by Susan Hayes
Shortcake? She opened her mouth to tell him what she thought of his nickname, but he pressed a finger to his lips and gave a sharp shake of his head.
She didn’t hear anything for a second and was about to say so when she caught the distant sound of footsteps growing louder. Fraxx. He gestured for her to take cover behind a stack of abandoned crates. Whatever was inside was rancid, and a cloud of insects rose into the air as she slid into the gap, but it was the only place to hide.
She barely made it out of sight before the ones hunting her arrived. She still had no idea who they were or who had hired them, but whoever it was, they had to pay well. They hadn’t stopped looking for her since the attack. The only reason she and Oran were still alive was Nico and his friends. They kept them hidden, fed, and as safe as they could manage. If it wasn’t for Oran’s injuries they’d still be safe, but he was dying, and she had risked going back to see if she could find the meds she needed to save him. They’d been on her seconds after she snuck inside.
The three men slowed as they spotted Dante standing in the middle of the alley. “You see a female run this way?” one of them asked.
“Yeah. And I gotta say, you three seem a little over-prepared for chasing down one itty-bitty female. She wasn’t even armed that I could see.”
The lead male pointed his blaster at Dante. “Which way?”
“What’s it worth?” Dante drawled, ambling a few steps toward them.
Is he fraxxing insane? She wondered.
The others straightened up and raised their weapons. “It’s worth your life. Tell us where she went, ya half-breed freak.”
Dante uttered a heavy sigh and rolled his massive shoulders. “And here I thought we were getting along well. Then you had to start with the insults.” He covered the last few feet of ground with unexpected speed and grabbed the leader by the shoulders, tossing him in the direction of the other two masked men. They landed in a tangled heap of limbs and weapons, and Dante charged in, fists swinging. The crates Tyra was using for concealment blocked her view after that. She briefly considered sneaking away while they were all distracted, but there was no way she’d make it down the rest of the alley without being spotted. Instead, she hunkered down and hoped that when the fight ended, she hadn’t lost her only potential ally.
The fight sounded vicious. There were meaty thuds, grunts, and snarls, and then the wet, gut-twisting sound of bones snapping. There was an agonized wail, too high-pitched to be Dante’s. The shriek ended suddenly, only to be replaced by the sound of blaster fire. A wild shot slammed into the crates protecting her, and the stink of scorched polymer hit her nose a few seconds later.
Adrenaline pumped into her system, and she had to fight through the urge to do something. Run. Fight. Move. Scream. Anything but sit there any longer.
More blaster fire, another pained scream and it was over. She pressed her hands against her thighs, trying to slow their shaking as silence returned to the alley.
“Dammit, I liked this shirt.” There was no mistaking the deep rumble of Dante’s voice.
Tyra breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. Dante stood in the middle of the alley, looking mournfully at a bloody gash on his forearm. He was the only one still on his feet.
The moment she reappeared, his head snapped up and he moved to block the view of the men behind him. “Stay there.”
“I’m a doctor. Once you have them restrained, I can treat them, and you, too.”
His dark eyes widened. “You’d treat the men who want you dead? They might be the same ones who killed your team.”
“I took an oath to preserve all life, not just the lives of the beings I like.”
“Well, I’m sure they’d appreciate the sentiment -- if they still had lives left for you to preserve.” He clamped a hand over his injured arm and walked toward her, still blocking her view. Apart from the blood on his sleeve and a swollen lip, he looked fine.
“They’re dead? All of them? Didn’t you need to interrogate them or something?” Part of her was relieved to know they weren’t a threat anymore, but there was also guilt for feeling that way. She’d seen more than her share of violence growing up in Xinshi, one of Earth’s original hive cities. She accepted that sometimes, violence was necessary, but she’d never been the cause before. Not until she’d come to Bellex 3.
Dante shrugged his broad shoulders with a nonchalance she found irritating. The man had just killed three other beings. Why wasn’t he rattled, or at the very least, breathing hard? “I’m on undercover recon. No backup, no base of operations. Officially, my team isn’t arriving for a few more days, so it’s not like I can march into whatever passes for law enforcement around here and ask to borrow a jail cell to hold my newly captured prisoners.”
“No backup? What kind of rescue is this?”
He curled his lip and she caught a flash of fang. “The kind who would appreciate a thank you instead of a lecture. I did just save your life.”
“Right.” She shook her head and tried to think clearly. It wasn’t easy, but he did deserve a thank you. “I’m grateful you were here, and that you risked your life protecting mine. I shouldn’t have come back here, but I needed meds…”
“You’re hurt?” He was at her side in a second, his demeanor instantly changing to one of gentle concern.
It was the first calm moment since their meeting, and she took the time to get a real look at her rescuer, beyond his massive size and gruff demeanor. His hair was almost shaved at the sides and not much longer on top. It was a classic military cut, but nothing about him seemed military. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, and his jaw was shadowed with a beard as jet black as his hair. She could see the top of some kind of tattoo along his neck and was struck with a sudden urge to pull back his collar and take a closer look. His nose had been broken more than once, and his features were too craggy and rough to be called handsome, but there was something appealing about him just the same.
Now that she was close to him, she could see that his eyes were a striking shade of midnight blue. And he had fangs. She should have seen it, but adrenaline and fear had fogged her perceptions. Her rescuer was part Torski.
“Shortcake, I asked you if you were hurt.”
She blinked, and blushed as she realized he’d caught her staring. “I’m a little banged up and bruised, that’s all. I’ve got so much adrenaline zinging through my system right now I can’t even feel it. How’s the arm? Do you want me to take a look at it?”
“Not here. I need to get you somewhere safe, first. Then you’re welcome to play doctor with me.” There was a wicked glint in his eyes as spoke.
Butterflies the size of asteroids took flight inside her stomach at his words. What was it about this big, violent man that piqued her interest? Probably the fact I haven’t been laid in six months, and he just saved my life.
She squared her shoulders and tried to muster a little dignity. “I know I should probably ask to see your ID or something, but I’m in over my head and I need to trust someone, so it doesn’t matter if you’re Nova Force or not. I need your help.”
“I think we established that already,” he drawled, tipping his head toward the pile of recently deceased attackers.
“Uh, yeah. But not just with them. I lied before. I’m not the only one who survived the first attack. Dr. Castille is still alive, but he needs the meds in my pack soon, or he’s not going to make it. That’s why I risked coming back.”
“Interesting logic. You risked your life to save his. If you got caught, you’d both die.” He shook his head. “How did you stay alive this long?”
“A street kid named Nico got us out and is helping us stay hidden. Oran, Dr. Castille, is with him.”
Dante cracked his knuckles and looked around the alley. “Can you find your way to Oran and this kid from here? I hope so because we’ve got about three minutes before the next security drone sweep is due to overfly this sector. They’re going to find those bodies, and once that happens, it’s going to get very busy ar
ound here.”
“I can find my way back.” Nico had made sure of that. He’d described landmarks and street names to her repeatedly until they were both confident she’d be able to find her way.
“Good. Then get ready to haul ass. We’ll be leaving in sixty seconds.”
She cocked her head. “Why aren’t we leaving right away? I told you, Oran needs the meds I’m carrying.”
Dante was already walking away from her, back toward the bodies. “I need to ID your friends, first.”
She watched as he stripped off their masks, helmets, and gloves with ruthless efficiency. He took quick scans of their faces and the palms of their hands with what looked like a basic comm-device, while she stood by, staring at the faces of the men who killed her team. None of them looked familiar.
Within a minute he was finished and coming her way. “Unless my ears deceive me, the fraxxing drones are early. We need to move. Now.”
“This way.” She pointed back the way she’d come and started walking.
Three steps later, she was swept off her feet and into Dante’s arms. “Hey!”
“We’re out of time, and I can run faster than you. Save your breath for giving me directions.” He broke into a run, holding her close and doing his best to cushion her body against the worst of the jars and bumps.
She called out directions as he raced through the alleys and backstreets, and he followed her instructions without hesitation. It was oddly empowering to have this big, dangerous male obeying her every command. She was actually starting to enjoy herself a little despite the danger when he finally slowed his pace.
“We’re not quite there, yet.”
“I figured, but we’re far enough away to start trying to blend in.” He used his head to indicate several security cams overlooking the area. “The ones in the alley were all broken, but these ones aren’t.”
“Actually, most of them are inactive. The locals keep them that way. This sector isn’t considered a security priority. No factories. No Bellex offices.”
He dropped his head to give her an assessing look. “How do you know that?”
“Nico.”
His lips twitched. “I can’t wait to meet this kid.”
“If we’re trying to blend in, you should really put me down, now.”
He pursed his lips and considered it, then shook his head. “Request denied. My job is to keep you alive until my team gets here. The closer you are to me, the easier my job is. Now, where do I go from here?”
“Straight for half a block, turn right at the alley marked with red graffiti, third door on the left. See? It’s not that far, so you really need to put me down. I can walk the rest of the way.”
“Nope.” He set off again, ignoring the fact she was trying to wriggle free.
“This is ridiculous!” She swung her feet and managed to catch him in the side with her heel.
“It isn’t, but it will be if you don’t stop squirming.” He tightened his grip and walked faster.
“Don’t test me. In the last week, I’ve been shot at, chased across rooftops, and gone without food, sleep, or even a damned shower.”
“Believe me, I’m aware you need a bath.”
She cursed again, calling him every insult she could remember in every language she knew. They were at the door to the hideaway before she reached the end of her list, and the smug bastard carrying her was laughing at her for the last thirty paces.
“How long did you say it would be before your team got here?” She finally muttered, leaning out of his arms to knock on the door in the code Nico had taught her.
“Three or four days.”
She groaned. Three days in Dante’s company was going to be a test of her patience and sanity. Stars help her, it was going to be a test of her willpower, too. If she didn’t kill him, she might just end up liking the arrogant son of a starbeast.
Chapter Three
In an act that had become routine over the last two days, Dante walked the final visitor of the day to a small side door and let him out, then barred and barricaded the door behind him.
“You’re the most paranoid man I’ve ever met,” Tyra declared as she watched him secure the door. She insisted on walking with him as he escorted each of her drop-in patients to the exit, which gave them a few minutes of relative quiet before they returned to the noise and chaos of the upper levels. These stolen moments had allowed him to get to know Tyra a little at a time, and he’d started looking forward to each solitary encounter.
“Maybe. But you’re not paranoid enough. People are actively trying to kill you right now, and you’re carrying on like it’s business as usual.” He couldn’t decide if Tyra was deliberately trying to make him crazy or if she simply wasn’t aware of how dangerous this world was. He’d never met anyone so determined to take chances with their life for the sake of helping someone else. It was maddening and damned attractive, just like the rest of her.
“This is what I do. When I see suffering, I have to do something about it.”
“Which is fine and noble and all that, until one of the ones you try to help turns on you. What do you think will happen to you, Oran, Nico, and the others if they find us? I’m good, Shortcake, but I can’t save everyone.”
Since they’d arrived at her bolthole two days ago, he’d watched in growing dismay as she had used almost all the medical supplies she had left treating street kids, criminals, and even a foul-tempered lizard one of the kids kept as a pet. She’d spent hours working on her fellow doctor, sacrificing sleep to watch over him as he slowly fought his way back from the brink of death. The medication she’d risked her life to retrieve had successfully countered the infection tearing through her teammate. Her dedication to her craft was impressive, but she seemed blind to the risk her patients presented and completely uncaring of the danger that one of them would sell her out for the price of a hot meal and a night’s stay somewhere clean and warm.
Tyra didn’t answer him, but the set of her shoulders tightened as she turned and headed toward the stairwell. He didn’t like playing the heavy with her. She’d gotten under his skin in the short time they’d been thrown together. He found himself trying to find ways to make her smile whenever he could, despite the fact his job was to keep her safe, not make her happy.
Her choices frustrated him, her stubborn defiance made him crazy, and yet there was something about her that pulled him in and made him want to spend time with her. He just wished she could see that her need to help others was putting everyone at risk. These people were desperate, and that made them unpredictable, which was why he’d instructed Tyra not to mention who he worked for. As far as the others knew, he was a mercenary hired by Boundless to track down their missing doctors, nothing more.
The only one of the group he trusted not to sell them out was Nico. The kid adored Tyra, and it was obvious he would do anything for her. He shadowed her every move, only leaving her side when she sent him out to scavenge food or other necessities.
It had been amusing to watch Nico’s initial reaction to him. He’d been sullen and distrustful at first, but once he accepted Dante wasn’t a threat, he’d mellowed. He hadn’t really thawed until Dante had pulled out some Bellex vouchers and offered to buy food for everyone. After that, the kid had accepted him into the group.
Dante felt an affinity for the boy. He’d spent time on the streets, too, though never in a place as rough as this one. It would be easy for Nico to let his circumstances twist him into an angry, bitter soul, but he hadn’t. Not yet, anyway. The few times Dante heard laughter around the place, Nico was always part of the fun, and while he was distrustful and cautious, he hadn’t closed himself off.
He followed Tyra into the main room, a big, open space the kids had filled with abandoned furniture and assorted junk. Some of the older ones had managed to patch the building back into the power grid. Dante had looked over their handiwork and made some improvements, showing the interested ones what he was doing, and why. He’d done the same
when he discovered the lizard traps on the roof. He’d given the want-to-be hunters a few tips on how to improve their snares and traps. The kids had to eat, and he wouldn’t be around to buy them burgers for much longer.
Dante’s stomach growled. A quick check of the time confirmed it was early evening. Time for him to check in with his team and organize food for this motley crew he’d fallen in with. “Hey, kid. You hungry?”
Nico’s eyes lit up. “Burgers?”
Of course he wanted burgers. He never wanted anything else. “Yeah. You know the plan. Get enough for everyone, but only buy one or two from each vendor. And maybe get some fruit this time.”
Nico wrinkled his nose. “Fruit?”
“Yeah. Fruit. Any kind. It’s good for you. You want to get big and strong, you need to eat healthy stuff sometimes.”
“It’s mushy and gross,” Nico declared.
“That’s because you’re eating it after it’s old and rotten. See if you can find some fresh apples or something, okay?” Dante handed Nico enough money to cover the purchases. He’d be out of the local currency by tomorrow, and he couldn’t risk hitting a dispenser to get more. Nico and his friends were watching Dante’s room at the hotel, and while no one had come around yet, he wasn’t taking chances. He planned to stay out of sight until Dax and the rest of Team Three arrived.
Once Nico was gone, Dante moved to a quiet stretch of hallway. He could still see into the room where Tyra and her patient were, though. He pulled his comm out and took a moment to activate the newly upgraded stealth settings, which now included encryption and signal masking. Once he was sure everything was working, he sent a ping letting the team know he was ready to report in.
A few seconds later, he got a reply and a familiar face appeared on the screen. “Buttercup! Good to see your ugly mug.” Ensign Eric Erben, the youngest member of their team and the most gifted cyber-jockey Dante had ever met, was beaming at him from a seat in the cockpit of the Malora.
“Magi. Please tell me they didn’t leave your irresponsible ass in charge of my ship.”
