Deviation (Clone Chronicles #2)(28)
I stand in front of my sink, feeling small in the granite-tiled cavern. My bathroom is the same size as the one I left in Twig City. That one is shared by more than twenty girls. I wash my face, rubbing and scrubbing for longer than necessary. It’s no use. Between the expensive products and the atmosphere here, I can’t get the layer of money off my face.
My face is buried in the towel when my bedroom door opens. I am immediately halfway to panicked. My head snaps up, using the mirror’s reflection to identify my visitor. Linc walks into my bedroom, his neck craning right and left as he searches for me. My lips curve upward in the beginnings of a smile but it falters when a face appears behind him. From the outline of his broad shoulders and thick arms, I know it’s Alton. The man who walked in on Linc and I the other day. The man Titus gave Linc’s job.
I set the towel aside and step back into my bedroom to meet them.
“Can I help you guys?” I ask, inserting enough sarcasm into my words to wipe the hint of a smile from Linc’s face. Alton’s already present scowl deepens. I hope he’s thinking he’s been stuck with a bratty rich girl who only cares about clothes and makeup. Assuming me shallow is infinitely better than assuming me a double agent.
“Raven, this is Alton,” Linc says, gesturing stiffly between us. “He is the new head of security and, after extensive training and debriefing over the last few days, he’s been assigned as your new personal guard. He will accompany you everywhere you go from now on so you don’t have to worry about anything.” His voice is a monotone, as if reciting the words back from someone else.
Linc’s demeanor is off. The rigid set of his shoulders, his fisted hands—it’s more than usual. I try to read between the lines but force my expression blank to greet Alton. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say on auto-pilot.
Linc gives me a slanted look, pulling me back into character. I ignore him, too busy connecting what he’s just said. “Wait, follow me everywhere?” I say, my voice pitching higher. As an afterthought, I twirl the ends of my hair around my finger and stare up at Alton. “Like, everywhere everywhere?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, his words curt and business-like. His nose is slightly flat across the tip and moves when he talks. I let myself stare at it a moment while his mouth continues to move it up and down. “Anytime you’re outside the walls of this apartment, I won’t leave your side. You can count on me to protect you.”
The sinking feeling magnifies. He means it, judging by the determined set of his jaw. The scrambler, my one victory, is useless. I wonder how I’ll ever see Morton or Anna or the others after this. How, if Taylor’s words prove true, we’ll ever escape. Titus is clearly not taking any chances with me. I continue my act, hoping to at least put his guard down when it comes to my trustworthiness. “But why? Daniel and Melanie were captured. The danger is over, right?”
“We aren’t willing to assume anything. Your safety is too important. For now, we’re treating it like a level five.”
I have no idea what a level five is but Linc looks pissed so I assume it isn’t good. “What about Linc? Isn’t he considered good enough for level five or whatever?” I ask.
Linc’s face contorts for split a second before smoothing into a neutral mask again. Alton frowns, his nose spreading wider across his cheeks, and says, “He’s been reassigned.”
My stomach lurches. “Reassigned to where?” I snap, replacing my fear with anger—at least on the surface.
“He’s a floater for now until we can find a more permanent position for him.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means he’ll go where we need him depending on the threat level. You don’t need to concern yourself with all of this. Just know that you’ll be protected at all times.”
“I have a shopping date with my friend Taylor tomorrow.” I glare at him, letting him know I’m not happy. “I prefer Linc,” I snap.
“All due respect, ma’am, it’s not up to you.” Alton heads for the door. It’s clear the conversation is over. His hand reaches out for the knob and the hem of his sleeve pulls back. Something black flashes against the paleness of his skin. The fabric still covers most of it but I don’t need to see it all to know what it is. A tree with a six-digit number printed below it has been tattooed on his skin.
He is an Imitation. Although, it is clear he is not an ally. The hardness in his eyes and the set of his shoulders are evidence of that. I wonder what he would do if he knew what I was. I consider pulling my hair aside in order to find out, but something about his demeanor stops me.
Linc is watching me curiously, sending glances back and forth between me and Alton’s retreating back. I squeeze my lips together to keep all the words in that I’ve been saving up for him. Now is not the time. I worry when or if the time will come now that Linc has been reassigned.
“Crawford,” Alton calls from the doorway. “Let’s go.”
Linc walks reluctantly to the door and stops as if he’s just remembered something. “I almost forgot. You had a phone call earlier. Senator Whitcomb’s son. He asked that you phone him back when you get a chance.”
Alton’s brow knits. He says something to Linc under his breath. Linc shakes his head and says something back before disappearing into the hallway. Alton looks up at me, his hand on the knob. “I’ll get you a new cell phone as soon as possible.”