“Release Lance, and I'll do whatever you want. I’ll cooperate and tell my father anything you want me to.”
“Just shut up.” The captain sighed. “I don’t want to hear another word from you.”
Miya glanced at the soldier who was making the call. He reclined on the couch, picking at the fabric.
The captain turned back to Lance, crouching at his level. “I’m impatient. Why don’t we get started since she doesn’t take your life seriously?”
He drew his blade again. She only needed to buy a few more seconds.
Miya jumped on the captain’s back, clawing for his eyes. He dropped his knife and gripped her arms so hard she cried out.
Lance strained to escape his binds. Miya held tight.
The captain flipped around and drove them both back for the wall.
“Captain!”
He stopped, her back grazing the wall.
The soldier, phone at his side. “A… A moment, sir.”
“I told you,” Miya said.
The captain's grip went slack, and she clambered off his back.
Kneeling beside Lance, she whispered in his ear. “It'll be okay. I promise.”
“Is it true?” Lance stared into her eyes.
“Get her away from him.” The captain pointed at her as he spoke on the phone.
Miya backed up willingly, hands in the air.
His face paled. She’d never seen him taken off guard. It looked good on him. How would it look when she managed to do worse?
He hung up the phone. Everyone watched, waiting. “Cut the kid loose. It'll shut her up.”
“Captain?” his lieutenant asked.
“I'll return for him if you break your word,” the captain said.
“I know.” She pinched her lips together.
“We head out.” The captain pointed at the door. “Now.”
“Wait.” Miya moved forward. “The Phaedra will expect a story from you. It would benefit you to write that story however you want. Lance is hurt. Drop him off at a hospital. You can sedate him. We’ll be gone before he has a chance to talk.”
The captain clenched his teeth.
“Captain Garrison, I’m going to make you famous. It’s a small price to pay. To spare one man’s life. That’s all I ask.”
“Fine, but you’ll watch from a distance.” He ordered two of his men to join them. “And you will behave to thank me for this.”
They escorted Miya to the door while Lance strained to see her, yelling. She looked into his eyes one last time and smiled. It would be okay now. For him, at least.
Relief soothed the pain in her heart.
Miya didn’t fight the captain on the way to his vehicle, and he didn’t use force. They had an understanding now.
