Free His Human Hellion (Ultimate Passage Book 2) by Elle Thorne

allowed to do anything. She probably thought he ran out like a coward. Probably hated him for it. Right now it didn’t matter. He didn’t have anything to say to her. Y ou owe her, his conscience demanded. You owe her the courtesy of an explanation, of something. He blew out an exasperated breath, rubbed his temples, and the blinked against the fatigue that was settling in his eyes.
    “Let’s go back to the ranch house.” That seemed like the only thing he could suggest. “We can talk there.”
    Kal turned to Alithera. “Give us a moment, Ali.”
    “Fine. Come get me when you are done.” She climbed back into the ship.
    Kal opened a panel on the wall, pressed a button. Showed it to Finn. “This one opens the entrance for individuals. This one opens for the vessel.” He pointed to another one. “There is a manual behind the panel.” He showed Finn how to pull the panel open, revealing a laminated manual. “This has everything you need to know about this bunker. From supplying yourself with food, to water, to any other needs. It has the list of all the compounds around the Earth that we have set up. Numbered bank accounts, everything.”
    “Why did you not tell me this before? I’ve been here weeks and not privy to any of this?”
    “I truly thought you’d return to Kormia. To soldiering. I did not think that you would be serious about leaving a life you loved so much.”
    Clearly Kal had no idea the depth of his feelings for Marissa. “Understood.” Finn realized that Kal was giving him a chance to have a life. Another life, if anything should happen, if he could get back to Earth.
    “There are names of people who will provide you with identities, transportation, everything.” He grabbed Finn’s shoulders fiercely. “Heed this, my brother. Do not take it lightly. Many men have sacrificed their lives to be here, to set this up over the centuries.” Kal hugged him.
    Finn hugged him back with as much ferocity as he could. It was as if Kal was saying goodbye forever. Did he think Finn wouldn’t make it back? If that’s what he thought, why was he giving him this information?
    “Are you two almost done out there?”
    Alithera’s voice was closer than it should have been. Did she overhear?
    “Yes.” Kal answered, giving Finn a look that seemed to say, be cautious around her.
    Why would he say that? Except for the fact she stowed away and left Kormia without permission, clearly. And that was a crime. Then again, if she was a criminal and he wasn’t viewed favorably by their people, wouldn’t that make them allies of a sort?
    She stepped out of the ship, climbed down the ladder. “Make no mistake.” She put her hands on her hips. “I am not returning to Kormia.” She turned to Kal. “What are your plans?”
    “My plans were to stay here. Finn is to return alone.”
    “Then that plan stays.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I will die before I return there. Understood?”
    “What about your mother? What did you tell her? Did she have no problem with your leaving Kormia? What will you do with yourself?” Finn couldn’t help the questions. They grew up together. Just because he refused the Binding didn’t mean that he didn’t care for her.
    She looked him up and down, almost in a dismissing manner. “Finneas Ramont, you gave up the right to ask me anything or to be a part of my life when you dissolved the Binding.”
    He nodded. He deserved that. “Let’s go.” He made his way to the car, got in the front seat. He was tired, hungry, and homesick for Marissa. He planned to get food, rest, and then on that damned ship so he could go get her back. He started the engine.
    Kal and Ali took less than a minute to get their belongings and lock up and join him.
    When they arrived at the ranch house, Finn gave both of them a room, made three sandwiches and put out three bottled waters.
    Ali looked at the fare. “No Asazi food?”
    Finn glanced at Kal. “No.”
    Kal nodded.
    “You