“Roake is doomed if its heir jumps at every little shadow,” Bez taunted.
The look Kira shot him was incredulous.“Are you done?I’d like to get moving if so.You’re boring me and I have important things to do.”
Like not getting the people Harlow entrusted to her command killed.
Bez looked taken aback at her response.His forehead furrowed and his gaze shot to Az in confusion.
Kira sighed, knowing he’d probably expected her to curse him out or take a swing.If only.“I’ll let you in on a little secret.I’m rarely this understanding.But you’ve lost someone important to you.I know what that’s like.”Better than most.“You’re under a lot of stress because of it.For that reason, I’m willing to make an exception.Just this one time.Question me again and I’ll have you arrested for insubordination when we get back.”
She wasn’t sure if that was something she could do, but that didn’t matter.It sounded good.
“I don’t have the time or inclination to deal with the chip on your shoulder.There are matters much more critical that require my attention.”
Saving Roake’s ass and protecting the home she’d like to return to among them.
Bez’s eyes got wider and wider the longer she spoke.“How dare you!”
Kira’s chuckle was terrifying.“Don’t look so surprised.It makes you appear stupid.”
They wanted to play games?Get a rise from her?
Well, then.She’d be happy to show them the real Kira.The one that suffered no fools andhatedwhen people tested her.That Kira had made subordinates and senior officers alike fear her.
Bez grabbed Kira’s arm as she started to walk away.“We’re not done.”
She quelled her instinctive reaction as a shift of movement from the hillside above the cave-in caught her attention.
Kira threw herself at Bez as a loud crack rent the air.He grunted as they toppled backward.
Heat singed the upper part of her back, blazing a line across her shoulder blade.
“Sniper—take cover!”Az shouted.
Kira rolled off Bez, scrambling to the closest large object she could put between her and the shooter.In this case, the severed wing of a ship.
Bez crawled after her.“Who is shooting at us?”
“Pirates—now you see why I wanted to rally with the rest of the group.”
Kira leaned around the tip of the wing, drawing back a second before the sniper opened fire again.She huddled low as the ping, ping, ping of laser hit metal.
“What are they still doing here?The attack on the enclave happened weeks ago,” Bez demanded.
“I don’t know.Why don’t you go out there and ask them yourself?”
Either the pirates left someone behind to mop up survivors and any would-be rescuers who showed up.Or someone had leaked their whereabouts and this was another attack on Roake.
This time with Kira as the primary target.
Mentioning either scenario in these circumstances wasn’t likely to help.
Bez seemed to notice the blood on her back for the first time.“You’re wounded.”
Kira pushed away his hand when he scooted closer to get a better look.“It’s fine.It was cauterized instantly.”
It hurt like a bitch though.
Even knowing it was useless, Kira tapped her comms.“Jin, you there?I could really use your help right about now.”
