Kyler's Justice (Assassins of Gravas Book 3) - N.J. Walters Page 0,46
no matter how careful she tried to walk. Kyler never made a sound, one with the darkness.
The docking station loomed ahead. “Balthazar’s ship is there.” Which meant he was, too. This was dangerous but their only way out.
“Trust me.” There it was again. Did her trust mean so much? Was that why he hadn’t told her he’d already moved the girls? Had he wanted to see what she’d do without that knowledge? A test of sorts.
None of it mattered right now. Only getting to the girls and away from this godforsaken place.
She almost slammed into his back when he came to an abrupt halt. The entrance to the station loomed ahead. There was no sign of the guard that should be there. Not good. “What’s the plan?”
“Kill anyone who gets in our way.”
****
Kyler wanted to reassure Etta, but there was no time. Maybe she’d forgive him for not telling her about the girls. Maybe she wouldn’t. But his mission was to get them out of here and remove all threats to the Gravasian crown and people.
He’d never failed a mission. He wasn’t about to start with the most important one of his life.
Cocking his head to one side, he listened intently. There should be a guard on the gate. He’d been neutralized or paid to be absent for the evening.
There was no way of knowing if Balthazar was aware he’d escaped the trap set for him or if he expected his men to bring Kyler’s drugged body to him. He wouldn’t want witnesses either way.
He pulled Etta into the shadows, wishing she was still wrapped around him like she had been earlier. If he’d known she had such an aversion to heights, he would have risked going out the front of the building. He hadn’t even thought to ask. Going in and out of windows came as natural to him as breathing.
“My ship has K-1 on the side. It’s in the D-block, fourth to the right when we enter. It’s about halfway down on the right.” He reached into one of the many pockets in his cloak and pulled out a small black box. “Give me your hand.”
When she held it out, he pressed her index finger against a scanner. It flashed red and then green. “This is keyed to you now. If we’re separated or something happens, run for it.” He flipped open the top of the box and showed her the single button. “Put your finger on the scanner and hit the button. It will open the door. Once you’re inside, it will automatically close and go into full-security lockdown. You and the girls will be safe.”
“What about you?” The ice around his heart threatened to melt at the worry he detected in her voice.
“I’ll be fine.” His voice was gruffer than intended. “If I don’t show up after one planetary hour, go to the control room and sit in my chair. It will activate a comm link to the king. Tell him what’s happened.”
“I can’t talk to the king.” She slammed the lid of the box shut and shoved it against his chest. “I can’t just leave you.”
So fierce she was. So perfect for him. He hooked a tendril of her hair around her ear before running his fingers down her neck. “Kismara, I have to make sure you’re safe so I can do what it is I do best.”
She met his gaze without flinching and nodded. “I get that, but I’m not leaving you to fight this battle alone.”
His heart swelled, along with another part of his anatomy. He was so accustomed to always handling situations by himself. Having a partner was a foreign notion.
A cynical voice in his head wondered if she wanted to stay with him so she could warn her brother. He ruthlessly silenced it.
“The girls need you.” It was the only thing he could think of that would get her to leave. Indecision flashed over her face. She nibbled on her bottom lip, as she often did. He wanted to lick the abused lip, soothing it.
She gave a quick nod. “How do we do this?”
He’d already run through various scenarios in his mind, calculating risks. “I’m going to scout for the Rebel. Your brother and his men must pay for their crimes.” There was no way to sugarcoat or hide his intentions. And he wouldn’t. He wasn’t ashamed of what he was, what he did. They’d broken Gravasian law and he was the enforcer of the law.