Page 10 of Rescuing Rebel
Truthfully, I have no idea what my lie should be, but fortunately, the human brain is pretty fantastic. It fills in the gaps like a pro, turning my half-stated lie into a full-bodied reality for Brittany. Whatever she pictures, it must be pretty intense because she gestures for me to follow her, eyes darting around, checking to see if the coast is clear.
What a joke.
As soon as she bustles off, I dart through the swinging doors into the administrative corridor. The offices sit dark and empty—perfect for a little unsupervised research. I breeze into the records room, unsurprised to find it securely locked.
That’s okay. This is recon. A plan will form when it’s ready.
Down the hall, the director’s office door stands slightly ajar.
Jackpot.
I slip inside, making a beeline for the file cabinets along the far wall. I hope to find anything on the facility’s background, financials, and personnel files—anything potentially useful. Instead of info, all I find are file cabinets stored with junk.
Shit.
I hate the digital age.
It looks like it’s time to crack their computer systems.
Easier said than done. I’ve never seen encryption like this.
Hearing footsteps approach out in the hall, I duck under the desk just as the director himself walks in, oblivious to my presence. I hold my breath, praying he doesn’t sit in his chair inches from my face.
Luck is with me. He shuffles some papers on his desk, then departs, locking his office behind him.
I slip out, heart pounding. Another fruitless endeavor, but at least now I know where the administrator’s offices are and that they keep nothing on paper. There must be some weakness I can exploit to dig up information on this place. I just have to keep pressing and remain watchful. Sooner or later, they’ll make a mistake. And when they do, I’ll be there to take full advantage.
Two more weeks of trust falls and art therapy have me ready to lose my ever-loving mind. Fortunately, there’s Ethan to distract me.
I join the eager group of women in the gym, snagging a spot up front to increase the chance I’ll be paired with Ethan during our self-defense sparring matches.
When he saunters through the doorway with several of his teammates in tow, I arrange my face into a mask of pleasant surprise and give a tentative finger wave. Then, I flutter my fingers over my chest, drawing his eye exactly where I want it to linger. I hate playing the coquettish female, but it works wonders on men.
Always has.
But it doesn’t take much to snag a man’s attention when you’ve been gifted with the face of an angel, fiery-red hair, and eyes the color of tropical seas. Beauty is my curse as much as it’s a gift.
My point being Artemus Gonzales, who decided I’d be better sold to his clients than working as part of his team. I misjudged that big time.
“Are you settling in all right?” Ethan pauses, his gaze heading exactly where I drew it: my ample bosom. Other than that, he remains frustratingly professional.
“Yes. The staff here is wonderful.” Lord, I want to gag on the lie.
Instead, I bat my lashes and simper like a lovestruck fool. He really does look like Superman in the flesh. The only thing missing is the tiny whorl of hair up front.
“I’m happy to hear that.” His eyes sweep over me with heightened curiosity.
Good.
Ethan calls for a volunteer, and I eagerly raise my hand. As I join him at the front, he asks me to attack him so he can demonstrate a defensive technique.
I throw a punch aimed at his head. Quick as a viper, he grabs my wrist, pulling me off balance. His other arm wraps around my torso, pinning my free arm to my side as my back presses against his chest.
My pulse spikes at the intimate contact, so much that I barely hear what he says to the class.
“From this position, you can stomp your attacker’s foot or throw your head back into their nose.” His breath is hot on my ear as he explains.
But I already know how to escape this hold. I deftly snake my foot around his ankle and twist my hips, using leverage to flip our positions until I have Ethan pinned face-first against the wall. A murmur rises from the watching women.