Page 51 of Star-Crossed Captive
She lifted her chin. “Unless you want me to go.”
His eyes narrowed a fraction, penetrating, until she couldn’t stand it anymore. She dropped her head and saw the cred amount on the inside of her wrist.
“Take them,” she said, lifting her arm toward him.
His head jerked. “What?”
“My creds.”
He shook his head, frown increasing in strength. “I’m not taking your money.”
“Yes. You will. For Kilian’s prosthetic.”
He shook his head again.
“I willnotbe indebted to you,” she ground out between clenched teeth. She already was, for whatever he’d arranged with the processor, despite the circumstances that brought her here.
Mace stared at her a long while, then said, “We can talk later.” Touching the control to bind her wrists, he gestured for her to proceed him out.
The return journey to his quarters took them on a similar path as the first day: too many people, too much noise. Mace led the way, and the crowd parted for him. Nia followed, staring at his spine. He didn’t look back once to see if she kept up.
What would happen if she turned around and walked in the other direction?
Before she could muster the courage and energy to test out the thought, they arrived at his quarters.
As soon as she stepped inside, her wrists separated.
“Did the processor inform you of your day off tomorrow?”
She spun around. “What?” First, she was paid, and now she got the day off?
“Mandatory,” he said with a nod.
She squinted at the room. “I have to stay here all day?” She’d rather be in the med bay than go stir crazy, no matter how well-stocked their libraries.
But he shook his head. “You’ll need to stay in Section C, but you have six hours of free time. Your bonds would let you know if you cross the boundary line.”
She understood Section C to be quite large, so the prospect of being confined within its limits didn’t bother her. “What about my patients?” Kilian was supposed to return for a follow-up.
“Anyone coming into family medicine would be informed it’s your day off.”
Her next thought splashed cold water on her newly acquired good mood. “Do you need to stay with me the entire time?” The words came out garbled.
He hesitated. “Someone has to at this point. I could assign an enforcer if you’d rather another.”
“No.” The word came out fast. “I mean, as long as it’s not too much trouble.” She winced. Stars above, she didn’t want him to babysit her. He probably had duties as a commander.
“It’s fine.”
She shook her head. It was anything but fine, but a day off…she couldn’t refuse.
The liberating thought of a bit of freedom kept her up half the night. By the time the morning hour rolled around, Nia was both exhausted and wired on anticipation. With automatic movements, she smoothed the covers of the bed, trying not to notice the coldness of the unused half.
The sound of the door opening made her turn around. Mace stood there wearing his dark blue uniform, his arms hanging loose at his sides. Her stomach flipped pleasantly. She hated herself for it.
“Have you eaten?” he asked, stepping inside.
She nodded.
