Weapons Master Galactic Gladia - Anna Hackett Page 0,7
six and her mom had left her.
Tears changed nothing.
She sniffed. “Damn glad to see you guys.”
“We’re damn glad that you’re okay.” Quinn scanned around. “I see you raised some hell.”
“They deserved it.” Suddenly, Bellamy felt drained and tired. Her adrenaline was crashing, and everything was slamming down on her.
She turned to look at her tawny-haired savior. A handsome cyborg with a red cloak was tending to him. She heard him grunt and start to complain.
“Don’t worry, Maxon is as tough as old leather.” Quinn grinned. “And about as cheery.”
“Bellamy, I’m glad to see you aren’t injured,” someone said.
She looked up at one of the cyborgs, the blond-haired Toren. She’d met him at Bari Batu with Simone.
“Hi, Toren.” She found a smile for him.
“Bellamy Walsh.”
The deep voice made her turn and she swallowed. This man had “boss” stamped all over him.
“I’m Magnus Rone.”
So, this was “the” cyborg. “Thanks for the rescue.”
The man’s expression didn’t change, but she sensed he was amused. “I believe you did just fine rescuing yourself. The other women from the Helios are eager to see you.”
“Simone’s okay?” she asked.
Magnus nodded. “And her daughter. Along with Sage and Jayna.”
Bellamy’s chest hitched and she looked at Quinn. “That’s it?”
Quinn squeezed her arm. “And Mina. That appears to be all from the Helios who were sold to the Edull. There are several others from Fortuna Station. Most of them are at the House of Galen.”
But there had been so many more aboard the Helios. Jesus. Bellamy had to face the fact that they were dead or sold on some other distant planet.
A big, scowling cyborg stepped up beside Magnus. “You want us to round up any of Zulnath’s people who survived?”
The imperator nodded. “Set them free in the desert, Mace. And I want to talk to the other residents and find someone capable of taking over here.”
The handsome cyborg moved close to Quinn, running a hand down her arm. “Magnus, Corsair’s mentioned an enclave close to here. It’s run by a woman called Cassana and her mate, Lena. Rumor is that Cassana is a former escaped slave and she welcomes anyone who’s been enslaved, anyone with no home to go to.”
“You think she’d be happy to take over this outpost?” Magnus asked.
“I think so. Corsair said she’s been taking in anyone who’s escaped from Bari Batu.”
“Contact her.”
The handsome cyborg smiled. “Consider it done.”
Quinn smiled. “Bellamy, this is Jax. My cyborg.”
The man smiled, seemingly more in touch with his emotions than the others. He looked extremely happy to be claimed by Quinn.
“A pleasure, Bellamy.”
Quinn went on to introduce the grumpy-looking Mace and brown-haired Acton, and the tough, female cyborg, Seren.
As the others got busy rounding up Zulnath’s people, Bellamy went over and crouched by Maxon.
He was scowling, his eyes burning hot. Wow, they actually looked like melted gold. A temporary bandage had been pressed to the spear wounds on his back and shoulder. His turbulent gaze met hers—hot, electric, and cranky as hell.
When he tried to move, she pressed a hand to his uninjured shoulder. “You should stay still, or you’ll bleed more.”
He made a sound like an annoyed bear. “I’m a cyborg. I don’t need coddling.”
“Man, you’re even grumpier than I remember.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “And you’re even more irritating than I remember.”
Bellamy laughed. It felt like something cracked open inside her, and it felt good. God, she hadn’t laughed in so long.
When she calmed, his moody gaze moved across her face. Like she was a puzzle that confounded him, but he really wanted to solve.
“No one’s made me laugh for a really long time, cyborg,” she said quietly. “So, thanks.”
Something worked behind his eyes.
She reached out to touch his bandage, but he lifted a hand. “If you want to help, go and find my weapons.”
She rose. “Lord, you’re bossy.”
He raised a brow. “So?”
Shaking her head, she stalked over to where they’d fought the crime boss and his goons.
Magnus, Quinn, and the other cyborgs were gathering a crowd of Zulnath’s followers. Several were beaten up and in bad shape.
Bellamy couldn’t find it in herself to feel much sympathy for them.
She spotted the shiny-looking gun Maxon had used and lifted it. She remembered him firing it with expert ease. She ran her hand down the metal. Nice. It had a sleek design, but was also sturdy.
Next, she lifted the wicked sword he’d used to kill Zulnath and found the sexy little blaster he’d thrown at her to use.
There was a whoosh of sound overhead, and she looked up to