Page 11 of Us Defiant Few

But Takeshi lifted his gaze, his eyes hardening. “I know what you’re doing.”

“What am I doing?!” She lifted her hands.

“Doctor Strauss warned me about you. He said there were rebels who would try to manipulate me. Make me believe things that weren’t real. This is all part of your scheme to make me turn on my people!”

“We are your people!”

“You’re all nothing but a stain on this planet, and I’d rather die than be associated with the likes of you.”

Khalani didn’t realize that they’d both risen to their feet. Takeshi surged forward but the chains prevented him from getting any closer. He gritted his teeth as the manacles around his wrists groaned from the force he was exerting to pull free, but they held firm.

There was no mistaking the deadly intent in his gaze.

Takeshi hated her.

Loathed her with every fiber of his being.

Would probably kill her at the first opportunity.

But the man she knew and loved was in there somewhere.

She could almost hear him. Banging at the walls of his enclosed mind. Screaming that he was still there. To not give up.

Khalani lifted her chin and took a few steps forward.

Takeshi snarled at her approach and yanked the chains, but they continued to hold.

Only a spare inch separated them, and she took every inch of him in. His sweaty black hair sticking to his forehead. The ruffled black vest. His clenched jaw and bulging muscles that could break her in half.

Khalani used to believe surviving Braderhelm Prison would be her greatest challenge.

But saving Takeshi from destruction parked itself square at the top.

And as she stared at him, the feeling in her chest took on a new weight. Like a whole world lived inside her.

Before prison, Khalani couldn’t begin to explain why she kept fighting for people who turned their backs on her. Why she continued to push forward when the obstacles seemed insurmountable.

But no matter how fraught or terrifying the journey was, she was willing to do whatever it took to bring Takeshi back.

He’d paint again.

She’d make sure of that.

“I’m not giving up on you,” she whispered. “Doctor Strauss can take away your memories, but he can’t rip away your soul. No matter what you do, no matter how hard you push me away, I’m not leaving. I’m going to sink so deep into your veins, you’ll have no choice but to remember me.”

Takeshi stopped tugging on the chains. He studied Khalani like she was a prey he’d never encountered before.

“You’re assuming I won’t bury you with my blade first,” he stated.

“Is that your plan?” she asked.

“I assure you, it is.”

“Then I look forward to seeing who wins.”

He probably recognized her fear. But if Takeshi had no memory of her, then he didn’t know Khalani was far more stubborn than him.

And more than willing to greet death.