Read Salvage Rights (Distant Worlds Book 2) for Free Online Page B

on.
    “And, Tuft, make sure
the word spreads.  No one touches her.”
    “Of course, sir.”
    “Good. What have you
found out about the captain who brought her here?”
    “Nothing yet, sir, but
as soon as the numbered account is accessed, we’ll have the info.”
    “Let me know as soon as
you have it.  Pull up the transporter scan and run it through medical, and have
Avia contact me as soon as she has the results.  And monitor all transmissions;
I don’t want my brother finding out she’s here until I can use it.”  
    “Aye, sir.  Her status?”
    Mine was the word that came to mind, but all he said was “Level 3,” before he closed
the icom link.
    ***
    Danika was lying in the
sand absorbing the heat after only knowing the coldness of space for so long. 
The two suns pounded her, and she sucked in as much of the warmth as she could,
reveling in the feeling of it filling all the cold places within her.  A shadow
fell over her and she frowned, springing up.  She had forgotten about Lucan
Warrung, as impossible as the idea seemed.  When she looked up, it was a pretty
young woman in a slip dress, not the formidable man.  The woman’s feet were
bare, her skin brown from the sun.  Dainty and slim, she moved with inherent
grace.  The scar that slashed across one side of her face seemed out of place,
but it was her soulful eyes that caught Danika’s attention.  She seemed to be
searching for something in Danika’s face.  Eventually, she must have found it.
    She smiled and it was
infectious, Danika smiled back.  She caught a flash of relief from the gentle
lady that she did not understand.
    “You are Danika?”
    “Yes.  I’m sorry, I
have lost track of time.”
    “It is nothing.  I am
Kira. Sir has asked that I bring you in to dinner.”
    Danika looked once more
longingly at the sea.  “Very well.”
    Noticing the look, she
spoke quietly. “You can come back later.  When the suns set over the water, one
after the other, it is incredible.  Then the stars come out and you think you
are in heaven.”
    She smiled at the soft
spoken woman.  “I would like to see that.”
    Kira bowed low, “Then
it would be my honor to bring you back, if sir has no objections.”
    At the reminder that
her decisions were not her own, Danika lost her smile.  Then she breathed deeply
and forced another one.  “I thank you, either way, for the thought.” Kira
smiled back and led the way inside.
    Danika followed, with
one last look toward the crashing surf and a sigh.  Then she let it go.  “Have
you always lived here on PortSea?”
    Kira stumbled briefly,
her grace deserting her, but she kept walking and did not turn around.  “I have
not.”
    “I am sorry.”  Danika
dropped her voice.  “Did I say something bad?”
    Kira looked at Danika
as she walked, her eyes sad, but she dropped her eyes and then squared her
shoulders.  “You have done nothing wrong.  I have lived here two wonderful
years.”
    “But you did not like
where you lived before,” Danika stated and it was not a question.  “You do not
have to speak of it.”
    Kira looked forward,
taking the wide stone steps that were just beyond the first layer of ferns.  “You
are very understanding.”
    Danika laughed, but it
was not a happy laugh, and it had Kira glancing back at her while Danika kept
her eyes on the steps at her feet.  “I understand very little.”
    When she said no more,
the silence grew.
    Danika licked her
lips.  “Is . . . do you know Lucan Warrung very well?”
    “Sir does not like us
to discuss him.”
    Danika sighed.  “I
should not have asked?”
    Kira just shook her
head, finally stopping at the top of the steps that led to a long slab of white
rock deck and two large double glass doors.  She gestured with an extended
arm.  “Here is your room.  I will help you change for dinner if you like.  Then
take you to Sir.”
    Danika looked down at
her ship suit.  “I have nothing but this.  I do not think I will