Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,26

“You’re not one of them because you’re not Gravasian. And they’d never allow a woman to become one.”

Delphi snorted. “Yeah, and that’s a drawback for them right now. They couldn’t send one of their own in to look for you. No way to sneak onto Tortuga.”

Understanding slowly lit his eyes. “That’s why they sent you. How much are they paying?”

Insulted, she shoved his shoulders, pushing him back. “Nothing. I’m risking my life for my sister and her new husband.”

“Why? Why would you do that?” He was in her face now, so close their noses were almost touching.

“Because I’m an idiot. Because I owe the Gravasians my life and that of my brother and sister.” She wasn’t yelling but it was close. No one had ever made her lose her cool as much as Ivar.

Spinning away, she stalked off, needing to get away from him. Not that she could go far, but anything was an improvement. It was a tossup right now whether she wanted to kick his ass or kiss him.

“You’ve contacted them using this?” He was right behind her, disc in hand.

“Yes. They have a ship stationed nearby. I might have tried to sneak you off, still might have to, but they needed to know you’re here. If we don’t make contact after a certain period of time, they’ll land and track us.” Not the best plan in the world as they’d have to blast their way on and off the planet.

“Are they threatening your family? Is that it?”

They weren’t a threat to her and Zaxe. Not really. Now that Sass was married to Spear, and a member of the royal family, they were safe. At least in theory. The reality was that a lot of Gravasians weren’t happy to have outsiders among them. This was her way of cementing the future well-being of her and her brother, to gain the full trust of the Gravasian people so they could leave and begin their lives somewhere new, somewhere no one knew them.

“Answer me.” Ivar’s hand fell on her shoulder. She whipped around, struck under his arm, driving it up. Spinning low, she kicked out, taking his feet out from under him. He hit heavily, but rolled, popping back up onto his feet. His face was pale and sweaty.

“Fuck, I forgot about your ribs. Just don’t come at me from behind.

He tossed the disc onto the ground between them. “I won’t make that mistake again.”

They glared at each other, neither of them giving ground. The heat of anger burned bright, simmering until it became a low hum under her skin. She was hot and frustrated and hated not knowing what she should do with Ivar. He deserved the truth.

She opened her mouth to tell him, at least some of it, when he pounced, catching her off guard once again. Like the last time, his mouth covered hers, taking what he wanted. The fire of her anger morphed into a searing need that nearly consumed her.

His hands roamed over her arms and shoulders, down her back to her behind. He cupped it in his hands and squeezed. “Why do I want you this much?” He sounded more furious than happy. She could relate.

“Damned if I know.” She dove back in, savoring the masculine taste of him combined with the nourishment he’d consumed. Driven to touch him, she stroked her hands over his wide shoulders and down the broad expanse of his back, keeping the pressure light because of his injuries.

Shouldn’t be doing this.

She’d stop. Soon. Just needed a bit more.

Something teased at the back of her brain before an alarm bell went off in her subconscious. She ripped her mouth from his. With her heart pounding and her lungs heaving, she couldn’t hear anything. Holding her breath, she listened.

“Son of a sloth,” she muttered. Delphi dove for their supplies, bundling them together. Before she could ask for his assistance, he was right there beside her. “Back to the hot springs room,” she told him.

Someone was coming. The voices getting closer.

She scanned the space and roughed up the dirt floor in a couple of places to hide their presence. The titansteel disc lay on the ground. She scooped it up, jammed it in her pocket, and fled.

Ivar had already gathered the pack from the hot springs room and had it slung over his shoulder. She grabbed one of the blanket bundles he held and headed to a tunnel off to the left. “Quickly.” She only prayed he followed. Straining her ears, she