Salvaging Abby (Marks Mercenaries Book 4)

by N. J. Walters

  The alarm blared.

  Vaden threw back his head and roared. Then a lifetime of discipline and training kicked in. He released Abby and went to the control console.

  “Status.”

  “Incoming vessel.”

  “Identify.” Whoever they were, he was tempted to blast them out of the sky.

  “Scanning,” the robotic voice replied.

  “Is it my brothers?” Tousled and well sated, she’d pulled up her flightsuit and was fastening it.

  “If it is, I may kill them,” he muttered.

  He’d been so close to the warmth and welcome of Abby’s body. His erection was still hard and aching. She placed her hand on his back. That small action eased some of his temper.

  “Simplistics One,” the computer replied to his request.

  Beside him, Abby went pale and swayed. He grabbed her. “You know who that is?” Because it wasn’t her brothers. “Abby,” he shook her lightly when her eyes glazed over. “Who is it?” he demanded.

  “He’s found me.”

  “Who has found you?”

  “Jasper Freeman.”

  “The bastard who took you all those years ago?” Vaden’s anger had a target. Freeman would pay for what he’d done.

  Chapter Seven

  Abby went from sensual bliss to terror in the blink of an eye, or rather the blare of an alarm. How had he found her?

  “How far out?” Vaden demanded. It took her a second to realize he wasn’t talking to her but to the onboard computer.

  “Closing quickly. Cruiser with max speed and weapons capacity,” the computer informed him. “Will be in firing range within five minutes.”

  Vaden grabbed her by the hand. “Come on.” She had to hurry to keep up as he all but towed her to the control room. When he took the captain’s chair, she slipped into the only other available one. This was a small vessel meant for one or two people. It was no match for Jasper’s ship.

  “I need to go. I can take the Dreamer and draw him away. It might not look like much, but the engine is good.” There was no way she could outrun the Simplistics One, but she could take the threat away from Vaden.

  “No.”

  She waited, but he ignored her, busy checking a distance gauge and what looked to be a weapons control panel. “What do you mean no?” She popped out of her chair and headed for the door. There was still time for her to make it to her ship.

  “Lockdown,” he told the computer.

  “Locking down.”

  The door refused to open. “You can’t do this,” she informed him. “It’s crazy. Jasper is out of his mind. I’ve been gone for seven years, and he’s still looking for me. That should tell you something. The man is obsessed.”

  “You should take your seat.”

  Fisting her hands at her sides she let out a tight scream. “You are so frustrating.”

  He caught her hand and brought it to the front of his suit. His erection was hard and full. “You have no idea just how frustrated.”

  A snort of laughter escaped her. “It’s not safe for you,” she told him, her tone soft. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  Instead of being understanding, the glare he sent her could have melted metal. “I protect you.”

  God save her from male pride and stupidity. “You can’t outrun or outfight him.” That was the simple reality of the situation. A ship this small would have some defensive and offensive capabilities but not enough to last an attack of any magnitude or length of time. “All he wants is me.” She brushed her hand over his face. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  He caught her hand in his and kissed her palm. “You care that much?”

  Now was not the time to hold back. Their lives were at stake. “I do.”

  He gave a grunt and a nod. “Then sit.”

  “You’re going to get us both killed,” she warned. “I won’t go back to him.”

  “I’ll never let him take you.” The truth of that vow and the stark way he spoke without threat or embellishment sank into her.

  “We go down, we go together.”

  “Together,” he echoed.

  Abby sat and pulled on the safety harness. The communications panel beeped with an incoming message.

  “Simplistics One is hailing us, sir,” the computer told Vaden.

  “On screen,” he ordered.

  Abby forced herself not to flinch when Jasper’s face appeared. He hadn’t changed a bit in seven years. Some might consider him a good-looking man. He was tall with dark hair, pale-blue eyes, and an open and beguiling smile. The outward facade hid the true man, the manipulator.

  In her mind, he personified the definition of evil. He did whatever was in his best interest, not caring who he hurt, and doing it all with a smile. She honestly didn’t think he believed he was doing anything wrong. He wanted something, so he should have it. It really was that simple to him.

  Jasper’s gaze flicked in her direction before settling on Vaden, who spoke before Jasper had the opportunity.

  “Simplistics One, state your business.” Vaden’s brisk tone made Jasper frown.

  “I am here to retrieve my woman. She has mental health issues and is prone to telling wild tales. She stole the Dreamer from an old friend of mine. I’m afraid she might have even killed him. Can you tell me if Henry is still alive?

  The man was diabolical. If she didn’t know better, she might actually believe what he was saying. He was so calm, his concern seemingly genuine. That was his gift—projecting emotion so real that people couldn’t help but believe him.

  “The woman is not yours.” Vaden’s even tone never changed.

  Jasper frowned. “I have no idea who you are as your ship’s number is not listed in my databanks. You may be an honest man or you may be a space pirate. I really don’t care about your business. All I want is the woman and you can be on your way with no trouble from the Alliance authorities.”

  Seemed Jasper hadn’t tagged the ship as Gravasian. She’d only known because Henry had been so well traveled and had taught her everything he’d known.

  “The woman is not yours,” Vaden repeated.

  Jasper flicked his hand, and a warning laser fired over their bow. Vaden had the shields up so it deflected away without harm. The ship didn’t even rock under the blast. She was impressed. She was also scared to death.

  “I’m not your woman,” Abby piped up. It was time to make her stand. “You stole me from my home years ago. I don’t like you. I don’t want anything to do with you.” She didn’t know how much clearer she could make things.

  He ignored her and continued speaking to Vaden. “Surely you can see she’s not well. I want to take her home and make sure she gets the care she needs. Abigail Marks is my woman. She was promised to me years ago. I have a marriage contract.” He paused for effect. “I love her.”

  Sincerity dripped from every word. God, he was good. She glanced at Vaden, and her heart sank when she saw him stiffen and frown.

  He swivelled his head to stare at her, his dark eyes unreadable. “There is a contract?”

  She shook her head. “Not one I signed. If he has one, he forged it.”

  Vaden gave a single nod and turned back to face the screen. “There is no contract.”

  Jasper’s patient demeanor changed in a heartbeat. “I have no idea who you are, but I have friends in high places. The only reason I haven’t fired directly on you is because I don’t want to risk Abigail. Release her or you’ll be hunted down like a dog for the rest of your very short life.”

  The corners of Vaden’s mouth actually twitched upward into a quick smile before returning to their usual stern lines. The man was enjoying himself. Unbelievable.

  “Let the record show that Jasper Freeman of the Simplistics One has threatened a Gravasian ship and crew. Computer send all communication to Gravas, addressed to King Agman el Gravaso.”

  “Sending,” the computer replied.

  “Gravasian?” Jasper’s f
ace lost all color. “My apology. I understand how you may have been taken in by Abigail. She is both pretty and convincing in her sincerity. But believe me, she belongs with me. I don’t want to make trouble, but I will. I am personal friends with several members in the Alliance leadership.”

  Rather than look afraid or even impressed, Vaden smiled. It wasn’t a pleasant expression and sent a shiver of dread down her spine.

  “You speak to whomever you feel you must, but I doubt the Alliance will want to declare war on Gravas, which is what you are proposing.” Vaden was so calm and controlled. It was both awe-inspiring and annoying.

  “Go home, Jasper. I don’t want you and never will.” It surprised her to realize that not once had she thought Vaden wouldn’t believe her. She trusted him to her core. It was an odd sensation, but a nice one.

  For the first time since she was twelve, she really didn’t feel alone in the world. Henry had saved her and given her a home, but she’d never felt safe. Not like she did now, even with Jasper’s ship hovering alongside them.

  Vaden was putting his life on the line. For her.

  “I don’t want trouble with Gravas,” Jasper stated. “But I will not leave without Abigail. I cannot leave her with a man I do not know. I have only your word you are from Gravas.”

  Vaden slowly sat forward, pure menace pouring from him. Jasper actually took a step back before he caught himself. “You question my honor?” His voice was so low she had to strain to hear it.

  “I question the honor of any man who will not return a woman to her rightful people.” Righteous indignation was ripe with every word. The man was delusional.

  “Listen to me, Jasper. I have never been one of your rightful people. Please leave.”

  He shook his head. “I’m afraid you are being coerced. I cannot in good conscience abandon you. I’m afraid you’ve left me no choice.”

  Lasers fired at them, bouncing off the shield around Vaden’s ship. “He’s out of his mind,” she muttered.

  “Computer, please note we are being fired on by Simplistics One.”

  “Noted. Update sent to Gravasian Command.”

  Abby was getting concerned. They couldn’t hold out indefinitely. Could they? No normal ship could, at least not any she was aware of. But no one truly knew much about Gravasian technology.

  “All you have to do is give the woman to me and the barrage will stop. This does not have to end badly for any of us. The woman is nothing to you,” Jasper pointed out. “She matters to no one but me.”

  Old insecurities rose within her. She’d been alone for so long with only Henry caring about her, and even he, in his delusions, believed she was his son half the time. She wasn’t anyone special. Just a girl from a poor mining family who grew up to be a woman who worked a salvage ship.

  Vaden stared at the screen for several long seconds. Jasper’s expression changed, becoming smug, as though he expected his opponent to back down. She almost laughed at the absurdity of the idea. Vaden would never surrender and certainly not to someone like Jasper. He might talk a big game, but he was no warrior.

  “Abby. Is. Mine.” The three words were a declaration. She sucked in her breath, unsure what Jasper would do.

  The screen went blank, his image winking out.

  “Well, that went well,” she muttered.

  Vaden grunted and began to scan the instruments in front of him. The laser hits stopped. For a brief second, she believed Jasper had gained enough sense to cut his losses and leave. The next, the entire ship rocked, a huge explosion rocking the stern.

  “What’s going on?” She clung to the arms of her chair, grateful she’d strapped in. “Is the shield failing?”

  Vaden’s fingers flew over the console, working them manually rather than giving the computer orders. “The shields are fine, but they can only cover my ship. They do not have the capacity to protect yours.”

  She should have thought of that. Vaden’s vessel was a small personal craft. It was well equipped, but there would be limitations. “What should we do?” Stomach in knots, she knew what he was going to say before he said it.

  “We need to disconnect from the Dreamer, set it adrift.” He glanced toward her. “It’s the only way to protect ourselves.”

  “Do it.” She didn’t allow herself to think about the only home she’d known for years. It was the second one she’d lost. And all because of Jasper Freeman. One of these days she was going to have to kill him. She could see that now. There was no other way.

  Vaden didn’t hesitate. “Disengage and shore up shields,” he ordered the computer.

  “Disengaging from Dreamer. Shields up.”

  “I’m sorry.” This was all on her.

  “You did nothing.” Vaden continued to monitor the situation. He brought up the view from the rear, and she watched as her ship drifted away from them. Seconds later, a blast shot from the Simplistics One. It was followed by several others in rapid succession. She dug her fingers into the armrests of her chair. Her breathing increased.

  The ship exploded, sending shards of metal and debris in all directions. The blast rocked them, even as the shield protected them. When it cleared, there was nothing left but some larger metal pieces, the kind she would have salvaged if she’d come across the wreckage.

  Everything she owned was onboard. All of it gone, vaporized. The ship had been her home, her livelihood, her independence.

  Vaden muttered under his breath. While she couldn’t understand the words, the tone was universal. He was pissed off.

  “What is it?” She shoved down the tears that threatened and focused on the task at hand. She’d started over before, was used to having nothing and working hard. She could rebuild her life again, but only if she was still alive. As angry as Jasper was, she wouldn’t put it past him to try to blow them out of the sky. He was a like a petulant child with a toy. If he couldn’t have it, no one could.

  At least they were safe behind the shields.

  “We have a slight problem.”

  “What is it?” She wanted to be by his side but knew better than to leave her chair without first clearing it with him.

  “The hull took some damage when Freeman fired on your ship the first time. He’s smarter than I gave him credit, or his weapons specialist is. They hit the hatch connecting the two vessels.”

  That was bad. That was very bad. “What does it mean?”

  “It means our shield is weak in that area. If they hit us there too many times, it may collapse.”

  She swallowed heavily. “What do we do?”

  “First we send another message.”

  “To your home?” Gravas was a long way away. Even if they sent a ship, it would take them many planetary days to arrive. And that’s assuming they would even send a ship for one man.

  “No, to your brothers.” He hit several buttons, all the while maneuvering the ship so their stern was not exposed.

  “Tell them to stay away.” The last thing she wanted was for them to get caught in the crossfire.

  Vaden chuckled. The crazy man actually laughed. “I don’t think anything short of Armageddon could keep them away and likely not even then.”

  Before she could think of how to respond, her brother’s face appeared on the screen. It was Flynn, but not the man she remembered. It was jolting to see him after so many years. He was tough and hard, as though life had dealt him too many blows.

  Neither of them were as they had been all those years ago.

  “What the fuck do you want now, Gravasian?”

  “You need to stay away,” she jumped before Vaden could speak. “Jasper Freeman has found me. He’s destroyed my ship and is firing on us.” She was talking to her brother. It was actually real, not some dream or wishful thinking.

  Flynn’s good eye narrowed, but it wasn’t her he focused his attention on, but Vaden. “She gets hurt, I’ll fucking kill you.”

  “Flynn!” She wouldn’t allow him to be angry at Vaden. “It’s not his fault. This is all
my doing. I got him involved in this. I should have just gone with Jasper.”

  “No,” both men said at the same time.

  “How far out are you?” Vaden asked.

  “If we burn the boosters, we can be there within a couple planetary hours.”

  “Do it. They have a smart weapons specialist. When he blew Abby’s ship, he hit the hatch between the two vessels. The shield is holding but is substantially weaker.”

  “You do whatever you have to do to protect my sister,” Flynn ordered.

  “I will do whatever I have to do to protect my woman,” he shot back before ending communication.

  She only had a split second to see the fury crossing Flynn’s face before it disappeared. “Why did you say that to him?”

  “He needed to understand I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.” All while they talked, the ship took more laser fire. Through it all, Vaden kept guiding the ship into the best defensive position.

  “You could give me up to Jasper. That would keep you and my brothers safe.”

  “Never.” That single word was decisive, like a shield slamming into place. “You are mine, Abby.”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Now is not the time to discuss this.” The last thing she wanted to do was distract him. He needed all his attention on maneuvering the ship.

  “We will discuss this. You are my woman. I have claimed you and taken your virginity. You are mine.”

  “You never had any intention of letting me go, did you? You lied to me. You told me I’d be free to go when your engine was fixed, which I helped you do.”

  “And I am grateful for your assistance. We would be in a difficult situation without that engine.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but we are in a difficult situation.” Another shot from the laser cannon slammed into their shields.

  “This is merely annoying.”

  Maybe he was used to being shot at. She really had no idea about his life beyond the confines of this ship.

  “And I told you that you would be free to go,” he continued. “Not that I would not have stopped you.”