Death Defying (Dark Desires) Read Online Free PDF Page B

he mean by “we?” No way was she having a load of hard-assed, heavily armed bodyguards on her ship. “We?”
    He turned to look at her, and she was caught in that violet stare. He seemed to look straight into her mind, then he frowned.
    “Captain?”
    “Yeah, that would be me.”
    “I thought I made my instructions clear. You were to be ready to take off immediately.”
    “Yeah, but just who exactly is taking off?”
    He’d half turned away, and then swung back around and stared as though he didn’t quite understand the question. She was beginning to think he might not be too bright, which was a pity. Maybe he was some sort of figurehead, not in charge at all. Just somebody who acted as a front because he was stunningly gorgeous, which took people’s minds of the fact that he was spouting garbage—like all politicians.
    “None of your concern. I’ve hired this ship. Now get us in the air.”
    “I don’t think so. You’ll tell them”—Tannis nodded toward his guard—“to stand down, or you won’t be in the air unless you flap those pretty wings again.”
    He appeared puzzled. Yeah, he obviously wasn’t all there. That was maybe another side effect of the Meridian treatment: killed off the brain cells. A mixture of emotions washed over her, mainly regret mingled with relief—she really hadn’t wanted to have a crush on him. She’d turned to go when she caught a slight movement of his head and heard the rasp of a weapon as the guard beside her drew his laser pistol.
    Bastard. Did he think she was an idiot?
    Blasters drawn, Skylar and Daisy emerged from the ship side by side.
    Tannis glanced from the guard with the laser pistol—the other three hadn’t drawn their weapons yet—to Skylar and Daisy. She smirked. “I think my guns are bigger than yours.”
    Callum frowned. “What’s the problem? I’ve employed you. Are you incapable of taking simple orders?”
    Someone sniggered behind her. She guessed it was Daisy. She’d had enough. They were out of here.
    “Keep them covered,” she said and stepped back. She kept moving backward, not taking her eyes off Callum until she reached the ramp of the ship. He was still frowning. Obviously, it hadn’t occurred to him that not everyone was willing to blindly follow his every command. This would be a good learning process.
    “I don’t go anywhere without my bodyguards.”
    Tannis paused as he spoke, but no way was she letting four heavily armed men on board El Cazador . She’d seen Skylar in action, so she knew what the soldiers trained by the Corps were capable of, and four of them might be able to take the ship. She wouldn’t risk it. “Then I guess we’ll see you around. Or not.”
    She made herself turn and walk away, but it was hard. She wanted to do this job so much each step was a torment, but something told her if she showed any weakness, he would walk all over her. Too used to getting his own way, he had to realize that everybody on board El Cazador put themselves under her command.
    “Wait.”
    She’d reached the top of the ramp and was about to step between Skylar and Daisy when he spoke again. She turned slowly.
    “For some strange, godforsaken reason I trust you.”
    “That’s sweet of you. So?”
    He said nothing out loud, but the guard holstered his weapon.
    “Sir, the colonel said—”
    Again, Callum didn’t speak, but the guard shut up abruptly and stepped back.
    “Would you reassure my guard and tell them you’re not going to shoot me? You’re not, are you, Captain?”
    “Well, I’m not, but then I’m not the one with a blaster aimed at your chest. Then again, I suppose they can always patch you up.”
    He gave a smile that creased the corners of his eyes. “I’d prefer it not to come to that. And if we’re going, I suggest we leave. I made sure there was a window, but any minute now, I’m guessing the space around this planet will be locked down so tight a fly won’t get through.”
    He was giving in. Tannis