“Of course, any other professionals that you may encounter…” Broussard added as Hilliard stepped away. “We will be woefully understaffed at such a large facility.”
He gave him a knowing nod. “Understood, doctor. I’ll get back to you shortly.”
Andre and Carol watched him walk away and both sighed with relief. “I just want out of this place,” Carol muttered. “It feels like a tomb in here.”
“Because we are underground,” Broussard mumbled. He froze and gave her a confused look. “We won’t have to meet the president, will we?”
She shrugged. “I hope not.” She shivered and gave him a creepy look. “Just knowing that he was aware of what Higgins and the rest were doing here? I think my skin would crawl if I had to shake his hand.”
“Then we should make ourselves scarce.” He nudged her toward the door. “Shall we begin to pack?”
She gave him a confused look. “It’s not like we unpacked when we got here.”
He gave her a flat stare. “Then surely you can think of something else we could do to appear busy.” He raised his brows. “Alone. In our room.” When she didn’t catch on, he sighed animatedly. “In our room? Where the beds are?”
“Oh!” Her eyes shot wide and she broke into a toothy grin. “Why yes…I’m sure we could get a LOT of packing done.”
“I must work on my innuendo,” Andre muttered as the pair stepped out of the lab. “I think I’m losing my touch.”
She snorted a laugh and intertwined her arm with his. “I think this one was my fault. My mind was a million miles from your line of thinking.”
Andre chuckled as they walked through the blast doors. “Cherie, I am a male and a Frenchman. My line of thinking is always towards such things.”
Simon tried not to look at her as Lana crept into the RV. She was still dripping with water and steam rose from her skin as she stood in the open doorway. “It got cold when the sun began to set.”
“I imagined it would,” he replied softly.
She lowered her eyes and walked back to the shower. He listened as she tossed her soaked clothing to the floor and fought the urge not to confront her as she turned on the water.
He’d had nothing else to do but think while she was out there.
Eating wildlife.
Raw.
As soon as the door shut he came to his feet and slipped out the front. He didn’t intend to seek out Veronica, nor anyone else. He only wanted to put as much distance as he could between himself and the woman that was making him question his sanity.
He snatched the folding chair from in front of the RV and all but threw it towards the central fire. He fell into the chair angrily and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Problems, amigo?”
His head snapped around and he spotted Jody, the bruises on his face beginning to turn a sickly yellow along the edges.
“You might say that,” Simon mumbled.
“Mind if I join ya?” Before Simon could tell him to fuck off, that he’d rather be alone, Jody set his own chair next to him and settled in.
Simon didn’t even want to look at the recycled hippie. His surfer boy voice and tone was enough to piss him off when he was in a good mood. He was afraid that tonight he’d simply reach over and toss the little cuckold into the fire.
“So,” Jody stated, breaking the ice. “Fighting with the little lady, are we?”
Simon huffed and continued to stare into the fire. “Why would you say that?”
Jody chuckled and settled deeper into his chair. “Dude, I’ve had enough scraps with Darla to know the look.” He sighed heavily and continued to smile, the stupid stoner expression on his face pissing Simon off even more. “I remember this one time—”
“Don’t,” Simon stated flatly. He refused to look at the stringy-headed blond man beside him. “Just…don’t.”
“Dude!” Jody exclaimed. “I totally get it, man. I’ve been there, bro.”
“I’m not your bro,” Simon replied through gritted teeth. “You don’t have the first clue about me and Lana so just…don’t.”
Jody opened his mouth to reply then thought better of it. “Okay, man, whatever.” He sighed heavily and leaned his head back, staring up into the heavens as the stars began to appear in the darkening sky. “I get it. I really do. Sometimes it’s best to just keep shit to yourself when—”
“Jody, I swear to Christ, if you don’t stop talking, I’m going to finish the beating that Trent and his lackeys laid down on you.”
Jody’s eyes bulged momentarily then he simply nodded. “Gotcha.” He sat back and tried to concentrate on the fire, but his eyes kept breaking to Simon. He felt this uneasy tension that hadn’t been there before, and his drug-addled mind couldn’t comprehend why Simon didn’t want to talk things out.
Simon continued to stare at the fire and actually clenched his teeth tighter when the door of his RV opened behind him. “Simon. I need you,” Lana called.
“I’m busy,” he replied, his eyes still glued to the fire.
“I don’t think you understand, sweetie. I need you.”
Simon huffed again and shook his head. “I’m BUSY.”
“Dude,” Jody whispered. “I think you better go see to your lady.”
Simon’s head snapped around and he glared at the man beside him. Jody’s head was craned around and his mouth hung open. Simon followed Jody’s gaze and saw Lana standing at the foot of the RV, naked.
She had one hand resting along the top of the open door and her hip cocked to the side. “I really need you, Simon.”
He rolled his eyes and turned back to the fire. “I have a headache.”
“Dude,” Jody whispered. “Your old lady is au natural. I think she wants to get friskay!” he chuckled.
Simon turned and gave him a steely stare. “Why don’t you go over and take care of that
