Page 42 of Hidden By the Convicts
“Believe me, I was tempted. But you’re right about Bowen.”
“Then you’ll let me go out again?”
“I hate that you talk to me like I’m your jailer,” he blurted out, then sighed, taking control of his frustration. “The rules are in place to protect you. Damn, listen to me. I sound like Bowen.”
She smiled. “That’s not a bad thing, but don’t worry, you’re still you, Harlis.”
“Hell, Teagen, how can you be so casual about risking yourself?”
“I don’t want to be afraid of life because of what can happen, whathashappened. I’ve been there, and I didn’t like that constant state of fear and shame. Bowen says I have all this power inside of me, that I can’t let anyone take it away from me.”
She stood tall and threw her head back. “I guess that’s what I’m doing, Harlis. I mean, there aren’t a lot of choices sometimes. Laugh or cry, right? I did enough crying when I was with the guards. I much prefer to laugh with—and love—the three of you.”
He opened his mouth but said nothing.
“Say something, please.”
“I won’t make you a prisoner. But if you’re determined to go out, for whatever reason, I’d rather it be with one of us than alone.”
She still couldn’t get over the fact that he’d followed her and hadn’t made her go back. Hours. She’d been out there in the dark, working by a small light, fixing the harvesters until just before dawn.
“You watched over me the entire time?”
“Did you think I’d leave you there? What if one of the patrols had come by? I sat up on the hill where I could watch for them and still have time to make it down to warn you. Each night, princess.”
Each night?“You could have been caught,” she said, upset with herself now for endangering him.
His brows pinched together. “Does that scare you?”
“Of course it does! I don’t want to see anything happen to you. Especially after seeing what they did to Bowen. It was foolish, Harlis. If they had caught you—”
“Now you know why I’m scared. I’m not the one in danger, princess. You are.”
Tears leaked from her eyes. “If he doesn’t make quota again, they’ll send him to the mines or throw him back in the hole. He was just a shell of a man. Just stared at the wall like he was trapped in his head. I’m not sure what brought him out of it finally, but he might not escape that a second time.”
“You’re what brought him out of it, Teagen. Next time, though, if there is a next time, you’re going to have to ignore your instincts to help him. Or any of us.”
“How?” she asked, as she wiped at her tears. The very idea of any of them suffering, especially because they were protecting her, hurt.
He pulled her in against his chest and breathed into her hair before his lips brushed her ear. “I don’t know,” he whispered.
She sank into his hold, enjoying the strength of his arms around her and the genuine concern he held for her. For all of them.
He kissed the top of her head and pulled her by her hand to the kitchen. “I’m starved. How about you?”
“I’m amazed that no matter what is going on, you men can always eat.”
“Gotta eat. Need strength. For working and fucking.”
She raised her brow at the suggestive nature of his comment. The chance to be with Harlis, to give him what she knew he had been hoping for since the day she met him, pleased her. And she really liked him.
He grabbed a plate of food for both of them and sat at the table. The man had a healthy appetite.
In between bites, he said, “I certainly never expected to see you fixing the harvesters.”
“I love fixing things. Always have.”
“I guess we have you to thank for fixing the shower. We had only ice-cold water coming through before. Bowen thought it fixed itself, like the problem was at the water substation, not our end. I think Gavin knew it was you, but he’s been quieter than usual since you arrived. Which is weird considering he never takes his eyes off of you.”
