Page 45 of Freedom Mine
“You’ve lost confidence in yourself. The Kayo I know never gives up. First, it was the alcohol, and now it’s her. You’re trading one bad drug for another.”
“Don’t speak of her that way.”
“I have nothing against her, except what her presence is doing to you.”
Kayo shoved some chemsticks into the harkifa’s pack with such force the beast grunted and sidestepped away from him.
“What would you have me do to get out of this mess? Return her? It’s not happening. So unless you have any bright ideas, leave me be.”
“How about a change of subject? How you hurt Blue.”
Kayo stopped loading again. “You said I didn’t hurt her.”
“Not physically, but she’s hurting just the same. I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but she’s hurting. As are you.”
“First you want her gone, now you’re talking as if you’re on her side. Which is it, Jace?”
“Didn’t know I get to pick sides or that there are any.”
“You’re right. You don’t get to pick. So stay out of it.”
“I guess I’m done here then.”
Kayo swore under his breath as Jace walked off toward the longhouse. Kayo’s eyes drifted to the main house. He needed to know she was okay, but he couldn’t face her after what he’d done in the kitchen last night, not to mention whatever happened in his room in the middle of the night.
He’d crossed a line by touching her, kissing her. Now every time he came into contact with her she’d expect him to seduce her, or worse, force her.
He wanted to wrap his arms around her, to feel her soft body against his as he breathed in her scent, tasted her lips, and listened to her moan, but it was the last thing he could do. She wouldn’t trust him. Hells, he didn’t trust himself.
Maybe he should move her out of the house so he wouldn’t have to see her. But where? Not the longhouse, not with all those horny men. They’d be on her like flies on harkifa shit. In the stables with Ranth? Kayo suddenly felt the urge to punch Ranth and the man hadn’t done anything.
The house was the only place for her. Maybe he should move out instead, to the longhouse. There were plenty of bunks there, and he could get to know some of the men better. He barely knew the newer arrivals. He’d been pushing them away, unable to listen to their stories, to hear the longing for home in their voices. Jace was right; he’d been lost in his drinking for too long.
“Anyone who’s late to the mine will be pulling an extra shift,” Jace called from the center of the compound to get the stragglers moving. It was almost sunup. Usually, the men were gone by now. “Blue? You coming?”
Alli came running out of the house and down the steps, a definite bounce to her step until she spotted Kayo. An awkward smile replaced the carefree one of a moment ago as she stepped closer to the group of gathering men.
Just seeing her wearing one of his shirts gave him too many ideas. The hem came down to her knees, and she’d belted it with braided leather, from the look of it. A present from Ranth? Another urge to pound the stable hand came over him, especially when Kayo remembered she wore nothing underneath. He should insist she wear pants from now on, except he couldn’t tell her how to dress. She wasn’t his, and even if she were, she was a free woman. He needed to distance himself.
The sun rose over the mountain, bathing her in a soft golden light that shone through that all-too-thin shirt revealing more of her body than it should. Masher was smiling, as were Runner and Bawson. Kayo could hear the murmur, as a few of the men gawked at her. Bawson practically peeled her clothing off with his eyes. The tank of a man stroked the tip of his tongue with his second finger.
Kayo shot off toward the group. It didn’t matter that she didn’t know the crude gesture; he knew it and there was no way Bawson or any of the others would disrespect her.
The men parted as he charged Bawson and swung. Bawson ducked and kicked his legs out from under him. The man was younger, quicker and strong. Bawson had him flat on his back in no time, which only proved how right Jace was. He’d lost his edge.
Masher pulled Bawson off of him, but Kayo came up swinging, landing one punch in Bawson’s face before Jace and Liet could restrain him.
“Touch her and you’re dead!”
Jace and Liet pulled Kayo back. “She’s not going up there,” Kayo said as he shoved the men off of him.
Jace said nothing as he rounded up the men and headed up the trail.
Alli approached. Damn, he’d forgotten she was watching. What was that expression on her face? Relief? Worry? He could swear he saw both.
“Are you sure, Kayo? It’s not like I’m much use down here.”
“You’re coming with me.”
