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She huffed out a breath. “Don’t change the subject just because things got awkward.”
“We can get back to it as soon as you’re more comfortable.” Dallin slid off his pack and opened the portable medical kit he’d stowed inside.
She opened her hand for a fever drop.
“I’ll give you a shot. It’ll work faster.”
“So long as you don’t have to jab me in the butt with it.”
“Nope. Push up your sleeve.” Dallin hated lying to Sloane, but this was for the best as he slid the sedative into her arm. “I’m sorry, but I have to keep you safe.”
She stared at him, then at the medical kit, her eyes widening as she rubbed the injection site. “Dallin! What did you just do to me?”
***
Sloane’s eyes slowlyopened. This wasn’t the storeroom. And whatever she was lying on was the softest and most comfortable thing she’d ever felt.
Had she passed out? The last thing Sloane remembered was Dallin injecting her with a sedative!
She scowled and rubbed her arm. That scheming Apexian. He’d drugged her.
Sloane tilted her head from side to side. Although she felt mildly sick, there were no unpleasant effects from the sedative or the Siblet poison. In fact, her veins were buzzing with energy.
Dallin must have juiced her again with Apexian energy. But why? Where the hell was she? And where was Dallin?
She turned and saw a soft pile of pillows beside her. The room was decorated in creams and white, the same colors as the bedding she was nestled in. But the pretty décor did nothing to improve her sour mood.
The sound of footsteps approaching made Sloane turn her head to the door. Her brow furrowed at the sight of a female looking android dressed in a white pantsuit.
“Uh, hi? Where am I?”
“Welcome aboard the galactic cruise liner Persimmon. I’m your pleasure assistant. Whatever you need, let me know, and I’ll provide it for you.” The android smiled at her.
“Persimmon?” Sloane sat up cautiously. “This isn’t the waystation?”
“That’s correct. We docked at the waystation six hours ago, which was where you embarked.”
“No, I didn’t.” She looked around. “At least, not willingly. How did I get here?”
“Your partner said you needed rest. He brought you on board with strict instructions that you weren’t to be disturbed until you woke. As soon as my alert triggered you moving, I came to see how I might be of service.”
“Dallin did this to me?”
The pleasure assistant nodded. “The Apexian said you had nothing to worry about. Everything is paid for, and you just need to relax and enjoy yourself.”
“Like hell I’m doing that.” She shoved back the covers and stood. “I need to get off this ship. I have important work to do on the waystation.”
“You can leave the cruiser in three hours, when we make our first stop.”
“I need to leave now!”
“That won’t be possible. And you’ve paid for a forty-eight hour voyage. Then we have instructions to transfer you to the state-of-the-art hospital on Veridian.”
Sloane almost growled. “I’m going to kill Dallin. He can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Please don’t trouble yourself. Stress is bad for your health. This is an exclusive ship, designed to meet your every need. What do you need to make your stay with us a pleasurable experience?”
“I only have one need. To get back to the waystation and teach Dallin that he can’t treat me like this.”
