“Rex won’t believe you attacked him for no reason,” Robby insisted. “He’s the one that should get thrown out of town or locked up, not us.”
I nodded. “Surely, I wasn’t the first girl he tried to do that to.”
“Nor will you likely be the last,” Robby said. “Come on, let’s eat. You’ll feel better after you eat something. I know I did.”
“You’re feeling better?”
“I am,” Robby said. “Still a bit of a lingering headache but nothing I can’t manage.”
I smiled. “I’m happy to hear that because I didn’t get a chance to get you any medicine.”
“That was sweet of you to even think of doing that,” Robby said.
“Doesn’t matter.” I shrugged. “I didn’t get it. Instead, I caused us problems.”
“Stop that,” Robby said squeezing me tighter. “You didn’t do anything.”
I pressed my lips together and swallowed back my tears. “If I hadn’t gone out—”
“Joss,” Robby took my hand into his and stepped back to look into my eyes. “It’s taking everything inside me not to go out there and blacken Ashton’s other eye. I love you,” he said shaking my hand. “I love you so much. I would do anything for you. Please, trust that I will keep us safe.”
“I know you’ll do what you can,” I said letting out a breath. “It’s just that… well, I wish things were different.”
“One day, they will be,” Robby said. He tugged me along, leading me to the table. “Sit. What would you like me to make you?”
A smile curled my lips. “Anything. I don’t care.”
I didn’t eat much. Nor had I slept well. My eyes had already been open before there was even a knock at the door.
14
Adam
Leah turned and went into the bedroom. She left the door open just an inch.
I pulled in a breath and forced myself to go to the door. My dad was busy with some party thing with Eva. The guards had stopped by earlier to tell us about the person snooping around. The only thing that could be outside was someone coming to take Leah away.
I hoped that she cracked a window and was ready to make a run for it. They’d probably be waiting at the windows.
Dammit.
I opened the door and threw on my most charming smile. The young woman on the other side cocked her head and peered at me through narrowed slits.
I recognized her. I could almost recall her name. It was on the tip of my tongue. She’d been smoking in the bathroom when I’d been with Leo. Smoking was against the laws of the resort, yet the girl had gotten away with it. Although, perhaps she was punished in some way I wasn’t privy to.
Why was she at our cabin?
“Can I come in?” she said glancing over her shoulder.
“Umm….” I didn’t know how to respond. Why was she at our cabin?
“Look,” she whispered. “I saw what happened and I just want to talk.”
The girl held up both hands as if that would somehow prove that she wasn’t up to anything.
“Please,” she said with wide eyes. “I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
I gestured and she dipped her head as a thank you. She crossed her arms as she looked around the cabin.
“Wow,” she said. “You two get all this space?”
“What exactly are you doing here?” I said stiffly.
She rolled her eyes. “I saw what happened to your girlfriend and I want to make sure she’s okay. Those guards can get really hostile. Unfortunately, I know that firsthand.”
“I know you, right?” I asked.
“I’ve seen you around. We all know your Martin’s son, of course,” she said. “It was big news when you returned.”
“But I’ve seen you. Smoking in the bathroom,” I said.
Her head slowly bobbed and her lips curled into a smile. “That’s right. You were with Leeeeeeeo. I bet you’re happy you aren’t working with the guard anymore, huh?”
“Lots of gossip in this place, I see.”
“Indeed.” The girl looked around. “So, where is she?”
“I’ll get her,” I said.
Leah stepped out of the bedroom. She’d changed into dry clothes.
“I’m so sorry about what happened,” the girl said. “I should have done something and I feel terrible that I didn’t. It’s going to sound like an excuse but I have to tread carefully around here.”
“Don’t we all?” Leah asked with a smile. She stayed back as if she was worried the girl might turn into a deadly monster.
The girl laughed. “Yeah, really, we do. I’m Leslie, by the way.”
“Leah,” she said jerking a thumb in my direction. “This is Adam.”
“Yeah, I know. We all know,” Leslie said.
“I’m famous,” I said holding out my arms to the side.
They both rolled their eyes at nearly the same time. Leslie turned her back to me as though she were pretending I wasn’t there.
“Anyway, I just feel terrible,” Leslie said.
“Don’t give it another thought,” Leah said with a sympathetic smile. “It wouldn’t have made sense to get yourself in trouble.”
“They were kind of rough,” Leslie said. “You really should be more careful around any guard. I shouldn’t say this but they are very… dangerous. Corrupt. Evil.”
Leslie hugged herself as if she felt a sudden chill. She sucked in a sharp breath and her eyes darted around. It was as though she wished she could take back her words.
“We’re already aware of that,” Leah said.
“That guard, Leo, is quite possibly the worst of them all,” Leslie said. “Maybe it’s not so bad for you all here but for those of us that work at
