Jarvis had the good grace to look a little guilty now. He scrubbed his hand along the back of his neck, gaze down at the ground.
“Yeah, about that. You needed to think about something else, so I made that up. I couldn’t believe that guy Kane went along with it. That was just luck. He could have busted up the whole thing if he’d blabbed.”
I felt betrayed, but I was also glad he’d done it. He was right. I had needed to get my mind on something else. In the end, I was happy and grateful for the help.
Throughout the conversation, Ze had moved off to another area, but soon he returned and came up behind me, pulling my back into his front. I knew innately he was telling me it was time to go, but I needed to say one more thing before we left.
“Thank you, Jarvis, if that’s your real name.” I giggled and continued. “You didn’t have to take mercy on me, but I’m glad you did.”
“I was happy to help you, Nial. It’s what I’ve always done and will always continue to do. I live to help. Oh, and let me introduce myself formally. Former Chief Luis Jarvis, at your service.” Ze had moved back from me while Jarvis gave his introduction. When he was through with his introduction, Jarvis gave a perfect salute, and I felt like I should salute him back.
Both Ze and Luke did. They each came to attention and saluted Jarvis like they’d been born to the military. It was yet another mystery to the man that was Ze.
We said our goodbyes and left the elderly wing to return to the floor. Not long after, the bell rang, and we had to return to our cells. This was reading and being bored time, I could recall that much, but Ze had other ideas.
As soon as we returned to the cell and had done our latrine business, Ze lay down on his bunk as usual. What wasn’t so usual was when he patted the side and motioned me to get in beside him.
I sat on the bunk and lay back, stiff and uncertain of what I should expect in this new situation. What I didn’t expect at all was for Ze to extend his arm out and settle me into his side with my head on his shoulder. That’s when he shook my world.
“You’re mine and no one else’s, Nial. Jarvis is sexy, I’ll give him that, but he can’t have you. I want you beside me every day and every night from now on. I don’t want to know how you found out where I was. I have a pretty good idea.”
Ze scooted over closer to the wall and turned a little more toward me to be able to bury his nose in my hair and take a deep breath.
“Geordie gets very focused when he’s working on his coding, so I’m sure you found out a way to find me. I should have told you sooner, but I’m so used to being alone. Those days are over though.”
Ze held his left hand out over our snuggled bodies and threaded our fingers together over my belly. He brought my hand up to his mouth, gave my ring finger a little kiss and nip then finished.
“I wasn’t going to tell you. I was going to wait. But seeing Jarvis flirt with you forced my hand. I can’t have anyone else flirting with you, Nial. I should be the only one flirting with my mate.”
My eyes were as big as saucers, and my mind was flying, but that’s all Ze would allow.
“Nope, no words right now. No talking, no questions. I want you to know that you’re my mate, and I’m yours. I will not claim you in this hellhole, but I’ll find a way to get us out and then we’ll be together. Trust me and trust this. I know you can feel this, I know a little of what you can do.”
I tried to pull away, but he pulled me back and cuddled me tighter.
“No! Don’t run from me. I’m your mate, your partner. Do whatever you do when I feel your aura reach out to me and see what my true feelings are.”
I did as he said. I sent out my energy and covered his body with my power. The sudden feelings that came at me were almost overwhelming. Ze wasn’t holding anything back. I felt his caring, concern, lust, affection, humor, and an uncompromising obligation to keep me safe. He didn’t love me yet, but the bond, the mating bond was there. It was what I had felt all along. Why I had believed without a doubt that right here was where I was meant to be.
Feeling his commitment was one thing, but I wanted to be able to give Ze the same gift. So I opened up even further, pushed my energy toward Ze and willed him to be able to feel me like I could feel him.
At first, nothing happened. Then Ze heaved a heavy breath and hugged me even tighter to his chest. It took a few minutes before I pulled the energy back into me. Then Ze spoke in a hushed tone I’d never heard before. It wasn’t brash, confident, or demanding. He sounded vulnerable, almost reverent.
“Nial, thank you so much for that. You’ve given me the greatest gift a mate can receive, and I won’t ever forget it. Trust in this growing bond we have together and trust me to get us free.”
I wanted to believe him more than I wanted anything. I was at the beginning of falling for this gruff, but caring man.
But, he was so mistaken if he thought we’d ever be free.
