by Nina Croft
Something hit the ship, and I was thrown from my seat. I crashed onto the floor. Picking myself up, I dragged myself back into my chair as another shot hit us.
“Hold on,” Killian said, though he didn’t need to; I had the arms of my seat in a death grip. “We’re going in.”
We took another direct hit, and in the aftermath I could tell something wasn’t right. We were still moving forward but listing to the side. I tried to convince myself that if I had to die, then what better way to go than crashing a space ship with a gorgeous guy at my side. But I didn’t want to die at all.
“Can we breathe on the asteroids?” I asked. Because it was clear if we did manage to survive the crash and we stayed in the ship, we were going to be toast.
“On the bigger ones. We’re aiming for that one there.”
It was growing closer until it filled the entire screen, an inhospitable lump of barren rock, cratered with holes that shot flames into space. Killian had lived here for years. I couldn’t even imagine it.
“We’re about to go down,” he said.
As we crash landed, the impact hurled us both forward. The ship was still moving with a scrape of metal as we dragged along the asteroid’s surface. Finally, we came to a stop, and I breathed again. I squeaked as Kill pulled me to my feet and pain flashed through me.
“Okay?” he asked.
No.
But hopefully I was just bruised. I clamped my lips closed and nodded. He shot the door and kicked it open. Heat washed over me. I did my best to keep up and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. All around us, ships were landing, spewing out soldiers. I tried not to think.
Just keep going.
Sweat trickled down my face, and my feet were being ripped to shreds, jabbing sharp bolts of pain up my legs. Killian must have noticed me lagging, because he picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder as he continued to run. A dark cavern opened up in front of us, and he sprinted into it, heading downward.
We were moving through a tunnel now, low enough that Kill had to bend his head as he ran. Behind us heavy footfalls kept pace with us. Lots of feet, and I tightened my grip on Kill’s shoulder.
He slowed, then stopped and rested me on my feet, breathing hard. Cupping my cheeks in his big hands, he stared down into my face. “Ruby, listen to me.”
I nodded. “I’m listening.”
“If they take us alive, it won’t be a good death.”
I didn’t want to die. Was there such a thing as a good death? “Then they’d better not take us alive.”
“You have to trust me. Do what I say. Maybe I can get us out of this.”
He was so beautiful and I traced a finger down his cheek. “Thank you for coming back for me.”
“It was my pleasure.”
He was so sweet. “Now get on and save me.”
This time he picked me up and cradled me against his chest. He raised his hand and used his teeth to peel off his leather glove, then flexed his metal hand.
He strode forward, clearly knowing where he was going. The tunnel widened, the ceiling vanishing from above us. The light grew brighter and heat seared my skin. He stopped and I peered down. We stood on the edge of a deep chasm.
Far below, I could see a mass of roiling flames.
And I got an inkling of what he was about to do. My stomach clenched, and I swallowed.
Oh hell no.
He’d told me that as a slave, every day, he’d dived headfirst into the asteroid mines in search of ore. But at least he’d had a rope attached. We had nothing to stop our descent. But I trusted him. Didn’t I?
He caught my gaze and grinned. “I’m a helldiver, baby, it’s what I do. Just hold on tight.”
Did I trust him?
Did I have a choice?
I peered over his shoulder at the line of soldiers, guns pointed straight at us.
Shifting in his arms, I wrapped my legs around his waist, buried my face in his neck, and clung as tight as I could. “Go,” I mouthed against his skin, and his muscles tensed against me.
At the last moment, I couldn’t go to what was perhaps the end with my eyes closed, and I raised my head as Killian launched us into space.
And then we were falling, diving headfirst downward into hell, and the speed dragged the scream from my throat.
“Aghhh!”
To be concluded…
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Acknowledgments
I would like to thank everyone at Entangled publishing, who are a dream to work with, especially Liz and Candy, who I had the great pleasure of meeting for the first time this year, and my new editor, Brenda, whom I’m sure must be feeling a little overwhelmed at this point—thank you for taking me on and for the fabulous edits!
I’d also like to thank the lovely ladies at Passionate Critters, who keep me on the straight and narrow, motivate me, and tell me exactly what they think, and where I go wrong.
And finally, of course, my husband, Rob—without him, none of this would be possible—my hero!
About the Author
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of nine-to-five work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.
Nina writes all types of romance, often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.
And if you’d like to learn about new releases sign up for Nina’s newsletter here.
www.ninacroft.com
The steamy serial concludes next week with…
Saving the Space Pirate
Part Three of Ruby Robbins’ Sexy Space Odyssey
Ruby is thrilled that her mission is almost over. Not only will she have saved her planet, but she’ll finally be able to live happily ever after with the space pirate of her dreams. But when a tragic twist puts everything into jeopardy, it’s up to Ruby, with Killian at her side, to change to world for good this time. She only hopes they both survive the ordeal…
Don’t miss Part One!
Rescued by the Space Pirate
Part One of Ruby Robbins’ Sexy Space Odyssey by Nina Croft
Ruby Robbins has always dreamed of going to space. So when she’s approached to help her country—by going undercover in an alien slaver ship—she jumps at the chance. She never expects her biggest challenge will be fighting off a sexy space pirate determined to save her. Or that she’ll enjoy the struggle quite so much…
Also by Nina Croft
Dark Desires series
Break Out
Deadly Pursuit
Death Defying
Temporal Shift
Blood and Metal
Flying Through Fire
Things to Do Before You Die series
His Fantasy Girl
Her Fantasy Husband
His Fantasy Bride
Babysitting a Billionaire series
Losing Control
Out of Control
Taking Control
The Order series
Bittersweet Blood
Bittersweet Magic
Bittersweet Darkness
Melville Sisters series
Operation Saving Daniel
Betting on Julia
Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire
Unthinkable
The Descartes Legacy
Love Knows No Bounds
Remember Me
The Spaniard’s Kiss
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