by Anna Hackett
He smiled. “Yeah.”
The water touched her knees. “Dare, I don’t know how to say the words. I don’t know how to tell you how you make me feel.”
He cupped her cheeks. “I’ve never said them to a woman, either. But I know you’ve shaken up my life and made me feel, made me lose some control. You’ve made me better. I love you, Dakota.”
She sucked in a deep breath, feeling a little lightheaded. This was scarier than their current predicament and the threat of drowning. “I love you, too.” The words came out in a rush. He leaned down and kissed her again.
Suddenly, a hand reached up out of the water and snagged Dakota’s ankle. With a violent yank, she was pulled off the top of the pillar and into the water. She landed with a splash.
“You’ve ruined everything.” Korrdo’s wild and angry face appeared in front of her.
He grabbed Dakota, and shoved her down under the water. As the water closed over her head, she fought and struggled. Feeling the water trickling into her mouth reminded her of her earlier experience. She kicked harder. She really didn’t want to relive it, and she didn’t want Dare to have to relive it, either.
Korrdo yanked her back up. “You’re going to die here, you lying bitch.”
As he tried to shove her under again, she saw Dare dive into the water. Korrdo thrust her down, and this time, she didn’t struggle. Instead, she watched calmly as Dare powered through the water and grabbed Korrdo.
She popped above the water again and grabbed on to the pillar, trying to catch her breath. She watched as Dare and Korrdo struggled and splashed in the water. One minute, they both disappeared beneath the surface, and the next, they bobbed back up, trading punches, before sinking under again.
She waited, and waited.
They didn’t reappear.
Where was he?
“Dare!”
Suddenly, one dark head popped back up.
Her heart clenched. It was Korrdo. He lifted something—his laser pistol—and pointed it at her.
Chapter Eighteen
Dare saw Korrdo aiming his weapon, and he powered through the water. He had to get to Dakota.
As he broke the surface, he saw the burst of laser fire. He grabbed Dakota and yanked her to the side.
The laser hit the pillar behind them, rock chips exploding into the air.
That was when he spotted blood in the water. He looked up and saw that Dakota’s shoulder was bleeding.
“It isn’t bad,” she said quickly, slapping one hand over the wound.
“Time to end this,” Korrdo shouted.
Fuck. Dare spun, pushing Dakota behind him. Of course, she was struggling to move out from behind him.
Korrdo leveled the laser pistol on them.
Suddenly, above them, Dare heard more glass shattering. He looked up and saw two bodies falling straight down, with the waterfall pouring in from outside.
The bodies slammed down into the water, landing on top of Korrdo. The two newcomers were wearing envirosuits.
Rynan and Justyn.
Ry grabbed Korrdo and pulled the man under the water. Ry was treading water, and holding Korrdo down. Bubbles and splashes churned the water.
Dare pulled Dakota closer, and watched impassively as the bubbles died away.
When Ry released the man, his body rose up, floating facedown in the water.
“We sabotaged Korrdo’s sub.” Justyn held up a small component. “His guys are out there, turning around in circles, not sure what to do.”
“How are we going to get out of here?” Dare asked. He spied a basket of delicate gold jewelry bobbing past.
“I can get Korrdo’s sub going again,” Justyn said.
“Whole lot of Golden Nova guys between us and it.”
“Let’s start by getting out of this temple,” Dakota suggested. “Maybe we can take down the rest of the Golden Nova men and get to the sub.”
It was a long shot. There were still more Golden Nova goons, so they were outnumbered. And the dome was rapidly filling with water.
They’d just started to move, when Dare spied movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned just in time, to see Korrdo rear up out of the water.
Korrdo lifted his laser pistol and fired. Dare spun to cover Dakota, just as another body leaped in front of them.
Rynan!
The laser hit his brother in the head, and Ry hit the water with a splash.
Justyn and Dare shot forward. Dare landed a hard punch against Korrdo’s face.
“Maxir and Golden Nova do not accept failure.” Korrdo held the weapon to his temple, and pulled the trigger.
One shot, and he was dead.
Dare cursed, and then spun to swim back toward Dakota and Ry. She was holding his unconscious brother’s head in her arms, keeping him above water.
“Ry?” Dare reached them, turning Rynan’s head to the side. There was a deep, bloody groove carved in the side of Ry’s scalp. Dare’s jaw locked. It was bad.
“He’s unconscious,” Dakota said. “There’s nothing we can do for him right now.”
“Yeah.” Dare reached out, and wrapped his arm around Dakota.
Justyn was treading water nearby, his face grim.
“Maybe the treasure is cursed,” Dakota said. She stared at all the chaos around her, and the rising water. “All of this stuff doesn’t really seem so valuable now.”
No, it didn’t. Not with certain death breathing down on them, and Rynan badly hurt.
Dakota pressed into Dare. “It took me a while, but I finally worked out what the real treasure is.” She tilted her face up to his.
Damn, how could he feel helpless and jubilant all at once. He pressed his mouth to hers.
Suddenly, there was a bright flash of blinding light.
***
Dakota turned, and saw a bright shimmer filtering down over the broken dome.
It began at the peak, and then fell like a sparkling waterfall of gold. As it reached the cracked and broken parts of the dome, the water around them started to recede, going back out of the dome like it was being sucked out.
Dakota’s mouth fell open. What the hell was going on?
Dare’s arm tightened on her, and together, they watched as people swam in through the hole in the glass. None of them were wearing envirosuits.
The water level continued to lower, and soon her feet touched the ground. There were only puddles left on the ground. She looked up and saw that the golden shimmer had covered the hole and was keeping the ocean out.
The people circled them. They were all blue-skinned Maronians. Dakota saw the woman in the lead was Chancellor Tsani, and standing beside her was Ralu, from the proto-planet, and the scholar, Asun.
Tsani smiled. “You found it.”
Dakota looked around the temple. Or what was left of it. “I know you tried to stop us. Uh, we didn’t intend for it to be desecrated like this.”
Tsani looked down at the dead bodies of the Golden Nova gang resting on the floor. “I don’t think you’re entirely to blame.”
“Perhaps not, but I am sorry,” Dakota said. “Korrdo—part of the despicable Golden Nova—followed us here.”
“There are always those who will do terrible things for treasure. Our ancestors, the descendants of Captain Fisher, knew that. When the Southwind crashed here, the native, sea-swelling Maronians rescued them before the Southwind sank into the Abyss. Terrans and Maronians lived together, loved, become one, and they decided to keep the temple and its treasures hidden away. We have long believed it was the wrong decision. This is our history.” She waved her slender hand at the treasures littered around. “This must be enjoyed, revered, learned from.”
“Exactly,” Dakota said.
The woman stared at her. “You were very dedicated to finding it.”
“For my own selfish reasons.” Dakota swallowed. “But it’s your treasure. It was never mine.”
“Now you’re happy to let it go so easily?”
“Let
’s just say I’ve learned what real treasure looks like.” She looked up at Dare, and smiled. “What it feels like.”
Tsani inclined her head. “A priceless lesson.”
“My brother is hurt,” Dare said, worry underscoring his tone. “Can you help him?”
Tsani waved a hand at the scholar. “Asun is skilled in healing.”
The young man leaned over Rynan’s still form and ran his hands over Rynan’s injury.
“Olok informed us you’d discovered the temple and that he’d stranded you down here,” Tsani said.
“That bastard almost killed us,” Dare bit out.
“I am sorry. We were only protecting our heritage,” Tsani said. “We have a submersible to transport you back to Sori Sanu and back to your shuttle. I will leave some of my people here to safeguard the treasure.” The woman leaned down and picked something up. When she straightened, she was holding an emerald. It glowed green in the light. She held it out to Dakota. “A finder’s fee.”
Dakota stared at the jewel. Part of her wanted to take it, to feel its cool, beautiful surface.
Finally, she shook her head. “No. I don’t want it.” She gently pushed Tsani’s hand away.
When the woman opened her mouth to speak, Dakota shook her head again.
“Thank you, really, but please don’t say anything else. I might change my mind and take it, otherwise. And I shouldn’t. It belongs here.”
She felt Dare squeeze her shoulder.
“Just get us to our shuttle,” Dakota added. “That will be thanks enough.”
The next part of the trip happened in a bit of a haze. A large manta-ray ship moved up to the dome entrance, and the Maronians helped carry Rynan aboard.
As they ascended out of the Abyss, Dakota couldn’t help but poke at the spongy, gray walls of the ship. It was pretty darn interesting.
Soon, the dark depths got lighter and lighter. When they arrived back at the city, Dakota blinked at the change in brightness.
She’d left the treasure behind, and now it was time to leave Maro behind, too.
Dare and Justyn got Rynan settled on a stretcher in the shuttle, strapping him in securely.
After more farewells, they left the dome, powering through the water before taking to the air.
Dakota stared out the viewscreen, lost in thought. It wasn’t long before she saw the shape of the Sky Nomad in the distance.
“You’re quiet,” Dare said.
“Thinking.”
Dakota realized that her one purpose, her reason for being for such a long time, was gone.
So, where did that leave her?
***
Dare stood in the med bay, watching Elana working on a motionless Rynan.
His brother was under a med scanner, and Elana’s worry was easy for Dare to see. She hovered over Ry, double and triple checking monitors.
“How is he?” Dare asked.
“There’s some damage to his brain,” she said.
“What? How bad?”
Elana raised a shaky hand to her mouth. “I won’t know until he wakes up.” She reached out and stroked Ry’s dark hair.
Dare watched her. “When are you going to tell him that you love him?”
A sad smile. “We both know he wouldn’t welcome it. I’m his friend, his employee. He’d see it as a betrayal.”
Everything she said was true. Rynan was fighting his own demons left over from their childhood.
“Besides,” she said, stroking his hair again, “he doesn’t believe in love.”
“I didn’t either. Things can change.”
Elana eyed him. “So I see. I guess if Dare Phoenix can fall in love, anything is possible. Where is Dakota?”
“I’m going to find her now. She disappeared as soon as we came aboard.” He stared at his brother’s face. “You’ll take care of him?”
“You don’t have to ask,” Elana answered.
Dare went in search of Dakota. He checked his cabin, and found a damp towel on the floor by his bed. He checked the galley, but it was empty.
He found himself entering the arboretum.
And he found Dakota sitting on the bench under the tree. He smiled to himself, remembering her horrible, ugly disguise when she’d first come aboard the Nomad and entered his life.
He remembered her plucky fight against the assassin, right here under this tree.
She was looking up at the glass dome above, and the stars beyond.
Then she looked at him. “How’s Rynan?”
“Not great.” With a sigh, Dare sat down beside her. “I hate feeling so damn helpless. He might have some long-term brain damage.”
“I’m so sorry, Dare.”
“He’s as tough as steel. And stubborn. He’ll pull through.” He had to. Dare looked down at her. “What are you thinking about?”
“Can’t a girl just enjoy a view of the stars?”
“Nothing’s ever quite that simple with you.”
“What do I do next?” she said. “I have no treasure, no e-creds, nothing. There will be no fancy house, or farm, or a ship of my own.”
Dare felt his hands flex, and in his veins, he felt a slight trickle of something that he identified as panic. She wanted to leave. He wanted her to stay.
But he couldn’t force her to stay. He wouldn’t cage her.
“Do whatever you want,” he said.
“I’m not exactly sure what that looks like yet.” She tilted her head. “No demands? No orders? That’s very unlike Dare Phoenix.”
He wanted to reach for her, but he kept his hands to himself. “You have to come to me willingly. I can offer you a home here, Dakota.”
“But it won’t be mine.”
“No, but it can be ours.”
***
All Dakota could hear was the beat of her heart in her ears.
She stared at Dare’s handsome face, and realized what he was offering her might just be what she’d been looking for all along.
“Dare—”
Someone leaped out of the bushes behind them, knife in hand. “For Golden Nova!”
It was Amber Lynn, of the long, lean body and flirtatious smiles. Before either Dakota or Dare could react, the knife sliced into Dakota’s arm.
Dakota leaped backward off the bench and Dare charged to his feet. Amber Lynn swung again, and Dakota ducked, feeling the current of air brush over her skin.
Dare made a growling sound. “You’re the one who sabotaged my ship.” He kicked out, catching the woman in the knee and sending her stumbling. “And now you’re trying to hurt my woman.”
Dakota moved in. She was sick and tired of people trying to kill her. “No more.” She slammed her fist into the woman’s face, and Amber Lynn fell to the grass with a cry.
Leaning down, Dakota punched her again. The woman groaned and then flopped back, out cold.
Dakota sat back down on the bench, dusting her hands on her trousers. “Where were we?”
“You’re bleeding,” he said.
“So are you.”
“I’m never going to have a nice, quiet, controlled life with you, am I?”
Dakota climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You don’t want that anyway.”
“I love you, Dakota Jones.”
“I love you, too, Dare Phoenix.”
His hands snuck up under her shirt, one moving to cup her breast. She smiled to herself. He was still her pushy, demanding man. She’d need all her wits to keep him in line and on his toes.
“You’ll be mine,” he growled, his voice rough.
“Looks like I already am.”
“You’ll stay here with me.”
She’d finally have a home no one could take from her. “Yes.”
He kissed her—long and deep—until she was breathless. He nuzzled his face against hers. “So, how many kids do you want?”
Dakota’s mind went blank. “Kids? Oh no, no, no, no.”
“I can see a little girl with your stunning
blue eyes and stubborn chin.” He cupped the chin he’d just described, stroking it. “When you’re ready. I want you to myself for a while first. But one day.”
She paused, her shock fading. For the first time in her life, she imagined herself having a child. Dare’s child. Their child.
She instantly pictured a boy with dark hair and silver eyes. A child who would never know the pain his father had. Or the abandonment that his mother had endured.
“Well, maybe you could bring me around,” she said. “We’ll need lots of practice making babies, though.”
He laughed. “So how many?”
She shrugged. “I’d like to make one, but maybe we could adopt some unwanted children as well. From Mase or your homeworld.”
His arms tightened on hers. “That can be arranged.”
“So I guess as many rugrats as it takes to drive you crazy, Phoenix, and keep you on your toes.”
“I have you for that.”
She brought her lips to his. “That you do, Dare Phoenix. And I won’t ever let you forget it.”
~ Official Document ~
Galaxy’s Edge Space Station
Notice of Appointment #N-5946712
Subject: Phoenix Deep-Space Convoy’s new Antiquities Curator and Dealer
The Phoenix Deep-Space Convoy is pleased to announce a new addition to the team. Dakota Jones joins the crew as the new Antiquities Curator and Dealer. Ms. Jones has extensive and varied experience working with historical artifacts.
Ms. Jones will be creating a museum and gallery aboard the convoy’s flagship, the Sky Nomad. This will display some of the convoy’s magnificent finds from uncharted space, and allow passengers to purchase pieces as well.
Convoy master Dare Phoenix said he was extremely pleased to have Ms. Jones join them, saying her eye for spotting valuable artifacts, and her dedication to what she loves is without compare.
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I hope you enjoyed Dare and Dakota’s story!
The Phoenix Adventures will return in 2017 with a collection of adventure-packed novellas, BEYOND DISTANT STARS.
For more action-packed romance, read on for a preview of the first chapter of Marcus, the first book in my award-winning Hell Squad series.
