Rebels and Queens by Kate Prada

Author:Kate Prada [Prada, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-07T16:00:00+00:00

Maci

If I hadn’t just crashed my way out of a militia’s compound atop a stolen horse before getting dragged through the woods by a physically imposing man who looked like he did actual tactical training, I might really be enjoying myself. Jacoby was nothing but tall, dark, and handsome. From the moment he took me as his charge, I felt safe for the first time in a long time. Well, probably because I finally found a good guy after being held by bad guys for–Jesus, how long was I there?

He probably needed to be doing more important things than tending to me, but I really appreciated not being left alone at the moment. I just needed some sort of human connection as I decompressed from captivity and as I wrestled with the overwhelming feeling of guilt of leaving my cousin behind.

My stomach twisted. Bailey didn’t have much time. If the Brothers didn’t beat her to death for helping me escape, the women might for getting their meals taken away. Or worst-case scenario, she gets married off.

I bit my lip, fighting the wave of sobs I knew I wasn’t going to be able to hold back. My vision blurred as the tears teetered on the edge, and the sharp breath I sucked in was more audible than I intended.

“Hey,” Jacoby said as he reached out to rub my arm, and I lost it.

Tears rolled down my face, and I couldn’t breathe. My pleas for my cousin were lost as the inability to form words grew under the weight of my distress.

Without hesitation, my savior wrapped me in strong arms and held me firmly against his broad chest.

“I left her,” I murmured between tears. “I left her behind. We could have ridden double; I should have gone back for her. There was time–”

“Shhhh,” Jacoby soothed as he rubbed my back, still holding me tightly. The deep pressure of his embrace brought me a sense of calm, but the guilt hung on. “That horse was barely fifteen hands, if that. She could have held you both, but no way could she have gone fast enough to get you guys out of there. Then you both would still be there. At least you were able to alert us.”

I sniffed hard, my tears soaking into his shirt, but he seemed to pay it no mind. “She told me to get help. I need you guys to help.”

“We are. I promise we’re going soon. Your great escape has forced us to act sooner.”

I sat bolt upright, out of his hold. My eyebrows arched with worry. “Did I make things worse?” A sour feeling twisted in my gut.

The corner of his lip lifted, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing is worse. But they have never had an escapee before. We don’t know if they’ll try to pack up and relocate, or double down and stand their ground. Either way, we need to make our next move soon.”

A hitch caught in my throat. “Are the women in danger?”

His eyes dipped away from mine, but he forced them back up again.

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