born to die•kenji

Nine

•TAYLOR THATCHER•

Juliette is squirming way too much for my liking when Adam and I enter her cell. She's on her bed, hands clasped to the sides of her head. Her hair is tangled, and she looks wild.

Moments like this make me wonder if Juliette could actually be insane.

I'm mostly standing there while Adam is talking to her. Juliette is rambling. "Warner i-is crazy. He was trying to make me kill a kid. I can't just be a weapon."

Adam brushes her face with his thumbs. "You'll be okay, Juliette."

I roll my eyes. "It seems like you are destined to be a weapon. Get over it."

Juliette just scowls, trying her best to ignore me. Adam definitely hates me for saying that. It's not like most people form relationships with their prisoners anyways.

I'm relieved once Adam says it's time to leave her cell. Juliette is showering, and Adam and I are standing by the door.

"Isn't it pointless to chase after someone you know you can't be with? Warner likes her and she's a prisoner, Kent."

Adam sighs. "I'll find a way. I always find a way."

I open the door to her cell, and immediately collide with a chest. Warner looks down at me and at my hand resting on him. I quickly remove it.

"Commander..."

I can feel the tension between us. His green eyes are so easy to drown in, and it's terrifying. I don't think the atmosphere between us has never been the same since that kiss.

"Taylor. Paying Juliette a visit?"

"Yes. Can I just get past you?"

Adam is already out the door, but Warner puts out a hand to stop me. "Why don't you go back inside?"

I gulp and listen, Adam looking concerned on the other side of the door. I stand there as Warner follows me in.

He listens to the sound of the water running, assuming that she must be showering. Warner probably came here to see her and not me. I have to remind myself of that.

Adam has already left.

"So how has your training been going, love?"

He should know better than to tempt me with the pet name. "It's fine. Kishimoto can be a little too chipper for me."

"I figure you two would make an interesting pair."

A dangerous idea brews in my mind. Warner used me to distract himself from Juliette. I could easily make Warner hurt by throwing myself at Kenji.

"I actually instructed Kishimoto to come and retrieve you and bring you back to your room."

I smile. "You don't say."

This is going to go perfectly.

In just minutes, Kenji has arrived at Juliette's cell. As soon as he approaches, I grab onto his arm. He raises an eyebrow in confusion.