Note: Edited by Zia Westerman 15/4/2017

Happy new year! To all my faithful readers...

If you are reading this, then I'd like to thank you for continuing reading this book. And a big thank you to those of you, who, vote and comment <3

Again, happy new year!

--

Current Earth time ...

Planet: Earth

Location: Camp Jameson

"ROGS!"

Brett, James and I made our way outside, leaving Lucy with Mick, Jeremy and Nathan. Someone knocked into Brett as they were running passed. I quickly grabbed Brett's arm, preventing him from losing his balance and falling to the ground.

"Thanks," he chuckled, reaching his hand out and seized the young man who ran into him. "What's going on?"

"ROGS."

"Yeah, we got that much, mate." Brett shook his head, a smirk falling on his lips.

The man stared at James then when his eyes fell on me he frowns. "It's her fault!" He pointed his finger accusingly at me.

"Watch it," James warned, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me to his side. "You have a problem with her, you have a problem with me."

"It's like what everyone says, you're getting soft, James."

Brett suddenly forced the man against a nearby tree. James sighed, "Leave him, Brett."

"Fine, fine." He leant close to the man's left ear and whispered, "It's a good thing he's gotten soft because I'd break your nose if he hadn't stopped me."

The man pushed Brett away. "ROGS are coming for her," was the last thing he said before he vanished down the street.

My gaze was captured by both Brett and James as Jeremy exited the building behind us. "He is right—"

"No, don't you dare finish that sentence, Jewels." James cut me off, using one of his hands he tucks a blonde strand behind my ear. "None of this is your fault and if the ROGS want you—"

"They'll have to get through us," Jeremy finished James's sentence, earning a death glare from him. "Look, James, I'm sorry about Lucy."

James shook his head and held me close to his chest. "Forget it, Jeremy. We have more important things to worry about."

"Want us to double guards at the gates?" Brett questioned and received a nod from James. "And what about Nathan?"

"I guess, we have no choice but to trust him."

Jeremy sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. "I'll keep an eye on Nathan, in the meantime, I suggest we keep Jewels hidden."

"You're not in any position—"

"He is right." It was my turn to cut James off. "If it seems I am no longer in the camp, the ROGS might not come for me."

"Jewels—"

"James, please, I have seen so many lives destroyed because they want what flows through my body." I looked into his hazel eyes, my hand cups the side of his face.

"I lost those who were dear to me once, I have lost so many. I cannot risk losing you, any of you." My eyes fall on Jeremy who was not looking at me. "Please, James, let me hide."

"Are you sure about this?"

I could only nod at his words. If hiding is what I must do to protect them, then hide I will.

"Yes, because if the ROGS or even Borums find me that scout will surely know who I am. And that will put you all in far greater danger than you could imagine." I used my thumb to stroke James's cheek while his eyes were still locked with mine. "It will be the beginning of the end."

"Alright." James leant his forehead against mine. "You can stay hidden in my other hut." I looked at him in confusion, I did not know he had another hut. "Jeremy and I have more than one house." He chuckled causing his breath to fan across my face.

"Brett, get Mick and Nathan, go to each lookout tower. We need at least four men in each one." Jeremy approached both James and me. "Tell no one where Jewels is."

"You got it, boss," Brett replied and walked off to find the others.

Jeremy's lips formed a straight line as he looked directly at me. "I'll leave you to it," he said to James. "Lucy is being restrained again, I don't want anything to do with her."

Keeping his mouth closed James takes my hand and leads me away from Jeremy, who watched us walk away.

After we turned a corner and continued down a narrow pathway I break the silence that engulfed us. "James? I do not understand what you and Jeremy were both doing to Lucy."

James's hand tightens on mine, but he does not answer me. Instead he changes the subject completely and said, "It's this way, I'll be staying with you until the ROGS back down."

"You mean we will be sleeping together?"

He nods his head. "Well, yeah. Unless you don't want to?"

"I-I-like laying with you." I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks and my palm was sweaty against his hand. "I feel safe." This caused James to stop, he turns around to face me and places his hands on my hips. "I am sorry, I do not know these feelings, they are new to me." My gaze drops to the dirt-covered ground.

"Jewels," he placed his fingers under my chin and makes me look up at him. "It doesn't matter to me if you don't love me back, I understand."

"I want to." My own words caused my eyes to widen, I could not deny how much I wanted to feel what he does. "James, will you help me ... learn to love you? Like you do with me?"

"You want to love me?"

This time it was I who cupped his face. My fingers stroked his cheeks as my eyes locked with his. "Yes, will you help me?"

He did not answer with words, instead, his lips found mine and he kissed me in such a way I felt breathless. "I'll try, but you have to discover love for yourself."

"How will I know when I love you?"

James smiled. "Trust me, you'll know."

What if it was not you whom I fall in love with?

***

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