Page 20 of Hidden By the Convicts
“What happened?” she asked.
“I flipped out on a mission. I couldn’t enter the catacombs. I ran off, which put the entire mission at risk. A search team caught me two days later. They accused me of cowardice, of fleeing to save myself. I’d run into battle before. Bombs, fire, overwhelming forces even, and I’d never fled. But going below ground. . . I snapped, and I didn’t recall any of it. Still don’t.”
“Didn’t you explain about your past?”
“They didn’t care. I had left my squad during a mission. Those were the facts that mattered. They lowered me to Level 4 and sent me here, to the mines.”
“Bastards. How did you end up on East Side?”
“Honestly, Teagen, I don’t remember much of my time in West Side. I’ve been told I caused a lot of fights in the mines. Probably trying to get out. That’s my best guess.
“Vaughn, one of the doctors over there, argued on my behalf, said I had to be reassigned to anything other than the mines. But Dresden doesn’t give a shit about anyone or anything except his precious zurlite production and the healthiest, strongest men end up in the mines.”
“How did he convince him?”
“He didn’t. Vaughn bribed someone, got me transferred to East Side. He saved my life. Maybe not in the conventional way, but I wouldn’t have survived in the mines. So, yeah, Teagen, I know what it’s like being trapped, which is why I’m asking you to hold on a little longer. I promise we’ll take you out soon at night, for some fresh air and exercise.”
When he lifted his hand to push back her hair, she noticed a bandage on his palm. “You’re injured.”
“Not exactly. Harlis dug up the dress you wore that day we found you into the jungle and sprayed it with something that will attract the kuvaks. We figured it was time to give Mozely a body, or rather the evidence of your death.”
He rotated his hand. “I donated some blood to the cause. When the guards find the bloody, shredded frock, they’ll think you were eaten by the kuvaks and give up looking for you.”
She threw her hands around his neck. “Thank you,” she said, trying to hold back the tears.
No one had ever gone to such lengths to protect her. Not even her mother and fathers on Argus. They hadn’t believed her story about her boss. Once The Company had shown them the doctored videos of her stealing supplies, they walked away from her. They didn’t want to risk being lowered from Level 1 to Level 2 for causing trouble, even in defense of their only child.
When she didn’t release her hold around his neck, Bowen’s hands landed on her hips. “Are you intentionally tempting me?”
A sudden jolt of need moved through her. His hands on her, the way his eyes locked onto her, and the sultry way he said her name, made it hard to saynoto the man. She wasn’t sure she wanted to, either.
“That depends on you, my fearless leader who demands his unitobeyshim.”
“Demands it and yet I still have one member who hasn’t pledged her obedience to me.” He quirked a brow. “I wonder what I have to do to earn such a pledge.”
“A kiss would be a good start,” she suggested with a smile that felt right.
He released his hold on her, all the playfulness gone from his expression. “I’ve been here five years.”
She unlaced her fingers and stepped back. “I get it. You don’t want me to screw it up for you. You’ll be released in another five years.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek before she backed up. “I’ve learned the hard way how cruel life can be, and how quickly we can lose the safety we have. I like you, Bowen.”
“Because I’m safe?”
“It’s more than that. I’ve. . .” She rubbed her arm and stared at the beds as memories of the guards rushed back.
Then Bowen’s hands were on her, massaging her arms and moving higher, only stopping when he cupped her cheeks. He stared into her eyes for a moment, and then leaned down and kissed her. Soft lips melded to hers, pressing every-so-lightly that she didn’t think about the guards, just Bowen.
As his tongue swept through her mouth, tracing over her lips and searching for her tongue, she closed her eyes and soaked in the tenderness that was all Bowen.
He took his time, letting her get used to him, even as her hands moved over his ribs and then toward his abdomen. A tingling surged through her, quickly turning into a restless need. With her fingertips, she brushed over the soft line of hair that led to the top of his trousers.
“Lower, T,” he said as his lips left hers. He looked into her eyes again. “But only if you’re sure. I said you’re safe here, and I mean that. You don’t need to do anything you don’t want.”
She must have hesitated or taken too long to make a move, for he kissed her forehead and then turned her to face the shower. “Go. Shower while you can. I’ll keep watch.”
“Shower? Alone?”
“Yes, alone. You’re not ready for me, T. I’m not sure you’ll ever be ready for me.” He swatted her bottom, all in good fun, and it got her walking toward the bathroom.
