“Reputation is an interesting thing,” he says cryptically. “I use it where Driok wields it.”
“So, who are the Gonoz?” I ask.
“A species I have not heard of.” Dante rubs at his chin. “Although how much we can trust what this pirate says is debatable.”
“Pleased you think that too.” I look around the ship.
“Is this like the one you were on?”
“It’s as dirty,” I say. “But there is a distinct lack of pirates who look like seafood, which makes it marginally more fragrant.”
“The Larak?” Dante wrinkles his nose, and he looks disarmingly adorable as he does so. “Yes, they have a certain odor.”
He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close to him.
“But as long as I’m with you, nothing else matters.”
“Dante,” I say as he dips his head towards me, “have you noticed something?”
“What would that be, little flame?” His fangs scrape over my skin, and I shiver despite myself.
“It’s gone quiet.”
“My warriors are good at their job.”
“Really quiet.” I gently push on his chest.
Dante’s eyes flicker open and study my face. He straightens and puts his head on one side, putting his finger at his ear.
“Scout ship? Report,” he says, staring over my head, his eyes narrowing. “There’s no reply.”
The way I’ve seen his crew operate, I already have a sinking feeling inside me. As much as they are coordinated mayhem, they work together like a tight knit team. If they are there, they will reply.
Dante takes me by my arm.
“When I say run, my heartsfire, you run, as fast as you can, back to the scout ship. Use code Dante-forty-two and it will respond to your command. Get back to Vorostor and tell them what happened.”
“What?” I grasp his hand. “No!”
“Do it for the sarkarnlings back on Vorostor,” he says urgently. “For my crew, for your friends.”
“I amnotleaving you.”
“If you don’t, the chances are they will kill me because I will not let them take you,” Dante growls. “I would rather die.”
DANTE
The way my Rosalie looks at me, I know she will not leave. She will only go if I strap her into an escape pod and fire it out myself.
But a pod won’t get her back to Vorostor. It won’t bring reinforcements. I yell down my comm to see if there is anyone left on the scout ship. All I get is static.
“Fine,” I growl. “We’ll do this ourselves.”
“Good,” Rosalie says. “Give me a weapon.”
The mating mix surges in my veins, and heat sweeps my body.
“As you wish.” I reach around my back to my belt and unclip a pulsar pistol, handing to her.
