Page 4 of Rescued By the Convicts
He waited at the door. A moment later, her hand, so soft and gentle, glided down his sweaty back. A silent apology. He turned to face her, unable to walk away from her. She was his weakness, he’d known that for some time.
A warm smile overtook her lovely face as she tilted her head back. Those beautiful red lips looked so soft, so inviting. When she opened, he couldn’t resist. He locked his mouth to hers. More than lust rolled through him. A sense of home and hope, future, and purpose filled him. She was indeed his greatest weakness because he’d do anything for her.
Right now though, he indulged her in a kiss. She needed to know he wasn’t mad at her, simply frustrated at the thought that he might not be there to protect her when she needed it. It was the reason he tolerated sharing her with the others, but even with three other men to protect her, Veenith had a way of destroying the weak and innocent. And while Melina was by no means weak in spirit, physically she was no match for the men here.
And that’s why he tore himself away from her lips and resumed the lesson.
* * *
Reece watched the hills,especially the rock formations, as he and Jayce escorted Melina to the med-center. The area felt off, wrong somehow, and he couldn’t explain it.
“I don’t like this route,” Jayce complained.
The route took twice as long, but shaking up their routine was essential to keeping Hawke and his men—or any other group—from trying to take Melina. They had come too close to losing her last month. If Zev hadn’t been there, she would have disappeared for good. Hawke had taken her and would have used her until he destroyed her.
“It’s not that much longer,” Melina answered, the sweet sound of her voice waking him to the dangers of daydreaming here. He needed to stay alert. “It’s like taking a leisurely stroll back home, but better. I have two of the most handsome escorts to ogle along the way.”
“We’re wearing heavy coats. There’s nothing to ogle,” Jayce said. “You’re kissing up to us. What are you up to?”
Reece let the insult go. Jayce didn’t exactly watch his words around Melina. Or any of them. Reece had learned to listen to the man’s tone and watch his body language—not his words—to anticipate trouble. Right now, Jayce was in an unusually good mood.
“I’m up to nothing. I was thinking how nice it is to be outside longer than usual, without anyone watching me, or the two of you being on edge expecting the worst.”
His sweet Melina remained naïve about what these animals would do to steal her. She thought no one was watching just because they’d taken a different route. Reece could guarantee they were being watched.
‘Give Melina access to bunker today?’Reece signed.
Melina and Jayce exchanged confused looks.
Reece scrubbed his face, vying for patience. He missed having Zev here to interpret for him. Zev had arrived on Veenith six months before Melina, just in time to save Reece’s life in an ambush. They’d been friends ever since. While Zev had his secrets, he’d proven himself over and over again, enough that Reece didn’t doubt the man’s integrity. During those six months, Zev had become exceedingly good at understanding Reece’s signs. No one else had ever attempted to understand Reece, not until he’d met Melina.
Melina caressed Reece’s lips with her thumb. “I know it’s frustrating, babe.” Her hand glided down his throat. “I’m still searching the medical database to see if there’s some procedure that will help restore your vocal cords, even partially.”
There wasn’t. The doctor at the med-center on Baccula had repaired his cords the best he could, giving him the ability to make a few sounds. Crimshaw had done too much damage, a rather thorough job of silencing Reece permanently.
“Een,” he said, the closest he could come to saying her name. That simple sound brought a smile to her beautiful face every time.
He was so fucking lucky to have her.
She stood on her toes and kissed him. His hands slipped to her waist and turned her around to keep her moving toward the med-center.
“It’s not good to stay in one place too long,” Jayce said, voicing what Reece had been thinking. “The big ape should have told you that by now.”
Reece flicked the back of Jayce’s head.
“Do that again and I’m going to—”
Reece raised a brow. Short of shooting Reece, there was no way Jayce could take him in a fight, and the man knew it.
“Fuck you, Reece.” Jayce turned his eyes and ears back to the task at hand, watching for the enemy.
Reece had gotten used to Jayce, but that didn’t mean he liked the guy all the time. Jayce bled anger and resentment that made him appear cold-hearted most of the time, but he was street smart. He’d survived on Veenith for six years, a year longer than Reece.
What Reece had to keep in mind more than anything was that Melina loved Jayce. Reece wasn’t exactly sure why, but that was between them. He’d protect Jayce because he was important to her. Gods and goddesses above, Reece would do anything for that woman. She brought such light into his life that he couldn’t fathom what losing her would be like.
He had to make sure that never happened.
“We’ll get some paper at the med-center,” Melina said. “You should probably start carrying some on you.”
