Avenged (Altered #2)(21)

Jeremy didn’t answer, only offered her a mock salute as he turned to the door.

“You didn’t deserve him,” she called after him. “You didn’t deserve him as a friend.” Jeremy paused, without turning back. Her anger, her hatred, spiraled through her. “And…and…” She tried to think of the meanest thing she could say to him. “And I’m glad Fields changed you. You deserve whatever you got.”

His head rose, but when he looked back, he didn’t look angry.

He was laughing. At her.

“You think Fields did this to me? To everyone?” His eyes widened. “You do. You think that Fields did this to us.” He swatted his partner on the arm. “You hear that, Charles? Little Miss thinks that we’re victims. Poor us.” He made a production of rubbing at his eye.

He chuckled, his hands on his hips. “Sorry to disappoint you, Kitty, but we knew exactly what we were doing. Fields offered us the drug, and we took it.”

What? “You knew that he was giving you the drug? And you took it anyway?”

“You’ve got to be kidding. Of course we took it.”

“But…why?” What was the matter with him? He’d met them—Luke, Seth, Blue, her—right after they’d gotten out of Glory. Right after they’d been changed. He’d seen the effects. He’d heard how their town had died. “Why would you do that?”

“Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t want to have super powers?” He snorted. “Well, not your power. That looks like it sucks. But no one else seems to get that one anyway.”

Kitty steeled her features. He didn’t have to know that he’d scored a direct hit with that. “And the others?”

“All of them. His entire squad took it,” Nick answered next to her. He sat cross-legged, dabbing at the tender spots on his face, his elbows resting on his knees. “Now that Fields is back and working with Goldstone, he promised to find them jobs as bodyguards or private soldiers. Mercenaries.”

Surprised, she looked up at Jeremy. “You took the drug, risked your life, so you could get a better job?”

Her horror made him laugh. “Don’t sound so snotty, princess. I’ve been to the Middle East. I’ve already risked my life for a job. At least this way I’m going to make a lot more money.”

As he turned for the door, he nudged his head at Nick. “He’s beat up, but he’ll be fine.” He left, locking the door behind him.

In his wake, the silence seeped into her. They’d taken the drug on purpose. She didn’t know if they knew all the risks, but they’d known enough, and it hadn’t mattered. Would others do the same?

Nick shifted to his knees, as if to get up, but he stalled there, his eyes trained on the floor in front of him.

“Are you okay?” She didn’t reach for him. He seemed untouchable. She hadn’t known him long, but in that time he’d proven one of the most approachable guys she knew. Arrogant, sure. Bossy, absolutely. But not shut-off, not like this.

He shook his head, his eyes closing. His body shook. He fell backward, onto his backside, and dropped his head into his hands. Then he began to rock.

She stifled the overwhelming urge to hug him. She didn’t think she’d ever seen someone as desperately in need of a hug. Instead, she whispered, “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shook his head again, more vigorously, but this time his tangled thoughts said what he didn’t. It’ll be fine. I did a good job. Kenny and the other guys…they’re safe. And I didn’t tell them anything about her. Nothing. I didn’t say anything about any of them. I did a good job.

He repeated those words in his head. They soothed him. In the silence, she struggled with her own roiling anger. How dare they? He’d been gone for hours. They must have terrorized him, trying to get information. What human did something like that?

They’d wanted information about accomplices. Nick hadn’t given it to them. She couldn’t help her pride. Of course he hadn’t. Nick didn’t rat out his friends; it wasn’t who he was. If he wanted answers, Fields should have asked someone with questionable morals. Someone like Jeremy. Why hadn’t Fields interrogated his own men and left Nick alone?

The answer came to her, obvious. Because they were all changed. They wouldn’t lie down and let someone push them around.

When Nick’s breathing returned to normal, and he’d calmed enough, she asked, “What do you mean, you didn’t tell them anything about me?” What more could there be to tell? She’d been held hostage for months.

He swallowed hard. I didn’t tell them you can manipulate thoughts.

“Did they ask?” Terror swept through her. The assistant and the orderly. They knew. If they knew, they would come for her. Had they said something? Had he said something?

His eyes lifted to hers, their depths intense. They asked if you can manipulate thoughts. I told them no. They said the assistant saw you. I convinced them that the assistant freaked out, and you used the advantage to escape. Your secret is safe. For now. He didn’t speak, leaving the message in his head. You’re safe.

“I didn’t find any cameras or microphones. We’re alone. You can speak.” He’d lied for her, to keep her safe. “You protected me.” The weight of that settled into her stomach, warmed her in places she hadn’t known were cold.