“Who told you that we send the girls away?” The smile was gone from his face and all facades of flirtation were gone.

“No one.” I swallowed hard. “But are they?”

“I’ve got to go.” He gave me another look.

“Why don’t you answer me, Greyson?” I reached out and grabbed his arm. “Tell me what’s really going on here.”

“I can’t do that.” He pulled his arm away and stepped away. “This isn’t any of your business.” He gave me a sad look. “I’m sorry, but you don’t want to know too much. I’ve done things, Meg. I’m not a good guy.” He sighed and shook his head. “Look, I have to go. If you don’t think you can handle this...” He waved his hands between us. “Whatever we have, it’s about sex, nothing else. You won’t get anything out of me. We won’t fall in love. You won’t get my secrets and confidences. This is about sex. If you can’t handle that, I...”

“You what?” My heart thudded with pain. His words sounded harsh and cruel. It wasn’t that I thought this was about more than sex. But the way he was speaking to me, combined with the look in his eyes, made me feel sick to my stomach.

“I don’t know what to say.” He looked away from me. “I have to go, Meg. I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“You’re right. I’m not.” And he turned around and walked away from me. I watched his back as he walked. I couldn’t stop myself from being that pitiful girl. That girl that goes after the bad boy and then wonders why she’s ended up alone and confused. I was that girl. I realized that I was acting like that girl. What did I care if all he wanted from me was sex? Who was he? For all I knew, he was a despicable human being. All signs were pointing to that. I turned around and took a few deep breaths. I wasn’t going to let him psych me out. And I wasn’t going to let him sidetrack me. His whole demeanor had changed when I’d talked about the girls being sent away. His eyes had looked angry, surprised, upset and worried. He’d looked worried. He was worried I’d report him to the authorities. He was worried I’d figure out the truth. He was trying to use my attraction to him to divert me. He’d made a mistake. I was now more determined than ever to get to the truth.

Chapter 2

"How was your day?" I asked Nancy casually as she walked into the room, a good thirty minutes after all the tests had been completed.

"Long." She sighed. "Very long."

"Figure anything out yet?"

"Not really." She shook her head. "This place is like a maze."

"You went exploring, then?"

"Kind of." She made a face, distorting her pretty features into a grimace. "I got lost."

"I wondered where you were."

"I don't think I can do this." Her eyes looked sad. "I thought I could, but it just seems too hard. I'm no Benson."

"Who?"

"Olivia," she said, as if that made more sense.

"Sorry, I don't know who Benson or Olivia are." I said almost apologetically.

"Olivia Benson is one person."

"Oh, is she famous or something?"

"Detective Olivia Benson?! She used to be partners with Stabler!"

"Nancy, I hate to break this to you, but I have no idea who Stable is either."

"Not Stable," she smiled, "Stabler. Detective Stabler. He was played by Christopher Meloni. Oh my god, he's so hot."

"Stable?"

"No, Christopher Meloni." she giggled. "Have you never watched Law and Order: SVU?"

"I have, actually. " I laughed.

"Well, Olivia Benson is a kickass, fearless detective. I wish I was like her, but I'm not."

"I don't think many of us are as fearless as TV characters always seem to be."

"You are." she stared at me in admiration. "You're strong and fearless."

"I don't know about that." I shrugged, but really feeling quite happy at her assessment of me. Maybe I was stronger than I thought. Maybe I was a warrior princess, just waiting to break out.

"Did you hear about Brandon Hastings?" she gushed in excitement, her eyes alive and glowing.

"No, what about him?" I asked softly, noticing the change in her demeanor. She was upbeat now, and she was breathing fast.

"He's coming to the club."

"He is? How do you know that?"

"Huh?" she looked at me blankly and bit her lower lip. "I just heard somewhere, as I was walking back to the room."

"Who did you hear?" I pretended I wasn't that interested in her answer, but I felt tense inside waiting.

"Dunno, one of the girls." her eyes looked past mine and she shifted uneasily. She was lying go me. I could tell she was lying to me, but I just didn't know why.

"Oh, okay." I walked back to my bed and sat down. "Do you care if he comes?"

"No, of course not." She rushed out quickly. "I don't even know him."

“So he was best friends with Greyson Twining, huh?” I asked innocently, faking ignorance. “Do you know anything else about them and the club?”

“Not much.” She looked up at me and her face looked pale. She looked younger than her 18 years as she stood there, and my heart ached for her. Whatever was going on, I had a feeling that, Nancy was not the mastermind. She just didn’t seem to be fully with it. And if she was, she was a mighty fine actress.