Page 46 of Through Uncharted Space

Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind, lifting her off her feet. She struggled against the brawny arms of one of Korrdo’s men, trying to break free. When the goon squeezed her—hard—she groaned.

Dare’s head jerked up, looking her way. Behind him, she saw one of Korrdo’s men throw something to Korrdo. The big man shook the weapon, and she saw a stun baton extend out.

“Dare,” she screamed. “Watch out!”

He was already turning, but Korrdo swung the baton like a bat. It slammed hard into Dare’s side. She watched his body jerk, then Korrdo activated the stun.

Dare’s body shuddered under the electric charge. He fell heavily to his knees, his chest heaving.

No. She slipped her hand down into the folds of her skirt and gripped the knife strapped to her thigh. In just seconds, she could leave her captor bleeding and get away.

Korrdo stepped up beside Dare, touching the stunner controls. “I’ve just set it to maximum. You come with me quietly, and I won’t kill him.”

Dakota’s gaze flew to Korrdo’s. His face looked hard. She’d seen him kill before, during the short time she’d spent at the Golden Nova colony.

“If you want to do this the hard way…” He pressed the end of the stun baton to the back of Dare’s head.

“Dakota, get out of here,” Dare gritted out.

She sucked in a breath. All her life, everything she’d done, had been to save herself. Her hand was wrapped around her knife. Two seconds, and she could be free. She could run.

And Dare would be dead.

“Go,” he ordered, his tone as hard as space rock.

She’d never had a partner, a man, a family. She’d never had anyone that she needed to put before herself or her own plans.

Dare’s silver gaze bored into her. Like a shout in her head, she could feel him urging her—ordering her—to escape.

She released the knife. “I’ll go with you.”

“No!” Dare roared.

Korrdo retracted the stunner and Dakota’s shoulders sagged. But then he moved, slamming his elbow into the side of Dare’s head. She heard the crack of bone on bone, and winced. Dare landed facedown on the ground, out cold.

Korrdo stalked toward her. “Now, my sweet Ms. Jones, it’s just you and me.” He reached out and lifted the orb from her chest. “And this pretty map to Golden Nova’s treasure.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Agony.

Pain stormed through Dare. His head was foggy and he couldn’t think straight. Every single one of his muscles ached like they’d been set on fire.

He tried to push himself up off the pavement and work out where the hell he was. He blinked a few times, seeing nothing but darkness and shadowed buildings.

Sulla. Dakota. He frowned. Panic seized him. Korrdo. Golden Nova had taken Dakota.

He got one foot under him, fighting through the pain.

Suddenly, he heard the roar of engines and felt a burst of air. He looked up and saw a shuttle hovering above him.

“Dare? Dare, do you copy?”

Rynan’s voice rang in his ears. Dare fumbled to reach his earpiece.

“Dare?” Justyn this time. “Damn you, big brother, talk to us.”

Dare touched his ear. “I’m here.” His voice was little more than a croak.