My Fair Captain Read Online Free PDF Page B

entry and rested his forehead against the smooth steel of the hatch.
    Sometimes being in charge was a real bitch. Today in general qualified as one of those times.
    “Captain, first mate Kindros has been taken hostage by the prisoner.
    The prisoner has already shot two security guards.”
    Fuck.
    Not two seconds after the ship’s precise feminine voice finished delivering the bad news, someone came running around the corner breathing heavily. “Captain, the prisoner got a fragger and is holding Lieutenant Kindros captive.”
    The hatch lifted, squeaking across Nate’s forehead, before he stepped back.
    “Are you coming inside?” Trouble, his son, stood in the hatchway, a big smile on his lips, until he caught sight of Nate’s face. Trouble’s aquamarine eyes widened and he looked past Nate to the crewman who’d hailed him.
    Sighing, Nate turned around, spying Thompson, one of the Lady Anna’s junior officers, wringing his hands. “How did the prisoner get a weapon?”
    “Umm—” Thompson bit his bottom lip, his gaze darting around, looking at anything but Nate.
    -30-

    My Fair Captain
    Nate held up a hand. “Never mind. Are the security guards still alive?”
    Thompson nodded.
    “Are they expected to recover?”
    Again Thompson’s head bobbed.
    Well, that was at least something. Nate pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger and stared at the dark purple carpet. He never should have left the damned interrogation room.
    “You got a headache, Hawk?” Trouble asked.
    Yeah, several headaches, a stolen shipment of weapons, a traitor, some new carbon scoring on the hull of my fucking ship, and now… “Yes.”
    Nate dropped his hand. “Anna, what is Lieutenant Kindros’ location and status?”
    The ship’s steady voice answered promptly. “First mate Kindros is in corridor Q. She is alive and well, Captain.”
    “And the prisoner?” Nate turned toward Trouble. “Get my pistol and com-con.”
    Trouble rushed off, his blond curls bouncing as he ran back into the cabin.
    “The prisoner is also in corridor Q. He is holding the lieutenant against his chest with a fragger gun to her temple, sir,” Anna answered.
    Turning back to the nervous junior officer, Nate pointed. “Make sure everyone stays out of the corridors and call the rest of the security team back to the gangway to protect the bridge. I’ll handle this.”
    “Y-y-yes, sir.” Thompson saluted and hurried off down the hall.
    Nate shook his head. “How did such a timid man make it to his rank?”
    “He isn’t timid. He’s only that way around you.”
    Frowning, Nate glanced down at his son. He held out his hand for the gun, gunbelt and command-connection earpiece that would allow Anna to speak to him privately. “Why would he be that way only when he’s around me?”
    -31-

    J.L. Langley
    “You scare the crap out of everyone.” Trouble grinned, showing off his straight white teeth.
    Yeah, everyone except the pest in front of him, apparently. Nate put the com-con in his ear, the belt around his waist and glared at Trouble.
    “Stay put, Trouble.”
    “Aye, aye, Cap’n.” The kid saluted, clicking his bare heels together, and pushed the button on the bulkhead next to the hatch making it swoosh shut.
    Insolent pup. Nate started down the corridor toward his first mate and the prisoner she allowed to escape. “Anna, where are Lieutenant Kindros and the prisoner now?”
    Anna’s voice sounded only in his earpiece. “Traveling down corridor P, headed toward corridor M, Captain.”
    “Has security reported back?”
    “Yes, Captain.”
    Nate hurried through the passage, his boots muffled by the carpeting.
    When he reached where it intersected with corridor M he stopped. He could hear his first mate threatening her captor.
    Nate pressed his back against the cool metal bulkhead, holding his gun in front of his face at the ready. “Hey, Jansen, if you will let Lieutenant Kindros go, I’ll take it easy on you.” Well, as