Folsom (End of Men, #1)(54)

She looks flustered. I’ve never loved my boss—we get along well enough, and until now I’ve always respected her, but the second I realized she didn’t protect Laticus while I was gone, it was over.

“Give the boy a break.” I leave all the threats unsaid. She knows the damage I can do. I open the office and leave her standing in Laticus’ room.

I walk around the entire complex and even the places I’ve taken him outside—he’s nowhere to be found. I start to get alarmed but quickly rationalize that I would know by now if something had happened. Hamari would tell me even if no one else did…if she was aware of it. I do another loop around and message Folsom, not bothering to worry if I’m interrupting an appointment or not. I tuck the files I can work on later under my arm to take with me, something I do at least once a week. I back my car out of the sparse parking lot. I haven’t seen it this empty in months. Something must be going on in the city. There are picketers outside the gate this time, most of them threatening to shut down the lab, and a handful of posters with the picture from last night.

I speed to the compound, realizing halfway there that I’m being followed. I take a handful of wrong turns and go faster, losing them before I reach the gate. I’m out of breath when I walk in the door, the stress of the day catching up with me.

“Hello?” I call out.

Complete silence.

I take a shower and when Folsom still hasn’t gotten back after I’m out and still no word from him, I venture into the other parts of the compound. Folsom needs to know what they’ve been doing to Laticus. Tears are just under the surface. I’ve got to pull it together before I talk to him…

Krystal is the only one I find. She’s working on a red dress, hands around the mannequin’s neck and sewing a small stitch to the neckline.

“Have you seen Folsom?” I ask.

“There you are! I’m just finishing your dress,” she says, eyes focused on her stitches. She makes a knot with the thread and pulls it off. “There.” She backs up. “What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful on her.”

She smiles. “Try it on and let’s see if it works. You’re already late for the party.”

“I hadn’t planned on any parties tonight,” I tell her.

“Oh, but you have to.” All humor leaves her face and she looks at me, eyes hard. “Don’t fuck this up, Gwen. Folsom was just fine before you entered the picture, and he will forget you the minute we’re in the next Region. Tonight you’re going to the party and you’re going to pretend Folsom doesn’t exist. Be seen alone, like the pathetic excuse for a person you’ve always been.”

Her features smooth out and she smiles again like she didn’t just say the awful things she said. “That was a message from the Society. Sera will be here for you in fifteen minutes.”

I take the dress she’s now holding out and back away, turning around when I stumble. I get ready in a daze, Krystal’s words on replay in my mind. I don’t really know if I look decent or like the chaos in my chest, but I numbly walk outside when I see Sera pull up. We’re at the venue in minutes, the historic concert hall decorated with twinkle lights for the party.

Very little fuss is made when I arrive. Most are inside. I realize why as soon as I enter the room. Women are swarming the center of the room, humming like a live wire. I walk toward the crowd and at the first opening I see him standing still, like a specimen under the glass…Laticus.

I push my way in, and when I’m finally in front of him, I reach out to touch his arm and other hands reach out to grab him, shoving me out of the way. He looks terrified.

“Laticus,” I call out. His eyes search for me in the crowd. I press forward. “Laticus, over here.”

A strong grip pulls me back and I turn around, ready to fight. My mother stands there, a strange smile fixed on her face. “Hi, sweetheart. You look flustered. Have you eaten anything?” She puts an arm around me and walks me away from Laticus.

“Let me go, Mother. I need to check on him. Do you see how scared he looks?”

“You’re entirely too close to the situation, Gwen,” she says in my ear. “Step away and have a bite to eat. You don’t need to stress the baby.”

I stare at her, trying to figure out why she looks so different tonight. I blink and look around the room. “Where is Folsom? He’s here, right?”

“He’s with a lottery winner right now, if you must know,” she says. “A very beautiful one.”

My mouth falls open and the tears instantly prick my eyes. “Why are you being like this?”

She gives a slight shake of her head. “Someone has to save you from yourself, darling. It looks like it’s up to me.”

I look around the room desperately, looking for my escape. Langley and Petite stand in the corner, watching my mother and me. My heart picks up its pace. I back away from her.

“What’s going on, Mother? Are you mixed up in something you shouldn’t be? I don’t trust Pandora,” I say between my clenched teeth. “And Laticus, they’re trying to…”

She clamps her hand over my mouth. “There are ears everywhere. Stop. Talking.”

Tears run down my cheeks. She drops her hand and dabs my tears with her lace-edged hankie. My mom has pretty linens for every occasion. She tucks it away in her pocket and looks at me with a concerned smile. I’m so confused.