Page 74 of Freedom Mine
Chapter Sixteen
KAYO
After he showered, Kayo headed down to the lake, to think. He laid down on his usual spot, on the shore of the lake in a section with no trees so he could look at the stars above. This place always relaxed him, though he wasn’t sure anything could relax him tonight.
He had never known such fear as when Alli had gone missing. Not even when he had defied Vask and been shoved into that damn cage. Nothing could compare to the relief of finding her alive and well. The smile that had graced her face made him forget about the bruise along her cheek, and the fact that he’d failed to keep her safe. Almost.
He’d been betrayed from within, by Tieg. He’d never really taken the time to know the man. Distancing himself from the men and then exposing Alli to men he really didn’t know, had nearly cost Alli her life.
That was only part of what was bothering him. He’d been jealous of Ranth when he thought Alli was interested in him, and he’d never liked how Masher had a pet name for her. Sweetness. The man should be calling her Blue like everyone else. Or even Alli, since that was her name. Definitely not something as personal as Sweetness.
She had allowed Kayo, a mere soldier by trade, to touch her in ways he’d only dreamed. He had no reason to be jealous of any of the men, except that they had a certain camaraderie with her that he hadn’t achieved.
‘I love you,’she had said to Liet, for making two snips on the chain on her ankle and freeing her. Oh, Kayo knew it was a casual enough thank you, especially since he’d never even known the two to say hello to one another, but it rankled. And he didn’t know why. She’d pursued Kayo, given herself to him—on his desk of all places—and yet he couldn’t help but feel they were worlds apart.
He wanted her to make friends here, not fear the men or feel isolated. He wanted her to want him, to look at him as if he was irreplaceable. The look she’d given Liet for cutting off a damn chain. . . Kayo wanted that look for him and him alone.
“Mind if I join you?” Alli said from above him, blocking his view of the bright stars above, Though he had to admit, he preferred her to the stars.
“Are you sure you want to be here? I don’t think I’ll be good company.”
“Let’s see, so far today one man kidnapped me, another threatened to use me, a third man looked at me in a way that totally creeped me out, and then the first man tried to rape me for a second time.”
“A second time?” He sat up at that.
“Never mind. The point is that I’m qualified to judge who is or isn’t good company at this point.”
“Fair enough. Now explain what you meant about a second time.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Make me.”
“Ah, what?” Kayo scratched his beard. He hadn’t shaved today, and not only was it getting itchy, she was confusing him.
“You want answers, make me give them to you,” she said, looking as serious as he’d ever seen her.
“And how would I do that?”
“I don’t know. You’re the clever one. Figure it out.”
Clever one? Had she hit her head? Maybe she thought she was talking to Jace. She was wearing the second of the two dresses he’d bought for her, this one a simple yellow dress that pulled on over her head. From the way she was starting to shiver, the dress with its short sleeves and hem too high above her knees to be considered decent had not been a good choice. Even now, the wind plastered the thin fabric to her thighs, showing her every curve and giving him ideas he had no right having.
His need to protect her surged at the thought of one of the men seeing her in that dress. They’d only lust after her, as Tieg had. Gods, Tieg had nearly. . . Kayo sat up, unable to breathe suddenly, and she was there, kneeling in front of him, her hand on his shoulder as she peered into his face. Her eyes pinched together with concern as she tried to understand what was wrong.
The wind picked up, tossing her hair behind her and pushing the loose neckline low on her chest. He wished he could afford to take her to town, let her try on and buy clothing that fit her right. Bringing her to town was risky and he didn’t have the money to buy her clothing custom-tailored for a free woman, instead of the second-hand rags that he’d found and hoped would fit her. Gods, she deserved so much more than to be stuck here with him.
“It’s cold out here, Alli. You should head back to the house.”
“Ahh, but I’ve come prepared,” she said with a smile a mile-long.
What had he ever done right to deserve her? Nothing. Not one drekking thing.
“I brought an away pack. Blanket, foam mat, pop up shelter, fire-starters, and warming crystals. Did you know they’re made mostly from pozite? I was reading the box.”
“Where’d you find all that stuff?” he asked, not intending to interrupt her, but the longer he let her continue, the more she’d think he was okay with her staying here, which he wasn’t. He wasn’t good company now, and she’d be more comfortable back at the house.
