Page 38 of Taken By the Convicts
“Reece!” Melina leapt from the bed and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m okay.”
His heart melted. He fucking loved her touch, but more importantly, he loved seeing her spirit intact. And she was fully dressed. Ivan hadn’t touched her.
“I’ve got to go,” Ivan said, his eyes lingering on Melina longer than Reece cared.
Despite how much the thought of sharing her turned his stomach, Melina needed these men and this bunker. She’d be safe here.
Reece forced his hands to remain at his sides as Ivan stroked her cheek. There was no doubt in Reece’s mind, Ivan would take her at some point, and Reece would have to let it happen, for Melina’s sake. He hoped the man lived up to his word and let it be her choice.
* * *
MELINA
Melina staredas Ivan walked out without a word. She’d fallen asleep in his arms, in his bed, but he’d never touched her. He was probably too repulsed after what she’d confessed.
Ivan admired strength, a quality that eluded her, though she’d been trying to stand up for herself more this past year. She’d even devised another plan to get away from Namir, but she’d been condemned to Veenith before she could attempt to escape. Between being with Namir and being sent to Veenith, she honestly wasn’t sure which was worse.
Or why she’d been sent to Veenith. The incident with Ivan’s squad—and her defiance and sabotaging what The Company had done to those men—happened two years ago. While it was true that she’d been lowered to a 5 within two weeks, she hadn’t lied to Ivan. She’d been placed on house arrest. She’d assumed Namir had used his influence to keep her from being punished by The Company, reserving that pleasure for himself. So what changed that The Company suddenly sent her to Veenith after two years?
Reece tipped her chin up with his finger and looked at her with such softness, such respect.
Veenith was definitely better.
She would never leave here, and there were unimaginable horrors here, but Reece was here. He was the oasis in this morally corrupt and extremely lethal planet.
“I’m fine,” she reassured him, leaning into his hand that cupped her cheek. She loved how he seemed to understand what she was feeling, what she needed.
He pointed across the hall to the room Ivan had locked her in.
She shuddered. “I can’t go back in there. Please don’t make me.”
He held her face in both hands, shaking his head furiously. She’d misunderstood him. “Take me to your room, Reece. Or stay here with me. Just don’t leave me alone again.”
He pulled her into his massive chest and rested his chin on the top of her head. She felt cocooned, safe, with him, always safe, though she still knew so little about him.
Reece led her back to his room and lay down on the bed with her, his arm keeping her tucked against his side. She fell asleep immediately, knowing what it felt like to be safe for the first time in years.
* * *
Melina opened her eyes,disoriented but not panicked. The sensation was rather new. One deep breath and she knew why. Reece’s male scent filled the bed. He’d taken her back to his room, but he hadn’t touched her. Not that she thought he would, but still, it was reassuring that she’d been right about him.
The room itself remained stark and barren. The entire unit had only been in the bunker three days now, not enough time to add any personal touches, not that decorating was something a prisoner gave thought to. Even so, in Ivan’s room, there’d been a backpack, a small pile of clothing neatly piled on a shelf along with some wire, rope, tape. And she’d seen a collection of throwing knives and a sharpening stone on a small table. The man liked to stay prepared. In Reece’s room. . . nothing. A change of clothing sat on a chair. Maybe he didn’t plan on staying long. She hoped he’d take her with him, wherever he planned on going.
Melina slipped into the hallway, saw that it was empty, and then headed to the bathroom. As she finished cleaning up, she heard the metal click of the bunker door shutting echo through the bunker. Was someone going or coming? Insecurity wrapped around her again. What if it was Jayce? Was Reece still here?
Melina headed down the hallway, toward the stairs that led up and out of the bunker. “Reece?” she called out, not too loud, though her voice carried.
Her gentle giant stepped out of the kitchen, his brows raised and concern quickly filling his handsome face.
She smiled instantly. “Good morning. At least I think it’s morning.” It felt like she’d slept a full night, but she couldn’t be sure.
Reece signed, what looked like a sun rising, hovering, and then starting its descent.
“Afternoon?”
He nodded and lowered his hand.
“Lateafternoon. Wow. I can’t believe I slept that long.”
