Page 110 of Tribute
He stared into Aled’s eyes. His restraints had gone but he was trapped. And he kind of liked it.
“Okay.” He reached a hand down to his sensitive cock, which was already half-erect from Aled’s suggestions. “Hard it is.”
CHAPTER
SIX
Despite the lingering tension between him and Anna, or perhaps because of it, Rehz focused his attention during the following week on fortifying the house and grounds. He felt things at the presidential retreat were almosttoopleasant andtooquiet, and Kai agreed with him. That unease was confirmed on the eighth day when Bron came into the kitchen, his expression grim.
“Palk’s been spotted with a small group of armed followers coming into this valley. We’d prefer it if you all stayed inside for the next day or so while we find and detain him.”
“Good luck with that.” Kai snorted.
Rehz met Bron’s gaze. “What can we do to help with the internal security? Do you have additional weapons for us?”
“We have more weapons. We also have a safe room in the lower levels, where we will place Anna and Aled if things become difficult.”
“You mean if the house is under siege, or if Palk and his men succeed in getting inside.” Rehz glanced over at Anna, who had gone very still. “I think that’s an excellent suggestion.”
“I doubt Palk will find a way in,” Bron reassured him. “This place is a fortress. I’ve informed the president of the situation, and he is sending more troops.”
“When do you think Palk will get here?”
Bron scowled. “Within the next day or so. He’s moving quite openly at the moment. We’re not sure how he’s getting through the security checks.”
“Great.” Kai slid off his seat. “Take me to the armory. I need something to shoot at people.”
Kai, Aled, and Bron went out together, arguing about the merits of various weapons, leaving Rehz alone with Anna. She had remained at the breakfast table, her eyes on her plate. He went over to her chair and crouched in front of her.
“We need to resolve this, Anna Lee. If a fight breaks out, I can’t fight for you if my head isn’t in the right place.”
“You don’t have to fight for me.”
“Rallshit Anna, we’ve been through this already!”
She looked down at him, her blue eyes full of shadows. “I’m sorry.”
He reached for her hand. “Forwhat?”
“For not being strong. I know that’s what you expect of me and—I?—”
“Anna, what the fuck is this all about? I know you’re strong. I dragged you into this, remember? I picked you as Tribute. This is all my fault.”
“You didn’t know what you were doing. I’m a danger to the whole Mitan race. Maybe that’s why the authorities have always refused to acknowledge my planet exists. Maybe they knew it was dangerous to them.”
“It doesn’t matter what they thought or did. What matters is that we are together.” He tried desperately to put his feelings into words. “I don’t want to die knowing you hate my guts.”
“I don’t hate you.”
He soldiered on. “I’ll do it if you want.”
She went still. “Do what?”
“Go back in there and find out if they took anything from you—from us.”
Her blue eyes filled with tears. “Rehz . . . that’s not what I want. How could you everthinkthat of me? I’d never expect you to go intoUngrichspace again just for a possibility.”
He held her gaze. “Anna, I know you. You don’t think it’s a possibility. You believe they took something from you. All I’m doing is offering to get it back.”
