play with a strand of her hair, staring at the ceiling. A tidal wave of emotion crashes overwhelming me.
I open my mouth to say the words. I’m going to tell her what I know to be true. This cannot be a one time thing. This isn’t a tumble; this is so much more. I take a breath, preparing to speak, and then I shut my mouth.
My heart tries to break free but no. Her face is peaceful, more relaxed then I’ve ever seen her. If I speak now she will retreat. It isn’t the time.
“Kiara, I care for you,” I say, unable to say nothing at all.
Slowly she turns her head towards me. She studies my face and I count the beatings of my heart unable to breathe. It’s as if I can see her thoughts playing out across her face or in her eyes. Weighing my words, tearing them apart, considering each syllable.
“Yeah,” she says at long last. “Me too.”
Chapter 15
Kiara
I’m an idiot. It was a one-time thing. Scratch the itch. I don’t have time for this. I can’t let this be a distraction. I knew better.
Moron.
Okay. It’s done. We’ve both admitted the truth to each other. Our feelings are mutual, we care about each other. It’s real, there is something here. Denial wasn’t working, so maybe this is the way forward. Acceptance of the truth and then back to the mission.
At least he’s a good lay. No, be honest, he’s a fantastic fucking lay. Best I ever had. So there’s that going for him. And I love him.
“You okay?” Kennedy asks, walking out of the door to the underground where the slaves stay.
“Yeah,” I say, finishing off the last of my breakfast. “The girls okay?”
“Mostly,” she says. “I mean, it all sucks, but not worse than usual.”
“Good,” I say, rising to put away my dishes.
“I’ll take that,” she says. “I’m on kp duty.”
As she walks away with my dish, the back of her shirt pulls up and I see a dark bruise.
“Kennedy,” I say, moving behind her and pulling her shirt up.
“No,” she jerks away and her shirt drops back into place.
“What happened?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“Nothing,” she says, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.”
“No,” I say. “It’s not.”
“Gladiators!” Ductores’ voice echoes, calling us to the sands for training.
“Kiara, it’s nothing,” Kennedy says. “It’s my fault. I wasn’t fast enough.” She looks around in quick, furtive glances, then leans in close. “Get us out of here. That’s all you need to worry about.”
“Right,” I say.
She rushes off into the house. I can’t follow her without causing more problems, which is what I’m sure she’s trying to avoid. I’m so pissed I can barely think, though, and all I want to do is storm the house, find our masters, and put an end to them.
It’s stupid and the wrong thing to do. Closing my eyes, I count to ten then turn and go to the training grounds. Soon. Soon I’ll get us free. One thing at a time. First I have to rescue Nevaeh, Scarlet, Camilla, and Paisley.
Ductores trains me harder than he ever has before. Every night after the rest of the gladiators retire to sleep, Ductores and Anzil push me harder.
The games are coming, and I have to be ready. I could complain, but I’m not going to. It hurts. It hurts bad.
By the time we quit for the night I’m too exhausted to think about slipping over the walls for scouting. Good side, I guess, is I’m also too tired and sore for sex. Anzil runs a hot bath for me every night then rubs salve onto my sore muscles. Moments after that I’m out.
I’m getting stronger and faster. I can stand against Anzil for longer and longer. It has to be enough. I have to get my girls free. It’s midday, the sun is beating down hard, and sweat drips off of me, soaking the sands. I keep going, attacking the dummy as I move through the different stances. Everyone else has stopped for lunch, but not me. I don’t have time for long meal breaks.
“Ductores!” Dominus’ voice echoes across the training grounds.
I stop and turn. He’s on the balcony, looking down. Ductores steps out from beneath the balcony where he was eating with the others.
“Yes, Dominus,” he says, bowing his head.
“The games are set,” Dominus says. “Have the primus and that human come to my office. I would have words with them.”
“Yes, Dominus,” Ductores says.
“Make sure they don’t stink,” Dominus says as he turns