Free Tamara's Future by Cyna Kade Page A

go-bag. Serendipity. Gage knew she always kept it under the bed.
    How generous of him to put it where she could find it. She smiled. She pulled it out and found a couple of items. With a devilish grin she walked to the prison room. It was a matter of seconds to lift a couple of copies of Gage’s hand print. Within two minutes she was in the room. She shuddered. She hoped Gage would never lock her up again but if

    he did, he’d be the one who would be surprised. The micro-thin, black laminate film was invisible on the bottom of the cage. She hid another copy near the door and a lock pick near the chains. She wouldn’t stay in this room again.
    She turned to walk out of the room. Fakzi stood blocking her way. She’d been right, Fakzi could stand on two legs but she’d been wrong about his height. He stood a foot taller than Tamara. Tamara cocked her head and stared up into Fakzi’s cat-slit eyes while she stood motionless. She hadn’t quite realized that Fakzi could be so scary. Fakzi bared his teeth as if grinning then did a back flip and let Tamara leave the prison room.
    Tamara just stared for a moment. Fakzi’s fur had led her to underestimate the
    creature. A back-flip was such a human boy-type of thing to do. Coming from the liock, the motion was jarring. What else could Fakzi do? Tamara shook her head and went back to the bedroom.
    Tamara climbed back into the bed. With a grimace, she refastened the chains. It
    wouldn’t do for Gage to find her free. Tamara looked at Fakzi. “I am back where Gage left me.”
    “Yes but I should tell Gage what you have done.”
    Tamara stared at Fakzi.
    “But I will not tell unless he asks me a direct question. I am interested to see how you two resolve your conflicts.”
    *
    Gage paused outside the door to his cabin. Two days gone. He had five more days
    to convince Tamara she wanted to have sex with him. He smiled, confident that he’d
    win. He’d left Tamara boneless with exhaustion. She should be recovered by now so he could continue his campaign.
    Then doubt crept into his mind. Was he doing the right thing? He leaned his head
    against the door. He hadn’t told her that if she hadn’t run, she would have been swept up with the rest of the criminals. He had lured her into his clutches for the sole purpose

    of using her to capture a band of criminals. He would have arrested her. In many ways, he was glad she’d escaped the first time. This time she wouldn’t find it so easy to leave.
    He hadn’t told her that he’d validated part of her story. He hadn’t told her his new plan. Should he? So many men had lied to her. He didn’t want to be another one. He wanted to tell her the truth but she didn’t trust him yet. He’d given her pleasure. She hadn’t faked her response to him. She was gradually coming around. If he leveled with her now, it might destroy everything he was trying to build. He could keep it secret just a little longer. He had to lie to her. He wouldn't tell her he was a cop. Not yet. Though the lying made him uncomfortable he didn’t see a way around it.
    Truth is powerful.
    Yes, Fakzi, I know, but if I tell her now, I’ll lose her. I can’t take that chance.
    Your decision, Gage. I will back your play unless she asks me a direct question.
    Thank you, Fakzi.
    Not many people knew just how powerful liocks were and he’d promised to protect
    Fakzi’s secret. Time to continue with Tamara. Gage smiled and palmed the door open.
    Gage walked in and sat down on the edge of the bed. Tamara looked so delicious.
    She smelled different. How had she gotten clean?
    She took a shower.
    Obviously. How did she get out of the chains?
    Fakzi stared and remained silent.
    She’s dangerous, Fakzi. Don’t unlock her again.
    Humans like being clean.
    Placing a hand on Tamara’s shoulder, he woke her and said, “I see you had a brief
    taste of freedom. Do you feel better now?”
    “Do you really need to keep me chained up? We’re in space,” she said