Crusader (Battle Born Book 1) (4 page)

“Indulging your curiosity puts you in danger.”

“I’m already in danger and we both know it.” Her throat tightened as she heard her own words. “How long do we have before my attacker returns?”

Ashley was right. Bandar tensed as the reminder set his instincts on high alert. Every moment they lingered in this apartment increased the chances of another run-in with his shadow. On his own, he would welcome the opportunity to capture or vanquish his foe. But his first priority had to be protecting this fragile female. Not only did she appeal to him as a male, she was also important to his mission. In fact, she was the only promising lead he’d uncovered since arriving on Earth. He couldn’t afford to compromise this opportunity with recklessness.

“It’s possible he searched your dwelling while I was dealing with your injuries,” Bandar told her. “But it would be a wise precaution to relocate.” He’d searched the place while she slept and found nothing out of place, and nothing of interest. Keyran’s guards had ensured that his shadow hadn’t returned. Still, he didn’t want to frighten her.

“I’m not going anywhere until you prove I can trust you.” Stubbornness lit her leaf-green eyes and pressed her full lips into an adorable pout.

“I saved your life. Shouldn’t that be proof enough?” He crossed his legs at the ankle and tried not to be amused by her flash of spirit. She’d be safer if she was intimidated enough to obey his orders without question.

“All that proves is I’m more valuable to you alive than dead.” She paused, waiting until he met her gaze. “I’m not a fool, Bandar. You want the same thing the other man wants. You’re just not willing to kill to get it.”

He arched one of his brows at the statement. He was willing to kill, if circumstances warranted. He just wasn’t willing to kill an innocent. “Don’t be fooled by my civility. I only kill when there’s no other choice, but I’m no stranger to bloodshed.”

After a silent pause she shook her head, but a hesitant smile parted her lips. “Is that supposed to comfort or frighten me?”

“Neither. It’s a statement of fact. I prefer compromise to violence, but I can be violent. I reward honesty and punish deceit. You’ve been honest, so I’ll reward you.”

The most intriguing flush spread across her cheeks and she suddenly looked away. “Do I get to choose my reward?”

Desire washed over him in tingling waves, unexpected, yet not unwelcome. He’d heard the people of Earth found Rodytes attractive. He was certainly drawn to her. But was he ruthless enough to exploit the advantage? “I thought you wanted answers. If you have something else in mind, I’m more than willing to negotiate.”

Her chin came up and her breasts rose and fell as she steadied herself with a deep breath. “I want nothing more than honest information.” As if to reinforce the statement, she looked into his eyes.

She was a feisty little thing. He fought back a smile. Regardless of how adorable he found her, he had to stay focused on his mission. “As you suspected, my father was Rodyte. My mother was a war bride, a captive from the planet of Bilarri. Children resulting from such unions are known as battle born.”

Her brows drew together as she struggled for understanding. “Are the two planets still at war?”

“Yes.”

“Is it still common to capture war brides?” The disapproval in her tone made it clear she found the idea objectionable. “Rodytes don’t have a problem using women as weapons of war?”

“It’s a complicated tradition, one rapidly fading into the past. The majority of Rodyte soldiers are now battle born and the battle born want nothing to do with the practice of war brides.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’m not a big fan of war in the first place, but making war on women seems…cowardly.”

He’d introduced the tangent, but it had distracted her long enough. So he nudged the conversation back on course. “You asked about my eyes. I’m wearing contacts so my appearance doesn’t draw attention. I’ll remove them for you later, but we really should find a safer place to spend what’s left of the night.”

“What’s left of the night?” She looked around the room until her gaze landed on a small black box with an illuminated display. “2:14?” She shot to her feet and crept farther away from him. “I’ve lost seven hours.” Her hand pressed over her mended side, her eyes wide and disbelieving. “Where did you take me and how were you able to…”

Color drained from her face so Bandar stood and approached her slowly, ready to scoop her up in his arms if her legs failed again. “I told you, your injuries were regenerated and where I took you isn’t important.”

She held him off with an upraised hand, looking less panicked but still suspicious. “If Rodytes can regenerate flesh and travel through space, why are you interested in my father’s research? He was remarkable compared to other humans, but his work must seem primitive compared to you.”

“I’ll explain as much as I know once we’ve relocated.”

Mistrust flickered deep in her gaze and she took another step backward. “
We
don’t need to do anything. I’ll go stay with one of my friends until your friend has had more than enough time to search this apartment.”

“He is
not
my friend and this is not a negotiation. We stay together until the danger has passed.”

Her hands moved to her hips and her stubborn little chin tilted up again. “Then I’m your prisoner?”

“You’re my responsibility.”

She stared at him in mutinous silence, likely debating her limited options. Finally, her stance relaxed and she asked, “Where are you taking me and how long will I be gone?”

“I’m not sure yet. Go pack a bag with what you’ll need for several days. I’ll determine our destination.”

Her only response was a single nod, but the calculated gleam in her eyes made him follow her back into the bedroom. She was still a long way from surrender.

“Seriously?” She started to open the closet then stopped and glared at him. “Are you going to follow me around like a puppy?”

“Likely. I’ve promised to keep you safe and I take my promises seriously.” With obvious reluctance, she returned to her task, so he sent a telepathic ping to Keyran Tarr.

So what’s the verdict?
The commander responded.
Who is she and does she know anything useful?

Right to the point as usual. Bandar let his gaze linger on his feisty companion as he conversed with his old friend.
She’s Daniel Kane’s daughter, as I thought, and her usefulness is still to be determined. I need more time with her, but we can’t stay here. My shadow will doubtlessly return.

You’re not bringing her on board my ship. Irron has been running his mouth about how lucky you are to guard such a stunning female. I’d have a mutiny on my hands.

He couldn’t argue with the doctor’s assessment. Bandar found her stunning as well.
That’s not what I had in mind. I thought I’d take her to the Bunker, but someone needs to be here in case my shadow returns. He needs to be questioned as well.

I’ll send the security team back down and tell them to stay out of sight.
Keyran paused, then added,
Your search turned up nothing?

Not a thing and Ashley confirmed that there’s nothing here to find. Hopefully, my shadow won’t realize that.

You’ll need permission from Nazerel or Morgan if you’re going to take her to the Bunker.

I know.

Are you sure further exposure is necessary? You can’t afford to be distracted right now.

She knows more than she’s told me and she already knew about us. She’d seen Rodytes with her father. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by spending more time with her.

If you say so.
A mocking chuckle rumbled across their link.
Just keep it in your pants.

Keyran pinched off the connection and Bandar cursed. Was he letting his attraction to Ashley influence his decisions? He watched her for a few seconds then shook his head. There was no denying he was drawn to her, but this wasn’t about romance. Securing Daniel’s research was his primary objective and he was certain Ashley knew a lot more than she’d confessed.

He sent a telepathic ping to Nazerel and waited for his cousin to respond. It was the middle of the night and Nazerel was newly mated. He was likely in bed.

Hey, Bandar. What’s up?
Not surprisingly, Nazerel sounded slightly groggy.
He’d only been on Earth a few months, but he spent all his time surrounded by humans. It was likely Nazerel didn’t even realize he’d responded in English rather than Rodyte.

Sorry about the hour. I need to bring a human female to the Bunker for questioning and it can’t wait until morning. It could take a few days to complete the interrogation. Would you clear me for entry?

You’ll need to minimize her contact with our personnel and supervise her 24/7.

Understood
, Bandar assured him
.

Then I’ll notify security.

Thank you.

See you soon.

Ashley placed a stack of folded clothes into a canvas shoulder bag, tossed some personal items in on top, then zipped it shut. “Did you decide where we’re going?”

“I did.” He watched her closely. She sat on the edge of the bed as she put on her socks and shoes. Her easy acceptance of his orders seemed highly suspicious and her gaze kept darting around the room. Was she looking for a weapon or planning an escape? One thing was certain. She wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

“And did you decide how long we’ll be gone? If it’s more than a day or two, I need to rearrange my schedule.”

Bandar picked up her bag and slung the long strap over his shoulder. “We’ll have to take each day as it comes. I’m sorry. I can’t give you a better answer.” He held out his hand. “Come here.”

Her brows drew together as she stood then edged toward the door. “I need my purse.”

He was relatively certain she didn’t have her phone on her and she’d be less likely to run away if she had no means of communication and no form of currency. He preferred to think of this as protective custody, but she was more or less his prisoner.

She continued to creep toward the door, so he matched her step for step. Then he opened a telepathic comlink, paging the bio-stream engineer.
I need a location-to-location stream.

What’s your destination?

Arrival deck at the Bunker. They’re expecting me. And increase the signal by fifty percent. I have a passenger.

Is she as pretty as Irron said?

That’s irrelevant, but by hell’s rings yes! She’s gorgeous.

He lunged for Ashley, dragging her into his arms a millisecond before the bio-stream field engaged.

Ashley gasped then screamed, arching wildly as Bandar’s arms closed around her. Then her bedroom dissolved and she hung suspended in a vast emptiness. The peaceful suspension only lasted a millisecond and then she felt as if she were being sucked through space by a gigantic vacuum. She screamed again, though the sound was lost in the deafening rush that filled her ears. She couldn’t move and could barely think past the terror overwhelming her senses. Why was… How… What was happening to her?

The acceleration gradually slowed and her head swam sickeningly. She clung to Bandar, fists clutching the back of his shirt, face pressed against his chest. His scent surrounded her, spicy, exotic with a hint of smoke. She’d never smelled anything quite like it. And each time she inhaled a warm, tingling sensation flowed through her entire body.

“Easy. Just give yourself a second to acclimate. The dizziness will pass.”

Still trembling violently, she lifted her face from his chest without letting go of his back. Screw the dizziness. Had they just teleported? “W-what happened? Where am I?” They were surrounded by drab gray walls. It wasn’t much of a room. No furniture, no windows, just one door.

The door swung open and a dark-haired man filled the doorway. Both tall and muscular, he was dressed in camo cargo pants and a solid black T-shirt. Was this a military base? He certainly looked mean enough to be a soldier.

“Do you need an actual interrogation room or will a staff apartment work?”

Bandar cupped her chin, raising her face until she looked into his eyes. “Are you going to behave so we can be comfortable, or do we need something more secure?”

The vertigo gradually receded but her anxiety remained. “What is this place?” She glanced at the stranger then back at Bandar. “Why did you bring me here?” She’d planned on cooperating until they were outside her apartment building. Then she was going to scream her head off and run like hell. Bandar obviously had other ideas.

“This complex is shielded. The man who attacked you can’t find you here.”

“Your shadow again?” The stranger stepped into the room and let the door swing shut behind him.

The limited space seemed to shrink, closing in on Ashley until she felt small and vulnerable. The men obviously knew each other, but her fingers refused to release Bandar’s shirt. He’d just kidnaped her, teleporting her to God knew where, so why did she want to burrow deeper into his embrace and press her face into the warmth of his chest? It didn’t make sense and still the urge was nearly overwhelming.

“He arrived before me this time,” Bandar was saying. “I guess he’s not following me after all.”