Page 3 of Taken By the Convicts
“But you need me to treat the injured. The next time there’s a collapse, you’ll lose miners without a doctor here. One small collapse can take out a few dozen miners, and your serilium production will fall drastically.”
Manager Thorne stepped into her personal space, towering over her. “Don’t threaten me.”
“I’m pointing out the facts. You need me. Give me a guard when I’m working.”
“I can always find more med-techs to replace you.”
“I’m a doctor.”
“Without the experience needed.”
“Then why did you put me in the med-center, Manager?” she asked. “Because I’m still a doctor, and more educated than any med-tech you’ll find on this planet.”
“I don’t negotiate with prisoners.”
“Then make choices because they’re smart. Give me a guard and the keys so I can unchain the non-violent criminals. Chaining the patients to the exam tables and beds is inhumane.”
He laughed. “Inhumane? These men are animals. Get used to the idea that you’re not going to survive if you don’t listen to me, doctor. I’m the only one keeping you alive.”
Chapter Two
REECE
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. The woman, a doctor no less, moved through the med-center like an angel floating on air. Except she had long hair that she pulled into a low ponytail at the base of her neck. Oh, how Reece envisioned pulling the band out, letting her hair fall about her shapely shoulders, and running his fingers through the soft mass. He hadn’t touched a woman in a very long time. Five years, to be exact.
“I’m sorry you’re waiting so long,” she said to Reece as she approached the exam table where the guard had chained him. Thorne glared at her, but she ignored him for that brief moment, giving Reece her full attention instead.
“That’s what I mean, Archer,” Thorne scorned her. “Talking to them when it’s not necessary is dangerous.”
Reece curled his hands around the edge of the exam table to keep from lashing out at Thorne. The chains would keep him from harming the manager, but the sudden movement would startle him. Though nothing would be gained by that, especially if Reece ended up startling the woman too. She was likely scared enough here. The fact that she had trouble meeting Thorne’s eyes said as much.
Despite her nervousness around Thorne, her courage shone through, at least when she looked at Reece. Lovely lips curled into a smile.
“For God’s sake don’t smile at the prisoners,” Thorne scorned.
She spun around, about to say something to Thorne before she caught herself. Instead, she moved to the counter and rearranged a few vials of medicine with no apparent purpose.
Everything about her, the way she moved—with the gentle sway of her hips that drew a man’s eye to her slightly plump ass—the sweet smile of hers, even the way she scrunched her eyebrows when she pondered a question set a fire inside of Reece.
He wanted her, but then again, so did every other man on Veenith. The question was how to get her. He didn’t exactly have a lot to offer a woman. He lived in general housing, a five-story building where men slept with one eye open unless they had backup, which he did in Zev. Even so, it wasn’t the place for a woman, if she ever agreed to be with him. Not that he was opposed to sharing with Zev. After all, Reece wouldn’t be able to keep her safe by himself. Protecting a woman on Veenith was a 24-7 job, and he had a job, needed to sleep, needed to use the damn bathroom. He couldn’t watch over her constantly.
Sharing her with several others was the only way he could have her. . . if he could get her out of the med-center. Which she shouldn’t leave. This was her sanctuary. She’d live longer inside these walls, which were a veritable fortress against the prisoners.
The medicine and equipment in here were too valuable to The Company. The guards didn’t allow anyone into the building except men with obvious injuries. Once the guards chained a prisoner to a table or bed, the medical staff took over and the guards returned to the security office down the hall. The guards were here to protect the equipment, not the medical personnel like the sweet woman with beautiful brown eyes who smiled at Reece.
A woman on Veenith. . . She must have really done something horrible to piss off The Company enough for them to send her here. And yet Reece couldn’t imagine her doing anything remotely criminal.
Melina cleared her throat, threw back her shoulders, and lifted her head as she faced Thorne. “I won’t treat them like they’re animals.”
“You should. You’ll live longer.” With that, Thorne left the isolation bay.
The doctor stood there, open-mouthed, staring as Thorne barreled down the hall. She had courage, but too much courage on Veenith would only get her killed. She should listen to Thorne. The Manager was an asshole, but he knew the prisoners here, what they were capable of. He knew what happened to the previous doctor, a man. A woman wouldn’t last nearly as long.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Archer,” she said as she approached Reece. She tucked a lock of shiny dark hair that had fallen free of her ponytail behind an ear. “What’s your name?”
Reece didn’t open his mouth. Why bother? The gurgles and butchered sounds would make him appear to be the idiot most thought he was.
“Not a talker? That’s okay,” she said with a glorious smile that took his breath away. “I’ve been told I can talk enough for a room full of people.”
