Page 16 of Bound to the Alien Gladiator
“No, no. It’s working, but I just thought—” The rustle of blankets behind me let me know that Tezakk had climbed out of bed and followed me to the cell door.
“That we wouldn’t come for you?” Cleo released my arm. “You’re the captain.”
My breath caught as Tezakk pressed up against my back, the full heat of him chasing off the chill in the room. My nipplespointed, and I crossed my arms to cover them. Cleo couldn’t care less about my nakedness, but I didn’t want to flash my growing excitement around, plus who knew where my clothes had traveled to when we were dragged back here.
Cleo playfully tapped my shoulder. “You really think those jokers could get anything done without you?”
Pride flushed through me. Maybe our relationship wasn’t as transactional as I’d thought.
“I’m sure you would have figured it out,” I said, turning so she wouldn’t see the tears that threatened to spill over.
As I did, I caught Tezakk’s emerald gaze. His arms wrapped around me and tugged me close.
Secure in his hold, I turned and faced Cleo. “Tell me you didn’t crash too? Otherwise, we’ll wind up right back here when we leave this cell.”
“If you’d come in from the other side of the solar system, you wouldn’t have been pulled into the gravity well. And you’d have a functioning ship to get off this shitty world.”
She flicked a glance over my shoulder and looked back at me. “Looks like you kept busy in the interim between crash and rescue.” She smirked. “Lost a little weight too, although I’m not surprised you’re still alive with the live streams we caught once we spatially located your position. You were always a scrapper. Now it’s time to leave the male play toy and let’s go.”
Tezakk stiffened behind me, and I gave Tezakk’s wrist a squeeze. I asked Cleo, “Can you give me a minute?”
“Sure, but just a minute. We’re blocking their comms and video feeds, but it won’t last for much longer. It’s a good mile out of this damn place and to the ship.”
She turned and took up watch near the entrance to give us some semblance of privacy.
Tezakk’s eyes didn’t leave mine as I faced him again. My heart raced with excitement . . . and dread.
“That’s Cleo; she’s from my ship,” I whispered. “They’re here to take me—”
“I heard,” he said flatly.
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the emergency signal. I didn’t know if they would come.” I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him.
A pang hit my chest when he didn’t return my embrace. I rested my chin on his chest and looked into his emotion-filled eyes.
“I didn’t plan for this to happen,” I finished lamely.
His tentacles hung heavily and unmoving around his head. He pulled back, face carved from stone. I flinched as he drew a cloak of protection around himself.
I shivered as all my warmth fled. My bare skin and exposed vulnerabilities hit me hard.
“So, this was just an interlude.” He stepped back. “I was just a way station in your time here before you headed back to your real life.”
“What? No!” I followed his retreat. “I thought I was going to die in that pit.”
I reached for him, but he stepped even farther away. My arm fell limply at my side. “You saved me.”
“Now I understand Rena Fucking Vale.” His bioluminescence dimmed into the darkness. “You are free. I release you.”
Pain slammed into my chest as he blurred in front of me. I rubbed my eyes. “So that’s it?”
“You will leave.” He dropped his gaze. “And I will stay.”
“Are you kidding me? You really want to stay here, in this hell hole, fighting for your life?”
“If it means you’re free, then yes.”
“You think we can’t take on one more being?” I ran a hand through my hair. “You’re coming with us, if not for me, then at least to fulfill your original mission.”
