Page 19 of Through Uncharted Space

“You need them to get better.”

“I don’t like them.” They made her feel helpless and out of control. The gangs had liked to drug people, make them more biddable and less able to escape.

“You can relax and rest here, Dakota. No one’s going to hurt you.”

She saw blue light, and realized he had the medscope out again. He helped her lean forward, waving the device over the back of her head.

She stared at the long fingers of his hand. “Why haven’t you tossed me out of an airlock?”

His gaze came back to her face. “I’m still considering it.”

She laughed. “No, you’re not.” Then pain hit and she groaned.

“Stop talking and just lie still.” He shut off the medscope, and helped her sink back against the pillows. He pushed her hair back off her face. “Just let me take care of you.”

“No one takes care of me. I think you just like being in charge and having people at your mercy.”

“Beats being the one at the mercy of others.” There was something dark in his voice.

She studied him for a moment, wondering when a man like Dare could have possibly been at the mercy of someone else. But she understood what it felt like, and didn’t pry. “Amen to that,” she murmured.

“I’m going to help you.” He brushed her hair again, rubbing the strands between his fingers.

“But can I pay what it’s going to cost me?”

He stared at her with an intensity that was frightening. “It doesn’t matter. You need my help. You need me.”

She turned her head into the pillow—a pillow that smelled of him—and realized that the drugs were pulling her under.

“Tell me what the artifact is, Dakota. Why is it so important?”

She couldn’t fight him anymore. “A map.” She closed her eyes.

“To what?”

“Treasure.” Sleep surrounded her and dragged her down.

From his seat beside the bed, Dare heard the small sounds Dakota made as she started to awaken. He glanced over and saw her eyelids flutter. He liked the look of her tucked up in his bed.

Usually, he liked seeing a woman naked in his bed. But seeing this one curled into a protective ball, her hand tucked under her cheek⁠—

She sat bolt upright, her hand clenching the orb between her breasts.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

Her blue eyes darted his way. “Better.”

“Let me help you.” He stalked over to the bed.

“I don’t need anyone’s help.” She pulled her knees up under her chin. “Get me to Sierra.”

“Then what?”

“I go it alone.”

“Dodging Golden Nova assassins, and whatever else uncharted space throws at you?”

“I can handle it.”