Chapter 3

The next morning, I had my safety orientation.

Nine-thirty sharp. Building C, Security Department.

I was still thinking about Nathan. About the way his hands had felt on my shoulders. About how safe he'd made me feel, even when I was lying to him.

This whole thing was getting more complicated than I'd planned.

The security office was different from the rest of Eden. No soft lighting or calming colors here. Just fluorescent bulbs, metal desks, and monitors showing camera feeds from around the facility.

"You must be Aria."

I turned around and nearly jumped.

The man standing behind me was tall, broad-shouldered, and had the kind of presence that filled a room. His hair was dirty blonde, cut short like military style. When he looked at me, his eyes were this unusual gray-green color that seemed to see everything.

He had a small scar on his left cheek and another on his jaw. Old ones.

"I'm Zane Mitchell," he said. "Head of security."

His voice was rough, like he didn't use it much.

"Nice to meet you."

He nodded once. No handshake. No smile. Just that intense stare.

"Follow me."

Zane Mitchell didn't talk much. He just did things.

He led me through the security area, pointing out cameras, access points, emergency exits. His explanations were short and to the point.

"Emergency button here," he said, indicating a red button on the wall. "Any problems, you press it."

"What kind of problems?"

He looked at me with those sharp gray-green eyes. "Any kind that makes you feel unsafe."

Something in his tone made me pay attention. This wasn't just standard safety training.

"Fire exits here and here," he continued, moving to the next station. "Always know where they are."

"Why?"

"Because you never know when you'll need them."

We moved to a demonstration area where he showed me how to use the key card system. When he reached across me to swipe his card, his hand accidentally brushed against mine.

Warm. Rough. Strong.

I pulled back, but my heart rate sped up.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's fine."

But neither of us looked away immediately.

"Any questions so far?" he asked.

"Just one. Why are you telling me all this?"

Zane was quiet for a long moment. "Because this place isn't as safe as it looks."

Before I could ask what he meant, his radio crackled. Someone needed him in the main building.

"Wait here," he said. "I'll be right back."

But I didn't wait. The moment he left, I started looking around the security office. There had to be something here. Some record of what happened to Sophie.

I found a filing cabinet marked "Incident Reports." It was locked, but I'd learned a few things over the years. Basic lock picking wasn't hard if you knew what you were doing.

The lock clicked open.

I was flipping through files when footsteps echoed in the hallway. Fast footsteps.

Shit.

I quickly closed the cabinet and tried to look casual, but it was too late.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Zane appeared in the doorway, his face dark with anger.

"I was just—"

"You were just breaking into my files." He moved fast, crossing the room in three quick steps. Before I could react, he had me by the wrists, backing me against the wall.

"Are you insane?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Those areas are off-limits."

"I have my reasons—"

"Your reasons could get you killed."

He pressed closer, trapping me between his body and the wall. I could feel his anger, but there was something else too. Something that made my pulse race for entirely different reasons.

His body was solid, warm, and way too close.

"I don't need protection," I said.

"Don't you?" His eyes went hard. "Then prove it. Get away from me."

I tried to push against his chest, but he didn't budge. He was too strong, too solid.

"Zane..."

"Say it," he said, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Say you need me to protect you."

I looked up at him. Those gray-green eyes were intense, almost predatory.

"I..."

"Say it."

"I need you," I whispered.

Something shifted in his expression. Satisfaction. Possession.

"Good," he said, but he didn't step back. "Because like it or not, you're in danger here."

"What kind of danger?"

"The kind that happens to girls who ask too many questions."

My blood went cold. "What do you mean?"

For a moment, I thought he might tell me. His eyes searched my face like he was trying to decide whether to trust me.

Then his radio crackled again.

"Mitchell, we need you in the lobby."

He stepped back reluctantly, releasing my wrists.

"Stay out of places you don't belong," he said. "I mean it."

"Why do you care what happens to me?"

"Because you're worth protecting."

"Is that the only reason?"

He looked at me for a long moment. "You know it's not."

Before I could ask what he meant, he was gone.

I stood there for a minute, trying to calm my racing heart. The way he'd looked at me. The way his body had felt against mine. The way he'd made me say I needed him.

There was something about Zane Mitchell that was completely different from Sebastian and Nathan. Where Sebastian was smooth and professional, and Nathan was gentle and understanding, Zane was raw. Dangerous.

And I was attracted to it in a way that scared me.

After the orientation, Zane walked me back to the main building.

"I'll escort you to your next appointment," he said.

"That's not necessary."

"It is to me."

We walked in silence through the corridors. I was hyperaware of his presence beside me. The way other staff members stepped aside when they saw him coming.

"Zane?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you care what happens to me?"

He stopped walking and turned to face me. Those gray-green eyes studied my face.

"Because you're worth protecting," he said simply.

"You barely know me."

"I know enough."

Before I could ask what he meant, he stepped closer. Not touching, but close enough that I had to look up to meet his eyes.

"If you ever feel unsafe here," he said quietly, "you find me. Understood?"

"Why would I feel unsafe?"

"Just promise me."

There was something in his voice that made me nod. "I promise."

"Good."

He started walking again, but slower this time. Like he didn't want our time together to end.

At the elevator, he pressed the button for me.

"Same time tomorrow?" he asked.

"Tomorrow?"

"Security follow-up. Standard procedure."

I had a feeling there was nothing standard about Zane Mitchell's procedures.

"Okay."

The elevator doors opened. As I stepped inside, he caught my wrist gently.

"Aria?"

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

The doors closed before I could ask what he meant.

Standing alone in the elevator, I touched my wrist where his fingers had been. Warm. Strong. Protective.

This was definitely getting complicated.