Zane's Redemption

“It’s not what he said, but how he said it. As if he knew something that nobody else did. Delilah, he believed her. Zane isn’t someone to trust or be easily fooled. Something happened there. He wasn’t as cold and indifferent as he normally is. He was passionate about this issue.”

“You don’t think there could be something going on?” She shook her head instantly. “Zane is more loyal to Scanguards than anybody else. He would never do anything that goes against your rules.”

“I’m not so sure about that anymore. When he was here earlier, I sensed him wanting to rebel. He questioned my judgment without being able to back it up with facts. That’s not like him. He’s acting on emotion.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Wasn’t that always your worry about Zane, that he's too cold, too emotionless? Maybe Drake’s getting through to him.”

“After one session? I doubt that very much. No, something else must have happened.”

“With the girl?”

Samson hoped he was wrong, but somehow his gut told him to check it out. He would never forgive himself if something happened because he hadn’t done his due diligence.

“What are you gonna do?”

He sat up and reached for the phone. “Check in with Oliver. See whether she told him the same story.”

Delilah already knew what he was thinking, their telepathic bond sensing his next thoughts. “If she did, then she’s playing everybody, but if she didn’t, then it’s got to do with Zane.”

Oliver’s cell rang only once before he picked it up and answered it quietly. “Samson?” In the background, there was chatter. Samson figured that he was still at the university.

“Can you talk?”

“Sure. Portia is just saying good-bye to her friends. We’re heading back home in a moment.”

“Listen, this might sound like an odd question, but has Portia fed you any sob story about what her father is trying to do to her so you’d let her out of your sight?” Samson deliberately didn’t say anything about her claim that she needed to lose her virginity. He didn’t want to ask a leading question.

There was a short hesitation on Oliver’s part before he answered. “No, she’s been fine. Hangs out with Lauren mostly. She goes to all her classes like a model student and is pretty agreeable.”

“So she hasn’t tried to escape you or tried to gain your sympathy?”

“No. Definitely not.”

Odd. Samson exchanged a look with Delilah who shrugged.

“Thanks, Oliver, good job.”

He disconnected and dialed another number. He wasn’t satisfied with Oliver’s answers. Model student? That didn’t sound like the girl her father had been describing to Gabriel.

“Hey, Samson,” Thomas answered his phone, his voice a little groggy. “Please tell me there’s a good reason you’re interrupting my sleep.”

“Sorry, Thomas, but I’m worried about Zane.”

“What has he done now?”

“Nothing, it’s more like what he said—or didn't say. I need your opinion.”

“Sure.”

“You covered for him when he went to Drake’s. What kind of impression did you get of Portia?”

“I’m not sure what you mean. She seemed nice, polite even.”

“Did she try to gain your sympathy by giving you some bull story about why her father has us protect her?”

“No. What was she supposed to tell me?”

“Zane came to see me tonight. He claimed that she told him that her father is trying to keep her imprisoned so she won’t have a chance at losing her virginity before her twenty-first birthday in five weeks.”

There was a pause. Then, “Oh, shit.”

Thomas’ curse made Samson’s body coil in tension.

“Does that mean she told you too?”

“No. But—Samson, this is not good.” Thomas cleared his throat.

Instantly alert, Samson pressed the phone closer to his ear. “What do you know? Tell me now.”

“Listen, Samson, I’m not one to rat of my friends, but … when I went to Portia’s house the other night … I could smell her on him. As if they’d been kissing.”

“Fuck!”

“I can’t be sure,” Thomas hastened to add.

“Fuck, Thomas, you should have told me!”

“Damn it, Samson, I couldn’t. I warned Zane. He knew he was on notice. But this, I mean, knowing that she wants to lose her virginity, that changes things.”