A Chosen Destiny (The Samantha Project Series #3) by Stephanie Karpinske Page B

down the hall. I had to focus, but still, it seems like my hearing is getting even better.”
    The door opened and Colin walked in with a tray of food. He saw Erik sitting there and glared at him. He set the tray down and started to leave.
    “Colin, wait,” I called after him. He left, shutting the door behind him. “I don’t know what’s going on with him, Erik. When I told him about the procedure, he acted like he didn’t care, but then he showed up. And he stayed with me the whole time. What does that mean?”
    “Maybe after all this, he sees what’s important. Maybe he doesn’t care what went on between you and me.”
    “I’m guessing it’s still front and center in his mind. He won’t forget that anytime soon.”
    “I’m sure he’s doing all he can to forget it.” Erik paused. “Are you trying to forget it?”
    “Forget what?”
    He rolled his eyes. “You know what. Everything that happened between us.”
    “No. Why would I want to forget?”
    “Because you’re trying to get back with Colin. Aren’t you?”
    “That doesn’t mean I’ll forget everything that happened between us.”  
    “Good. Well, I’ll let you eat your lunch.” He leaned over to kiss me.  
    I pushed him away. “Erik, what are you doing?”
    He smiled. “Old habit, I guess. Gotta work on that.”
    I knew it was a test to see if I was really serious about getting back with Colin.  
    A few minutes after Erik left, Dave came by again. “Hey, just checking to see if you needed anything.”
    “No. I’m good. Have you seen Colin?”
    “Yes. Just passed him in the hall. He’s going to that room with the fitness equipment. He said he has some circuit training thing that he does.”
    “It’s probably his sports training workout. He likes to do that when he’s stressed.”
    “Whatever it is, it works. That boy’s in excellent shape.” Dave put his hands on his oversized waist. “I should probably be in there with him. Sit at a computer all day and you end up looking like this.”
    I laughed at him. “You look fine, Uncle Dave. And I don’t think you could keep up with Colin’s workout. It’s not easy. I’ve tried it.”
    “I was talking with the doctor. He said you may still feel tired from the drugs. You should probably get some rest this afternoon.”
    “I’m not tired. I think I’ll go walk around a little. I need to get out of this room.”
    “Okay, but if you feel weak or sick or any kind of pain, you get right to the medical office.”
    As Dave opened the door to leave, we saw Vince standing there. Vince was one of Owens’ employees. He’d brought me there the night Erik and I escaped from GlobalLife.
    “Mr. Owens is arriving soon. He would like everyone to meet in the common area. You should head down there now. Jack and Erik are already waiting.”
    “Do you think he has news about Brittany?” I asked Dave once Vince was gone. “What if something bad happened to her?”
    “Let’s not assume anything, Sam. We’ll know soon enough.”
    Dave and I joined Jack and Erik in the common area. Colin wasn’t there, so I assumed Vince hadn’t invited him.  
    Mr. Owens walked in. “Hello, everyone. Sam, Erik, I hear the procedure went well.”  
    Dave and Jack looked at each other, both annoyed at Owens’ comment. The procedure had hardly gone well.
    “Well, then. Let me explain why I called you all here.” Owens sat down. “I have a confession to make.”

CHAPTER SIX
Motives
    Jack glared at him. “I don’t like the sound of that, Preston.”
    “It’s nothing sinister, Jack. I just feel the need to explain some things. I haven’t shared the whole story about why I brought you all here.”
    Dave got angry. “What are you trying to say, Preston? That you lied to me back in Minnesota?”
    “No, no. Of course not. My goal all along was to get Samantha and Erik up here, where they could be safe and get their timers stopped. That’s exactly what I told you, Dave.”
    “And you also told me