Page 68 of Rescued By the Convicts
She inserted three nanites into Jayce’s wound and pocketed the tube. She squeezed some anti-bacterial foam into the wound and reapplied the bandage.
“Melina?” Ivan asked.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“We have to go.”
“He shouldn’t be moved,” the doctor said.
“He’s right,” Melina said, but she understood the tight expression on Ivan’s face. They’d run out of time.
Melina quickly shoved a few medical supplies into a bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Take him and let’s go,” she said to Ivan. This would be her call, not his. At least Ivan wouldn’t blame himself if Jayce died.
* * *
REECE
Reece had never felt sohelpless as when he’d fought to get through the crowd in the ship bay, only to end up watching the guard shoot at Melina. His heart had nearly stopped, but then Jayce had charged at her, knocking her to the ground.
The angle, the arc of Jayce leaping at Melina. . . That bullet would have stuck her in the head. A kill shot. Jayce had saved Melina, and now it didn’t look like he’d survive. Namir was determined to kill what he couldn’t have, and he didn’t care who died in the process.
“Plan B,” Ivan announced.
Fuck, that meant going straight to the viper himself.
As gingerly as Ivan could, he picked Jayce up and positioned him over his shoulder.
“We can’t return to the docking bay,” Melina said.
“We’re not. We’re taking Namir’s ship,” Ivan replied as he motioned Reece to move out.
Reece watched Melina’s body shake, but she didn’t argue. She wouldn’t. She understood what was at stake, and she’d do anything to save Jayce. Reece loved her loyalty and fierce protectiveness of her men. She wasn’t one to cower even when she was scared, as she was right now.
As Reece passed her to take point, he brushed his right hand along her arm. He couldn’t let his hands linger on her, not while he had an ice rifle in his left hand.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Ivan took up the rear, not willing to leave Melina exposed. If they didn’t make it off the station, then Reece would at least die knowing the Goddesses had found him worthy of not only having a woman but an entire family. Zev, Jayce, and even Ivan. After living alone in the universe for so long, Reece had people who cared about him, who’d do anything for him. He damn well wasn’t going to let them die here.
“Even if we can get into his section of the station, how are we going to fly his ship?” Melina asked.
“Zev gave me the pilot’s information. Quarters, description, everything. I’ll find him.”
Reece didn’t doubt that Ivan would find him. When the man was driven, he didn’t allow anyone to stop him.
Suddenly, Reece ground to a halt and motioned Melina to move behind him.
Ivan appeared at his shoulder a second later. “How many?”
Reece held up three fingers. There was a third set of boots, very faint. They ducked into a maintenance tunnel mere seconds before the guards ran past. He’d memorized the layout of this section. Zev had given him the plans, just in case. But as they continued down the tunnel, Reece grew suspicious that they’d made it this far too easily. He halted before the exit.
Ivan passed him, stared at him for a moment, and then set Jayce down. Melina took the opportunity to check Jayce’s wound. Reece started signing.
Ivan held up a hand. “I know. It’s been too easy.”
“Maybe Zev’s cleared the way for us?” Melina suggested as she lifted the pressure bandage.
“Or Namir is drawing us into his territory.”
