Page 64 of The Red Woman on Mars

They approached the end of the hallway. “You have to sell it,” Delilah murmured. “You need to make him believe you don’t care about me. Can you do it?”

Vivian took a deep breath. “I can do it.” She schooled her features into a harsh scowl, grabbed her sister by the elbow, and stepped into the light.

“Stop,” Vivian ordered. She held Delilah’s arm tightly with one hand, her other hand training the gun to Delilah’s stomach.

Silas turned. His face was spattered with blood, and he held a reddened knife. Vivian made herself look. Xavier was breathing unevenly, his face a sheen of sweat. His bare chest, so beautiful the day before, was a ragged patchwork of cuts and blood. Vivian swallowed and tried to keep the horror off her face.

Silas’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t kill your own sister.”

“I’ve seen the medical care you have on Mars.” Her clear and confident voice came as a surprise. “I don’t think she’ll die from a single shot to the gut. But Constance Yarrow’s genetic secrets may not survive. How big is the fetus now, sweet sister? The size of a poppy seed?”

“Don’t hurt me!” Delilah shouted. “You can’t make me leave. I love him. Please, Vivian, let me go.”

“Fine,” Vivian said harshly. “My sister wants to stay here. You can have her. Release Xavier, and we’ll go.”

“But I was having so much fun,” Silas mused, twirling the knife. “Almost like old times.”

“Vivian …” Xavier gasped. “Get out of here. Please … while you still can.”

“Not without you.” She turned to Silas. “I want a medical bag. Bandages, disinfectant, painkillers.” She pressed the gun tighter to Delilah, who let out a theatrical groan.Don’t overdo it, baby sister, Vivian thought.

Silas gave a nod to one of the other soldiers, who departed at a run.

“You won’t get far, my dear. We will find you.”

“I want a head start,” Vivian said stubbornly. “I’ll trade you my sister unharmed in exchange for ten minutes without pursuit.”

“Fine,” Silas drawled. The soldier returned, panting, and dropped a bag on the floor at Vivian’s feet. Silas took the knife and turned to Xavier. With fear in his eyes, Xavier flinched away. Silas laughed and kissed Xavier’s brow before cutting the cords that bound Xavier to the chair.

“Pick up the bag,” Vivian growled to Delilah. She turned to Xavier. “Stand up.”

He looked at her, his eyes unfocused.

“Stand up!” she yelled.

Xavier put his hands upon his knees and pushed himself to his feet. He swayed momentarily and then found his balance.

“Go first,” Vivian ordered Xavier. “Start walking.” He took stumbling steps toward the exit. Vivian followed, dragging Delilah along. Silas stayed where he was, a small, sardonic smile on his face. “Ten minutes. Your word as a gentleman.”

Silas put a hand to his heart. “As you say, my lady. I pledge my word.”

As they backed up, Delilah pressed a key fob into Vivian’s palm. “He’s lying,” she murmured.

“I know,” Vivian breathed.

“I don’t like your odds with Xavier,” Delilah continued in an undertone. “He looks terrible.”

“I have to try.”

Xavier had reached the door. He stood with his fingers gripping the handle, heaving. “Vivian, this is impossible,” he panted, not looking at her. “He’ll kill us both.”

“Go out first and walk to the right, around the side of the building. Get on the moped.”

Xavier straightened. “You know how to hotwire a moped?”

“I have the key.”

“Ah …” Xavier glanced at Delilah for only a moment. He opened the door and stumbled out.