But now, all of that was gone.
She was in a real battle now. One of survival. She couldn’t let herself be cowed by the situation, or by the man sitting across the room. Cathal, Isla, and Bea were relying on her.
Drawing herself up, Jenna favored her bodyguard with an imperious look. “That’sexactlymy plan, Captain … although the finer details will have to be worked out.” Glancing down at her tablet, she scrolled once more through the list of departures. “There’s a liner leaving for Morith at 0800 tomorrow … it’s three systems away from Idral. The moon’s in Mir-Brennan territory, which should make it safer for me. It’s also a mining colony … and rough enough to draw ex-soldiers and mercenaries.” Her chin kicked up, and she met Malik’s surprised gaze once more. “I’ll pay someone to smuggle me onto Idral.”
Captain Malik inclined his head. “Really?”
Jenna pursed her lips. She was seriously tiring of his attitude. Tilting her chin, she favored him with her most aristocratic glare. “As you reminded me earlier, Captain, your role is to protect me on this diplomatic mission. As such, you owe me nothing more once we’re safely off Aura Terminal.”
Her tone was sharper than she’d intended, yet his incredulous expression didn’t change. “I serve the Mir-Brennan ruling family, My Lady. With your brother imprisoned … I take orders from you.”
“Well, in that case, once we arrive on Morith, I shall discharge you of duty.”
Her bodyguard’s large frame stiffened, his condescending air disappearing. “You can’t go off on this rescue mission on your own, Lady Jenna,” he replied, his tone clipped now. “Especially if you hire mercenaries. Most of them can’t be trusted.”
Jenna scowled back. “That isn’t your concern, Captain.”
Her bodyguard rose to his feet and took a step forward, folding his arms over his chest. “Your brother charged me with your safety.”
“And as you just pointed out … he’s not in a position to hold you to it.”
“This plan is suicide.”
Jenna’s stomach twisted at his harsh reminder, yet she kept her expression shuttered. “No, it isn’t … not if it’s executed properly.”
Muttering a curse, Captain Malik raked a hand through his short black hair, leaving it in spiky disarray. “You’ve got balls, My Lady, I’ll give you that,” he growled, “but if you’re going back to Idral, I must insist on coming with you.”
Jenna eyed him warily, her pulse quickening. “You won’t try to stop me?”
He huffed a humorless laugh. “I swore an oath of allegiance to your family when I joined The Watch, Lady Jenna … whatever foolish quest you embark on, I shall stand by it.”
Tension rippled between them.
Jenna’s gaze narrowed. Rising from the bed, she moved close, stepping right up to him. Malik was much taller than she was, and she had to crane her neck up to hold his gaze. However, she wouldn’t let that intimidate her. If she was to succeed at rescuing her family, she wouldn’t let herself be bullied by her bodyguard. As such, when she finally answered him, her voice was cold. “I tire of your attitude, Mir-Draven.”
9. DIGGING YOUR OWN GRAVE
CAPTAIN MALIK QUIRKED an eyebrow, an arrogant expression that made Jenna itch to slap him. “My Lady?”
“You’re here as my protector,” Jenna ground out. “Not to sneer at me.”
He snorted. “I’m merely pointing out that this plan of yours won’t work.”
She folded her arms across her chest, mirroring his gesture, even as her heart now thundered in her ears. The truth was that this mandidintimidate her. It had also been a mistake to stand this close to him. He was so near that she inhaled the musky scent of his skin. The smell did strange things to her breathing.
It made her far too conscious of him.
Swallowing hard, Jenna took a rapid step back. “All right … do you have a better one?”
A silence followed, drawing out, before Captain Malik finally answered. “No, My Lady.” His jaw tightened then.“But can you blame me for questioning you? You haven’t thought any of this through.”
Jenna scowled. “This from a man who wants us to paint our faces green and dress up as Daksari.”
“Our disguises are crude, I admit,” he replied tersely. “But they’re likely to get us off Aura Terminal. Instead, your idea is just going to get us killed.”
“You wouldn’t question Cathal in this way,” she pointed out, her voice hardening.
“That’s because your brother thinks before he acts.”
