it yet. They’ll soon figure it out when our transport doesn’t return. The group of pirates who run the hub aren’t going to just let that go. You never quit that line of work. It’s for life or they kill you. It’s one of the reasons I’ve never tried to escape before. I knew they’d come after me if I took out the men who’d enslaved me. All their transports have multiple trackers hidden both inside and out. Pirates don’t trust each other. I’d never have been able to lose them if I’d stolen the Cracker.”
She knew he expected a response, but she didn’t have one. Instead, she just gave him a little nod to acknowledge that she’d heard him. It seemed to be enough when he spoke again.
“I’ve already set a course to get us out of this solar system and we’re heading far from their territory. I don’t have time right now to make a stop to hack into a relay satellite for you to send a message. We can’t transmit one directly from this shuttle, because it would carry the Morgan’s signature. I’ve disabled the tracking system but communications can be traced by main computer signatures.”
“I just want to go home,” she pleaded softly.
His features softened. “I’m going to do everything I can to find a safe way for you return to your planet. I just don’t want to die in the process. Don’t give up hope, Hailey. It’s going to take some time, but I’ll get you back to your parents.”
She glanced at his body again and then held his gaze. “What do you want from me in return? There’s always a price.”
He took a step closer, and she backed up. He looked much stronger and was bigger than the man who’d grabbed her off the street. She hadn’t been able to fight that guy off. There was zero chance of defending herself against Blade.
He didn’t advance again.
“I’m nothing similar to those humans who kidnapped you, Hailey. All I ask is that you and I live in peace on this shuttle, and that you attempt to trust me. Don’t break into the cockpit to gain access to communications. I’d like to think that at least one person doesn’t want me dead, and hopefully that will be you.”
It sounded simple enough to Hailey, but things never were. He had admitted to being a clone, though… They weren’t normal people. It was possible he wasn’t interested in sex. That meant she’d be safe from him attacking.
“I took the quarters next door. They aren’t as nice as this one, but I want you to be comfortable.” He smiled. “I’m going to go there now to get some rest. I’ve been up for a long time. Is there anything you need before I go?”
She shook her head.
“You’re welcome to explore the ship. I’m directly to the right, down the hallway. I’m a light sleeper, so buzz me if you need something. The only areas locked down are the cockpit and the engines.”
“Why the engines?”
“It’s dangerous there. I once saw a man killed simply by touching the wrong thing. You could be electrocuted. It’s just for your protection.”
“Is that really the only reason?”
“I’m not going to lie to you, Hailey. It’s possible that you might consider damaging the engines. I can’t allow that. I risked my life to save yours. Pirates will be hunting for me soon. I can’t risk us being dead in space, allowing them to capture either of us. We’re still in their territory. Theirs are the only ships that would dock with us. Trust me on that. They’ll likely assume I’m going to want revenge for their treatment of me, and I know where they live. I could tell the authorities about the hub.”
“Are you going to do that?” she asked.
“No. The authorities won’t care about the innocent women and children living on the way station who were taken there by force.” He paused. “They’d just blow it up to kill them all.”
She nodded, willing to believe him.
“I don’t expect gratitude, but I’ve been where you are. My first thoughts when I was captured by pirates was to kill them and cause mass destruction to their hub. I felt I had nothing to lose, since I believed they’d eventually kill me. I finally realized I was too useful for them to murder, and innocents would die if I followed through with that plan. Sabotaging the hub would mean the deaths of women and children, as well, if