Page 49 of Hidden By the Convicts
“I had a job that didn’t pay a lot of credits, either. She kept pushing for me to apply to the agricultural research center in Argus City, but I enjoyed the smaller horticultural center that serviced the southern region. You know, helping people figure out why their crops were failing, teaching them how to combat viruses. I love plant breeding, plant propagation, crop production, and genetics. But it’s not glamourous work. She left me for three younger men. A soldier, a junior exec with ties to The Company, and a pilot.”
“Then you’re lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“Imagine being stuck with her. You would have been miserable. You need someone who appreciates you for who you are, on the inside. Choosing a partner shouldn’t have anything to do with your work or your clothes.”
“I never really thought about it that way. Mostly because I didn’t have the desire to think about her once I was lowered to a Level 4.”
“What did you do wrong?”
“I tried to be daring one day, to spice up our relationship. I left my job early, without permission, to take her on a surprise trip. Of all the dumb luck, I picked the day there was a major breach in the labs.
“They blamed it on me. Said I didn’t properly log off and someone hacked The Company through our servers, my ID specifically. I don’t know a lot about computers, Teagen, just how to use them to analyze data and access research. But I know I logged off.
“We were boarding a shuttle to Kaicos when security arrested me. Kristin got on the shuttle without me. Never inquired about what happened to me or hired an advocate to defend me. Nothing.
“I received a note of separation of assets while I was still in holding, along with a letter. I was lowered to a Level 4 a week later. During that time, my cousin greeted me goodbye. He was the only family I had left. I signed my assets to his care until I return. He told me that Kristin already registered with three men as a unit. I was shocked.”
“That’s way too fast. And fishy. Do you think she set you up?”
“Back then I would have said no, but looking back, it’s hard to imagine it was all coincidence. I had no way to prove any of it. And no time to hire anyone to investigate. I was shipped off to Narkos the next day.”
Teagen put her hand on his arm and they walked in silence for several minutes. She couldn’t imagine anyone doing that to another, especially Gavin.
“I don’t think your eyes are boring at all. They’re beautiful. Clear, gray, like a window into your soul. At best, this Kristin was a fool for not appreciating you.” She squeezed his arm. “Her loss, my gain.”
His mouth opened, and then he reached out and traced her jaw with his thumb. He kissed the top of her head like he’d done several times before. She had the urge to yell at him to go a little lower, but maybe that was Harlis’s impatience rubbing off on her.
She looped her hand through his arm again. “So where is this secret place of yours that you go to escape everyone?”
“How did you know I leave to escape?”
She shrugged. “The three of you have different ways of venting. Bowen shouts, Harlis makes crass comments, you disappear. I figured you had someplace special you like to go to calm down.”
“Quite perceptive of you. There’s a waterfall not far from here. I like to sit there and listen to the water, even at night. There’s something soothing about it.”
She came to a stop as something triggered a memory of the guards abusing her. It was a smell. She spotted the red flower nearby and stepped back.
“Be careful not to touch the stamen,” Gavin cautioned. “They release an acidic compound that burns when it comes into direct contact with the skin. The petals are fine. It’s safe to inhale the fragrance too.”
She shuddered as more of the scent struck her.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Just nervous.”
“About Bowen?”
She didn’t want to tell him about how Mozely used to rub the stamens on her breasts and thighs to make her skin burn during sex.
“Don’t worry about Bowen,” Gavin continued. “If anything, he’ll find a way to blame himself once he cools down.”
She peered up at Gavin, into those gray eyes that held such softness. “Thank you for understanding.”
“You make it easy.” He gave a supportive squeeze to her hand as they continued walking. This area of the jungle was thick with tall trees with wide leaves and flowers vining their way up tree trunks.
“What are you doing here?” Bowen’s voice boomed. He stood up ahead without a shirt on, sweaty and dirty, with a machete at his side.
