Through Uncharted Space: A Phoenix Adventures Sci-fi Romance (3 page)

“Weed?” Dare supplied dryly.

Ry winced. “I was going to say plarid daisy.”

Dare snorted. Plarid daisies had brown petals the same color as Miss Johns’ hair. “I’m interested as convoy master. There’s something…off about her.”

Ry shrugged and spooned some soup into his bowl. “Nothing interesting. She’s from the planet Nufrinda. Worked at a textile factory. Paid for passage to Sierra. Assume she’s looking for a new start.”

Sierra was a frontier world near the end of the convoy route. It was hungry for skilled laborers, and had a shortage of women.

Dare grunted. It all fit. She looked and acted exactly like what she was. So why wasn’t he satisfied? He shook his head and decided to focus on enjoying Amber Lynn’s flirtation.

Everyone appeared to enjoy the food, and Dare fell into an interesting conversation with the older couple—Mr. and Mrs. Tanali. The couple were budding astronomers and planned to chart unknown star systems.

The monk, Davarr, was quiet, and only spoke when someone engaged him. Miss Johns didn’t talk at all.

Soon, Davarr excused himself with a swish of robes. Once the meal was finished, Amber Lynn, her friend, Carla, and the Tanalis moved toward the lounge area.

Dare set his napkin down and was about to follow, when he saw Miss Johns leave.

Go to the lounge, Phoenix
.
Have a Kelton brandy and relax.

But that little feeling in the back of his head was still nagging him. The same feeling he got when something was about to go wrong. The same feeling that used to warn him that his stepfather was about to descend the basement steps to beat the hell out of him.

A muscle ticked in Dare’s jaw. Ignoring the others, he followed Miss Johns out of the dining room.

She was already at the end of the corridor. He paused and waited. She hesitated, then turned.

Away from the guest cabins.

Interesting
. Not many parts of the ship were off-limits to the passengers. She was probably just taking a look around.

Dare waited a beat. Then he followed her.

***

Dakota wandered the ship. She wanted to get the lay of the land. She liked being ready for anything.

On her mental checklist were the escape pods, the engine room, and the shuttle bay. But all in good time. She didn’t need to be caught in the engine room during her first few hours aboard.

She turned a corner. Stars, the dinner had been stressful. She’d been hyperaware of Dare, and everything he’d said and done. Thankfully, he’d been occupied with Amber Lynn’s relentless flirting.

Dakota snorted. The woman should have just hung a neon sign around her neck saying “ready and willing.” Dakota tried to remember the last time she’d taken a man to her bed. A while. A long while. Men were just so…bothersome. They needed time and attention, and they demanded stuff. She usually stuck to anonymous, one-night hookups when the urge got too bad. She’d grown up on a planet where accepting a man’s claim was tantamount to letting him rule your life. She shrugged. She didn’t have time for, or interest in, men.

Spying some double doors at the end of the hall, she headed that way. The word
Arboretum
was inscribed on the metal.

Why not?
It might be nice to breathe some real air made by trees rather than recycled ventilation for a change.

The doors whispered open and she walked inside.
Wow
. The space was quite large for a ship of this size, with a large, synth-glass window overhead. It showcased a beautiful view of the stars.

Dakota breathed deep. Stars, it smelled so…green and fresh. She kicked off her shoes, and sank her toes into the lush grass. One tall tree dominated the center of the space, surrounded by grass and other smaller trees and shrubs. A pretty stone bench sat under the branches of the large tree. She took another breath. Something was blooming, and the lush, perfumed scent was intoxicating.

One by one, her tense muscles relaxed. For the first time since she’d pretended to join the craziness that was Golden Nova to get close to the map, she felt pretty safe. She wished she could take off her coat and wig, but she couldn’t risk it.

The lights were low, and she figured that they were on a timer. The trees, no doubt, got a heavy dose of simulated sunlight at certain times of the day to ensure they stayed healthy.

She headed toward the bench. Maybe she’d take a few minutes and just chill out for a little bit. Then she’d continue her exploration of the ship.

She’d almost reached the bench when the hairs on the back of her neck rose. Instinct kicked in, and she forced herself to stay relaxed, her steps slowing. She strained to hear or see what had set her senses off.

The crime-and-gang-ridden world she’d had the misfortune to grow up on had honed her instincts to the sharpest edge. If it didn’t feel right, she didn’t do it. Facts be damned.

She pretended to fiddle with the sleeve of her coat and slowly turned her head.

All she could see were tree branches, green leaves, and shadows. Her view of the door was blocked by a bush. Had someone entered after her?

Time to go
. Dakota headed back toward her discarded shoes.

A body came barreling out of nowhere, and slammed into her. Dakota landed on the grass with an
oof
and all the air was squeezed from her lungs.

She exploded into action. She slammed a punch at her attacker’s head. He dodged, and in the muted light, she saw Davarr the monk’s face.

He no longer looked patient and kind. His expression was now focused and intense. He raised an arm, and light glinted off the knife he was holding.

Shit
. Dakota shoved at him with all her strength. He grunted and lost his balance. He fell off her, and she instantly rolled.

Jumping to her feet, she took two steps toward the door, before something tugged on the back of her coat. She was yanked backward.

A hand fisted in her wig, pulling her head back viciously.

“Where is the map?” the man rasped.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! Why are you doing this?” She utilized every one of her acting skills. She thought her fearful voice was pretty darn impressive.

“You can save the theatrics, Miss Dakota Jones.” He yanked on her wig again. “I am Golden Nova, and you stole from us. You will die tonight.”

Damn
. She snorted, trying to buy some time.
Plan, Dakota. Think of a plan
. “Kill me, and you won’t get your precious map.”

He pulled her head back even more, making her neck ache. “Kill you, and then I can search your dead body and belongings in peace.”

“Oh? You think I’m dumb enough to just have the map hiding out in the open? And you really think the Phoenix crew will just wave off a dead passenger? I doubt Dare Phoenix is the kind of convoy master to let the death of a passenger slide.”

The assassin’s voice lowered. “They’ll never find your body.”

Dakota turned her head as far as his grip would allow. “You know what? I don’t like any of your options.” She rammed her head back.

She felt the back of her head collide with his face. He roared in pain, and his grip slackened. She scrambled free and spun. She aimed a well-placed kick between his legs.

The man groaned, but didn’t go down. He swung his arm again, the knife aimed at her neck.

Damn
. Dakota ducked, then slammed her forearm up against his.

Pain radiated through her arm and shoulder.
Dammit
. He was strong.

He slashed the knife at her again. She barely leaped back out of the way and the blade sliced into the fabric of her coat.

“Screw you,” she bit out. She slammed a fist into his gut and when he grunted, she shoved her elbow up at his jaw. His head snapped back.

The Golden Nova attacker swung wildly with his other arm, and his hand cracked against her cheek.

Gritting her teeth, she pulled back to land another kick, when suddenly, a tall, shadowy figure raced into the fight.

The newcomer slammed into the assassin, tackling him to the ground. The knife flew through the air and landed in a nearby bush.

Dakota stepped backward, her chest heaving. As she watched Dare Phoenix—his lean, intense face scarily empty of emotion—pummel his fists into her attacker, her eyes widened.

“You like to hurt people smaller and not as strong as you?” Dare said, voice low.

Dakota took an involuntary step back. His deep voice carried a dark edge that made her shiver.

Chapter Three

Dare stared down at the bloody face of the monk. The man was groaning, and Dare wasn’t sorry about it.

Then he heard a sharp intake of breath, and he glanced over at Miss Johns. She was watching him with those pretty blue eyes. It was a direct gaze, and he saw no fear, no anxiety. He frowned at her, and noticed something else. Her hair was…crooked?

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She nodded, her hands clasping her coat.

“You’re sure he didn’t hurt you? He hit your cheek pretty hard.” Even in the dim light of the arboretum, Dare could see her skin was pink.

She reached up and probed it. “I’m fine.”

“Why did he attack you?”

Her gaze dropped to the ground. “I don’t know.” Her shoulders hunched, her hands fidgeting in her coat. “But I’m glad you arrived, or he might have killed me.”

She was lying. Dare was sure of it. Staring at her now, she looked like a completely different woman than a few minutes ago. Her posture was different, her demeanor had changed. He’d seen her during the attack. Miss Johns had been giving as good as she got, fighting back with balance, strength, and a plucky courage.

Now she was all hunched submission and anxiety. He looked down, and saw her feet were bare. She had small, narrow feet with toes painted a bright, nebula red. He frowned at that splash of color.

“Watch out!” she suddenly yelled.

Dare felt the man beneath him rear up. Davarr wasn’t as beaten as he’d let them believe.

As Dare turned, he saw another knife coming straight at his chest. He dodged to the side, then swung around, landing a vicious blow to the man’s arm to knock the knife away.

Davarr heaved up, and they both rolled across the grass. Dare leaped to his feet, and turned to face the monk.

But Davarr didn’t attack again. He ran.

Dare took a few steps, his hands curling into fists. He wanted to go after the man, but he couldn’t risk leaving Miss Johns alone and unprotected. Anger stormed through him, hot and raging. It burned him that a passenger on his ship had been attacked. Worse, that this scumbag had attacked a woman. Dare had a deep hatred of people who beat up women and children.

He touched his earpiece. “Rynan, are you there? We have an attacker loose on the
Nomad
.”

“What?” Ry’s deep voice came through clearly.

“Davarr the monk. He attacked Miss Johns in the arboretum. I hurt him, but he took off. He’s armed with a knife.”

“You both okay? Should I send Elana?”

Elana was part of Ry’s security team, and also the ship’s medic. Dare raked his gaze down Miss Johns’ form. He saw a tear in her coat, but no blood. She was also edging toward the door. “We’re fine. Just find the bastard. I want him in the brig.” Blue eyes flicked up to his for a second. “I want to know exactly what the hell is going on aboard my ship.”

“On it,” Ry replied. “I’ll update you when I find him.”

Miss Johns was looking at the ground again. “I need to get back to my cabin.” She clasped her hands together in front of her. “I don’t feel safe.”

Dare nodded and gestured toward the door. “I’ll escort you to your cabin. I’m sorry this happened.” He’d get her ensconced in her cabin, and then help track down Davarr. “You’re sure you don’t know why he attacked you?”

She shook her head and he watched her ugly brown hair tip a little more to the left. It was in complete disarray. “I have no idea. Please—” her voice hitched “—I really don’t want to talk about it.”

Dare instantly felt guilty about upsetting her further. They walked in silence to her cabin. He really wanted to ask her more questions, but he figured she’d been through enough.

They stopped at her door. “You’re sure he didn’t hurt you? I can have our medic check you over—”

She shook her head vigorously. “I’m fine.” Her hair slipped again, falling into her eyes. With a gasp, she reached up and touched it, quickly straightening it. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Phoenix.”

“You’re welcome. Now, get inside and make sure you engage the master locks on the door. For your safety.”

She hesitated. “Okay.” Without another word, she slipped inside and shut the door.

Dare waited until he heard the electronic lock click into place. As he walked down the hall, he was still thinking of her strange hair. Then he realized what was wrong with it.

It was a
wig
.

He scowled. There were lots of perfectly good reasons she’d wear a wig. He turned all the options over in his head. He was very aware that the number one reason for wearing one was because you needed a disguise.

What exactly was Miss Johns hiding? And why had the monk attacked her?

Dare pulled out his Sync communicator and logged into the
Nomad’s
systems. He saw that Rynan was near the gym, and headed that way. He figured it was best to start by finding Davarr. As he strode down the corridor, he barely had to think about where he was going. He knew every corridor, passageway, and vent shaft on the ship. The
Sky Nomad
was his home, his domain. His to protect.

“Dare.” Ry’s voice in his ear. “We found him.”

A muscle in Dare’s jaw clenched, and he felt a fierce satisfaction. “Good. I have a few questions for him, and I want answers.”

“Don’t think he’ll give you anything.”

“He will,” Dare said darkly.

As he turned a corner, he saw Rynan up ahead, in front of the doors to the gym.

His brother shook his head. “He’s dead.”

“What?” Dare reached him and looked into the gym. The ship’s gymnasium was filled with exercise equipment, a muscle conditioning unit, and a small resistance pool for doing laps.