He cleared his throat. “You look fantastic.”
She looked faintly amused. “You’re acting like an idiot.”
“I know, but you are insanely beautiful.”
“You know what I look like.”
“I do know what you look like, yes. But I didn’t know your legs were that long, and seeing the skin of your thighs…not many people get to see that. I like seeing it.”
“You’re easily pleased, Niklas.”
“No.” He reached out and fingered her platinum hair. “I’m not.”
“Are you going to invite me in?” she asked.
“Not yet. We have something to do first.” He snatched up a small bag he’d set aside.
“What?” she asked.
“A delivery to make.” He grabbed her arm and propelled her down the hall.
“I don’t like surprises, Phoenix.”
“Everyone likes surprises.”
“No, they don’t.”
He pulled her to a stop at the end of the corridor and pressed a finger to her lips. A second later, a door hissed open and heavy footsteps stomped their way.
“What the hell was so important I have to get down there myself? Damn young upstart.” Gunn strode past without noticing them, muttering under his breath.
Nik leaned closer to Nera. “I had Solomon call Gunn away.”
Nera swallowed, her gaze burning into him. “The bag. It’s for Alarah.”
He nodded and watched something move over her face. Her hand grabbed his, squeezed.
His heart spasmed. “Come on.”
It took Nera twenty seconds to hack the door lock on Gunn’s cabin. When they stepped inside, they spotted Alarah sitting on a seat by the round window. She turned and when she saw them, she gasped.
Nik’s jaw hardened. The woman’s left eye was black and swollen shut. Beside him, he felt the tension in Nera. Then she grabbed the bag and hurried forward.
“Are you okay?” Nera asked, kneeling by the woman.
“You…you shouldn’t be here.” Alarah curled her arms and legs in closer to her thin body.
“We won’t stay long,” Nera promised.
Nik stayed back and let Nera deal with the woman. He watched her open the bag and when she pulled out the medscope, Nera glanced up at him with a look that made him want to do this a hundred times over.
“You know how to use this?” she asked the young woman.
Alarah nodded.
“Just use it in short bursts. That way it won’t heal you all in one go and make him suspicious.” Nera pulled some other items out. Food and a mini-Sync. “I’m guessing you’ll know where to hide these so he doesn’t find them.”
Nik’s fingers curled into fists. She said that in a way that spoke of experience.Damn. It made him want to hurt whoever in her past needed hurting.
