Captive - Cheryl Brooks Page 0,82

sooner? Crippled that Nedwut ship before it redirected that asteroid to its collision course with Zetith? Killed Rutger Grekkor long before he began his crusade to wipe out every Zetithian in the galaxy? Or at least put Moe in the way of falling in love with someone else?

“Fate is a cruel mistress, my friend.”

A glance toward the doorway proved those words hadn’t issued from his own mouth or even his own thoughts. “Figured you’d come down here to gloat eventually.”

Pelarus lounged against the wall just inside the door, leaving it tantalizingly open. “I thought I might give you one last chance to save your worthless hide.”

Moe jumped to his feet in one swift movement. “I’m guessing I won’t like your terms.”

Pelarus sighed. “You probably won’t. My suggestion is that you leave this world and never return.”

“That was my plan all along until your people stole my ship.”

“We didn’t steal your ship. Your own henchman took off before my acquisition squad could accomplish their mission.”

Moe chuckled. “Acquisition squad, huh? Fancy name for a gang of thugs.”

Pelarus’s initial response was a moue of distaste. “I have to call them something, and Nedwuts do relish titles of distinction. Plus, they’re surprisingly honorable for a gang of thugs. Believe it or not, there are some things they actually refuse to do.”

“You mean like capturing Klara?”

He tilted his head as his brow rose ever so slightly. “Something like that. In the end, I had to take a hand in her capture myself, proving precisely how simple it could be.” After a moment’s pause for a careful inspection of his fingernails, he returned his gaze to Moe. “I didn’t even have to get them dirty.”

“Well, thank the gods for that.” Moe had done his best to maintain an even temper, but Pelarus seemed to know exactly which of his buttons to push and how hard to push them. Between his captor’s taunting tone and the lure of the open door, anger began to cloud his judgment, and he began gearing up for a burst of speed. He could easily blow past the man. If Vessonians had ever been known for their speed, Moe hadn’t heard of it. Then again, given Pelarus’s reputed wealth, a genetic manipulation wasn’t totally out of the question.

I’m thinking too much. I should make a break for it. That’s what Mom would do.

He’d never considered himself to be quite as gutsy as Captain Jack. Then again, he was her son. She would never forgive him for going down without a fight—or taking Pelarus up on his ridiculous offer. “I’m assuming I’d have to leave this world without Klara.”

“Oh, but of course.” His smug, lilting tone made Moe long to flatten his big ugly nose.

“That’s the whole point, isn’t it?”

“Maybe for you. But certainly not for me. Klara is my mate. I will not leave without her.”

“Then death in the arena it must be,” Pelarus said with mock regret. “Although I do imagine watching you before you die will be good sport. I have several opponents in mind for you.” He tapped his chin. “Choosing the right one is so difficult. Perhaps I should simply pit you against all of them at once.”

“Have them gang up on me, you mean?”

Pelarus nodded. “They’ve been spoiling for a fight for some time now. Keeping them penned up any longer would be such a shame. I believe five against one should be sufficient. Then they will only have to defeat each other. The last combatant standing will go free.”

Moe couldn’t imagine Pelarus granting his freedom even if he did win the match. He had two choices: a mad dash for the door or the chance of victory in the arena. The very slim chance…

He cocked his head as a very Captain Jack-like strategy took shape in his mind.

Why not both?

“Conversing with you has been such a joy, truly it has. But I really must fly.”

Moe was through the door and halfway down the corridor before Pelarus could shout for the guards. Knowing that a wide stun beam could take him down at any moment, he turned on the speed and never looked back.

Unfortunately, he had absolutely no idea where he was going. Spotting another open door, he ran toward it without bothering to feint in a different direction. As he approached, the door began to close. He made it to the door before it slid completely shut, only to be pinned against the jamb. A quick dislocation of his hip and shoulder let him through. Pausing