Page 16 of Protected By the Convicts
That stunned him. She was the one person he didn’t. Or hadn’t until his shit had been destroyed. Fuck, he hated that he’d accused her without proof. He’d been so mad, and things with her had been unresolved, and. . .
“I don’t know why I accused you, especially when Vaughn knew about my ship and I suspected Dresden knew as well. I guess I was still hurting from you turning me down, angry at myself for not being able to convince you to come with me, for knowing I would have left you and the others behind to face the consequences.”
Ren fell into a chair and lowered his head again, trying to slow his rapid breathing. Hannah’s hand drew small circles on his back, calming him. Maybe she could forgive him.
“I’m mad, Princess, and I’m not even sure who I’m mad at. I’m mad at Vaughn, for not telling me, warning me, even if he had to destroy my ship, but it’s more than him.”
Lovely green eyes looked up at him. Compassion and patience. Her fortitude would always amaze him.
“I’m fucked up, Hannah.”
She sighed, as if what he said didn’t worry her.
“I tell you what, Ren, if you can keep from saying fuck or similar swear words, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?”
“Actually, I’m not sure. I’m tired and lost the thought. Come up with something, and I’ll agree to it.”
“Really? You trust me, just like that? After everything I said and did to you?”
Hannah righted a chair. “Yes, I trust you. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Everyone I’ve ever trusted has failed me. My family, the manager at the mine on Barlis, The Company, and now Vaughn.”
“Vaughn was in an impossible position.”
Ren bounced a fist against his knee, the anger surging again. “He should have come to me.”
“I agree.”
“You do?”
“And there you go again, acting so surprised that someone could be on your side.”
“What the fuck, Hannah, do you really think—”
“I think you need a swear jar or the equivalent.”
“I’m not a fucking child.”
“Then prove it. Stop swearing.”
“Really? This is what you’re worried about? Did you miss the part about Vaughn fucking betraying me? Or the fact that Sersie is out there doing who knows what, maybe using again and is too strung out to avoid getting mauled by a kuvak?”
“Your ship was a hunk of metal with crude parts and never would have flown.”
“You’re fuckin—”
Hannah quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. “You’re easy to provoke, especially when it comes to that ship. You love that ship more than anything else in your life. I get it. . . It was your baby, your hopes and dreams rolled into one, and now they’re dead. But you need to start focusing on the present, Ren. Your ship is destroyed and there’s no changing that. But if we don’t figure out what to do, how to help Vaughn, we’re all going to be in trouble, big trouble.”
“You want me to stop swearing, fine, but each time I have the urge to swear, I’m going to kiss you.” He had no clue why he said that, except he really wanted to kiss her right now.
Stunning dark green eyes looked up at him, surprised, but not filled with fear or disgust.
“That could work,” she said, surprising him.
“You’re not still scared of me?”
