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“Stop what?” She shifted a little, and he gripped her waist, fingers squeezing in warning.

“Khalani, I need you to stop right now. When I make love to you for the first time, it won’t be in this cold cell. But if you keep moving your hips like that, I won’t care anymore. So fuckingbehave.” He bit her ear.

Sounded like a reasonable plan to her.

“What if I said pretty please?” she asked in a light voice.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Kanes. Go to sleep.”

She grinned but complied, for now. After the mind-blowing release he’d given her, her body was utterly exhausted. And they needed all their strength and energy for what would transpire in the morning.

Tomorrow, they would escape and be free. Together.

Takeshi tucked her closer, chasing her nightmares away. And for the first time in forever, she found a bright future in the shadows of a dark world.

28

From a distance, they laugh. But venture closer, and you’ll realize they were always screaming.

Khalani’s body was wrapped around something warm. Steadfast.

Her eyelids refused to open, and she nestled closer to the fiery heat that encased her like a shield. She released a heavy, contented sigh and eased deeper into a peaceful sleep.

Bright lines danced around her in a pleasant dream. She walked on the surface, the magnificent sun coating her in its rays.

Takeshi walked beside her, nudging her arm. She turned to him with a small laugh, and he mouthed something unintelligible.

“What?” she asked, grinning.

“Wake up,” he said.

Her brow pulled down low, and he repeated loudly, “Wake up.”

She sat up with a gasp, realizing that it wasn’t the sun shining down on her but the harsh, bright light in the barracks powering on.

Khalani instinctively moved to cover her chest, only to realize she was already wearing her uniform. She drew back, confused,but then remembered Takeshi gently waking her in the middle of the night to put it on.

“So no one loses an eye tomorrow,” he’d whispered conspiratorially.

Rubbing her face, she yawned as Takeshi sat up with her. For the first time, he finally looked like he slept through the night. But his expression was cold and calculating as he stood, the volatile Captain ready to take on the world.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Tired.” She stretched her arms over her head, resisting the urge to sink back down to the ground.

“And you wanted me to keep you up all night.” A smirk tugged at his lips, and her heart sputtered.

“Like you would’ve lasted that long,” she joked, lifting to her feet.

“Oh, Kanes.” Takeshi let out a dark chuckle. “I can’t wait to make you choke on those words.”

A wild visual entered her mind.

Takeshi tilted his head, eyes full of mirth, as if he knewexactlywhat she was thinking.

The door to their cell opened, and prisoners began filing through the hellish space toward inspection.

Her cheeks reddened as Takeshi stepped aside, holding out his hand for her to pass with a mischievous grin.