“Help me get the cargo hold open.We’re keeping the shittle.”
57
Lacy
I satin the shuttle inFortuna’scargo hold and contemplated my life choices.Trying to get Dax and the crew to let me stay for the low price of a free shuttle was possibly the stupidest thing I’d ever done.Topped only by breaking into and stealingFortunain the first place.
“So, are we getting out or what?”
I looked at Layla in the copilot’s seat.She looked like shit.Dark circles under her eyes.Her hair ragged and unkempt.“I’m so glad you’re okay.”I reached out to grasp her hand.I needed confirmation that she was really here.That I wasn’t imagining this.
“I’m really glad you came for me.”She wiped a tear away with her other hand.“Though I’m still kind of surprised you didn’t get Dad.”
I laughed, but it came out watery.“If those guys hadn’t broken into my apartment?—”
“I’m so sorry about that!”
I waved away her apology.“I might have brought Dad into it, once I figured out what was going on.But I didn’t even look at the chip until I’d stolen Dax’s ship.”Yes, that had definitely been a mistake.“Seriously, though, this planet would be burning if Dad had been here.”
Layla released my hand and wiped her eyes again.“You’re right.”She looked away from me.“That would have been a tragedy.”
“What the hell, Layla?They kidnapped you!”
“An escape pod fromQueen of Starslanded here, Lacy.”She turned back to face me, her usual enthusiasm in her eyes.“I need to learn more about it.”
The thought of her returning here made me physically ill.And reminded me we had to get the shuttle lashed down so we could take off.“Are you sure it wasn’t a trick, Layla?A trap to get you here and steal your research?”
She shook her head.“Stone said it wasn’t.I believe him.”
“Stone?You mean Johnstone Farrow?The guy from the forum?You’re just going around calling your kidnapper by his first name?”My voice rose with each word.This was insane, right?
My sister pressed her lips together.“His father was the one who had me kidnapped.Stone, I mean Johnstone, was keeping me safe from him.”
“Mmm hmm.”I didn’t buy that for a second, but I had just gotten my sister back.I wasn’t going to ruin this moment by arguing.
While she was avoiding my gaze, hers fell on MAKO.“Oh, you rescued him!I’m so glad.”
Okay.I lied.I was totally going to ruin this moment by arguing with my sister.“Speaking of, where the hell is my ship?”I snatched MAKO off the console and held him close.
She winced.“I don’t know.I’m so, so sorry.Dad said I should ask you if I could borrow her, but I was sure you wouldn’t mind.I didn’t expect all this to happen.”Her gaze dropped to the figurehead in my arms.“You found him.He wasn’t with the ship?”
I shook my head and tightened my grip on the little shark.“He was in a chop shop, Layla.Do you know what they do there?They chop ships into little pieces!”
She gasped.“Oh no!You saw her there?”She grimaced.“Was it terrible?”
I sighed.“I didn’t actually see her.I found this on a tool chest and the mechanic I questioned said that you and the ship had been taken to the compound.But I didn’t see the ship when we flew over.Mako’sgone.”Tears welled in my eyes, the day’s emotional roller coaster taking its toll.
“That sucks.But you said you questioned someone.Like interrogated?Like torture?”
I laughed at the memory.“I threatened him with my very vicious shark.”I thrust it toward her and shook it so the mouth moved.
“You’re lying!That would never work.”
“It did,” I said primly.“You can ask any of the crew.Let’s get out of here and I’ll tell you all about it in my room.”
Layla nodded and followed me out of the shuttle.When I saw Burn waiting for us, I tensed.
“Lacy,” she started.
