Page 90 of Through Uncharted Space

He found Dakota sitting on the bench under the tree. He smiled to himself, remembering her horrible, ugly disguise when she’d first come aboard the Nomad and entered his life.

He remembered her plucky fight against the assassin, right here under this tree.

She was looking up at the glass dome above and the stars beyond.

Then she looked at him. “How’s Rynan?”

“Not great.” With a sigh, Dare sat down beside her. “I hate feeling so damn helpless. He might have some long-term brain damage.”

“I’m so sorry, Dare.”

“He’s as tough as steel. And stubborn. He’ll pull through.” He had to. Dare looked down at her. “What are you thinking about?”

“Can’t a girl just enjoy a view of the stars?”

“Nothing’s ever quite that simple with you.”

“What do I do next?” she said. “I have no treasure, no e-creds, nothing. There will be no fancy house, or farm, or a ship of my own.”

He felt his hands flex, and in his veins, he felt a slight trickle of something that he identified as panic.

She wanted to leave. He wanted her to stay.

But he couldn’t force her to stay. He wouldn’t cage her.

“Do whatever you want,” he said.

“I’m not exactly sure what that looks like yet.” She tilted her head. “No demands? No orders? That’s very unlike Dare Phoenix.”

He wanted to reach for her, but he kept his hands to himself. “You have to come to me willingly. I can offer you a home here, Dakota.”

“But it won’t be mine.”

“No, but it can be ours.”

All Dakota could hear was the beat of her heart in her ears.

She stared at Dare’s handsome face, and realized what he was offering her might just be what she’d been looking for all along.

“Dare—”

Someone leaped out of the bushes behind them, knife in hand. “For Golden Nova!”

It was Amber Lynn, of the long, lean body and flirtatious smiles. Before either Dakota or Dare could react, the knife sliced into Dakota’s arm.

Dakota leaped backward off the bench, and Dare charged to his feet. Amber Lynn swung again, and Dakota ducked, feeling the current of air brush over her skin.

Dare made a growling sound. “You’re the one who sabotaged my ship.” He kicked out, catching the woman in the knee and sending her stumbling. “And now you’re trying to hurt my woman.”

Dakota moved in. She was sick and tired of people trying to kill her. “No more.” She slammed her fist into the woman’s face, and Amber Lynn fell to the grass with a cry.

Leaning down, Dakota punched her again. The woman groaned and then flopped back, out cold.

Dakota sat back down on the bench, dusting her hands on her pants. “Where were we?”

“You’re bleeding,” he said.

“So are you.”