Unchained by C.J. Barry Page A

expression. She
stopped cold. Cidra debated turning back until the bigger man spun
around and flashed a winning smile. Grey immediately strode forward
to meet her.
    “ The shuttle is loaded. The
driver says if we don’t leave soon, he’ll find another fare,” she
reported apologetically as he halted in front of her, hands on his
hips, his eyes burning into hers.
    “ Stone, old friend. Aren’t
you going to introduce me?” The man spoke up from behind
him.
    Grey threw her a thunderous look and shifted
just enough so she could meet his colleague. Cidra grimaced, making
a very large mental note never to interrupt him in the middle of
meeting again.
    “ This is Cidra Almazan, the
newest member of my crew.”
    Then he said, “Cidra, I’d like you to meet
Rourke Jaccar. An old friend of mine.”
    Rourke stepped forward. He was even taller
than Grey and bigger by a quarter. Long brown hair was pulled back
into a tail, revealing a handsome face, an engaging smile and eyes
full of mischief.
    Cidra shook his hand. “It’s very nice to
meet you, Rourke Jaccar.”
    His smile was
breath-taking. “Likewise. So what is your position on Calíbre ?”
    Before she could answer, Grey interjected,
“Pilot.”
    Cidra glared at him.
    “ She’s excellent,” he said,
ambivalent to her ferocious expression.
    “ Of course. Why else would
you employ her? You only hire the best.” Rourke gave him a
half-hearted innocent look that prompted a deep scowl
back.
    Rourke addressed Cidra. “If you ever get
tired of working for this tyrant, look me up. I’ve been searching
for a good pilot myself.”
    “ You better keep
searching,” Grey said tightly.
    Cidra ignored him, too. “Thank you. I’ll be
sure to keep that in mind if the situation ever arises.”
    She could almost feel Grey’s wrath increase
next to her. She didn’t dare look into his eyes. It was bad enough
she could hear every savage breath. It was his own doing. He needed
to learn she was a grown woman and a fully trained Kin-sha who
could handle herself.
    “ We’re leaving.” He grabbed
Cidra’s arm and giving Rourke another feral glare, he added, “And
don’t forget about our deal.”
    Rourke folded his arms over his chest, his
eyes fixed on Cidra. “I think I want to renegotiate my price.”
    “ Too late,” Grey muttered
as he pulled Cidra across the landing bay, leaving Rourke to
laughing.
    “ Hey, take it easy on
your excellent pilot. Look, I’m sorry I interrupted your meeting, but it was
important. I didn’t want to lose the shuttle.” Cidra fought to keep
pace with him. The relentless heat and noise were wearing on her,
to say nothing of the internal commotion Grey created.
    “ Have you ever heard of
being inconspicuous?” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Are you
aware that every man in here is watching you?”
    “ They wouldn’t be if you
weren’t yanking on me like I’m a naughty child.” She knew he was
furious, but so was she. He had no right to manhandle her this way.
The attention they were drawing was downright embarrassing. If she
hadn’t already promised she’d refrain from using Kin-sha in public,
she’d fight it out with him right here and now.
    Granted, it wouldn’t be easy. He outweighed
her, outpaced her, and he definitely had her beat in the
unrestrained fury department. So much for Plan A.
    On to Plan B: distraction. Besides, she was
dying to find out what kind of deal he’d cut with Rourke and if it
had anything to do with her mission.
    How much angrier could he
get ?
    With all the innocence she could muster, she
said, “Rourke Jaccar seems like a very interesting man. Have you
known him long?” She winced as Grey’s grip on her arm
tightened.
    “ You work for me,” he
stated sharply.
    A primal growl rumbled
through him. He’d deal with his old
friend later. First, he needed to vent some
excess energy. Raw, fierce possessiveness raged within. The fact
that she could extract such a violent emotion from him so