“This will be a scouting mission, to gather more information to help us convince the other houses to join us in the rescue. We will not engage.” Galen’s icy-blue eye turned to Lore. “She can come, and you will keep her safe.”
Lore wanted to argue. His hands flexed. The protective need deep inside him wanted to list all the reasons it was safer for her to stay behind.
“I’m not a precious little thing for you to coddle and protect,” she said.
“You won’t look after yourself, so someone needs to do it for you.”
She set her shoulders back. “Well, consider yourself off the job. I can look after myself. I always have.” She stomped out.
Lore closed his eyes. Smooth as Bollian silk, Lore. He released a breath and opened his eyes. His friends were watching him.
“You can’t lock her up,” Raiden said.
“How can you stand it?” Lore asked them. “How can you stand to watch your women heading into danger?” He knew they’d all done it.
Thorin lifted a big shoulder. “You have to stand with her, support her, and even though she won’t want it, be her shield when she needs it.”
Kace nodded. “You can’t just lock her away from life. She’s already had that done to her.”
Raiden slapped a hand to Lore’s shoulder. “Help to give her what she needs, Lore. Not what you need.”
Chapter Twelve
Madeline finished dressing in the black leather clothes Harper had brought her. She looked at herself in the mirror. The trousers, shirt, and vest fit pretty well.
It felt good to do something. Her belly was churning again at the thought of heading back into danger, and at the thought of Lore.
No. She was not thinking of Lore.
There was a knock at the door. When she opened it, she found a house server bringing a tray of food for her.
“This was ordered for you.” The woman placed the tray on a small table and left with a small nod.
Madeline stared at the food. The tray was filled with fresh foods, a bowl of steaming broth, and a milk drink. All things that were good for her stomach. She knew exactly who was responsible for sending it to her. She stared at the meal for a second, fighting the childish urge to not eat anything. Then, she picked up a crusty hunk of bread and dipped it in the broth. She needed the fuel for the mission ahead.
Soon, there was another knock at the door. Harper stood in the doorway, wearing similar black clothing to Madeline’s. But Harper’s leather trousers molded to her muscular form with loving familiarity.
“Ready?” Harper asked.
Madeline nodded. “I am.”
They walked down the corridor together. “This is a simple in and out,” Harper said. “We head in, assess the guard numbers, get the layout and situation, and get out.”
Madeline swallowed. “And then we find a way to get Blaine and the women out.”
“Still no idea who they are?”
Madeline shook her head. She’d mulled over the mental picture she’d taken, but none of them had looked familiar.
“It doesn’t really matter who they are.” Harper’s voice was steady and strong, like the woman herself. “We won’t leave them there.”
Madeline suddenly grabbed Harper’s arm. “Harper. I was never nice to you.”
The former space marine cocked her head. “We never really knew each other.”
“I didn’t let people get to know me.”
Harper gave a nod. “I get it. It’s hard being the boss.”
Madeline released a breath. “It wasn’t just that. I’d shut myself off.”
A smile flirted on Harper’s lips. “Well, I think a certain gladiator has put a stop to that.”
Madeline wasn’t going anywhere near that comment. “Anyway, I just wanted to apologize.”
“You might have been a little bit tough and harsh, Madeline, but I never doubted you’d do the right thing for the space station and the people on it. There was nothing you could have done to prevent the Thraxian attack. And now you’re doing the right thing for Blaine and those women.”
When her eyes prickled, Madeline fought back the stupid threatening tears. “Thank you, Harper. For everything.”
Together, they stepped into the living area. The gladiators were already gathered. Immediately, her gaze went to Lore. The man looked so damn good dressed all in black. He was looking at her, and she quickly turned away to face Galen.
“Zhim found us an alternate entrance into the sewers,” Galen told them. A map flashed up on the screen on the wall. “We’ll be going in here.” He pointed to a glowing orange dot.
There were murmurs and nods.
The next thing Madeline knew, she was sandwiched between Raiden and Harper as they left the House of Galen. They moved quietly through the darkness of the sleeping city, passed darkened houses and closed storefronts. The bright lights of the District glowed in the distance.