Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“We’re going to burn down her barn after all? You strike me as a barn-burning type.” He grins to take the sting out of his words even as he sets down the container of food he brought for me. “I will make no judgments if you have changed your mind. Simply tell me what flammables to bring along in the air-sled.”
“No barn-burning,” I say, poking him in his cute nose for the teasing. “I’m going to take your advice and talk to her. Tomorrow, or the day after.”
He gestures at the door he just came through. “We could go tonight—”
“No,” I say, maybe a little too sharply. “I’ll do it. I want to think of what I’m going to say first, and how to approach it.”
Aithar nods and leans against the counter, studying me. “However you wish to proceed. You know I’m always on your side.”
“I know. I’m trying to figure out how to handle the situation mentally, that’s all. I want to be clear on it before I proceed.” I move to his side and rub his arm, gazing up at him. He doesn’t need to know that I’m stalling because I need to get myself okay with the fact that this part of my life could be changing, and that’s the portion I’m struggling with. “I’ll handle it. It’ll be fine.”
“Well, I have something that should make you smile.”
“Oh?”
“I have news. Big news.”
Something about his tone makes me anxious. “What sort of big news?”
“I have contacted a bounty hunter. I have spoken with Zebah—her base is Three Nebulas Station and it’s a very busy hub. Normally I’d ask her to get us in contact with someone else, but Zebah says she is between jobs and can take this one. She will look for your sister. Just say the word.”
I stare at him in shock.
I feel…not happy. Betrayed. “I said not yet.”
I’m not ready. I need more money. I need to have my business firmly established and not on shaky ground. I need to fix up my house. Get a room ready for her. I need to not be fooling around with a guy that looks just like her kidnapper—
Aithar’s smile wavers slightly, and I can tell my terse reaction has hurt his feelings. “I know you have been protecting me from the teasing of my friends, but I assure you that it is no longer necessary. Your kindness shouldn’t prevent you from rescuing your sister.”
He thinks I’m still protecting him.
Not that I’m a giant asshole that’s been putting things off. His innocent reaction just makes me feel worse. So much fucking worse. Because I’m a monster, right? I could have contacted a bounty hunter at any point this last month and told them what I need. Aithar would have helped me. Instead, I’ve been playing around with an alien man and making butter as if I don’t have a care in the world. It’s a month that we could have already been looking for her. I should be glad he’s taken the initiative.
Instead, I’m so resentful I could scream.
Aithar’s expression falls. “You are not happy.”
“I told you I’d let you know when I was ready,” I say, voice tight. I can feel my muscles tensing, and I cross my arms under my breasts, every portion of my body quivering with rage and frustration. “It wasn’t me protecting you.”
He flinches. “I see. I misread the situation.”
“You did. You should have asked me before you jumped ahead on things. You think I can rescue my sister right now?” I gesture frantically around at my tiny house. “Where’s she going to stay? The cupboard? Where will she sleep? The pantry? My house isn’t ready. And I need to have some savings built up! I have some money, but what if getting her wipes it all out? What if this other farmer takes over my business and I can’t feed the two of us? What happens then?”
He’s silent.
The understanding look in his eyes bothers me. “And we’re a problem, too. You and me.” I gesture frantically between us. “You think my sister’s going to be happy that I’m fooling around with a guy that looks just like her captor? You think she’ll understand that I’m just using you for sex? Or do you think she’ll think I’m betraying her, too?”
My lungs heave and I’m not screaming, but I feel out of breath and panicked all the same. Like everything is falling down around me.
Aithar watches me and gently says, “I think you are worried over the wrong things, my heart. Your house might be small, but I think your sister would rather be here than a slave.”
He’s right. Of course he’s right. Sleeping on the floor in a safe space is far preferable to being a slave. I want him to yell at me for being mean. I want him to tell me I’m being cruel or misunderstanding him. Instead, he just gives me the most knowing look. Like he completely gets me. Like I’m not even being unreasonable.