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“I don’t think that we need to go through the rest. Clearly, you’re adept in most forms of hand-to-hand combat.” Rick tells Jade as he reaches us, “Though you’re welcome to come and train with us if you like.” Jade nods, though she doesn't look very sure about it.
“Let's go find something to eat.” Zander doesn’t give Jade time to respond before he pulls her back out of the gym, much like how he pulled her in earlier. Just before they disappear out the door, she looks back at Rick and me, her face is expressionless, but something swirls in her eyes. She’s gone before I can put my finger on it.
“It’s hard to believe she’s that capable even after seeing her in action.” I say, and I’m not really talking to Rick, just stating a fact, but he still nods in agreement.
“I can’t say I can picture her killing, but with how she handles herself, I can see that it’s a very real possibility.”
He heads back to the heavy bag where he started and pulls his sweater back over his head before fishing out his phone. I head over to the free weights and put them away. I don’t feel like finishing my set after going through so many rounds with Jade.
By the time I get back to Rick, he’s put his shit away and repocketed his phone.
“Kratos said we should take her to some of the parties coming up and let her get a feel for the school atmosphere, see if it’s something she would be interested in and if it’s something we feel like she can handle.” He tells me without looking back as he heads up the stairs.
“Whatever he says.”
By the time we get to the kitchen, Zander and Jade are gone. I grab a water and head down the hall to my room for the night, leaving Rick to do whatever.
Just as I reach my door, I hear the creak of one farther down the hall. I watch for a moment. It could be Jade trying to sneak around, and while it is Jade’s door that opens, she isn't who comes out. Instead, Zander steps into the hall and very quietly closes the door behind him. He doesn’t even glance my way before he turns and heads to his room. Even from here, I see the slight pink on his cheeks and a goofy grin on his face. I can’t help but shake my head at how easily she got to him before I push the door open to my room and head right to my bed.
* * *
I layin bed for thirty minutes before giving up and heading back into the hall. I won’t be able to sleep if I don’t go check, so instead of pretending it’s even a possibility, I just do it.
The house is still, and I can’t hear anyone moving around from my doorway. As I walk down the hall towards Zander and Jade’s rooms, I hear the distant bump of music and know it’s coming from Zander’s room. He often falls asleep with something on, unable to handle the silence.
I stop in front of Jade’s door and listen for a moment, but no sounds come from inside. I debate between knocking or just walking in. If she’s asleep, it will be counterproductive to knock and wake her, but if I just walk in and she’s awake, I have no good reason for barging in.
I only weigh the choice for a moment before I decide I don’t really need a reason and quietly turn the handle before pushing the door open.
Her lights are still on, and I expect her to be awake based on that, but as the door swings open and I scan the room, I don’t see her anywhere.
Shit.
Before I go and search the house, I decide to check the room a little better. I don’t want to waste all night checking the house just to find out she was in the bathroom, even though I highly doubt it.
Stepping in, I head towards her bathroom. Before I even make it there, I know she's not there, but I check anyway.
Just like I thought, it's empty, the light is off, and everything inside is still. I stand in the doorway for a moment before going to the closet, which is empty as well.
I huff a sigh because I knew this was going to happen, and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it with Froggie giving orders for us to watch her. I turn on the spot, intending to search the house for her when movement catches my eye and stops me dead.
Jade lays in her bed, fast asleep.
At first, I’m not sure how I missed her, but as I turn to take her in, I see just how small she is and just how nestled into the blankets. Anyone could have overlooked her.
She’s curled up in the fetal position facing me. Her hair fans out around the pillow, the blond standing out as a sharp contrast against her black pillow cases, and her blanket is pulled up high to her chin as if she was attempting to hide away. Her brow is knit, even in sleep, and as I stand watching her, a soft whimper sounds from her lips as she jerks.
I don’t realize I’m staring like a creep until she moves. Clearly, whatever invades her sleep is not pleasant, not that I’m surprised with her past. But, if she were to wake up right now and find me standing over her, I doubt it would be comforting, and while I don’t trust her, I also don’t want her to think I might do anything like what she’s dealt with from every other man all her life.
While I won’t hesitate to kill her if it comes down to her or us, I would never put my hands on a woman while she slept without consent, but she doesn’t know that. I retrace my steps back to her door, stopping at the door, looking back over my shoulder at her for a moment before I flip her light switch off and head into the hall, closing the door behind me.
As I walk back to my room, I feel someone behind me even before they call out to me.
“She’s not the enemy here, Spence.” His voice is low, but with how quiet the house is, he might as well be shouting as it carries down the hall to me.
I don’t bother turning to face him as I continue back towards my room. It’s too late to get into this with him, and really, until we know more about her, either one of us could be right. Even if Zander will never admit that I know he knows it.
“For your sake, I hope you're right, Zan.” I tell him before heading back into my room, closing my door behind me, and heading to bed for the second time tonight.
