Sentinel - Cyndi Friberg Page 0,33

his range was significantly limited compared to a sentinel’s.

“So what is so godsdamn important?” He crossed his arms over his massive chest.

Rather than looking at his brutish face, she focused on his bulging biceps. Damn. An unexpected rush of lust spiraled through her body. If they kept the lights low, or he took her from behind...Not now! She chided herself. He must understand how badly he’d failed before she even considered toying with him.

“I requested a team of your best mercenaries,” she began in a cold, clipped tone. “I specified four. Instead it was reported to me that nine weapons were recovered from the scene, nine Cretzian weapons. Who the fuck leaves their weapons behind when they’re trying to frame someone else for the crime?” She shouted the last question, unable to suppress her anger.

Without explanation, he turned away from her and activated a holographic link with a Cretzian male on a ship. They spoke briefly in rapid-fire Cretz. Their voices grew louder with each exchange until they were yelling at each other. Hastos ended the link abruptly and faced her again. “I apologize profusely. I have contracted this team numerous times before and they accomplished their objectives without complication.”

“What happened this time?” It was hard to remain angry when Hastos’ fault was the same as hers. She trusted him to take care of this and he trusted someone else. This was further proof supporting the adage, If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

“So many on Cretz are desperate for work that he tried to include as many as possible. However, there were only five members in the strike team, not nine. Cretzians are trained to fight with weapons in both hands. We are intensely sorry that his generosity backfired.”

Unmoved by the fool’s good intentions, she reiterated, “The rebels have one of the Cretzian weapons. They could follow it to you, which in turn leads to me. That is unacceptable.”

“Understood. I am responsible for the failures of my employees. How can I rectify the situation?”

Kneeling beside the bed with your head between my thighs would be a damn good start. She fought back a wicked smile. Why were her desires so combustible today? It had been longer than she cared to admit since she shared pleasure with anyone. Still, she must be pretty desperate to lust after this brute.

“I’m not sure how to fix this,” she muttered. “Too many have seen the guns. We can’t kill them all.”

“Shall I kneel beside the bed and place my head between your thighs while you think about it?”

She gasped and snapped her gaze to his grinning face. “You told me you have no psychic powers?”

He shrugged. “I always downplay my abilities until I determine whether or not I can trust someone.”

Fear rippled along her spine and she nervously licked her lips. “And what did you decide? Can you trust me?”

“About as much as you can trust me.”

What was that supposed to mean? He stalked toward her and she retreated until she felt the wall at her back. He reached for the belt of her robe and she quickly grabbed his wrists. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m about to show you how a Cretzian ‘brute’ treats an arrogant Sarronti female.” Without warning he bent and shoved his shoulder into her belly, effortlessly lifting her off her feet.

“Put me down!” She slapped his back and kicked her feet, but she was grinning from ear to ear.

Chapter Five

Natalie groaned softly as Salvo guided her out of the subspace portal. The disorientation only lasted a second or two, but it was like an intense carnival ride in complete darkness. “How do you do that over and over?” She blinked repeatedly, trying to bring her surroundings back into focus. The glowering urbanite messenger was gone. He must have walked off as soon as he exited the portal.

“I’ve had decades of practice.” Salvo stroked the back of her hair, a faint smile curving his lips.

He’d taken her in his arms to bring her through the portal. He’d done so the first time as well, so she thought physical contact was necessary. Then why had the grumpy urbanite been able to walk right through? A smile bowed her lips and heat blossomed across her cheeks. Salvo was using the portals as an excuse to touch her. He didn’t need an excuse. She was more than ready for his touch, and the urgent movement of his lips against hers. She’d been attracted to him from