Mercenaries Read Free Page A

“Next time I’ll ask for a DNA scan before I say hello.”
    Andrew drew himself up to his full height, squaring his shoulders to emphasize their width. “I don’t like your tone, Trinity Yeager.” He took a menacing step closer. “You really need to learn your place. And I’m looking forward to teaching it to you.”
    Anger made her reckless. “ ’Fraid the lesson’ll have to wait, Andy. You’re not my husband yet, and I’m not breaking the law.” Lifting her chin, Trin stalked past him. From the corner of one eye, she saw him lift a fist. She tensed, but he didn’t hit her.
    If he won the auction next week, that would change.

Chapter Two
    F IVE minutes later Trin reached the Outworld Quarter. It was like stepping back into the space-faring life she’d known as a child. Unlike the nineteenth-century-style town square, the buildings of the OQ were prefabricated, with curving lines that had probably looked racy and sensual when the structures were new.
    Unfortunately, it had been too long since anyone had landed at Rectitude. The cluster of warehouses, restaurants, and hostels were in dire need of a fresh coat of mag paint. Even the computer-run shuttle-control center was starting to look distinctly run-down.
    The Spacer’s Tavern stood off to one side of the others, as if ostracized by its more respectable peers. Its lines were dumpy rather than sleek, and the air of seediness around it was even thicker.
    Trin didn’t care. She’d have walked into hell for a chance to get off Orville’s Paradise.
    â€œTrinity!” A damp, pudgy hand clamped around her wrist and dragged her to a stop before she could step through the tavern’s bat doors. “You’re not going into that infidel den of depravity dressed like that! I forbid it!”
    God, not another one. Trin shot a cold look at her captor. She was wearing a black unisuit that wouldn’t incite a passion-starved trillite miner, but she wasn’t surprised at his reaction. Gordon Pureblood made a point of being a prig. “You don’t have the authority to forbid me anything, Gordon.”
    He glowered at her, his round face petulant. His scalp showed pink through his thinning hair in a sunburn he’d probably acquired watching Mary’s punishment. Knowing Gordon, he’d showed up early. “We’re getting married next week, Trinity. And I don’t think it’s appropriate for my wife to—”
    â€œWe are not getting married,” Trin interrupted, sick of hearing that particular song.
    â€œYes, we are.” He tilted both his chins. “I’ve been saving my money for months. I’m going to be the high bidder.”
    She gritted her teeth and twisted her wrist free of his sweaty hold. “Well, you haven’t bought me yet, so you don’t have the right to manhandle me.”
    Gordon’s cold, black-pebble eyes narrowed between folds of fat. “Once we’re married, you’re going to learn your place.”
    The men of this town really needed to come up with a new threat. “My place,” Trin growled, “is where I say it is. And right now it’s in there.” She pivoted on her heel and stalked through the door of the bar, knowing her tormenter would never set foot inside.
    â€œYou come out this minute, Trinity Yeager, or you’ll be sorry!” he yelled after her, his voice spiraling into a squeal. “Trin! I’ll tell the elders, see if I don’t!”
    Trin eyed the door, waiting for him to barrel through, wrapped in sanctimonious outrage. Instead his boots rang on the sidewalk as he stomped off. She’d been right; he didn’t have the guts to risk being seen going into the tavern.
    This had damn well better work, because if she was still here when they held the auction, she was finished. She could handle Gordon—though she’d probably end up tied to the