Page 91 of Captured By the Scaled Outlaw
“Yeah,” I confirm, grinning as I watch him gleefully saunter to Ginny.
As everyone exchanges greetings while funneling inside the facility, I plop down on the edge of a long-felled tree. I prefer to have a few minutes of quiet time to collect myself before confronting the bustle of the mess hall.
Pulling materials from my pouch, I restring my crossbow across my lap. Now that it’s seeing more usage, it’s starting to show its age.
Each time I clean this bow, I’m assured I made the right decision for myself. My proclivity for danger aside, terrorizing Nilsan at the behest of rival city governments fills me with an excitement for life I never knew possible.
Long-gone are the days of idle paperwork and pointless reports, and I’m grateful for it. Even if breaking the law every day still ties my stomach into knots.
It’s been getting better every day, though.
Each time we shut down a construction site or raid an off-site facility, I learn just how deep the corruption within Nilsan goes. Kinsley was only one of many operating within high-ranking positions, manipulating their peers and subordinates for monetary gain and power.
Fighting against both the Nilsan Government and the illegal groups is not the position I’d ever expected to be in, but I’m more than glad to be on the other side of it. I’m gradually coming to terms with the years of loyalty now crushed to dust, but I’d be lying if I said the camaraderie Gaia 4 provides wasn’t helping me get over the feeling.
I try not to let them know just how deeply I cared for my old job, at the risk of looking like a sentimental idiot.
I’m an outlaw now, like Grandma was.
I cradle my face in my palms, chuckling.
She’d be so pissed at me.
Gravel crunches behind me in the distinct gate of a large Lizardfolk, a warm hand soon pressing to my back.
“You should ride with me next time,” Lowell whispers, his snout pressing to my ear. The scales against my skin are electric, a zap running down my spine.
I turn my head so his nostrils hit my cheek, his scalding breath spreading over my face.
“The last time I rode with you, we were stranded in a desert for days,” I tease. “That aside, Guy is amuchbetter driver than you are. He doesn’t try to show off by jumping and pulling tricks over hills and dunes.”
My skin prickles as he rakes a claw over my arm, goosebumps breaking out in its wake.
“Aw, you wound me, May. It makes me jealous when you wrap your arms around his waist, pressing yourself into him. It should be me.”
I snort in disbelief. “With the way he looks at Ginny? Please, you have nothing to be worried about.”
Lowell chuckles, sucking his teeth. “With how they stare at each other with those lovey-dovey eyes, I can’t believe they think their relationship is a secret.”
Even to the most oblivious, it’s painfully obvious. Then again, Lowell and I thought we were being discreet, ourselves. That is, until we revealed our relationship and a Gaia 4 mechanic shouted, “Then what the hell would you call what you were doing before?”
Needless to say, I understand their reservations.
“Let them come to terms with it on their own time,” I say, caressing Lowell’s arm. “Ginny is a prideful person.”
She’d be horrified if she knew we’d found them out.
“Then make Guy and her ride together so you can ride with me.” He kisses my cheek. “Like old times.”
I giggle when he pinches my skin between his claws. “Hell, no! Your recklessness will get me killed, idiot. I already sleep next to you. What else do you want?”
His eyebrow twitches, his deep-amber eyes curious. “There are many things I want from you. Need me to list them?”
I blush at his innuendo, huffing. “I already give you plenty. No need to be greedy.”
“Well, then you know exactly what I want from you.”
This again.
