Free Andromeda's Fall (Shadowcat Nation) by Abigail Owen

his
actions as a sign that he thought her weak, incapable of dealing with the
captivity. That wasn’t the case.
    “I’d
like you to start putting together some training programs as well as some
defensive strategies for the dare,” he said. “Can you do that for me?”
    She
narrowed her eyes, but after a moment she nodded. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll use
this to communicate with Carstairs?”
    “I
trust you.”
    She
gave a little derisive laugh. “Since when?”
    “Since
the day you met the Protectors and Commanders and walked us through all that
info on Carstairs but refused to provide the defensive system details. You were
protecting those who are still innocent in your old dare – loyalty is an
admirable trait.”
    Her
lips twisted skeptically, but she said nothing.
    “Andie,
your tests stopped a long time ago,” he continued. “Or hadn’t you noticed?”
    She
remained unconvinced, her mouth compressed, her eyes narrowed. “Then why am I
still confined to quarters?”
    Jaxon
sighed. Hannah had been right. He’d have to thank her later for speaking up.
“We want to keep your exposure to the dare to a minimum. The fewer people who
are aware of you, the less likely word will get back to Carstairs about your
presence here.”
    Andie
relaxed. The dropping of her shoulders was infinitesimal, but Jaxon was
learning to read the little clues she gave about what she was thinking.
Finally, she grimaced. “Makes sense.”
    “But
you’re going stir crazy?” Jaxon guessed.
    “Kinda,”
she muttered. She pulled her shoulders back. “But nothing I can’t handle.”
    “Well,
the computer should help give you something to do at least. So let’s get you
set up.”
    She
nodded and hit the power button.
    “It
takes a little bit, so I brought some work with me,” Jaxon mentioned casually.
    “Cool.”
    Andie
stared at the screen and looked at him expectantly when it hummed and flickered
to life.
    Setup
took some time, particularly waiting for software to load. Rather than working
during the down time, they talked. And for once it had nothing to do with
Carstairs, Keller, or fighting. It started out light enough. He noticed the
book she’d been reading, and they got to chatting about it.
    Once
they had the computer set up, Andie gave him a smile. “Well, thanks. Guess I’ll
get to work.”
    “Do
you mind if I sit here. I haven’t even got started, but I’m already settled.
And you can bounce any of your ideas off me if you want to.”
    She
shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
    Jaxon
hid his satisfaction and pulled out his paperwork and his own laptop. After
about ten minutes, Andie relaxed, and they worked in quiet harmony the rest of
the evening.
     

Chapter 11
     
    A
brief rap on the door had Andie looking up from the video of her training with
A.J. and his men today.
    “Come
in,” she called.
    A.J.
popped his head around the door and grinned. “Hey.”
    Andie
smiled back. A.J. had been making it a habit to drop by these last few weeks.
She didn’t want to admit it, but she kinda liked his company. Kinda.
    Seeing
that he didn’t come in all the way, she patted the seat beside her. “Don’t be
shy.”
    A.J.
chuckled. “I have something to show you.”
    “What?”
    He
held out his hand. “You’ll see.”
    Andie
narrowed her eyes as she slowly got up from her comfy spot on the couch. “I’m
not much for surprises.”
    “What
a shocker,” he said dryly. “But indulge me. You’ll like this one.”
    Andie
sighed. “Okay.”
    She
followed him from the room, down the hall a few doors to stop in front of one.
A.J. pulled out a key, and, with a flourish, he opened the door and beckoned
her inside. Andie looked around with interest. It looked like a nice, single-bedroom
apartment, cozily done up in colors that appealed to her wild cougar’s heart –
all browns and blues and greens.
    She
turned to A.J. with eyebrows raised. “Nice. So?”
    “It’s
for you,” he said, leaning casually against the kitchen