Page 11 of Auctioned to the Convicts
“No unit.”
“Unusual. You’ve been here half a day. Usually, the soldiers form units fast. No matter. Choose one now.”
“No unit,” he repeated. He’d had a squad once. Never again.
“The woman is to be shared.”
“Mine. Not sharing.”
“You don’t have a choice. She goes to a unit. If you don’t form one, then I’ll give her to Griggs’ unit.”
“Form a unit, Ky’Li,” the doctor said. “With at least one miner. You won’t be able to work for several days, if you get treatment, and you’ll still be held to your quota. You need a unit who can cover for you and watch over her, especially when you’re earning your quota.”
“Help me up,” Ky’Li said.
To his left, a man with hazel eyes that changed with the light—imagine that. . . hazel eyes—helped him rise, while on the other side his Hannah slipped under his good arm, to support him. Dark green eyes the color of the softest moss in the forests of Daraan held him. She hadn’t said much yet, but the fear he’d seen in her earlier had disappeared. Shetrustedhim.
Ky’Li looked over the sea of hopeful men. They all wanted her, without even knowing her. Krike.
“You think you can form a unit in the next five seconds?” Dresden asked.
“Who here wishes to form a unit with me and this female?” Ky’Li yelled out as loud as he could to the sea of men.
Every man raised his hand. Every fucking male wanted his female. They expected him to share her. It was unnatural, it went against the gods, but forming a unit was his only chance to save her from Griggs, even if it meant giving the men he’d choose false hope. No one would touch her, except him.
“Point made, Mr. Okaav. Choose,” Dresden said, drumming his fingers against his side.
Wide-eyed, Hanna nodded to Ky-Li. She waited for him to choose, except she didn’t know him and his lack of judgment when it came to picking a team. Unit. Hell, there would be no difference, except he’d be tied with these men for the rest of his time on this colony. Tenyears. Better to pick weaklings that he could easily keep away from her, even if they teamed up against him. But weaklings would not be able to protect her when he was working in the mines.
“Units of four are dismissed. Get back to work. Smaller units and solitaries stay,” Dresden ordered.
The choice of men dropped considerably. About one hundred men remained. Ky’Li scrutinized the pathetic group of men. A few miners, large men in groups of three, remained. Sturdy men capable of protecting—or hurting her. They’d expect her in their beds. Krike, this was unnatural. He shouldn’t be choosing a male, let alone three to sleep with his female.
“None of these are worthy of my female or me,” Ky’Li said.
“Then you’re forfeiting her?” Dresden asked.
Krike!
Ky’Li couldn’t do it. With his right hand, he caught a lock of her hair and gently tugged to gain her attention. Scared eyes looked up at him.
He smiled the best he could, hiding his resentment toward Dresden and the predicament he’d placed them in. Ky’Li would have to form a unit. He tugged her hair again, playful this time, hoping to put her at ease.
She bit her lip, sending a thrill through him. He couldn’t wait to have her, but he wasn’t sharing her.
He leaned into her ear, taking in her delicious scent, and said, “You choose.”
* * *
HANNAH
Never had she expected anyone would take her place in the challenge. Then her soldier from the shuttle, Ky’Li, had fought for her—while injured, no less. That beating he’d taken aboard the shuttle had left him vulnerable, but it was the miners aiding Griggs during the fight that left Ky’Li in bad shape. Really bad shape.
“You choose,” Ky’Li said, tugging on her hair.
His face bloody and swollen, Ky’Li teetered, supported by her and a man with hazel eyes. Unable to stand on his own and fighting to stay conscious with a head wound and internal injuries, Ky’Li still managed to tug playfully on her hair as if he had all the faith in the world in her. She couldn’t focus on choosing a unit. Ky’Li needed medical attention.
“Doctor, please help him. I’ll do anything you want.”
