Warrior Rogue (The Drift Lords Series)

by Nancy J. Cohen

  Paz lounged on a couch, a glass of red wine on the cocktail table in front of him. A frown of concentration creased his face as he tapped on his PIP. He glanced up at her arrival.

  “I’m surprised you’re still here.” She kept her tone light and casual.

  He regarded her with a steady gaze. “Dal hasn’t finished his calculations, so we don’t have to regroup yet. By the way, your mother liked the new garden decorations I put up at the corners of your house.”

  “Those wrought iron rods suit the landscaping. Good idea.”

  His comm unit buzzed. He studied a text message that popped up. “Smark, I should have known.”

  “What?”

  “Lord Magnor confirms our friend the general is establishing another recruitment center in Florida. We should take Morar out while he’s accessible.”

  “Is Algie there?” Excitement laced her tone. If General Morar plus Algie were eliminated as a threat, she’d sleep easier at night.

  “We can deal with Algie later. Besides, she’s only part of the equation. We’d have to destroy her research, too.”

  “You heard what Nira said. Algie’s ambition is what makes her truly dangerous. She doesn’t care who gets hurt along the way. Plus if we put her out of action, it might discourage her supporters.”

  He compressed his mouth. “General Morar is in charge of the Togura Island facility. With him out of the way, we’d have one less worry when we go in there to blow the rift generator. He’s a more important target.”

  This debate was useless. “Then why are you still here?”

  He stretched to his feet. “I wanted to know how your meeting turned out.”

  His idle tone made her ponder his true reasons for remaining. “Oh. We won. The merger was defeated.”

  “Congratulations. Now you can relax on that score. Tell me, you’re good with corporate types, aren’t you? I mean, you know how to market your company and attract new clients?”

  “Yes. What are you getting at? Do you want me to introduce you to people for a modeling career? I thought you had only pretended to be interested, although you’d make a lot more money as a male model than you do repairing space relays.”

  He stiffened. “Money isn’t everything.”

  “Maybe not, but don’t you want to advance your career? If you’re really an engineer, why not use your talents to their full potential and start your own company?”

  “It doesn’t work that way.” His expression shuttered.

  “Why not? Are you afraid to rock the boat? Upset the apple cart?”

  His forehead scrunched. “What do you mean?”

  She waved a hand. “Are you stuck in a rut because you’re afraid of change?”

  “There are certain issues to consider.”

  “Such as?”

  He stuck his hands in his pockets. “Why do you care? Is what I do not good enough for you?”

  She tried to make him understand. “It’s fine, Paz, but you’re so intelligent and skilled, you shouldn’t be working in such an inferior role. You’re capable of more.”

  “Where are you going with this?”

  Jen tilted her head, taking the plunge. “I’m just wondering where we’re going with us.”

  “Are you embarrassed because of my job, is that it?”

  “I brought you home to meet my parents, didn’t I?”

  “That’s not a proper answer.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “All right, I really like you. I want to be with you. But what happens when your mission is over?”

  His eyes hardened. “I go back to my job.”

  “Exactly. You leave me. You leave Earth.”

  “Why, would you come with me?” For a moment, something flickered behind his expression.

  “Not if you’re a space jockey hopping from one port to another. I want to settle down and have a family.”

  “Well, then I guess you’ll have to look for someone more stable and suitable to your goals.”

  Hurt and disappointment slashed through her. “I guess so. Someone like you can never understand drive and ambition. You just know how to kiss women or kill people.”

  She regretted the angry words as soon as she flung them at him, but his refusal to consider her feelings wounded her.

  He grinned, but his eyes were two cold ice chips. “I’m very good at killing, Jen. It’s my best trait. Too bad you don’t count that among your requirements for a mate.”

  “Paz, please, you’re—”

  He cut her off. “Thanks for your hospitality.” He stuffed his PIP into a pocket, his movement jerky.

  Without another word, he stomped up the stairs, banged open the front door, and left.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Paz pressed his foot to the accelerator and raced down the road. He’d taken the borrowed car, planning to return the vehicle to its rightful owner eventually.

  How dare Jen imply he was afraid to take risks? She’d seen him put his life on the line for his job as a Drift Lord. But no, that wasn’t good enough for her. He wasn’t good enough to meet her ideals.

  That’s why she wanted to remake him into a supermodel. Being a comm tech was beneath her class. Her parents had made that clear, and obviously she shared their opinions. Jen couldn’t accept him for who he was. His character didn’t matter. She thought he should push beyond his boundaries to become someone better.

  Good thing he hadn’t told her about his experiments. She’d jump on him to complete his prototype and to maximize his potential. He’d trained as an engineer, so why was he working as a technician?

  If he stuck with her, she would hound him until he went insane.

  Smark, he should never have gotten involved with her. As he sped past the mansions with glimpses of the ocean on his left, he gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles.

  Someone like you can never understand drive and ambition. Her words cut worse than a knife. If only she knew. Once he brought his plans to fruition, he’d make billions in credits and would become a name recognized throughout the galaxy. His revolutionary design would bring real time communications to the interstellar networks.

  And yet he held back. Why? Because he lacked business acumen and marketing skills. Because the enemies he’d face in the corporate boardroom and from opposing military factions would be worse than the Trolleks.

  Dammit, he needed her professional skills. Together, they’d be formidable. But even if she accepted him without reservations, he couldn’t ask her to leave her home and family. She’d hate living on an isolated estate in the desert.

  Meanwhile, she regarded him as—what was the slang term—a slacker who liked following the pack and who would never strike out on his own.

  His eyes narrowed, and he focused on the road as he drove over a bridge across the Intracoastal. Zohar was busy planning their attack on the dimensional portal at Togura Island. Dal was constructing the explosive device they’d deploy to blow the generator and seal the rifts shut. Yaron monitored communications in Paz’s absence. His team had things under control. Meanwhile, Lord Magnor had pinpointed where General Morar was establishing his new recruitment center.

  Paz had unfinished business with the general. He’d prove to Jen he could take risks, but he would do it on his terms, in the way he knew best.

  ****

  “Jen, what’s bothering you?” Lydia sat beside her on their family room sofa where they had a wide view of the rear lawn.

  “I miss Paz,” she told her mother, already dressed to the hilt even though it was just nine o’clock the next morning.

  Her mother had a charity lunch to attend that day and wore a canary yellow dress with pearl jewelry. She’d pinned her hair in a twist.

  Good God, she was more like her adoptive mother than she’d realized. Had she received parental approval only because she constantly imitated her? After all she’d been through, that seemed like such a shallow life. Paz had shown her what really mattered.

  His absence cau
sed a hole in her heart. She should be happy to resume her normal routine, but the prospect didn’t thrill her.

  The Trolleks invaded her mind and shattered her peace. Possibly more of her friends would be compromised like Sandi. Were they being targeted because of her involvement? If so, what made her think she could walk away?

  One truism made itself clear: her role wasn’t over. If she wanted to protect the ones she loved, she needed to accept her destiny. It did no good to deny her part in things to come.

  Paz had tried to tell her but she’d closed her ears.

  And if Paz’s claims about destiny rang true, that made him Mr. Right.

  She’d been wrong to denigrate him. He was the most courageous and selfless man she knew, putting himself in jeopardy to save her countless times. Without his skill and prowess, she and Smitty wouldn’t have made it out of Morar’s prison, off the island, and safely to Hong Kong. They owed their lives to him.

  And she’d just cast him away like a defective cut of fabric.

  She met her mother’s concerned gaze. “I realize you think Paz isn’t good enough for me, Mom, but he’s the bravest man you could know. He’s intelligent, honest, and devoted to his ideals. Aren’t those qualities more important than money or status?”

  “You can’t live on character traits alone, darling. Money makes your life a whole lot easier.”

  “Sometimes it makes things more difficult. People expect you to behave a certain way, and if you don’t, they scorn you.”

  Her mother smiled and patted her hand. “Maybe it’s best if Paz left. His departure was rather abrupt, don’t you think?”

  Jen’s lips pressed together. The woman she called mother would never understand.

  She stood and smoothed down her cropped tan pants. “I’m glad Dad has things under control now with the company back on track. The capital from Yeager Investments will put us on solid ground. Cousin Clifford no longer poses a threat.”

  “Thank God we dodged that bullet.” Her mother rose and tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “I hope you forgive Dad and me for not telling you about the adoption sooner. You know we love you as our own child.”

  “I do.” Jen hugged her. Despite her prejudices, Lydia tried to be a good mother. She just deluded herself into thinking her advice was for Jen’s benefit. “I have an appointment in town later this morning for our upcoming trunk show and then I’m leaving to head north. I’ll take my Lexus.”

  She didn’t need a car in New York and kept it parked at home. To her annoyance, Paz had taken their loaner. What would she say to Ted?

  “Won’t you be flying back to Manhattan?”

  “I have to go somewhere else first. Tell Dad goodbye for me.” He’d gone to work early that morning to get things rolling with their new opportunities.

  Jen packed a suitcase and then headed out to see her client. Hours later, she turned onto the highway toward Orlando.

  She couldn’t believe she hadn’t told Paz about her adoption. It showed what little regard she’d had for him to focus only on his personal attributes. She’d become as much a snob as her parents. Guilt weighed her down and gnawed at her stomach as she drove north.

  By the time she arrived in Central Florida, Saturday traffic on I-4 crawled in both directions. Exhaustion claimed her as she reached the safe house and knocked on the front door. She wasn’t tired from the three hour drive but from anxiety over Paz’s reception when he saw her on the doorstep.

  Nira greeted her. “Why, hello, Jen. We didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”

  “Is Paz here?” she asked in a hoarse voice.

  “I’m sorry, but he hasn’t checked in. We thought he was still with you.”

  “No, he left yesterday. Where could he have gone? Did Zohar give him a new assignment?”

  “I don’t think so, but let’s ask the prince. Come on in.”

  Zohar denied contact with Paz and gathered his team. When they were seated, he paced the living room, riffling his fingers through his hair.

  “He’s not answering his comm unit, and his locator beacon has ceased functioning or else he’s deactivated it.”

  Nira, Yaron, Jen, and Lord Magnor sat around with worried frowns. Dal was busy assembling his energy weapon in a bedroom converted into a laboratory. His muttered curses sounded from down the hall.

  “Paz mentioned that General Morar was establishing a new recruitment center in Florida.” Jen clasped her hands in her lap. “What if he’s gone there to confront the Trollek commander on his own?”

  “Fires of Agathorn, he’ll be killed.” Zohar stared at her in consternation.

  “We must go after him.” Magnor, standing, grabbed for his cloak draped over a chair.

  “Our priority is to destroy the rift generator.” Zohar’s authoritative tone resounded through the room.

  “Holy Guacamole, you can’t be serious.” Nira shot to her feet and prodded his chest. “You wouldn’t abandon a member of your team. Leave no one behind, remember?”

  He gazed at her in exasperation. “As soon as Dal completes his device, we will deploy it. That is our prime objective.”

  “Fine, but until then, we can help Paz.” Nira’s keen gaze swung to Jen. “Did you two have an argument?”

  Jen gaped at her. “How did you know?”

  “He’d only be so dumb if he was trying to prove something. Paz can be impulsive, but he wouldn’t knowingly walk into the lion’s den unprepared, unless—”

  “I never meant for him to put his life in danger.” Her voice cracked. “Please, help me find him.”

  It was her fault for driving him away. She prided herself on her self-reliance, but this was one time when she couldn’t manage alone. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be a team player. Maybe she should learn how to be one herself.

  ****

  Paz cut a hole in the wire fence surrounding the Trolleks’ proposed new theme park at Tampa Bay. It was just past dawn on Sunday morning. Hopefully, any construction workers would be off for the day.

  The invaders had purchased this acreage for an attraction to rival Busch Gardens. According to the advance publicity by their front company, they planned to include thrill rides, live performances by popular bands, shops and restaurants, plus animal exhibits and other zoological wonders.

  After he’d left Jen’s house and driven to Florida’s west coast, Paz had cashed one of the kewa stones Zohar had given him and used the money to buy supplies. From a hotel room, he’d hacked into city government files to access the park’s proposed site plan. He figured whatever the Trolleks built here would in reality be more extensive. Likely any documents they’d filed were just smokescreen.

  As commander of the Earth-bound Trollek army, General Morar would be present to supervise the center’s initial construction. This gave Paz the perfect opportunity to take him out. Despite his differences with Jen, he still intended to protect her. This was the only way she’d be safe.

  Paz knew he was an idiot for coming here alone and not summoning his team for backup. But they were busy building the destructive device to take out the rifts. That was their prime objective, and rightfully so. Besides, he didn’t want to involve anyone else. This mission was personal.

  Wishing to remain under the radar, so to speak, he’d deactivated his locator beacon and turned off his wrist comm. If he survived, he’d accept the consequences for insubordination at that time.

  After shoving his backpack through the gap in the perimeter fence, he fitted himself between the cut edges, careful not to snag his assault vest. No high tech security systems here. The Trolleks must have other priorities or else they didn’t expect the locals to pose a threat.

  He’d entered the construction site through the northeast quadrant, the main entrance and visitor parking lot being further south. A forest of pine trees blocked his view forward.

  Slinging his sack over his shoulders, he advanced slowly through the woods, well aware that cameras could be hidden among the trees. His boots crunch
ed on dead pine needles. The debris could hide trip wires, so he placed his feet carefully. The fresh pine scent cleared his nose. He didn’t detect any cors particles. So far, so good.

  He emerged from the copse of trees and scooted down a hill. A high wall faced him with barbed wire on top. He’d need his grappling gear and work gloves.

  Fifteen minutes later, he stood on the other side gaping at the recreation of a Viking village. The thatched roof structures appeared deserted, but he checked the empty buildings and narrow lanes with his spare Monix T-6 laser pistol in hand. Its heavy weight reassured him.

  Sweat poured down his back. In ninety-plus degree heat, his vest felt like a personal sauna.

  At the opposite end of the quiet village, he faced another high concrete wall. He paused in the shadows to take out a bottle of water and pour the liquid down his throat. Was he missing the mark here? Were the Trolleks working underground to build a series of utility tunnels beneath the theme park?

  He put away the bottle and scratched at a bug bite on his arm. Maug mosquitoes. He could live without those pesky insects.

  He adjusted the bulky pack on his back. Besides neutralizing Morar, he intended to set charges and take out the entire site, or at least the portal. Trolleks would have to vector in from somewhere else to staff this place.

  Once over the wall, he surveyed the area beyond. His heart lurched at the sight that met him. A vast sandy field stretched ahead with row upon row of solar panels aligned toward the west. These panels rose on silver pedestals looking like elongated sheet music stands. Not a single weed or bush sprouted in the aisles between them.

  To the right of this array stood an outdoor amphitheater. Its arched white dome gleamed in the sunlight. Presumably the dirt expanse in front was destined for seats. On his left, a cylindrical stone tower rose several stories high. It was shaped like a ridged goblet with a flat top.

  In the far western corner, behind the solar panels, stood a three-story rectangular building. A hive of activity circulated around this structure. He took out his long-range scope for a better view.

  A scruffy group of humans labored under the direction of uniformed Trollek troops. They dug some sort of trench. Other slaves unloaded supplies from parked trucks and carted them into the building.