Enticing Their Mate(34)
His eyes darkened. His expressive face truly was a window to his soul. “The woman always has the choice to say no, but that doesn’t change the fact we’ll never be able to be with our true mate then. We only get one chance.”
She moaned. “That’s not exactly fair to the men, now is it?”
“No, it’s not.”
She’d need time to think about this. “So what’s the next step?”
Jay chuckled, but it didn’t hold much cheer. “This isn’t some game show. I merely told you that you are the most important person in my life, so that if you see me hanging around or putting my life in danger for you, you’ll know why.”
She drank more of her coffee. “I’m overwhelmed.”
Jay clasped her hand. “There’s no pressure.”
“Oh sure.” She held their fate in her hands. No way Riley and Jay would just let her walk away if that was what she chose. The over timer dinged, indicating dinner was ready. “Time to eat.”
* * *
When Sarah checked into work the next day, she kept an eye out for Russ. Riley had told Jay who passed it along to her that their schedules were being redistributed now that he, Clay, and Dirk were there. Russ’s shift was supposed to be ending, so she was disappointed when she spotted him near the storage closet arguing with Connolly, the new head of security—a position Russ had held.
Not wanting them to see her, she hurried to find Amy to let her know she could clock out. Sarah found her in the room where Nancy was housed. Her roommate looked up then turned back around, a scowl marring her face. Oh, Christ. Russ must have told her some tale about how she’d come onto him, but then had turned pissy when he tried to kiss her. If Russ had told Amy the truth, she doubted her roommate would appreciate what her wonderful boyfriend had done.
Sarah still hadn’t decided what she wanted to do about both of her men, but she didn’t need Amy making trouble with Riley by telling him lies.
Wait a minute. Had she just decided that she wanted to be with both of them? Hell if she knew. Right now, she needed to get a grip and deal with other things first—like helping to save these women.
Pretending nothing had happened, she strode toward Amy. “How’s Nancy today?”
“She seems a little perkier, but I’m having a hard time getting her to eat.”
Sarah knelt down next to them, her heart heavy at Nancy’s labored breathing. “I’ll see what I can do. I bet you’re exhausted, so go ahead and clock out.”
Instead of a nod of gratitude, Amy grabbed her arm hard. “Just so you know, roomie, I’ll be watching you.”
To see if I come onto Russ? Before Sarah could respond, Amy stood and stomped off. Okay, that wasn’t good. After waiting a beat to make sure she wouldn’t return with Russ in tow, Sarah turned her attention back to her patient. The antibiotics were in the storage closet—next to where Russ and Connolly were having what looked like a strained conversation. It would be best if she checked on the girls and then chanced retrieving the needed drugs once Russ wasn’t around.
It took Sarah a good hour to examine each of the ten girls, taking their vitals, checking for bedsores, and asking them to describe any symptoms they had. Just as she was about to see if the hallway was clear of Russ, Riley stepped into the room.
“Sarah, may I speak with you in private?”
“Sure.” Her heart tripped at his serious tone.
Once she stepped into the hallway, she glanced around for any other guards but only spotted Skip Jackson. Of all the shifters, he looked the weakest of the lot. Cameras were aimed at the doorway, so Riley motioned they walk down the hallway.
“We have a development,” he said, his tone curt.
She didn’t like the way he emphasized that last word. “What kind of development?”
“Connolly just received a call from Statler. Apparently, the buyer’s representative is coming here to check out the women to see if they are acceptable for purchase.”
She clutched her stomach. For days, she’d anticipated there’d come a time when the women would be sold. “I doubt he’ll find them to his liking. Nancy is barely hanging on, and a few of the other girls are rather weak. Statler hasn’t let us exercise them or let them see a doctor.”
“You have to do your best.”
“I plan to. When is this buyer coming?”
“He didn’t say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up later today.”
That wasn’t enough time to do much but failing to have the women ready might result in Statler blaming her. “I’ll need to clean them up—as in buy them some new clothes and makeup.”