Page 68 of Jude

“I am not concerned. We will have the population back under our control soon enough.”

“Our broadcast is working. People are questioning you.”

“Fetch me a port screen,” snapped Commander West to the guard next to him.

The guard ran from the room and returned with a port screen. “Sir, there do appear to be disturbances in some sectors.”

Commander West grabbed the port screen and stared at it. He hissed angrily. “The militia will control the troublemakers. The disturbances will be minor.”

“Our broadcast went everywhere.” Jude saw a flare of panic in Commander West’s eyes. “People are confused. They want answers.”

“If they question us, we will kill them,” said Commander West. “How’s that for an answer? The only thing you’ve done by sending out that information is kill innocent members of society. Are you prepared to have that on your conscience?”

Guilt bit at Jude, but he refused to back down. “When enough rise up against you, there will be nothing you can do. Your twisted reign will be over.”

“It is far from over.” Commander West watched the screen for a moment. “We need more militia out there.”

Jude saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t need to turn his head. He knew it was Tobias lurking in the shadows. They’d come together, but Jude had raced ahead, ignoring Tobias’s protests, determined to find Octavia.

He glanced at Octavia and winked again. “Get ready, beautiful.”

***

OCTAVIA WATCHED ASCommander West’s head shot up. He glared at Jude. “Take them to a cell. I will arrange their executions as soon as the troubles have died down. We need people focused on what will happen if their disobedience continues.”

What did Jude mean by get ready?

She struggled in the guard’s grip as Jude was dragged to the door. She didn’t want to let him out of her sight. She would not lose him again.

He caught her gaze again and smiled. What the hell did he have to smile about? They were about to be killed.

Two flashes of pulse laser shot out from the shadows. One slammed into the guard holding Jude, and the second skimmed past Octavia and slammed into the other guard’s chest.

She dropped to the ground, her frantic gaze seeking out whoever was shooting.

Commander West also dropped to the ground. “Kill the traitors!”

Octavia eased herself up, relief flooding through her as Tobias emerged from the shadows, his pulse laser trained on Commander West.

“It looks like you don’t get to give any more orders,” she spat at the commander.

“You will die for this,” he hissed, his cold gaze locked on Octavia.

Jude ran to Tobias. “Get these damn restraints off me.” The second his hands were free, Jude dashed to Octavia, threw his arms around her, and pulled her against his chest.

She let out a shaky breath as his scent filled her nose. He was alive. He was really here. “I knew you were still alive.”

“They did their best to kill me.” Jude kissed her lips, then untied her hands. “As you can see, they failed.” His fingers touched the burned fabric where the laser had sliced into her.

She squeezed him against her, still not able to believe this was happening. “You’re okay.”

“Unlike you.” Jude shifted to look at her laser wound.

“It’s not bad. They wanted me wounded, but alive.” She tightened her hold on Jude. He groaned, and she loosened her grip. “It sounds like they did a good job of messing you up, though.”

“It’s my ribs,” said Jude. “They’re healing, but they’re taking their sweet time.”

“We need to get out of here,” said Tobias. “Cameras are watching us and more guards will be on their way.”

“You’ll never escape,” growled Commander West. “I will execute you myself.”

“To do that, you need to be alive.” Jude scooped up a dead guard’s pulse laser and shot Commander West. He wrapped an arm around Octavia’s waist. “Let’s get out of here, beautiful.”