“Does this female happen to carry a rope?” Hawk asked.

  Fallon flushed. “She does.” He kept his voice low so they wouldn’t be overheard.

  “Did you bring her aboard for the purpose of selling her?”

  Fallon’s gaze locked on Hawk’s. “No!”

  “I see,” Hawk said.

  “She’s a healer,” Fallon added. “We could use her onboard.”

  “True,” Hawk said. “But I’m not sure how useful she’ll be since she’s been taken against her will. Who is she?”

  “Someone I knew a long time ago,” he muttered.

  Hawk’s black brow rose and his amber gaze sharpened. “Is this the woman from Petron?”

  Fallon couldn’t believe that Hawk remembered Dora. He’d only mentioned her once years ago and hadn’t gone into a lot of detail. “Yes.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said.

  He didn’t and his expression must’ve said so.

  Hawk laughed. “That’s what I thought,” he said. “You have a week, then she goes back. Understand? Now get us out of orbit before her ship realizes she’s missing.”

  “Aye, Captain.” Fallon straightened to attention.

  “Oh, and First,” Hawk said, stopping him short.

  Fallon’s shoulders hunched at the use of his title. “Yes, Captain?”

  “You have cleaning duty for the next six months,” he said.

  “Aye, Captain.”

  The door closed.

  Fallon let out the breath he was holding and hurried toward the bridge. He was grateful to be let off so easily. Hawk had given him a week with Dora and he was determined to make the best of it. Now if only he could get her to cooperate.

  Hawk closed the door and stalked toward the bed.

  “What did he do?” Opal asked.

  “Snagged the female who roped him.”

  She laughed. “That’s uncharacteristic, especially for Fallon. He’s not the type to attach himself to any female. What does he plan to do with her?”

  Hawk thought about it. “I don’t think he knows. I’ve never seen him like this.”

  Opal stretched out on the pallet, arching her back so her nipples stabbed skyward. “I’m sure given some time he’ll think of something. I could suggest a few things,” she said, stroking herself. “But I’ve learned it’s best not to get between a mating pair.”

  “Who said anything about them mating?” Hawk laughed. “No doubt he’ll have her, but mating isn’t Fallon’s style.”

  Opal gave him a knowing smile. “It wasn’t yours either until you met me.” She ran her claws over her abdomen before dipping them between her spread thighs and opening herself to him.

  Hawk felt himself harden. The woman had a point.

  Chapter 4

  Dora awoke with a throbbing head. A rich, spicy scent surrounded her and she could hear a soft hum in the background. She cracked an eye open and looked around. The room lay in shadows, but seemed to have more furniture. She frowned. Was this the room she’d checked into? It didn’t look familiar.

  She looked again, but didn’t recall the workspace to the left of the door or the attached cleaner. Her mind raced. How much had she had to drink? It felt like she had swallowed a vat of Petronian ale. Where was Cooper?

  She rolled over and glanced out the porthole, expecting to see the garish neon outside her window. Instead, darkness met her. Darkness and a whole lot of stars. Where was she? Dora staggered to her feet and pressed her face against the porthole to get a better look. The station was gone. She couldn’t remember leaving Terraless Firma. She scanned the room once more. This cabin didn’t look like the ones on the Anemone. Certainly not her room anyway.

  Dora probed her memories, trying to recall the previous night. She could remember walking into a loud bar and roping something. No, not something—someone. Her eyes widened. Fallon. The name brought back a deluge of memories. Some welcome. Most not.

  She saw flashes of Fallon glaring at her. Glimpses of him crashing through her door. He had grabbed Cooper by the throat…and shot her.

  Dora gasped as the memory crystalized in her mind. That son-of-a-dung-worm had shot her. She pressed a hand to the front of her shirt, expecting to find a wound. Other than a little tenderness, she seemed fine. He’d obviously set the blaster to stun, but that didn’t matter. She was still going to kill him.

  The door slid open behind her.

  Dora spun around, jaw clenched and fists ready.

  “Glad to see that you’re finally awake,” Fallon said.

  “You need to release me right now,” she snarled.

  “Can’t,” he said. “I’m sure that you’ve noticed that we’re no longer on Terraless Firma.” Fallon crossed his arms over his chest. The move made his biceps appear even larger.

  Dora tore her gaze away from his impressive arms. She couldn’t afford to be distracted. “You cannot just kidnap me. It’s against the law.”

  “I’m a smuggler and a slaver,” he said. “That’s kind of what I do.”

  His admission shocked her. The boy she knew was a smuggler? Worse yet, a slaver? How had Fallon gone from a prestigious merchant to a criminal in ten years?

  “What happened to you? I don’t even know you anymore.” Dora hugged herself to ward off the chill spreading through her body. “I’m not sure I ever did.” The boy she knew was dead. “You’re the last kind of male I’d ever want in my bed.”

  Fallon’s jaw hardened. “You know all you need to know about me,” he said.

  “You used to dream about bringing beauty to the universe,” she said. “Was everything a lie?”

  His chest puffed up and his hands clenched. Color spread across his face, turning it dark green.

  “I should thank you for leaving me,” she said. “You did me a favor.”

  He flinched. “Taking you wasn’t personal.” Cold seeped into his voice.

  Dora felt another flash of pain and did her best to hide it.

  “The only reason you’re here is because the ship needs a healer,” he said, then turned his back on her. “But, if I had wanted to seduce you, I could.”

  Dora’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m not a little girl anymore, Fallon,” she said. She’d died along with her dreams of a future with him. “Your seductive lies are just that—lies.”

  “We’ll see,” he growled and hunched his shoulders.

  “My crew is going to come after me,” she said. “They’re not just going to let you take me without a fight.”

  Fallon glanced over his shoulder. “They have to find you first,” he said.

  That won’t be a problem, Dora thought.

  Like all crewmembers of the Anemone, she had chip implanted beneath her skin. It allowed her access to the ship, kept track of her vitals, and if need be, worked as a homing device. Had Fallon found it? Dora couldn’t check with him here, so she changed the subject.

  “Whose room is this?” Her gaze took in the sterile space. There were no personal items. Nothing to indicate anyone lived here. Maybe this was a spare cabin.

  “Mine,” he said, surprising her.

  Nothing about this sparse room would indicate that Fallon lived here. Where were the Morean holograms? Where was his art? Where were the images of his family? Who was this man, this stranger?

  “I want my own room,” she said.

  Fallon’s nostrils flared and he took a menacing step forward. “No,” he said. “You’re not going anywhere. So get comfortable.”

  “You need to get something through your thick, horned head,” she said. “I have no intention of helping you and suns will freeze before I sleep with you.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Fallon said.

  “You did,” she said softly.

  He stormed out of the room.

  The moment the door closed behind him, Dora dropped onto his pallet, her heart doing its best to break through her ribs. Just being in the same room with him made her skin itch. What was she going to do? Did her crew know where she was? Did they have any idea who’d taken her? She wasn’t sure.

  Cooper had been knocked out before Fallon shot her. Surely he’d suspect and when he did, they’d come after her. She slid her finger along her wrist and felt a slight ridge beneath her skin.

  Relief flooded her. Fallon hadn’t found the chip. Eventually her ship would pick up her signal. It might take a few days, depending on how far they’d traveled. All she had to do was hold Fallon off until they arrived. Dora took a deep breath and caught his scent on the covers. She brought them to her nose and inhaled. Her eyelids fluttered shut and she nearly groaned.

  When she realized what she was doing, she shoved the covers away. So maybe keeping him at arm’s length wouldn’t be as easy as she envisioned. Didn’t matter. Dora had to stay strong. She couldn’t allow Fallon to get close. He’d already broke her heart once. She wouldn’t survive another round.

  Fallon seethed as he stared at the closed door. How could Dora say she didn’t know him? She knew him better than anyone. She was the only one who’d ever truly known him. Yet here he stood, brimming with shame over what he had become. Her disappointment shredded him, leaving him in tatters. Fallon didn’t know this kind of pain was still possible without spilling blood.

  So why did he still want her? Was it because she reminded him of the man he used to be? Despite the venom dripping from her words, Dora’s gray eyes told a different story. She saw the best parts of him. The parts he thought had been destroyed until she resurrected them.

  He pressed a hand to the door and sighed. He’d never been poetic. Fallon couldn’t say the words she needed to hear. But he was convinced if she let him hold her in his arms, Dora would know the truth. It would emanate from every fiber of his being. His hand curled into a fist. Fallon struck the door. The sound reverberated down the hall.

  “Going that well, huh?” Mars came around the corner with Echo in his arms. The creature cooed and fluffed his feathers, preening to get his attention.

  “Everything is fine,” Fallon said.

  “Then why are you in the hall and not in your room?” Mars asked.

  “I’m thinking,” Fallon said.

  “Just go inside and claim her.”

  Fallon scowled at him. “The situation is not that simple.”

  “Yes, it is,” Mars said.

  Fallon gave him a sad smile. “No, it’s not,” he said. “Not this time. Besides, I’ve never taken a woman against her will. I’m not going to start now.”

  Mars stared at him for a moment, then his crimson eyes widened. “This isn’t just any female,” he said. “This is your mate. Isn’t it?”

  “I didn’t say that.” Fallon’s gaze fell away.

  “You didn’t have to.” Mars smirked. “It’s written all over your miserable face.”

  Fallon shook his head. “She hates me.”

  Mars laughed and stroked Echo. “Is that what you think?”

  “It’s what I know,” he said.

  “She’s angry,” Mars said. “No doubt about it. And confused. But she doesn’t hate you, my friend.”

  “You’re wrong,” he said. “I’ve given her every reason to hate me.”

  “True, but it’s my job to read people,” Mars said. “I can tell what people are feeling and what they’re thinking. And when I can’t, Echo can. Believe me, Dora doesn’t hate you.”

  A small bit of pressure lifted from Fallon’s chest and he was finally able to take a deep breath without his throat closing. “Are you certain?”

  “As certain as I can ever be,” Mars said. “But don’t think that means that she’s not going to make it hard for you.” His gaze dropped to the bulge in Fallon’s pants. “In more ways than one.” He chuckled. “That woman is stubborn just like you. You’ll have to work to win her. This won’t be easy.”

  Fallon grinned. “I’m counting on it.”

  Chapter 5

  When the door to the quarters opened again, Dora expected to see Fallon. Instead, a beautiful, dark-haired woman sauntered in. Her graceful gait and lithe body brought out immediate envy from Dora. She was many things, but graceful was not one of them and she’d passed lithe several inches of padding ago.

  “Who are you?” she asked.

  The woman’s sensual lips quirked. “My name is Opal.” She eyed her up and down.

  “What do you want?” Dora asked. “If you’re here to talk to me about Fallon, you can save your breath.”

  “I’m not,” she said. “I just wanted to see the woman who has Fallon suddenly so distracted.” She ran her hand over his workspace.

  The familiarity of the move made Dora uncomfortable. Who was this woman? And what did she mean to Fallon? The thought that she might be his lover tied Dora’s stomach in knots. How could she compete with someone like her?

  The thought brought her up short. Dora didn’t need to compete with her. This woman could have him. She’d gotten over Fallon a long time ago…mostly.

  “How do you know Fallon?” Dora asked, then immediately cursed silently for asking.

  Opal’s smile spread. “He’s a friend of sorts.”

  What did she mean by that? She might be beautiful with her short black hair and lean body, but Dora didn’t like her. The Fallon she used to know wouldn’t have fallen for someone so flashy and cold. She pictured the man who’d brought her here. He was nothing like the boy she’d known. Perhaps this woman was exactly his type now. Dora needed to remember that. To forget would be disastrous.

  “Did he kidnap you, too?” she asked, dreading her answer, yet hoping it was true. If the woman had been taken against her will, then she’d be more likely to empathize with Dora and perhaps help her escape.

  “No.” Opal laughed. “He didn’t.”

  If she wasn’t kidnapped, then how had she gotten onboard? Was she one of the crew? If so, then that made her dangerous. Or was she here to warm Fallon’s pallet? The thought made Dora nauseous, but it didn’t matter. This was her chance to get help or at least gain an ally.

  “I need to get off this ship,” Dora said. “My crew will have reported me missing by now. I don’t want you and your crew to get harmed because of Fallon’s impetuousness.”

  “Fallon, impetuous?” Opal snorted. “I’ve never known him to be.” She circled Dora. “What makes you so valuable?”

  Was that calculation in her voice? Unease settled in Dora’s gut. Just who was this woman? “I’m a healer. I am the chief healer on the Anemone.”

  The woman blinked. It was the only indication Dora got that the news had surprised her.

  “Interesting,” Opal said. “What does Fallon want with you, other than the obvious?”

  Dora’s lips thinned. “You’d have to ask him,” she said. “He’s the one who kidnapped me.” The woman stared at her until she fidgeted.

  “Perhaps, I will.” Opal walked to the door.

  “Wait! Please help me.” Dora tried one last time to build rapport with the woman, though something told her that she was wasting her breath.

  Opal paused by the open door. “There are only two ways you’re going to get out of here,” she said. “By sleeping with him or by being sold. Personally, if I were him, I’d sell you, but it’s not my call.”

  “Why would sleeping with him get me out of here?” she asked.

  “Because it’s easier to manipulate a male after you’ve slept with him,” Opal said.

  “Is that what you did?” Dora snapped, liking this female less and less.

  “I don’t have to sleep with males to manipulate them,” she said.

  The coldness in her voice stole Dora’s breath. Only someone involved with another would be that vicious. “I’m not here to take your lover away,” Dora said through gritted teeth, while trying to ignore the jealousy devouring her.

  This time the smile Opal gave her could’ve frosted an entire planet. “That’s good to know.” She held up her hand and claws sprang from her fingertips. “For your sake, it better be true.”

  The door closed with a hiss.

  Dora pressed a hand to her chest. Just who was this female and how had Fallon met her? She seemed so cold, so utterly devoid of emotion. Fallon had always been so tender and loving. Had he really changed that much? The thought saddened her. It made Dora realize that she’d been clinging to a fantasy. A fantasy that no longer existed.

  Opal’s words came back to torture her. There were only two ways off the ship: Sleep with Fallon or be sold. Dora shook her head. There had to be another way. She couldn’t sleep with Fallon.

  An image of him naked, standing above her prone, bound form flashed in her mind. Dora’s flushed and traitorous parts of her began to throb. No way. Not going to happen. No matter how tempting it might be. If her ship didn’t reach her in time, she’d figure out a way to escape with or without help. Dora was no one’s slave—especially not Fallon’s.

  Fallon stood on the bridge of the ship, his gaze locked on the detection panel. So far it didn’t look like they’d been followed, but it was still too soon to tell. He heard the door to the transport cylinder open behind him. A second later, he smelled Opal. He ignored her feline scent, choosing to concentrate on Dora’s delicious aroma instead.

  Opal came up beside him. “The female you took is a healer.”

  “I know.” Fallon wondered what else she’d found out about Dora, but didn’t ask.

  “What do you plan to do with her?” Opal asked. “Ransom her?”

  He turned away from the panels. “I haven’t decided yet.”

  Opal shrugged. “She asked me to help her escape.”

  Fallon tensed. If the captain found out that she’d been in his room, blood would spill. Hawk redefined possessive when it came to Opal. “What did you tell her?”

  Her lips twitched. “Not much,” she said, while examining her claws. “I didn’t have to. She jumped to a lot of conclusions on her own.”

  Fallon didn’t like the sound of that.

  “I appreciate you dropping in to check on her, but I’ll deal with Dora from here on out,” he said, hoping Opal would take a hint.

 

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