Anxiety riding me hard, I enter the kitchen to find Rygar is already walking toward the front.“What’s wrong, Madison?I feel your upset.”
“We’ve got more of those Dark Fleet guys in the café.”I approach him, nibbling on my bottom lip.“They threatened to arrest me and my parents if you don’t turn yourself in.”
Rygar pulls me into his arms.I let him, melting into his warmth.I sense no fear from him, only irritation.He scowls toward the door.“I’ll get rid of them.They won’t remember a thing.”
“No!”I turn and place my palms against his chest.A sense of calm invades my senses and I know our bond is transferring some of his confident energy to me.
“Mate, let me handle this.”He implores me and places his hands over mine.
“My dad and Max have it covered.They’re going to create a distraction.I’m supposed to take you out the back.”His soothing touch makes me want kiss him.Hold him.Protect him.I don’t want him anywhere near those assholes.“The bad guys said they have the whole area locked down.That you can’t escape.”
His snort of derision makes me smile.What I wouldn’t give for that kind of confidence.
The fire alarm blares.Two seconds later the automatic sprinkler system kicks on.From the dining area, squeals and screams erupt.I hear Julia shout, “If everyone would please remain calm and file out in an orderly fashion.Sir, I’m sorry, you can’t go back there.Sir?—”
The door to the kitchen swings open.“Go.”My dad shouts, jerking his chin toward the exit as my mom join us.
“What’s going on?”Mom asks.
BothMen in Blackagents burst into the kitchen, their guns drawn.The sprinklers act like rain, soaking everything.My t-shirt is plastered to my chest and my hair is dripping wet.I’m blinking water out of my eyes as Rygar gently places me behind him.Between one blink and the next his human clothing switches back to his suit just as the agents aim their firearms.
“Rygar, we need to leave.”I nudge his shoulder but he’s not listening.
Special Agent Johnson’s gaze locks onto his target.“Commander, we need you to come with us.”His black bearded friend has his handgun pointed at my dad.Guess he’s not stupid.
Rygar and my dad exchange a look.Special Agent Brown doesn’t like it.“Don’t try anything.We wouldn’t want anything to happen to the ladies, would we?”
My mom gasps in outrage.“Get out.You’re the ones who are going to get hurt.”
With Rygar’s large body acting as my shield, I feel safe enough to grin at her bravado.Guess being married to my dad has rubbed off on her.
Rygar’s gaze flicks to me and then back to the agents.I can’t believe I’m even thinking this, but BILL would be pretty handy right now.He would have warned us before those guys got inside the café, and he could help Rygar shoot rockets out of his spacesuit.Maybe I shouldn’t have forced him to shut up and give us privacy.He did warn us that shutting him down would increase the risk of discovery.Is my desire for privacy going to get Rygar killed?
As if he’s reading my mind, Rygar shifts his weight so my body comes into direct contact with his back.Confidence and reassurance come through our astral bond.He’s not afraid.At all.
Okay.I soak up all his confidence and wait to see how Rygar plays his hand.
“As lovely as this is, it’s time to go, Commander.”Special Agent Brown uses his handgun to indicate Rygar should step forward and go with them.
I cover my mouth with my hand, so I don’t give anything away as lights swirl and move on Rygar’s back.Two spherical devices the size of my palm emerge from the back side of Rygar’s shoulders.Without moving—maybe he’s using telepathy?—Rygar directs the objects at men.With a shout of alarm, they both fire.Rygar spins, giving them his back while protecting me with his body.
“Henry!”I barely resister my mom’s scream as Rygar’s body jerks.Did he just take a bullet?
“Rygar!”Those assholes are shooting at him.At us.In my kitchen!
“It’s alright, mate.”A blast of light flashes through the kitchen.The sprinklers shut off, leaving the alarm and a cacophony of dripping surrounding us.
He doesn’t sound injured as he releases me.“Go, get the vehicle.We need to head to my ship now.”
“But what about?—”
Rygar turns slowly so I can see the prone forms of the two agents crumpled on the floor.“Are they dead?”
“No, mate.They are unconscious.I will take care of them.You need to leave before more arrive.”As if on cue the sound of the firetruck’s siren fills the air.
“I’ll help him.You and your mother go get our car.We’ll be right behind you.”Dad has one of the agents by the ankle is already dragging the man toward the rear exit.
I glance at Rygar.He just nods.I feel him telling me it will be all right through our bond.Grabbing my mom’s arm, I drag her toward the exit as the sound of sirens grows louder.I wipe the water out of my eyes and try not to cry at the disaster zone that used to be my kitchen.
