He remained quiet for a moment. “You’re right. He will recover. But you’ve gotten a lot of other things wrong.”
Now it was my turn to sigh. Here we go again. “I don’t have the energy to argue anymore. My throat hurts.” Every word burned and my dry tongue kept sticking to the roof of my mouth. I rested my head on the bunk and closed my eyes.
“Then just listen to me. I’ll tell you all the things you’re mistaken about. First, you’re not going to be able to resist Vinco much longer. You’re friend, Cog eventually broke. He’s the one who named you and told Karla Domotor was still alive.” He paused, probably to let the news sink in.
No wonder Cog had been so frantic when I had visited him the second time. But I couldn’t blame Cog for anything. He suffered enough for me.
“Second, you’re wrong about no one needing you. The Force of Sheep has been working to infiltrate the security systems, but they need motivation only you can provide. Doctor Lamont needs her intern back, and I need…”
I waited, but when he didn’t continue, I looked up. He sat on the bunk in his cell with his face in his hands. We both startled when the heavy clang of metal sounded as the main doors to the holding cells were unlocked. For me, it meant Vinco returning for another dreaded session.
Riley jumped to his feet and stared at me through the bars. “Whatever I say to the Commander about the scrubs and you is all a lie. Understand?”
A wedge of bright light grew between the doors.
“Yes.” Before he could turn away, I asked, “What do you need?”
“I need to give you a proper kiss. And I want you to be my mate.” His words were a harsh whisper, but tenderness shone in his eyes. Nothing like the shock that must be in my own.
The door swung wide, slamming into the wall. Vinco eyed Riley with disgust. “What’re you in for, boy?”
“Telling Lieutenant Arno to go screw himself, sir.”
Vinco laughed. “That takes balls, boy.”
“Well I didn’t know there was a scrub in the cells, sir. Otherwise I would have been nicer. Don’t you think being so near one of them is cruel?”
I bit my lip, remembering Riley’s words. Plus the thought of Vinco thinking anything cruel was amusing.
“Worse than extra duty with me?”
“Yes, sir.”
The Commander chucked again. “Okay, boy. You can work off the rest of your brig time. Ensign Hollis,” he called, “release Mr. Ashon.”
Another man entered and unlocked Riley’s cell. Glad to see him free, I watched him leave, but all pleasant thoughts disappeared when the door shut and I was alone with Vinco.
He entered my cell and began his work. Jabbing me with the tip of his knife, I recoiled. With my pain-addled mind, I was surprised when a plan to escape formed. Not a great one, but better than being Vinco’s playmate.
During a particularly intense bout, I shouted, “Enough. I’ll talk.” I tried to ignore the satisfied smirk as he drew back.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“I’ll show you where Domotor is hiding on level two. It’s all I know, honest.”
A doubtful, but interested expression creased his ugly face. “Tell me.”
“Can’t. You wouldn’t believe me and, if you did, you wouldn’t see anything at the location. It’s easier to show you. You’ll need to bring bolt cutters.”
He considered and I tried to appear pathetic and weak. Not hard to do, considering I was pathetic and weak.
“Okay.” Vinco unlocked my cuffs.
Burning pain shot through my arms as I moved them, sitting up turned into an effort of will. I rubbed my hands together, avoiding my blood-soaked sleeves.
“Come on.” He jerked me to my feet.
I swayed and leaned against him. He shoved me away in disgust. As I fell I grabbed his stunner from his weapon belt.Aimed for his chest. Pulled the trigger. A grunt of surprise and he collapsed on the floor with a wonderful thud.
