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TALIA DIDN’T WAIT FOR Dolok to slip on his boots before following Lexa into the narrow passageway. She pushed aside her reservations that a man she didn’t know was offering to protect her in exchange for her trust. Other than Lexa and Chloe, she hadn’t trusted anyone in a very long time. Rushing after her sister, she hoped she wasn’t making a mistake, and swore she’d make Dolok regret it if she had.
She found Lexa standing in front of an open panel in the wall, where they stored some of their weapons. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Lexa kept her voice low, then retrieved and handed Talia a holster similar to the one she had attached to her hip.
Talia secured the belt around her waist. “No, but I don’t think we have a choice.” She wasn’t sure about anything where Dolok was concerned. Not his musky scent, not the way his deep voice sent sensuous shivers rippling through her body, and certainly not the way she’d overheated from his touch.
She’d never been this attracted to and, yes, distracted by a man before. The best thing to do was get rid of him, though she had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy. The man seemed determined to stay, at least until she told him everything she knew about Tremaine. And sharing any information about that bastard definitely wasn’t going to happen.
She took a deep, calming breath. First, she’d deal with the intruders, then she’d worry about finding a way to get Dolok off her ship.
Talia heard his approach at the same time she finished securing the belt. “My weapon...” was all he said before the floor vibrated beneath her feet, and her world tilted.
Something had impacted the exterior hull with enough force to jostle the ship and send her stumbling. Lexa was close to the wall and grabbed the smooth edge along the bottom of the open storage to keep from falling. Talia had been standing in the middle of the passageway and wasn’t so lucky. She squealed and grasped air, trying to maintain her balance and prevent a collision with the floor. Before the front of her body had a chance to meet metal, a strong band of corded muscles encircled her waist.
Even after the rocking motion stopped and the ship settled, Dolok continued to hold her, keeping her back pressed firmly against his chest. The heat of his skin surrounded her, wrapped her in a protective blanket, a feeling of safety she hadn’t experienced in years.
“Are you all right?” Dolok’s warm breath caressed her neck.
“Fine, thank you.” Talia tipped her head to the side, taking in his confident and unwavering gaze.
“My weapon?” He released her but remained where he was, leaving the decision to move up to her.
His concern for her welfare seemed genuine. Reluctantly, and still against her better judgment, she walked toward the opposite wall and pressed her hand to a pad, waiting for the panel on another rectangular storage unit to open. She hoped by returning his weapon, he’d realize she could be trusted and would change his low opinion of her.
She reached inside and pulled out his repeater, pausing before handing it to him. “Don’t make me regret this.” It was a futile warning, one she couldn’t carry out if he decided to turn on them or if their uninvited visitors were able to take over the ship.
He continued to hold her gaze, frowning as if she’d challenged his honor. “You have my word.” He adjusted the leather strap across his hip.
The emergency alarm blared, a loud, annoying drone that pulsated against her eardrums. The deafening shrill echoing throughout the corridor was replaced by a crackling hum seconds before Rex’s tinny voice burst from the ship’s internal communication speakers, a nice feature Chloe had integrated into the vessel’s system. “Your Highness.”
Talia had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. “What is it, Rex?” She spoke freely, knowing the droid would be able to hear her.
“The cargo bay has been breached, and we are being boarded.”
“Highness?” Dolok jerked his head toward Talia and quirked a brow. “You are royalty?”
She clamped her lips together to hide an amused grin. Her being born into a privileged family was about as believable as Rex being a flesh-and-blood man. If Dolok truly believed she was royalty, and judging by his widened gaze, he did, then he was trying to figure out a way to apologize for his actions. She knew an explanation wouldn’t be needed once Dolok met Rex, and the wicked side of her personality was tempted to let him squirm a bit longer.
Too bad Lexa wasn’t on the same page. “Not even close.” She cleared her throat and giggled, ruining it for Talia.
Talia frowned at her sister, then spoke to Dolok. “I’ll explain later.” If we survive this. She reminded herself they had intruders to deal with.
“Do you require my assistance?” Rex’s voice echoed through the corridor again.
“No, remain in the control room and continue monitoring.” She hesitated, hating to give the next command but knowing their survival depended on her decision. “If we are taken captive and you don’t hear from me, I want you to activate safety protocol fifty-five.” During the years Chloe had owned the vessel, prior to Talia and Lexa coming to live with her, she’d taken on far more dangerous assignments. She’d armed the ship with all kinds of security and safety devices, including cylinders containing a harmless sleeping agent.
Since the crew from the other ship wasn’t responding to communications, it was possible they were mercenaries or, worse, slavers. By issuing the protocol command, Talia had ordered Rex to release the gas. If she didn’t reach one of the panels housing the portable oxygen masks, the gas would knock them out as well.
Sending the gas through the filtration unit wasn’t something she wanted to do, but if it meant saving their lives, it was a risk she was willing to take. It wasn’t her first choice, but it was a better option than the alternatives—rape, torture, slavery, or death.
Talia knew Rex wouldn’t be affected by the gas, and she trusted him to ensure they remained unharmed. She’d relied on him countless times in the past, and he’d never let her down. When Rex didn’t respond right away to her request, she repeated the order, then added, “Rex, please confirm.”
If Dolok was curious about her directive, he didn’t say anything, which was good because she had no intention of sharing her plan. Since he’d already been drugged once, Talia didn’t think he’d be happy to hear she planned to do it again.
She’d let him assume her order was simply a way to keep the intruders from reaching the control room. He might have offered to risk his life to help them, but she had no idea if he would follow through on his word. Agreeing to do something in a hazardous situation and actually accomplishing it were two very different things. Talia wasn’t ready to trust him, not completely.
“Order confirmed,” Rex finally responded.
Relieved, she glanced at Dolok. “The cargo bay is this way.” She nodded at Lexa, then turned to her right and headed down the passageway. Once they reached the junction that would take them directly to their destination, she increased her pace, her footsteps keeping time with her racing heart.
#
NORMALLY, FACING THE unknown was a challenge Dolok didn’t have a problem embracing. In this instance, he dreaded what awaited them in the ship’s cargo bay and feared for Talia and Lexa. Each step he took as he followed the females was weighted with the possibility of his failure to keep them safe.
He wasn’t familiar with this area of space or the inhabitants on any of the planets. He only knew Ross had been diligent in monitoring their travels the entire time they tracked Talia to Haspridian. They hadn’t detected any other ships, but it didn’t mean they weren’t being followed.
He had yet to learn about Talia’s past or the world in which she lived. A world he knew delved into a dangerous and deadly realm comprised of the worst that humanity and other species had to offer. He could only guess at the number of enemies she’d acquired in her dealings. From what Dolok had overheard of the conversation between Talia and Rex, they had no idea whose ship had attached to theirs. Marauders, slavers, other scavengers—the possibilities were numerous, and all of them increased the tension skittering along every nerve in his body.
“You should not be this close. Return to the passageway and stay behind me,” he ordered the minute they reached the sealed interior doors leading into one of the cargo areas. He didn’t give Talia and Lexa a chance to argue before positioning himself in front of them. If it were up to him, he’d order both of them to lock themselves in the control room.
Whoever was attacking their ship must have wanted to keep the vessel intact and its crew alive; otherwise, they would have blown a hole in the hull, killing everyone inside, then worn suits to enter the interior and take whatever they wanted.
His worst fear was slavers. He had no idea if the dreaded males who abducted females in the territories near Tarron traveled this far, but he was determined to do everything in his power to prevent the females from being taken or harmed.
Talia was quick to respond, her eyes flaring with anger. “Like hell. This is my ship, and I give the orders.”
“Talia, do as I say,” he ground out and clenched his fist when she stared at him as if he was speaking a language she didn’t understand.
“Not happening.” She moved around him, then pressed her body behind a structure beam that jutted from the wall. She smirked defiantly and aimed her weapon at the closed door.
He cast a pleading glance in Lexa’s direction. “Help me reason with your sister.”
“Sorry, big guy. I’m part of the crew, and this is our fight.” Lexa patted his shoulder, then followed her sister’s lead and crouched with one knee on the floor in front of Talia behind the same beam.
“Stubborn females,” Dolok muttered, ignoring Lexa’s giggles, and moved to the beam on the opposite side of the passageway. At least they were smart enough to find cover in case the intruders started firing their weapons. Though in Dolok’s opinion, the wide, thick panel of metal didn’t provide adequate coverage to keep the females from being hit by a targeted blast.
He was proud of Talia’s determination, yet infuriated that she refused to listen to him and could get herself killed. Other than her ability to outsmart him on the planet, he knew absolutely nothing about her fighting skills. She appeared to handle situations with ease, and he worried that putting her life at risk to track criminals was a commonplace event for her. It was unacceptable, something they would discuss later.
There was more to the female than her exterior suggested. What would it be like to strip back the layers of her personality, to discover the true female underneath? For the second time since Dolok had realized Talia was his mate, he questioned his decision to walk away from her.
Under her tough persona, he’d recognized a sense of honor. She was unlike any of the unsavory males he’d dealt with in the past, those who hunted down others for money. Even when she’d threatened him with the point of her knife, she’d asked questions rather than sticking the blade in his back.
After Lexa had drugged him, Talia could have left him on the planet, walked away, and no one would have known. In his helpless condition, the freezing elements would have taken their toll, or, worse, someone might have stumbled upon him, stripped him of his belongings, then murdered him while he slept.
Even knowing what he was and knowing the risks involved in incapacitating and abducting a hunter, Talia had ensured his safety.
She kept her gaze trained on the large metal door. “Rex, scan for heat signatures inside the cargo bay.”
“Affirmative, Highness. Three thermals have been detected.”
“Is there damage to the hull?” Talia asked.
“No, the security was bypassed on the exterior locks, but the pressure remains stable. They are currently accessing the controls for the interior door. I have estimated they will be inside within four minutes and twenty seconds.”
“At least we won’t lose gravity and be sucked out into space,” Lexa added.
Dolok didn’t miss the nervous glance Talia gave Lexa and knew she worried about her sister.
“You ready?” Talia nudged the back of Lexa’s shoulder with her knee.
Lexa tipped her head to the side to grin at Talia, then winked at Dolok. “More than ready.”
The female’s flippant reaction when faced with danger reminded him of Ross. The younger female and his teammate had a lot in common. Neither of them seemed to possess any precautionary instincts.
Talia rolled her eyes and shook her head. Apparently, she shared a similar viewpoint, at least where her sibling was concerned.
Just as Rex had stated, within minutes, Dolok heard gears grinding, and the seam between the metal bay doors inched open. He raised his repeater and waited for any sign of movement from the other side. With the large panels fully withdrawn, the entryway remained empty. He was confident Rex’s report of three intruders was accurate, which meant they were using the interior walls as cover to keep from getting shot until they could determine whether it was safe to proceed. It was exactly what he would have done if the positions were reversed.
“We are aware of your presence,” Dolok shouted, intent on discovering who he was dealing with. “Throw out your weapons, and you will not be harmed.” More than likely, his breath was wasted. Anyone who wished to take over the vessel wouldn’t comply, but when weighed against all possible outcomes, he felt it was worth a try.
“Dolok, is that you?” Gedrin’s familiar voice called out at the same time Ross peeked his head into the entryway. Seconds later, Corran was standing shoulder to shoulder with the other two.
“Ross, what are you doing here? You were instructed to remain at the landing site until I contacted you.” He scrutinized Gedrin and Corran, pondering why they had also disobeyed his order.
“We thought you might need some help when your personal tracker indicated you were leaving the planet.”
Dolok had completely forgotten about the tiny device hidden in the heel of his boot. At the beginning of their mission, Burt had insisted they all have a tracker on them at all times.
Ross grinned and moved into the corridor ahead of the others. “You can thank us later for saving your ass.” He ignored Dolok, too busy admiring Talia and Lexa. “I guess if I were you, I wouldn’t want to be saved either.”
“Didn’t know who was attacking our ship, huh?” Talia huffed out a disgusted breath, recrimination glistening in her gaze. She straightened to her full height and took several steps back. She kept her weapon trained on the entrance to the cargo bay, but her new position provided her an easy shot in both directions. Lexa got to her feet and stood next to Talia. Her narrowed glare matched her sister’s.
“Talia, I swear...” Dolok feared there wasn’t anything he could say that would convince her to believe him. “Until this moment, I was unaware of their identity.” He resisted the urge to shoot the members of his team for their untimely arrival and unraveling the thin band of trust he’d developed with her. “I will guarantee your safety, so please lower your weapons.”
“Why should I believe you?” Talia asked.
“As a hunter, I am bound by my honor.” He slipped his repeater into his holster, then held his hands up, palms out. “I give you my word that no harm will come to either of you.” Dolok was glad to see his team following his lead.
Talia glanced from the other males back to him. “And my ship? My crew?”
Without asking, Dolok knew she believed he was going to take them prisoner and confiscate her home. He hated the worry in her gaze. “Yes.”
“Do as he asks.” She nodded at Lexa, then shoved her own weapon into the holster at her hip.
Dolok was glad his team was concerned about his welfare, but he quelled the urge to strangle Ross for his poor timing in his supposed rescue. He was fairly certain if he’d had more time alone with Talia before his team’s arrival, he might have been able to persuade her to trust him enough to divulge Tremaine’s whereabouts. As it was, Ross wouldn’t live much longer if he didn’t stop perusing Talia with the interest of making her his next conquest.
“Is the male you were tracking onboard this vessel?” Gedrin asked, stepping away from Ross and moving closer to Dolok. “Is that why you failed to communicate your location?”
Gedrin wasn’t known for his tact. Dolok knew he would continue questioning until he got a satisfying answer. “This is the male I was following.” He pointed at Talia.
“Is your brain addled?” A worried frown creased Gedrin’s brow. “That is a female.”
Lexa grinned and elbowed Talia. “Dang, nothing gets past these guys.”
“I know she is a female.” Dolok pinched the bridge of his nose, the dull pain in his head returning. “She dressed like a male and disguised her voice.”
“If you had sent a communication to inform us you were boarding their ship, we would not have had to trouble ourselves with coming after you.” Gedrin ground his teeth, his tone chastising. “It also does not explain why you would allow them to leave the planet.”
“I did not allow them to do anything,” Dolok growled.
Corran, the youngest of the males, was the first to grasp the meaning of what Dolok wasn’t saying and grinned. “The female bested you, didn’t she?”
“Actually, it was this female,” Lexa quickly interjected, hooking a thumb at her chest.
“Really?” Corran flashed her a cocky grin.
Dolok opened his mouth, then clamped it shut again, realizing that trying to defend himself would be pointless. No matter what explanation he gave his friends, they were never going to let him hear the end of it. Ross specifically would use the information to his advantage whenever possible.
“It was a misunderstanding.” Talia came to his defense by moving to stand next to him. “Wasn’t it?” She pinched Lexa’s arm.
“Ow, misunderstanding my...I mean, yeah.” Lexa rubbed the reddening spot on her arm and glared at Talia.
“Are you not going to introduce us to the females?” Corran pushed his way between Ross and Gedrin, his lustful gaze locked on Lexa.
“This is Talia. She commands the vessel.” Dolok pointed at Talia first, then Lexa. “And her sister, Lexa.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Corran held out his hand to Lexa. “If you decide you need another male to best, I would be happy to volunteer.”
Lexa smiled. “I’ll keep you in mind.”
“Your vessel, huh?” Ross stepped around Corran and Lexa to face Talia. “I would love to have a tour.”
Ross was going to experience pain if he got any closer to Talia.
“We do not have time for pleasantries or tours,” Gedrin snarled at Ross, then leveled his glare at Dolok, distracting him from his thoughts. “What did you discover about Tremaine?”
Dealing with the males was like being constantly pulled in two different directions. Where Ross was laid-back and patient, Gedrin was quick to react and irritable most of the time. Of the three, Corran gave him the least amount of trouble.
“Highness, are you there?” Rex’s voice echoed through the corridor, causing more than one head to turn and search for the owner.
“Internal communication system,” Talia answered their inquiring looks, then spoke a little louder in response to Rex’s question. “Yes.”
“You are a royal?” Gedrin choked out the words, obviously concerned he may have insulted Talia.
Tarron was a hub for diplomats and dignitaries from numerous planets in their quadrant. All hunters were required to undergo training on how best to handle the different cultures and all preferences of their visitors. It had been a long time since Dolok had seen his friend temper his gruff personality.
“No, I’m not...” Talia said.
“Should have told him yes,” Lexa mumbled, then bit her lip to keep from smiling when Gedrin growled.
“Highness, are you all right? Please respond.” Rex’s voice was more insistent.
“We’re fine.” The frustration in Talia’s tone and her pursed lips said she was anything but fine.
“Do you still wish me to activate protocol fifty-five?” Rex asked.
“Damn, I forgot.” Talia tucked some loose strands behind her ear. “Rex, refrain from activating the protocol. Please confirm.”
“Affirmative, ceasing instruction for activation.”
“Who is the male, and what is this protocol he is referring to?” Gedrin was back to growling.
“Rex is a member of my crew. The protocol was a protective measure.” Talia took a step closer to Gedrin, seemingly unafraid of his menacing stance. Since he stood a foot taller, she had to tip her head back to glare at him.
“I wouldn’t have had to initiate the command if you hadn’t invaded my ship.” Talia’s brows were furrowed, and the flush on her pale face nearly matched the color of her hair.
Dolok was certain if he let Gedrin push her much further, she would retrieve her weapon and shoot him. His friend wasn’t helping their situation, and Dolok was sorely tempted to let her take out her frustration on him. “Gedrin, enough.” Dolok stepped between them, drawing Talia’s attention away from the other male by rubbing her forearm.
#
ENOUGH IS RIGHT. Talia wasn’t one to lose her patience, but Gedrin had pushed her too far. She didn’t care if he was a hunter or if the man was a lot bigger and taller than her. She hadn’t invited him aboard her ship, and she’d be damned if she was going to answer any more of his questions. It was a good thing Dolok decided to intervene; otherwise, he would have had one less crew member.
She took several calming breaths and uncurled her clenched fists before responding to his request. Attraction or not, the sooner they all got the hell off her ship, the better. “I need to check in with Rex first. Lexa can show you to the gathering room.”
“You wish to speak with me, Highness?” Rex’s voice sounded a lot closer. One glance at Dolok’s surprised expression, along with the sound of heavy footsteps, let Talia know that Rex was approaching from the opposite end of the passageway.
“What is that?” Gedrin moved around Dolok and reached for his repeater.
“Rex is not a what. He’s a who.” Talia jumped in Gedrin’s path, using her body to block his shot. “Don’t you dare shoot him.”
“Gedrin, lower your weapon.” Dolok stepped between them again, this time pushing Talia protectively behind him. “I gave Talia my word nothing would happen to her crew. If you are unable to follow the order, return to the Desna until we are done here.”
Gedrin glared at Talia, then bowed his head in acknowledgment of Dolok’s command and holstered his repeater. “That will not be necessary.”
Talia had wanted to insist that Gedrin leave anyway. She wasn’t happy he was staying, but the decision wasn’t hers to make, at least not yet. She turned so she could keep Gedrin within her sights and spoke to Rex. “What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to leave the control room.”
“I was monitoring all life-forms, and my sensors indicated that you were experiencing a high level of stress. I wanted to ensure your command to cease activation was not a forced decision.”
“I appreciate the concern, but the decision was not forced,” Talia said.
“If the males are the source of your distress, I would be happy to remove them from the vessel for you.”
“Talia.” Dolok’s warning growl should have infuriated her, not sent little spikes of heat skittering across her skin.
They were definitely the cause of her distress, but a show of force was only going to get someone hurt. “No, Rex, that won’t be necessary.”
“He’s an android, isn’t he? I’ve heard about them but never actually seen one before.” Ross stepped forward, studying Rex curiously. “I take it he can access everything on the ship.”
There was something about Ross’s statement that made Talia wary, and she refused to answer. Rex had a direct link to the Inferno’s main control, which meant he could obtain any information she had stored in their system’s database, including the data she’d collected on Tremaine. He was programmed to accept commands only from Lexa and her. She didn’t think Ross could get past Rex’s security protocols, but she wasn’t going to take any chances.
“Rex, please return to the control room, then secure and continue to monitor activities.” The secure part of her statement meant he would lock himself inside the room until she gave him the release command.
“As you wish.” In a flutter of fast-moving pale orange, Rex headed back the way he came.
She rested her hand on the butt of her weapon, prepared to shoot anyone who tried to stop him. Once he’d disappeared from view, Lexa voiced what Talia had been thinking. “Maybe now would be a good time for all of you to get the hell off our ship.”
Talia wasn’t surprised when everyone ignored her sister, then glanced at Dolok for direction. They wanted information about Tremaine, and she had a feeling they weren’t going to leave until they got it.
“We are not...” Gedrin’s snarl was silenced when Dolok held up his hand.
Dolok reached for Talia, easing her fingers away from her weapon. “Perhaps it would be best if we relocated to another area, preferably one more suitable for discussions.”
Damn, there were times when Talia hated being right.
