Read Pirate: Space Gypsy Chronicles, #1 for Free Online

it, so all he could see was the glare in her one visible eye. “I said, why did you close the doors? I wanted to get out.”
    “Whatever happened to thanking a guy for saving your life?” he retorted.
    “My life would not be in danger if you weren’t a wanted criminal.”
    “Criminal is a state of mind and also depends on which laws you’re following. In my culture, what I do is considered honorable work.”
    “And what is your culture?” she asked. “Murderers? Thieves?”
    “Why the violent suggestions? What makes you think I’m not wanted for more subtle acts like fraud or tax evasion.”
    “You have taxes in space?”
    “More than you can imagine. Although my people are very good at discovering loopholes that minimize tax. It’s considered a point of pride for some.”
    “You keep saying my people,” she noted as she grasped the hand he offered.
    “We are the Rhomanii.”
    “And what are the roman-eyes?” she asked, butchering the name.
    “The closest Earth comparison would be Gypsies. Although we prefer the term travelers and tinkerers.”
    “You might travel, but you don’t look like the type to tinker,” she noted as she leaped off the pallet, still holding his hand.
    “And what do I look like?” he asked.
    “A drunken wastrel.”
    “Then my cover was a success.” He’d not wanted the inhabitants of Earth to think he was anything more than just a guy who liked to play games of chance and drink.
    “This is very confusing.”
    “Only if you’re human, and while I am sure you have many questions, I really don’t care right now. I need to go play pilot if you want us to get out of here alive.”
    “What if I’d rather stay here?” was her retort.
    “Well, that might be what you want, but that’s not going to happen,” he tossed over his shoulder as he retraced his steps back to the door out of the cargo bay. “The hatches are now sealed, and we are preparing for takeoff. If I were you, I’d find a spot to park your ass and strap in for the ride. Or don’t. It’s your choice, but I warn you, things could get kind of bumpy.”
    Just before he reached the door, he staggered as she slammed into him from behind. More than slammed, she pounced him, wrapping her arms and legs around his body.
    “You let me off this instant!” she yelled in his ear, punctuating her demand with a thump of her fist. “I didn’t ask to be kidnapped.”
    “No one kidnapped you. You chose to board my ship willingly.”
    “Willingly?” The word reached a painful pitch. “What choice did I have? People were shooting at me because you”—she stabbed him with her finger—“dragged me into your drama.”
    “Excuse me for saving your life,” he retorted.
    “I am only excusing you if you let me off this ship.”
    “Not happening. We’ve wasted enough time already.”
    “You can’t do this.” And then she tried to choke him—or did she only hug his neck very tightly because she liked him?
    Whatever her reason, he ignored her antics and kept walking. She could cling to him all she wanted. He could handle her weight, and besides, she kept his bare back warm.
    He took the stairs two at a time, still with her clinging to his back. As they jostled up the steps, she stopped hitting him, most likely because she had a fear of falling off.
    At the top of the stairs, he had only a few steps to take to reach his command center. Once they entered through the jagged door, she finally let go, and he was able to make his way to his seat—oddly missing her warm weight—and dropped into it.
    Given the launch was imminent, he couldn’t spare a moment to see what she did behind him, but he did hear the wonder in her tone when she said, “Oh my fucking God. It’s a real fucking spaceship.”
    At that, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course it’s real. I told you we were blowing this planet. I can’t exactly do that on a bicycle.”
    “Don’t be a sarcastic prick,” she replied. “It’s not