Page 22 of Through Uncharted Space

“No, you won’t.”

“Fine. But if I get screwed over, I’m going to spend the rest of my life making your existence hell.”

He smiled. “Good. Now, one more thing to discuss. What happened with Golden Nova?”

She bit her lip, and as he watched her white teeth dig into her plump flesh, it gave him certain ideas.

“I infiltrated their cult.” She shivered. “I spent weeks in that colony with those sickos, bowing and scraping and listening to their dangerous, loony ideas. When I got close enough to the orb, I took it.”

His heart stopped. “You stole from Golden Nova.”

She nodded. “They had plans to find the treasure themselves. I’m pretty sure no one wants a terrorist cult who likes blowing things up to have billions of e-creds.”

Dare laughed. “You must have balls the size of planets.”

She gave him a sour look. “I can assure you, I don’t.”

He let his gaze drift down her tight, compact body.

“No, don’t look at me like that.” She shook her head and held out a hand. “Stick to those simpering women like those ones who were flirting and flinging themselves at you. They’ll be far easier to handle than me.”

He reached out and yanked her close, so their noses brushed.

“I don’t want them.” He saw her pulse fluttering at her neck. “And yes, I’m sure those women are infinitely easier to handle, but I’m not interested in easy.”

“Dare.”

“Dakota.” His lips were just a breath from hers. “I will never take anything from you by force. But I promise, you will give everything to me before we’re done.”

He saw something pretty close to panic skitter across her face.

He smiled and pulled back. “But for now, let’s set up a comm link with Eos.”

CHAPTER SIX

Trying not to fidget, Dakota sat in Dare’s office, waiting for the comm call to connect.

The office was off the bridge, and it suited its owner perfectly. The man had a huge desk with a glossy black surface, and the latest high-tech comp sitting on top of it. Everything was neat, tidy, and in its place.

Rynan and Justyn were leaning against the wall nearby. Rynan was scowling and Justyn was grinning. Something told her that was usual for these two. Dare sat in his huge chair behind the desk, tapping on the comp screen.

She looked up and saw Justyn wink at her. She’d thought he’d resent her, for bringing Golden Nova trouble here, considering his wife’s link to the cult’s leader. But he seemed pretty easygoing. She saw Rynan elbow Justyn. All three of the brothers had this easy camaraderie that she found confusing.

Then Dare’s arm brushed against hers, and her thoughts scattered. She looked down, and she could almost hear the danger alarms going off in her head. He was too good-looking, too demanding, too masculine. She should get as far away as quickly as she could.

“I don’t think we should do this,” Rynan said, his voice holding an edge.

Dare’s gaze flicked up. “You’ve already told me. Three times. Your concern is noted.”

“But it won’t make you change your mind.”

“Justyn’s agreed to pursue the treasure. That’s two votes to one, so we’re doing it.”

“I don’t trust her.”

Rynan didn’t look her way, but she guessed he didn’t really need to. “I said I was sorry about your cuttership. I’ll pay to have that teeny tiny ding fixed.”

Boiling gray eyes met hers and she bit her lip. Rynan Phoenix was not happy with her.