Page 65 of The Prisoner's Gambit
“What is it?” the guard asked with a bored sigh.
“I’m looking for a prisoner.”
“Lots of those here.”
“His name is Bodok. He’s blue-skinned. A Pokri. I was wondering if—”
“Yeah, I know him. Only one Pokri in this whole place. What do you want with him?”
“I was hoping I might be able to see him,” she said, flashing her warmest smile.
The sentry was unimpressed.
“No visitors. These are prisoners we’re talking about here. And tournament hopefuls, no less. What were you thinking, asking that?”
“Please, I assure you I don’t mean any trouble. It’s just he saved my life, and I owe him.”
The guard shrugged. “Not my concern. Prisoners don’t leave these walls. Period.”
“Oh, I wasn’t asking you to let him out,” she said, pulling a small satchel containing every bit of currency she had earned from her pocket. “I was thinking, perhaps you might allow us to talk within the walls. Of course, I will compensate you for your trouble.”
This was the moment of truth. She extended her arm and held her breath. The sentry looked at her a long moment then glanced to his left and right. Not another soul was in sight. He took the pouch from her and looked inside, quickly counting it without pouring it into his hand. The money disappeared into his pocket.
“I think I may be able to arrange something,” he said. “Wait here.”
“Oh, thank you so much. I really need to talk with him.”
“Talk,” he repeated with a laugh. “Sure thing. Whatever you say. Stay here, this will take a few minutes.”
Maureen did as she was told, feeling incredibly exposed standing out in the open like this. Fortunately, the livestock vending area was adjacent, and with the smell, no one chose this route for a pleasant night’s walk.
Still, she was on edge. If by some twist of bad luck she was spotted and word got back to the lady of the house, she’d have hell to pay. She was willing to risk it, consequences be damned, but the longer she waited, the more acutely aware she was of just how risky her impulsive move had actually been.
Minutes ticked by. Her money was gone and so was the sentry. For all she knew he could simply be keeping it and sending someone else out to take his place. A rustling came from inside the gate as the man swung it open. Maureen felt a wave of relief at seeing his familiar face.
“Follow me,” he said, leading the way down a dimly lit hallway. “Keep quiet. The rooms are soundproofed, but the halls aren’t.”
Maureen nodded silently and stuck close. He pointed to the door just ahead.
“That’s the one,” he said. “A supply room. No one’ll be using it until morning.”
“Thank you.”
He shrugged. “Just don’t leave a mess. You didn’t pay for clean-up.”
“What do you mean?”
His brows raised, an amused look in his eyes. “Uh-huh. Just remember what I said.”
With that he turned and walked away.
Maureen approached the door, her heart beating faster in her chest. But that wasn’t all. The tug of her Infala was drawing her forward. Bodok was inside, she was certain of it.
The door opened as she reached for the activating pad on the wall. Thick hands grabbed her and pulled her inside, the door sliding shut heavily behind her.
Bodok mashed his lips against hers, their tongues reaching out, entwined with barely restrained passion. She felt his heart hammering in his chest, her own matching his every beat.
Her Infala was churning, setting her body afire with desire. Her nipples hardened to peaks at once, straining hard against the material of her top, craving his touch like never before.
