Page 29

Chapter 29

Jay

I t felt like days, but probably wasn’t more than an hour or two, before they shut the alarm and strobe off. I gave up reciting the creed and took a walk down memory lane, remembering the extensive training I’d taken to become a Raider instead. It served as a reminder I could get through this.

Hell, I’d already survived hell like this once. And these guys had nothing on our enemies in the Middle East. Though I figured it was only a matter of time before they upped the ante and got more creative with the torture.

I didn’t know how long it was before the foghorn sounded, Franks and two riflemen came down the stairs, and two more bags landed in our cell. Once again, we tested the bottles and ignored the food. Tossing the bags out of the cage to remove temptation was harder this time around .

They left us alone in cold, dark silence for a few blissful hours, giving us time to talk.

We were getting along, but I was about to disrupt that. Not that I wanted to upset her, but I didn’t want Roman thinking we were friends and could be used against each other.

Too late. My mind reminded me I’d held her in my arms and comforted her when they’d brought her back. At least I can get to know her and kill some time.

“Let’s play a game,” I suggested.

“You know it’s dark, right?”

“Yup. You don’t need light to play twenty questions.”

“I’m not in the mood.”

She sounds tired . Not that it surprised me; she’d been through a lot.

“And here I thought you were tough.” I tsked.

“Fine. Ask.”

“First the rules. You have to answer the question you ask after you hear my answer, same for me. What’s your favorite color?” Starting with easy questions would help us relax.

“I don’t really have one.”

“Lame answer, Maxwell. Pick one.”

“Fine.” After a pause she said, “You know the color of the first daffodils in spring? I think that’s my favorite color.”

Interesting, a color tied to a flower and a season. “I never would have pegged you for a flower girl.”

“Most women like flowers, even the ones who don’t talk about it.”

“That’s what Meg says. My favorite color is green.”

She laughed, “Figures. OD? ”

After years of wearing the military shade of green, olive drab wasn’t even in my top ten. “Is that your question?”

“No, it’s clarification. Besides, I already answered the question.”

“My game, my rules, and I say it counts as your question. And my answer is, no, not OD. I like the dark shades, though I can’t name them.” I didn’t give her time to respond before asking my next question. “What’s your favorite food? It can be general.”

“That’s easy. Pasta.” She laughed.

“Good choice. Have you tried Meg’s bacon mac and cheese or my mom’s lasagna?” I asked before remembering she’d tried Meg’s signature dish the night before we were taken.

“That’s cheating,” she huffed.

“Right, my answer is there isn’t a food I won’t try, but my favorite is steak.”

She laughed. “That specific, huh?” Before I answered, she said, “I retract the question.”

“I’ll allow it.” We kept our voices low and the questions light and fun, learning about each other while killing time.

I asked, “Why, in your professional opinion, won’t Roman or Franks come down without at least two riflemen?” I wanted her to tell me they were afraid we’d find a way out, but she didn’t.

“To remind us they’re in charge,” she said. I’d explored the cage while she was upstairs, but hadn’t found a weak point. And while physically I could overpower one goon, I couldn’t take them all, even if they didn’t have rifles. Under the circumstances, trying would be a poor life choice .

The foghorn blasted, letting us know we had company. We stood and walked to the middle.

Like Pavlov’s fucking dogs.

Roman paid us a visit, flanked by his rifle-carrying friends. I didn’t care what Maxwell said, we scared him. Which was amusing, considering we were locked in a cage.

“I do wish you’d speak up when you talk to each other. I’d love to hear what’s making you laugh,” he said, confirming our suspicion.

“Go to hell,” I said.

“Such bad manners,” Roman said. His fixation on manners wasn’t lost on me. “I think it’s time I taught you a lesson, son.”

Oh, hell no. This man wasn’t a fraction of the man my father was. “Don’t call me that,” I growled. “My father is a thousand times the man you are.”

“Too bad you’ll never see him again.” His laugh made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. He ordered, “Take him.”

Grateful they weren’t taking Maxwell again, I complied with their instructions like a good soldier.

They followed the same protocol to cuff me and lead me upstairs as they had for Maxwell.

The first thing I noticed was how much warmer it was. I’d gotten used to the cold and had all but forgotten about it.

I looked around but the wall of men surrounding me made it hard to see anything. The one thing I could see; the sun was setting. We’d been here twenty-four long-ass hours.

I prayed Roman was wrong and I’d have the opportunity to see my dad, and my family, again .

Franks left my wrists cuffed behind my back. Their warning, that they’d shoot Maxwell’s kneecap if I fought back, as they tied my ankles to the chair guaranteed my compliance. Making the thick, scratchy rope they wrapped around my chest tight enough to dig into my skin, unnecessary.

Not that they’d trust me . Even with the threat, I might involuntarily lash out in self-defense if the abuse was severe enough.

I looked around, it wouldn't do me any good to fight, I was out numbered and out gunned.

And that cattle prod doesn’t look like much fun . I saw what it did to Maxwell; it’d take longer to have the same effect on me, but it would still suck and I had no doubt Franks would deploy it as often as needed to make sure I suffered.

Roman waited a good five minutes after I was tied up to talk. “Will it make a difference if I tell you this will be easier if you cooperate?”

“Probably not.” I grinned. “Where are we?” I asked. I could see a yard behind him, but there was nothing that hinted to our location.

“Does it matter?” He grinned back.

“Nah, just curious.” The tight rough ropes scratch my arms when I shrugged.

Careful to keep a safe distance from the tip of the cattle prod, Roman walked around his desk and leaned against the front. He crossed one ankle over the other, looking relaxed and casual. His hands gripping the edge of the desk the only indication he wasn’t .

“Jaden.”

“That’s Mr. Sheppard to you, Mr. Roman, or can I call you Dick?”

The look on his face was worth the resulting punch and bloody lip. Remembering what Maxwell said, I spit towards his shoes before saying, “I’ll take that as a no.”

“You have terrible manners. I’d like to think your parents raised you better.” He wandered back to his seat. “I have to wonder if your brothers would be as rude if they were in your shoes.”

He struck a raw nerve. I clenched my back teeth and held back a smartass response. I didn’t need him knowing I felt inferior to my brothers in every way.

He asked me the same questions he asked Maxwell. I gave him the same half and non-answers.

When he asked me about Blake, I said, “She’s protected. Go after her again and it’ll be the last thing you ever do.” It wasn’t an exaggeration, AJ’s intense protectiveness gave new meaning to the phrase, “Touch her and die”.

If Roman gives me the chance, I’ll teach him what it means.

“We’ll see.” He paused. “But you won’t.” His calm response caused my blood to run cold. I prayed for Blake’s safety, and that I’d live to see AJ rip Richard Roman from limb to limb. And if I’m lucky, help him .

Throughout the interrogation, Franks hit me, but didn’t apply the cattle prod.

Curious to see how they’d react, I lunged when they told me to stand up. I didn’t try to get close to anyone, just provided a sudden movement to gauge their reaction .

They aimed rifles at my head while Franks poked me, shocking me into compliance. Every muscle in my body seized up. I stumbled when he pulled back and my muscles suddenly relaxed.

Unlike Maxwell, I was able to walk back to the cage without help. I grinned as she watched them remove my cuffs.

As soon as we were alone in the cold and dark, she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, they only prodded me once.” I didn’t share why.

“That’s good. Did he ask anything new?” She handed me a bottle of water.

“No, and I didn’t tell him anything either.” I pre-answered the next logical question. “Though I did warn him not to go after Blake.”

“So did I. Do you think he will?” she asked, fear lacing her voice.

“AJ will protect her.”

I walked around the cage until the pain from the shock no longer lingered. When I sat down, Maxwell moved close and asked, “Are you really okay?”

Maxwell’s concern and compassion was more than I wanted to deal with. “Yeah. It wasn’t so bad.” They’d been far more abusive to her. “Let’s finish our game.”

“Maybe you should rest.”

I leaned my head against the hard wall and sighed. “Maxwell, it takes minimal energy to talk.” I wasn’t in the mood to argue, but I didn’t want to sit alone with my thoughts either .

“Okay. Whose turn is it?”

“I’ll let you go.”

“Always the gentleman.” Her laugh did more to calm me than her concern. I considered making a wiseass remark, but didn’t have time.

“Cats or Dogs?” she asked.

“Dogs,” I answered without hesitation. I wasn’t a cat hater, but I loved dogs. “You?”

“Both, but since I have to choose one. Cats.”

“Really? Why? I always pegged you as a dog person.”

“That’s two questions.” I turned my head towards her, and made a face. Not that she could see it. She continued, “But I’ll consider it one. I like their independence. Why dogs?”

“They’re loyal.” Bitterness seeped into my voice. “Why-”

“Nope, you had your question. It’s my turn again.” Maxwell’s feisty attitude did weird things to my insides, but I shut that shit down. Now wasn’t the time or place to catch feelings. Plus, I’d sworn them off forever.

I reminded myself that under different circumstances she’d be annoying the fuck out of me.

“Jaden?” Something about her tone hinted she had a serious question.

Wanting to avoid it, I closed my eyes and said, “You know what, you’re right. I need to rest.”

I felt her arm brush against me as she leaned against the wall. Close enough to touch. But light years away.