heartofthebetrayed_195-8e3.htm

by Heart Of The Betrayed (lit)

  Her mood turned even more sour. The women adored the seven foot and more tall, giant traders. How many times had she seen them sigh over the hard swells of muscle in their chests and arms, shown to advantage by the sleeveless vests they wore hanging open, and coo over their roguish good looks? Their dangerous appeal was added to by the small silver hoop all the Daamen men wore in their left earlobes.

  "It’s enough to ruin my appetite. Where are the rest of your motley friends?"

  "A couple are upstairs. Wenching." He winked.

  "I can imagine."

  Catching the eye of the besotted Sal, Garret gestured for ale. "So, why are you here, Dana? I thought you’d be back on Daamen with your cousins, recovering after your last assignment."

  "I was, but I had a message to meet someone here, so I came."

  "New assignment?"

  "Possibly. What business is it of yours?"

  "Just interested." As I always am in your movements.

  Sal placed a mug of ale before him and simpered, but his smile was automatic, for his attention was on the warrior before him.

  "You have recovered, then?"

  "It was just a scratch."

  "You’d say that, anyway."

  "So don’t ask." She stood up abruptly.

  Disappointment flooded through him. "Going already? What about the messenger?"

  "I’m to meet him tonight."

  "That’s hours away. Spend some time with me."

  One fine brow arched up questioningly. "I thought you were here to trade?"

  "I am, but I always have time for you."

  The words crept through her senses like warm honey. Fool. He probably said that to all the wenches. "How sweet. Fortunately, I don’t have the time to stay."

  Garret watched her walk through the crowd that parted to allow her free passage. More than one covert, lustful look was cast at the long-legged blonde with the generous curves, but not one man dared touch her. Lucky for them, otherwise he’d have to break a few heads. If she didn’t beat him to it.

  A red-haired trader plopped down in the vacated chair. "That expression indicates wench problems."

  "I’ve known Dana for three years, Red. All right, the first year after the Reekas were pardoned, they were busy rebuilding their settlement on Comll, and the second year she accompanied Reya on mercenary assignments in the Outlaw Sector, but this last year..."

  "Aye?" Red ogled Sal while she set another mug of ale before his friend and caught her ‘come hither’ look. He was more than ready to hither anywhere she wanted.

  "Her assignments as bodyguard have her all over the galaxy, in constant demand by royalty and dignitaries. How am I supposed to get her to like me when she’s never around?"

  "The wench doesn’t want you around, in case you hadn’t noticed. In fact, unless he’s an assignment, she doesn’t want any male around."

  "Not so." A young trader with wild, curly black hair took the seat beside Garret. "She likes male children."

  "Aye, Cam’s right. ‘Tis only the adult males she doesn’t." Yet a third trader took the last available chair.

  "You too, Simon?" Garret sighed. "Just how many of you are listening to my private conversation?"

  "Only us," was the cheerful reply. "Jase is still wenching. So, pining for the fair Dana, are we?"

  Garret cast his friends a disgusted look. "If you think I’m going to discuss my fee--" He stumbled to a halt.

  "Feelings!" Cam said gleefully. "Aha! So I was right! That’s ten dinnos you owe me, Simon!"

  "Bloody hell."

  "Are you all betting on me?" Garret growled.

  "We did the same with Tenia and Darvk, remember?"

  "And you won a fair amount on them," Red reminded him. "Anyway, what are you going to do about the lass?"

  "What can I do? She has her work which keeps her out of reach."

  "Show her your tender side."

  "She’ll rip it off and stuff it down his throat." Cam laughed.

  "Very droll." Swallowing the last of the ale, Garret slammed the mug back onto the table. "I’m going back to the ship and find out who else we have to contact while we’re in Oslow."

  Red winked at Sal, and with a wide grin, she started to make her way over toward him. "You do that. I’ll just have a little heart to heart with this comely wench, then I’ll be right along."

  "Take your time, as no doubt you will. Just help finish the loading tonight and the rest of the time is yours. We leave in the morn."

  Garret walked back to the ship in the docking bay outside the settlement, but his thoughts weren’t on the merchants with whom they were trading. Instead, Dana filled them.

  Aye, he had feelings for her. Oh, at first he’d merely delighted in teasing the hot-tempered Reeka he’d first met while a member of Darvk’s crew, and trying to prove the Reeka’s innocence, but since then his feelings had changed. He was, he admitted to himself, falling in love with her, something other men would find unbelievable, for any who’d dared to try and get to know her better had experienced her sharp tongue.

  Tart of tongue she was, no doubt about it, but it certainly was more acidic when she chose. He grinned ruefully. He’d been the recipient of so many of her barbs it was a wonder he had any blood left. Then again, her tart tongue never fazed him. He enjoyed the verbal sparring. Life with Dana would never be boring. Besides, he rubbed his chin, if what he suspected was true, that tartness was a veil for some underlying problem. He was sure that if he could just figure out what it was--

  "Trader! I was wondering if you’d return!" A fat merchant hurried toward him from the ship. "Did you forget we were to meet here?"

  "What? Oh, aye, my apologies." Garret moved forward. "I was held up."

  The merchant leered. "Wenching or fighting?" The Daamens were, after all, well known for excelling at both.

  Pushing the puzzle of Dana to the back of his mind, the trader concentrated on the business at hand. Hopefully, he’d see her after they’d finished loading tonight.

  ~ * ~

  Narrowly, Dana eyed the Northlander. "I don’t hire out as a mercenary anymore."

  "This is a rescue mission. There is no intention of anyone being killed."

  "There’s never a guarantee of that, rescue mission or not. Why not send in one of your own?"

  Vearc sipped at the goblet of wine. "Do you know anything of our situation?"

  "No."

  "Then allow me to enlighten you. Northland is ruled by men, Southland by women. A border separates us."

  "So why would Southlanders take the son of your leader? What use for a man would they have, apart from the obvious?"

  Replacing the goblet onto the table, Vearc steepled his fingers and gazed over the tips at the warrior seated opposite. The familiarity was certainly there. Almost a mirror image except for certain details.

  Impatiently Dana shifted, a sixth sense warning her that this was not a meeting that would meet with her approval. She was wasting her time.

  Sensing the restlessness, Vearc continued swiftly. "He was taken as a slave, to be used for their pleasure. Also as a personal insult to my leader."

  "Southlanders keep men as slaves?"

  "And Northlanders keep women as slaves."

  Now it made sense. "Ah. That’s why you can’t send in a rescue mission." Her lips curled in contempt. "A male rescue party would be captured."

  "Exactly, which is why we seek your assistance.

  "Now why would I interfere in something like this?" Her face darkened. "I abhor slavery, Northlander. Seems to me that both sides have shit in their own nests. Find someone else."

  "You refuse to aid us?"

  "You’re quick." She strode over to the door.

  "Wait. There is someone you must meet that may change your mind." Vearc nodded to the silent guard standing beside the door on the opposite side of the room. "A surprise, you might say."

  The guard entered the next room, shutting the door behind him.

  This further dev
elopment was not to Dana’s liking. Surprises weren’t usually pleasant. Keeping her hand close to the laser strapped to her thigh, she studied the thin Northlander reclining back in the chair. Apart from the guard and herself, he was the only other person in this room.

  "Nothing will change my mind."

  "Call me Vearc."

  "Call you anything I damn well please. I’ve made up my mind."

  "Don’t do that yet, for I think you will change it. All I ask is that you meet this person, have a quick chat and think about it. We can wait until mid-morning for your decision." He leaned forward, eyes steady. "There is a lot to think about, warrior."

  An uneasy sensation prickled down her spine. There was a knowledge in his eyes that did not bode well.

  The door opposite swung open and her gaze flew to it. The guard stepped through and stood to one side, allowing the man following to enter the room.

  There was no mistaking him, even after all these years. The blood left her face in a rush and her heart hammered in her chest. "You!"

  ~ * ~

  "Well, that’s the last of it." Garret brushed his hands together with satisfaction. "Set the invisible barrier, Jase."

  "Aye and hurry up." Red grinned in anticipation. "I have a date with Sal tonight!"

  "What’s new?" Cam yawned. "You’ve been hogging her all afternoon."

  "I believe in romancing a lass, not jumping on her like some I could name."

  "Since when?"

  "It must work." Simon walked down the open ramp. "Here’s Sal now and she’s running."

  The Daamens turned as one to see her tearing down the dusty road towards them, but their mirthful grins faded when she drew nearer. Her face was white and a red hand-print marred one cheek.

  Stumbling to a halt, she gasped, "You must come quickly!"

  Red slid one arm around her shoulders. "Who did this to you, Sal? I’ll thrash them!"

  "Never mind me. Dana’s gone insane!"

  "Insane?" Garret stepped forward. "What do you mean?"

  "She’s taken on the bounty hunters!"

  "Bloody hell!" Whirling around, he ran as fast as he could towards Oslow’s beckoning lights.

  The long legs of the traders ate up the short distance easily, and within minutes the wooden sidewalk thundered beneath their heavy boots.

  They didn’t have to guess which one of the three taverns lining the street the brawl was in--the sound of curses, thumps and splintering wood drew them right to it. The huge front window exploded out in shards of glass as a hunter hurtled through to roll in the street and lie still.

  "Damn you to hell, warrior!"

  "Come on, you worthless bastard, send me there and I’ll take you with me!"

  Garret pushed his way through the crowd clustered in the doorway and they gave way to the giant, recognizing him. What he saw made him swear.

  Three bounty hunters were unconscious amid a jumble of broken chairs and overturned tables, along with two heavy bouncers. In the middle of the mess stood the head bounty hunter and three of his men. Not ten feet from them was Dana, fists clenched and her eyes burning.

  "Who’s next? What about you, Cormac?’

  "I don’t know what the hell’s bothering you--"

  A chair was kicked aside as she started forward. "I don’t need a reason."

  "Dana!" Garret called.

  Cormac glanced sharply across to see the Daamen trader on the edge of the crowd. "Get this woman before she gets hurt!"

  "Coward!" She lunged suddenly.

  The hunters beside Cormac reacted instantly, one cracking his bullwhip, the lash snaking out toward her. Without hesitation, she grabbed it and yanked hard, jerking him forward. Her boot slammed into his stomach just as she released the lash, and he stumbled backward into the bar, gasping for breath.

  The other hunter swung a punch but she ducked and dived for him, catching him around the waist and bringing them both to the ground.

  Springing into action, Garret bounded forward to the grappling couple rolling across the floor. Grabbing Dana under the arms, he hauled her, cursing and swearing, off the hunter.

  Scrambling to his feet, the hunter groped for the laser holstered at his hip, only to find his hand grabbed in the crushing hold of a giant, red-haired trader.

  "Don’t even think about it," Red advised and shoved hard, sending him back against the bar.

  "Damn you, let me go!" Dana kicked backwards.

  "‘Tis I, Garret." He released her, only to grab her again when she launched herself forward. "Settle down!"

  Cormac wiped a trickle of blood off his chin with his sleeve. "I always knew she was a wild one."

  In the silence his words were loud.

  "You must have provoked her," Simon stated.

  "There was no provocation--"

  "There was." Sal appeared and pointed to one of the unconscious bounty hunters. "He slapped me."

  "And the Reeka went berserk," Cormac growled. "She attacked us all!"

  "Enough!" Garret glared at the hunters. "I suggest you gather your unconscious friends and get out of here."

  "Or what?"

  "Or you’ll face us as well."

  "Now that’ll be something to see," someone laughed.

  Cormac’s eyes narrowed furiously but he knew when he’d been beaten. Against the giant Daamens he and his two remaining hunters stood no chance. Glancing around at the grinning patrons, he knew there’d be no assistance from them. Bounty hunters weren’t a well-liked breed.

  With a jerk of his head he led his men outside, dragging their unconscious with them.

  "You bastard, come back!" Dana roared, starting forward.

  "Enough!" Garret blocked her path.

  "Not for me! Now get out of the way or I’ll start on you!"

  Startled, he caught a whiff of alcohol, and realized she was drunk. Dangerously, recklessly so. He had to get her out of there.

  "Come with me, lass."

  "No!" Shrugging off his hand, she shoved through the crowd.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Anywhere but here!" Staggering slightly, she disappeared out the back door.

  At least she was outside in the fresh air and away from the tavern.

  The traders followed quickly, Simon turning in the doorway to glare at the gaping onlookers. "What the hell are you all staring at?"

  Within seconds the crowd dispersed.

  In the alley behind the tavern, Garret looked both ways before spotting Dana leaning against the corner of a wall.

  Approaching quickly, he saw her dabbing at the blood from a cut on her lip. "Lass, what’s wrong?"

  "None of your business."

  "This is unlike you, getting drunk and reckless."

  "Worried about being associated with me?" She pushed away from the wall to stand, swaying.

  "Never." He replied gently, concerned at the brightness of her eyes and the bleakness in her voice. A sudden thought occurred to him. "Does this have something to do with your new assignment? Did the meeting go badly?"

  "Meeting?" Bracing one hand on the wall, she laughed harshly. "Oh, to joyous reunions!" She ended on a sob.

  "This is not good," Jase muttered to Cam. "I’ve never seen her like this before."

  "Dana." Garret touched her arm. "Come with us."

  Jerking away, she nearly fell, his arm swiftly encircling her the only thing preventing her from hitting the ground.

  "Leave me alone." She struggled but it was halfhearted, and suddenly she slumped against him. "I’m worthless, Garret. Just go away." Tears thickened her voice.

  "Nay, don’t say such things." Bending down, he slid one arm beneath her knees and swept her up into his arms. "Come on, lass, let’s get you back to the ship."

  Three

  Her head thumped, her mouth was like a desert and her stomach lurched sickeningly.

  Dana grimaced at her reflection in the mirror above the hand basin. Not only did she feel bad, but she looked it. A bruise darkened her jaw, a c
ut swelled the corner of her lip and a graze marred one cheekbone. A self-adhesive patch was stuck on her left upper arm just above the wide silver bracelet encircling it, and her knuckles were skinned.

  It had been a hell of a fight. Until Garret had come barging into it.

  Groaning silently, she rinsed out her mouth. Some of last night she remembered. The meeting, the fight, and being brought back here to the Daamen trading ship. She must have fallen asleep while her injuries were being attended to because the next thing she knew, she’d woken to find herself lying on a bunk in a cabin. Which meant she was on the third floor of the Daamen trading ship, which housed the crews quarters.

  Which would mean that Garret would be returning for an explanation, one she didn’t want to give. The reason was one she wished to the stars had never occurred.

  Her heart felt heavy. The reason was one she had to face. One she thought to never see again, had never wanted to see again. Had never dreamed of seeing again. Betrayal was something she’d never forget. She had to get out of here.

  The corridor was empty and hope rose within her. Mayhaps she’d make it to the platform lift at the end of the corridor without anyone seeing her.

  "Going somewhere?"

  Damn. So much for hope.

  "Dana, wait." Leaving the dining cabin, Simon fell into step beside her. "Garret wants to talk to you."

  "Well, I don’t. Tell him thanks for attending my injuries. It was him, wasn’t it?"

  "Aye, but--"

  Stepping onto the platform lift, she pressed the descent button.

  "Lass, we’re worried about you." He jumped onto the platform lift beside her.

  "Don’t be."

  The platform rattled past the second floor, housing the control cabin and engines, and clunked down into the huge cargo hold.

  Dana groaned when she saw the man sitting on a crate near the open ramp who, at the sound of the lift, turned and saw her. Getting up, he started toward her.

  "I don’t want to talk about this," she stated before he could utter a word.

  "Well, I do." Garret stopped in front of her and frowned. "Your behavior last night was totally out of character."

  "My apologies if I shocked you."

  "Be sarcastic all you want, but talk to me."