a big mess, that’s how we like it.”
“Get her there and then what?” Donovan’s voice was low, scary.
That dangerous edge made the pirate’s smile dissolve. “Tell him to back off.”
“Do I make you nervous?” Donovan’s silky drawl put goose bumps on Airen’s skin.
“Donovan,” she warned.
“Why do the Kantos want her?” Donovan continued. “I’m particularly fond of her, and I want to know.”
“They want her. That’s all I know. Our old leader, Arnaf, he would know more.”
“Arnaf?” Airen asked.
“He was in charge of our clan when we got the job, but he didn’t really want to come after the Eon. Credits were too good, though. We had a little mutiny and a leadership change. We dumped Arnaf on the way here, and Cyris took over. He’s dead now, down on the planet.”
Donovan looked at Airen.
“Where did you dump this Arnaf?” she asked.
“Old, abandoned mining colony.” The pirate got a cagey look on his face. “You let me go, I’ll tell you the coordinates.”
Donovan leaned in. “Just tell us, so I don’t have to beat the shit out of you.” His smile turned scary. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind beating the shit out of you.”
“Suck space cock, you—”
Donovan gripped the pirate’s neck and slammed his face into the table. The pirate howled.
“Let’s try this again,” Airen said calmly.
“Fine, fine.” The pirate touched the small trickle of blood coming from his nose, then glared at Donovan. “Tell him to back up.”
Donovan just crossed his arms over his chest.
“Talk,” Airen said.
“Fine, I’ll tell you the coordinates. You have to go in quietly, or he’ll run.”
After the pirate shared the coordinates, things moved fast. Airen went to brief Malax, and the war commander nodded.
“We have repairs well underway, so we can spare you. It is imperative we find out what the Kantos are planning.”
“I’ll take a shuttle. It’s best I go alone so I don’t spook—”
“No. It’s too dangerous. The Kantos appear to want you, Airen.”
She straightened. “I can handle the Kantos, Malax.”
“I know, but you take Donovan. Two Eon might appear a threat. A Terran, maybe not so much.”
Internally, she cursed. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Donovan’s skills. She just preferred that he stayed safe on the Rengard.
“You two work well together,” Malax said.
“He is extremely competent.”
“Terrans are full of surprises.” A small smile flirted on Malax’s lips. “Report in, and good hunting.”
Airen found Donovan waiting for her in the corridor.
“Malax is sending you and me to the coordinates,” she told him.
He grinned. “So, just the two of us?”
She shot him a look as they headed down the corridor. “We’ll be working.”
It didn’t take long before they were prepped and in the shuttle.
Airen did the pre-flight checks, with Donovan watching on with interest. The man seemed to absorb everything.
“Didn’t know you were a pilot too,” he said.
“We all take basic piloting courses at the academy. I took a few advanced ones. I like flying.” As a young girl, she’d desperately wanted the freedom to soar.
“Me too. Always dreamed of flying through space as a kid.”
Their gazes met, a shared moment.
Then she turned her attention to the controls. Soon, they were flying out of the shuttle bay doors. As they moved out into space, she tapped in the coordinates for the mining colony, and the ship turned sharply. Then they sped away from the Rengard.
“It’s not too far. A ship hour to reach the coordinates at star speed.”
“Where is this mining colony?” he asked. “A planet? A moon?”
“Star charts show a small asteroid field. Asteroid mining is risky, but pretty common out here. The asteroids are packed full of valuable ores.”
“Perfect spot to dump someone when you carry out a mutiny.” Donovan paused. “I don’t like this, Airen. The Kantos are after you.”
She didn’t like it either. “I don’t know why, but I plan to find out.”
“Looks like oh-so-smooth Ander won’t be able to corner you and drip his slime around.”
Donovan’s sharp words made her bite back a smile. “I’m not disappointed. He’s getting married and thought I’d be interested in having an affair.” She shook her head.
Donovan’s face went tight. “So not just an idiot, but a cheater as well.”
“I’m sure he sees his marriage as a merger of convenience. No doubt her family has influence.” Which he’d always taken great pains to remind her she didn’t have.
Reaching out, Donovan touched her hand. “The guy is so far beneath you, Airen.”
Warmth flooded her. “Thanks.” She fiddled with the controls. “So, you don’t believe in love?”
He leaned back in his chair. “No. Not romantic love.