Seaswept (Seabound Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

decision. We could come out of this with
some real allies. We need them.”
    Esther met his
eyes. He didn’t smile this time, his serious face at odds with his earlier
breezy tone.
    “We have more to
discuss today, so if the noncouncil members don’t mind?” Judith said, looking
pointedly at the door.
    “Sure. See you
later, Dad,” Esther said, relieved that she could go.
    “It has been a
pleasure,” David said, shaking hands all around again. “I do hope to attend
future council meetings when the opportunity arises.”
    Esther caught Judith rolling her eyes as she and David turned for the
door.

Chapter 4—Communications
    “ That
went well, ” David said as soon as they were in the corridor outside
the bridge.
    “They’re all at
each other’s throats.”
    “Doesn’t matter.
Didn’t you see how you shut them down? They all agreed to abide by your
decision, whether they realize it or not.”
    “Thanks for the
vote of confidence,” Esther said dryly.
    “I’m serious,”
David said. He put his hands on Esther’s shoulder. They were heavy and warm.
His eyes burned behind the crack in his glasses. “They’ll do whatever you want.
They know how important this discovery is. Judith and Dirk can fight over the Catalina all they want, but you’re the
one with the power here.”
    Esther frowned. “I
don’t know about that. You don’t know Judith. Why were you fawning over Mrs.
Cordova anyway?”
    “For balance. This
shouldn’t be a two-way fight, and she has more influence than they realize.
Like I said, it doesn’t matter. You are going to make the call.”
    David removed his
hands from Esther’s shoulders, brushing her cheek with his fingers as he did.
He looked proud, though Esther wasn’t sure whether he was proud of himself or
of her.
    “And I suppose you
want me to do things your way,” she said.
    “Without any guile
whatsoever, yes.”
    “Do you really
think the Galaxy will come after us?
That’s what I’m worried about.”
    Esther remembered
how Captain Boris had sounded in their final conversation on the radio, right
before he pushed her friend Paris over the side of the destroyer. Cold. Contemptuous.
It had been like talking to a barracuda. David paused before answering, rubbing
the knuckles of his right hand.
    “If they have the
same ability to travel that we’re about to have,” he said, “it’s a definite
possibility. Boris isn’t going to forgive me for stealing his ship and running
off with you.”
    Esther didn’t really
understand David’s history with Boris. They had been friends, but whatever
their falling-out had been over, it directly preceded his departure from the Galaxy . He had abandoned his position
and risked everything when he decided to help her—or when he decided to
get out from under Boris’s rule.
    She was still
standing close to him, close enough to feel the warmth coming from his body in
the chilled corridor. She wanted to reach out and touch him, perhaps put her
hand in his, but something held her back. Maybe David was right about not
giving the tech to everyone, but the way he had manipulated the council made
her nervous. She shouldn’t make this decision too quickly.
    But he was leaning
toward her. He smelled like soap and sea spray. His eyes locked on hers. Her
pulse quickened. She couldn’t think clearly. Maybe that’s what he wants. Get a grip, Esther.
    “I’ve got work to
do,” she said, stepping back suddenly. “I’ll see you later.”
    David pushed his
glasses back up on his nose. “At dinner?”
    “Maybe. I still have
a lot to do before we reach the Amsterdam .”
    “Fine,” David said
briskly. “Well, let me know when you make your decision. Oh, and if you decide
to do things my way, don’t talk to anyone about your design until I seal the
deal. If you go around telling everyone all about it, I won’t have anything to
sell.”
    David turned and
strode toward the plaza, head held high. He always walked as if he were on his
way to