Fallon's Fall Read Free Page A

“Thought you might need some help with the woman.”
    Fallon glared at him. “When have I ever needed help with women?”
    Reaper’s black eyes twinkled with mirth as he rubbed his chin. “Can’t think of any time off the top of my head, but then again, I don’t recall any female able to bind you like a squawker.”
    “She got lucky,” Fallon said. “That’s all.”
    Reaper’s dark brow rose. “Looked like more than luck to me. Do you know her?”
    “Not anymore,” he murmured.
    Reaper blinked at that statement. “Fifty credits says you can’t take her down.” He slapped the orange credit chip on the bar next to Fallon's drink.
    Fallon shoved the credit away. He didn't want to touch Dora. Was afraid to, given his reaction to her brush against his horns. “I don’t feel like getting my ass kicked by her friends.”
    Reaper glanced over at the men surrounding Dora. “You could handle them all on your own, but if you want, I can take care of her friends.”
    “I don’t think she’d appreciate you killing her crew,” Fallon said. “Neither would the Authority.”
    “Who said anything about killing them?” Reaper asked. “Give me a little credit.”
    “Exactly what would you like me to do to her?” Fallon asked.
    “Tie her up like she tied you,” Reaper said.
    “With what?” he asked. “The twine in my drink?”
    Lex and Mars came up beside them. They both glanced at the credit on the bar and dug into their pockets. “We’re in!” they said in unison.
    Fallon’s expression soured. “You don’t even know what’s going on.”
    “Reaper’s bet that you can’t land the female,” Lex said. “Am I right?”
    Close enough. Fallon glared at the fair-haired, blood-sucking alien grinning at him. The situation was far more complicated than that. “I’m surprised Shadow doesn’t want in on this bet,” he said in an attempt to change the subject.
    Lex shrugged. “The Sorce prefers other diversions.”
    Given the dark magic that Shadow wielded, those diversions were something none of them wanted to think about.
    “So what are you going to do about the female?” Lex winked at him.
    Fallon groaned in frustration. He didn’t want anything to do with this Dora of Petron. This Dora was too bold, too outspoken. Nothing like the girl that he'd loved .
    She was the last thing he needed—last thing he wanted. Like all Horned Moreans, Fallon preferred his women subservient. This Dora would rather kick him in the teeth than bow down before his hard body. He didn’t know this woman.
    What would it be like to have a female who could stand as his equal? A lick of heat raced through his veins and his stomach fluttered. He felt himself harden all over again.
    Dora had managed to keep her expression calm until she turned away from Fallon. In her first year of training in the healing arts, she’d learned how to remain calm and project confidence. Patients wouldn’t trust someone who easily panicked or who gasped at the first sight of a wound. She still couldn’t believe that it was him. Not after all these years.
    She’d always imagined what it would be like to see Fallon again. She had even played out exactly how it would go in her head if she did. But the moment he’d said her name and Dora had gotten a good look at his handsome, pale green face, all the years of practiced indifference had slipped away. She’d gone from confident woman to insecure, lovesick girl in a flash and it had left her shaken to the core.
    She couldn’t still love him. Not after what he’d done to her. It’s just the shock of seeing him again , she told herself. Dora took a seat next to her crewmen and covertly glanced his way.
    Black flight pants encased his long legs, ending at his trim waist. He’d strapped a wicked looking dagger with a gold handle to his left thigh and a blaster to his right. The material encasing his wide chest and broad shoulders strained to conceal his muscles. His light green arms flexed as he