Page 18 of The Captain's Bounty
Even without his frown and narrowing eyes, she knew hers had been a stupid protest. But it was the only thing she could do, bound as she was, helpless as she was, criminal now that she was, and on her way to… where? She had no idea. Or for how long, the rest of her life? And for what, because she’d made the discovery of a lifetime? Why would anyone want to imprison her for this? She hadn’t done anything wrong!
You have me inside you,the being stated.They will make you live forever, and you will spend every second of it doing things you will despise yourself for. I warned you!
Ignoring the caustic voice, she made herself focus on her captor. “What you’re doing is illegal. I haven’t done what I’m being accused of!”
“How do you know? I haven’t read the accusation.”
“I’m an archeologist, not a raider. I have all the permits back at the dig site. Take me back,” she begged. “I’ll show you.”
“No one pays six thousand chits for someone who does nothing.” Lowering himself to her level, Bruwes said, “They’re willing to pay it, and I need to get paid. Go ahead, tell me again how innocent you are. I already told you, I don’t care. Only the money matters.”
Staring into the black of his gaze, she believed him. No amount of pleading was going to win her freedom or change her fate. She was going to have to do more than petty rebellions and begging.
Now you’re thinking, it purred inside her.
Lissa jerked her gaze away when Bruwes leaned past her to pick up another torn strip of shirt from the pile on the small table by the bed. He was going to blindfold her again.
“No!No!” She yanked back as far as she could, but he didn’t go for her eyes. He gagged her instead.
“For every deed, there is a consequence,” he said, tying the ends just tight enough to keep her from spitting free of it. “If you can’t be good, you’ll find I’m very well versed in all ways useful in forcing your obedience.”
Thenhe blindfolded her, and there she was left. Sitting in mostly darkness, unable to speak or move. Unable to do anything but listen as he picked up the empty dishes and left the room.
She kicked the floor, but even that brief bout of temper refused to stay. Her aching shoulders wilted.
How was she going to get out of this?How?
Twisting her wrists, she felt along the tight restraints.
I could melt them, it suggested.But it will burn through your skin long before the metal liquifies.
She pulled and twisted, trying to make each hand as small as the opening around her wrists.
I could dislocate your thumbs, it offered.
It might be worth it, but getting free of the cuffs was only one small part of the problem. She still had to get free of this room, and then this ship, and then what? She wasn’t a pilot. She’d never flown so much as a skiff runner.
How many people were aboard this ship anyway? Surely there had to be more than just Bruwes, or he wouldn’t be spending time feeding and humiliating her. He’d be flying the ship instead.
So, at least one more person. Perhaps two. Maybe six or more, for all she knew. If she was going to get free, she would need to take them all out.
I can kill them for you.
Depressed that murder should even be an option, she shook her head.
It tsked.Idiot.
He shouldn’t have lether bait him.
Yes, that’s it, Bruwes told himself caustically.Put the blame on her.
She wasn’t the one forcing him to strip her half-naked and deliberately stand there, watching as her growing humiliation turned her face the most beguiling shade of pink.
She was pretty, and just like Cory, she too had a scent that grew alluringly stronger as he’d pulled her pants down.
It was all he’d been able to do to keep his hands to himself instead of what his every instinct had immediately cried for—to touch the wetness pooling in the forbidden shadow of her thighs. To feel his way along the seam of her sex, crowned as it was bythat narrow strip of brown curls, and discover for himself if she was as ready for mating as she smelled.
He knew better. She was worth money, real money. Bounties weren’t for playing with. Sad as that was, he wasn’t usually the one who had trouble keeping his attention on the business at hand. Unlike Vullum, he shouldn’t require constant reminding that not every female was put in his path for breeding games.
