Fighting Chance Read Online Free PDF

the table and sat, still regarding her thoughtfully.
    “I have not decided yet, Katsuko Mahoney,” he answered
truthfully. “My mission was to retrieve the female Jessica MacGregor only. You
were…intriguing to me. I have claimed you as part of my payment for
successfully completing my mission.”
    Mahoney dropped her hands in shock. A hysterical shout of
laughter erupted from her mouth and she exclaimed, “ Claim me? You can’t
stake your claim on another person without their consent. I’m a human being,
not a stray dog!”
    He shrugged again, and replied flippantly, “It does not
matter what you believe. I have claimed you and you are mine until I decide
otherwise.”
    Mahoney’s jaw dropped. Of all the arrogant, misogynistic…
Time to change tack. “Where are we? What do you want with Jessica?” she demanded.
    He stood and turned his back to her and began pressing
buttons on the electric panel on the wall. “Come, Katsuko Mahoney. You must be
hungry. We will eat while I explain your situation.”
    Before she could protest that she wasn’t hungry, her stomach
betrayed her with a loud gurgle. “How do I know you won’t poison me?”
    He shot her an aggrieved look and pointed at the opposite
chair. “Sit. I have no desire to harm you. We will eat and we will talk. That
is all.”
    She watched him warily as he continued to press buttons.
When his body stayed loose and unthreatening, she inched her way toward the
chair and gingerly lowered herself to the seat. Moments later, a panel slid
open on the wall next to the electrical board revealing a tray laden with
heavenly-smelling food. Carefully lifting the heavy tray, he placed it on the
table between them. While she watched him closely, he sat a plastic-looking cup
in front of each of them and poured a clear liquid from a pitcher until they
were both mostly full. Her mouth flooded with saliva at the smells coming from
the dishes of steaming food, but she refused to begin eating until he did.
    Finally, he sat opposite her and calmly picked up his cup to
drink deeply. When he didn’t appear to be fazed by the drink, she lifted her own
cup to her nose. She couldn’t detect any aroma other than a mild fruity scent,
so she tentatively took a sip. The flavor was much like the fruit-infused water
she made for herself at home, so she drank until her thirst was quenched.
Feeling his eyes on her, she glanced at him to see a satisfied expression on
his face.
    Nodding his head, he indicated the plates of unusual food,
but she refused to go first. With a heavy sigh, he reached over to a plate that
held a stack of flat breads and ripped one in half. Using the bread as a
utensil, he scooped up a large bite from the plate. It reminded her of some of
the food she had tried in an Indian restaurant with chunks of meat and some
type of vegetable covered in a light brown gravy. When he continued to eat with
no ill effects, she hesitantly reached for the other half of the flat bread and
followed his example.
    Scooping up a chunk of meat, she brought the bread to her
mouth and bit off a delicate bite. The flavors burst across her tongue and she
couldn’t hold back a groan of pleasure. It tasted like a mix between venison
and lamb, without the tough strings of tendons, and the gravy was rich and
seasoned. The vegetables still held a slight crunch, giving the dish texture,
and complimented the other ingredients perfectly.
    Deciding to ignore her dinner companion for the time being,
Mahoney made short work of the meal. She would need to keep up her strength if
she was going to get them out of here. The Commander remained silent, seemingly
content to watch her eat her fill as he sated his own hunger. When she showed
signs of being full, he refilled her glass and then settled back in his chair
with his arms crossed.
    “How did you learn to fight, Katsuko Mahoney?” he asked,
breaking their tense silence.
    She glared at him and took another drink before replying,
“Check your precious