Trained | 18+

Chapter Twelve 🌶️

"You've been sulking all week. What's going on with you Lia?" Evan rubs soothing circles around my back as we walk towards the dining hall. In all honesty I don't know what wrong with me. I'm still upset over Tanner's words on Tuesday. I'm worried about how hurt I am by his actions. I'm worried what will become of Evan once training is finished. I'm sure all of it is contributing to my low mood over the last few days. I don't particularly want to tell Evan what I'm thinking about, he doesn't need to that Tanner has managed to crawl under my skin. Every time I ask Angel about Tanner they just shrug and change the subject. He has to be avoiding me.

"Just nervous for training assessments tonight," I lie. I'm not nervous. Overstimulation is probably the least intense thing we've done so far. I just want to get it over and done with. I've barely left my room the last few days and I'd like to keep it that way. Evan is forcing me to come eat in the dining hall tonight, he wants me to meet Lottie.

"Don't worry about that it's only fifteen minutes tonight. We'll be done quick." I have no idea how he manages to maintain his optimism. It's like we're just on holiday here, not kidnapped. He barely talks about how much he's struggling. Surely he blames me. He limps ahead of me to grab the door. He still has a small limp from when Tanner beat him when we arrived here. I can't help but feel guilty every time I look at him.

"Seriously Delia stop overthinking, I'm fine," this boy can always read my mind so damn good.

"Do you want me to sleep over tonight? Tanner has been a-wall for days so I could sneak in easy enough," soft curls fall over his eyes as he tilts his head to look at me.

"Of course, but don't get caught please. I don't need you getting hurt again." We walk into the dining hall. Several tables line the wooden floors with at least fifty people, both trainers and trainees, seated along them. Everyone looks too exhausted to socialise between each other. Evan's fingers interlace with mine. There's always a silent awkwardness when he attempts public displays of affection. We can banter and enjoy each others company but at the end of the day we're stuck here. We've been kidnapped, our whole lives turned upside down. I give his hand a gentle squeeze. We deserve to have a little moment of peace. What's the worse that can happen? I think we've both already endured the worst of what this place can bring.

"You two are so sweet sometimes," Clara giggles as we sit down across from her. She's so cute and precious, it breaks my heart knowing she's going through the same training I am. I don't know what she did to end up here but she certainly didn't deserve it - I know that much.

"You must be Lottie?" Evan reaches over to shake the hand of the woman sitting besides Clara.

"I'm so sorry, this is Lottie. My love, this is Evan and Delia," Lottie smiles knowingly. She's a plump woman with the most gorgeous curves. The two women seem like total opposites but Lottie's calmness indicates to me she evens out Clara's bubbly personality perfectly.

"Did y'all see the replacement they brought in for James? She looks intimidating to say the least," Lottie offers a side eye to the woman standing behind the kitchen before going back to her meal. I freeze at the mention of his name. I don't know if his death is public information but I don't want to make any inclination I know what happened. I haven't even told Evan. As far as he knows the meeting with Rowan and Cobain never happened.

"I wonder what happened with James. I'm not upset he's gone but I heard that Nick has been extra harsh lately, he seems to have taken it personally," I haven't seen Nick since before the incident with James. They definitely seemed close when they were fucking me together. The thought of them makes my skin crawl. Evan sense my nervousness and rests his hand on my thigh under the table.

"Let's just pray this woman isn't as bad as James," Evan mutters eyeing her down as she exits the dining room. Everyone nods in agreement.

"What's it like working as a nurse for the executive?" I ask Lottie desperate to change the subject. She rolls her eyes at me.