Page 20 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Move. Movenow, goddammit.

Milo walked slowly along each row, making sure to make eye contact with every inmate, his heartbeat racing as he drew closer to her. When he reached Jana, Milo stood in front of her, waiting for her to raise her chin.

To see him.

The need for her to meet his gaze consumed him to the point of dizziness. Jana’s chin dipped toward her chest, but Milo wasn’t going to move on until he’d seen her eyes. Then her breathing hitched, and he froze once more.

Whatever the fuck was going on, she felt it too.

The room was silent, and he knew he was under scrutiny. He had to move on.

Milo continued along the rows before making his way to the front again.

“Some of the buildings in the compound are out of bounds to inmates. Get too close and—” He tapped his rifle. He didn’t need to say more. The implication was obvious. “Now you’ll be taken to your block. That’s where you’ll eat, sleep, and wash. When the weather permits, you can go outside.” He smiled. “Fresh air is good for you, after all.” He paused. “On occasions, some of you will also be taken to the breeding block. Don’t try to resist. If you do that, we have the capability to force you to comply, but it’s better for you if you simply follow instructions.”

One of the guards snickered. “Besides, why would you want to resist that? Only chance you’re gonna get to—”

Milo glared at him, and the guard clammed up.

I’ll deal with him later.

He returned his attention to the rows of inmates, doing his damnedest not to stare in Jana’s direction, but it was as if he was caught up in a web of invisible threads, their ends wrapped around her fingers, and she was tugging on them, pulling him toward her.

Who the fuck are you?Whatare you?

This was getting dangerous.

Milo straightened. “Okay, that’s all. If you obey the rules, your time here will run smoothly. You know what to expect if you don’t.” He nodded to Coleman, who barked out instructions, and the inmates stood, walking in quiet lines toward the door. Milo watched them file out, his heartbeat returning to its normal rhythm.

When the room was empty, Coleman approached him. Before Milo could say a word, Coleman sighed. “You want Hughes up on a charge? He should’ve kept his fat mouth shut. Again.”

“He knows the rules. No one talks to them except you or me. So yes, put him on a charge. And warn him what will happen the next time.” Milo smiled. “Because unless he’s a polar bear shifter, his nuts will freeze off in a heartbeat up there. Tell him if he doesn’t believe that to come see me. I should know, after all. I was stationed there.”

He didn’t need to expound onthere. Everyone knew.

“I’ll remind him there are far worse compounds to be sent to.” Coleman cocked his head to one side. “Are you okay, sir? You seemed a little distracted.”

Milo huffed. “I’m overdue for some leave. That must be it.” Like about three months overdue. “I need to find someplace warm, preferably near an ocean, where I can unwind for a week or two.”

Coleman chuckled. “A week? Yeah, right. My last leave lasted three days.”

Milo patted his arm. “The benefits of rank, Coleman. Work your way up to captain and you too can get to enjoy them.” He walked out of the room, Coleman’s wry chuckle following him.

Outside, heavy clouds had blotted out the sun, and the air had grown chill. Milo strolled across the compound, taking his time.

Searching for her.

Don’t. Don’t.

The voice of reason was drowned out by another voice, one that clamored for him to find her. Milo scanned the inmates, searching for that reddish-brown hair, the short, slim figure.

And there she was, standing way too close to the perimeter fence.

He hurried over to her, his heart hammering. “You need to move away from there,” he called out as he got closer. “See the white line on the ground? Don’t cross it again.”

Except what he wanted to do was scream at her that she could get shot if she strayed too far.

She turned, and Milo got his first glimpse of warm green eyes that went perfectly with her creamy complexion. Jana stared at him, her chest rising and falling, her breathing as labored as his own.

---