Free Retribution by Jambrea Jo Jones Page B

him. With one hand, he stroked his lover’s face, relearning by touch and stroking new lines. His thumb traced Kain’s lips, and he closed his eyes when the man’s tongue slipped out to take a taste. It was all so familiar, yet different. His heart ached at all they’d lost.
    “We’ve both changed, but I think we’re stronger because of it. I’m here for you. I know the trust isn’t there, but I’ll prove myself to you. The Alliance won’t keep us apart again. We’ll find a way out of this mess.”
    “Let’s take it a day at a time. First, we have to get out of this clusterfuck then we can look at the future. I’m not whole anymore, Kain . I have things I should tell you, but I’m not ready. Not yet.”
    “When you’re ready, I’ll help to make you whole again…if you’ll let me.”
    Rave whispered a kiss against Kain’s lips.
    “Thank you. Now, we have a couple hours until we dock. What do you think we should do?” he said as he let his hand wander down his lover’s body.
    Kain grinned, and Rave let him roll over on top of him.
    “I can think of a few things.” Kain said. His cock nudged his ass and Rave panicked. He had to protect himself. He pushed the man off him and leapt from the bed, lunging for a wall and crouching down. His heart raced in his chest. His mind flashed back to that night so many years ago. Frantically, his hands swept the floor, trying to find a weapon.
    “Rave.” A gentle voice surrounded him. “Babe? It’s Kain . I’m here.”
    Kain ? How did he get here?
    Rave looked around, confused for a moment. Things looked different. The view wasn’t barren with sand whipping around and getting caught in his throat. No men looked down on him, ready to beat him then fuck him. He was in his room. On his ship.
    My room. I’m safe.
    Rave sat down, his knees pulled to his chest. His head hung forward, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. Finally, his breathing evened out.
    “I’m sorry, Kain ,” he mumbled.
    “Don’t apologise to me. Never say you’re sorry. Not for this. Can I touch you?”
    He looked up to see Kain kneeling beside him with his hand hovering close by. Rave didn’t respond. He threw himself at the man, knocking him back. He managed to wrap his body so tight around Kain’s he couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.
    “Fuck, man—”
    “Don’t talk,” Kain interrupted. “Just let me hold you.”
    They sat that way for so long, Rave almost fell asleep. He wanted to stay right there forever, but there were too many things he needed to get done. Could he open himself for the man who’d betrayed him?
    That isn’t fair. It wasn’t his fault.
    His heart knew it. Getting his head to catch up was the problem. Rave sighed and untangled himself, taking Kain to his bed. For a few more minutes, he could pretend things would be all right.

Chapter Eleven
     
     
     
    Kain swivelled in the captain’s chair on the bridge. The quiet of his surroundings lulled him into thoughts he didn’t want to have. He’d left Rave alone, sleeping in his quarters. The man had finally settled down a few minutes ago. It was hard to watch him in such a vulnerable state. Kain’s eyes welled with tears as he thought of all the Alliance had put his lover through. He didn’t think Se knew just how badly Rave had been affected. He wished he could go back and trade places with him. To take the pain away and make it his. He closed his eyes and held his head in his hands.
    Lost in his misery, he didn’t hear Se enter the room.
    She placed a hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
    Startled from his gloom, he turned towards her. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”
    “World exploding, people dying kind of thoughts? I gotta tell you, you look stressed.”
    “Imprisonment and attack kind of thoughts, I’m afraid.” He sighed.
    “Did he tell you?”
    He turned around. He couldn’t look at her. “He didn’t have to. He had some kind of flashback when—um,