Stars Across Time by Ruby Lionsdrake Page A

their hands to themselves. Andie wished she could earn that kind of respect from the thugs, such that they would leave her alone if she simply glared at them. As she drew closer to the spread blankets, she rethought that wish because at least three of the men were lying on their sides, glaring across the cabin to where Mace spoke to Bedene. They might not challenge him openly again, but those stares of loathing suggested they might be plotting some revenge. He would have to watch his back on the road and perhaps even more at night. Might one of them try to shoot him while he slept?
    “All right,” Bedene muttered, his voice not as quiet as Mace’s had been. “We’ll leave early. Sato still out there on watch?”
    “Yes,” Mace said.
    Andie waited while Ruth Marie picked a route through the reposed men and toward the wall, making sure she was not attacked. Min-ji and Barbara, both awake because of the fight, made room for her. Andie waved a hand when Min-ji mouthed a question, asking if she was all right. She was about to follow when Mace spoke from behind her.
    “Andie?” he asked softly.
    “Yes?”
    “I’d like to talk to you for a moment. In private.”
    “Talk,” one of the men on the floor said with a snort. “Right.”
    Mace held out a hand in offering, his palm up, making it clear the decision was hers. Andie remembered the way he had looked at her back in the cave and wondered if, despite his honorable actions thus far, he might indeed have more than talking in mind. Or he might have some intelligence he wanted to share. Maybe he was going to give her the name he’d said he could only share in private.
    Andie stepped forward and clasped his hand. Whatever his intentions, she wanted to ask him why he had punctured the gasoline jug. And maybe she was a little curious about his real name too.
    Even if he was dirty from the hike and the grave digging, his hand was warm and dry, and she did not mind holding it. She did find herself wondering, once again, what he might look like all cleaned up.
    Mace started to lead her to the door, but Bedene’s cool voice rose in warning.
    “Mace.”
    Since Mace did not have his gun or any of his gear, besides the weapons hanging on his belt, Andie sincerely doubted he planned to abscond with her, but Bedene wasn’t taking any chances. Andie had no plans to run off without Min-ji and the other women, but she supposed she wouldn’t have much choice if Mace decided to steal her away. She had sensed him as dangerous from the beginning, and after seeing him battle those four men all at once, she’d had her beliefs confirmed. The rest of the men here, at least those she had seen fight, had the scrappy style of survivors who had been in brawls here and there, but who had never been taught in any particular discipline. Mace reminded her of those ultimate fighters who’d been trained in multiple disciplines, and not only had speed and power but also had that uncanny ability to anticipate an opponent’s moves before a muscle ticked to telegraph them. That only came with years and years of experience.
    “This way,” Mace murmured, deciding not to argue with Bedene. He led her toward the dark shadows under the loft.
    A flutter of nervous anticipation stirred in Andie’s stomach, in part because that thug had dragged Ruth Marie in that direction, his intent obvious, and in part because she didn’t quite trust how she might respond if Mace did try something. Her mind knew it was idiotic to trust him and even more idiotic to let herself feel any attraction to him, but her body seemed to enjoy his attention, and she was hyper aware of the warmth of his hand against hers and the fact that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. He had one of those chests that a woman longed to reach out and touch, to trace with her fingers—or perhaps her tongue.
    Mace stopped in the corner, and she flushed, glad the shadows would hide the heat in her cheeks. He peered back toward the sleeping area and