Fortune Favors the Bold

5

They were walking through the illuminated halls when Convict 286 hesitated, his footsteps slowing. Kalani continued past him, snickering at something Mason had said. She seemed to be getting along well with the boy, not paying much attention to their surroundings.

Not until Alaska cried out, an abrupt shuffling making them all spin. All except Convict 286; for he easily sensed the cold blade's tip pressing into the back of his neck.

Kalani met his gaze, seeming more panicked than he did. Then again, when was he ever panicked. "Hey- hey! Stop," she hurried back, speaking to the two who'd violently appeared.

"Don't move," the boy hissed, his tone dripping with warning as he glared toward Kalani. His brown hair fell over his dark eyes, drawing a shadow over his pointed gaze.

"Don't hurt them," Mason pleaded.

The girl that had thrown Alaska to the ground didn't look up at him when she spoke. Her short curls tightly curled to her scalp and dark skin shimmered with sweat. Kalani wondered what had made her sweat. "I will if I have to," she leered, holding her victim's gaze.

But Alaska remained confident in return. "Do it," she dared her.

"Don't test me," the girl responded.

Kalani grew anxious, stepping closer. "Please, let's just-."

The boy who held Convict 286 in his place jutted his dagger toward Kalani. It would have sliced through her forearm had she not jumped back, Mason helping to move her away.

Convict 286 spun, slamming his forearm against the boy's elbows. By the time Kalani was finished flinching, their positions had already been switched to pin the attacker against the wall. The dagger had moved to the ex-soldier's hand, placed directly over his jugular vein. They both daringly peered into each other's eyes.

"No-," Kalani stepped forward. "We're not going to kill each other."

"Aren't we?" The girl mumbled, looking up at her pinned partner.

She shook her head. "No, we're not!" Kalani stated.

Convict 286 looked at her, keeping his hands firmly planted to keep the boy from trying to free himself. He watched the way the girl's brown eyes danced over the aggressive confrontation between the two, desperate to create peace between those bound to be enemies. He barely suppressed the urge to scoff at her stupidity.

"Which Province are you?" Mason asked. "I'm Spora and so is she," he pointed to Alaska. "These two are Vlasteri."

The girl shifted but kept Alaska pinned to the ground beneath her. "Who are you then?" She asked, looking up at the Saviors who stood around her. Her eyes landed on Convict 286, noticing him more than she noticed anybody else.

Mason opened his mouth but was interrupted by the ex-soldier pinning the girl's partner to the wall. He was the one to answer her. "No one's answering your questions until you let her go," he simply stated.

"Then you'll let me go?" The boy asked from the opposite side of the sharp blade.

Convict 286 nodded.

"Let her go," he looked to his companion, his eyes pleading her to release the girl so he could be freed from the deadly hold he'd found himself in. To think he'd dared to do the same to the man who seemed capable of slicing his throat in a second if he needed to.

Once Alaska was free, so was the boy.

"What are your names then?" The girl asked her question again, her eyes meeting with Convict 286's. His gaze trailed down her built frame, her thighs thick and strong.