Page 79 of Rescued By the Convicts
“I’m not upset, just worried,” Melina clarified.
“Close enough,” Hanna said, glancing back at Ren. She blew him a kiss, and the man’s eyes darted in every direction, looking for threats. So very like Ivan and Reece in that regard.
Narkos certainly was different than Veenith. They had women here. Not a ton, but a few dozen for the hundreds of men. From what Hannah said, the prison planet’s manager had been making a lot of changes that were improving the conditions and the morale of the prisoners.
Unlike Veenith, Narkos held mostly Level 4 prisoners who could go home after ten years. As a Level 5, Melina would spend the rest of her life on a prison world. The question was, whether Foley would allow them to remain here or return them to Veenith. The manager hadn’t said a word to her other than if she worked hard in the med-center he’d consider her unit’s situation.
Consider. What exactly did that mean?
“This place is stable and decent compared to Veenith.”
“Decent, more or less, but still not entirely safe.” Hannah nodded toward Ren. “I always have an escort, though I don’t think I need one anymore. A lot has changed since Foley took over. I feel safe again, but my guys won’t take any chances with me, especially now that I’m pregnant.”
“You’re not worried about the babies? What life will be like for them here?”
“No place is perfect. Argus was far from perfect. Our kids will have four loving dads. That’s better than what I had. Have hope, Melina.”
“I’m scared,” she confessed.
“I don’t think Foley will send you back. There’s nothing in your background that makes you a Level 5 or even a 4, despite the designation HR gave you. Foley may be a Company man, but he makes his own decision. He’ll take your history into consideration, even though he can’t change your designation to a Level 3 to allow you to return to Baccula.”
“Forget Baccula. I never want to return there.”
“Then what are you afraid of? That Foley will send your unit back to Veenith?”
“No, that he’ll sendsomeof my unit back. I don’t want to lose them, any of them.” Melina bit back the tears. “I’ve already lost Zev.”
When Hannah hugged her, Melina sank into the hug. It was so different, so nice, having another woman to talk to, to relate to. She hoped Foley would let them stay on Narkos, but if it meant being separated from even one of her guys, she wouldn’t stay; she’d return with them to Veenith, to the stale bunker, the deadly prisoners, and crooked managers. As long as she had her men, she’d survive whatever life threw at her, even Veenith, the hell-hole of the universe.
* * *
REECE
Ivan glaredat the guards while Reece paced the large cell. Except for some guy who kept taunting the guards from the next cell over, they were the only prisoners in the security office. It beat being in the ice hole on Veenith. Then again, this planet had too much heat and humidity to have any ice holes to torment a prisoner. And they had women walking around. Unguarded andsmiling. He wanted that for Melina. For her to have the freedom to walk around without worrying about being attacked or humiliated. Fucking Namir.
“Shut the fuck up, Garvey,” one of the guards finally yelled at the man in the cell next to theirs. “You’re heading to Veenith. You stabbed Deng, so you got no one to blame but yourself.”
Reece smacked Ivan lightly on the head for glaring at the guards.
“Stop that,” Ivan growled.
If they had a shot to stay on Narkos, they had to take it, for Melina’s sake. Ivan wasn’t helping matters by challenging the guards.
“I don’t like being stuck in a cell. And don’t you roll your eyes at me again. It’s cute when Melina does it. Not you.”
‘Listen to the rules. Good chance we stay,’ he signed.
Ivan scrubbed his face as he sank on the bed. “Three days, Reece. No information on Jayce or Melina.”
Reece tapped Ivan, pointed up. A man stood outside the cell. Similar in size and age to Jayce, the man with hair that constantly fell in his hazel eyes had an ease to him compared to Jayce, less hard. He was watching them closely, scrutinizing them.
“Are you sure about this, Sersie?” the guard asked as he waved a data-pad in the air at the man.
“I’m sure,” he answered, watching Reece and Ivan.
“Who the fuck are you?” Ivan asked.
“Sersie Campós. Melina sent me.”
