Chapter 29 - The Compound

The Compound was teeming with unMated when we pulled to a stop before the porch. Gabby slept in her seat. She hadn't stirred once during the long drive.

Men watched as I got out and circled to her side of the car. One made a move to stop me.

"She's not yours any longer."

I stopped walking and stared at the man. He had no hope to challenge me but there were many others behind him, still and watching.

"She's sick," I said, glancing at them all.

Sam, get out here, now.

A moment later, the door swung open; and Sam strode out. Counting on his presence to keep things peaceful, I ignored everyone and turned back to the car to open Gabby's door. She didn't move when I unbuckled her or when I lifted her, blanket and all, from the seat. When I straightened, Sam was right there to close the door.

He studied the dark circles under Gabby's eyes then looked at me. "What's wrong?"

"Sick."

His gaze drifted to the men watching us before settling back on her.

"How long has she been like this?"

"Last night. Took her three days to recover last time." Now that I knew we weren't here to help her, I didn't want her to try to go through an Introduction.

"Why did she call this morning?"

I shrugged, unwilling to answer something that should be so obvious given the number of men listening to us.

Sam's silence spiked my impatience.

"She needs a bed."

Sam nodded. "Yes. Right. You know the room."

He remained beside the car, looking at the unMated he'd called to the Compound, as I carried Gabby inside. I could give a damn about the men he'd called.

Those who passed me in the hall glanced at Gabby but let me continue without protest. I reached the room and shifted her weight to open the door. Once inside, I took her straight to the bed, lay her down, then went for a glass of water. She'd be thirsty again when she finally came out of whatever spell she was under.

Returning with the drink, I set it aside and sat beside her, gently smoothing back her hair.

I hated this helplessness. Though she'd explained what she thought had happened, I didn't know how she wanted me to handle the situation here. Sam would have more questions. What did she want me to tell him, if anything?

Sam came in a few minutes later.

"Thanks for bringing her. I'll care for her from here."

Dismissed? Not likely. Angry, I looked up at him.

Sam sighed.

"Having you here will cause problems she's in no condition to deal with. She's sleeping. I'll keep an eye on her. Go get something to eat."

I didn't like it, but he was right.

****

Several hours later, Sam found me in the room I'd taken for myself.

"She's asking for you."

I was up and out the door before he had time to say more. Based on the last time this happened, she shouldn't be awake yet. Was she really better?

Letting myself into the apartment without knocking, I quietly approached her room. I could hear her moving around. I stopped at the door and leaned against the jamb to study her. She was leaning against the bed and digging through her bag. She moved slowly; and, from the faces she made, her head still ached.

She caught sight of me, reached into her bag, and pulled out her pink bikini.

"Really, Clay? You're killing me. Where are my jeans?"

Her playfulness, despite her pain, made me smile slightly. She studied my face for a while. She tended to do that whenever I pulled my hair back so she could see me. I loved the attention.

She blinked slowly, and I knew she was still too tired to be up. Sparing her from further searching, I stepped close and, without looking away from her, pulled the jeans she wanted from her bag.

I held them out and tapped my lips, needing confirmation that she really did want to be with me like she'd said in the car.

She smiled widely. "A kiss for the jeans?"

I nodded; but, instead of kissing me, she pulled the jeans from my hand and tossed them on the bed.

Then she further surprised me by stepping closer and placing her hands on my chest. Her fingers branded me through my shirt.

"I don't need bribes to kiss you, Clay. Come here."

My heart burst, and I claimed her lips. She opened for me, sweetly and willingly, as she curled her fingers in my shirt. If she thought I'd tried to move away from her, she was mistaken. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. Her lips parted and nibbled at my top lip. She was killing me again. I reached up to cup the back of her head, wanting more. And she gave more. Standing on her toes, she slid her arms around my neck and opened to me further. The feel of her tongue running over my bottom lip almost undid me.

I growled and struggled not to crush her to me. When she used her tongue again, I opened my mouth and captured hers, kissing her like I'd wanted to when she'd first walked out the Introduction room's door.

Her pulse jumped wildly, and I knew I needed to ease off. It was too much for her right now. But, her lips begged me to stay. With effort, I pulled away. She whimpered, and pride filled me. She wanted me. She'd told the truth. I just needed to be patient a little longer and let her get over her fears. That knowledge eased some of my frustration.

I kissed her cheek, then her forehead, trying to calm her.

With a shaky exhale, she wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. I held her close, waiting for whatever she might do or say next.

Unfortunately, Sam walked into the apartment before she did anything. She sighed and pulled back. Reluctantly, I let her go.

She looked up at me.

"Can you come with me for this, or will that cause more problems?"

"It would be best if he stayed away, Gabby," Sam answered from behind me.

She leaned to the side to look around me.

"I didn't ask what was best. Best went out the window years ago, Sam, when 'making do' moved in. Is he allowed?"

Sam sighed. I didn't turn to look at him. I kept my focus on Gabby and the emotions playing across her face.

"It's allowed. He's unMated, but he's considered rejected. He'll be challenged by everyone for his place in the Introduction order."

She glanced at me. "Do you want to be there?"

I nodded.

"All right then. Sam, please head over and get things ready. Clay will walk me there. Clay, I just need to change, then I'm ready."

Sam didn't move, and she arched a brow at him until he left grumbling about Mating fights and sick women who didn't know when to stay in bed.

Gabby turned her arched brow on me. I wisely retreated so she could change.

From the living room, I listened to her move. At one point, she sat still on the bed for several minutes. Sam was right. She should still be in bed. I wasn't about to tell her that, though. Instead, I poured her a glass of orange juice and waited for the door to open.

When she walked out, she didn't look much better. Beautiful, as always, but tired and pale.

I offered her the glass of juice. She smiled and gulped it down.

"I need just a minute in the bathroom. Can you find my shoes for me?"

Shoes? I watched her use the wall for support as she shuffled her way to the bathroom. She didn't need shoes because she wasn't going to walk anywhere.

She closed herself into the bathroom, and I went to her bedroom for her slippers. I listened to the water run and the soft sounds of her brushing her teeth. Slippers in hand, I returned to the hall. She wouldn't like it, but tough. I set the slippers on the floor so she could step right into them.

By the time the door opened again, she looked paler. She glanced down at the slippers.

"Where are my shoes?"

I shrugged and pointed to the slippers. I wasn't going to negotiate.

She stepped into them without another word, and before she lifted her head, I picked her up and settled her against my chest.