Captive - Cheryl Brooks Page 0,95

anyone except her. “I can think of lots of better things we could do together, but first things first.” He glanced at the others. “What do you say we go catch ourselves a dictator?”

Chapter 25

Harlex climbed out of the speeder, then waved his rifle toward the road. “Looks like we’ll have plenty of help with that.”

Klara released her hold on Moe and spun around, her eyes widening with astonishment. In the short time since they’d passed by them, the small groups of Haedusians had become a mob, brandishing every sort of makeshift weapon imaginable. The mob was primarily comprised of women, most of whom were on foot, but some were actually piloting speeders. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

“No shit,” Moe agreed. “Pelarus won’t know what hit him. But first, we have to find him.”

“No worries there,” one of the sentries said. “We know exactly where he’ll go—and we have speeders.”

“Lead the way, then,” Moe said.

As Harlex and the other guards took off in their speeders, Moe glanced toward Nexbit. “Might be best for all of us to get there with some strength left. Why don’t you fly on ahead? I can hitch a ride with Klara.”

“Will do.” Spreading his leathery wings, Nexbit soared into the air.

Klara was already climbing into the pilot’s seat as Moe approached. He peered at it with a critical eye. “This is your speeder, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is,” Klara said proudly. “I never dreamed it would have survived the fire, but it came right to me when I whistled. Don’t know if I’ll ever get the smell of rotten radishes out of it, though.”

“Minor concern.” Moe hopped into the seat Harlex had just vacated. “You drive. I’ll ride shotgun.”

Klara chuckled. “Whatever that means.”

“I’ll explain it someday,” he said. “In the meantime, let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

Still slightly mystified, Klara strapped herself in and raised the parking struts.

“Ahead warp factor one.” Moe waved a hand in the direction the Nedwuts had taken. “Engage.”

She gave him a sidelong glance as she slid a fingertip up the control bar. The engine responded with maximum speed, forcing her back against her seat. “You’re in a good mood.”

“Amazing what escaping death will do for a guy. And a good sugar rush doesn’t hurt, either.” He patted her knee. “But reuniting with your kidnapped mate tops them all.” He hesitated, his clenched jaw muscles twitching before he spoke. “That bastard didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“Never laid a hand on me,” she replied. “Tried blackmail, then opted to win me over with kindness.” She shook her head slowly. “Didn’t think he had it in him.”

“You’re not going soft, are you?”

“No. Although taking an actual bath for the first time in my life made me feel more kindly toward him.” She frowned. “Have you ever tasted something called roast chicken?”

“Um, yeah. Loads of times.”

“I never had. It was better than dwithan, although that isn’t saying much.”

“Remind me to take you to my Uncle Tarq’s restaurant someday. He’s a whiz with chicken.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Someday… At one time, she hadn’t believed there would even be a someday to look forward to. Nothing but empty, useless days as Pelarus’s trophy wife. No Moe. No children…

“At least he didn’t find out about the babies.” She stopped there, trying to recall any indications that her pregnancy had been terminated. “I mean, I don’t feel any different, but I was unconscious for a while…” The horror of what might have been done to her during that time was almost too much to bear. She gripped the steering mechanism so tightly her nails bit into her palms.

Moe leaned toward her and inhaled deeply. “You still smell incredible, so I’m guessing the kids are okay.”

Although a sigh of relief escaped her, she still wasn’t entirely convinced. “Wish we had a scanner so we could be sure.”

“I dunno. In this particular case, my nose is probably as reliable as any scanner.” He shrugged. “That and my dick, which informs me you have nothing to worry about.”

She had to laugh. “Nothing to worry about? You must be joking.”

“I’m perfectly serious. Even if Pelarus gets clean away, there’s nothing to stop me from sending out a deep space com to my folks. Trust me, Mom would be delighted to come to our rescue. And with you being Trag’s daughter, rescuing you would give her bragging rights for years to come, especially after she hears you’re expecting.” He frowned. “Although my father may have already told her. Having visions about the