22. Evan

                                    

                                          


                          
I set Zuri on the small sofa and wiped my damp palms on the thin cotton pants. I perched in front of her and straightened my shoulders. Colton's eyes were rimmed in red and he didn't look any better than I felt.
                          
"What do you want?" I tried to make my voice sound even, but it still cracked. I blinked away the sudden burst of emotion that made my stomach twist in anger.
                          
"Is that any way to speak to your host?" He reprimanded.
                          
"You mean kidnapper."
                          
He shrugged. "The lines are blurred, I suppose. But we aren't here to talk about my misdeeds."
                          
Zuri whimpered and pulled her knees up. They dug into my back and I leaned as far off the couch as I could get. There was a clock ticking somewhere nearby. He had to be doing this to me on purpose; there couldn't be that many clocks in this building. Colton took his time sipping his tea.
                          
"Then what am I here for?" I asked impatiently.
                          
"Encouragement."
                          
He must get off on being such a dick. I clenched my hands around my knees. "Encouragement for me, or for you?"
"You'll figure that out when you have all the puzzle pieces." Colton gave me a smile over the rim of his mug.
                          
"And when exactly will that be?"
                          
Colton smiled again. "You did well today. No one has ever shaken off the E-13 injection that fast."
                          
"I had motivation."
                          
"No," he set the cup down. "You're the exception. It's what makes you so powerful."
                          
"Don't make me blush."
                          
"Today was more than just a punishment," Colton continued. "It was a test, and you passed more easily than I ever expected."
                          
"Does that mean I can go home?" The world was still fuzzy. I could feel the tired ache in my bones like I hadn't slept in weeks.
                          
"No. Your friends will need your help. The plans have been changed."
                          
Oh joy. Didn't anyone ever tell him I hated surprises? I rubbed a hand over my eyes until I saw spots. "Then take me to them before they get into trouble."
                          
"You're just like your mother," he said warily. "Always so impatient."
                          
"You don't know anything about my mother," I snarled. I was too tired for the anger to stay, but that didn't stop the temptation of wiping the shit-eating grin off his face.
                          
"Whatever you chose to believe, just remember that I have deeper ties to your family than you know." He stood and waved a hand at the door. "Shall we?"
                          
I scooped Zuri up. My arms and legs were like lead weights. I knew I was leaving a trail of blood behind from my sliced-up feet. Good. It was another mess Colton's goons would have to clean up.
                          
Colton waved his hand at a camera and the large glass door unlocked to let us out. It was dusk and the sky was dark blue. I carried Zuri to the limo waiting at the curb.
                          
"What, no blindfold?" I asked as I buckled the seatbelt and crawled in beside her.
                          
"You're a smart boy. I'm sure you could remember the way back even if you couldn't see."
                          
"Hospital first, then we go wherever the fuck you want to drag me."
                          
Colton sat across me, one leg cross over the other. It gave me the creeps, how his eyes seemed to be looking right through me. I kept my eyes on the passing scenery as the driver maneuvered us out of the gate.