Page 71 of Taken By the Convicts
Ivan put a hand on Crusher’s shoulder. “We’ll get her back.”
After only a few minutes of waiting, the doors to the med-center opened. Two guards with blasters motioned for Ivan and Crusher to back up. Ivan peered past the guards to a person behind them. He’d hoped it would be Melina, but it was only one of the guards. The guard carried a man over his shoulders, then dumped him on the ground. Ivan looked again for Melina but didn’t see her through the open doors. She was in there with a bunch of men, and no one to protect her. If he could get past the guards—
“Don’t even think it, Perilov,” the head guard Davies warned.
“Let me through,” Ivan demanded.
“I don’t take orders from prisoners.”
“She’s part of my unit.”
“Is she registered as part of your unit?”
“Who the fuck registers a unit of Veenith? The Company doesn’t care.”
“Then she’s not yours.” A smile curled his lips. “She’s mine. Whenever I want her.”
Ivan surged forward, but Crusher tackled him from the side as Davis raised the blaster and shot at Ivan.
“No!” Melina screamed as she ran toward the door. A second guard stretched his arm out and blocked her from leaving. “You need to go, Ivan. Both of you,” she yelled out as she focused on Reece. “I have work to do here.”
He wished she’d look at him like she looked at Reece, but this wasn’t the time for jealousy. He had to get her out of there.
“Are they keeping you prisoner?” Ivan asked.
“Only you did that.”
He winced.
“The guards are just getting rid of the trash for me,” she said, indicating the body on the ground.
Ivan lifted a brow, intrigued and concerned. Had she killed a man? No, if she had, the guards would toss her in the hole. Despite the immense pride he had knowing that his little bird could take care of herself, she was alone in there. Sooner or later, someone would have the drop on her or outnumber her.
“Please, Melina. Come with us.”
“I need to find that cure, Ivan.”
“Is that what this is about? I don’t need it. You’re in danger here.”
She swiped at her eyes, trying to hide the tears. “Why do you care?”
“You’re part of my unit. I don’t walk away from my people.”
“I was your prisoner.”
How could she still think that? He’d given her the freedom to move around the bunker and do as she pleased. He’d taken her above ground to have fun in the snow. He treated her no differently than the men, except for keeping her below where she’d be safe.
“You’re part of my unit,” Ivan said, hoping she believed him. He wouldn’t lie to her. She was one of them now.
“If I were truly part of your unit, then you’d let me work my shifts. Let me do something worthwhile.”
What was it with her and these fucking shifts?
“I can’t go back to that cage.”
“It’s not a cage. It’s a fortress and I keep you there to protect you.”
“I can’t be caged. No air, no sun, no people. No purpose. I won’t be your captive. You get to feel the fresh air and sun, to leave at will, to talk to others when and where you want. I’m caged. Trapped with only my jailers to visit me, use me as they wish.”
