“She stole our ship!Isn’t that enough?How can you believe her?”
“I don’t know if I do.”Burn’s tone was tinged with sadness.“But I’m not making a big decision like this on the spur of the moment.”She stood, grabbing her bowl.“Thank you for dinner, Lacy.”Then Burn left the mess hall, her steps subdued.
Left with just Finn and Dax, I sat quietly, aware that my fate was still up in the air.
Finn sneered at Dax.“I suppose you’re going to vote to keep her on the ship.”
I didn’t dare look at Dax.My hands curled into fists again, my nails digging into my palms.
“You’re right.I told her we would help her find her sister and I’m sticking with that.”
“You’re sticking something, all right,” Finn said, his expression as cruel as his words.
Dax stood, drawing himself up to his full height.“Stand the fuck down, Finn.I don’t know why you’re acting this way, but it fucking stops now.”Military command coated his words.
Finn flinched, but he didn’t back down.“She’s getting off the ship at the next stop.Burn will agree with me.”His chair hit the floor with a clatter as he stormed off.
The tension in the mess pulsed for several long moments, until Dax sighed.“I’m so fucking sorry, Lacy.”He retook his seat, but stared at the empty space where Finn had sat.“I didn’t mean for it to slip out like that.”
I patted his hand.“Neither did I.But maybe it’s better that it’s out there.”I didn’t really believe that, not when I didn’t know whether I’d still be on the ship in a few days, but for Dax’s sake I pretended.
His hand flipped over and he laced his fingers with mine.“Maybe.I honestly don’t know how Burn will decide.And I may be the captain, but they have equal votes when it comes to the ship.”
I understood, but I hated it.“Maybe they’ll come around.”We had three days after all.
“Maybe.”He gave my fingers a quick squeeze.“After we finish dinner, I need to confine you to your quarters.”
He squeezed my hand a little longer, a little tighter, until I looked at him.“And I need you to stay there.For real.I know you can probably still get out if I lock you in, but Finn will take that as more proof that you’re a threat, and I’m not sure what would happen in that situation.”
“I’ll stay in my room.”It would drive me stir crazy, but I’d do it, because Dax was asking.
“Is there anything else I need to know?”he asked.“Anything else that will come back and bite us in the ass?”
I shook my head.“No.”I wouldn’t—couldn’t—tell him about my dad now.
34
Dax
I finishedmy noodles and wanted seconds, but it didn’t seem like the time since Lacy was just pushing the rest of hers around her bowl since the conversation had blown up.“Thank you for making dinner.”
She nodded but didn’t look at me.
“Let me get dinner cleaned up and I’ll walk you to your room.”
Finally meeting my gaze, she reared back.“What, you don’t trust me to walk all the way to my quarters by myself?”That was the most reaction I’d gotten out of her since I’d fucked up and mentioned her first night on the ship.
“Don’t be ridiculous.Of course I trust you.”I covered the big bowl of noodles and placed it in the fridge.“I wanted to spend more time with you before I have to go and face the music.”
I was actually surprised that the others hadn’t come to chase me out of the mess hall.They’d be itching for an explanation—probably even a fight.All I wanted to do was spend more time with Lacy.
“Let me put that away.”I slowly, carefully placed my hand over hers, stopping the endless noodle circles.“You’re not going to finish that, are you?”
“No.”With a sigh, she released her fork and pushed her bowl away.“Not hungry anymore.”
“It’ll be in the fridge if you are.You can...”I trailed off, remembering that I didn’t want her roaming the ship alone right now.“You can let me know and I’ll bring it to you.”
“Yippee.”
