Rebel Read Online Free PDF Page B

would make him good and
groggy. The ankle restraints were probably overkill. “Put the cuffs
on and behave.”
    Larz pointed his motivator at Ashton,
waiting for him to comply. With another scathing glare, Ashton
positioned the restraints. Corry activated the cuffs and turned off
the barrier.
    Ashton flew out of the cell, fast and low.
The dart arched over his bent form, bouncing uselessly off the back
wall. His shoulder slammed into Larz’s stomach, knocking the breath
from his lungs and his weapon from his hand. Corry turned and aimed
again. Ashton held Larz in front of him now, the chain connecting
the wristcuffs tight against Larz’s throat.
    “Drop your weapons or watch him die.”
    Corry sucked in a ragged breath, her finger
restless on the trigger of the dart gun. Her motivator was set on
stun. She’d have to touch him to cause pain. Shit!
    Ashton tightened the chain. Larz’s face
turned beet red. Extending her arms away from her body, Corry
dropped her weapons. Larz’s motivator lay on the floor near their
feet. Could she dive, knock them both backward and—maybe if she
weighed three hundred pounds. Ashton tore the control band from
Larz’s arm and flung him into the cell.
    Before Corry could move, Ashton twisted his
hand in her hair, preventing her retreat or aggression. Larz
sprawled against the back wall, clutching his arm to his chest,
moaning.
    “Look. He’s hurt. I think you broke
something.”
    “So sue me. Turn on the barrier.” Ashton
punctuated the command by tugging on her hair.
    Corry reached for her arm band. Could she
activate coms without his realizing—
    “Upper right corner,” Ashton snapped. “I’ve
been watching you.” After a moment’s hesitation, she activated the
barrier. “Now release these restraints.”
    The metal cuffs clattered noisily to the
floor. His furious gaze never left her face as he tore the control
band from her arm.
    Humiliation and anger warred within Corry.
“Larz, are you hurt badly?” He silently shook his head.
    Her only hope was to cooperate until she
found an opportunity to escape. Ashton’s hand remained in her hair,
forcing her to bend as he collected the fallen restraints and one
of the motivators. He draped the wristcuffs over his shoulder and
glanced into the cell.
    Larz had crumpled onto his side, pretending
to be unconscious.
    Ashton spared him one last glance and
dragged her along the corridor.
    “Why take me with you?” She grabbed his
wrist, trying to ease the pressure on her scalp. “I’ll just slow
you down.”
    “Where are you holding Danette and
Palmer?”
    She grimaced as his hand unconsciously
tightened in her hair. “It’ll never happen. Your chances of getting
off this planet alive are infinitesimal. Your chances of rescuing
the others are nonexistent.”
    They turned a corner and he paused, studying
the insignia on her control band. “Borrelly. Just as I thought.” He
shoved her against the wall with the weight of his body as he
fastened the control band around his forearm. His expression was
tight with frustration. He was obviously struggling with the
reality that he couldn’t help his friends. “Damn it! I can’t leave
them here.”
    Corry fought back a smile. Maybe she was
empathic too. At the moment she could read him like a book.
    “Guess it’s just you and me.”
    Fear surged through her as a ruthless gleam
ignited within his eyes. He wasn’t just harassing her. He intended
to take her with him. “There is no reason to drag me along!”
    His gaze narrowed and he moved the motivator
closer to her face. “I can think of several.” Cupping her jaw with
his other hand, he glared into her eyes. “You’re in so far over
your head, little girl. I have no idea how you survived this
long.”
    Hatred burned in his eyes, startling her. He
better be ready for a fight. She had no intention of going
quietly.
    “There are so many things I want to do to
you right now I don’t know where to start.”
    His fingers bit into