Rescuing Rory Read Free Page A

living and wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Since their ship was a trader she wondered if they were legit or mercenaries or smugglers, men who’d run anything if the price was right.
    Both of the men nodded at her. They were studying her as if waiting for her to say something. She didn’t exactly know what to say so she nodded back.
    Heavy footsteps came toward them, vibrating through the floor. A red light on the wall flashed to green and the door to the loading bay airlock opened. It had been locked from the other side.
    Rory might have wondered more about that but she couldn’t take her eyes off the giant of a man standing in the doorway. He was taller than the rest, his black hair buzzed off close to his skull. But she could see the strands of white and knew he was another brother. A black patch covered his right eye and his right hand wasn’t skin and bone but robotic.
    “What the fuck are you standing around for? What does she know?”
     

Chapter Two
     
    Kal felt Rory shiver and stepped in front of her. He knew most folks found Flynn intimidating and they were right to be scared of him. Flynn might be his brother but even Kal walked softly when he was on a tear about something.
    “We just got on board. I’ll get some clothes for Rory then we’ll talk.” He met Flynn’s gaze and willed his brother to back down. If they frightened Rory they might not get anything from her. And they needed the information she had. Badly.
    They might have a reputation of being the badasses of the known galaxies but they’d never hurt a woman. Which meant they needed her on their side.
    He ignored the niggling thought in the back of his brain that wanted to protect Rory from all harm, the impulse that made him want to punch his brother for frightening her. She was shaking, although that might be as much from cold as anything. She was basically naked. And as much as he liked looking at her body, he didn’t like the idea of her being cold.
    Kal unbuttoned his shirt and handed it to Rory. She took it and slipped it on, pulling it tight around her.
    Flynn dragged his hand over his short hair. “Okay. Get her dressed and fed and bring her to the bridge.”
    Kal took her hand and led her toward his brother. “This is Flynn. He’s the captain of this heap of metal and bolts.”
    “Bite your tongue, boy.” Flynn sounded gruff but Kal could hear the teasing beneath it. They all loved the Abigail . She was their livelihood and their home.
    Rory edged as far away from Flynn as she could get. Kal led her past him and into the corridor. There was no doubt where he was taking her. He wanted her in his room where he could protect her. Not that his brothers would harm her but he didn’t like the idea of her being afraid.
    She peered up at him. Once again he was struck by the pure blue of her eyes and the thick lushness of her lashes. Her nose was small and pert, her lips plump and full. Her chin was gently curved, much like the rest of her body.
    “You’re wearing a battlesuit?” It was said almost as an accusation. He felt the corners of his lips turn up slightly. She might look delicate but she had courage.
    “Of course I’m wearing a battlesuit.” He turned right and paused outside the door to his quarters. His shirt hung on her slender frame, the sleeves covering her hands and the hem hitting her mid-thigh. He missed her more skimpy attire.
    He placed his hand on the security lock and it slid open when it confirmed his identity. Kal then put his hand on her back and urged her inside.
    Rory stopped through the doorway, which automatically triggered the light by his bedside table to come on. She peered around the room and he tried to see it through her eyes. It wasn’t a large space but it was functional and had some amenities. He had his own bathroom, complete with gel cleansing unit.
    “Would you like to get cleaned up?” He walked to the sliding door that separated the bathroom and bedroom and pushed it open.
    She nibbled