While her father had taken her along on his burglaries, she’d had no choice. An unwilling participant.
She let out a bitter laugh. For that matter, she was an unwilling participant in life.
And here she sat, rotting.
Her door lock buzzed.
Rising to her feet, she braced herself for the next round of fighting off whatever animal they were about to unleash on her.
At least her father and sister had taught her how to fight. For that, she was infinitely grateful.
The door slid open.
Shock riveted her to the floor. The man in front of her was tall, gorgeous, and dressed black-on-black in that menacing assassin’s uniform she hated with every fiber of her being.
Without a word, he approached her.
When she went to punch him, he caught her hand and yanked her forward.
“They’re watching us. Sorry.” Those words were barely audible as he pressed her against the wall and cuffed her hands behind her back. “Do what I say and fight if you want. Make this look real.”
Okay . . .
She was totally baffled by his game. “Let go of me!” She tried to get free, but he was strong.
Still, she was able to head butt him.
He let out a vile curse before he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
The guards around them were as stunned as she was.
Yet no one said anything as he carried her out of the prison and into their landing bay.
“Where are you taking me?”
“You’re being transferred.”
“Where?”
“Does it matter?” He set her down next to an impressive black fighter. “Get inside.”
“How? You have my hands tied.”
A tic worked in his jaw. “When I free you, don’t run.” He glanced over his shoulder where several guards were watching them. “They will shoot to kill if you do.”
Even so, Jayne considered it. They could miss . . .
But she didn’t want to die here.
Not yet.
Nodding, she turned around and offered him her hands.
He undid the restraints, then stood back as she climbed aboard his ship.
She had the thought of locking him out and launching it, but the bastard was lightning fast. He followed her up the ladder and was in the cockpit quicker than she could locate the canopy controls.
He put his helmet on first, then offered her one.
