Trapped: A SciFi Convict Romance (The Condemned Book 1) Page 14

  And then it was so close its warm breath blasted against her back. So close its wild, feral stench flooded her lungs.

  Her hands curled into fists. Her eyes sank closed. She wasn’t going to make it. All her plans….Caine….Her throat grew tight.

  Then suddenly, the pythile shrieked.

  Bella flinched, her head swiveling around. In the settling dust, Caine loomed right behind, his expression fierce as he struck the pythile’s tail over and over while the creature writhed in pain.

  “Go,” he urged. “Get inside. Barricade the door.”

  On autopilot, she scrambled forward. Her side screaming at her, her ankle a constant pain. It seemed to take a million hours to cover the last leg to the cave.

  Then, thankfully, she was wrenching open the door, her gaze searching frantically in the dark for the spear.

  Her hand closed over smooth wood. Relief slammed through her. Just hold on one more minute, Caine.

  She turned to run outside.

  Only to crash into an immoveable object.

  Caine. He stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his beautiful body covered in scratches and blood. But he was alive.

  Her spear clattered to the ground.

  “Thank God. You did it. You saved us both.” She stared up at him, too exhausted to move, too relieved to do anything but shoot him a crazy, wide grin. “Though you have to admit that use of the arrowhead was pretty ingenious for such short notice.” Just beyond his wide shoulder, outlined in the open door, she could see the pythile lying still in the dirt. “For a moment there, I really thought those bastards were going to get us. I—”

  “Where did you think you were going with that?” He cut her off, his voice hard, his gaze locked on the spear at her feet.

  Alarm whispered through her. Something wasn’t right. Caine wasn’t…right. His gaze was even harder than the first time she’d laid eyes on him.

  She backed up a few steps, her ankle throbbing. “I was coming to help.”

  “I told you to stay inside.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Just like I told you to stay on that cliff. Just like I told you to drop that damn arrowhead and make a run for it.”

  “And leave you to fight them alone? Not likely.”

  His nostrils flared. “So you thought you’d die instead?”

  “I was hoping it would be neither of us.”

  That only seemed to make him madder. “Hoping? Hope doesn’t get you anything but dead on this fucking planet.” He slammed the door closed. She got the distinct impression he wasn’t so much shutting everything else out as locking her in.

  She took a few more steps back. “But that didn’t happen.” She spoke in the same coaxing tone she’d used with the pythile. “I’m okay. You’re okay. We both survived.”

  “It’s not okay.” He started toward her, his hands fisting by his side. For the first time since he’d told her his name, she felt wary around the man who’d become her protector. “I’m supposed to keep you safe. I’m supposed to keep you alive….You want to know who Gwen was?”

  Dread washed over Bella. She nodded anyway.

  “She was my wife.” Pain twisted his features into a mask of anguish. “And I couldn’t keep her alive. She was stubborn and stupid and she didn’t listen to me, and she died. Murdered by a corrupt bastard because she refused to heed my warnings. Now she’s nothing but dirt while I pay penance in a hell that doesn’t even require an afterlife.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Bella’s voice was little more than a whisper.

  It was as if he didn’t hear her. As if old demons had taken hold and drowned out anything else.

  “I’m not going to let the same thing happen with you.” He jerked a strap used for tanning meat from the table, wrapping it around one fist before pulling it taut. “I thought we settled this last time, but I guess not. I guess you need to have it driven home. I guess I’ve been too soft and let things go too far. While you’re here with me, you’re going to obey me. You’re going to get it through your pretty, stubborn head that this is a dictatorship. That I rule and you follow.” The strap cracked ominously in his hands. “You may hate me when we’re through, but if that’s what it takes to keep you alive, so be it.”

  “No.” She backpedaled faster, bumping into a stool before righting herself. “You’re not thinking clearly. Whatever you’re planning on doing with that won’t solve anything.”

  He kicked the stool out of his way. “It will keep you safe.”

  She sprinted for the door. He caught her easily, his arm a tight band around her waist as he carried her kicking and screaming to the bed.

  She landed in the middle in a tangle of limbs. She tried to use one of his fighting moves, but he subdued her easily, flipping her onto her stomach, grabbing hold of her wrists with one hand. The rough edge of the blanket pressed into her cheek. His knee a heavy weight against her spine, not hurting her, but holding her down just the same.

  “I’ll never forgive you.”

  “At least you’ll be alive.” He jerked her pants down her hips, leaving her ass bare. Her skin prickled.

  She turned her face away, bracing for the pain. “I never knew you were a coward, but I’m glad to learn it now.”

  He stilled above her. “I’m no coward.”

  “You don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing?” She tugged against his grip. No give. “Five amazing days together, and now, when you think the end is near, you’re back to pushing me away so you don’t have to feel anything at all. So you don’t have to risk caring for anyone else that might leave you or die.” She bit back a sob. “It’s almost as if you’re begging me to hate you so things can go back to the way they were.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” But his hold weakened.

  She seized the opportunity, bucking him off her back and spinning over. He loomed above, his sweat-slicked chest heaving, his gaze heavy with uncertainty, the strap dangling useless in one fist.

  “You want me to hate you. You want me to leave you here.” She stared up at him. “All this time, you wouldn’t consider even the possibility of a way to convince Command Council to commute your sentence and get you off this hellhole and I thought…I thought maybe it was because you weren’t sure about me. Weren’t sure you trusted me to stand up for you as you’ve done for me. But now I see that was all wrong. The problem isn’t me. And it isn’t Dragath25. It’s you. You’re afraid. Afraid to care too deeply or hope too intensely for better than this miserable existence.” She fumbled with her clothes. “I don’t know what happened with your wife, but I’d rather die a thousand times over than spend whatever time I have left with someone who’s too afraid to take a chance and really live.”

  He closed his eyes, his whole body folding in on itself as he sat back on his heels.

  She was too angry to care.

  She kicked out, hitting him square in the chest. He toppled over the side of the bed.

  Seizing the advantage as he’d taught her, she leapt off the bed and stood over him. She knew he wouldn’t come after her again. That he’d never really physically hurt her. It wasn’t in his nature. But pushing her away—well, that apparently was in his blood.

  “The Council might have marooned you on Dragath25, but you’re the one making the sentence lonely and miserable. Look at this place.” She flung her hands outward. “It’s like a jail cell. And the only time you let yourself feel good is during sex. You’re punishing yourself for no good reason.”

  He snarled up at her. “You’ve been on this damn planet for less than two weeks. You think you have the right to judge? Dragath25 is one of the most dangerous places in the universe. You have to stay on guard all the time or you’ll be dead.”

  “What an excellent justification. But staying on guard against outside elements isn’t the same as guarding yourself against any kind of joy or happiness. Against another person.”

  He bristled, jumping to his feet, forcing her to stumble back. “I’m not sure what y
ou’re complaining about. Our deal was protection for pleasure. I’m fulfilling that and then some.”

  “You’re right.” A wave of pain swept through her. “You promised me nothing else. And you’ve given me all you agreed to and more.” She took a step back. And then another. “I’ll always be grateful for how you saved me and my colleagues. I’ll always be grateful for your patience and your kindness when you could have used force and taken without giving anything in return. But I won’t stay with you if fear is all you can offer.”

  His hands fisted by his side. “You’re making a mistake. It’s too dangerous for you out there without me.”

  “Maybe so, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. We could have forged something great here on Dragath25, but you won’t let that happen.” Her hand closed over the door latch. She looked back, taking one last look at the room where she’d been surprisingly happy these last few days. “Looks like I lied about the anything part, huh?”

  His haunted gaze met hers.

  “Good-bye, Caine. Be safe. I truly wish you only the best. You may not believe it but, Dragath25 criminal or not, you deserve it.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I like you bent over like that, Cadet West. Gives a man ideas.”

  Ignoring Pogue’s crude comments, Bella slid her hands a little farther under the heavy boulder and heaved. No luck. It didn’t budge. After almost a week, her sprained ankle was pretty much healed, but that didn’t mean she could lift such a huge rock by herself.

  She swallowed her pride. “Any chance you can grab the other side of this rock? I need to stack it with the others.”

  “No way.” Pogue’s gaze lifted to the sky. “I’m not doing a damn thing to discourage the rescue team’s arrival.”

  “Even if it means their deaths?” She’d told him a hundred times about Caine’s explanation for what had happened to their ship and what might happen to the next that tried to land.

  “Just because you’re willing to believe the ravings of a prisoner stuck too long on this planet doesn’t mean I have to.”

  He’d been against her idea from the start. Only Winthrop’s backing had saved her project from being dismantled while she watched.

  Maybe Pogue was right. But she didn’t think so. Which was why, despite Pogue’s displeasure, she was so intent on using the rocks to spell out a warning. Sure, it was ridiculously low tech, but at least it was something—and something was better than doing nothing.

  “Will you at least help me improve our camp’s defenses?” She kept hoping she would find a way to lessen tensions between her and Pogue. “I’d like to use the leftover rocks to narrow the cave entrance.” She wanted to be prepared for anything—especially a future on Dragath25. Bleak as it now seemed without Caine in her life.

  She rubbed at her chest. Darn thing wouldn’t stop aching. Maybe Caine had been right all along. Maybe Dragath25 wasn’t the kind of place that brought anything but pain.

  Not that she was simply going to curl up and wait to die.

  She carried a spear with her everywhere she went. It might not have been as strong or well-made as Caine’s, but it would get the job done against beast or man. She’d even managed to catch one scrawny Elkin, though that had probably been more luck than skill.

  She was still waiting on Pogue’s answer when a shadow fell over her. Her heart gave a tiny leap before she could stop it. Stupid thing was always doing that even though it had been a week now and still no Caine. That particular organ didn’t seem able to accept it wouldn’t be seeing him again.

  But out of sight didn’t mean out of mind. She still intended to do everything in her power to have his sentence absolved if she and her crew were, by some miracle, actually rescued. No matter how things had ended between them, Caine was a good man. He didn’t deserve to die on Dragath25. Protecting him had become as essential to her as safeguarding her siblings and all the others depending on her and this mission to save them from famine and death. Fortunately, the seeds of a plan had finally started to germinate.

  Shading her eyes against the sun, she looked back at the source of the shadow and forced a smile. “Hello, Dr. Winthrop. How are you feeling?” Things between them had been decidedly awkward since her return.

  “Better, thanks.” He patted his chest, his movements stiff. “The bandages are definitely working and the ribs holding.” His smile was tentative. “Thanks to you, I’ll be back to one hundred percent very soon.”

  “But not today,” taunted Pogue. He stepped forward, forcing Winthrop back. Tension between the two officers was worse than ever. “Now, where did you want this, Bella?” The reason for his sudden pretense of cooperation obvious, he flexed his bare chest as he picked up the rock she’d thought would require two people. “The Doctor here may not be able to get the job done, but I can. Fact is, I can go as long as you need.”

  Unfortunately for her, Pogue seemed to have an unending supply of annoying innuendos.

  She honestly wasn’t sure how best to handle the man. She needed him and his guns, but it felt like a devil’s bargain. One that was slowly unraveling. His smirk when she’d first returned had been irritating, but the way he’d been looking at her since made her skin crawl. Like she was his for the taking. And he followed her everywhere she went. Made crude comments and promises whenever he could. She feared it wouldn’t be long before the last of the Council influence disintegrated and he moved from innuendos to action.

  Another reason she always had her spear at hand.

  She’d wanted to steal a gun and strike out separately with Winthrop and Ava, but they’d adamantly refused. Winthrop, with typical Council arrogance, had assured her he could handle Pogue. While Ava was obsessed with the soil on the nearby ridge—and growing more edgy with every day closer to the rescue shuttle’s scheduled arrival. She’d become convinced that solving the mysteries of Dragath25 soil held the key to not only saving Earth, but herself.

  So, unless they changed their minds, Bella was stuck with Pogue. She wasn’t leaving Winthrop and Ava again.

  “Please bring the rock to the cave entrance.” Choosing to capitalize on Pogue’s short-term willingness to cooperate, she picked up a smaller rock and crab-walked it over to the cave to show him the exact location. “I want to shrink the opening so that only one person can enter at a time. It will make it too small for tigos to get through and give us the chance to pick off any unwelcome human visitors one by one.”

  “Blood-thirsty.” Pogue dropped his rock and crowded in far too close. “I knew you were more than a great piece of ass.”

  “Get back.” Annoyed, she jammed her elbow into his side.

  He didn’t even grunt. “Why?” His voice was an ugly growl. “You only do lowlife convicts?”

  “Officer Pogue,” Winthrop appeared behind them, his expression full of righteous fury, “we may not be aboard a Council shuttle, but protocol still applies. Watch yourself or the Council will be hearing about more than your initial indiscretion.”

  Pogue’s face turned bright, angry red. “I’d watch yourself, too, Doc. This planet can be a dangerous place.” Then, with his threat hanging in the air, he stalked off.

  Bella watched him go, her unease growing.

  “Sorry,” Winthrop’s apologetic stare was fixed on the unfinished tower of rocks. “I didn’t mean to run him off when you needed help.”

  “No, I’m grateful. He’s more aggressive every day.”

  Winthrop ran a hand through his hair, his usual short Academy haircut having been replaced by a long, shaggy look that made him appear all the more boyish. “Damn planet is turning everyone into someone else. Savages, criminals; it’s impossible to know who anyone is any more. And he probably thinks because you were willing to fuck that convict, you’ll fuck anything.” He flinched. “Not that I meant you….”

  “No, it’s good to stop dancing around it.” She took a deep breath. She would never be so blunt if they were still on Earth, but things had changed. She had changed. “I’m so
rry you were disappointed by some of my recent choices, but I did what I thought was best for me, my brother and sister, and you. I don’t regret it. Not for a second.” She met his gaze straight on. “Caine isn’t just some convict. He’s a good man.”

  “So why didn’t you stay with him if he’s so great?” Winthrop’s voice was tinged with anger.

  “I wanted more than he could give.” It was weird to say it aloud. She hadn’t even discussed it with Ava. It had felt too painful. “Everyone is always saying Dragath25 is so different, but when it comes to people, we’re the same any planet over. Same needs. Same stupid fights. Same ability to get mad and wound each other.”

  Apparently, the more you cared about someone, the more furious you were when they disappointed you—and the more stupid you behaved in the aftermath.

  “I never had much luck at relationships back on Earth,” she admitted. “I guess I should have realized going to a different part of the universe wouldn’t change that. But that doesn’t mean Caine doesn’t deserve our help. He saved our lives. He should be allowed his as well. ”

  Winthrop’s hand gripped hers. “What a mess.” Red shaded the tips of his ears. “I thought we’d come here, find the answers we needed to save Earth, and together, you and I would find fame and glory and…more.” His blush grew deeper. “It was a foolish fantasy for an officer who’s been wrapped up in his work too long.”

  This time her smile was real. “It’s not a foolish fantasy. You deserve all that and more.” She squeezed his hand. “You just need to find the right girl.”

  His expression sobered. “And get the hell off of Dragath25.”

  She let out a long sigh. “If that’s even possible.” Her gaze shifted to her pile of rocks before finding his. “Did you know before we left that other ships had been brought down? That this mission might not be the simple in and out you said?”

  He kicked the dirt with his boot. “The Council informed me there’d been trouble with a few past ships, but the cause of the crashes weren’t known. There was no reason to believe it wasn’t pilot error. Or simple bad luck. Certainly none clear cut enough reason to keep us from our humanitarian mission.” His eyes were clear of deception and begged her to understand. “I would never have put you in danger if I’d thought there was really a chance we’d crash, too.”