Trapped (The Condemned Series #1) - Alison Aimes Page 0,54

next that tried to land.

“Just because you’re willing to believe the ravings of a prisoner stuck too long on this planet doesn’t mean I have to.”

He’d been against her idea from the start. Only Winthrop’s backing had saved her project from being dismantled while she watched.

Maybe Pogue was right. But she didn’t think so. Which was why, despite Pogue’s displeasure, she was so intent on using the rocks to spell out a warning. Sure, it was ridiculously low tech, but at least it was something—and something was better than doing nothing.

“Will you at least help me improve our camp’s defenses?” She kept hoping she would find a way to lessen tensions between her and Pogue. “I’d like to use the leftover rocks to narrow the cave entrance.” She wanted to be prepared for anything—especially a future on Dragath25. Bleak as it now seemed without Caine in her life.

She rubbed at her chest. Darn thing wouldn’t stop aching. Maybe Caine had been right all along. Maybe Dragath25 wasn’t the kind of place that brought anything but pain.

Not that she was simply going to curl up and wait to die.

She carried a spear with her everywhere she went. It might not have been as strong or well-made as Caine’s, but it would get the job done against beast or man. She’d even managed to catch one scrawny Elkin, though that had probably been more luck than skill.

She was still waiting on Pogue’s answer when a shadow fell over her. Her heart gave a tiny leap before she could stop it. Stupid thing was always doing that even though it had been a week now and still no Caine. That particular organ didn’t seem able to accept it wouldn’t be seeing him again.

But out of sight didn’t mean out of mind. She still intended to do everything in her power to have his sentence absolved if she and her crew were, by some miracle, actually rescued. No matter how things had ended between them, Caine was a good man. He didn’t deserve to die on Dragath25. Protecting him had become as essential to her as safeguarding her siblings and all the others depending on her and this mission to save them from famine and death. Fortunately, the seeds of a plan had finally started to germinate.

Shading her eyes against the sun, she looked back at the source of the shadow and forced a smile. “Hello, Dr. Winthrop. How are you feeling?” Things between them had been decidedly awkward since her return.

“Better, thanks.” He patted his chest, his movements stiff. “The bandages are definitely working and the ribs holding.” His smile was tentative. “Thanks to you, I’ll be back to one hundred percent very soon.”

“But not today,” taunted Pogue. He stepped forward, forcing Winthrop back. Tension between the two officers was worse than ever. “Now, where did you want this, Bella?” The reason for his sudden pretense of cooperation obvious, he flexed his bare chest as he picked up the rock she’d thought would require two people. “The Doctor here may not be able to get the job done, but I can. Fact is, I can go as long as you need.”

Unfortunately for her, Pogue seemed to have an unending supply of annoying innuendos.

She honestly wasn’t sure how best to handle the man. She needed him and his guns, but it felt like a devil’s bargain. One that was slowly unraveling. His smirk when she’d first returned had been irritating, but the way he’d been looking at her since made her skin crawl. Like she was his for the taking. And he followed her everywhere she went. Made crude comments and promises whenever he could. She feared it wouldn’t be long before the last of the Council influence disintegrated and he moved from innuendos to action.

Another reason she always had her spear at hand.

She’d wanted to steal a gun and strike out separately with Winthrop and Ava, but they’d adamantly refused. Winthrop, with typical Council arrogance, had assured her he could handle Pogue. While Ava was obsessed with the soil on the nearby ridge—and growing more edgy with every day closer to the rescue shuttle’s scheduled arrival. She’d become convinced that solving the mysteries of Dragath25 soil held the key to not only saving Earth, but herself.

So, unless they changed their minds, Bella was stuck with Pogue. She wasn’t leaving Winthrop and Ava again.

“Please bring the rock to the cave entrance.” Choosing to capitalize on Pogue’s short-term willingness to cooperate, she picked up a