Page 53 of Hidden By the Convicts
“Bad choice.”
“There are advantages to a unit, Ren. Maybe you’ll see that one day.”
“Never,” Ren scoffed. “And having a woman, Bowen? Bad move. She’ll get you all killed.”
Bowen approached. “That’s my concern, not yours.”
“Except now I know. The guards may not kill me, but they can make my life hell.”
“You can’t turn her in, Ren. You don’t understand what she’s been through. The guards. Mozely. Tell me what it will take to keep you quiet. Anything.”
Ren pushed his hands through his hair. “I won’t rat her out. But you better back me up with whatever I tell Mozely because he hauled me over here to figure how you fixed two harvesters.”
“What will you tell him?”
The engineer walked over to Teagen. She slid free of Harlis.
“Bowen said I could have anything,” Ren said.
Harlis moved to pull her safely behind him, but she side-stepped him at the same time she heard Bowen moving closer.
“I’m not for sale,” Teagen said, holding her head high with a confidence she hadn’t felt in a long time. Both Bowen and Harlis would watch over her. It was a nice feeling, not being afraid anymore. “I’m not his or anyone else’s to give away.”
“Give away? Fuck that. I’m not like the guards here. But you have skills I could use. There’s a. . . Let’s say a private project I have in West Side, one I don’t want the guards or other prisoners to find out about. It’s hidden in a part of the jungle where you won’t be seen. There are a few steps that require two people. You have the right background, but more importantly, you won’t rat me out because I won’t keep your secret if you do.”
“As long as you can keep the guards and prisoners from finding me while I’m working for you, I’ll do it.” Teagen held out her hand.
The man took her hand and shook. “Old fashioned hand-shake.” He broke into a smile. “I haven’t sealed a deal with one of those in ages. But I’ll take it. You’re a damn-good mechanic, worth the risk.”
“Why do I feel like that’s a compliment coming from you?” she asked.
“Because I do my best to avoid people.”
“Until you need something.”
“More or less.”
“You’re not an easy guy to figure out.”
“There’s nothing to figure. I plan to find a way off this rock one day, and forming bonds with anyone here will just get in the way. It’s every man or woman, I guess, for himself. Remember that anytime you make a deal.”
“Free advice?”
“That’s the only thing free on Narkos.” Ren looked at Bowen. “Your girl will be a real asset in my project, so I’ll give you a friendly piece of advice. Those harvesters are under your control, Bowen. They’re your leverage. Take them hostage any way you can and then don’t give in, no matter what Cragin threatens you with.”
“Since you seem to have all the answers, how are you going to sneak me to West Side and back again?” Teagen asked.
“That’s easy. I built a false bottom in one of the rail cars years ago to smuggle goods. You’re small enough to fit if you don’t mind cramped spaces.”
She glanced back at the tree covering the hole. “Would you believe I’ve grown used to them?”
Chapter Thirteen
GAVIN
“It’s been nearly a week since Satterley left. I don’t think he’ll say anything if he hasn’t by now,” Gavin said as he held his hand out to Teagen on the ledge over the water so she wouldn’t slip on the wet rocks. She bent over to pick up a bright magenta flower growing between the rocks, giving him quite a delectable view of long legs and a shapely ass that would feel so nice in his hands.
He shook his head in disbelief. No pants or panties, just a shirt. Either she intended for this date to turn into more than just a time to talk or she had washed her only pair of pants and left them at the house to dry.
