She also had a collar of beaten-gold metal around her neck.
Every muscle in Nera’s body stiffened.
“What the hell is going on here?” Niklas demanded.
“None of your damn business, Phoenix. Go back and bury your face in a book, and take your pet dog with you.” His baleful gaze landed on Nera.
“You’re hurting the woman,” Niklas said, his tone turning as dark as space.
Nera’s gut was burning.
“I’ll do as I fucking please.” Gunn drew a hand back and swung at the woman.
Before Nera could leap forward, Niklas caught the man’s hand. He must have exerted some force, despite the lack of expression on his face, because Gunn winced, then jerked away, rubbing his wrist.
The woman’s head was down, staring at the floor.
“Are you okay?” Nera asked.
The woman nodded but stayed silent.
“She doesn’t get a say,” Gunn bit out. “She’s my property to do with as I want.”
Nera quivered, trying to control the impulse to tear him apart with her bare hands. Slavery happened, not in the central systems, but in the outer reaches of the galaxy where the law keepers were few and overworked.
“A slave?” Niklas shook his head. “I knew you were scum, Gunn, but this…Dr. Luma-Smythe wouldn’t let you have a slave aboard.”
“I never said slave.” Gunn tried for a smile but it looked like a sneer. “This is my cherished companion, Alarah.” He ran his hand down her cheek and the woman flinched.
Nera couldn’t stand to watch any more. She lunged at Gunn.
Strong arms wrapped around her middle, holding her back.
“Let me go.” She said the words with deadly calm.
His lips were hot at her ear. “You kill him here, you’ll be arrested. We’re on an Institute ship, traveling on a wormhole bridge. There’s nowhere to go.”
She jerked against him. “I don’t care.” All she could see was that woman. Helpless and broken.
Niklas shook her a little. “We can’t do anything…now. But we’ll find a way to help her.” He pushed Nera against the wall,his big body caging her in. But she kept struggling; all she wanted was to get to Gunn.
“Nera.” Niklas spoke sharply. “Look at me.”
She did. His blue eyes snagged hers and she couldn’t look away. Dimly, she was aware of Gunn dragging the woman away.
“Breathe,” Niklas whispered.
“She’s trapped. Helpless. She has no voice. No hope.”
He watched her steadily. “Maybe. But she has us, now. We’ll help her.”
Nera quivered. “You don’t know what it’s like to be held prisoner. Owned.” That word was like toxic poison on her tongue.
“No. I don’t.” There was something dark in his voice. “But clearly, you do.”
She jolted in his arms and pushed against his chest.
But he held fast. Steady, solid Niklas.
