Page 17 of Princess

Yet, he didn’t seem bothered.

In fact, he looked almost eager to get started on whatever Marinah had planned.

“One hour,” I said when she approached.

“Good,” she replied, her tone unreadable.Then, as if something had just clicked into place, her expression shifted.“I have an idea.”

“I’m all ears.”

That made her smile.

“I want to gag and bind Mrs.Barnacle and parade her in front of whoever exits that plane.”

I blinked.“Is there a reason?”

She looped her arm through mine and led me from the gym.“Of course I have a reason,” she said, just a hint of irritation slipping into her voice.“One, I want them to report that she’s alive in case one or more of them is feeding information back to Barnes.”

I raised a brow.“And the second reason?”

“I’m getting no enjoyment over the next few hours, and I like fucking with her and I could care less if it’s petty,” Marinah said, her voice laced with amusement.“She’s doing a horrible job sorting the laundry, and she isn’t getting lunch today.Combined with no food, making her visible to our visitors should take her down a peg or two.If the people coming in aren’t reporting back to Barnes, they still need to know we have her and that we stole her from under the Federation’s nose.”

“Why gag her?”

“I don’t want her telling them anything.No secret hand signals, no dramatic pleas, nothing.”

I grinned.“I like it.”

She stopped mid-step, turned, and kissed me.

“I thought you might,” she murmured when she pulled back.

I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her as close as her growing stomach allowed.“I’ll have to agree with you more often.”

She smirked.“I like it when you agree, but I love it when you don’t.There’s something satisfying about dragging that stubborn streak out of you.Gives me the warm fuzzies.”

I kissed her again, lingering just long enough to taste the smugness on her lips.

“I’m sorry you won’t be there today,” I said when we finally pulled apart.

“I’ll be listening,” she said, and the way she said it gave me pause.

“Through the vent,” she clarified.“Nokita has been working on it.He’ll stay with me, and if I need you to shift tactics, he’ll interrupt.”

I chuckled.Only a few months ago, she had been fighting the idea of being in charge.Now, there was no holding her back.

We continued walking, but before we rounded the next corner, a blood-curdling scream echoed down the hall.

I turned toward the sound ready to charge in that direction, but Marinah caught my arm.

“No worries,” she said, completely unbothered.“The bitch has just been informed she’s not getting lunch.”

I snorted.

“I, however, am starving,” she added.“Let’s grab a quick meal before the performance starts with the outpost delegation.”

At this point, everything Marinah did revolved around food.Axel had sworn she wasn’t carrying twins, but I wasn’t entirely convinced.

We picked up two meals and took them to our room.Marinah ate with gusto, but she looked tired.

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