“We don’t have time. You told my dad to release the prisoners and I don’t know how many of the crew you killed before you arrived. They could be searching for us right now. The ship is still flying and if they’re not looking for us, they will be soon.”
“True, but I’m an impatient animal who is already strung out to his limit. The world will wait for us.”
Elodie sat back and fumbled. “No. It won’t.”
His face was back to being smug. Callous. “Anyone who approaches that door with hostile intentions is going to die a very unpleasant death. Same deal for anyone who plans on distracting me. We’re not in the brig anymore, Ely, there’s no game to be played now. No more pretend. If someone gets in my way, they’re going to die.”
“Do you kill indiscriminately?” She grasped the blanket to her. “Not everyone who wrongs you has to die.”
His eyes flashed red. “Right now? Yes, they do. In the current situation we’re in, fear of me will keep both of us safe. The crew is in the throes of a revolt, some with the intention of doing a full-on takeover above. I don’t give a fuck what happens—as long as I get what I want in the end, I don’t give a shit about anyone else.”
“What if I wrong you?”
His eyes narrowed on hers. “I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“But you said indiscriminately. How else should I take this? What if I wrong you and it’s by accident?”
Gunner wrapped his arm around her and pressed her hard into his chest. Elodie canted her head.
“If it’s by accident... Then an explanation is in order. If you hurt me or betray me willingly,” he paused, his eyes going distant, “I don’t think I would be able to hurt you even if I wanted, to but it wouldn’t be easy, for you and especially not for me. Trust is a fragile thing, you know that better than anyone. I would seek it again from you even if you hurt me.” His hold on her tightened. “I’ll always tell you the truth or show it to you, even if the truth is fucking hard, and I would hope that you would do the same for me. Do you plan on betraying me?”
He looked like he wanted to say more but Elodie didn’t pursue it although it was the first time she had ever heard Gunner say something so stunted. There was something he was keeping from her. She knew it.
Regardless, she was able to relax in knowing that he wouldn’t hurt her.
“No,” she answered. “I don’t want to wrong you and I don’t have any plans to betray you. But our deal... It still stands? You wanted this,” she waved her hand over her body, “and you got it. Will you still honor your end?”
Gunner nudged her chin so she fully faced him head-on. The distant look in his eyes was gone and he was focused completely back on her.
“It still stands.”
He stood abruptly, carrying her in his arms and walking them to the main room. He sat her down at the table and stepped away to pace the room. She missed the warmth of his body the moment he let go but watched in silence as he picked up the stray items scattered across the floor that had been displaced the cycle before.
Her gaze landed on the gun and a shiver shot up her spine. He picked it up and placed on the table in front of her with a quietthunk.
Elodie pressed her thighs together, suddenly feeling her core throb—feeling as though the weapon were penetrating her all over again. The memory affected her. She felt her inner walls tighten around the hard, unforgiving metal that demanded entrance into the very soul of her.
She drew the blanket even closer around her while Gunner watched quietly. And with an awkwardthud, he lifted the weapon back up, checked the ammo with atskand set it back down, all the while flicking the safety on and off.
She shifted uncomfortably, blurting out, “We need to get off the ship. Do you have a plan?”
He grunted.
It was strange talking to Gunner alone and without the possibility of an audience. Now that she was forced to face the reality of their situation, everything that she could think of saying to him just made her nervous. They were still prisoners, of a sort, as they didn’t control the ship. They still didn’t know where they were going or how long it would take to get there, and they definitely didn’t know who would be waiting for them once they got there. Without the barriers or the cells and the distraction of imminent death, she had nothing to hide behind. Her tongue felt too big for her mouth.
“We can’t stay here,” she said, uncomfortably.
“I agree.”
“Then why are we not leaving?" Elodie glanced at the door. “You’re still recovering and we’re up against the wall, practically in a hole.” She paused, suddenly alarmed. “Does the whole ship know I’m a woman?”
“There’s no need for you to worry.” Gunner abruptly caught her hand and pulled it to his mouth. She tore her eyes from the closed door to look at him. He laid kisses across her knuckles. “There’s no one you need to be afraid of. No one on the ship can harm you, let alone get to you. Relax with me. Please. I need time...”
“You didn’t answer my question, and it’s not that easy to just...”
He turned her hand over and slipped his tongue across her palm. Her gaze traveled from his mouth and down to the visibly erect cock between his spread legs. He’d never put on clothes. He was still a little wet...and naked.
Her desire for him returned and the thought of being repossessed wedged itself among her worry. Those healing sprays were good, but she might need to fill a bathtub with it if Gunner got his way.
