Return to Dark Earth

by Anna Hackett

  Not good. She eyed the young treasure hunter dangling above. He was holding on, but his face was strained.

  “Hang on, Solomon,” Niklas called out. “We’ll get you down.”

  The younger man nodded, but as the beam slipped some more, his body swung, one hand sliding off. Nera held her breath. He tried to reach up a few times and finally caught the beam again, managing to get a better grip.

  “Ideas?” she asked.

  “That beam there below him looks pretty sturdy.” Niklas pointed to a partly twisted length of steel. “I could climb out, get him to drop down and grab him.”

  The beam didn’t look sturdy at all. “It won’t hold the weight of both of you.”

  Solomon cried out, the beam slipping again.

  “He doesn’t have much longer,” Niklas said grimly.

  She eyed the chasm, and the ruins around it. “I’ve got a better idea. But I need your help to make it happen.”

  He didn’t hesitate. “Tell me.”

  “I’m going to use the grappler and shoot it over another beam. That one above Solomon’s head. Then I’ll swing over, grab Solomon, and swing back. I need you to hold the grappler at this end.”

  A muscle ticked in Niklas’ jaw. “It’s risky.”

  She tensed, waiting for the usual stupid male response about him being the one who should swing over.

  “Risky,” he repeated, “but it should work.”

  A warm glow filled her insides, but she shook it off. Now wasn’t the time to moon over Niklas Phoenix.

  “Hey,” Solomon called out. “I hate to break up your little party over there, but if you guys are going to do something, now’s the time.”

  “Okay, let’s do it,” Nera said.

  She stood right at the edge of the chasm, and aimed the grappler toward the beam above Solomon’s head. Niklas waited beside her. She took a deep breath and fired.

  The line whizzed up and over the beam. She pressed a button that sent the grappling hook zooming right back toward her.

  Niklas reached out and nabbed it. He handed it to her. “Hook it onto your belt.”

  She shot him a wry look as she clipped the hook to her belt. “I have done this a time or two.” She handed the grappler to him. Now he held one end of the line, while the other end was tied to her.

  “Always wondered what it would be like to have you tied up,” he said.

  She went still. “Really?”

  “It only seems fair. You’ve tied me up a time or two.” He leaned in close. “But I like you free to use those clever hands of yours.”

  She turned her head. “Young treasure hunter to rescue, remember?”

  Niklas touched a gloved finger to her jaw, then with a nod, he stepped back. “Be careful while you do your thing.”

  Nera took a few steps back, gripped the line, then ran forward and pushed off. She swung across the hole below, air rushing past her face, and a second later slapped into Solomon.

  He cursed, his hands slipping.

  Nera already had her arms wrapped around his lean waist. “Hold on to me.”

  His arms clamped around her. “Never in a hundred years would I have expected to have my arms around Nera Darc.”

  “Don’t expect it again,” she warned him.

  His face paled. “Right.”

  She got a foot against the beam and pushed off. As they swung back toward Niklas, she saw the beam fall away completely. As it fell into the hole, she heard a loud crash.

  Nera and Solomon reached the edge.

  “Release!” Niklas shouted.

  She touched the hook on her belt.

  They dropped. Nera crashed to the ground with Solomon. She heard the young treasure hunter groan.

  “Nera? You all right?” Niklas appeared. He pressed a hand to her shoulder.

  She nodded and sat up.

  He smiled. “Nice moves.”

  Her lips twitched. “Thanks.”

  “Jonas, you okay?” Niklas helped the young man sit.

  Solomon hissed out a breath, wrapping his arms around his middle. “Broken ribs, but nothing life-threatening.” His green gaze met Niklas’ before moving to Nera. “Thank you. I was going to end up lunch for whatever the hell was down in that hole. I wouldn’t have made it without your help.”

  Niklas frowned. “Something’s down in the chasm?”

  Solomon nodded, and with Niklas’ assistance, got to his feet. “Yeah. There were shadows moving around. I couldn’t make out what they were, but I saw them…and heard some weird noises.”

  Niklas stepped closer to the edge, his boots sending sand skittering over into the hole. Nera stepped up beside him.

  “I don’t see anything,” Niklas said.

  She didn’t either, but that didn’t mean something wasn’t there.

  Shouts and voices filled the air. They both turned and saw Avril, Agent Ryant, and a small team of Institute security agents, running down the hill.

  “Institute arrives after all the action,” Nera said. “As always.”

  Niklas put a hand on Jonas’ shoulder. “Come on, kid, let’s get you back to the ship and patched up.”

  Nera watched Niklas help the young man up the slope. He was the complete opposite of Alexei Gunn. She’d always believed not getting involved in other people’s business was the best course of action. But Niklas and his brothers seemed to jump in where they shouldn’t all the time. All in order to do the right thing.

  She followed the two men up the hill.

  ***

  Nik pressed the hail button beside Nera’s cabin door. He rubbed his butt where he’d gotten his latest anti-radiation injection. It appeared the antidote does hurt a little more when used too closely together. He’d left Solomon confined to a bed in the medbay, where his broken ribs were knitting under the med scanner.

  A few seconds later, the cabin door slid open and he stepped inside. It was a mirror image of his cabin. Spacious, compared to most ships its size. Nera stood in the center of the room, clad only in tight black leggings and a tight tank that showed off her toned arms. She was sparring with a spar-droid.

  If the droid had been human, it would have been crying with pain by now.

  Niklas happily leaned against the wall to wait for her to finish. She was a pleasure to watch. She moved in such a smooth, liquid way, flowing into the fight like she’d been born doing it.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She bounced on the spot. “Yes.” Then she landed a vicious punch at the droid’s head. “Imagining my robotic friend here is Gunn, and I’m burning off the last of the adrenaline from our trip.”

  “Gunn is scum,” Nik agreed.

  “That’s one word to describe him.” She landed a front kick, making the droid rock.

  Nik winced. “What’s eating you?”

  “I’m like Gunn.”

  That made Nik push himself away from the wall. As he neared her, she spun to face him. She smelled like warm, healthy perspiration. No fancy scents for Nera. A few strands of her platinum hair were stuck to her temples.

  “You are nothing like Gunn.”

  “Sorry to disappoint, but I look out for myself. Always.” Something moved through her eyes. She stepped closer until their chests bumped.

  Nik made a scoffing noise. “That’s just what you let everyone think.” He leaned down until their noses briefly touched. “I saw you on your knees, digging through the sand to help me save Dathan. You gave me what my cousin needed to save an entire planet. And all you’ve ever asked for is a few favors from me…which you’ve never called in.”

  Nera rose up and bit his lip. “Maybe it’s time I called in one of those favors?”

  God. Heat shot straight to his cock.

  “How about we burn off the adrenaline another way?” she murmured.

  So many temptations right there. Her colorful eyes seemed to swirl with heat. But Nik knew he wanted more. It almost killed him to force the word out. “No.”

  She stiffened,
as if he’d slapped her. “Years of dancing around this, and now you say no?” She turned away.

  He grabbed her arm and yanked her back, his face an inch from hers. “Not like this. Not to shake off a bad moment, or to work out the excess hormones racing through your bloodstream.”

  “Isn’t that what attraction is, just a bunch of hormones? A biological imperative.”

  He shook her a little. “When we do this—and we will do this—it’s going to be just you and me.” He let his gaze roam her magnificent face. “I want you, Nera. More than I’ve wanted anything in my life. You’ve pushed, pulled, teased, taunted… It’s only ever been you.”

  Her lips parted. “Niklas…”

  He thought he detected the faintest tremor in her voice. “I won’t rush this.”

  “You’re making this into something…”

  “Important? Hell, yes, I am. And you aren’t a coward, Nera. If all you want is a quick roll in a bunk, I’m not the man for that.” He reached up, stroking the damp strands of her hair back. He loved the fact her chest hitched. To be able to affect a strong, capable woman like Nera dazzled him. “Let’s do this properly.”

  “Do what?”

  He cupped her cheeks and spun her until she was pressed against the wall. “Kiss.”

  He took her mouth, not gently, but not in a rough, needy assault, either. But one taste of her, that spicy addictive taste, and he groaned.

  Her hands gripped his shirt, and then it was his turn to be pressed firmly into the wall. Her breasts mashed against his chest and she moaned into his mouth. His tongue touched hers and she tilted her head back, her hands digging into his shoulders.

  God. That was Nik’s last thought before feelings, wants and desires took over.

  Moments later they parted, panting. Nera pressed her fingers to her lips. “Hell of a kiss.”

  “Yeah.” He was feeling a little dazed, himself. “I want to take you to dinner.”

  Some expression crossed her face, her eyes widening for a second before she hid it. “Dinner? I’m a killer, a thief, a treasure hunter…and I’ve been other things, too. Not nice things. And you want to take me to dinner?”

  “Yes.”

  Her eyelids flickered and something occurred to Nik. “Hasn’t anyone taken you to dinner before?”

  “No. Like I said, killer.” She dragged a hand through her hair, a flash of something crossing her face. “People are afraid of me.”

  God. What kind of life had she led? He wanted to be the one to show her the quiet pleasures…and the not-so-quiet ones.

  She straightened, her features hardening. “What’s it matter? Dinner’s no big deal. I can get my own damn dinner.”

  “I never said you couldn’t. Now, grab a shower and get changed. Then meet me at my cabin.”

  She watched him for an eternally long moment, then finally, she nodded. “Okay.”

  Chapter Eight

  Nik hurried to his cabin. He was tidy by nature, so he didn’t need to clean up. He quickly ordered food from the tiny food printer in his room, and then placed an order to the galley for a few fresh things. He kept his shower to a quick in-and-out, mainly to scrub the Earth dirt off.

  He paused in the act of pulling on his shirt. Earth. He still couldn’t believe he was here. He’d stepped foot in the ruins of New York. Unbelievable.

  The classic cars were a great find, and he hoped Mexico, with its wealth of ancient history, would prove a fertile ground for their hunt.

  The food printer chimed, disrupting his musings. He hurried to get everything set up on the small table in his cabin. The food arrived from the galley and he arranged that as well. He didn’t bother with flowers or a simulated candle. That wasn’t Nera’s style. Instead, he focused on lush, tasty foods to tantalize the senses.

  He’d just finished setting the table when his door chimed.

  He opened it. “You look…” As he looked at her, his words stuck in his throat. His chest constricted.

  He’d mainly seen Nera in her armor. Always black and formfitting. Once, at the Galaxy’s Edge space station, they’d both infiltrated a nightclub to steal a special invitation from a partygoer. Then, she’d been wearing a provocative black catsuit—simply a civilian version of her armor.

  He’d never before seen her legs bare. All that skin… He gave his head a slight shake, and forced himself to start at the top. She wore a simple, black wrap top that left her arms bare and molded to her high, firm breasts. The short skirt…holy hell, her legs were impossibly long, toned, with skin the color of Amoron honey.

  He cleared his throat. “You look fantastic.”

  She looked faintly amused. “You’re acting like an idiot.”

  “I know, but you are insanely beautiful.”

  “You know what I look like.”

  “I do know what you look like, yes. But I didn’t know your legs were that long, and seeing the skin of your thighs…not many people get to see that. I like seeing it.”

  “You’re easily pleased, Niklas.”

  “No.” He reached out and fingered her platinum hair. “I’m not.”

  “Are you going to invite me in?” she asked.

  “Not yet. We have something to do first.” He snatched up a small bag he’d set aside.

  “What?” she asked.

  “A delivery to make.” He grabbed her arm and propelled her down the hall.

  “I don’t like surprises, Phoenix.”

  “Everyone likes surprises.”

  “No, they don’t.”

  He pulled her to a stop at the end of the corridor and pressed a finger to her lips. A second later, a door hissed open and heavy footsteps stomped their way.

  “What the hell was so important I have to get down there myself? Damn young upstart.” Gunn strode past without noticing them, muttering under his breath.

  Nik leaned closer to Nera. “I had Solomon call Gunn away.”

  Nera swallowed, her gaze burning into him. “The bag. It’s for Alarah.”

  He nodded and watched something move over her face. Her hand grabbed his, squeezed.

  His heart spasmed. “Come on.”

  It took Nera twenty seconds to hack the door lock on Gunn’s cabin. When they stepped inside, they spotted Alarah sitting on a seat by the round window. She turned and when she saw them, she gasped.

  Nik’s jaw hardened. The woman’s left eye was black and swollen shut. Beside him, he felt the tension in Nera. Then she grabbed the bag and hurried forward.

  “Are you okay?” Nera asked, kneeling by the woman.

  “You…you shouldn’t be here.” Alarah curled her arms and legs in closer to her thin body.

  “We won’t stay long,” Nera promised.

  Nik stayed back and let Nera deal with the woman. He watched her open the bag and when she pulled out the medscope, Nera glanced up at him with a look that made him want to do this a hundred times over.

  “You know how to use this?” she asked the young woman.

  Alarah nodded.

  “Just use it in short bursts. That way it won’t heal you all in one go and make him suspicious.” Nera pulled some other items out. Food and a mini-Sync. “I’m guessing you’ll know where to hide these so he doesn’t find them.”

  Nik’s fingers curled into fists. She said that in a way that spoke of experience. Damn. It made him want to hurt whoever in her past needed hurting.

  Alarah nodded. “Thank you.” Her voice was so quiet, so broken, it was hard to hear.

  Nera gently touched the woman’s hand. “I will get you away from him. Not today. But I don’t care how long it takes, I promise you’ll be free.”

  “He’s dangerous. Why risk yourself for me?”

  Nera dragged in a breath. “You matter. What he’s done to you, that’s on him, not you. You belong to yourself, no one else.” Nera rose, her tone lowering. “And I am far more dangerous than Alexei Gunn.”

  Alarah blinked up at her, then her gaze went to Nik. “Thank you.”

&
nbsp; He nodded. “Nera, we need to go. Gunn will be back soon.”

  Nera looked like she didn’t want to leave, but finally she nodded.

  They were silent as they made their way back to Nik’s cabin. Now, it was his chance to spoil Nera.

  When they stepped inside, she paused. “Thank you. For what you just did.”

  “I knew you’d go to see her before too long. I didn’t want you to barge in there and confront Gunn. It wouldn’t help her, or be good for you.” He ran a hand along her jaw. “Now, in here, it’s just you and me. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  He gestured her toward the table. “Please, take a seat.” He helped push her chair in, which earned him a puzzled glance. He sat in the chair across from her. It took him a second to ladle some fragrant soup into their bowls. “Eat.”

  He watched as she took a spoonful, saw the flush of pleasure as the flavors hit her taste buds.

  “It’s good,” she said. “What is it?”

  “My own recipe. It’s Zerzuran stew. My mother taught me how to make it.” Before she’d left their dusty desert planet behind, and deserted her three rowdy, young boys to the drunken husband she no longer wanted.

  “Do you know where she is?” Nera asked.

  “Yeah.” He, Dathan and Zayn had tracked her down. They hadn’t seen her, just learned she’d remarried, had no other kids, and lived on the megacity world of Rendar. “But she’s happy where she is, so I don’t feel the need to intrude on that.” He had his brothers. That was all that mattered.

  “Do you miss the Institute?”

  “No.” He set his spoon down. Damn, even to him, that sounded too fast and defensive. He took a calming breath. “I miss my job, yes. I loved research and the Institute has the best resources available and access to the best artifacts in the galaxy. But I don’t miss the Institute itself, with its politics, hidden agendas and…” he trailed off.

  “And the underground black market in artifacts they’re running?”

  He stiffened and met her gaze. She took another mouthful of soup. “I know about it. I was approached once to acquire something for them.”

  Nik’s jaw tightened. “Did you?”

  She made a scoffing sound. “They didn’t want to pay me enough. Cheap bastards.”

  Nik laughed and his shoulders relaxed. “It isn’t all the Institute, just a small, but powerful and connected group.” His hand tightened on his spoon. “They select some of the best artifacts that come in from the digs, and then those items conveniently go missing, or are ‘damaged in transport’ and sold to their clients. Usually private collectors.” But he knew some scummy crime lords had been clients at times.