“Briar, speak up if you get faint,” McClain says. “We don’t want you passing out.”
“I will.”
There’s a soft knock at the door, and Amira looks in the room, her expression tentative.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but things ... aren’t great out there, and I thought you’d want to know.”
“Is Nova back?” Marcus asks.
“Um, yes, she is ...”
Marcus furrows his brow. “Out with it, Amira. What’s going on?”
“Nova knocked out one of the Sub guards because we’re on lockdown and he wouldn’t let her in here.”
“How did you get in here, then?”
“I told them you sent for me.”
He gives her a quick, wry smile. “Pretty tight system we’ve got going, huh?”
She gestures over her shoulder. “I have to get back. I just wanted to update you. And check on Briar.”
“I’m good,” I assure her.
“Tell the guards I said to let Nova down here,” Marcus says. “And tell Stella to do whatever she has to do to get order back. I’m gonna be here a while.”
“I can handle this,” McClain offers.
Marcus shakes his head. “I’m staying. What’s the issue, anyway?”
Amira looks apologetic. “I don’t know everything that’s going on, but people are complaining about us bringing half our supplies to the switch point for the Tiders.”
“As long as they’re doing it anyway.”
“Enough people are.”
He nods. “Tell Stella I’ll be up as soon as I can.”
Amira leaves. I close my eyes and breathe in slowly, trying to stem the swimming sensation in my head.
“What is it?” Marcus asks, still so close I can feel the warmth of his body.
“I’m okay. Just a little dizzy.”
“Can you bring another exam table in here for her to lie down on?” McClain asks. “We can raise it up higher than Ellison’s.”
Instead of answering, Marcus gently scoops me into his arms. My heart races, his warmth reminding me of falling asleep with him every night. I used to get sweaty when he spooned me,his massive body engulfing mine. Now I lie alone in my cot at night, hollowed out inside.
“Let your arm hang,” he says, holding me close.
He’s a brick wall of muscle, but something soft swims in his dark-chocolate-and-caramel eyes. Emotions clog in my throat because even though he hurt me, I still know he’d die for me without hesitation.
We fell for each other hard and fast, and he became the best part of this fucked-up paradise prison. I don’t know what to do with these feelings I have now. I’m angry, but also still sure of him.
“Her pulse is improving,” McClain says, snapping Marcus and me out of our daze.
“Good,” Marcus murmurs.
