Colby Core Read Free

men, six-three or -four. He worked out religiously to keep his muscles big and hard. Used steroids liberally to be sure they stayed that way well after his youth had become a distant memory. Always dressed in elegant attire. Everything about him, except his skin, was black. Hair, eyes, clothing. He used his coloring, his size and even his clothes to inspire fear.
    It always worked.
    No one dared cross him.
    â€œTessa?”
    The warning in his tone trapped the oxygen beneath her sternum for a moment more. “Yes.” She blinked, forced away all other thought save his order. “I’ll make sure.”
    He surveyed her room, no doubt noting that the covers of her bed had not as of yet been turned down. “I believe it’s past your bedtime, is it not?”
    Tessa nodded. She smoothed a hand over the pink flannel of her gown. The metal key in the pocket pressed reassuringly against her hip. “I was about to lie down, but I thought I heard something outside.”
    â€œThat would be security’s concern.”
    â€œOf course.”
    She held her breath until he’d gone. As long as sheobeyed, she could take care of the children and the patients. More caution was necessary. She couldn’t make a mistake. For years she had watched the unthinkable treatment of those confined…she had worked diligently to reach a position of some authority so that she could change that sadness. So that she could devise a plan.
    No matter the cost to her, she could not lose that small power.
    In spite of that need, she still longed for freedom…escape. There had been opportunities…few and rare, but opportunities nonetheless. She would not take advantage of the chance to escape without being able to take the others with her.
    To take the child.
    An ache rose in her throat.
    No matter the cost.
    Pay attention. She squared her shoulders. Something was happening tonight. There was an unusual tension in the air. A sense of anticipation.
    For the past hour or so she had seen the seemingly frantic coming and going of the others assigned to the house. There were no other deliveries or pick-ups on the schedule for the next eight days.
    Fear trickled into her veins. If he had increased his schedule… No. She shook her head. It was too risky. He wouldn’t do that. She would know if changes had been set in motion.
    Taking a deep, steadying breath, Tessa turnedaway from the window and moved toward the door, her bare feet soundless on the frigid floor.
    She couldn’t think about the deliveries or the pick ups. Taking care of the children and the patients was all that mattered. That was her life now.
    At least until the time was right. The opportunity was close…so very close.
    A shiver rumbled through her body as defeat weighed heavily down upon her. Stop. Nothing would stop her…she would find a way, no matter the obstacles that arose. Her plan was solid…but the timing had to be perfect.
    Outside her door, along the dark, silent corridor were two large rooms besides her own. Tessa removed the key from her pocket and unlocked the first door.
    She didn’t turn on the light for fear of waking the sleeping children. Whatever was happening, it could be dangerous. The children would be safest if they were asleep. Noise—not even a whimper—was allowed past eight in the evening.
    Tessa crouched down next to the first bed. She pinched her lips together to prevent the forbidden. The urge to sweep soft blond hair back from the little girl’s forehead forced her to clench her fingers. She drew the fist to her lips and resisted the new urge to cry.
    She had to protect the child.
    She had to protect them all.
    In a few days, at most, everything would change…it would all be over.
    Clinging to that hope, Tessa moved to the next bed, then the next and the next. All four children slept soundly. All beautiful blond-haired girls with dazzling blue eyes.
    And one, her gaze wandered back to