Free Masked by Janelle Stalder Page A

Instead he got a wide eyed look and a blush. He couldn’t see it, but somehow he knew it was there. Then she turned back around and hurried away.
    Roman stood watching her in confusion. The night wasn’t turning out the way he had imagined. Finding her on that roof had been both a blessing and a curse. He’d gone up there looking for some solitude. Their time together in the gym had remained in his mind during the rest of the day, and he needed fresh air to figure out why he was feeling such a pull toward her suddenly. The light in her eyes that had never been there before called to him on a deeper level.
    When you had spent your life surrounded by darkness and misery, it was refreshing to have someone around that didn’t appear tainted by it. He always thought Lottey was, that’s what made them such great friends. But her show of playfulness today was at odds with what he’d come to expect from her. Something had definitely changed in Lottey, he just wasn’t sure what.
    Then on the roof, she had actually shown interest in what he’d been saying. He even saw a glint of compassion when he spoke of his younger years. It had hit him in the chest like a physical blow. Roman didn’t like pity, never wanted it from anyone. But he didn’t sense that it was pity Lottey felt for him up on the roof, just a general sense of empathy. When those shots had rung out, and she all but plastered herself to his body, the thoughts that had surged through his head had shocked him. For a moment, he hadn’t even been concerned that someone had come extremely close to killing them. All he’d been able to focus on was how she’d felt, and the way she had shielded his body with hers.
    Perhaps carrying her had been pushing it a bit too far, but his body hadn’t been ready to put any distance between them. It had been a small indulgence he’d allowed himself, knowing that despite all the new and strange emotions he was feeling, there was no way he would act on any of them. Lottey was like a sister. He’d remind himself of that a thousand times if that’s what it took.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    The phone rang twice before the other end picked up.
    “What?” The General’s voice was firm, emotionless.
    “I’m stuck,” Adam said, pressing back against the wall, his eyes trained on the New World soldiers surrounding the building even as he spoke.
    Tense silence. “How badly?” he asked.
    “I can see about a dozen soldiers already outside,” Adam answered. “Another SUV is pulling up now.” He watched as the new arrivals stepped out of the vehicle. He cursed under his breath. “Roman Adamson and Bridgette just got here too.”
    The General was silent on the other end again, until he said, “there’s a manhole down the back alley. If you can get to it, someone will be waiting there to lead you through the tunnels. You’ll be able to lose anyone following you easily.”
    The soldiers outside were talking, but he couldn’t hear what they were saying from where he hid. It would only be a matter of time before they started searching the building. If only he hadn’t missed Roman with his shot. It was all Bridgette’s fault, damn it.
    “How do I get out to the alley?” he asked, pushing his luck. The General didn’t like people who were incapable of figuring things out for themselves, but Adam was having a hard time focusing through his anxiety. If they caught him, he was dead. There was no doubt about it.
    “Wait for them to enter and use Bridgette as a hostage,” was his answer. “They won’t make a move on you if she’s in danger.”
    “I don’t want to hurt her,” Adam said, uncomfortable with this new plan.
    “You won’t. She’s not really Weapon X, Adam. She’ll be so scared, she’s likely to just freeze up and go with you. Do it, and get out. Now.”
    He hung up. Adam looked back outside to see if they were getting ready to enter the building. Summoning up his courage, he hid near the stairwell that led to the second