A Changed Man (Altered Book 1) Read online

  Tess was still at her desk when Mr. Smith came through her office door.

  "Dr. Morgan." Slade said walking into the office. "I heard you've had quite the evening."

  "Yes sir." Tess answered standing. "It was very frightening." She wrung her hands together in an effort to look shaken up from earlier. "I'm so sorry about you're men. It's terrible what happened."

  "Yes, yes. But you didn't get hurt? How on earth did you manage to stay safe?" He asked in an unsympathetic tone. "I walked through a sea of bloodied bodies when I came in and here you are, not a scratch on you."

  "I, I hid under my desk." She answered trying to work up a few fake tears. "I was so scared! I had a few things I wanted to finish before I left. I was in here working when I started hearing gunshots. I quickly hid under my desk. I stayed under there for what seemed like hours; then, when it got quiet, I opened the door and went out into the hall."

  "You didn't think to call security?" Slade asked.

  "I did! I picked up the phone but the line had a busy signal. I figured someone else was trying to call them too. I was worried about the patients so I headed through the corridors. That’s when I saw all of the men, just lying there." Tess had worked up a full cry now. She balled loudly trying to act embarrassed that she was doing so. She could see it made her boss uneasy. She didn't know if he was believing her story or not, but she kept up the act.

  Slade didn't care for crying women. He didn't care for crying period. It made people seem weak, and weakness was something that made his stomach retch. "And Rick Davis?" he asked.

  Tess sniffed loudly and grabbed a handful of tissues from the box on her desk. "I saw him laying in the hallway. I don't know how he had gotten out of his cell but he was lying there, badly bleeding. I noticed he had been shot through his knee. Guards came up then and I asked them to take him to the O.R. for me. I knew how much you wanted him, so I did what I could to save him." Tess blew her nose loudly and wiped at the fake tears that filled her eyes.

  Slade didn’t know if she was telling the truth or not, if not she was a glorious actress. He was trying to decide if she had a reason to lie about the events of the evening. He knew she had previous contact with Rick Davis, but that was her job. She had previous contact with most of the patients, and he did tell her earlier to rush his paperwork. Maybe she was just a scared woman trying to please her boss in the middle of a crisis to keep her job.

  "Well done." Slade said and started clapping.

  "Sir?" Tess asked. She was sure he was calling her out on her horrible acting skills.

  "Well done Dr. Morgan. You're right. He is very special and I want him in the program. You did the right thing by taking it upon yourself to see that he remained alive. You have my gratitude." Slade turned and walked toward the door.

  "Thank you sir." She said. "Can I go home now?" She asked, sniffling loudly again.

  "Of course." Slade answered. "You must have been terrified. Take a few days off, you've earned it."

  "Oh, no sir, that’s not necessary." She said with feigned disagreement.

  "Well, whatever you think is best." He answered. "If you need a day or two, feel free to take them. We will be halting exams for a few days until we can figure out how we were breached and get a new crew of guards to come in." Slade said with his lip turned up in disgust. He left the office in the same foul mood he had when he came in.

  He couldn’t believe this was happening again so soon after the last escape. He needed to take a good hard look at the perimeter of this place, and the guards he had working for him. The only positive was that the scientists and lab techs had gone home for the night. They were much harder to replace, and that the underground labs hadn't been breached. That was something he couldn't afford to let happen.

  Tess blew out a pent up breath when Mr. Smith left her office. She didn't know if he bought what she had told him, but she hoped so. This man scared her; she knew he could make her disappear if he wanted to. Or worse, throw her into one of those cells. The thought terrified her. She gathered her things and headed home.

  Jackie had taken off her clothes and crawled into bed next to Remington’s strong, warm body. She snuggled up to him and quickly followed him into the abyss that was sleep. Remington opened his eyes to see Jackie wrapped around his body; her head resting on his chest and sleeping soundly. He looked toward the window and saw that it was dark out. He knew it had to be after six p.m. now. Early morning light had shone through the same window when he went to sleep earlier. He wrapped his arms around the woman that was pressed up against him and pulled her even closer. Kissing her on the forehead, she let out a soft moan.

  "Good morning." She whispered.

  "Good evening." He answered.

  Jackie cracked her eyes open, the only light in the room coming from the moon outside. "Oh yeah. Good evening." She said giving Remington a sleepy smile. "How long have you been awake?"

  "Not long, just a few minutes before you." He answered.

  "We should get up. I told Jordan to come back for dinner and Dillon’s probably up by now." Jackie said and started to sit up.

  "Not just yet." Remington said not letting her get up. "I need to feel you a little while longer." He turned toward her, not loosening his hold, and buried his face in her neck. He breathed in deeply. "God you smell good." he said.

  Jackie could feel the hardness of him growing against her leg; she reached under the covers and wrapped her hand around him. He felt like velvet-covered steel. He was soft, and harder than stone at the same time. She moved her hand up and down keeping rhythm with his increased breaths. He groaned and started kissing her neck; breaking her out in goose bumps.

  "Mm." He moaned in her ear. "You taste good too." He left her neck and moved toward her breast. Taking one into his mouth, he gently suckled it. It was Jackie’s turn to start breathing heavy. She put her free hand behind Remington's head and held him to her. He sucked and licked while she stroked him faster.

  "You're killing me." He said smiling against her chest. He pulled out of her grip and perched over her leaning down until he rested between her soft thighs and his lips met hers. He kissed her with such fervor; it was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. He was gentle, but so passionate at the same time. It was a kiss that held emotion, and she returned it with the same intensity.

  Remington placed himself at her entrance. Never breaking the kiss, he entered her. Slowly at first, then speeding up as her moans grew louder.

  Jackie wrapped her legs around Remington, urging him on faster, deeper. He still had his mouth on hers when she finally exploded around him. She closed her eyes and saw bursts of white behind her lids, like thousands of tiny stars filling her head.

  Remington felt the heat and wetness build around him; he broke the kiss when she moaned her release into his mouth. His thrusts grew faster, feeling his own build up, he looked down to see her watching him; waiting for him to show her the look of satisfaction on his face at the time of his release. Her light blue eyes shining like turquoise and bore into him as if trying to reach his soul. It was the end for him. He couldn't hold out any longer, and with a cry of pleasure like he had never heard escape his lips before, he let himself go inside of her.

  Remington leaned down and kissed her gently. He moved to the side of her and laid down, pulling her into his arms. Brushing her hair from her face he placed soft kisses on her forehead, her eyelids. "God you're beautiful." He said.

  Jackie opened her eyes and looked into his. "You don't have to say that. I'm already sleeping with you." She laughed.

  Remington propped himself up on his elbow and gave her a serious look. "Don't do that. Ever." he said.

  Jackie's smile faded. "What?" She asked. Perplexed at the reason he seemed upset at her.

  "Don't dismiss my compliments to you. Not even jokingly. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I don't want you to think for one second that I'm not being completely truthful with you."

  "Okay." She
whispered. "I wasn't trying to offend you."

  "I know. You just have no idea what you have come to mean to me." He said. "It's not just sex with you."

  "I feel the same way." She said.

  "You do?" He asked hopeful. "Because I don't know if you get what I'm really trying to say here." He said nervously.

  "I love you." Jackie said.

  Remington’s dark blue eyes drilled into her. It was all she could see. The emotion that swirled within that blue storm would have brought her to her knees if she weren’t already lying down.

  "I love you." He said. I know we haven’t known each other that long, but it's there and I don't want to hide from it."

  "I feel the same." Jackie pulled him down to her. She kissed him hard, and when she broke the kiss he wrapped his arms around her tightly. They laid there, intertwined. Neither of them wanting to move when there was a light knock on the bedroom door.

  Jackie reached for the blanket at the foot of the bed and covered her and Remington. "Come in."

  Dillon cracked open the door. "Sorry. I was just looking for a towel. I want to take a bath if that’s okay."

  "Of course it is." Jackie said. "Hall closet. Do you need help with your sling?"

  "No, that’s okay. I think I can get it." Dillon answered. Remington noticed that the girl was already looking better. Her eye wasn’t black anymore and most of the bruises and cuts on her face had started to fade.

  "We're getting up. I'm going to make all of us some dinner." Jackie said.

  "Okay, that sounds great." Dillon backed up and pulled the door closed.

  Remington and Jackie were in the kitchen making dinner when they heard a knock at the front door. "That must be Jordan." Remington said walking over and opening the door. Jordan stood there clean shaven and in fresh clothes.

  "Whoa, you clean up good." Remington said moving to the side so Jordan could enter the house. "Is that cologne I smell?" He asked.

  Jordan’s faced turned a little red. "Well yeah, it's not too much is it?" He asked a little nervous.

  "No man, you’re good." Remington smiled at him. It didn't surprise him that Jordan found Dillon attractive. After all, she was beautiful and they were close in age. "You’re not trying to steal my girl are you?" Remington asked messing with him.

  "Jackie?" Jordan asked surprised. "No! No, I just wanted to clean up for dinner is all."

  "Uh huh." Remington said and headed back toward the kitchen.

  A few minutes later, Dillon came out of the bathroom wearing the clothes Jackie had loaned her. Her short black hair was damp, but combed straight. Her green eyes shined like emeralds.

  "Wow you look different!" Jordan said pulling her chair out for her.

  "Different?" Dillon asked.

  "Yeah, I just mean, you're healing well. Your eye looks a lot better and you're not wearing your sling." He said, looking at her injured arm.

  "It doesn't hurt too bad anymore." She said moving her arm up and down.

  Remington and Jackie came out of the kitchen with plates and bowls of food. They had made baked chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli with cheese, and rolls. They sat everything down on the table in front of their guests.

  "Wow, this looks amazing!" Jordan said. "I haven’t eaten like this since...well, it's been a while.” Jackie knew what he wanted to say. He wanted to say he hadn't eaten like this since her grandmother cooked for him; he just didn't want to hurt her feelings.

  "I know what you mean." Jackie said to him with a smile.

  They all were seated and passing food around. They ate as they made small talk; convincing Dillon that they would go back for Rick. They had talked about when, how they would go back in, and what each of their positions would be once they were inside. Dillon was hell bent on helping and with her ability to protect herself Remington didn't really see the harm as long as she was at full strength.

  Jackie looked around the table at these people that had only been in her life a short time and already couldn't picture what it would be like without them. She went from having no one here to having a table full of new friends, and one that was even more. As Jordan and Dillon lost their selves in conversation with one another, Jackie got up and started to clean off the table, taking the dishes into the kitchen. Remington excused himself and joined her. He came up behind her at the sink and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  "I can't stop thinking about Rick. It's killing me I had to leave him there." He said.

  Jackie turned in his arms. "We'll get him out." She said assuredly. "There’s three of you now, and I'll do whatever I can to help you. You got Dillon out and the three of you are safe. Let it be enough for now. Take a breather. It's just for a few days okay?"

  Remington nodded at her. Jackie wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down to her. She placed a sweet kiss against his soft lips. He relaxed, and let her kiss him a few more times bringing his hands up to cup her face. He stared her right in the eyes. The most beautiful pools of blue he had ever seen. "I don't know what I would have done without you." He swallowed hard. "Before and now." He kissed her softly. "I've changed in so many ways in such a short period of time. Physically first, and now, with you, you've changed me too."

  "How do you mean?" Jackie asked.

  "I never thought I would feel this way about anyone. I never had to worry about anyone other than myself and I fear for your safety constantly. I fear what you think of me, if you want me to stay."

  "I want you to stay." Jackie whispered.

  Remington's lips came down hard on Jackie’s. She opened for him and he moaned while he drew in her sweet breath. Remington pulled back and looked down at her. "You just changed me again."

  "I did?" She asked.

  "You just gave me the one thing stronger than fear." He responded.

  "Oh? And what's that?" She asked.

  "Hope."

  The End

  Epilogue

  Tess went back to work after only taking one day off. She thought it would look more convincing if she acted like she was freaked out enough to have to stay home at least one day. She made her way in to the building, noticing all the new security that was already in place. The first thing she noticed was how clean the floors were. No one would have ever known that just a couple days ago they were covered in blood and gore from dozens of dead bodies, some which looked to have been ripped apart from the inside out.

  The Den seemed to be buzzing with activity. There were people everywhere. She even saw techs installing new cameras and computers. Tess walked up to the front security desk.

  "Tess Morgan." She said to the new guard working the desk. She hadn't seen Freddy anywhere since that night. She wondered if he was one of the casualties and almost felt bad for hoping it was true.

  "Here you go Dr. Morgan, your new passkey." The new guard said and handed her the key that would get her through the security outside and inside, including into her office.

  "New passkey?" She asked the new guard. She looked at his nametag. It read Travis.

  "Yes ma'am. I'll need the key you used to get through the gate today. It's useless as of now." Tess pulled the key out of her coat and handed it to the man.

  "Have a good day Doctor." He said.

  "You too." She said and made her way to her office.

  Tess got her clipboard and headed to the recovery room to check on Rick. She slid the passkey through the lock and the door opened. The bed was empty. She turned and left the room heading for the nurses desk in that ward.

  A rather small, redheaded woman, with glasses, that looked to be in her early fifties sat behind the desk. "Nurse." Tess said approaching the desk.

  "Yes doctor?" The woman answered.

  "There was a patient in the recovery room. Mr. Davis. Where is he?"

  "Oh, they took him downstairs yesterday." She said pushing her glasses farther up on her nose.

  Tess's heart dropped to her stomach. She turned away and quickly made her way to her office. Once in
side she sat down at her desk and typed in her password. When she was allowed entrance into the system she typed in Ricks full name. Rick Randall Davis.

  She thought she was going to lose her breakfast; her stomach started to roll in fear. All she saw was big bold letters that read:

  Rick Randall Davis. Scheduled for Alteration.

  It was dated yesterday. The day she stayed home.

  Rick woke up with his head pounding. He never remembered having a headache like this before. He tried to reach up to rub his forehead, but his arm wouldn't move. He looked down and noticed restraints holding both of his arms and legs down to the table he was lying on. He looked around the room. It was like a hospital room, but also like a lab. There was a large light hanging over him and he couldn't see any windows. He tried lifting his head and although it wasn't strapped down, it was pounding so hard that it hurt to move it. Just then he heard a door behind him open.

  "Ah Mr. Davis. So glad you made it." Slade said. "I was worried with your injury and loss of blood that you may not pull through, but again you surprise me."

  "What happened? Why am I in here?" Rick answered in a croak, his throat dry.

  "You don't remember?" Slade asked walking around the table to face Rick.

  "No." He said.

  "Your friend Remington came in to rescue you. He killed a lot of my guards."

  "Remington?" Rick asked, his memory a black void.

  "Yes, it seems he found someone else he'd rather have. A woman. The woman you shared your cell with. Ms. Porter. He left you and took her. Not a great friend after all."

  Rick had no idea who this man was or what he was talking about. "I don't know you. I can't remember how I got here. Why am I here? Was I injured?"