Read Online Star Raiders by Elysa Hendricks - Free Book Online Page B

Silky had agreed to help.
    Though he didn’t let it show, the detour to Verus disturbed Greyson. They didn’t have the time to spare. Though Earth and its colonies had banned it, slavery was a sad fact of life in the outer worlds and on many C.O.I.L. planets. As long as the practice didn’t violate any other laws, the Consortium preached toleration. Too bad their policy of noninterference didn’t extend to al owing planets to practice freedom of choice in their affiliations.
    In his mind, the fate of a few slaves couldn’t take precedence over the destiny of al mankind, but he was wise enough to hold his tongue and hide his impatience.
    Shyanne’s crew didn’t trust him. Her words had swayed them to help. If he lost her support, which objecting to this rescue mission would cause, they would turn on him in a heartbeat. He couldn’t risk it. His best option was to help them get in and out as quickly as possible.
    The bridge doors slid open and a man strode in. A thick mane of tawny blond hair tumbled in disarray around his face and rested on a pair of broad shoulders.
    Blue-gray eyes set in a handsome face sparkled with humor. A half smile played around ful lips. Half wildcat, half angel, the man sizzled with energy and at the same time radiated a sense of peace. The dueling effects were unsettling.
    “Where’s my favorite kitty cat?” he asked. “I brought her some kitty treats.” Able laughed. “Probably hiding from you.”
    “When are you going to give up?” Terle taunted. “Al the treats in the universe aren’t going to get Silky to like you.”
    “Never.” Damon grinned. “Defeat is not in my vocabulary. Someday that cat wil eat out of my hand.”
    “More likely she’l take off a few fingers,” Terle said.
    “Can’t figure why you bother.” Able shook his head. “Isn’t it enough every woman you meet fal s at your feet? Why worry about whether or not one little alien likes you?”
    “I like a chal enge. Women are too easy. They see only what they want.” Damon lifted a shoulder. “Silky is…different. She sees the truth.”
    “Yeah, and that’s why she don’t like you,” Terle laughed.
    Damon didn’t respond to Terle’s goading, but his smile faded. For a moment the mask slipped and Greyson caught a peek of a lost man beneath.
    When the newcomer turned and caught sight of Greyson, he discarded his carefree demeanor. The man’s narrowed gaze revealed nothing, but his body language spoke volumes. His hand went to the pistol strapped to his hip. “Who are you?”
    Prepared to defend himself, Greyson tensed and straightened. Before a confrontation could occur, Shyanne stepped between them.
    “Damn it, Damon. When wil you learn not to shoot first and ask questions later?”
    “It keeps me alive.” Humor and affection flashed in his slate blue eyes.
    “Until it gets you kil ed,” she muttered. “Greyson Dane, this is Damon Wilde.” She quickly laid out the situation.
    As she spoke, Greyson watched but could detect no further flickers of emotion in Damon’s eyes or facial features. When she finished, his happy-go-lucky mask snapped back into place and he let his hand drop from his pistol. Greyson let out a breath of relief.
    “Welcome to our merry little band of thieves,” Damon said.
    “We’re not thieves. We’re smugglers.” Shyanne’s tone held a note of exasperation.
    “Minor distinction.” Damon waved his hand in dismissal and turned his back on Greyson. “So, if we’re going after Dempster, why are we hanging around this shit-hole of a planet? There’s nothing on this rock to interest him.” He leaned over Terle’s shoulder as if to study the console, but Greyson sensed it was more to annoy the other man. Terle growled a warning a split second before he jammed his shoulder into Damon’s midsection. With a strangled cough that did little to hide his laugh, the blond man straightened.
    “Slave auction,” Able answered.
    Greyson saw reaction ripple across