Page 41 of Escape Clause

“You are not—it is not—”Just say it.

The question in her eyes turned to worry.

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.He averted his gaze. “In an effort to force me to resign, Stervak has threatened your life.”

She gasped. “What? How? What did he say?” She pressed a hand to her throat.

“A ship arrives from Terra Nova tomorrow. I’m putting you on it. I’m sending you home.” If he didn’t take this opportunity now, it would be weeks before another ship arrived. She had to go now.

“No!” She shook her head. “I’m not going. I’m staying here.”

“You’re going.”

“Isn’t the apartment safe?” She fingered her wrist. “Isn’t access programmed into our chips?”

“Under normal circumstances. These aren’t normal circumstances. When the situation improves, you can come back.”Please, let her want to come back.

“What about the other brides? Are they going back too? And the new ones arriving tomorrow?”

“They will receive additional security, but their lives weren’t threatened.”

“Give me extra security.”

“Your life wasthreatened. Stervak has called upon his followers to attack you. You have been targeted.”Targeted because of me.“You’re going to Terra Nova,” he said in his sternest voice.

“We have a marriage contract.”

“There is an exemption for exigent circumstances. I checked.”

“I thought we had something. We can’t have a marriage if I’m not here. Last n-night…”

He turned away from her stricken face before he lost his nerve. He stared out the window, but he could see her reflection in the glass. Last night had been the best evening of his life, building a foundation for the future. Today, he had to tear it down for her own good.

“I won’t go. I refuse,” she said.

He had to force her to leave, make her want to leave. “This is nonnegotiable. Don’t you understand what I’m trying to tell you?” He hardened his voice. “I’m trying to let you down easily, but you’re not getting it. I don’t want you here. I can’t afford the distraction. Dealing with you will be a hindrance to what I need to do for Caradonia.”

She flinched as if he’d struck her, and his heart shattered anew.

“Well, then. Don’t let me be a bother to you.” She pivoted and disappeared down the hall.

He balled his hand into a fist and punched his reflection in the window.

Chapter Nineteen

“That’s all you’re taking with you?” Krogan eyed her tote bag containing Pru’s hand-me-downs. “The clothes you acquired here are yours.”

“No, they’re not.” She wore her own dress, the flowered yellow one she’d had on the day her stepmother evicted her from the cottage. Once again, she was being kicked out. She would leave the way she’d come—with nothing. Fourteen days ago, she’d landed on Caradonia. Her marriage had lasted two weeks. That had to be a new record for brevity.

“Hope…I…” He raked a hand through his hair.

Clinging to her pride, she stared at him unblinking, praying she wouldn’t break down.

He held out his hand for the bag. “I’ll take that.”

I don’t need your help. I don’t need anything from you.“I’ll carry it.”

He sighed. “Let’s go.”

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