“Zeth,” he said.
Rona watched as Zeth took out the device he had used inside the Common Hall a few minutes before. He aimed the device at the side of the ship and activated it. The matte black finish of the hull did not make for the best projector screen, but it was good enough for Rona to understand what she was looking at. It was an image of the cockpit ofthe Talionis, seen through Aeron’s eyes. Murdok was sitting in the copilot’s seat, naked and sweating. Rona could hear herself moaning in the background.
This was last night, after Aeron returned from his recon mission.
His recorded voice spoke.
“There’s one more thing we need to discuss: Rona.”
The video image of Murdok raised his scarred eyebrows.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve decided we’re taking her with us. I realize it goes against Guild protocol, and it will make our lives infinitely more complicated, but I don’t care. There’s no way I’m gonna leave her behind. No way.”
Video Murdok grinned.
“Hell,” he said. “I’ve never been one to stand on protocol. Have you talked to Zeth about this?”
“Don’t need to. I’m certain he feels the same way about it as we do.”
Murdok nodded, then quirked one brow.
“What about Rona? What if she doesn’t want to come with us?”
“I don’t give a shit,” Aeron said. “She’s coming whether she wants to or not. I’ll kidnap her if I have to. Then I’ll spank her ass into submission.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Murdok chuckled.
The video cut off.
For a long moment, Rona just stood there, swaying lightly on her feet. Her heart was going crazy in her chest. She turned and looked at each of her three Mercs in turn, handsome Aeron, pretty Zeth, and ugly Murdok. She gave a tentative smile.
“Do you mean it?” she asked. “You’re really gonna take me with you?”
“Woman,” said Aeron, taking a step closer. “Do I look like I’m fucking kidding?”
He did not.
He most certainly did not.
Before Rona even knew what was happening, the Merc leader had literally swept her off her feet and flung her over his broad shoulder like a conqueror collecting the spoils of war. Without a word, he carried her around to the boarding ramp and up into the belly of the ship. The other two Mercs followed them in, undressing as they went.
Rona could feel the weight of the knife in her pocket. The one she had used to stab Zeth when the Mercs had first brought her aboard their ship. She did not try to draw it this time. Nobody would be getting stabbed today.
Not by a knife anyway.
CHAPTER 32
They took her to the holding cell. It wasn’t very romantic perhaps, but it was the only room on board with enough space to do what needed to be done. The prisoner was gone, but his blood was still on the walls. Rona didn’t mind. To be honest, it kind of turned her on.
Not that she really needed any help in that department. Her three men already had her so hot and bothered she felt like she was going to explode.
Once they were all inside the cell, Aeron lifted her off his shoulder and set her down on her feet. Zeth and Murdok came and stood behind her. They had already removed their combat vests and hoods, and now Aeron removed his too. He stood before her, bare-chested and magnificent. Rona’s mouth watered at the sight. She wanted to lick every inch of him. His chest, his abs, and those two sexy lines angling downward from his hips toward the part of him she wanted more than anything else.
He tilted her chin up, and her gaze lifted from his crotch to his handsome, bearded face.
And those eyes. Those lethal red eyes.
