Page 105 of Tempting Cargo

Mother looked out over the garden, and I stared all my hatred at her back, vowing to hurt her in any possible way I could. Her arms moved, elbows out, as though she was accessing her wrist-comm.

A few seconds too late, I sent my awareness to the rest of the room, catching a soft scuff of boots across the floor.

Garrison would be proud, I thought, as I turned, grabbing one male’s sleeve and pulling him over my back in the move he’d used on me that first time. I went down on one knee, snatchedmy knife, and stabbed the nearest thing I could, the meat of his leg.

He roared in pain, and I almost had my blaster out when my arm jerked, a spike of pain ricocheting into my shoulder.

I twisted and pulled, but the other retainer pinned my arm in a hold I couldn’t break. My head jerked backwards. A hand seized my headspines, jewels scattering across the floor as they pulled free of the knot.

Mother’s cloying breath grazed my face as she yanked my head back, pressing her cupped hand against the vulnerable softness at my throat.

Disbelief and shame burned in my gut. All the times I’d told my friends we needed to act with integrity, and my mother had me by the spines.

Two more staff rushed into the room, these armed with hand blasters.

“Take my daughter to the morning room.” Mother spoke with the same intonation as if she’d requested another carafe of tea.

At first I let them lead me, too stunned to realise the enormity of my failure. I fought all the way down the corridor until the hard press of a blaster in my lower back forced me to still, and they shoved me through a door.

“On the chair. Sit down.”

I stalked across the room, my movements stiff.

But I sat.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

My brazenness is the steel to shatter bonds

Shohari

I’D ALWAYS hatedthese chairs.

The colours were too many years out of fashion compared to the galaxy, and the fancy upholstery did nothing for comfort.

Neither did the two guards with blasters aimed at me. Or the metal cuffs on my wrists. I was too furious to be upset. She pulled myspines.

I tried to focus on a breathing exercise. Staying angry wouldn’t help me get free. I had tothink.

All I could see was the image from Aurora Five. Garrison kissing me.

Emotion welled up and threatened to choke me.Shohari, I’m in love with you.

When I’d told Garrison he would be too easy to love, I’d meant it. He was everything I'd never dared to want. If I woke up in his arms every morning as we flew theDorimisaacross the galaxy, I would be happy.

I’d not dared think what my future after this would look like, but that image was as strong as a rock. Anything else could fit round it, and any future without him would be bleak.

Though my bones sang in agreement, cold fear skittered through my blood. I had no experience with freedom, and it was terrifying.

But, my bones said,it is right.

I wanted to believe.

The low rumble of a cultured male voice made its way through the door, and my breath froze in my lungs. One of the guards stepped forwards. “We’re going to unlock your cuffs, mistress. Do not try anything foolish.”

Like attempting to rescue my brother? A faint smile teased the corners of my lips. It was a little late for that.

The guard thrust his arm out, my fallen jewels on his upraised palm. “Sort your headspines out. You’re a mess.”