Break Out

The Blood Hunter Series

Book One

by

nina croft

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2011 by Nicola Cleasby.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Entangled Publishing is a subsidiary of Savvy Media Services, LLC.

Edited by Liz Pelletier

Cover design by Heather Howland

ePub ISBN 978-1-937044-04-6

Kindle ISBN 978-1-937044-05-3

Manufactured in the United States of America

To my mother, who always had a book close by.

Chapter One

Rico hurled himself behind the huge trunk of a tree and stood, back pressed against the rough bark as the missiles whizzed past.

An arrow thwacked into the wood behind him, and every muscle in his body tensed. He reached gingerly around and snapped it off. In the dim light, he held the shaft to his face and cursed loudly—wooden arrows. It was almost as though they were expecting him.

“Goddamn heathen peasants.” He might as well be back in the Dark Ages.

In the distance, a pack of hounds bayed for blood. His blood. And they weren’t getting it.

He braced himself and peered around the trunk, through the thick stand of trees, and spotted the crimson glow of a hundred torches not too far in the distance. Breathing in, he caught the oily scent of burning pitch.

A triumphant roar filled the air. The hounds must have picked up his scent.

Rico cursed and darted off again, weaving through the dense forest with blurring speed. He could outrun the mob and the hounds, but it was a damn poor way to end an evening.

When the sound of voices faded behind him, he slowed down and finally came to a halt. Time to get the hell out of there. Leaning against a tree, he switched on his comm unit.

“What is it?” Tannis sounded irritated, and Rico frowned.

“I need picking up.”

“It will have to be later—I’m busy.”

He cocked his head to one side, listening for the sound of the mob, judging its distance. His pursuers would be on him soon. Tannis had better get unbusy and fast.

“Tannis, stop whatever it is you’re doing, bring my goddamn spaceship, and pick me up.”

She was silent for a moment. “I’ll think about it.”

The line went dead. He stared at the comm receiver on his wrist. She’d cut him off. Gritting his teeth, he imagined the pleasure of tossing her mutant body out of the ship’s airlock. Only first, he had to get back to the ship. He pressed his finger down until he heard the line open.

“What?” she snapped.

“Tannis, are you aware that I’ve rigged The Cazador to blow if I don’t input a unique numerical code every twenty-four hours? Come and get me or the whole ship goes up.”

“Good try, but I don’t believe you. You don’t think that far ahead.”

He took a deep breath. “Do you remember that time last year?”

“What time?”

“The time I saved your worthless life. At great personal risk to myself.”

“Yeah. So?”

“So bloody well reciprocate.”

A shaft of burning pain shot through his leg and he jumped, then stared down in disbelief at the arrow sticking out of his calf, an inch below the knee. “I’ve been shot,” he said.

“Shot? By what?”

“By a big fucking arrow. Get down here. Now.”

He yanked the arrow from his leg and flung it to the forest floor. “Or you’re fired,” he added and shut off the connection.

His pursuers were close now, so close he could hear the fierce crackle of flames mixed with the rise and fall of excited voices. He ignored the pain in his leg and took off through the trees again. A few minutes later, he skidded to a halt.

Straight in front of him, the land fell away abruptly. He peered over the edge. A long way below, water roared. A lot of water. A lot of cold water. He hated cold water. He searched the sky for any sign of Tannis, but a thick layer of cloud obscured the moons and he saw only darkness. He jammed his finger onto the comm unit. “You here yet?”

“Have a little patience. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Great, just great. The problem is, I might not be here in five minutes.”

“Don’t be so melodramatic. Just hold on.”

He stared over the edge into the dark, turbulent water. “Hold on to what?”

A low snarl sounded behind him. With a sigh of resignation, he turned to face his pursuers. They emerged from the shadowy tree line, torches held in front of them, before fanning out to form a semi-circle around him.

One of the hounds crept toward him, belly close to the ground, growling softly. It reminded Rico a little of the dogs back on Earth, probably even had some real dog DNA in there somewhere. Rico growled back, baring his fangs. The animal got the message, turned tail, and ran.

A tall man stepped forward to stand at the center of the group. He wore the long black robes of a priest, and Rico groaned. Not heathens after all. Bloody religious fanatics. He should have expected it.

When man had fled to the stars nearly a thousand years ago, the old religions had gone into an abrupt decline. By the year 2500, they had all but vanished from the universe, and good riddance as far as Rico was concerned.

But that had changed with the discovery of Meridian.

A rare, radioactive element with the ability to bestow immortality on those lucky enough to afford its exorbitant price, Meridian heralded the evolution of a new class—the Collective. Super rich and virtually indestructible, the Collective quickly gained power. Now, they ruled most of the civilized universe.

But while not everyone could afford Meridian, everyone wanted immortality, and the old religious beliefs had gained a new popularity. The Church of Everlasting Life offered a cheaper, if less reliable, alternative with its promise of an afterlife in paradise.

On these isolated outer planets, the Collective’s influence was slim and the Church took advantage of that and jumped in to fill the gap. A shudder of loathing ran through him. Rico had no feelings either for or against the Collective, but he hated the Church as only someone who had lived through the Inquisition could.

“Son of Satan,” the priest cried, and the mob behind him roared.

Rico rolled his eyes. “We’re not actually related.”

A second man stepped forward, dragging a girl with him, and the priest grabbed her hair, tugged back her head. In the flickering light, Rico saw the puncture wounds in her ivory neck and had a flashback to the sweet taste of her blood.

“I have been ordained by God,” the priest said, “for the punishment of the wicked and the eradication of evil.”

“Get a life,” Rico muttered. “Look, it’s honestly no big deal—the marks will heal in a couple of days. You won’t even know I was here.”

His words didn’t seem to impress them. Of course, the Church was rarely impressed unless they were slaughtering innocents, and Rico was the first to admit he hadn’t qualified as an innocent in numerous lifetimes. If ever.

Five men stepped forward, and Rico watched them warily. They raised their bows, cocked their wooden arrows. Drew them taut and aimed them straight at his heart.

Rico glanced over his shoulder at the icy water below. He was going to have to jump. “Shit.”

He tensed himself, ready to dive over the edge, just as the sky filled with noise and light. His gaze shot upward. He released his breath. The shuttle hovered above them, and a laser beam shot out, cutting the ground between him and the archers. A voice boomed from the open hatch.

“Lower your weapons.”

But they were already edging backward. The shuttle flew lower, almost touching the ground, and Rico lunged for the open hatchway. “About bloody time.”

The mob was almost back in the trees now, but at the last moment, the girl pulled free and raced toward the shuttle. She stared up at them, imploring. “Take me with you, Rico.”

He looked at Tannis, raised an eyebrow.

“No freaking way.” She reached across and slammed her palm to the door panel.

Rico had a last brief glimpse of the girl. He hoped she’d be okay, that her people would treat her as a victim, though she’d hardly been reluctant.

“What took you so long?” he growled as the hatch slid shut behind him, and the shuttle sped away from the planet.

Tannis swiveled her chair to face him. She ran a hand through her short, dark hair and raised one brow in accusation. “Been eating the natives, Rico?”

“Dios, you go out for a snack and all you get is hassle. I’ve got to eat.”

He hobbled across and sank into the seat next to her, rubbing his leg and tossing Tannis a wounded look. His ship’s captain was no Florence Nightingale, but dammit, his leg hurt. “They shot me.”

“Aw, poor baby.” She uncoiled her lean body from the chair and came to stand over him, her cold, yellow eyes looking him over. Reaching down, she tore open his pants leg. The bleeding had already stopped, the wound healing over. “You’ll live.”

He frowned. “So what kept you?”

“While you were down here playing, I got us a job.”

“Legit?”

“Shit, no.”

His mood lightened. “Dangerous?”

“For this sort of money, it’s probably going to kill us.”

He grinned. “Sounds like my sort of job.”

Chapter Two

“Are you ready, Lieutenant?” The colonel’s words sounded in Skylar’s mind.

“Yes, sir. I’ve arrived at the rendezvous point.”

“You know how important this mission is to us?”

“I do, sir.”

“Then I suggest you lock down the link. Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Skylar sent a message to her internal AI unit to break all contact and blinked in the sudden silence. For the first time in many years, she was alone inside her head. It was a strange feeling and not entirely unpleasant.

She’d spent most of her life on active combat duty, but always as part of a team, never alone. Then she’d been promoted to a more strategic planning position, and she’d missed the fighting, but not the barracks life. Now she’d moved on, handpicked to be part of the elite intelligence division. She only hoped she would find some challenge in the job to stave off the restlessness that seemed a constant companion these days.

This was her first solo job, and she’d planned it carefully. She’d factored in everything she could discover about the El Cazador and its crew, put that somewhat scanty information together with all possible permutations of events, added a probable fuck-up factor of ten, the highest level available, and this had been calculated as her best-chance-of-success scenario. Still, she wished she’d come up with a plan that didn’t involve her looking quite so ridiculous.

Tugging at the neckline of her silver tube dress, Skylar tried to ignore the fact that even staring straight ahead, she could still see her breasts. She’d never considered herself particularly well endowed, had never given the whole breast thing much thought, but this dress had the effect of making them impossible to overlook.

Christ, she’d give anything for a jumpsuit and a laser gun.

But there was no point in putting this off. Taking a calming breath, she reached across and opened the comm link.

“Kestrel 617, calling El Cazador.”

“This is Captain Tannis of El Cazador.”

“I’m at the rendezvous point.”

“We’ll be there in an hour.”

The link went dead.

Skylar sat back in her seat as the adrenalin surged in her veins. The game was on.

. . .

“Rico, get your lazy ass out of bed. Our client just called. We’re on our way.”

Rico had been aware of Tannis the moment the door glided open, but maybe, if he kept his eyes shut, she would get the hint and go away. When her booted feet stomped across the cabin, he knew it wasn’t going to happen. He buried his face in the pillow.

“Rico!”

Something sharp prodded him in the lower back until he rolled over and opened one eye. Tannis stood, legs braced, staring down at him, his sword dangling from her fist.

He frowned. “Hey, put that down—it’s dangerous.”

“Actually,” she said, holding up the sword, “this is a toy.” She opened her fingers, and the sword clattered to the floor. Tannis drew the laser gun from the holster at her hip and pointed it straight at him. “Now this is dangerous.”

“Dios.” He went up on one elbow and regarded her balefully through half-closed lids.

They’d docked last night at a spaceport close to the rendezvous point, waiting for the client to make contact, and Rico had taken the opportunity to indulge in a little recreation. He felt good, sated with food and sex, but the one thing guaranteed to spoil that mood was a laser shot in the backside. And he knew from experience she’d do it.

He opened his eyes fully and glared. She stepped back, and he knew they must still be glowing crimson from his recent feeding.

“Shit,” she muttered.

Reaching down, she flipped over the corner of the black silk sheet, revealing the naked woman beneath. Rico followed her gaze. The woman’s eyes were closed, her skin pale with the waxy perfection of a lily.

“Is she dead?” Tannis asked.

He frowned. “Of course she’s not dead. What do you take me for—some sort of monster?”

Though he had taken a lot of blood, and the woman was rather quiet. He nudged her with his toe. She rolled onto her side, snuggled into the pillow, and Rico sighed in relief. He was willing to kill if he had to, but he had nothing against this woman—she was only doing her job. Besides killing by accident was just plain careless.

Tannis reached down, running a slender finger across the woman’s throat. The puncture wounds were already closing.

“Neat,” she murmured. “But what have I told you about bringing whores on board my ship?”

Rico pulled himself up and swung his legs out of bed. “Whose ship?”

She raised an eyebrow. “You asked me to be captain. So you do what I say.”

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen.”

Her finger tightened on the trigger of the laser gun, and he held up a hand. “Okay, Okay. I’ll get rid of her.”

He reached across and punched the comm unit next to the bed. “Al, get in here.”

Rolling to his feet, he stretched, raking a hand through his hair and scratching his scalp where the skin tingled. He could still feel the residual buzz of the blood in his system, and he closed his eyes to savor the feeling.

When he opened them, it was to find Tannis, propped against the wall of his cabin, arms folded across her chest. At least she’d holstered the pistol. Her gaze dropped to his naked body. She didn’t look impressed.

“Shower,” she snapped and pointed to the cubicle.

“What are you—my mother?”

“I just don’t want you smelling like a brothel when we meet the client.”

Rico decided compliance was the easier option—besides, she was right—he reeked of cheap perfume.

When he came out of the shower cubicle, Tannis was still leaning against the wall, tapping her foot on the metal floor. Al’s slight figure hovered in the open doorway. The boy peered warily into the cabin. His huge, gray eyes widened as he took in Rico’s naked figure, then shifted quickly away. Dios, the boy was skittish, always acting as if he expected Rico to bite. It irritated the hell out of him. The scrawny bag of bones wouldn’t be worth the effort it took to catch him. He was one of Tannis’ strays, picked up starving on some backwoods planet.

“Get in here,” Rico snapped.

Al sidled into the room, keeping close to the wall and as much distance as possible between them, and Rico narrowed his eyes. If Al wasn’t careful, Rico would give him something to really worry about. He flashed his fangs, and the little remaining color drained from the small face. Al stared at Rico as though mesmerized. Rico stared back. Come to think about it, the boy was quite striking, with that pale flawless skin and shock of dark red hair.

“Rico!” Tannis glared at him.

“What?”

“Leave him alone.”

He shrugged. “What did I do?”

Tannis didn’t answer. Instead, she turned to Al, her expression softening. “There’s a woman on the bed,” she said. “Make sure she’s off the ship in the next five minutes.”

Al took in the naked body on the bed. Rico hadn’t thought the boy’s eyes could widen any further, but they did, until they almost bulged out of his head, and Rico had to catch himself before he laughed at the kid and pissed Tannis off even more. Tannis was protective of her crew. He could get an arrow through the leg, and all he’d get from her was a load of sarcasm, but if one of her precious little charges was threatened…

Al took a tentative step closer. “Is she dead?”

“No, she’s not bloody dead.” Rico ran a hand through his hair. “Jesus, why does everybody think I go around killing people?”

“Well, it has been known,” Tannis said mildly.

“Only when they deserved it.” He glanced at Al and couldn’t resist adding, “Or when I was really hungry.”

Hiding his grin, Rico turned away and hunted for his clothes, scattered around the floor of the cabin where he’d dropped them. He picked up his pants and pulled them on, then found his gun belt lying on the chest by the bed and fastened it around his waist, strapped it down to his thigh. He shoved the laser pistol into the holster just as a faint vibration from the ship pulsed up through his bare feet.

“What’s that?” he asked Tannis.

“I told Daisy to fire up the engines.”

He scowled. Daisy was yet another stray. They’d picked up her damaged escape pod floating aimlessly in deep space after the experimental station where she was living had been attacked and her family massacred. She was crazy about flying, and grabbed every opportunity to take the controls of El Cazador. She was okay—a good flier—though her tendency to follow him around like a lost puppy could be irritating. “Well, she’d better not be in my seat.”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t dare.” Tannis didn’t even try to keep the sarcasm from her voice. Smartass.“ But we’re rendezvousing with the client in orbit, and we should have been there five minutes ago. I don’t want to lose this one. We need the money.”

“You’re so mercenary.”

He pulled on his tall black boots and black shirt, then strapped on the leather shoulder holster. He picked up the sword from the floor where Tannis had dropped it and slid it into the scabbard so it hung down his back.

Finally, he pulled his hair into a ponytail. He glanced up to find Tannis and Al watching him and raised an eyebrow in query.

“Poser,” Tannis muttered.

Rico caught a grin on the boy’s face, which was quickly wiped away when he saw Rico watching. The kid wasn’t as downtrodden as he pretended to be, which begged the question—what was he hiding? He made a mental note to find out, but not right now. He turned to Tannis. “You just wish you could look half as good.”

“Yeah, right. And put some dark glasses on. We don’t want you frightening off the client. She sounded the nervous type.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

Chapter Three

Skylar peered out of the viewer as her shuttle drew close to the larger ship. A Star Cruiser Mark 3. She was very impressive and very beautiful, with elegant lines. Wide at the rear, tapering to a sharp point at the front, the sleek shape was mirrored by twin propulsion units, which sat on either side. She was also entirely black, except for her name painted in silver script along the hull: El Cazador de la Sangre.

She’d never heard the ship referred to as anything other than El Cazador. Skylar didn’t recognize the language, and she quickly accessed her AI system. She blinked her eyes as the information came up on her internal monitor.

“El Cazador de la Sangre”: The language, Spanish, originated on Earth and hadn’t been used in nearly a thousand years. The words translated as Blood Hunter.

A shiver of unease rippled through her. She’d come across some strange, dark rumors regarding the owner and pilot of El Cazador while doing her research, but nothing that could be substantiated. Still it had piqued her curiosity enough to select this ship and crew over others who had been just as suitable. Now she couldn’t help but wonder if giving in to that curiosity had been wise.

She mentally shrugged. It was too late to change her mind now. She had ten days to complete this mission, and it would take at least eight to reach Trakis One. No time to find a replacement.

But she hadn’t realized how isolated she would feel once she cut the link to the others. Mostly she liked it, and she knew that when the time came to re-mesh, she would regret the loss of privacy. All the same, she occasionally missed the sense of being part of something larger, and at times like these, it would have been nice to know she wasn’t entirely alone.

The shuttle gave a small shudder as it locked into the docking bay of the ship. The hatch closed behind her, and Skylar unstrapped her harness and stood, wobbling precariously on her high heels.

“Goddamn, stupid shoes,” she muttered. Why would anyone voluntarily wear such things? She caught sight of her reflection in the blank screen and scowled—she bore a remarkable resemblance to an unregistered pleasure provider from the dark side of Trakis Two. Not that she’d ever actually been to Trakis Two, but she’d heard plenty about it—the planet where ‘you can party forever, because the night never ends’ with more pleasure providers than the rest of the universe put together. No doubt all looking just as ridiculous as this.

But wasn’t that exactly what she’d been aiming for?

Grabbing her small silver bag, she pressed her other hand to the door panel and stepped out, the tap of her heels on the metal floor echoing in the cavernous docking bay.

This was her first time on a pirate ship, and she was impressed despite herself. She’d been expecting something a little bit seedy. Instead, the area was spotless, the ship gleaming silver and black, the air fresh—no stinting on recycling here. No one came forward to meet her, and she stopped in front of a security camera angled over the doorway, almost twitching with nervous tension. She’d planned this for so long, her whole future depended on success, and now she just wanted to get things moving.

“Follow me, please.”

At her feet, an automated guide hovered just above the floor, spherical and matte black with no markings.

Skylar had been on a Mark 3 cruiser before and knew the ship consisted of three levels. The lower level housed the cooling and recycling systems as well as the engines. The middle section held the docking bay and a small cargo area—though this ship wasn’t built to carry cargo. She was a fighting machine, sleek and deadly.

The upper level housed the bridge and the crew’s living quarters. She guessed this was where they were heading as she followed the guide through the bay, up a ramp, along a narrow corridor, ever deeper into the heart of the ship. With each step, Skylar’s sense of isolation grew, as though some great beast had swallowed her whole. She could only hope it would dislike the taste and eventually spit her out again.

Finally, the guide led her into a conference room. “Wait in here, please.”

Skylar surveyed her surroundings. More silver and black. The walls were bare, with no portholes this far inside the ship. At the far end, a group of low, comfortable chairs beckoned to her. She tottered across and sank into one, sighing with relief. It was short-lived. The door slid open, and a tall woman entered.

“Welcome to El Cazador,” she said.

Skylar jumped to her feet. She quickly cross-referenced the woman against the crew list she’d memorized—this must be Captain Tannis.

She was striking, her body long and slender—sinuous—beneath the tight black pants and scarlet T-shirt. Her skin glowed, a pale, luminous ivory run through with shimmering iridescent lights. Skylar raised her gaze to find the woman watching her coolly out of yellow eyes, almost a solid color and only broken by a black slit down the center.

From her intel, Skylar knew the Captain of El Cazador was genetically modified, or a GM as they referred to themselves, and it didn’t take a close look to see the effects on this woman. She’d obviously made no attempt to hide what she was, which was unusual. Most GMs tried to conceal their heritage, and with good reason. When the Church’s influence had risen in the aftermath of the Meridian discovery, the high priests had called for a purge of any with mixed DNA, claiming they were abominations against God.

“Seen enough?” the woman snapped.

“Sorry, I’ve never—” Skylar trailed off as a second figure entered behind the captain. She’d studied the files on the owner and pilot of El Cazador while planning this mission, but still her mouth fell open in shock.

Holy Meridian.

Nothing in the files had prepared her for this.

He was tall, with a lean body dressed in black pants and a black shirt. Real leather boots up to his knees, silver pistols at his hips, and an honest to goodness sword at his back.

His midnight-black hair was pulled into a ponytail, revealing olive skin and perfect bone structure. Dark glasses covered his eyes, but even so, Skylar was quite aware they hadn’t yet risen above the level of her breasts. A slow, lazy smile lifted the corners of his sensual mouth, and her hand twitched with the need to tug up her dress.

“Hello,” he murmured, his voice like warm honey. He held out his hand. “I’m Ricardo Sanchez—Rico to my friends. And I’m sure the two of us are going to be very good friends.”

Beside him, the captain snorted, but Rico’s gaze never left Skylar.

“Skylar. Skylar Rossaria,” she said, sliding her hand into his much larger one. His felt cool against her skin, and he stroked little circles on her palm with the pad of his thumb.

“Delighted to meet you, Skylar.”

His eyes behind the dark shades finally left her breasts to wander up and down her figure. A ripple of awareness prickled across her skin. She shifted, then reminded herself that there was a reason she’d dressed like this. The information on the crew had been incomplete; somehow, they had managed to stay beneath the Collective’s radar—that wouldn’t last for long if they took on this job. The rumors surrounding the owner of El Cazador had ranged from rogue immortal to spawn of Satan, depending on whom she’d asked, but all agreed on one thing—Ricardo Sanchez was a womanizer, and he liked his women obvious.

Skylar sighed but straightened up, tossing her long blond mane, drawing back her shoulders, and thrusting her breasts out a little farther.

“Really delighted,” he added.

The woman at his side groaned. “Cut the crap, Rico.”

He grinned but released Skylar’s hand, crossed the floor, and sank into one of the chairs, his booted legs resting on the table in front of him. He patted the seat next to him. “Come and sit down, Skylar, and tell me exactly what I can do for you.” His voice sank to a low drawl that caressed her ears. She stared at him, mesmerized.

The captain shook her head before sitting down next to Rico, gesturing to the chair opposite. “I’m Tannis, captain of The Cazador,” she said as Skylar took her seat. “So what is this job you have for us?”

Skylar’s gaze flickered from one to the other. She nibbled on her lower lip and tugged at a strand of hair, twisting it round her finger. She’d listed all the possible methods of approach, but until she’d met the people she was dealing with it had been impossible to know which one to go with. Now looking at Tannis, her foot tapping impatiently on the floor, she decided on the most direct approach.

“I want you to break a friend of mine out of the Collective’s maximum security facility on Trakis One.”

She watched intently for their reactions. Rico’s she couldn’t tell. His face remained blank, his eyes still obscured by the dark glasses, but Tannis showed a faint flicker of shock, quickly hidden.

“A friend?”

She nodded. “A very good friend.”

Tannis studied her through narrowed eyes. “You are aware that nobody has ever escaped from Trakis One?”

“I know, but I have to try.” She bit her lip, forced a pleading look into her expression. “He’s scheduled for transfer to the Meridian mines on Trakis Seven in ten days’ time. After that…” She trailed off. There was no point in saying more. Everyone knew entry into the atmosphere of Trakis Seven meant instant contamination for which there was no cure. Once there, any rescue would be pointless—unrefined Meridian was a radioactive poison that permeated the cells instantly on exposure. Wherever he ran to, he’d be dead within two years.

“So why is he being held?” Tannis asked.

Skylar had given this one a lot of thought. She didn’t want to put them off totally, but on the other hand, it had to be believable.

“He was obsessed with getting enough credits for us both to have the Meridian treatment. He could have paid for himself years ago, but he loved me and wanted us to be together.”

The two people opposite remained silent, and she forced herself to continue. “Jonny didn’t mean to kill anyone. It was an accident. He’d been contracted to steal a shipment of raditron from a storage facility on Trakis Five, but the explosives went off prematurely and a lot of people died.”

“Hmm.” Tannis sounded skeptical. “And your friend wasn’t harmed?”

“He had protective gear, but the blast knocked him out and they caught him. They sentenced him to life in the mines, which everyone knows is a death sentence.”

Tannis eyed her as though not quite believing her story. Which wasn’t completely unexpected. Maybe it was time to get away from the story and onto what really mattered.

“I have money to pay you,” Skylar said. “Lots of money.”

“The money saved for the treatment?”

“Not all, but some of it.”

“Can you prove you have access?” Tannis leaned forward.

Skylar nodded. “I have the account codes. Verification is code-level one.”

“Give it to me.”

Skylar reeled out the list of numbers while Tannis pressed the button on her wrist console, opening a hologram palm screen on her left hand. She punched in the numbers and waited, humming under her breath. After a minute, a slow smile spread across her face. She nodded to Rico, and then turned back to Skylar. “That’s a lot of credits—not tempted to use them yourself?”

Skylar shook her head. “It’s pointless now. I’d rather have one lifetime with Jonny than eternity without him.” She was worried she’d gone over the top, but what the hell—she couldn’t back down now. Might as well go the whole way. She’d been practicing for this moment. She concentrated hard, remembering the laser blast she’d taken in the face during a training exercise last month. The pistol had been set to stun, but, shit, it had still smarted. She blinked once, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Please, you’re my last hope. You have to help me.”

Rico rose, crossed the narrow space between them, and crouched down in front of her. He reached out and wiped away the tear with the tip of his finger, surprisingly cool against her cheek. A tingle ran through her skin from the point of contact.

“Hey, don’t cry,” he murmured, his voice husky. “We’ll get your boyfriend back for you.”

Wow, the guy was a pushover. His file hadn’t said he was a big softie. How had he survived this long?

Skylar stared into his face and saw her own reflection in the dark shades. She widened her eyes a little, batted her lashes once or twice.

He smiled and bent his head toward her so his breath feathered against her skin. “Just give me a few minutes to convince the captain, and we’ll be off after your boyfriend. We’ll have him back in no time.”

“You can do it? It’s never been done before.”

He snapped his fingers. “Piece of cake.”

She frowned, and his smile broadened. “Old Earth saying. It’s a hobby of mine.” Reaching out, he patted her hand. “Try not to worry. Tannis?” He gestured to the doorway.

Tannis was still seated, a look of complete disgust on her face, but she got up when he spoke her name. They crossed the room, but Tannis paused in the open doorway. “Just one thing. You could get anyone for that sort of money. Why us?”

Skylar fixed her gaze on Rico as she answered. “I heard you were the best.”

“Hmm.” Tannis didn’t sound entirely convinced, but she gave Skylar one last searching look and strode out of the room. The door closed behind them, and Skylar’s shoulders sagged. After a minute, she straightened her spine, though she doubted they’d be watching her. They’d obviously bought her story. She’d known they wouldn’t be able to resist the lure of such a huge sum of money. Skylar prided herself on her pre-mission computations and she was rarely wrong.

But just in case they did have surveillance, she got out a mirror from her small bag and studied her reflection. Her lipstick had vanished, nibbled away during her award-winning performance. She pulled out her make-up and swiped the bold red tube across her lips, in what she hoped appeared a practiced movement, before returning it to the bag. Smoothing down her hair, she assessed her situation.

She couldn’t believe how well the meeting had gone. It was comforting to know that if this did go wrong, she could always get a job as an actress. Though she doubted she would ever find an audience quite as gullible as Ricardo Sanchez.

. . .

Rico poured them both a whiskey from his flask and threw himself on the red brocade couch in Tannis’ cabin.

Tannis took her glass and sat opposite, stretched her legs out, and crossed her ankles. She gulped the drink in one go and slammed the glass on the short table next to her. “That was revolting. The horny little bitch couldn’t stop fluttering her false eye lashes at you. I heard you’re the best,” she mimicked.

Rico grinned. “Jealous?” He knew she wasn’t—they’d never had that sort of relationship, but he enjoyed winding her up. Once or twice, in the early days, he’d been tempted to try, but he’d always backed off; lovers were easy to come by, friends almost impossible. Besides, he wasn’t entirely convinced he’d succeed.

“No,” she replied. “I just didn’t fancy losing my breakfast. “She cast him a look of disgust. “And you were no better. Tell me, have you always been…” She paused as if searching for a word, then gestured in the general direction of his groin.

He raised an eyebrow. “Extraordinarily well-endowed?”

“Ha- ha. I meant a sex-crazed womanizer.”

He considered ignoring the question. There had always been an unspoken rule between them that they never discussed the past, but she appeared genuinely curious. “No, I wasn’t always a womanizer. In fact, I married when I was seventeen and was faithful for the next twenty years.”

“You were married?”

His lips curved at the incredulity in her voice. “A long time ago, and in a faraway place.”

“Wow, so what changed you?”

He gave her a look of complete amazement.

“Yeah, right,” she muttered, “the whole vampire thing. So do all vampires like sex as much as you?”

“I don’t know about all vampires—we’re not exactly a chatty bunch. But I’ve found it’s the best way to keep the hunger at bay.”

“The hunger? You mean for blood?”

“Not only blood.”

While he was quite capable of feeding and leaving his victim virtually unharmed, there was a dark place inside him that craved death. A place that urged him to drain the last drop of blood from his prey, until their life force belonged to him. Rico lowered his dark glasses and allowed a little of that darkness to bleed into his eyes.

Tannis stared, mesmerized, then swallowed. “Right then. You know that ‘no whores on board’ rule. I’ve changed my mind—have as many as you like.”

Rico grinned and pushed his glasses back in place. He settled back and sipped his drink. He could almost see the thoughts whirling in her head and the moment she decided to change the subject.

“So, this job—can we do it?” she asked.

“Maybe. Maybe not. As you said, no one’s done it before, but I like a challenge.”

“Hmm. And the money’s good.”

“There’s only one problem—”

When he didn’t continue, she frowned. “Are you going to tell me what that is?”

“Well, at a guess, I’d say that not one word that came out of those pretty little lips was the truth.”

Tannis’ jaw dropped open. “What?”

Rico shook his head. “You are so gullible.”

“But you were drooling all over her.”

He licked his lips, breathed in deeply, and smiled. “She smelt divine. I’m not saying I wouldn’t like a taste, but that doesn’t mean I believed a word she said.”

He tapped the control pad on the couch’s armrest, activating the monitor on the wall to the right. Skylar Rossaria’s face filled the screen, and he changed the setting so they could see all of her. She appeared quite relaxed. Which was odd in itself. El Cazador had a reputation and not a good one—he’d made sure of that. It encouraged the rest of the bad guys to keep their distance. She also had a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

“She looks legit to me.” Tannis sounded disgruntled—she hated to be wrong about anything.

Skylar stood up and wandered round the room, wincing as though in pain. She slumped down in one of the chairs and slipped off her shoes, gently massaging her foot. A look of relief washed over her face. She peered down at herself, and a frown of disgust replaced the relief as she attempted to tug the silver dress over her very impressive breasts. Rico felt his cock stir in his pants and shifted in his chair, savoring the feeling.

But he recognized there was more to Skylar than his usual attraction toward a beautiful woman. Maybe it was the mass of contradictions he sensed seething just below the surface. Whatever—he knew he wanted the chance to explore it further.

Tannis made a low noise beside him. “Hungry or not, could you get your mind off your dick for one second and tell me if you have any proof. She’s offering good money. Better than good—brilliant, and I need that money.”

“My guess is, she’s never worn high heels in her life. She’s not at all comfortable in that dress, and she’s got calluses on her palm from holding a laser pistol. I’d bet my right fang she’s more at home with a gun than a lipstick.”

“Christ, I wish you were wrong. I’d love your right fang. I’d wear it on a chain around my neck.” Tannis sighed. “But much as it pains me to admit—you’re never wrong.”

He grinned. “And don’t you hate that.”

“Yeah. Damn, but I wanted that money.” She punched the comm unit on her wrist. “Daisy, fire up the engines, we’re out of here as soon as the power’s up.”

Tannis listened to Daisy’s reply, a frown forming on her face. “I don’t care where. Just away from here.”

Rico waited until she’d closed the connection. “You know, there’s no guarantee we could have done the job anyway. As you pointed out, no one has ever been broken out of Trakis One. Though it might have been fun trying.”

He turned back to watch the woman on the screen. It was a long time since he’d felt a hunger like this. He licked his lips. “How about she gives us the money anyway.”

Tannis’ eyes lit up at the prospect.

“Give me an hour alone with her,” he continued, “and she’ll be begging to give you every credit she’s got.”

Heat stirred in the pit of his belly at the thought. He didn’t kill often; he kept that particular hunger tightly leashed, but it was always present. He had his own set of morals, and he did his best to stick to them, but this woman had crossed the line. She obviously had another agenda, which no doubt involved double-crossing them in some way, and that made her fair game.

Tannis narrowed her eyes, but he could tell he’d piqued her interest. “You’re a sick bastard, Rico.”

Rico didn’t try to deny it, and he waited while Tannis mulled the idea. She was captain, after all. Finally, she shook her head. “No, it wouldn’t work. Not with level-one verification protocols in place. You could get her to make the transfer, I’m sure, but it would never pass the screening. The voice recognition sensors would pick up any signs of coercion.”

She sat back, drumming her fingers on the arms of her chair, deep in thought, watching the woman on the screen while Rico watched her. He liked to watch Tannis, liked the clean lines of her face and body, the luminous skin with a hint of scales. Her cold, reptilian eyes. There were very few people he counted as friends, but once, long ago, Tannis had rescued him from a prison and certain death. She’d no doubt regretted the impulsive action a few times in the years since, but he was equally sure she’d do it again. At heart, he was a loner, but Rico found it strangely comforting to know that there was at least one person in the world who would care if he ceased to exist.

They both sat in silence, watching the screen. Skylar still had that smug, self-satisfied smile on her face. Tannis reached across, punched the off switch, and the screen went blank.

“Don’t look so disappointed,” she said. “If this is some sort of scam, she’s going after the wrong people, and she’s all yours. You can do what you like with her. But first I suppose we should find out exactly what she’s after.” She ran a hand through her short, spiky hair. “It’s got to be a setup. Maybe you’d better get me a list of people you’ve pissed off recently.”

“How long have we got?”

“Good point—probably not long enough. We should talk to her again. Soften her up a little. See if she’ll tell us what she’s after.”

He liked the sound of that. At the thought of softening her up, his gums ached, and the bloodlust uncoiled inside him. He lowered his dark glasses and regarded her. “Let me go in there alone, and I’ll get her to spill everything she knows.”

Tannis studied him for a moment, lips pursed. “Fine, but I’ll be watching.”

“Pervert,” he drawled.

“I don’t want you finishing her off until she talks. If there’s someone coming after us, I want to know exactly who it is.”

Rico rose to his feet and rolled his shoulders, his body tight with anticipation. “She’ll talk.”

Chapter Four

Skylar wondered how much longer they would keep her waiting. She tapped her foot, impatient to get moving.

Excitement fizzed in her blood. This was actually going to work. She would do it. She had to. The colonel had impressed upon her how important this mission was—she couldn’t fail. Her future depended upon it.

The door slid open. Ricardo Sanchez―Rico, as the captain had called him―stood in the opening. He didn’t enter but lounged against the frame, watching her. He was alone this time, and Skylar forced what she hoped was a bimbo smile onto her face.

He didn’t return the smile. He still wore the shades, so she couldn’t see his eyes, but his mouth remained a compressed line.

She got to her feet, needing to move. Maybe the plan wasn’t going so well after all.

“Mr. Sanchez—Rico—”

“Sit.”

Had she really thought his voice sounded like warm honey? That one word cut through the air like ice. She didn’t even have to think about it. She sat right down. Her lips were suddenly dry, and she ran the tip of her tongue over them.

“Is there a problem?” she asked and decided that the squeak in her voice was quite allowable within the parameters of her character.

He strolled into the room, one hand resting on the laser pistol at his thigh, and came to a halt in front of her chair, far too close. He was tall. And broad. And menacing. She licked her lips again.

“Just a small one.”

“Well, I’m sure we can sort it out.” When Rico didn’t rush to agree with her, she decided to give the bimbo smile another try. Her dry lips stretched across her teeth in what she hoped would bring an answering smile from Rico.

He grinned, but for some reason it didn’t make Skylar feel any better at all. “Oh, I’m sure we can.” His smile broadened and the tip of one white fang showed briefly.

Skylar’s heart stopped. Then started again, so loudly she could hear the blood thundering in her veins.

Holy Meridian. What the hell was this guy?

Her mind flashed back to the rumors she’d heard about him, rumors she had ignored as too ludicrous to even consider. Just stories dredged up from the past.

She forced herself to take a deep breath. He could be any number of things. One rather large tooth did not mean he was a….

He reached up and slipped the shades from his eyes. His gaze locked with hers, and ice-cold prickles skittered down her spine. She’d been in some perilous situations in her time in the military, had faced off against some of the scariest bad asses in the known universe. But they’d all been human—or mostly human. Nothing had ever chilled her like the darkness she sensed lurking behind his eyes.

“Er—I just have to pop back to my shuttle for a moment.” She stumbled to her feet. “I forgot to—”

She closed her mouth as he continued to stare at her out of those crimson eyes. Who, or rather what, had eyes the color of blood?

He reached out a hand, placed one finger on her shoulder, and pushed her down.

Skylar collapsed onto the chair but decided that wasn’t so bad. She doubted her legs would have held her much longer anyway.

Closing her eyes, she tried to remember her training. What to do if caught. What to do if facing torture. Unfortunately, nothing was coming to mind.

Concentrate.

She could turn off her pain receptors, but not many people were capable of that sort of neural control and it would give her away. Unless she could pretend she was feeling pain, but somewhere along the way she’d lost faith in her acting abilities.

So, keep the pain receptors on? That didn’t seem such a good option either, but probably the higher chance of success. While she didn’t like pain, she could deal with it.

Taking a few deep breaths, she pushed her fear to the back of her mind.

She knew they wanted the money. She’d seen the greed in the captain’s eyes. She just had to hope that they wanted the money more than Rico wanted—

Again, her mind refused to finish the sentence. After all, she didn’t actually know what he wanted.

He licked his lips, ran his tongue over one sharp white fang, and stepped towards her.

Okay. She didn’t know, but her mind was doing a good job of guessing. Or a bad job.

She shook her head, took another deep breath, and sat up straight. She studied him quickly. His whole figure radiated tension, and a predatory hunger lurked behind his eyes. She had to find a way to diffuse the situation. What would work?

“So,” she said and was proud of how normal her voice came out, “this problem… Are you going to tell me what it is, or are you just going to stand over me and drool?”

Surprise flashed across his face. He grinned again, and this time some of the lethal energy eased from him. The atmosphere in the room changed instantly, and he stepped back, sank into the chair opposite, and rested his booted feet on the small table between them. He didn’t put the glasses back on but sat regarding her, head cocked to one side.

She held herself still, running a relaxation mantra through her mind, and finally her fingers uncurled and her breathing returned to normal.

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re a cool one.”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t be?”

“Oh, plenty of reasons.”

A shiver ran through her at the dark promise in his voice.

“The problem?” she prompted.

He shrugged. “I don’t believe a word of your story.”

“Why?”

He ignored her question. “And you’re way too cool for someone who must suspect she’s in big, big trouble.”

Cool? She couldn’t remember being this frightened—ever. Maybe she was a good actress after all.

“What makes you think I’m lying?”

His eyes ran over her, lingering on the swell of her breasts. “Believe me, I’ve met a few space tramps in my time, and you do not fit the mold.”

What’s wrong with me?

She bit her tongue to keep from asking the question.

He sat up and leaned toward her. “Who are you working for?”

“I’m not working for anyone.”

He sighed. “Look, we can make this relatively pain-free. Or—”

He paused dramatically, and Skylar rolled her eyes. “Or what? You’ll torture me?”

“Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of eating you.”

Instead of fear, that thought conjured up some rather interesting possibilities, and she squirmed in the seat. “Ugh,” she said in case he’d noticed.

He laughed and relaxed back in his chair. “Who are you working for?”

Skylar sighed. There were some occasions when only the truth would do—but was this one of them?

“Okay, I lied,” she said. “But not about everything.”

She hesitated. She knew interrogators were more likely to believe you if they had to work for the information.

“Yes—?” he prompted.

“I do want you to extract a prisoner from Trakis One. And they have scheduled him for transfer to the mines in ten days. But he’s not my boyfriend.”

“Who is he?”

“My brother.”

He frowned. “Why would you lie about that?”

“Because I didn’t think you would take the job if I told you the truth.”

“Honey,” he said, “boyfriend, brother, it makes no damn difference to me. And you’re making no sense but you’d better start soon.”

“He’s not a bank robber.” She paused again.

“Dios mio,” Rico muttered. “I think I might torture you after all. Will you get on with it?”

She bit her lip. “He’s a member of the Rebel Coalition, and he’s being held for the assassination of Collective member Aiden Ross. You must have heard about it.”

“Ahh.”

She was certain, from that one word, that she had him. The Rebel Coalition usually had no fight with the Collective. Their goal was to bring down the Church of Everlasting Life. But Aiden Ross had been an advocate of the Church, and a supporter of some of its more radical activities, including the slaughter of millions of ‘abominations’, as the Church referred to anyone with less than one hundred percent human DNA. By destroying him, the rebels hoped to discourage any future collaboration. Skylar doubted they’d done any such thing. More likely, the Collective would now go all-out to exterminate the rebels, but that was beside the point. “I knew you wouldn’t go up against the Collective. Nobody will.”

“So why don’t his rebel buddies break him out?”

“I went to them, but they wouldn’t do it. They said that nobody had ever broken out of Trakis One, and they weren’t going to waste good credits trying.”

“Nice friends.” He regarded her closely. “I’m suspecting there’s more.”

She nodded. “I had to find a way to get Jonny out. He’s my baby brother, and I’ve always looked after him.” His eyes were no longer crimson but had darkened to the color of bitter chocolate. She was sure he believed her. “I’ve got good contacts. We’ve been part of the Rebel Coalition for years—ever since our parents were murdered during the Purge.” She wondered whether a few tears would go down well at this point, but decided against it. “We gave them our whole lives and they abandoned Jonny. I knew I couldn’t rescue him alone, that I’d have to pay somebody to help me. So I stole some money from them.”

“How?”

“It was easy. I’m quite high in the hierarchy—I have access to funding.”

“That’s where the money in the account came from?”

She nodded again. “Now the Coalition is after me, and I can’t go to anyone I know. I had to find someone who wasn’t tied to either the Collective or the rebels.”

“What about the Church of Everlasting Life? The high priests will often go against the Collective just to piss them off.”

She shook her head. “Not this time. Aiden Ross was their strongest supporter in the Collective. Anyway, they won’t work overtly against the Collective. The Church is powerful, but only because the Collective allows it to be—they know that. Besides, they wouldn’t help Jonny. He’s a known rebel and a GM. You know how the Church feels about the experiments. They’d put him down rather than save him.”

Skylar held his gaze, willing her features into a pleading semblance. When his shoulders appeared to soften, she was careful not to let the corners of her mouth turn up.

. . .

She gazed up at him with those huge eyes, and Rico frowned. The interview hadn’t gone as expected.

The problem was—he liked her.

He’d expected her to fold immediately, maybe cry, but he’d been basing that presumption on her appearance. Stupid, when he’d already concluded she was not the tart she’d portrayed. She was tough, and toughness was one of the few traits he admired.

The other problem was—he believed her.

Her story made sense. The vast majority of people would not go against the Collective. A black mark in its books meant absolutely no chance of the Meridian treatment even if you could afford the exorbitant prices. And everyone lived in hope of somehow finding the money and gaining immortality.

Everyone except him, of course.

Rico spoke into the comm unit. “Tannis?”

“What?”

“Are you getting this?”

“No. I’ve gone deaf all of a sudden. Of course, I’m getting it. You want me down there?”

He sighed. “Yeah.”

“Aww, poor Rico. Fun time over?”

“Maybe.” He glanced across at Skylar where she sat nibbling on her succulent lower lip. He’d known she was afraid, but he was also aware it wasn’t only fear she felt. He could scent her arousal, the sweet muskiness making him shift in his chair as his body hardened in response. “Or maybe not.”

He sat back and tried to detect any flaws in her story while he waited for Tannis to join them.

There was one thing about the story he didn’t understand. “Your brother,” he said to Skylar, “how did he do it? No one’s ever managed to kill one of the Collective before.”

“I don’t know. He never shared the details with me.”

“Hmm, very convenient. I heard he managed to completely destroy the DNA, making reconstruction impossible. I’m betting the Collective weren’t too happy about that.”

He’d also bet they’d be sending their own private army after anyone attempting to free the killer. And nobody wanted to be targeted by the Corps, not even Rico.

Tannis strode in before he could ask any more questions. She ignored Skylar and perched on the seat next to Rico. Her eyes shone with excitement—the prospect of money always had that effect on her.

“I think you’re going soft, Rico.”

He grinned. “Honey, if you can find one soft spot on my body right now, you get another chance at that right fang.”

Her eyes drifted over his body, lingering on the bulge in his pants. She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you ever think of anything else?”

“Sometimes. But not often. So, what do you think?”

Tannis studied Skylar. “Do you believe her?”

“It makes sense. Not many people would go up against the Collective. Hell. Are you sure you want to? It’ll end your chances of getting the treatment if they find out.”

He knew Tannis’ ultimate aim was immortality, though he had serious doubts about how she would fit in with the Collective. No one, outside the Collective, knew how Meridian worked. The treatment appeared to have no outward physical effects other than turning the eyes a deep, inhuman violet, but it altered something fundamental inside the mind, forming a tight bond with the rest of the group. And Tannis was a loner.

She’d actually make a much better vampire than a Collective member. He bit back a grin as he attempted to visualize Tannis as a sex-crazed predator. It would almost be worth the risk of changing her just to see how she’d cope with that. In all the time he’d known her, she’d never taken a lover.

But Rico hadn’t changed anyone in over a thousand years, and he had no intention of doing so now.

“That might be true,” Tannis said. “But I’ll have no chance of getting the treatment if I don’t get the money. So we’ll just have to make sure they don’t find out.”

“The job’s still virtually impossible.”

As far as he was aware, no one had ever escaped the prison on Trakis One. Security was top of the range, as the prison held mostly the Collective’s prisoners, many incarcerated for attempting to break into the Meridian stores. It seemed ironic to Rico that most of them ended up surrounded by the stuff, laboring in the mines on Trakis Seven. Instead of the immortality they sought, they got a reduced lifespan due to overexposure—if they were lucky, they lasted two years. Though maybe lucky wasn’t the right word to use—he’d heard their slow death was far from pleasant.

Tannis interrupted his thoughts. “No job’s impossible. I say we go for it.”

Rico got up and paced the room. The prospect of an impossible job at least sounded a little bit more interesting than the smuggling jobs Tannis normally took on.

Skylar sat in her chair, hands clenched on her lap. “So you’ll do it?” she asked. “You’ll get Jonny back for me?”

Rico came to stand over her. This position gave him the perfect view of her cleavage, and the hunger rose inside him. The darkness had drawn back, the need to feed and kill receded until it was no more than a background buzz, but that didn’t mean he no longer wanted to taste her.

“Under certain conditions.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What conditions?”

“Well, you see, the problem is—money alone doesn’t interest me. So if I do this I want a reward.”

Tannis coughed behind him. He was quite aware how much money interested her. “A reward as well as the money,” he added.

“What do you want?” Skylar’s eyes narrowed.

“You, of course.”

“Me?” It came out as a squeak. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Me? I’m not sure I follow. Just how do you want me?

He smiled with a flash of fangs. “Every way there is, darling.”

. . .

Skylar licked her lips and stared into his eyes. She knew what he meant, and instead of the expected fear and revulsion, heat curled in the pit of her stomach. She took a deep breath. “Isn’t that sort of fatal?”

“Not necessarily.”

Not exactly a comforting answer, but did she have a choice?

“You get little Jonny for me first. Afterward…” she trailed off.

“Afterward,” he agreed, and she relaxed.

A small flicker of apprehension nudged at her mind, but she ignored it. She’d promised herself she’d do whatever was needed to get the job done. Besides, his crude demand for a “reward” eased her conscience slightly; once ‘little Jonny’ was out she doubted Rico would be in a position to collect anything.

Minutes later, they left, and Skylar stood alone, staring at the closed door. It seemed the job was back on track. If not quite as originally planned.

At least this way she could get out of this dress and these ludicrous high heels. The sooner the better. She crossed to the door and pressed her palm to the pad, but it didn’t respond. She had a momentary flash of panic, but she forced it down. They were just being cautious—they were unlikely to give her a free run of the ship until they trusted her a little more.

She went back to her seat and pressed the comm link.

Tannis answered. “Yes.”

“I was wondering if I could go back to my shuttle. Pick up some stuff. Get changed.”

“No problem. I’ll send someone to escort you.”

. . .

Skylar frowned down at the small figure standing in the open doorway, hands shoved in the pocket of his baggy pants. He wasn’t what she’d expected. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. After all, so far she’d met a hybrid and a—she stopped short, her mind still refusing to say the word. Anyway, this one appeared almost normal, like an ordinary young boy, though with his mop of dark red hair, skinny figure, and huge gray eyes, he seemed far too young to be on this sort of ship, exposed to these sorts of people.

“He’s a vampire, you know.” The boy spoke for the first time.

Skylar scowled. “Actually, I was sort of in denial about that bit, but thanks for spelling it out for me.”

The boy cocked his head to one side and examined her. “I just thought you should know. There might still be time for you to get off before he eats you.”

“I’m sure he’s not going to eat me,” Skylar replied. Actually, she wasn’t sure at all. Hadn’t she just agreed to let him?

“He always eats the pretty ones.”

“Always?”

He nodded solemnly. “I can stay outside when you get to your shuttle. I’ll tell them that you overpowered me. Maybe you could hit me or something, make it look like you knocked me out. You might get away.”

“Just who are you?”

“I’m Al, the cabin boy.”

“Well, Al, I don’t want to escape. Your captain’s going to help me save my little brother.”

“Oh. Well maybe the captain will keep you safe. She keeps the crew safe.”

“And who keeps Tannis safe?” Skylar couldn’t help the question. She’d been wondering about Rico’s relationship with his captain ever since she’d met them.

“Nobody,” Al replied. “Tannis can beat any old vampire.”

She could detect a good measure of hero-worship in his words.

Skylar shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but no can do. I told you, they’re going to help me save my brother.”

“It must be nice having a brother,” Al said, his tone wistful.

She heard the longing in his voice. “Do you have any family? Do they know where you are?”

“No. I’m an orphan.”

He sounded so forlorn that Skylar had to resist the urge to hug him. Instead, she followed him back the way she’d come.

“I’ll wait for you out here,” Al said at the entrance to her shuttle. “I’m to take you to the bridge afterward. The captain wants to talk to you.”

In the privacy of her shuttle, Skylar kicked off the ridiculous shoes and stripped off the dress, tossing it on the floor and heaving a huge sigh of relief. She pulled on a black jumpsuit made of a strong yet supple material and long boots, strapped a laser pistol to her waist, and began to feel almost normal. Finally, she pulled off the wig and ran a hand through her short blond hair.

When she came out of the shuttle, Al peered behind her as if looking for the “pretty” one, and she grinned.

Skylar had never been anyone’s idea of a “reward” before, and while her mind might balk at being treated like a pleasure provider, another part of her—mainly the part between her breasts and her knees—was secretly thrilled.

With her no-nonsense, military demeanor, she’d always had a tendency to intimidate men, and she’d found that useful. The laser pistol didn’t hurt either. Now, Skylar couldn’t wait to see if the sexy pilot was as easily frightened off.

In all likelihood, Rico would take one look at her and decide he didn’t want that reward after all.

Chapter Five

“You might want to change your mind about that reward,” Tannis murmured from beside him. “This one looks like she might fight back.”

“I don’t mind a good fight,” Rico drawled. “As long as I win.”

He swung his chair around and followed the line of her sight, his gaze settling on the tall figure in the doorway. He wouldn’t have recognized her if he hadn’t known what to look for.

The silver dress was gone and a black jumpsuit now hugged her tall, toned body. She walked with the lithe grace of a predator, one hand resting on the pistol at her thigh. The long, blond hair, which had done a lot to soften her features, was also gone. In its place was a severely short, almost military cut that emphasized the sharp cheekbones, and the large, almost beaky nose. Her dark blue eyes were the same though, as was the wide, red mouth. He dropped his gaze. There was no disguising the lush curve of those breasts either, and his body tightened at the sight.

She’d come to a halt in front of them, and he raised his eyes from her breasts to her face to find her frowning at him.

“Skylar,” he said, kicking out a chair and patting the seat. “Take a seat.”

She regarded him suspiciously for a moment and then sat.

“Quite a disguise you had there.”

“Part of my training,” she replied.

“Your rebel training?”

She nodded.

“Tell me. Why were you with the rebels? You seem a little too…”He studied her, trying to think of the correct word. Normal maybe, but he had an idea that Skylar was far from normal.

“Human?” She supplied for him. “I am. But my parents worked for one of the genetic engineering companies. They really believed humans could be improved by gene modification. They were killed in an attack on the facility. My brother and I escaped and were picked up by a rebel patrol—we’ve been with them ever since.”

“Hmm. So what else did they train you to do? What were you exactly?”

“Does it matter?”

“Humor us.”

He watched her closely. She appeared relaxed now, no hint of tension in her body or face. Either she was a very good actress, or she was telling the truth. After the failed bimbo disguise, he was pretty certain she must be telling the truth.

“I was a fighter pilot first, then a division leader.”

“Impressive.”

And it was. Those rebels were a tough lot; they had to be to survive with both the Collective and the Church after them. To get to division leader she had to be very tough herself. He liked that. It made the idea of her squirming beneath him, begging him to take her, all the more enticing. Maybe she’d try to shoot him. He’d have to restrain her—

“Rico!”

He came out of his daydream to find Tannis staring at him in exasperation.

“Get your mind out of your pants.”

“My mind wasn’t in my pants.”

She rolled her eyes. “Concentrate for just a few minutes.” She turned to Skylar. “Okay, what do you know?”

Skylar took a deep breath. “Jonny was taken just over a week ago. He was on Trakis Five. He did the job, but something went wrong. I don’t know what, but they caught him. He was classified as high priority—because of the Collective death—and they shipped him straight to Trakis One. I tried to see him before they took him, but—” She broke off and bit her lip. For the first time, Rico saw a hint of the vulnerability she had shown earlier. Maybe it hadn’t all been an act. “They must have rushed him through the system—he didn’t even get a proper hearing.”

“They never do with Collective cases,” Tannis said. “Do you know anything about where he’s being held?”

She nodded. “The rebels researched any possibility of getting him out. But when they learned he was in the high-security section, they said no way.”

“Great,” Tannis muttered. “The high-security section of a maximum-security prison. Maybe it is impossible.”

“Just think of the money,” Rico murmured.

“Oh, I am.” She turned back to Skylar. “That reminds me. I need you to set up the payments—I want half the fee now and the other half set up on a timed transfer for ten days’ time. We’ll be done by then, either that or locked up with little Jonny on Trakis One—headed for the Meridian mines.”

“Or dead,” Rico added cheerfully.

“Wow,” Tannis said. “I really hadn’t thought of that option.” She rose to her feet. “I’m going to talk to Janey. Get her working on the systems, see if we can’t find some intel on Trakis One. There has to be a weak link somewhere. We’ve got ten days to find it.” She glanced from him to Skylar. “You’ll look after our guest, Rico?”

“I’ll see to her every desire,” he replied.

“Yeah, I bet you will.” Tannis cast one last look at Skylar, shook her head, and headed for the door, muttering something not particularly complimentary about men as she stalked away.

. . .

Skylar waited until the captain left the bridge before turning to Rico. He settled back in his chair, watching her from hooded eyes. He appeared relaxed, but the air throbbed with tension, and a little trickle of apprehension washed through her.

She’d been so sure he’d lose interest once she was out of that stupid dress. But the expression on his face wasn’t intimidated or disinterested—it was hungry.

Nervous energy thrummed along her skin, and she jumped to her feet. “I’m going back to my shuttle to make that transfer.”

His lips curled into a lazy smile. “No need. We have guest quarters on board—you can do it from there.”

“But I—”

“I insist,” he said smoothly. “You’ll be much more comfortable than in your cramped little shuttle.”

She gritted her teeth and nodded.

“Just give me a minute.” Rico pressed the comm unit at his side. “Daisy,” he said. “Get up here. You’re driving.”

Skylar waited. She didn’t know whether to sit down again or remain standing. She wasn’t used to indecision; it wasn’t part of her nature. Rico appeared totally relaxed, if a little amused, and she shifted restlessly under his intense gaze. She admired the up-to-date equipment on the bridge and the gleaming black and silver décor, then she peeked sideways at Rico with his black clothes and silver weapons.

“Tell me,” she couldn’t resist asking, “do you dress to match the ship, or did you decorate the ship to match your wardrobe?”

He gave her another lazy smile and opened his mouth to answer when a woman appeared in the doorway. Skylar stared. The woman was green.

She hurried across to them as Rico rose to his feet. Skylar hadn’t realized earlier, but without her high heels, he loomed a good six inches over her.

“This is Daisy,” he said by way of introduction. “And this is Skylar. Skylar is our new client.”

Daisy appeared young, barely out of her teens, and she was dressed in all black, a sort of mini version of Rico, down to the knee-length boots. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She nodded at Skylar then turned to Rico. “You want me to drive?” Skylar could hear the suppressed excitement in her voice.

“I want you to sit in my chair and stare at that screen. Comm me if anything changes.”

Daisy grinned. “Sure, boss.”

Skylar peeked back over her shoulder as they left the bridge. She hadn’t wanted to stare, but she’d never seen anyone quite that green before. Skin like new leaves, hair of jade, and eyes the color of emeralds.

“She’s a plant hybrid,” Rico said as the door shut behind them.

“I’ve never seen one before.”

“There aren’t many left. The Church destroyed most of them in the Purge. Daisy escaped from a GM station just before it was attacked by religious fanatics. The rest, including her family, were murdered. By the time we picked up her pod in deep space, she’d been in cryo for years.”

“And you took her in?”

“Tannis took her in.” He shrugged. “Tannis is captain—the crew is her responsibility.”

Skylar raised an eyebrow. “So how come, if this is your ship, you’re not the captain?”

“I don’t want to be captain. I like living on the ship. It provides me with a safe haven and a quick escape if I need to get out of somewhere fast—”

“I bet that happens quite a lot,” she interrupted.

He smiled. “Occasionally, but I don’t want the responsibility. This works well for both of us. I like to keep my distance from the crew.”

“Why?”

“In case I ever have to…” he paused as he came to a halt outside a door and pressed his palm to the panel.

“Eat them?” she finished for him.

He flashed her a grin. “I don’t eat everyone I come into contact with—I’m very selective. But humans are fragile, and I’ve learned not to become too attached.”

The door slid open. Skylar hesitated, and Rico put his hand to the small of her back.

She jumped and forced a smile. “Thank you.”

His lips twitched. “I’ll come in for a minute and show you where everything is.” He applied a gentle pressure.

Skylar stood firm. “I’m sure I can find everything I need.”

He ignored her. “And make sure you have no problems with the transfer.”

“There won’t be any problems.”

The pressure increased. For a moment, Skylar resisted then gave a mental shrug and stepped inside.

Rico followed, and the door shut behind them. When she stepped away from him, his hand dropped to his side.

The cabin was big, luxurious even, with a large bed dominating the center of the quarters, a chair, and a desk. This was the first place on the ship she had seen any color—the room was decorated in shades of blue. Her favorite.

“Nice,” she said.

“It matches your eyes.”

Her gaze flew to his face. “How original,” she muttered.

“But true.”

For a minute, their eyes locked. His were dark, still amused, but with more than a hint of heat in their depths. A small fire blazed into life in her belly, and she started with uncomfortable shock. What was it with this guy? She’d never had problems like this before. She tore her gaze from his, took a deep breath. “Right then, I’ll do the transfer.”

He lounged, one shoulder against the wall, arms crossed, and watched while she took a seat at the desk and switched on the external comm unit.

It took only a few moments for the transfer to be completed, and she sat staring at the holographic screen. “There,” she said. “Done. You want to check?”

“I trust you.”

She glanced up in surprise. “You do?”

“Sure. We’re a team now.” Rico pushed himself from the wall. “Which calls for some sort of celebration.”

“The time for celebrating is when the job is done.”

“Aw, come on. Have a little drink with me.”

“A drink of what?”

. . .

Rico bit back a laugh. She clearly expected him to jump on her at any moment and latch onto that pretty neck. Not that the idea hadn’t occurred to him. With that thought, he had to push down the hunger. He didn’t want to scare her.

Well not just yet. He always found a little fear spiced up the blood.

It had been a long time since he’d wanted something this much. Maybe it was because she was an interesting combination of toughness and vulnerability. Earlier, he’d sensed her attraction and her confusion. She obviously wasn’t used to either feeling, and that intrigued him.

An impossible job and an intriguing woman—what more could a man ask for?

He unbuckled the strap that held his back scabbard and pulled it off, placing the sword on the floor.

Skylar stared at him suspiciously.

“Just getting comfortable,” he said.

He reached into his pocket and drew out a silver flask, held it up to her, and shook it so the liquid inside sloshed from side to side.

“Oh,” she muttered.

“You sound almost disappointed.”

She frowned. “Of course not.”

He pulled two glasses from the cabinet above the desk and poured them both a shot. Picking up his, he gestured to Skylar to do the same. She inspected the amber liquid as though she suspected it might be poison but lifted the glass to her lips and took a small sip. She blinked and put the glass down, her eyes watering.

“What is that stuff?” There was a slight squeak to her voice.

“Whiskey,” he said. “An old Earth drink. I get it made specially.”

He drained his glass and poured himself a second. Sinking onto the sofa opposite her, he watched as she took another tentative sip and licked a bead of whiskey from her lips. His gaze fixed on her mouth as the hunger stirred inside him. Leaning closer, he breathed in the scent of warm woman. “Tell me all about yourself, Skylar Rossaria.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

She was such a mass of contradictions, obviously trying hard to seem nonchalant and cool-headed—the hardened soldier, but Rico could hear the blood pounding in her veins. He leaned forward, and her rapid heartbeat rocketed.

“There’s always something to tell.”

She shrugged. “I told you everything you need to know.”

He angled his head to one side and studied her face. Dios, she was pretty, but her expression was blank, and he wondered what she was hiding and how hard he would have to press her to get the truth. He realized he didn’t want to force her. “Well, tell me something I’d like to know.”

Her arched brows drew together, and Rico got the distinct impression that social conversation was not something she indulged in often. Curious.

“Like what?” she asked.

“Hmm. How about, what did you like best about being in the rebel army?”

She thought for a moment. “The planning. I liked planning the operations.”

“Not shooting people? My guess is you’ve done quite a bit of shooting.”

“Why do you say that?”

He nodded at her hands clasped on her lap. “You have calluses on your palm and fingers.”

She squeezed her hands tighter. “How do you know?”

“I felt them straight away when we shook hands.”

“That’s what you were doing. I thought you were—”She trailed off, sounding almost disappointed.

Rico grinned. “Holding your hand? I was doing that as well, querida.”

She ignored the endearment and shrugged again. “I’ve been well-trained. I’m good.”

“I bet you are.” He tapped the seat beside him. “Why don’t you come and sit next to me and tell me what else you’re good at?”

Her gaze shot from the seat, to him, and back again. “I’m quite comfortable here, thank you.” Reaching out, she picked up her glass, swallowed the liquid in one gulp, and coughed. “Wow.” She picked up the silver flask, poured herself another measure. “Whiskey? From Earth? Another hobby of yours—the study of ancient human beverages?”

“Something like that,” he murmured, watching in amusement as she swallowed the second glassful. To someone not used to alcohol it could be potent stuff. He sat back and sipped his own drink, anticipating the exact moment the alcohol hit her bloodstream. She rose unsteadily to her feet, her gaze narrowing on the flask as if it were a gas grenade, primed and ready to explode. “Have you drugged me?”

“Not exactly.”

Her brow furrowed. “What does not exactly mean?” She reached out a hand and rested it on the desk, swaying a tad leeward. “I feel a little odd.”

Very few people had encountered alcohol—it had been banned in the early twenty-first century as detrimental to human life. Still, he’d never seen quite such a dramatic effect before. But then, he normally drank with Tannis, who could drink even him under the table. He got up and strode to where Skylar stood. She didn’t protest as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He sat down, settling her in his lap. The curve of her bottom pressed against his groin, and he rested his back against the wall, savoring the feel of her, hard yet soft in all the interesting places.

“Lie still,” he murmured. “You’ll feel better in a minute.”

She opened her eyes and blinked up at him. “What have you done to me?”

“Nothing on purpose. Don’t worry, the effect will pass.”

“It’s quite nice. I close my eyes and the world spins.”

“Haven’t you ever taken recreational drugs?”

She shook her head. “Never. My family would not have approved, and once I was in the army, they were banned. ”

“Well your family isn’t here now.”

“No, they’re not.” She sighed and wriggled against him. He was sure it was unintentional, but his body responded, his hips lifting.

She was drunk.

A better man wouldn’t take advantage of that fact. Sometimes he was inordinately pleased he was not a better man. He ran a finger under her chin, raised her head, and kissed her. Skylar didn’t move as he slipped his tongue between her lips. She tasted of whiskey and something else, something unique, but as divine as he’d expected, and he leisurely stroked his tongue along the length of hers, feeling her shiver in his arms.

She wriggled again, and this time he suspected it was intentional. Shifting in his arms, she straddled him, a knee on either side of his hips, pressing herself down, rubbing against him until his cock ached with need.

He instinctively pushed up against her, and she moaned low in her throat.

At the throaty purr, desire burned in his belly, his gums ached. He wanted nothing more than to toss her on her back and take her in every way possible, but something held him back. Some crazy need to know this wasn’t entirely because of the alcohol she had consumed. He went still as shock hit him in the gut.

What a goddamn stupid time to develop a conscience.

She scattered small kisses across his face and throat, her fingers biting into his shoulders. It took her a minute to realize he wasn’t responding, and then she drew back from him. “You’ve stopped.”

Rico studied her. Her cheeks were flushed and a small pulse throbbed in her throat, but her eyes were clear. “How do you feel?”

She sat back on her heels, a confused frown furrowing her brow as she considered her answer. Her gaze wandered over him, and a slow smile spread across her face. “I feel wonderful.”

Chapter Six

His eyes widened in surprise at her answer.

She’d shocked him. Good!

But the truth was, she did feel wonderful. While the initial dizziness had passed, her blood still buzzed. She knew it was the aftereffects of the whiskey Rico had given her, but she wasn’t sure she cared. It was as though her body had sprung into life after a long, deep sleep.

All the same, she ran a quick internal analysis, identifying the chemicals in her system. They would only take moments to eliminate.

But she hesitated.

Rico had made it clear he wanted her from the moment they’d met. And Skylar was honest enough to admit, to herself at least, that she wasn’t totally immune to his charms. But she was a soldier, and she’d had every intention of keeping her mind, and the rest of her, firmly fixed on her mission.

Right up until five minutes ago.

Now, with this lovely buzzing in her blood and Rico’s hard sex pressing against her, taunting her with delicious possibilities, she was rethinking her strategy. After all, she was working undercover. Maybe she didn’t have to be quite so rigid in her attitudes. And wasn’t that the key to being a successful operative—the ability to adapt your approach to changing circumstances?

As long as she stayed in control of the situation, why couldn’t she have this one time? It wasn’t outside the parameters of her character, and she could always say afterwards that she’d been under the influence. Perhaps she could even accuse Rico of taking advantage. Skylar had to bite back a smile at the idea. She had a strong suspicion he wouldn’t mind the accusation, possibly even reveling in the slight.

How long had it been since she’d kissed a man? How long since she’d even wanted to? So many years she couldn’t remember. But then, having a whole load of people in your head could be inhibiting.

Now she didn’t feel self-conscious. She felt wild and hot, every nerve ending sensitized.

A vague doubt nagged at her, but she shoved it aside. Rico Sanchez was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Looking into that hard, handsome face sent frissons of pleasure shivering over her skin, tightening the hard knot of desire in her belly. The taste of him lingered on her tongue, her breasts ached, her sex swollen with need.

She shifted slightly, so the rigid line of his erection pressed more firmly against her core, and the knot unraveled, her insides melting.

She tried the movement again, and flames licked through her, burning along her nerves, settling between her thighs. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the sensations, rocking herself against him. So close.

“You don’t feel lightheaded?”

The question broke her concentration, and her lids fluttered open. Rico was watching her, his brows drawn together.

“My head feels fine.” She moved in closer to kiss him, but his hands gripped her shoulders and fended her off.

What the hell? He’d come on to her strong; now he watched her as though he didn’t quite understand what was going on. Maybe he was one of those guys who liked to make all the moves.

“How about the rest of you?” he asked.

Gritting her teeth, she forced a smile. “The rest of me is fine as well.”

“You’re not disorientated? You know what you’re doing?”

She rolled her eyes. “Well I thought I did, though I have to admit it’s been a while.” A horrible idea occurred to her. “Is this some weird vampire shit? Do vampires even have sex? Everlasting Hell, don’t tell me you’re impotent.”

“Impotent?” He repeated the word as though he wasn’t sure what it meant.

“Please don’t tell me the big come-on is all an act—you’re overcompensating for the fact that you can’t actually do it.”

Skylar couldn’t believe the disappointment that swamped her while her body still screamed for release. She tried to back away, but his grip tightened, squeezing her arms and holding her in place.

“Impotent?” His tone was incredulous, outraged. He flexed his hips, pushing his erection against her as if to prove his point. “I am not impotent. I have sex. Hot, sweaty, liquefying sex. And I have it often.”

Her body reacted predictably to each word, and she rubbed up against his hard body again. “Terrific news.”

His hands shifted from her shoulders to the neck of her jumpsuit, and he pushed down the fastener. Swift fingers snagged on the weapons’ belt at her waist, and she didn’t protest when he flipped the catch and placed the belt on the table beside them.

He slid his cool hands up her ribcage, parted the material, and cupped her full breasts in his palms. He lifted them and lowered his head, drawing one nipple into his fiery mouth. Hard. Nipping and sucking with raw hunger. The sensation was exquisite, and a low whimper escaped her throat as pleasure exploded inside her, shooting from her breasts to her groin.

Her fingers burrowed beneath his silky hair, pulling it free from the band and pressing his head roughly against her chest, and everything fled her mind but his hot, wet mouth on her breasts.

After long minutes, he pulled back, his eyes dark with passion. In one fluid movement, he picked her up and swung her beneath his body, his weight pressing her into the softness of the bed. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he attacked her other breast with uncontrolled need, with single-minded focus, with a desperation she’d never known.

Her blood roared in her ears, and she raised her hips, as he tugged the jumpsuit down to her thighs, then pulled off her boots, quickly followed by the rest of her clothes.

He ran a hand from her breast to the mound at the base of her belly, and then lower, slipping a finger between the folds of her sex to find her already hot and wet. He moistened the tip of his finger and flirted with the tight little nub at her core until her legs fell open for him. He withdrew, and she moaned. Ignoring the sound, hetraced a path down over her inner thigh.

“Did you know, you have a vein, right here,” he murmured.

“A vein?”

He rubbed his thumb over the spot. “Let me taste you, get to know you. I can tell a lot from a tiny sip of your blood.”

She went still at his words. Fear forced itself beyond the pleasure-induced haze fogging her brain. “What—what can you tell?”

He shrugged, casually tracing his finger up and down the vein. “How old you are, whether you’re a hybrid or even a clone.”

Panic flared.

“No, wait, I don’t—”

“Shh, it won’t hurt. You’ll like it, I promise.”

She scooted up the bed away from him. “We agreed—after the rescue.”

For a moment, she thought he’d force the issue and she braced herself to fight. Instead, he stroked his hand back up her thigh, dipped inside her, teasing lazy circles around her clit, never quite touching. She couldn’t help herself, she laid back, her hips rising, her thighs widening. “Oh God, that feels good.”

“This will feel even better.” He leaned down to stroke her with his tongue, hot wet velvet, and she exploded with pleasure. Her whole body arched off the bed. His hands tightened on her hips, his hard fingers biting into her flesh, and he held her in place while his clever mouth played her with lingering strokes of his tongue. When the tremors eased, he bit down lightly, and this time she threw back her head and screamed.

She must have blacked out. When she came around, he was crouched over her body, kissing her breasts, nuzzling her throat. Her limbs felt boneless; she never wanted to move again.

The sharpness of his fangs grazed her skin.

“No.” The word came out as a squeak.

“You don’t mean that,” he whispered against her skin.

“I do.” She cleared her throat. “Yes, I do.”

“You’ll enjoy it, I promise.”

Skylar did her best to ignore the husky cajoling tone of his voice, warm and intoxicating as the whiskey he’d given her earlier. Maybe she would enjoy it, but that was beside the point. If he’d told the truth, one taste of her blood and he’d know everything and the mission would be over. Her first mission in her new job—a total failure, and all her own stupid fault.

So much for staying in control.

She tried to concentrate, but it was impossible with Rico stroking her thighs and murmuring against her skin all the things he planned to do to her.

She had to get out of there, but she was no longer sure he would let her go. What did she really know of him? He was trying seduction right now, but that might change if she didn’t give him what he wanted, and she couldn’t risk him taking her blood by force. No, she needed a plan.

He nipped at the sensitive spot where her shoulder met her throat. “Relax, querida, and I promise you’ll soon be begging for more.”

No doubt she would, in fact the words hovered on her lips.

Think dammit.

Why the hell hadn’t they trained her to cope with situations like this back at the academy? Perhaps she’d suggest it if she got out of here in one piece—how to deal with a vampire who’s just given you the most mind-blowing orgasm of your life and now wants to drink your blood.

A hysterical giggle rose up as she imagined the colonel’s response. But at the thought of the colonel, a possible way out managed to dredge itself free from the primordial sludge her brain had been reduced to. It wasn’t a perfect plan and might break her cover, but it was a risk she had to take. Opening her internal comm link, she sent out a quick message and prayed they’d respond before she started that begging.

Rico raised his head. His gaze met hers, his eyes glowing as he drew back like a coiled snake preparing to strike.

Holy Meridian. She’d run out of time. Do something.

Gathering her strength, she pushed against him. He was inhumanly strong but she managed to wriggle a hand between them and shoved him hard. He rolled off her onto his back, and she twisted quickly so she lay on top of him.

He growled low in his throat. “What—?”

“Just returning the favor. “She ran her hand over his lean belly, flicked open the button on his pants and lowered the zip. Moving quickly, she pushed her hand inside and wrapped her fingers around the length of him. He was huge and hard, velvet and steel, and despite the imminent danger, a familiar pulse started between her thighs.

He wasn’t fighting now. His eyes were half-closed, his breathing shallow. She slid off him to kneel at his side, still grasping him in her tight fist. He lifted his hips, and she pushed down his pants. Bending over him, she blew gently on the swollen tip of his shaft just as the whole ship leapt sideways.

The force flung Skylar from the bed. Rico landed on top of her in a tangle of limbs. For a moment, they lay there, then Rico twisted free and pressed the comm link on his wrist.

“Daisy, what the fuck is going on?”

Tannis answered. “Put your dick back in your pants and get up here. Now.”

He frowned. “Are you watching us?”

“Not through choice—believe me—but we need you up here. We’ve got company.”

He sighed and got to his feet. Skylar still lay sprawled on the floor, and he reached down, picked her up, and dropped her on the center of the bed.

“I’ll be back.” And with that prophetic declaration, he jerked his pants up and left.

Skylar stared at the closed door. What the hell had just nearly happened?

She got to her feet and swayed, reaching out to balance herself.

Her body felt strange. It had been a long time. A very long time. Even so, how had she let things go so far, so fast? She shook her head and reached for her jumpsuit. Yanking it on, she jerked the fastener up to her neck then pulled on her boots. She picked up the weapons belt—she couldn’t believe she had let him strip her of her weapons. Her clothes perhaps, but her gun?

She strapped it back on and felt immediately better.

Her eyes settled on the glass on the table. She picked it up and sniffed, wishing she could blame the drink, knowing she couldn’t. The whiskey was well and truly gone from her system now, and all she could think was she’d been an idiot, like some sex-starved vampire groupie. She slammed the glass back down.

No more cozy little drinking sessions with the vampire. She needed to make sure she kept her distance from now on. She wasn’t sure what he would pick up from tasting her blood, but she couldn’t risk letting her guard down again. However good it had felt. Her future depended on it.

She pressed her palm to the lock, and to her surprise, the door slid open. Al was leaning against the wall outside, obviously waiting for her.

“The captain said I was to take you to the bridge once you’d got some clothes on.”

Skylar’s eyes narrowed on the small figure. “How did you know I didn’t have any clothes on?”

She remembered Rico’s comment on the comm unit about watching him. She’d sort of blanked it out at the time. Holy fucking Meridian.

“Tell me you didn’t all—” She trailed off as Al nodded his head solemnly.

“It wasn’t the captain’s fault. She needed to get hold of Rico fast and….” He shrugged one narrow shoulder.

“Tell me you didn’t see.”

“It came up on the monitors,” Al replied. “But I closed my eyes. Tight.”

“Shit.” For a moment, her lashes fluttered closed, but things weren’t going to get any better by putting them off. A wave of anger washed over her—why the hell hadn’t Rico switched off the visual monitors before giving her his mojo lust drink? If this were some sort of planned entertainment for the crew, she’d kill him. And to think she almost gave in…

She squared her shoulders and stalked off, leaving Al to follow or not.

Another shot hit the ship, hurling her against the wall. She rubbed her elbow, picked herself up, and hurried to the bridge.

Everyone appeared amazingly calm considering they were under attack. Rico lounged in the pilot’s seat, talking to Daisy.

“It came out of nowhere,” she said.

“Intergalactic space cruisers do not come out of nowhere.”

“Well, this one did.”

Skylar studied the monitor. The image of a ship nearly twice the size of the El Cazador and with ten times the firepower filled the screen. It was coming round on them once more, and she quickly found something to grab hold of. This time she managed to stay upright.

Rico swore loudly. “Don’t let go of whatever you’re holding on to,” he said, and deftly maneuvered the ship with a hard bank down and left, darting around so he came up behind the space cruiser. He hit the fire switch and the laser guns blasted the other ship. It was a direct hit, and the ship veered away, disappearing from the screen.

“That should keep them for a minute or two.” They waited in silence, but the screen remained blank.

“It’s gone,” Daisy said.

Tannis stepped up closer to stare over Rico’s shoulder at the screens. “What do you mean ‘gone’?”

“Vanished.”

“Intergalactic space cruisers do not just vanish.”

“Well, this one did,” Daisy said.

“What’s going on?” Skylar asked.

Tannis turned to look at her. “I don’t know. We seem to have attracted the attention of a Collective cruiser. It came out of nowhere and now it’s disappeared.” She peered at Skylar suspiciously. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

“Like what?”

“Like the fact that you’ve got the Collective on your tail.”

“I made no secret of the fact that I’m with the rebels and wanted by the Collective. But do you really think that if they knew I was on board, they would shoot a few times and then vanish?”

The yellow eyes seemed to bore through her. Skylar held her gaze, keeping her expression guileless.

“She’s right,” Rico spoke into the silence. “If they knew we had a rebel on the Cazador, we’d be boarded by now.”

“I still don’t like it.”

Rico punched something into the console in front of him and shook his head. “They’re definitely gone. Was there any damage?”

“None,” Daisy said. “The shields took the impact. It’s as if they were playing with us. As if they didn’t want to do any actual damage.”

“So what did they want?” Tannis asked.

Rico shrugged. “Get our attention maybe. Whatever, it’s time to get out of here.” Skylar stalked over to him and he swiveled in his chair and rose to his feet. “Hey, sweetheart—did you miss me?”

At the endearment, her fury rose again. She drew back her fist and punched him in the mouth.

“Ow,” she muttered, shaking her hand.

She glanced into Rico’s face and took a step back. A glint of ruby gleamed out from behind his half-closed lashes. A drop of blood beaded on his lower lip. He licked it slowly with his tongue then rose to his feet to tower over her. His lips peeled back in a snarl to reveal razor sharp fangs.

The sight just made her madder—those damn fangs had gotten her into this mess in the first place—it was about time he learned to keep them to himself. Skylar’s hand went to the laser pistol at her hip, and his gaze dropped to follow the movement. She took a deep calming breath and kicked out with her booted foot. She connected with his thigh and swept his legs from under him so he crashed to the floor. Drawing the laser pistol in one fluid move, she stood over him, the pistol aimed at his heart.

He stared up at her for long moments before the tension oozed from his body. He reached up and stroked his finger over his mouth where her fist had connected.

“Hey, I promised to come back.”

“You knew they could see us.” Her eyes narrowed on him, and her finger tightened on the trigger.

He looked at the gun and back at her face. “Maybe, but I didn’t know they would look. And that gun won’t stop me, but it will hurt, so I suggest you think twice before you piss me off any more than you have already.”

She held her stance for a minute longer, just to prove she could, then lowered the pistol and shoved it back in the holster. Rico rose gracefully, brushing himself off.

His gaze settling on Tannis, who stood propped against the wall, grinning. “Thanks, captain, it was good of you to jump to my rescue.”

She lifted one shoulder carelessly. “You’re alive, aren’t you? Now do you think you could get us out of here before that space cruiser decides to come back and take us out after all?”

Skylar stepped out of the way, and they prepared to make the jump. Tannis came to stand beside her.

“Hey, don’t feel bad about it.”

Skylar scowled. “About what?”

“Getting naked and sweaty with Rico.”

“Thanks for reminding me.”

“You’d forgotten? Would you like a look at the surveillance feeds?”

Skylar didn’t answer.

“Mind you,” Tannis said, “I’ve never known him to make a move quite that fast.”

Skylar heaved a huge sigh of irritation. “Your point is?”

“I’m just saying he’s a vampire.” Tannis leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Apparently, if he doesn’t get sex on a regular basis, he goes all dark and scary.”

Skylar stared at her hard, trying to tell if she was joking, but Tannis’ face was as deadpan as usual.

“Also,” Tannis continued, “they have this whole seduction thing going. Helps them catch their prey, apparently, if everyone’s trying to jump their bones.”

“I was not trying to jump his bones.”

“No? Sure you wouldn’t like a look at those feeds? I could have sworn….” She grinned.

Skylar resisted the urge to pull her pistol again and instead changed the subject. “Have you come up with a plan yet?”

“You’re a cool one,” Tannis murmured. “I’m not sure what to make of you. I don’t quite trust you, but I have no clue what your angle could be. I can’t even begin to guess what you might be after.”

“I just want to free my brother.”

“Hmm. Let’s hope so, but double-cross us and Rico will be the least of your worries.”

She gave Skylar one last long look then strode across the bridge, one hand resting on her laser pistol. At the door, she turned to face the room. “I suggest we get moving towards the Trakis system. We have ten days to make this happen.”

“And where are you going, captain?” Rico asked.

“I’m going to come up with that plan.”

Chapter Seven

Skylar was hungry.

At least she presumed that’s what the hollow sensation in the pit of her stomach was telling her. It was weird—as though her appetites, long suppressed, were coming to life.

All her appetites.

An image of Rico flashed through her mind, and she shifted on the bed, her thighs clenching as she remembered the feel of his mouth and hands on her breasts, between her legs….

Oh God. Maybe food would take her mind off sex.

But as well as food, she wanted company, real company.

Last night, her first night on board, she’d pleaded exhaustion, and Al had brought her a tray to eat in her room. Maybe tonight, he would stay and talk while she ate. Tell her about Rico.

Rico again. She was obsessed. She had to get her mind off him and his hands and his mouth and his tongue and….

A light tap on the door interrupted her thoughts. She leaped up, crossed the room, and peered into the viewer. Al stood outside, shifting from foot to foot. Tonight, he didn’t carry a tray, and Skylar’s stomach rumbled in protest.

She pressed her palm to the panel and the door slid open.

Al shoved his hands in his pockets. “Captain Tannis says if you want to eat, you have to join us in the galley.”

“I—”

“She said that anyone who thinks they’re too good to eat with her crew could go hungry.”

“But—”

“So are you coming? The vampire won’t be there. Vampires don’t eat—not food, anyway.”

Skylar made a swift decision, nodded, and followed Al down the corridor. He stopped before they reached the galley and turned to her. “You know, if you’re worried about the vampire, I can protect you.”

Skylar managed to keep a straight face. “You can? Don’t you have work to do?”

Al nodded. “But when I’m busy, one of the others could take over.” He chewed on his lower lip. “You’d probably have to pay them though.”

“You think it would be worth it?”

“Oh, yeah. He won’t try anything when one of the crew is around. He promised the captain. You’ll be safe.”

Skylar wasn’t really afraid Rico would snack on her against her will. On the other hand, after their previous up-close encounter, she wasn’t sure just how much against her will it would be. Besides, it was clear Al wasn’t going to be satisfied until he felt she was safe. “That’s great. You organize it, and I’ll pay.”

The galley lay right at the center of the ship. The scent of food wafted from the room, and her stomach rumbled again. A large oval table took up most of the floor space, and a bank of food dispensers stood against one wall. Four people sat around the table. They looked up as Skylar hovered in the doorway.

“Good of you to join us,” Tannis said.

Skylar managed not to wince at the sarcastic tone. Instead, she curled her lips in the semblance of a smile. “My pleasure.”

Next to Tannis sat a woman Skylar hadn’t met before. She was perfect, from her tawny gold hair to the elegant black dress to the silver high heels, which looked right at home on the end of her slender legs. Skylar bet this woman never tripped over her feet.

“I’m Janey,” she said with an easy smile. “I look after the systems around here. Daisy you’ve already met, and”—she waved her fork at the man next to her—“this is the Trog. He’s our engineer. He doesn’t talk much, so don’t try and engage him in conversation.”

The Trog lifted his head and grunted. He appeared wholly human, but it was hard to tell anything beneath the shaggy mop of dark blond hair.

Skylar smiled in greeting and slipped into a chair. Al handed her a disposable tray of food, and Skylar kept her head down as she ate. After a few minutes, the conversation started up again, and she let it flow over her. The food was good, some sort of beef stew, and it tasted almost real. Finally, she put her fork down and sat back replete, to find everyone watching her. Everyone except Al, who jumped to his feet and started clearing the trays, depositing them down the recycling shoot.

Their gazes shifted to focus on something behind her. Skylar peeked over her shoulder, and the air seemed to leave the room. Rico’s lean figure lounged in the open doorway, enticingly rumpled, still in his usual black pants and shirt, but his weapons were gone, his feet were bare, and his dark hair hung loose around his shoulders. A whole new kind of hunger rumbled in her belly.

His lips curved into a slow smile, and he sauntered into the room. He touched her lightly on the shoulder as he passed, and a shiver prickled across her skin, her breath catching in her throat. He held something in his hand—a small rectangular object that he placed on the table in front of him as he sank into the chair opposite.

Skylar pushed herself to her feet. “Thanks for the food,” she said to the room in general.

Rico watched her sleepily. “Stay,” he murmured. When she didn’t move, he tilted his head to the side and studied her. “What can happen with everyone here?”

Tannis snorted, but Skylar ignored the sound, concentrating on Rico. He leaned in closer. “I won’t bite, and I’m lonely and feeling nostalgic. I thought we might play an old Earth game.” He glanced around at the others. “All of us.”

Skylar realized she wanted to stay. Everyone else appeared relaxed; Janey and Daisy were staring at Rico with something approaching hero worship. Tannis was actually smiling.

What harm could it do?

“Come on, Skylar, you know you want to play with me.” Rico’s tone was low and dark and ignited a fire deep inside her.

The flare of heat reminded her that he was dangerous—that she couldn’t trust herself around him and that she should get the hell out of there. Instead, she slowly sank into her chair. “What are we playing?”

He grinned. “Seven-card stud. A game I learned when I lived in the Wild West. Around a thousand years ago, give or take a couple of hundred.”

“I’ve read about the Wild West,” Daisy said, eyes wide. “Were you a cowboy?”

Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “I’m a vampire, honey, and there aren’t too many cows that need chasing at night.” He relaxed in his chair. “So this,” he said, picking up the box in front of him, “is a deck of cards.”

. . .

It was true, he had been feeling nostalgic—a new experience for him. He suspected Skylar was the cause, but had no clue why she affected him so profoundly. After she’d punched him yesterday, he’d decided to give her a little space. But all day, he’d had to fight the urge to hunt her down—not for sex, or food—but just to spend time with her, to get to know her. A loner by nature, he couldn’t understand what drew him to Skylar.

She was a mystery. A tough, highly trained soldier whom occasionally revealed flashes of vulnerability. A beautiful woman almost unaware of her own sexuality.

He’d managed to resist until tonight, when he’d been lying alone in his cabin, restless, unable to settle, and suddenly he’d craved company. One person’s company in particular, but he’d put up with the rest of the crew, if that were what was needed to put Skylar at ease.

He caught her gaze, and her lips curved into a sweet smile. He’d bet it was the first genuine smile he’d seen on her face, and it twisted something deep inside his chest. He had a sudden desire to see her laugh, to break down the natural reserve that hung about her like a protective shield.

“Gather around, children,” he said. “I’m going to teach you everything I know—which is a lot—so pay attention.” He shuffled the cards. “And if you’re really good, tomorrow night, I might teach you a variation.”

Daisy giggled. “What’s that?”

“Strip poker—I’ll leave the details to your imaginations. But for tonight we’re going to bet with these.” He took a worn leather pouch out of his pocket and emptied it onto the table. A stream of sparkling gemstones glittered against the matte black metal.

He picked up a stone from the glittering pile and held it up to Skylar. “Did you know, back on Earth, men would give one of these to the woman they wanted to marry, and she’d wear it on her finger for all to see.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Another old Earth custom?”

“Yes.” Reaching across the table, he picked up her left hand. “This is your ring finger. Folklore has it that the fourth finger of the left hand has a vein leading directly to the heart. The ring was supposed to symbolize eternal love.” He held her gaze, as he rubbed the pad of his thumb across her palm. A shudder ran through her. She pulled her hand free and placed it on her lap, out of reach.

“Eternal love? How sweet.” Tannis spoke from beside him, and he turned reluctantly to face her. “Did you give your wife a ring?” she asked.

“I did—an emerald—green like her eyes.”

Daisy perked up. “Like mine?”

He bit back a smile. He doubted anyone had eyes or anything else quite as green as Daisy. “Just like yours.”

He wondered whether Skylar would ask about his wife, wondered whether he would answer if she did. But except for a slight widening of her eyes, she made no response.

He toyed with the stone he’d picked up, rubbing it between his finger and thumb. It wasn’t an emerald, but a deep purple amethyst, glowing with violet fire. He tossed it toward Skylar, and she caught it in her hand and closed her fist around it.

“Pretty,” Janey murmured, picking up a diamond and holding it up to the light.

“And unfortunately, totally worthless. But these were once quite valuable—a souvenir from my days as a real pirate.”

“A real pirate? On a ship sailing across oceans?”

“I was, and an excellent one. Unlike cows, it’s quite easy to chase ships in the dark.” He split the stones into piles, pushed one toward Skylar, his fingers lightly grazing hers as she took them. She jumped as though a shock had run through her, and a little glow of satisfaction warmed him—definitely not immune. “Let’s play.”

He dealt two cards down, one up. “Now, you can look at your cards, but don’t let anyone else see them.” He glanced across at Skylar. “And no peeking. Any cheating will be severely punished.”

She smiled again, and the glow burst into flames. No, he didn’t understand what attracted him to Skylar and he still had some serious reservations about her story, but they just added to the intrigue, made her that little bit more fascinating. He looked forward to unraveling the mystery, discovering what was beneath the lies and evasions.

But not tonight. Pushing the thoughts aside, he settled down to the considerable challenge of making Skylar Rossaria laugh.

Chapter Eight

Rico settled back in his seat, raised his arms above his head, and stretched. They’d been poring over intel on Trakis One for the last few hours. So far they’d found nothing of any use.

He looked up to find Skylar’s gaze on him, and he stretched again, liking the way she ate him up with her eyes. She’d been on board five days, and somehow she’d managed to avoid being alone with him in all that time, though she was happy enough to spend the evenings with him and the rest of the crew. He’d even managed to make her laugh a few times.

He kept the atmosphere during those games with the crew light, but beneath the banter, he was surprised to realize he was telling her about himself, revealing things he hadn’t thought about in years—if ever. He wanted her to know who he was. What he was. And he wanted to get to know her, too. She was relaxing, but she was still something of an enigma. And if he tried to get her alone, she’d vanish, or someone else would miraculously appear and demand her attention.

It was actually quite impressive.

She wanted him. He was sure of it. But she had amazing willpower. He would have pushed it, but he was interested to see how it would play out, and he would get her in the end. A deal was a deal.

“If you could stop thinking about sex, you might manage to work out a way for us to get into this stupid prison,” Tannis said from beside him.

He grinned and topped off her glass then held the silver flask up to Skylar. She shook her head, but changed her mind and nodded. Interesting, another thing she’d avoided since their encounter. Maybe she was willing to loosen up a little.

She sipped the drink, barely even grimaced. “It’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“Nothing’s impossible,” Tannis replied. “It’s just difficult. There’s a way. We just haven’t found it yet.”

Skylar rose to her feet and paced, running her hand through her short hair. Finally, she thumped into her chair, filled her glass, and sat back. Tannis reached across to pour herself more but found the flask empty. She stood up. “Got anymore of this stuff?”

“In my cabin. Do you want me to go?”

“No, you look far too comfortable. I won’t be long.” Her gaze darted between the two of them. “Be good.”

Rico turned to Skylar as the door slid shut behind Tannis. “Alone at last.” Skylar didn’t respond. Instead, she gazed into space. After a minute, she looked at him, studying him closely.

“So what exactly are you?” she asked.

The question took him by surprise. Not many people wanted to know the details. Either that, or they never quite got up the nerve to ask. But the one thing Skylar did not lack was nerve.

“That’s a broad question.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“I’ll tell you what—I’ll answer a question of yours, and afterwards, you answer one of mine.”

She shrugged. “Why not? Me first. So—what are you?”

“You know what I am.”

“You’re a—” she paused, obviously still having problems with the word, “—vampire.” She thought for a moment. “Were you ever human?”

He nodded. “My turn. How old are you?”

She hesitated, which was interesting. “Thirty-two. How old are you?”

He had to calculate his answer; it had been many years since he’d given it any thought. “One-thousand, five-hundred and ninety-six.”

Her eyes widened. “Wow, that’s old.”

“I was born in 1452 back on Earth. There, that was a bonus answer. My question now. Why are you avoiding me?”

Her brows drew together at the question. “I don’t like losing control.”

Rico was sure her answer was part of the truth, but not all of it. He shrugged; he would uncover her secrets in the end. “Your turn.”

“How often do you need to drink? I mean are you hungry right now?”

“No, I’m not hungry. I can go a long time between feeding. That doesn’t mean to say I wouldn’t drink if it was offered.”

She bit her lip. “And do you kill your victims?”

He smiled, his lips drawing back to give her a flash of fangs. “Sometimes.”

. . .

The answer took Skylar by surprise. She’d been expecting him to evade the question.

“Well, that’s honest,” she murmured. She couldn’t get over how old he was—far older than any of the Collective.

He rose gracefully to his feet, then crossed the room toward her, and every one of her senses went on high alert.

By careful planning, and a lot of help from Al and the rest of the crew, she’d managed to avoid being alone with him over the past few days. Perhaps she should make an excuse and get out of here now. But a reckless excitement was stirring inside her. She’d lived under such strict rules and constant supervision for so long, and the last few days had been a revelation. Sometimes she felt as though she was a stranger, waking up from a deep sleep. She hadn’t realized how repressed she had been. She’d thought she was doing what she wanted, and now doubts niggled at her subconscious.

Plus, and she was finally going to be honest with herself, she couldn’t stop thinking about sex. For years, she hadn’t given it more than a passing thought, but now it plagued her. Tannis had hinted that vampires had some sort of powers that made people want them—maybe that’s all this was. Purely a predator-prey thing.

That didn’t stop her nipples from tightening as he stepped around her chair and came to a halt behind her. She stared straight ahead, her body rigid with anticipation as his hands slid over her shoulders. His fingers dug deep into the knotted muscle.

“You’re tense,” he murmured, lowering his head so his cool breath brushed the back of her neck. Shivers of pleasure rippled down her spine, settling in the base of her belly, and she had to shake herself mentally in order to concentrate.

“Er, you’ve just told me you kill your prey—sorry—sometimes kill your prey, and now you’re sniffing at me like I smell good enough to eat.”

“You do smell good enough to eat.” He breathed in deeply. “And while I do sometimes kill my prey, I very rarely kill my lovers.” He kissed her ear, his moist tongue dipping inside, and she closed her eyes to savor the sensation. “So why don’t we fuck now,” he whispered, “and you can stop worrying about it.”

Oh, God.

He kissed her neck, and it felt so damned good, tracing little patterns with his tongue across her sensitive flesh, his strong hands kneading her shoulders. Her head fell to the side to give him better access, and his hands slid down from her shoulders to cup her breasts. Her eyes shot open, and she stared at his hands, the skin pale against the black of her jumpsuit. His fingers brushed over her nipples, massaging her breasts until she was squirming in her seat, pressing her thighs together to intensify the craving burning through her.

“What do you say, Skylar?”

She couldn’t say anything, even when his hand glided to the fastener at her neck and slid it down. She needed to feel him touch her skin. His hand squeezed her bare breast as his mouth left her neck. She let out a little groan of dismay, but he kissed along her jaw line, small teasing kisses. At last, his mouth was on hers, and his tongue pushed inside as he took one swollen nipple between his finger and thumb and pinched it sharply. Pleasure and pain shot through her. Her hips rose from the seat, her head arching back as he swallowed her groan.

“Did you like that?” He soothed the sensitized nipple with his palm, before pinching again, harder this time. Wet heat flooded her core as a deep, scorching need flared to life inside her.

His hand slid over her stomach, his fingers flirting with her navel, then lower, and everything inside her clenched up tight.

“Great,” Tannis said from the doorway. “Nice to see you’re being ‘good’.”

Rico’s hand went still against her. Skylar closed her eyes, fighting the urge to scream her frustration. When she opened them, Tannis was still there, staring at the two of them with irritation flaring in her yellow eyes.

Skylar reached up, pried Rico’s hand from her body, and jerked up the fastener. She didn’t move as Tannis crossed the room, sat back down, and filled up all three glasses from the flask in her hand. When Skylar was sure her own hand would be steady, she picked up her glass and swallowed the burning liquid in one gulp. The warmth spread through her, seeping into the cold corners, and she held out her glass for more.

“Right,” she said, as Tannis poured the whiskey, “let’s go through the intel one more time.”

Tannis raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

Skylar avoided looking at Rico as he sat down next to Tannis. Instead, she opened her palm screen and scanned through the information, forcing her mind to function and hunt for flaws in the security. She was impressed by the amount of information they had managed to dredge up on a classified institution. There were obviously a whole load of leaks out there somewhere.

After a few minutes, she frowned. “It says here there are no guards.”

“They don’t need guards,” Rico said.

“Actually,” Tannis said, “they have guards on the outer perimeter, but not in the high-security section where your brother is being kept.”

Skylar frowned. “That doesn’t seem right.”

“Yes it does. The high-security section doesn’t need guards because the prisoners are all kept in cryo. Not much chance for a breakout when you’re unconscious.”

“What about breaking in?”

“Not much chance of that, either. The main problem is the planet itself. It’s part of the Trakis system and close to the mines, but it’s also almost impossible to approach.” Tannis switched on the main screen, and a group of planets appeared, revolving in a complicated pattern of orbits around a number of suns. Skylar recognized them as the Trakis system—pretty much the center of the universe since Meridian had been discovered on Trakis Seven. Tannis narrowed the field until the image zoomed in on a single planet, circling a black star—Trakis One.

“There, you see—” Tannis stood up and pointed. “Trakis One is actually on an elliptical orbit around a black hole. Under normal circumstances a ship can’t get close.” She paced the room for a moment before coming to a halt in front of the screen. “Try and land at the wrong time and chances are you’ll be sucked into that thing, never to be seen again. They don’t even keep a ship on the planet. No point—even if there was some sort of disaster, they couldn’t evacuate because of the black hole.”

“So how do deliveries get made?” Rico asked.

“Very infrequently.”

Skylar studied the planet, watching the orbit closely. “My guess is that they coincide deliveries with shipping inmates in and out, when the single moon is aligned with the black hole. You could probably slip past without being sucked in.”

“Probably?” Rico asked, and he didn’t sound convinced.

“Well they must do it somehow,” Tannis said. “And if they can, we can. After all, we have the best goddamn pilot in the universe.” She grinned at Rico. “Or so he keeps telling us. Time we saw some proof.”

“Do we know when the next alignment is due to happen?” Skylar asked.

“Well, if your brother is scheduled to be shipped out in five days’ time then that would seem to be a good bet—they can’t ship him out if the ship can’t get to him.”

“So we go in ourselves, get Jonny, and we’re out of there before they even arrive.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.” Tannis sat back down and took a sip of her drink.

Beside her, Rico shifted restlessly. “Are you going to tell us why?”

“I am. The radiation levels on Trakis One are off the scale. The Cazador would fry on entry into their atmosphere. They use special ships that are shielded. There’s also a matter of getting into the prison once we’re down. My guess is it will be top-of-the-range DNA recognition.”

“There’s a lot of guessing going on here,” Rico said. “So we’ll need the real guards.”

“Yup. Or at least bits of them.”

Skylar shrugged. “We hijack the transport ship, then.”

“Looks like the only way.”

Skylar thought about it for a minute. They might have to take out the crew. She didn’t like the idea of any unnecessary deaths, but it was a risk she would have to take. This job was the highest priority—her boss had told her in no uncertain terms that failure was not an option. Anyway, with luck, the crew of the transport ship would see sense and surrender. Or they could stun them and lock them up. “Okay, sounds like a plan. When do we do it?”

“I’d say we wait until the ship is as close to Trakis One as we can make it,” Rico said. “The security is going to be high, and the less time we have on board, the less chance we have of breaking one of the protocols. Any clue where the ship comes from?”

Tannis studied her palm screen for a moment. “Trakis Five.”

“That’s a two-day trip.”

“And a two-day trip from here. Fits in well. We can intercept them.” Tannis stared at the screen, a frown marring her face. “Almost too well.” She shrugged. “I’m going to see if I can’t scrounge up some more intel on the transport ship. Find out crew numbers and so on and get Janey working on breaking the codes. I reckon we’re going to need some pretty hefty bribes. I’ll leave you two to—”she paused and shrugged again. “—whatever.”

Skylar jumped to her feet. “I’ll come with you.”

“No,” Tannis replied with an emphatic shake of her head. “I’m going to be contacting some people I’d rather you didn’t know about. Stay here and keep Rico out of trouble. Besides,”—she winked at her—“he looks hungry.”

Skylar wanted to argue, but there wasn’t a lot she could say. Rico was still seated when she turned around, his arms clasped behind his head, a hungry, almost sleepy look in his half-closed eyes.

“Now, where were we?” he murmured.

“I think I’ll go and do some research of my own,” she said.

He rubbed his chest absently, a small smile curving his lips. “Come here.”

Skylar had to force herself not to move, but her legs ached with the need to go to him. Was this another of those weird, vampire seduction skills?

When she didn’t move, he raised an eyebrow in query. He placed his feet on the floor, pushed himself up, and took a step toward her. She had the distinct impression she was being stalked.

Picking up her hand, he lifted it to his mouth and kissed her fingertips.

Her legs trembled. She opened her mouth to say something, though she wasn’t sure what yet. Someone tapped on the door, and they both turned to look. Al’s slight figure sidled into the room. He blinked.

“Skylar—?”

“Yes?”

“You said you wanted to see the engine rooms.”

She smiled. “I did, didn’t I?”

Rico was staring at Al, his lips pursed, but he didn’t speak.

“Well,” she said. “Seems I have to go. I’ll see you around.”

She thought he was going to argue, but he still said nothing as she pulled her hand free, turned, and followed Al out of the room. She let out her breath as the door slid shut behind them. Whether from relief or disappointment, Skylar honestly wasn’t sure.

She reached out and tousled Al’s hair. “Good move, kid.”

He grinned, for a moment his expression unguarded, and she looked at him sharply. There was something not quite right about Al, something different, but the details eluded her. She shook her head. Whatever it was, it could wait.

Al caught her staring and ducked his head. “Do you really want to see the engine rooms?”

“Nah, I’m going to slip off to my shuttle, catch up on a few things.”

“Okay.” Al nodded solemnly. “And don’t worry—I told you—I won’t let the vampire eat you.”

“Thanks, kid.”

She made her way through the ship, back to the docking bay. She entered her shuttle, locked the doors behind her, and sank into the only chair with a groan of relief.

She needed some time alone. Her head was a mess, and she needed to sort it out. She scowled. Who was she kidding? Her head was the least of her concerns. It was the rest of her body she had to worry about.

Oh, God, she’d wanted him back there. She rubbed her palm over her nipple, still sensitive from his touch, and a shiver ran through her. She squirmed in her seat as she remembered the feel of his big hands caressing her. The taste of him when he kissed her.

It had taken all of her willpower and ingenuity, not to mention a few bribes, to keep out of Rico’s clutches for this long. Could she survive another five days?

And if she didn’t, would he really be able to tell so much from her blood?

She banged her head against the back of her seat and ground her teeth. She couldn’t believe she was even thinking like this. She’d never had a problem keeping her mind on a job before, though this was the first time she’d ever been alone and cut off from the rest of her people. On the whole, she liked it. She hadn’t realized how much the intrigue and politics had riddled every facet of their existence. She supposed it was inevitable given their natures, but it was wearing. There were no politics on El Cazador.

Just a very sexy, very hungry vampire. Whom she wanted. More than she had ever wanted anything.

But it was more than that—she liked him. Since that first evening, he’d joined them every night after supper and she’d found, once she could relax in his presence, he was amazingly good company. In his deep, rich voice, he would tell them tales of Earth in times before space travel and of how men had finally conquered the skies. He’d taught them poker and was teaching them several other card games, though he hadn’t mentioned strip poker again. It was fun, and fun was something that had been missing from her life for as long as she could remember.

She picked up a photograph from the console in front of her. The man in the picture was as different from Rico as it was possible to get.

Though they did have one thing in common, Daniel was also dead, if not in quite the same way as Rico.

Daniel had been dead for many years now. But that had been his decision. A wave of old bitterness washed over her at the memory. He’d been given the chance to stay with her forever, and he’d rejected that chance. He had made his choice, as she had made hers. She didn’t regret it.

Just sometimes, she wished...

She sighed and pushed the memories away. Reaching across, she switched on one of the holographic screens, brought up a game of solitaire, and started playing.

Maybe she’d just stay shut in here for the next five days.

Chapter Nine

Rico switched the ship to automatic pilot and sat back in his chair, booted feet on the console, arms behind his head. His favorite position. They were on course to intercept the transport ship, and there wasn’t a lot they could do now but wait.

Dios, he hated waiting.

Daisy sat in the co-pilot’s chair, but her eyes were shut. She was dozing—too many late nights playing poker. She’d been hanging around even more than usual lately, but he found he didn’t mind, and at least she was safe from him. He’d never liked his food green—even when he was human.

Across the room, Skylar and Al huddled on the floor, cross-legged, faces close together. They’d pinched a pack of his cards and were playing some sort of game. These days, he never saw the two of them apart. The boy stuck to Skylar like an unwanted burr.

Al whispered something in her ear, and Skylar threw back her head and laughed. Rico’s irritation flared. With a jolt of shock, he realized he was jealous of a scrawny boy. He couldn’t ever remember being jealous before, not even when he’d been human.

For a moment, his mind flailed in panic. What the hell was happening to him? What was it about Skylar that made him feel this way? She was beautiful, but there were beautiful women everywhere. What made her different? He had his suspicions. Perhaps it was time to share them with her.

Skylar chanced a peek at him, as if she could feel the intensity of his gaze. She raised an eyebrow when she found him watching her, and then turned, dismissing him.

He rose to his feet. Definitely time to have that chat.

As he stepped toward them, the door slid open. Janey hovered in the doorway, peering into the room. As usual, her clothes were tasteful, her hair and makeup perfect, four-inch heels supporting endless legs. Now, there was a beautiful woman—who did absolutely nothing for him.

Janey caught sight of him and sidled into the room, taking a circuitous route so she wouldn’t pass Skylar and Al.

She came to a halt at his side, almost touching, and tiptoed to whisper in his ear. “I need to talk to you.”

“Well, talk.” Rico returned his attention to Skylar, who was doing her best to pretend she wasn’t watching him with Janey.

“It’s about that thing you asked me to do.”

Reluctantly, he focused on Janey. “That thing?”

Her brows furrowed, and she glanced around before starting, “You know…”

When he didn’t answer, she glared at him. “You asked me to check if that space cruiser was still hanging around, and you told me to be discreet.”

The words were spoken loud enough to waken Daisy, and she jumped up. “Space cruiser? Where?”

“Now look what you’ve done,” Janey snapped.

“There’s no space cruiser. Go back to sleep,” Rico said soothingly to Daisy. He turned back to Janey. “You, come with me.” He put a hand on the small of her back, mainly because he knew Skylar was still watching, and steered her from the bridge. Once the door closed behind them, he faced her. “Well?”

“Actually, there is a space cruiser.”

He looked at her sharply. “You found it?”

She gave him a smug smile. “Of course. It was easy once I knew where to look. You were right—it was following us, just beyond our normal sensor range.”

Rico shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to fathom the implications. This was one of those rare times he’d actually hoped he was wrong. But even knowing, he still couldn’t work out what was going on. He paced the narrow corridor while he tried to decide what his next move should be. Whether he should even have a next move, or whether he should just wait it out and see what happened next.

But he was fed up with waiting.

Patience had never been his strong suit.

Tannis would be furious if he got them all blown to hell, or even if he got them blown up just a little bit, and they missed the deadline to intercept the transport ship. He briefly considered discussing his suspicions with her, but dismissed the idea almost at once—however mercenary Tannis was, she wouldn’t risk her crew, and he wasn’t ready to give up on this yet. Besides, he didn’t think the risk was that big. It all depended on…

The door to the bridge opened, interrupting his thoughts.

Skylar stood there, arms folded across her chest, her gaze narrowing on him and Janey. “Daisy keeps rambling about a space cruiser. Is something happening?”

Suddenly, he knew what he was going to do. He was going to take the fight to the enemy—if they were actually the enemy. He really didn’t know, and that irritated the hell out of him. He gave Skylar what he hoped was an enigmatic smile. “It might be.”

“And are you going to tell us what?”

“Why spoil the surprise?” Pushing past her, he strode onto the bridge and sat in his chair. Next to him, Daisy watched, wide-eyed, while the others came to stand behind him. “You might want to sit down and fasten yourselves in. The ride might get a little bumpy.”

They didn’t move. “Actually, before you go, Janey, can you give me the last coordinates?”

“Last coordinates of what?” Skylar asked.

He ignored the question and waited while Janey reached across and punched in the numbers. She was right; the ship was behind them, just out of range.

He pressed his comm unit. “Tannis?”

“What?” Her tone was grumpy, and he suspected what he was about to say wouldn’t cheer her up any.

“If you’re not already strapped into anything right now, you might want to consider it.”

“What the…”

He closed off the connection and settled back in his seat, locking his safety harness in place. Everyone was still standing. Was no one capable of taking orders anymore?

“Sit,” he roared.

Rico gave them ten seconds to comply, and then hit the new coordinates. The Cazador slowed, shuddered, but before the ship had time to come to a complete stop, he hit the boosters and sent her into overdrive. The engines shrieked as she spun and shot off in the opposite direction, the force of her speed pushing him back into his chair.

Behind him, someone crashed to the floor. They really should have listened.

It was only seconds before he saw the speck of the space cruiser on the screen. They were hurtling toward it, but he didn’t slow down. They had to do this quickly, before the other ship realized what was happening.

The ship grew bigger, definitely the same one from the attack the other day. If attack was the right word. He locked on the lasers and fired. The Cazador wasn’t powerful enough to do any real damage, but he was betting he could still wind them up.

Now was the moment they should retaliate. But he didn’t think they would. Of course, if he was wrong they would all be space dust in about two seconds, and while he liked to think he was never wrong, there was always a first time.

The other ship wouldn’t even have to shoot. They could just keep going, slam into them and El Cazador would be smashed into tiny little pieces. The bigger ship probably wouldn’t sustain more than a scratch.

He held his breath, fighting the urge to change course as the image of the space cruiser filled the screen.

Mierda. He was wrong. They were going to crash.

At the last minute, the cruiser veered. The power of her back-thrust washed over El Cazador, rolling her, and for a minute, he hung upside down from the harness. He ignored the crash and subsequent yelp as someone collided with the ceiling.

When the ship righted itself, the screen was empty. Rico released his breath and assessed the place for damage. A few red buttons blinked on the console, but nothing too drastic.

Skylar was picking herself up off the floor. He should have guessed she’d be the one to disobey orders. She winced and rubbed a spot on her hip, but otherwise she appeared okay. Perhaps he would offer to kiss her bruises better… later.

Everyone else was where they should be. He paused to study Al. The boy’s eyes gleamed with excitement. He caught Rico watching, and the excitement was immediately replaced by abject fear. Strange. Very strange. But Rico didn’t have time to ponder the young boy right now.

“That was great,” Daisy said. “Can we do it again?”

Rico grinned. He clicked open his harness and crossed to where Skylar leaned against the wall. “You okay?”

Her eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth to answer just as Tannis strode onto the bridge, radiating raw fury, her head bleeding from a small scalp wound.

Another one who couldn’t follow orders.

“Do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on?” Tannis snapped.

“We had someone on our tail.”

“Who?”

“That space cruiser that we bumped into the other day.”

“I’m not getting this. Did they attack?”

“Not quite.”

Beside him, Skylar snorted. “This big, stupid, brain-dead, blood-sucking idiot thought we’d attack first.”

“All-dead, actually,” he inserted cheerfully.

Tannis frowned. She reached up and rubbed at the blood trickling down her forehead. Rico followed the movement. Danger always whetted his appetite, and he had to rein in his hunger.

“I don’t understand.” Tannis shook her head. “You attacked that space cruiser?” Her voice rose with each word. “The space cruiser that’s bigger than us, faster than us, with ten times more firepower?”

“I wanted to know if they would finish us off. And the answer is no. Whatever they’re after, they don’t want us dead.”

Tannis didn’t look impressed with his explanation. “And what if they had wanted us dead? Then, guess what—we’d be dead!”

“But they didn’t.”

She gritted her teeth and made a visible effort to bring herself under control, then spoke into the comm unit. “Trog, what’s the damage?” She listened for a moment. “Hey, don’t shout at me. I’m not the one who nearly blew up your engines.” She turned back to Rico. “The cooling system is fucked. I suggest you get down there and fix it.”

Rico took one last look at her fixed expression and decided the cooling system sounded like a good place to be. Besides, he needed time to think.

. . .

Skylar watched him go.

What the hell had that been about? Her hands shook, and she knew it wasn’t just the physical shock.

How had he known the ship was tailing them?

“Have you got anything to say?”

The question cut into her thoughts. Tannis looked pissed. And who could blame her? She had a madman flying her ship. It hadn’t occurred to Skylar when she’d done the computations for this mission to factor in that the pilot was a complete suicidal idiot.

Or was he?

She couldn’t get away from the nagging doubt that Rico knew more than he was letting on. But that couldn’t be the case. Otherwise, why was she still alive?

“Well?” Tannis asked.

Skylar frowned. She’d already forgotten the question. “I think I need to go lie down.” Not waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away.

Al caught up with her in the corridor. “Are you all right?”

She nodded.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No.” She set off again and then stopped. “Where’s the cooling system?”

“Down on the lower level, next to the engine room. Do you want me to show you?”

“Thanks, but I’ll find it.”

She felt Al’s gaze boring into her back all the way along the corridor, until she took the ramp down to the lower levels. She had to find out what Rico knew, whether her mission was compromised.

Shit. She was totally fucked if she had to get out now. No way could she set this up again in the time left. Her first mission, and she had messed it up. She just wasn’t sure how. Maybe Rico had picked up that message she’d sent, but she’d been quick, and the frequency wasn’t something they monitored. And that was days ago, why wait to confront her?

She knew she’d arrived at the cooling room from the billows of steam wafting under the black door. She pressed her hand on the door panel. Nothing happened. It figured she wouldn’t be cleared to go anywhere on the ship. For a moment, she considered turning back, but she needed to know. She tapped her hand on the door. Still nothing. Drawing her laser pistol, she hammered on the metal with the butt.

The door glided open. Rico stood in the opening. “Skylar, what a nice surprise.” He glanced down at the pistol still clutched in her hand. “Planning on shooting somebody?”

She was tempted. Maybe she could shoot him, toss the body off the ship, and no one would be the wiser. She was almost certain he hadn’t shared whatever it was he thought he knew.

Could she do it?

He stood there, slanting her his lop-sided grin, and the muscles in her belly tightened. His clothes were soaked, clinging to the strong lines of his body, his hair damp, his skin gleaming with a fine sheen of moisture.

She holstered her pistol. “I just wanted to know what’s going on.”

“I’m fixing the cooling system—you want to help?”

She gritted her teeth. “I meant up there, with the space cruiser.”

“Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about.”

His eyes gleamed with amusement, and she forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. He was trying to wind her up, and she wasn’t going to let him see he was succeeding. She curved her lips into the semblance of a smile. “That’s sweet of you, but it’s my brother’s life at stake here. I can’t help but worry.”

“Hmm, for a moment, I’d actually forgotten about your brother. How remiss of me.” He stepped to the side and gestured into the room behind him. “Why don’t you come inside, and I can set your mind at rest while I work.”

Skylar peered past him into the steam-filled room.

“I can’t stop right now,” Rico said as she hesitated. “The Trog’s threatening to jump ship if I don’t fix this fast.”

The thick, wet heat enveloped her as soon as she stepped into the room. The door slid shut behind her, and immediately sweat oozed from her pores. Breathing in the hot heavy air, she felt as though she was drowning, and she took quick, shallow breaths until she was sure she could get enough oxygen into her lungs.

The room was small, a large cylinder in the center, steam hissing from the seals around the base. Rico stood with his back to her, tapping into a console, and the muscles shifted beneath his skin-tight clothing. Even from behind, he was quite the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, with broad shoulders, lean hips, and long, muscular legs.

After working for a minute, he swore under his breath and banged his fist down hard. “There, that should do it. Give it a few minutes to reset, and we can get out of here.”

He swung round to face her, leaning against the counter, his arms folded across his chest. His skin was slick with steam or sweat, his thick lashes spiky with moisture. Her gaze dropped to where the shirt clung to the hard muscles of his chest. She could see the outline of his nipples beneath the damp silk.

She swallowed and looked away before her gaze could drop lower. Instead, she focused on a large red button on the wall beside him. “What does that do?” she asked.

“Sets off the emergency cooling system.”

“Isn’t this an emergency?”

“Not yet.”

She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Can’t you press it anyway?”

He shuddered. “I’d really rather not. Now, what did you want to know?”

She licked the moisture from her lips and saw his eyes follow the movement. She hadn’t thought it could get any hotter in here, but the temperature shot up. She forced herself to concentrate. She needed answers. Though if Rico suspected her of something, he was hiding it well.

“Do we need to call off the rescue?”

Surprise flashed across his face. “Why would you think that?”

She frowned. “That space cruiser—”

“—was nothing to do with you or the rescue,” he interrupted. “Just someone who reckons I owe them. That’s how I knew they wouldn’t shoot. This guy doesn’t want me dead. Well not yet. He wants me to pay him back—then he wants me dead.”

“Wasn’t it a Collective ship?”

“Yeah, but this guy has friends in high places.”

“So why didn’t they board us?”

He shrugged. “I guess he’s letting me know he’s found us, but don’t worry, this baby—” he patted the ship’s wall “—has some fancy maneuvers in her. We’ll shake them off.”

There was something not quite right here, but Skylar couldn’t work out what. Maybe the heat was getting to her, or the fact that Rico suddenly seemed much closer. She took a step back and looked around her—the thick haze of steam appeared to have dispersed a little.

“Is it done yet? Can we get out of here,” she said.

“Not yet.” He moved closer again and stroked her cheek. “Are you feeling okay?” Curling his hand around her throat, he cupped the back of her skull, massaging her scalp with his fingers. “Did you bang your head when you fell?”

“No. I bruised my hip, that’s all.” At the memory, her anger surged. “What in the name of Meridian were you doing? You could have killed us all.”

“I did tell you to strap yourself in.”

“Yeah, right, and that would really have helped if they’d zapped us into tiny little pieces.”

He laughed softly, and his hand slid down her body, to rest against her hip, rubbing the sore spot gently. “You want me to kiss it better?”

At his words, the muscles in her belly clenched. She had a flashback to the feel of his mouth on her, his dark head between her thighs. Her legs clamped together, and she almost came from the memory.

She needed to get her mind off sex. She couldn’t allow herself to relax around him. Closing her eyes, she ran a quick, calming mantra through her mind. When she had her unruly body under control, she brushed his hand away and stiffened her spine.

If she was sensible she’d leave right now, but this might be the last time she would see him alone, and there was something she’d wanted to ask him, a few things actually.

He was the oldest person she had ever heard of, yet he didn’t seem like the other long-lifers she had met. “Can I ask you a question?”

“You can ask. I might not answer.”

“Do you like living forever?”

He slanted her a smile. “Well so far, I’ve always preferred it to the alternative.”

“But don’t you get bored?”

“No, I’ve never gotten bored. There’s a whole universe out there waiting to be explored.” He grinned. “Besides, I’ve learned to keep myself entertained.”

She decided not to pursue that. “So, did you choose to become what you are?”

“A vampire?”

“Yes, did you choose it because of the immortality.”

He shook his head.

“So why?”

For a minute, she thought he wouldn’t answer, and then he shrugged. “I was married once. She was killed, and I wanted revenge.”

His voice was expressionless, and Skylar had no clue what he was thinking. “What happened?”

“The Church—the Inquisition, to be precise—took her. They accused her of being a witch—”

“A witch?”

“She was a healer. The Church didn’t care that she helped people. They came for her when I was away. By the time I returned, she was dead. Tortured and burned at the stake.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be—it was a long time ago. Afterward, I went hunting for the darkness. If you look hard enough, you’ll always find it. You could say I sold my soul for revenge, but I had that many times over, so the bargain was good.”

The thought of Rico married made her feel uneasy, and the next question slipped out before she could stop it. “Did you love her?”

He shrugged. “It was a marriage arranged by our families, but I came to care for her.”

. . .

Her skin glowed with moisture, her hair slick against her scalp, her eyes huge and shadowed by the death of someone she had never known. A death that had happened so many centuries ago.

A wave of unexpected tenderness rose inside him. For some reason, Skylar pulled at emotions he’d thought he’d lost. Perhaps emotions he had never had before.

In view of what he suspected, it wasn’t wise to care for her.

But, dios, she had him tied in knots.

The material of her jumpsuit molded to her full breasts and slender legs. He breathed in and caught the lingering scent of her arousal on the warm air. She wanted him, and at the knowledge, his own body responded, heat coiling in his belly. He allowed his hunger to rise, pushing the doubts from his mind.

Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear. “Enough questions. You still owe me an orgasm.”

Her eyes widened, and he took advantage of her shock, slipping a hand between their bodies, between her thighs, feeling her tremble against him. He saw the moment she gave up the fight, all the tension draining away.

Pressing upwards with his fingers, he rubbed her core, and she moaned low in her throat. She was already poised on the edge, and she came quickly—her whole body shuddering with pleasure, a small scream escaping her throat.

He waited for the tremors to stop then kissed her lightly on the lips. “Two orgasms,” he murmured.

She raised her head. Her eyes half-closed, her face flushed. “And I always pay my debts.”

She dropped to her knees in front of him. He’d been hard since the moment she walked in the room. Now he throbbed with need.

He held himself still as her light fingers traced over the length of his erection. Her fingers fumbled on the fastening of his pants, but at last she peeled open the damp material and his cock sprang free.

She sat back on her heels for a moment staring at him. Her tongue came out, licked her lips, and he groaned. He couldn’t help himself. Reaching for her, he stroked his hand over one shoulder, cupping the back of her head in his palm, pulling her closer. Her warm breath teased across the sensitive tip, and it jerked toward her. Beneath her lashes, her hot gaze caught his as the blood pounded through his veins, pulsated in his cock.

Then she licked him.

He closed his eyes, rested his back against the wall as she explored him with her velvety tongue. Her touch was tentative at first. Rico was used to whores whose practiced mouths knew exactly what to do, but he found this far more erotic. She kissed the tip, and his hips pushed against her. She ran her tongue around the rim, and he bit back another groan.

Finally, she took him in her mouth. He opened his eyes and stared down the line of his body to watch as her red, full lips encircled his cock. His fingers tightened in her hair, pressing her closer, and she sucked harder.

He forced his hand to relax, stroked her hair, her throat, anywhere he could touch as he continued to thrust leisurely into that hot, wet mouth. The pleasure built inside him. He was so close now, his breath coming in short sharp pants. She cupped his balls with her hand, squeezed, and he exploded.

Pleasure shot through his balls, up his shaft, melted his spine. His back arched and he came. For long moments, he pumped into her mouth, unable to stop. Finally, she drew back, her tongue snaking out to lick her full lower lip. “Umm.”

“Umm?”

“You taste…” She licked her lips again and a tremor of residual pleasure shot through him, jerking his hips. “…delicious.”

At the word, another hunger rose, and his gums ached with the need to taste her. “Come here.” He tugged her to her feet, pulling her close against him. Everything was hot and wet. He kissed her mouth, her cheeks, burrowed his face in the curve of her throat, licking the moist skin, finding the point where the blood flowed close to the surface, touching his tongue to the pulse. She wasn’t fighting him off now, and he knew he could have her. His hunger rose as his fangs grazed the tender flesh. It had been days since he had fed, but still he couldn’t bring himself to make the final move.

If he tasted her, what would he discover?

Right now, he only suspected what she was. If he knew for sure, would he have to put a stop to this charade? Put a stop to Skylar? And even if he did prove she was a liar, it wouldn’t explain what she was really up to. He doubted he could make her talk, and he wanted to know.

Actually, he wanted her to tell him of her own free will, and for that he needed more time.

When he didn’t move, she wriggled against him. His hunger roared, straining against the fierce hold he had on his control. If she moved again, he knew he would lose it, take her. And then she ground her hips into him, and his control slipped away. There was only one sure way he could stop himself now. He stared at the red button on the wall beside him.

Dios, he hated cold water.

He shifted Skylar so he held her in one arm, and taking a deep breath, he slammed his other hand onto the button.

The effect was instantaneous.

Skylar screamed, and this time it wasn’t from pleasure.

Chapter Ten

“Security is going to be much lower going in,” Tannis said. “They’re not going to think anyone would risk attacking a heavily armed ship for a few supplies. So we hit before they reach Trakis One.”

The whole crew had gathered to go over the final plan. Skylar rested her back against the wall, arms crossed, as she watched Rico out of the corner of her eye. A shiver ran through her. Twenty-four hours had passed, and she still felt frozen to the bone.

She was certain he’d done it on purpose, despite his protestations of innocence.

What she didn’t understand was why.

She’d given in. She would have let him do anything, but instead of doing the obvious, he’d pressed that stupid button and nearly froze them both to death.

“So, Skylar goes ahead,” Rico continued. “It’s an all-male crew, so she dresses in that skimpy outfit and sends out a distress signal. They’re going to be suspicious but with a bit of luck they should only go to a code-yellow alert. We can work with that.”

“What if they go to a code red?” Skylar asked.

“They go to a code red and we’re fucked.” He grinned. “Well, actually, at that point it’s just you that’s fucked, because we’ll be out of there.”

“Great plan so far.”

“But we don’t think they will,” Tannis added quickly. “Once you’re on board, your job is to see that they do not go to red. Stop them anyway you like, just make sure it doesn’t escalate when we come on board, and if possible switch off the yellow. You also need to cut their external shielding so we can board. If you can do that from the control panel—great. If not, Janey’s got something that should help you.”

Janey was sitting a little apart from the group, her perfectly manicured fingertips gliding over a hologram screen in front of her. Engrossed, she seemed unaware that everyone had turned to look at her.

“Janey?”

She glanced up with an irritated frown as Tannis spoke her name. “Yes?”

“That ‘thing’ you have for Skylar. Can you give her a quick rundown?”

Janey’s expression brightened. “You’re going to love this. I’ve been working on it all night.”

She held up a disc, so small Skylar had to move in closer to see. About the size of her smallest fingertip, and paper-thin, it didn’t look particularly impressive. “What is it?”

“A radio wave emitter, and get this—it’s triggered by a medical scanner. Which fits in great with your cover story. You tell them you think you were hurt when your ship was attacked and get them to scan you. If you time it right, it will knock out the shields and the alarms long enough for Rico and Tannis to board.”

“Where does it go?”

“That’s the clever part—I’ll slip it under your skin,” she patted her rib cage just below her left breast, “right here.”

“Lovely,” Skylar muttered, but she was impressed. She was starting to believe they could make this work. “Will we have the ship’s codes?”

“I’m hoping so.” Janey waved at the screen. “I’m working on them now.”

“Good.” Skylar turned back to Rico and Tannis. “So, I keep them contained. You board, we persuade the crew to cooperate, or we put them out of action. We go in to Trakis One on the transport ship, pretend we’re them, drop off the supplies, pick up my little brother, and we’re out of there before they realize anything is going on.” She frowned. “You know, it all sounds a little too easy.”

“Well, the going in is going to be the tricky part,” Tannis said. “Rico has to get us past that black hole. That’s what keeps them safe. Also, my guess is they’ve gotten sloppy. This whole ‘impossible to break out of’ crap has gone to their heads. That should work in our favor. So—any questions?” she asked. “No? Well then, I suggest those of you not on watch get some sleep. It’s a big day tomorrow.”

Rico strolled across to where Skylar lounged against the wall. “Sweetheart, how about you and me go somewhere quiet, have a drink?”

She didn’t move, just examined him, one lip curled in what she hoped was a disdainful sneer.

“Hey, I said it was an accident. My hand slipped.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Come on. Don’t be like that. After all, this time tomorrow, we might all be sucked into a black hole.”

He flattened his palms on the wall on either side of her head; she could smell the musky male scent of him, feel the whisper of his breath against her cheek. “Do you really want to die not knowing how it could be between us?” His voice had sunk to that low, husky drawl that sent prickles racing across her skin. “I thought you always paid your debts, Skylar? You’re still one up on me, remember.”

Yes, she did, and at the memory of his agile fingers working on her body, a fire burst into life inside her, banishing the last of the cold.

He leaned a little closer. “What if I promise no biting—just good, old-fashioned sex?”

His words conjured an image of him on top of her, inside her, and the fire threatened to rage out of control. She swallowed, bit her lower lip, and slowly unfolded her arms from her chest. Reached up to...

“Skylar, are you coming?”

Skylar jumped. The voice came from behind Rico, and she glanced over his shoulder. Daisy stood in the entrance watching them, amusement gleaming in her emerald eyes. “You said you wanted to see the navigation room.”

Skylar’s tongue flicked out to moisten her dry lips. Her gaze lingered on Rico’s hooded eyes for a moment, and then she nodded.

“I do.” The words came out as a squeak, and she cleared her throat. “I do. Yes, I definitely want to see the navigation room.”

She ducked under Rico’s arm, but could feel his eyes on her back as she walked out.

“Skylar?”

She turned back at the doorway. “What?”

“You won’t be able to run forever.”

Once they were a safe distance down the corridor, she released her breath. “Thank you.”

“Hey, a deal’s a deal,” Daisy said. “Besides, you’re paying us, and you looked like you were about to cave.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

Daisy snorted. “Right.” She gave Skylar a sideways look. “You won’t hurt him, will you?”

“Hurt who?”

“Rico.”

Shock stopped Skylar in her tracks. She turned to face Daisy. “How could I possibly hurt Rico?”

“Well, he’s changed since you came on board.”

“How so?”

“He used to be really aloof. He’d talk to the captain, but the rest of us, he’d pretty much ignore. Then the last week, he’s been talking to us, he’s more…human, and we know it’s because of you.”

“You’ve been discussing this?”

“Of course. He obviously likes you, but we reckon you’ll be leaving after the job’s over.” She studied Skylar, head cocked to one side. “Or will you? You could stay. I mean, you obviously like him as well.”

“No, I don’t.”

The response was automatic, and Daisy snorted again. “Of course you don’t. You should think about it though—staying on, I mean. We’d like you to.”

She shoved her hands in her pockets and sauntered off, leaving Skylar staring after her.

They’d like her to stay?

Why should that make her feel all warm and fuzzy?

The feeling didn’t last. Running a hand through her hair, she pressed her fingertips to her scalp, trying to ease the pressure. She’d never allowed herself to consider a different existence; she’d made her choices long ago and always believed that was the way things would be.

Forever.

Now, thoughts of another life teased her mind. What would it be like to turn her back on everything that was safe, to stay on El Cazador, to explore the universe?

For a brief moment, she imagined it was possible. But the notion was fleeting. What about duty and honor? Besides, after tomorrow, they wouldn’t want her to stay.

They’d want her dead.

Chapter Eleven

Rico drummed his fingers on the console in front of him and stared at the comm unit, willing it to do something. Skylar had set off an hour ago, and they were waiting to hear from her before they headed off to intercept the transport ship.

Finally, the comm light lit up. “Skylar, here.”

She sounded cheerful, and some of the tension eased from his muscles. He’d been worried about her. The thought brought him up short. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cared enough to worry about anyone.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he answered. “You in position?”

“Yup, and it’s on schedule. I should intercept in less than two hours.”

“Great. We’ll be right behind you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Rico closed the connection and turned to the others. “Well, looks like we’re on.”

Tannis grinned. “Everyone ready?”

She was strapped into the co-pilot’s seat, her shoulders tense, her eyes gleaming gold. Daisy sat in the pilot’s seat, readying the shuttle for takeoff and looking very pleased with herself. She’d be on her own, piloting the shuttle once he and Tannis transferred to the transport ship, and Rico reckoned she might as well settle in.

“I’m ready,” she said, and Rico could hear the barely suppressed excitement in her voice.

He took the seat behind them and strapped himself in. “Right, let’s go.”

At that moment, Janey appeared in the open hatchway. She peered inside. “Captain?”

Tannis swiveled her seat. “What is it?”

“I thought this might be important. You know the cruiser that’s been following us?”

“How could I forget?”

“Remember the first time it appeared, the day Skylar came on board? Well, just before it showed up, there was a comm sent from the ship.”

Tannis frowned. “A comm? How did you pick it up? Or more to the point, why did you even look?”

“Rico suggested I check back for anything unusual. I nearly missed it. It’s not like anything I’ve ever heard before—more like brain waves than electrical—and I still can’t pinpoint exactly where it came from.”

Tannis sat for a minute, tapping her booted toe on the ground. “How did you know?” she asked Rico.

“I didn’t. I just thought the whole thing was odd.”

“Hmm, well, the obvious suspect is Skylar, but it can’t have been—she was with Rico.”

Rico smiled at the memory. “Yes, she was, wasn’t she?”

“So, does that mean we have a traitor on the ship? One of the crew?” Tannis ran a hand though her hair. “I don’t believe it. Do we abort the mission?”

“No. As you say, it couldn’t have been Skylar.”

“But we might be compromised.”

“It’s probably unrelated. We’ll look into it when we get back. We need to leave now if we’re going to do this.”

Tannis looked at Rico suspiciously.

He kept his expression blank. “Think of all that money.”

She sighed. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Rico turned to Janey. “Have you managed to isolate the frequency?”

“Not yet, but I will soon.”

“Good. Comm it through to me when you have it. Now, I suggest we leave.”

. . .

Skylar’s hand slid down to her waist, only to remember that her laser pistol was missing. She’d wanted to wear it, but Janey had assured her it didn’t go with the dress and had muttered something scathing about accessories under her breath.

Personally, Skylar considered a laser pistol the perfect accessory for any outfit.

Getting on board the transport ship had been easy. She’d flashed a bit of cleavage at the monitor, did her best to look helpless, and they’d almost dragged her shuttle on board.

When she’d tottered onto the bridge in her high heels, the three crewmembers had been lined up waiting for her, only too eager to help a damsel in distress. Unfortunately, it was becoming obvious that they expected her to reward them for their services.

The tallest of the three had introduced himself as the captain. He insisted on helping her to a seat, refusing to relinquish his hold on her when they got there. Every few seconds, he squeezed her arm, while the other two stood on either side, leering down the front of her dress.

Lovely.

Not even in the line of duty would she let any of these assholes touch her.

She considered taking them out. She could probably do it, even without her weapon, and it would feel so good. But she really couldn’t take the risk, not when they were armed and she wasn’t.

Putting her hand to her forehead, she let out a little moan of simulated pain as she studied the layout of the bridge through her fingers. She’d gotten used to the sleek, graceful lines of El Cazador. By comparison, this ship was utilitarian, bordering on downright ugly. She spotted the control panel she needed directly opposite where she sat, but she had no chance of getting to it with the crew sticking so close.

She dropped her hand. “I’m really not feeling too well. Could I possibly have some air?”

She hoped they’d take the hint and move away—no such luck.

“You look fine to me.” The captain gave her arm another squeeze. “Doesn’t she look good to you, Joe?”

Joe licked his lips. “Good enough to eat.”

Now she really did feel ill.

El Cazador would be in range by now, just waiting for Skylar to knock out the shields. She wasn’t too worried yet. If she couldn’t get to the control panel, she still had Janey’s gadget as backup. All she needed to do was convince them to scan her. She clutched her stomach. “Please, I think something is seriously wrong.”

No one moved. Heartless bunch—she could be dying here.

Gritting her teeth, she raised her head, widened her eyes, and batted her lashes at the man beside her. “Please, Joe, I hurt. Right here.” She ran a hand over her left breast and pressed her ribcage. Three sets of eyes followed the movement. She licked her lips. “Check me out, and I promise I’ll be grateful.”

Joe grinned. “I’ll go get the scanner.”

At last.

He was back in seconds. He ran the scanner over her breasts, frowning as he read the readings. He shook the machine, and Skylar bit back her frustration.

“I said, here.” Grabbing his hand, she guided the scanner to the right place.

Nothing happened.

Had Janey’s brilliant gadget failed?

Skylar gritted her teeth and pressed the scanner a little closer. The shrill sound of the ship’s alarm rang out of the bridge.

“What the fuck…?”

Skylar made to rise from the chair, but the grip around her upper arm tightened, and she was shoved back into the seat.

“What’s happening?” She tried to keep her tone innocent. Right now was the most dangerous time, but with a bit of luck, they wouldn’t suspect her.

“Perhaps you could tell us.”

The captain rammed his laser pistol into the side of her neck, and she clamped her lips together. There was no point in saying anything now. All she could do was wait. Joe still stood beside her chair, the scanner hanging from his hand. The third man was stationed at the control panel, and after a minute, the shrill scream of the alarm ceased.

He turned. “There’s no damage. It must be a malfunction.”

“A very convenient malfunction.” The captain jabbed the pistol harder into her throat, and Skylar winced.

“Talk.”

When she remained silent, he drew back the pistol and smashed it across her cheekbone. The blow slammed her head against the seat, and warm blood trickled down her face.

Holy fucking Meridian that hurt.

He hit her again, and for a moment, her vision blurred.

Where the hell was Rico?

She blinked, clearing her sight, and when she opened her eyes, there he was, standing in the doorway, legs braced, laser pistol held loosely at his side, a small smile playing across his gorgeous face. The rest of the room faded, and Skylar couldn’t prevent the grin from spreading across her own face.

“You all right?” Rico asked.

“Brilliant.”

The pistol jabbed in her throat again, bringing her back to reality.

“Anyone moves,” the captain said, “and the bitch is dead.”

“Oh, please.” Skylar rolled her eyes at the cliché, but held herself perfectly still.

Rico turned his gaze to the captain, the lazy smile sliding from his eyes, leaving them cold as black ice. “I don’t suppose you would consider surrendering?” When no one replied, he shrugged. “I thought not.” He cast Skylar a wry grin. “Sorry, sweetheart.”

For a moment, the words made no sense. Then he raised the laser pistol smoothly, aimed it straight at her heart.

In that final second, thoughts raced through her mind.

Did he know? Was it all a setup? Had he always known?

Her vision narrowed on the pistol. The laser flashed, and the blast slammed into her, breaking the grip on her arm and crashing her to the floor. Everything went black.

She must have been out only for a few seconds. When she blinked her eyes open, nobody had moved. Except her. She was lying on the cold, metal floor—and it looked like it hadn’t been cleaned since the ship was built. She ran a quick internal diagnostic and realized she was basically unharmed. Nothing but stunned.

Rico hadn’t tried to kill her.

Still, it hurt like hell.

A laser fired over her head, and a body crashed to the floor beside her. The face was half gone, burnt away, and the smell of roasting flesh filled her nostrils. It was the captain, and she crawled to him on her elbows and tugged the pistol from his clenched fingers.

She lifted her head and peered around. Tannis stood just inside the door, Rico beside her. As she watched, a laser blast spun the pistol from his hand. He snarled and hurled himself across the floor, a blur of speed, slamming into the second man, gripping his skull between his large hands. Skylar winced at the sound of bones snapping. Rico released his hold, and the body dropped to the floor.

Of the crew, only Joe remained standing. He appeared bewildered, the scanner still dangling from one hand. When Rico turned toward him, he dropped the machine and fumbled for his pistol. Rico stalked closer, nostrils flaring as though he scented prey.

Skylar wanted to look away, but her gaze remained fixed on the tableau in front of her. She had seen a lot of killing in her life. But nothing like this.

For the first time, it struck home that Rico was not human. He’d told her he had been at one time. Now, he was something else. And that something was pure predator.

A pair of boots appeared in her field of vision. She managed to tear her gaze from Rico and look up. Tannis stood over her, her face impassive, one hand extended. Skylar took it and pulled herself to her feet. They both turned back to watch. With the urgency gone, Rico appeared almost languid as he reached out, wrapped his fingers around Joe’s throat, and pulled him close.

She realized the first two crewmembers had been fortunate—they had died swiftly. Joe was not so lucky. Rico held him in a powerful embrace, close against his chest, his fist clenched in the man’s hair. He pulled back the head, baring the line of his victim’s throat. For a moment, Rico held himself still, and then he stared straight at Skylar. She shivered but couldn’t look away—his eyes glowed with crimson fire as he lowered his head, and his fangs pierced the man’s vein.

“Does he do this often?” Skylar asked in a low voice.

“Not often,” Tannis replied. “Thank God. He’s actually pretty well behaved for a bloodsucking monster. He told me recently that regular sex kept the monster at bay. I thought it was just an excuse, but”—she looked from Skylar back to Rico—“I guess he hasn’t been getting any.”

“Right, blame me,” Skylar muttered. She rubbed at her chest where the laser blast had hit her. “The bastard shot me.”

Tannis grinned. “All part of the plan. And I did offer to do the shooting but I don’t think he trusted me to switch my laser to stun. Come on, we have work to do. Eyeballs and blood samples to collect. Then we can clear up this mess and get on with the job.”

Skylar blinked and forced her gaze away. Kicking off her high heels, she tugged up the neckline of her silver tube dress, and took the knife Tannis handed her. “Okay, which one’s first?”

She kept an eye on Rico as they worked. He’d finished feeding, casually dropping the body to the floor, but he kept his distance, pacing the room. His hair had come loose from its ponytail during the fighting and hung across his shoulders. He ran a hand through it, then his eyes caught hers and he smiled, flashing his fangs. He appeared totally wired. She’d known what he was, but that was still different from seeing it with her own eyes. A shiver ran through her. She swallowed, shook herself, and got to work.

Chapter Twelve

Rico couldn’t drag his eyes from the black hole that filled the screen. It was beautiful, a vision of whirling iridescent gases surrounding a gaping maw.

For so long, he’d battled the pull of his own personal darkness. Now, something in the stygian blackness called to him, and he had to fight the urge to dive headfirst into that well of eternal night. Discover whatever awaited him on the other side.

“Rico!” Tannis spoke sharply from behind him.

“What?” he said, without turning from the screen.

“We’re getting awfully close to that black hole.”

He shrugged. “We haven’t hit the Event Horizon, yet.”

“Isn’t that the point of no return? The point where that thing sucks us in and totally obliterates us? Don’t you think it might be a good idea if we never hit the Event Horizon?” Her voice was even, but he could detect a hint of panic underneath.

Rico sighed and forced his gaze away from the darkness. Not today—he wasn’t ready quite yet.

And they were getting close. He switched the ship to manual. This was going to be tricky, and he was old-fashioned enough to trust himself above a machine. The navigation system of the transport ship was sluggish and heavy after El Cazador, and he could feel the gravitational pull of the black hole, dragging the ship closer.

“There it is,” Tannis said.

He saw it then. Trakis One, dark ochre encircled by spiraling radiation rings of palest yellow to blood crimson. A single moon revolved lazily around the planet. He knew from their research that the orbit and size of Trakis One kept it from the pull of the black hole. But anything approaching had no chance. Except for the brief period when that moon passed between them. Denser than the planet, despite being smaller, it would provide sufficient cover for a ship to reach the planet’s surface—he hoped.

Beside him, Tannis was counting down. “You ready?”

He nodded.

“Right. Three, two, one, go!”

Rico slammed on the forward thrusters. Not a lot happened. They slowed a little, but were still heading into the darkness.

“We’re still getting closer.”

He ground his teeth. “I know.”

“Holy crap. We’re going in. Do something, Rico.”

“I am doing something.” He focused on the screen. It did indeed seem as though they’d be swallowed, but at the last moment, the moon slipped fully between them. Freed of the pull, the ship shot forward, around the orbiting moon, and they were on a direct course for Trakis One.

“Dios mio,” Rico muttered.

They were heading straight for what appeared to be a ball of fiery gases. After only a couple of minutes, he felt the heat burning through the strengthened hull. El Cazador would have been ashes by now. Rico wiped the sweat from his forehead before turning to look at Skylar.

“Have we got those codes from Janey yet?” he asked. “We’re not going anywhere without them.”

Skylar was frantically tapping into her console. After a second, she flashed him a grin. “Got them. Or at least she thinks so.”

“Thinks?”

“We’ll soon find out.”

She came to stand beside him, rested a hand on his shoulder, and showed him the screen. She fizzed with barely suppressed excitement, and he reached up and squeezed her hand. She started in surprise but then smiled.

“Here goes nothing,” Rico said and switched on the comm unit. “This is Transporter 334, requesting permission to dock.”

“Enter your access codes.”

He tapped in the codes and held his breath.

“You are cleared for docking. Switch off your engines, and we’ll bring you in.”

He flipped off the comm, switched off the engine, and swiveled his chair to face Skylar and Tannis.

“Wow, we did it,” Skylar said. “We’re actually in.”

“Did you ever doubt it?” He grinned. “After all, we are the best.”

Skylar still wore that sexy little dress, and the vast amounts of bare skin on show gleamed with sweat in the heat. Rico gave in to the urge and dragged her down into his lap. He breathed in the scent of hot, excited woman, and then he kissed her. Her mouth opened beneath his, and he pushed his tongue inside, losing himself in the taste of her.

Behind them, Tannis coughed loudly.

Rico pulled back. “Soon,” he murmured in Skylar’s ear.

“Could you please leave off the somewhat nauseating celebrations until we’re out of here,” Tannis said. “We have less than an hour. If we’re not away by then, we’re stuck here for another fifteen days, which probably translates to forever. So let’s be quick.”

Rico kissed Skylar one last time and released his hold. She scrambled to her feet, and brushed down the dress, but a small smile still lifted her full lips. They all turned to stare at the screen as the ship was pulled relentlessly toward Trakis One. Up close, the planet didn’t appear any more hospitable; nothing on the surface suggested any life forms could survive here.

A hatch opened beneath the shuttle. Rico’s hands tightened on the arms of his chair as the tractor beam caught them and slowly sucked them inside. They landed, and the hatch closed above them.

“Right,” Rico said, “let’s get the supplies unloaded, Jonny loaded, and we can be on our way home.”

. . .

Skylar sat on the bridge of the transport ship, drumming her fingers on the console in front of her. The end was so close now, but she hated the waiting. Rising to her feet, she paced the floor until she tripped over her shoes. She stared down at herself—she still wore the stupid dress and ridiculous high heels. Why hadn’t she brought a change of clothing? She considered a quick trip to her shuttle, but she didn’t want to leave the bridge in case something happened.

Flinging herself back in the seat, she flipped between the external cameras, trying to locate Rico. Nothing moved in the docking bay. The area was huge, cavernous, and empty except for a small space cruiser that stood, partially hidden, in the far corner.

Her gaze moved past it, then back again.

There was supposed to be no way off Trakis One, apart from the transport ship Skylar now sat in. She clearly remembered Tannis saying no ships were stationed on the planet—another of the security measures.

The ship was a cruiser, clearly modified for the radiation on Trakis One, but otherwise bore no name, no markings. A trickle of unease ran down her spine. Kicking off her shoes, she rose to her feet and searched the bridge. She spotted the laser pistols taken from the dead crew and strapped one over her silver dress. She started to walk away, and then turned and strapped on a second, so a pistol hung at either side.

Outside the ship, the air felt cool against her sweat-damp skin, the floor icy beneath her bare feet. She made her way around the outside of the docking bay, coming up behind the unmarked cruiser. It was locked up tight, and Skylar was pretty sure no one was on board. She stood for a minute, eyeing the ship, deciding what to do next. Should she warn Rico? But warn him of what?

She had to think this through. It made no sense. The ship must have been stationed here since the last lunar cycle. Fifteen days. Five days before she’d ever boarded El Cazador.

It couldn’t be tied to their hijack of the transport ship.

Of course, it might be totally unrelated. But she didn’t believe that. Which meant that someone who knew of her mission had sent the ship to Trakis One. Had the information been leaked? The colonel wouldn’t be happy.

She turned on her internal comm unit. Nothing came through, only a buzz of static. It didn’t mean anything. They would have locked down the internal link if they’d known she was involved.

A door opened opposite where she stood. Skylar took cover behind the cruiser as four men stepped through, the familiar black uniform of the Corps instantly recognizable.

“Shit,” she whispered.

She watched as they crossed the floor. One of them entered the transport ship through the open hatch. He came out a minute later, shaking his head, and they all disappeared behind the ship. Drawing her laser pistol, Skylar took a step forward.

“Stand down, lieutenant.”

She stopped in her tracks as the colonel’s words came through her internal comm link.

“Sir?”

“Stand down. You’ve achieved your mission.”

She frowned. “No, sir. My mission was get the prisoner off Trakis One.”

“No, lieutenant, your mission was to prove the security here is inadequate, and you’ve done that.”

It took a minute for the words to make sense. When they did, disbelief flooded her. “You’re saying this is nothing more than a training exercise?”

“That’s right. And it’s gone far enough. We’re not risking Aiden’s killer going free. Now, stand down.”

Anger coiled in her gut when she thought of what she had been through to set this up. She was aware the colonel hated the officer in charge of security here, but she was finding it hard to believe this whole thing came down to nothing more than political infighting. Her boss trying to prove a point.

And what about the crew of the transport ship? They’d been assholes, but they hadn’t deserved to die for a fucking training exercise. Was that really worth anyone dying for? “You should have told me.”

“We told you as much as you needed to know.” The colonel spoke sharply. “Is there a problem, lieutenant?”

She ground her teeth. “No, sir.”

“Good.”

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“What happens to the crew I hired?”

“If they surrender, they’ll be shipped to the Meridian mines with the prisoner. If not...”

Skylar could almost hear his mental shrug. If not, then she had no doubt they would be eliminated. She slid the pistol back in her holster, forced her tight muscles to relax.

“I understand, sir.”

At the far side of the room, the door opened again, and Rico and Tannis came through.

Chapter Thirteen

“Piece of cake,” Rico said to Tannis.

He kept his pace steady, but the spot between his shoulder blades itched with the need to get out of there. He hated prisons. He’d spent time in a few in his long life and had no wish to repeat the experience.

Everything had gone according to plan. They had the cryotube containing Jonny and were only a few feet from the transport ship when a voice called out behind them.

“Stop where you are.”

From the pitch of the man’s voice, Rico could tell they were in trouble. He stopped and slowly pivoted, easing his hand onto his laser pistol.

Tannis turned beside him and swore softly.

Rico counted six guards, but at least their weapons were still holstered. They probably weren’t expecting a fight when the numbers were on their side. A tall man with sergeant’s stripes stepped to the front of the group.

“Take your hands away from your weapons and place them behind your heads.”

Like that was going to happen.

Rico glanced sideways at Tannis and saw the almost imperceptible nod of her head. His muscles tightened in readiness.

They drew their lasers in unison. Six blasts took the six guards down before they had a chance to unholster their weapons. Rico stood for a minute in the ensuing silence, laser aimed until he was sure no one was going to move again. Ever.

Tannis released her breath and shoved her pistol into its holster. “Right,” she said. “Can we go now?”

“Not so fast,” Rico murmured. “They know we’re here.” He crossed the room and opened the control panel, blasted the insides. “Just disabling the tractor beam.”

“What about opening the hatch.”

“It has proximity sensors, it should open.”

“Should?” She shook her head. “Come on. We have five minutes to get off this piece-of-crap planet.”

Rico started pushing the cryotube toward the transport ship. He’d only gone a few feet when Tannis stopped him with a hand on his arm. “What now?” he muttered.

“Look, Rico.”

Four men appeared from behind the ship. Rico’s breath caught in his throat as he recognized the uniforms.

“Shit, Rico,” Tannis said from beside him. “They’re Collective.”

“They’re not only Collective—they’re Corps.”

“Look at their eyes.” Her tone was full of awe.

All four sets of eyes glowed violet, inhuman, and a shiver of unease ran down his spine. Unlike the guards, their weapons were already drawn. He wondered, briefly, what had happened to Skylar, and a wave of regret washed over him. Damn, he’d wanted to get to know her. Too late now.

“Well, it was nice knowing you,” he said to Tannis.

“We going to fight?”

“You want to end up in the mines?”

She shook her head. “We fight.”

“Are you ready?”

“No.”

Rico grinned. He took a deep breath and…

“Rico, get down!”

Skylar’s voice. But from behind them. Rico grabbed Tannis, hurled her to the floor, and covered her with his body. The heat of the laser shots passed close over them, and he kept his head down. After a few seconds, the shooting stopped, and he peered up.

The four men were down. Skylar stood, still in that sexy silver dress, her feet bare, her legs braced, a laser pistol in each hand.

She raised an eyebrow. “You going to lie there all day?”

He’d never seen anything quite so beautiful in his whole life.

“They’re down for now, but they’re not dead,” Skylar continued, when he didn’t move. “And we only have three minutes to get off this planet.”

Rico got to his feet and pulled Tannis up. “Thanks,” she said. “Now let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Once they were clear of the planet, Rico switched the navigation system to automatic. Skylar leaned against the wall next to the cryo-unit. She’d put her shoes back on, and the heels made her legs appear endless. Dios, she was sexy in that dress, and the weapon belts strapped to her waist just made her sexier. Her eyes caught his, and she looked away quickly.

She was going to try to avoid paying her debt. He wasn’t about to let that happen. She might have saved his life back there on Trakis One, but a deal was a deal. Besides, it wasn’t as though she wouldn’t enjoy it.

Tannis strolled across the deck. She stared in through the glass window of the cryo-unit. “That’s little Jonny?” she asked, and Rico could hear the disbelief in her voice.

He peered in and grinned. The man was enormous. Rico turned to Skylar. “He doesn’t look much like you.”

“He’s actually only a half-brother. Same father, different mother. I call him little because I was ten when he was born so he was...” She shrugged. “...little. It just became habit. How long until he wakes up?”

Tannis examined the control panel. She pressed a few buttons. “There, it’s started, but a good few hours, I would think.”

“Perhaps we could load him into my shuttle. Do you want me to transfer the balance of the fee now?”

“Actually, “Rico said, “that can wait until we get back to the ship. And little Jonny stays here for the moment.”

Skylar dragged her gaze from the cryo-unit to Rico. “I’d like him with me.”

No way was he letting Skylar out of his sight. Certainly, he wasn’t going to let her take their new friend and disappear as he suspected she might. He wanted his reward. He wanted answers even more. He’d considered waiting until they were all safely back on board El Cazador, but he had a feeling that things could go badly wrong very quickly. This might be his only chance to get her alone, show her a little of what they could have together, convince her that she had options.

“Darling,” he said, “I’ll be with you. We have some unfinished business, you and me.”

Her eyes widened. “We do?”

“Oh yeah. And having your brother present might just cramp my style.”

“But....”

He didn’t give her a chance to say anything further. He moved in close, took her arm, and hustled her toward the door. He turned to Tannis. “We’ll see you back at the ship. We’ll be a couple of hours. At least.”

On board the shuttle, he slammed the hatch and sat down in the pilot’s seat. Within minutes, they had undocked and were heading into space. Away from El Cazador.

Rico set the autopilot and swiveled his chair to look at Skylar.

. . .

Why not?

The words echoed in her mind as she stared at Rico. He sat in the only chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, arms clasped behind his head, his eyes half-closed as he waited for her to come to a decision.

She knew he wouldn’t force her, and she wasn’t sure that made it any better. At least if he forced her, when the world came crashing around her ears, she could tell herself she’d had no choice. But that was the coward’s way, and she’d never been a coward.

He was beautiful, with the lean, masculine grace of a predator, and she wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. And she’d had a long life.

But it was more than mere lust. She’d been alone since Daniel had died. She could have taken lovers, but she’d chosen not to, and now the need to connect physically with another being rose inside her. Something about Rico called to her as no one else had done over the years. She wanted to hold him, to make love, but she also wanted to lie with him afterwards, feel him close to her.

Why not? Just the once.

There were lots of reasons why not. The main one being, she needed to get the prisoner and deliver him back to the Collective. If she did that, she might just avoid demotion, though she doubted it. The colonel had to be really pissed off at her right about now. They would probably toss her out of the Corps. At the least, she had put her career back a good many years.

But right now, her brain couldn’t seem to concentrate on that. All she could think of was how good it had felt to give in to him. She remembered the taste of him and licked her lips. He’d been so big and hard and…. She shifted from one foot to the other.

She knew that if he could tell all about her from the taste of her blood, then afterwards she’d have no option but to kill him. Her gaze shifted to the cabinet where she’d hidden the wooden stakes. She realized she’d prepared for this, that all along she had known she would give in. The thought made her stomach churn.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Rico murmured. “You’re giving me a headache with all this thinking.” He rose to his feet, never taking his eyes from her. “Both you and I know this is going to happen.”

He took a step toward her, and she held up a hand. He stopped.

“Just one thing,” she said.

His eyes narrowed. “As long as it’s a quick ‘one thing’.”

“The whole bloodsucking thing is spooking me out.” She bit her lip. “I’m not trying to back out, but will you make love to me first?”

Rico considered her for a moment. Finally, he nodded once. The tension oozed out of her, and she pushed the last of her doubts to the back of her mind. At least she would have this.

His hand went to his waist, and he flicked the fastener of his weapons belt. Then to his thigh. He flicked the second, and the belt clashed to the floor. He took another step towards her. She swallowed.

“I love that dress, but take it off,” he ordered softly.

A fire roared into life in the pit of her stomach. She unfastened her own weapons and dropped them to the floor at her feet. Hooking her fingers in the top of the silver tube dress, she peeled the clinging material down and stepped out of it, to stand before him in nothing but a silver thong and the silver platform shoes. She made to kick them off.

He shook his head. “Leave them on.”

His eyes burned over her skin, lingered on her breasts until her nipples tightened to hard little points that ached for his touch. Then lower, so a fire coiled in her belly, and moist heat welled up between her clenched thighs.

She watched as Rico studied the cabin of the shuttle. There weren’t a lot of options; the shuttle was small. His gaze finally settled on the pilot’s chair. He slid his palm into hers, led her across, and pushed her down gently. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed back, staring up as he perused her, his head tilted to one side, dark eyes gleaming with hunger and need. And the realization that he needed her as much as she did him soothed away any doubts that still lingered.

Reaching down, his fingers slid between her thighs. He lifted first one leg, then the other and placed them over the arms of the chair.

She sprawled, quiescent, her body throbbing with arousal, her breath coming in short, sharp pants, waiting for his next move. He trailed his hand over her breast, across the flat plane of her belly, then hooked a finger in the silver thong and ripped it away.

“Dios, but you’re pretty.”

He sank to his knees between her thighs and breathed in deeply. His cool breath brushed the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, and every muscle she possessed clenched tight.

“Payback time,” he murmured and slowly lowered his head.

At the first touch of his tongue, Skylar’s eyes drifted closed. She held her breath as he licked from the cleft in her buttocks, over her already drenched opening, pushing his tongue inside, up toward the inflamed nub between her thighs, stopping just short, so she moaned in delicious need. He repeated the move, always leaving her wanting more until she reached up and curled her hand around his skull and dragged his head towards her, pushing herself up against his mouth.

He laughed softly, took her swollen clit in his mouth, and suckled. Her hand dropped from him. Her head fell back, and she moaned. He bit down and pleasure poured through her, arching her back as she came immediately. She struggled against him, out of control, and his hands grasped her thighs. His fingers bit into her flesh, holding her open while his tongue continued to work, and pleasure pulsed through her. Finally, he kissed her one last time and raised his head. She forced her eyes open.

“I was planning on taking my time,” Rico said, his expression faintly rueful.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out, the pleasure still buzzing through her. He ran the pad of his thumb over her sensitized clit, and she nearly leapt from the chair.

She lay back and watched as he undressed for her. He pulled his shirt over his head, tossed it on the ground. His skin was pale, smooth over the swell of muscles. A narrow line of hair disappeared into his waistband, and she held her breath as he opened the fastener and dragged his pants down. He was already fully aroused, his shaft thick, the head swollen and blushed dark with blood as it arched up against his lean belly. She licked her lips, and his cock twitched. Taking it in his fist, he squeezed. His head went back, and he groaned. “Tell me what you want,” he said.

“I want you,” she whispered.

. . .

She looked so beautiful sitting there. Beautiful and bemused as though the pleasure had taken her by surprise. Swiping his tongue over his lower lip, he tasted the salty sweetness of her. His gums ached with the need to savor her blood.

She had come much too fast. He’d wanted to prolong her pleasure, force every other man she had ever known from her mind until there was only him.

Now, she was sitting almost primly, her thighs clasped together, and she kept shooting wary glances at his cock; it did nothing for his control, but she seemed unaware of the effect she was having on him.

“I get the impression it’s been a long time for you,” he said.

Surprise flashed across her face. He could see her mind working, deciding whether to deny it. Instead, she shrugged. “You don’t want to know how long.”

Actually, he did want to know, but he didn’t push it—that wasn’t a conversation to have just now. He reckoned it would be a definite mood killer. And right now, he wanted to sink himself into the hot, silky depths of her. “Tell me if I hurt you.”

She looked at his cock and nodded, and the muscles in his belly cramped. Rico picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Turning, he sat down in the chair, positioning her knees on either side of his hips. For long moments, he held her close, breathing in the wild, musky scent of her sex. He stroked a hand down over her breasts. She was lean, no spare fat, but her skin was soft and her breasts a heavy weight in his palms. Bending over her, he took one swollen nipple into his mouth while one hand went between her thighs and parted her sex with skillful fingers. The head of his cock nudged at her opening. He raised his head to look at her, and her eyes were wild.

“Ready?” he asked.

Without answering, she put her hands to his shoulders, held his gaze as she pushed herself down, sheathing him inside her. She was so tight, and he held himself still, savoring the feeling.

When he could wait no longer, his hands moved to her hips and lower to cup the firm globes of her ass, and he moved her on him. The drag of her muscles was exquisite, and he shoved into her harder this time. He could already feel the orgasm building in his balls, sending ripples of pleasure through his spine. He grasped her tighter, pushed her down, grinding her sensitive core against him until she whimpered. He knew she was close, and he slid one hand between their bodies, massaged her clit with the tip of his finger, and she exploded against him. He released his control, holding her hips and thrusting into her, feeling the ripples of her pleasure tugging at his cock.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her against his chest as the waves of pure bliss pulsated from his shaft, through his whole body until it burst in an explosion of pleasure.

His head fell back against the chair and he lay, eyes closed, sated. For the moment.

Finally, he opened his eyes to find her watching him, her own eyes wary. He was overwhelmed by the urge to comfort her, tell her everything was going to be fine. He couldn’t find the words, and instead he wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her towards him. He kissed her long and deep, felt the tension ease from her as the hunger rose inside him, and his gums ached with the need to feed. He couldn’t remember a hunger like this, as though he would die without the taste of her.

He backed off and stared into her eyes. “You know what I want?”

She nodded. “Rico, I just wanted to…” she trailed off and shrugged, then raised her chin, baring the smooth line of her throat.

He smiled at her fixed expression. “Don’t look so worried, querida. This isn’t going to hurt.”

“Querida—what does that mean?”

“It’s Spanish for ‘darling’. Now relax—you’ll enjoy it, I promise.”

He stroked the pad of his thumb down the line of her throat then leaned in close, breathing her in. He could smell the sweet scent of her blood as it thundered through her veins, so close to the surface. He tilted her head slightly and sank his fangs deep into the vein. She gasped against him as the warm blood filled his mouth, and the power filled his body. He swallowed, and a jolt of shock ran through him. He’d never tasted anything quite like Skylar’s blood, and for a moment, he went still. He forced the knowledge to the back of his mind—it was nothing he hadn’t already guessed, and it would wait for later.

She wriggled against him. He lifted her with ease; never releasing his hold on her throat as he lowered her to the floor and came down on top of her. Inside the tight sheath of her body, his cock stiffened, and she gasped again.

This time, they made slow, erotic love, the thrust of his hips keeping time with the pulse of her blood. He was careful not to take much, just enough. Finally, he released her, swiping his tongue over the small wound, before rising up over her to stare down into her desire drenched eyes.

“That was amazing,” she murmured.

Tension eased in his mind, and he realized he’d been worried she would not enjoy his blood-taking—another first. What was it about her that made him so unsure? He pushed the thought aside and flexed his hips, filling her, wanting to feel her shudder with desire beneath him.

Her blood buzzed inside him, saturating him with power. He continued to thrust slowly into her, holding tight onto his control, until finally, they came together in a burst of pleasure.

. . .

Skylar lost consciousness after the third orgasm. When she opened her eyes, it was to find Rico lying next to her on his back. She was pretty sure he was awake, but she didn’t have the energy to lift herself up and look.

She waited for him to say something, to denounce her, ask her what was going on, but he didn’t move.

She should get up, go get a stake or something, be prepared, but her body refused to obey. She felt boneless, weak. Complete for the first time in her life. The thought brought her up short and she sat up abruptly.

“You’re thinking again,” Rico murmured.

Her throat hurt, she reached up, ran her fingers over the puncture wounds and hissed under her breath. They had stopped bleeding, but still stung.

“Come here, querida.” He tugged her, so she fell on top of him. Nuzzling her neck, he kissed her, running his tongue over the small wounds. The stinging stopped, and she pulled away and rose to her feet. She kicked off the silver shoes, then dragged a clean jumpsuit out of the small closet and pulled it on. Boots followed. Finally, she fastened her weapons belt around her waist. And all the time she waited for Rico to denounce her. Instead, he stayed silent.

Her gaze shifted to where he still lay on the floor. He’d rolled onto his side, his head resting on one hand as he watched her. Skylar could read nothing from his expression. Flinging herself down into the pilot’s chair, she reset the coordinates to head back to El Cazador. She stared at the screen for a long while, but her gaze was drawn back to Rico. He still hadn’t moved. She allowed her eyes to wander over the length of him. She’d never met anyone so comfortable in his own skin. Finally, she reached his face. He raised an eyebrow.

“What?” she asked.

He sighed and pushed himself up. “You think too much.”

“Yeah, I know. Can’t seem to stop.”

Rising to his feet, he grabbed his pants and shirt from the floor and pulled them on. He leaned on the console beside her chair. “What do you plan to do now? Take little Jonny and go back to the rebels?”

Why wasn’t he confronting her? After tasting her blood, he had to know she’d lied about everything.

Her gaze narrowed on him. “I told you, I can’t go back. I stole their money.”

“Hmm, so you did. So, what will you do?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“You could stick around for a while.”

She glanced at him in surprise. Why would he say that? She considered the idea of staying on, and then berated herself for even allowing the thought to cross her mind. It was never going to happen. She was an idiot to even think about it. Besides, if she didn’t get out of there before Jonny woke from his cryo, she doubted Rico would be offering her a place on his ship. More likely, she’d be straight out the emergency exit without a spacesuit.

“I can’t. We’re fugitives. We’ll bring the Collective down on you.”

“Darling, we’re all fugitives after that little escapade.”

“They might not have identified you.”

He tossed her a look of disbelief. “You reckon?”

“No,” she replied honestly.

“Well the offer’s there, if you want to stay. At least until you decide on your next move.”

Pain shifted deep inside her. Why had he made the offer? It just made everything so much harder. “I can’t.”

Anger flared in his face. “You know, we are what we are. There’s no way around that truth. But that doesn’t mean we have to behave in a way prescribed for us by others. There’s always a choice.”

“Not always.”

He shifted irritably. “Of course there is. It might sometimes seem a choice between bad and worse, but it’s still a choice.”

“Bad and worse,” she mused, and shrugged. “We’re approaching El Cazador. Get ready for docking.”

Chapter Fourteen

Skylar landed the shuttle, and wordlessly, they made their way to the bridge. As they arrived at the door, Rico put his hand on her arm. He had a feeling the whole world was about to go to shit. He was expecting it, but even so, he wished he could put off the moment for a while. What he really wanted to do was turn around, drag Skylar back into that tiny shuttle, and disappear into deep space for the next hundred years. Maybe longer.

But he wasn’t going to do that.

All his life, he had taken what he wanted. Skylar was different; he needed her to come to him freely. Right now, he was sure she was planning to bolt, and he wouldn’t stop her. But he wasn’t leaving everything to chance, either. He’d left her a little something in the shuttle, for when she ran again. Something he hoped would tip the balance in his favor.

“What?” she asked.

“Just this.” He took her in his arms and backed her against the wall. Thrusting his hands into her short hair, he curled his fingers around her head to hold her still while he bent down and kissed her. She didn’t resist, her tongue thrusting fiercely into his mouth, her hands gripping his shoulders as though she would never let him go. He pressed into her, feeling the whole length of her against him. His cock nudged her belly, and she squirmed against him.

Behind him, the door slid open. Tannis coughed. “We have a little problem here, Rico.”

Skylar went still in his arms. Her tongue slid from his mouth. Reluctantly, Rico raised his head.

“What’s that?”

“Well, it seems that little Jonny has just woken up, and while he’s very grateful to be rescued, it appears he doesn’t actually have a sister.”

Rico raised one eyebrow. “How surprising.” Skylar met his gaze, her own steady. “Anything you want to add?” he asked.

The tip of her tongue came out to lick her lower lip, still swollen from his kisses. “He must be confused. I’ve heard cryo can do that, and Jonny never was too bright.”

He watched as she strolled across the bridge and sank into a chair. God, she was cool. Even now, he was impressed. “Aren’t you eager to go have a tearful reunion with baby brother?” he asked. For a moment, he wished she’d break, confess, and throw herself on his mercy. And he would be merciful. But the thought was fleeting—if she’d been the sort of woman who broke, he probably wouldn’t have cared one way or the other. There was still a chance if he gave her a choice, she would choose him.

She pursed her lips. “I think I’ll wait till he’s a little less fuzzy. It will break my heart if he doesn’t recognize me after all the trouble I’ve gone to.”

Rico smiled in admiration. “Hmm, and we wouldn’t want to break your heart, would we?”

Tannis stood, hands on her hips, her gaze flicking between the two of them. “Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?”

Skylar remained silent, and Rico shrugged. “She’s Collective.”

Tannis stared at Skylar. “She can’t be. Her eyes are the wrong color.”

“Have I mentioned the word gullible before?” Rico shook his head. “Skylar?”

Skylar reached up and removed the contact lenses, dropping them on the floor. Her eyes glowed with the violet of Meridian. She turned to Rico, a look of resignation on her face. “When did you know? Was it the blood?”

“Actually, no. I suspected almost from the start, but Janey confirmed it. You were the only one who could have called up that space cruiser, and as you were with me, you must have had some internal comm link. The only people with that are the Collective. It gave you away. Why did you do it?”

“I had no choice. You were about to munch on me, and you’d just told me you could tell how old I was from my blood.”

“You could have said no.” He studied her face. “So, how old are you?”

She shrugged. “Two-hundred and thirty-two.”

“A baby.” He shook his head. “When the ship attacked, at first I thought you’d had a lucky break, then I got to thinking.”

“I make my own lucky breaks,” she said.

. . .

Skylar was furious with herself. How could she have not seen this? She looked up at where Rico lounged, one shoulder against the wall. She couldn’t believe that all the time he’d been making such sweet love with her, he’d known what she was. One thing was sure; he was a damn better actor than she was.

Time to get off his ship.

There was a good chance that they would attempt to kill her before her backup got there, but right now, she couldn’t think of an alternative. She closed her eyes and opened her internal comm link.

And hit a wall.

She tried again. Nothing. They had cut her off, and the first stirrings of panic awoke inside her. She opened her eyes to find Rico watching her, an amused smile on his face.

“Janey reconstructed the frequency,” he said. “She’s put up a wall. I’m afraid there’s no calling for help.” He grinned. “Oh, and you told them to rendezvous about two hours from here. So don’t be expecting them anytime soon.”

A sense of fatality settled over her. This was it. It was over. They even had an assassin on board who knew exactly how to do away with the Collective on a permanent basis.

“If you knew all this, why am I still alive?” she asked.

“Good question,” Tannis said.

“I had planned to kill you,” Rico said. “I don’t like being double-crossed. But you saved our lives back on Trakis One. Those Collective would have killed us and by now you’d be back with your own kind.”

She scowled. “It was a reflex action.”

“Of course it was. Whatever, I owe you, and, like you, I pay my debts.”

“What does that mean?”

“You can go. Get in your shuttle and leave.”

She looked from him to Tannis. The captain’s face was set, but she didn’t speak. Skylar rose slowly to her feet.

“Just one thing,” Rico said.

She turned to him.

“What was this all for? Why go to the bother of freeing a man condemned by the Collective?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I was told it was a training exercise.”

For the first time she saw a real reaction. “A what?” His tone was outraged.

She didn’t blame him; she was outraged herself, but she kept her tone bland. “You said it yourself. They were getting sloppy. The Collective houses a lot of political prisoners on Trakis One. We needed to be sure it was secure. Plus my boss hates the guy in charge of security.”

“And just who exactly is “we”?”

“The Corps.”

“Jesus,” Tannis muttered.

“So why don’t you introduce yourself,” Rico said.

“Lieutenant Skylar Ross.”

Rico studied her for a moment, and she wondered if he would make the connection. She saw the moment enlightenment struck. “Would that make you related to Aiden Ross?”

She nodded. “He was my uncle.”

“So Jonny assassinated your uncle.”

“It’s not personal.” She shrugged. “I never liked Uncle Aiden anyway. He was a pompous ass.”

“So what was the plan now? Call in your space cruiser, arrest us all, and ship us off to the Meridian mines with Jonny?”

“Something like that.”

Tannis took a step toward her. “I’m letting you go because, as Rico said, you saved our asses back there. But if I ever see you again—I’ll kill you.”

Skylar narrowed her eyes. “You might try. I doubt you’d succeed.”

She whirled around, strode off the bridge, and headed for the docking bay, aware of Rico keeping step behind her. She slammed her palm onto the lock and the door to her shuttle slid open. She stepped inside and turned to face him.

He grinned. “Thanks for the sex, and the blood. That Meridian sure tastes good.”

“I enjoyed it.”

“I noticed.”

She reached up to shut the door, and he leaned forward, kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Remember, querida,” he murmured against her ear, “there’s always a choice.”

Her gaze flashed to his face. “Really? You heard what Tannis said. Somehow, I don’t think staying is an option now you all know what I am.”

He ran a finger down her cheek. “I’ve always known what you are, querida. The question is, does it matter?” He gave her one last, fleeting kiss, and then he was gone.

Skylar moved automatically, strapping herself in, setting the engines. She expected any moment for them to change their minds and come after her. And all the while, in the back of her mind, something niggled.

She’d been flying for ten minutes when she crashed her hand on the emergency stop button. The shuttle spun to an immediate halt. She sat for a moment, staring out into the vastness of space.

Rico had always known what she was.

He already knew she was Collective when he’d asked her to stay. Her pulse roared in ears with the realization.

There’s always a choice.

But what were her choices?

No one had ever parted company with the Collective before. That didn’t mean it couldn’t be done. Skylar thought of going back, of taking the fallout from her impetuous decision, and of the tedious years that stretched ahead. Did boredom have to be the price of immortality?

She thought of Rico and had an instant flashback to the feel of him on her, in her, filling her completely. That low, husky voice whispering querida in her ear. A wave of heat rolled through her body. She didn’t understand her feelings for the vampire fully, but she did know that things would never be boring on his ship.

And there was another thing to consider. Her husband, Daniel, had died. Despite being offered the Meridian treatment, he had chosen a normal life and a normal death. But unlike Daniel, Rico would never grow old, and he would never die. Well, not of natural causes.

Skylar wasn’t sure what they had, or what they could have together, but whatever it was, she knew they’d have plenty of time to explore it.

All the time in the universe.

She leaned forward to switch on the engines and something glittered in the corner of her eye. For a moment, she was sure her heart stopped beating. A ring lay on the console; a purple jewel on a slender band of white metal. She picked it up and held it to the light, turning it so fires danced in the heart of the stone.

For a brief moment, she thought the ring might be a farewell gift, but the idea didn’t linger. This was an offer of a new life. A symbol of eternal love, Rico had said.

Skylar wasn’t sure anything could last forever.

But did that really matter?

The important thing was, right now, she wanted it to. For the first time in years, the thought of eternity filled her with anticipation rather than dread.

She slipped the ring on her finger and grinned as she remembered Tannis’ farewell comment. Hopefully, it had at least been in part rhetorical.

And if she survived Tannis, there was ‘Jonny.’ She had an idea Jonny wasn’t going to turn out to be a big fan of the Collective either.

At the thought of Jonny, something stirred deep in her mind. Something that had been bothering her since Trakis One. Closing her eyes, she visualized the scene, and a light clicked on in her brain.

Shit.

She’d been so stupid. She had to get back, warn them.

Switching on the engine, she swung the shuttle around, and headed back to El Cazador.

. . .

The door slid open.

Rico stood exactly where she had left him, as though he’d been waiting for her. They stared at each other, neither moving.

After a minute, Skylar raised her left hand with the ring sparkling on her finger. “Eternity, huh? Sounds like a long time.”

“You scared?”

She considered the question. “Yes.”

“Me, too.”

“But I kind of like it.”

He slanted her a smile. “Me, too. But don’t worry; we’ll take it one day at a time.”

Eternity, one day at a time. It sounded good to her. She closed the space between them, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. His mouth opened over hers, his tongue filling her, starting the slow burn in her belly, and the docking bay vanished, the Collective and Jonny driven from her mind.

Behind them, someone cleared her throat, and Skylar went still. She peeked over Rico’s shoulder. Tannis stood in the open doorway.

“Shit,” Skylar murmured, “here comes trouble.”

She wriggled out of Rico’s arms, though he kept a tight grip on one hand. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear. “You want me to protect you?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Sweet of you to offer, but do I look like I need protecting?”

He stepped back, his gaze wandering slowly over her body. Her insides melted.

“Hell, no.”

For a moment, she forgot Tannis and swayed toward him. The soft scrape of a laser pistol being drawn stopped her. Skylar sighed. “Just one thing,” she said, “If she really looks like she’s going to shoot me, you might ask her not to. Nicely, of course.”

“I can do nice.”

“Good.” Skylar turned and watched as Tannis strolled across the docking bay toward them, the pistol held loosely at her side. She came to a halt a foot from Skylar.

“What are you doing back here?” she growled. “I thought I’d made my position clear—I see you, and I kill you.”

“And as I said, you can try.”

Skylar searched her face, but had no clue what Tannis was thinking, or whether she would shoot. She must know the blast wouldn’t kill Skylar. The Meridian treatment made her almost impervious to normal weapons, and she could repair any amount of damage.

But Skylar didn’t want it to come to a fight. She wanted to stay on El Cazador, and to do that she had to reach some sort of understanding with the captain. Also, the Collective would waste no time coming after Jonny; they could be out there right now, ready to pounce. She needed to find a way to defuse Tannis and quickly.

Curving her lips into the semblance of a sweet smile, she waggled her ring finger in Tannis’ face. “I had to come back—you see, Rico made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

The yellow eyes widened, the pupils narrowing to slits. “No freaking way.”

Raising her hand, Skylar held the ring close to her own face, and batted her lashes. “Look—it even matches my eyes.”

Tannis glanced from the ring, to Skylar, to Rico, back to the ring. “Excuse me, while I lose my lunch.”

Skylar bit back a laugh at the response. She nodded at the laser pistol. “So, are you going to use that thing?”

“Actually, after that bit of news, I might just use it to shoot myself.”

But she jammed the pistol back in the holster and turned away, running a hand through her short hair, and muttering under her breath. Skylar reckoned Tannis deserved a minute to come to terms with the news, but she was impatient to talk about Jonny and work out what they could do. Maybe she could contact the colonel and offer to send his prisoner back, but she suspected they had moved beyond that being a viable option.

For the first time, she noticed the rest of the crew had edged into the room and were watching avidly. Daisy caught her eye and grinned.

Skylar inched closer to Rico and nodded toward Tannis. “Is she going to be okay?”

“Probably.”

“Do you think she could be okay sooner rather than later? There’s something you need to know.”

He obviously saw something in her face. “Tannis! Get over it, and get over here. We might have a problem.”

Tannis stopped pacing. “A bigger problem than my pilot losing his mind?”

“Much bigger,” Skylar said. “Where’s the prisoner? Has he talked yet?”

“Your baby brother? No, he’s sleeping off the cryo. Why?”

“I think the Collective are going to come after him.”

“Well, obviously. They’ll want him back.”

“No. I think they want him dead.”

Rico looked at her sharply. “Why? If it was nothing but a training exercise, why kill him?”

“I don’t know. I just know something’s not right.”

“Explain,” Tannis snapped.

“I couldn’t work it out until just now, but then it struck me. The soldiers I shot on Trakis One—the Corps—they weren’t carrying laser pistols. They were carrying blasters.”

“So?” Tannis didn’t attempt to hide her impatience.

“So, they were an assassination squad. All along, they meant to kill him.”

“That makes no sense. They’ve had him in prison for weeks. If they wanted him dead, why not kill him there?”

“If he’d died in prison, there would be all sorts of questions. I think they wanted it to look like a failed escape attempt. For some reason they didn’t want him to come round from the cryo. I’m guessing he has information they don’t want to come out.”

“And what would that be?”

She shrugged. “How should I know? I’m a soldier. I’m on a need-to-know basis.”

“Hmm. So they would have just blasted us all to pieces?”

Skylar nodded.

“And they’re going to come after us.”

“With everything they’ve got.”

“Great, just great. And I bet there’s no chance of me getting the rest of my money either.” She gave Skylar a black look. “You do know this is your fault?” She turned her cold gaze on Rico. “And yours.”

“Why the hell is it my fault?”

Tannis snorted. “She probably only picked this ship because she’d heard what a pushover you were. Forget that ‘I heard you’re the best’ crap. I bet it was more a case of she’d heard all she needed was to flash a big pair of tits in your face and your brain would fly out the airlock.”

Someone sniggered. Tannis glared at the crew, and the sound was cutoff abruptly. Shoving her hands in her pockets, she turned and stalked away.

“Well, that went well,” Rico murmured.

“It did, didn’t it?” Skylar waited until Tannis reached the door. “Captain?”

Tannis paused, but didn’t turn around. “What?”

“You still planning to kill me?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

Epilogue

Tannis slapped a bottle down on the table.

“What’s that?” Skylar asked.

“Iron supplement,” Tannis said. “I think you’re going to need it.”

“Oh.” She only narrowly resisted lifting her hand to her throat, where she knew the marks of Rico’s fangs still showed. “Thank you.”

It was later that evening, and they’d all gathered at the table in the galley for the final meal of the day. El Cazador was heading away from the Trakis system as fast as she could go. Tomorrow, they had a planning meeting, but tonight, by unspoken agreement, they’d been keeping the conversation light. Rico sat next to her, his hand resting on her thigh.

“Tannis looks after her crew,” he said.

Skylar stared up into Tannis’ cold, yellow eyes. “So, am I crew?”

Tannis nodded curtly, and something tight unraveled in Skylar.

“We just haven’t decided what position yet,” Rico murmured, stroking his hand along her thigh. “We can discuss it later—try a few out.”

“Yes, we have. She’s our security officer,” Tannis said, kicking out a chair and sinking down opposite her. “So does this mean you’ve left the Collective?” she asked.

Skylar shook her head. It always amazed her how little outsiders understood about the Collective. “I can’t leave the Collective,” she said. “I am the Collective. We all are. I could no more leave than you could chop off your arm and expect it to have a life without you.”

Tannis frowned, and Skylar struggled to explain. “The Meridian joins us together until we’re part of a single being. If we open ourselves, we can think as one, expand our minds.”

“A gestalt,” Rico said. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“So, they’ll be able to find you?” Tannis asked.

“I really don’t know. No one’s ever tried to leave before, but I’m sure we’ll find out.”

She didn’t mention that although she had clamped down her internal links, she could already feel them nudging at her, trying to get in.

They were all silent for a minute, and then Al spoke up from the end of the table. “The Church believes the Collective is evil.”

Skylar frowned. “Why do you say that? It’s certainly not an official stance.”

Al shrugged one skinny shoulder. “They say it takes a hundred men a hundred years to mine enough Meridian for one treatment. But they also believe Meridian ties your soul to your body. That’s why you can’t die, and why you’ll never go to heaven.”

He rose from the table, picked up a plate, and started piling it with food.

“Who’s that for?” Tannis asked.

“Jon.”

“He’s not a prisoner—he can come and join us.”

Al shifted uncomfortably and glanced at Skylar. “He says he won’t sit in the same room as a piece of Collective…” He bit his lip on the last word.

“Hmm,” Tannis said. “Well, we’ll let it go for tonight, but if he stays on this ship, he eats with my crew.”

“I’ll tell him,” Al said.

They watched as he took the plate and left the galley. Soon after, the rest of the crew drifted away, leaving Skylar alone with Rico. As soon as they were gone, he pulled her onto his lap. “Security officer,” he whispered into her ear. “Does that mean you get to tie me up, maybe even handcuff me, if I misbehave?”

She giggled, but pulled back slightly.

“Do you think it’s safe?” she asked.

“What? Tying me up?”

“No. Al with that criminal?”

“Why shouldn’t it be?”

“Well, Al’s …” she trailed off, unsure if she should giveaway Al’s secret.

“A girl?” Rico said.

She stared at him in surprise. “You knew?”

“Only just guessed—the kid got me interested. It was easy to see once you looked.”

“Don’t you want to know why?”

He shrugged. “There’re a whole load of reasons people want to hide—I reckon Al’s reasons are her own.”

“Yes, but—”

He dragged her closer and kissed her. For a moment, she relaxed against him. But something was tugging at her mind. Something to do with the Church. She pictured Al, that shock of dark red hair, the huge grey eyes, and suddenly it came to her.

She sat up straight, eyes wide. “Holy Meridian!”

Rico sighed. “What?”

“I just realized who Al is.”

“Really? Well, Al can wait until tomorrow.” He kissed her throat, his tongue stroking along the length of the vein, and Al vanished from her mind.

Picking up her left hand, he twisted the ring on her finger. “Did you really pick this ship because you heard I was the best?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“And what do you think now?”

She looked down into his hard, handsome face and thought about forever. “Why don’t you ask me again in a few hundred years, and I’ll let you know.”

Acknowledgements

To the fabulous ladies at Passionate Critters for reading my stories and letting me know what they really think.  And to my editor at Entangled, Liz Pelletier, for her help, her suggestions, and most of all, for her wonderful enthusiasm.

About the Author

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain. Nina’s writing mixes romance with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

You can find Nina at www.ninacroft.com.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

About the Author