smirking grin. My shock gave way to embarra.s.sment. Slowly, Lewis stood, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet.

"How are you, Lewis?" the man asked. His gaze slid to me. "And who is this?"

Watching him warily, I swiped the sand from my clothes.

"No one you need to be concerned with." Lewis' grip stung almost as much as his words. I tried not to take his tone to heart. I knew he was upset, although why I wasn't sure.

He started up the dune, pulling me with. His steps were fast and hurried, determined. In my heels, I could hardly walk, let alone at his pace. Stumbling, I glanced back. The man was following.

"Why the hurry?" he asked, his long legs easily catching us.

Who is he? I demanded, asking Lewis with my mind.

He didn't respond.

"Lewis," I tried speaking out loud. Still, he didn't answer, but merely stared straight ahead, as if I wasn't there, as if the man following wasn't there.

"Running away only makes you look guilty," the man said.

Guilty? What the h.e.l.l was going on? Lewis stopped on the deck. I ran into his back, my face pressing to his hard shoulder. For one long moment he didn't say a word, then slowly he turned. He didn't look down at me, but kept his hard gaze focused on the man in the suit. He was pale with brown hair, I could see that now under the lights from the restaurant.

"What do you want Rodgers?" His hand was tight in mine, his anger palpable.

Rodgers smiled, his thin lips and wide nose stretching. "You remember my name, I'm honored."

"Cut the bulls.h.i.t," Lewis snapped.

I stepped back, surprised by his hard tone. I'd never really seen Lewis angry, I'd rarely heard him curse. It confused and worried me more than I wanted to admit.

"Now, now, there's a lady present. We should watch what we say." The man shook his head, as if disappointed. I could see his features now that we were close to the light from the restaurant, but there was nothing familiar about his face. "Who is this young woman, by the way?"

"A friend."

Rodgers looked directly at me and I felt his black gaze shiver over my skin, as if he could read my very soul. "And does your friend have a name and a voice?"

"Cameron," I said.

"Cameron, so nice to meet you." He held out his hand.

I paused for only a moment, but realized it would be too rude to ignore him, so I slipped my hand into his. His fingers were firm and warm, but his touch made me oddly cold.

I drew back, stepping closer to Lewis.

Rodgers was back to staring at Lewis. "You've been gone for awhile."

"Yeah, I can leave the island. I'm not a prisoner."

He clasped his hands behind his back. "Didn't say that. My, you're paranoid."

"I'm not paranoid, I'm late." He gave the man a stiff smile. "We have to go."

"Sure, don't want to break your curfew." He seemed amused by that.

Lewis didn't respond, merely tightened his hold on my hand and led me around the deck, toward the front of the building.

"Lewis." He was walking too fast and my voice came out breathless. "Who was he? What's going on?"

He released my hand and moved around to the driver's side. "No one, get in the car."

I pulled open the door and slipped inside, waiting for him to explain. No way was I letting him get away with that pathetic answer.

He was quiet as he settled in the seat and we pulled out of the parking lot. It was only once we'd made it through town that I asked him again. "Lewis, come on. What's going on?"

"He's one of them." He didn't look at me as he said that. He was upset, and it was worrying me. His knuckles were white as his fingers gripped the wheel. His hard gaze remained pinned straight ahead.

"One of who..." My blood went cold. "He's with S.P.I.?"

He nodded. We were silent as he drove up the hill, my thoughts in turmoil. I thought I'd be safe here, they'd promised I'd be safe. But how safe could I be if S.P.I. knew where we lived? Lewis stopped as we waited for the gates to open.

"But...how do you know for sure?" I asked, deciding to be calm, rational.

Lewis drove through the gates and onto Aaron's property. As the gates closed behind us, I admit I did feel somewhat safer. Which was ridiculous. I mean, we couldn't live behind these gates forever. "He's been sniffing around here for months."

Panic set in, bitter on my tongue. Months? "Why? How'd he find you?"

He finally looked at me, his eyes softening with compa.s.sion. Maybe he'd read my thoughts, or maybe the panic was obvious on my face. "Don't worry, he can't hurt us. He doesn't have any reason to search our home."

He could find a reason, I had no doubt. If he really wanted to, he could get in. Miserable and scared, I slipped further down into my seat. They told me I'd be safe. They said I was a sitting duck if I stayed in my hometown. I'd believed them. But for the first time since arriving, I wondered if I was any safer here than I'd been with Grandma.

Chapter 13.

"Cameron, wake up."

I snuggled further down into my warm, soft bed, thinking maybe I was dreaming. I could have sworn I'd just fallen asleep. No way it was already morning. Besides, I didn't want to wake up. I wanted to sleep. Sleep was good. Very good.

Vaguely I was aware of the sound of wind battering the windows, rain tapping at the gla.s.s. It was bitterly cold outside. A storm had arrived. Yes, it was definitely a good idea to stay in my warm bed.

"Cameron." Someone gently pushed at my shoulders.

Suddenly fully awake, I bolted upright. "What?" My voice was mumbled, sleepy.

Aaron stood next to my bed, the lamplight on the bedside table highlighting his tense features. He wore a sweatshirt and jeans, not his normal dress clothes, and his hair was all messed up. I'd never see him so out of sorts.

"What is it?" I asked, sudden panic gnawing at my gut. What had happened? Why wasn't Lewis here? My thoughts were a jumbled mess of feelings I couldn't control.

"Shhh, Lewis is fine. Come with me. I need your help."

I pushed my comforter away, my body shaking from the sudden dive into the conscious world. I was aware, even in my whacked-out state that once again Aaron had read my mind when I'd asked him not to. But I didn't have time to dwell on that, I was too worried about what the heck was going on. Aaron handed me a hoody and I pulled it over my head, cuddling into its warmth.

"I don't understand." I glanced at the windows. No light came through the cracks between the curtains, so it wasn't morning. I'd gone to bed almost immediately after Lewis and I had returned home. The house was still silent, which meant everyone slept. I turned and glanced at the clock. 3 a.m.

"Ugh," I said, brushing my hair from my face.

Aaron didn't seem to notice, merely handed me my tennis shoes. I took them reluctantly. "Are we going outside?"

"No." He started toward the door. "Hurry."

I slipped my feet into my shoes and followed him into the hall. "Aaron, what's going on?"

"Shhh, everyone's sleeping. Block your thoughts. If the others hear your thoughts, you might as well be yelling out loud. They're vulnerable when they sleep. It will wake them."

I tried to meditate as he led me down the steps, but worry and exhaustion made it difficult. I imagined that steel room, keeping my thoughts contained.

"Good," I was vaguely aware of his voice as my walls went up.

We'd made it to the first floor and were headed down a back hall. Too busy concentrating on my mental steel room, I was barely aware of where he led me. At the back of the house, Aaron pushed open a door that led to a long flight of stairs. Only a dull light highlighted our descent into the dungeon.

Surprised, I paused. "What's going on?"

"No time to explain, come on. I need your help." He took my hand, his grip warm and strong, and pulled me down the steps. It was your typical bas.e.m.e.nt with stone walls, stone floor, empty of boxes, dreary and creepy looking. What was surprising was the very fact that he had a bas.e.m.e.nt on an island, as usually the water table was too high for even a crawl s.p.a.ce. Only one light was on and I couldn't see the entire area to know how far the bas.e.m.e.nt ran underneath the house.

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. We paused at a steel door that ironically reminded me of the steel walls in my mind. I reinforced those mental walls, pulling my thoughts inward, keeping them close as Aaron punched in a code on the panel next to the door. I made out a one and a three on the keypad before he shifted, blocking my view.

The door slid open to reveal a dingy, stone room. No windows and only one single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. But it was the man sitting on a chair in the middle of the small s.p.a.ce that drew my immediate attention. No, he wasn't just sitting; he was tied to that chair. His arms were pulled tightly back behind him, his biceps bulging underneath his white dress shirt. His wrists tied to the spindles on the back, while his ankles were tied with white ropes to the legs of the chair.

Any lingering sleep disappeared; my mind was no longer muddy. Shocked, I froze while Aaron went inside, strolling toward Lewis. Yes, Lewis was there, standing casually to the side like they hung out in stone cells together often.

"What the h.e.l.l's going on?" I demanded, but he didn't bother to answer.