Page 81 of The Explorer
Banni smiled. “You know what I want.”
My head was still full of the wolf attack so I couldn’t think straight. “We do?”
“He wants us to bring him with us to the Northlands when we visit this summer,” Aubri said.
“Oh, right. We’ll have to ask Victor to get permission then.”
Aubri snorted. “We’ll never get permission and you both know it. After what happened with Belle, they’ll deny all travel unless it’s for the summits.”
“But then maybe Banni could take Belle’s spot on the delegation now that it’s open,” I suggested.
“Me? No, not a chance. They’re already discussing the candidates on the News and they’re all A’s. If I’m to ever leave this country, you’ll have to smuggle me out when you go back for the summer.”
“That could get us in a lot of trouble.” Aubri sounded pained so I tried walking faster.
“I just saved your lives,” Banni exclaimed. “Besides, I guarantee the government would never know. My friends would cover for me and say that I’m sick.”
Caught up in the moment, I felt so grateful to Banni for coming to our rescue that I agreed. “As long as you’re sure we can pull it off without your government finding out, then I’m happy to bring you back home with us.”
Banni flashed a wide grin. “Now,thatwill be an adventure! I can’t wait to see Belle again and experience this magical land you keep telling me about.”
“What would your government do if they found out that you had left with us?” Aubri asked.
“I’ve been wondering that myself. I don’t think it’s ever happened before. Typically, people are punished with either prison or community service, but I’m already working as an Explorer, so I don’t see how they can punish me further.”
Val came running toward us. I guessed that he already knew what had happened from the brain link he shared with Banni. He had an emergency kit in his hands and led us to the fire pit, where he sat Aubri down and looked at her arm.
Banni disappeared but returned with a sleeping bag that he placed in front of me. “Lie down and let me look at your wound.”
I complied and gave a grimace when he sprayed an anti-bacterial cleanser onto my wound. “The suit protected you somewhat. It’s not too bad, but it will take time to heal. Let me just apply some adhesive to close the wound.”
“What about Aubri?” I asked.
Val turned and said the longest sentence I’d ever heard him say in English. “Aubri will be fine.”
“I was so worried,” Britany said and kneeled down next to me. In order for Banni to clean my wound, he had exposed my butt and leg. I lay on my stomach resting my head on my crossed arms and couldn’t see Britany.
“Does it hurt?” She placed a hand on my back and it caused Aubri to sneer.
“Get your hands off him.”
I smiled and winked at my woman, loving every moment of her possessiveness.
Britany on the other hand had no experience with jealous people and pushed her luck. “I’m just asking him if his wound hurts.”
“Touch him again and you’ll be the one hurting,” Aubri threatened her.
Britany finally got the message and pulled her hand away.
“It’s a Northlander thing,” Banni explained to her. “They haven’t learned to control their emotions. You saw how Indiana reacted when Aubri kissed me.”
“I wouldn’t bring that up if I was you,” I told him in a gruff voice. “Aubri was playing a dangerous game and it could have ended badly for you.”
“I’m just trying to tell Britany not to take it personally. It’s hard for us to understand your behavior.”
“Well, it’s simple. Aubri and I are a couple now. Unlike you Europeans, we have no need to fuck a hundred different people. All we want is each other.”
Britany, who had moved away from me, wrinkled her nose up. “That sounds incredibly boring and selfish.”
