3013: MENDED by Kali Argent Read Free Book Online

of an angry kitten. “I told you to wait. Now go away.”
    Tariq wanted to laugh at her scrunched face, but he needed to get her out of the atrium. “You can either come with me, or I will pick you up and carry out of here. Your choice.”
    “Navarra, you leave our girl alone.” Naila sauntered up to the counter with two travel cups. “Here you are, little one.” The D’Aire female brushed her long, silvery blonde hair back from her shoulder and took Cami’s hand, patting the top of it. “Remember what we talked about, yes? Don’t take any nonsense from this brute.” She winked up at Tariq. “Go on, Cami. I sense this isn’t the place for you to be right now.”
    “Thank you, Miss D’Veen. I promise I’ll pay you back.”
    “You will do nothing of the sort, and I told you to call me Naila.” The rings on her fingers glittered in the light as she flicked her hands, shooing them away. Looking over the top of Cami’s head, she stared at Tariq with her eerie, iridescent blue eyes and nodded. “Go now.”
    “What has gotten into you?” Cami demanded as Tariq half carried, half dragged her across the atrium. “Where are we going?”
    They reached the hallway that would lead them back to the refueling bay without incident, but Tariq remained on alert as he traversed the narrow passage. Entering through the sliding doors that led to Bay B, Tariq ushered Cami to a workbench in the far, dimly lit corner.
    Setting both cups on the metal workbench, Cami fisted her hands on her slender hips and turned to face him. “What in the galaxies was that?”
    He still couldn’t bring himself to outright lie, but he also didn’t want to frighten her. “Tell me what you have for me, angel.”
    That did the trick. Cami’s eyes lit up as she grabbed one of the travel mugs and presented it to him with so much enthusiasm she almost dropped it. “Real coffee! Can you believe it?”
    Considering he’d been planning the same surprise—and he’d smelled the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee the minute he’d stepped into Starscape—he could believe it. “And how did you get your hands on this?”
    “Well, I just asked Naila if her shipment had arrived today.” She batted her long lashes innocently.
    Taking the cup, Tariq held it up to his nose and inhaled deeply. “And Naila gave it to you? No questions, no payment, just handed it over?”
    Cami simply shrugged. “Yes.”
    “You are a devious little thing, Camille Brighton. I like it.”
    The first sip from the mug had barely passed his lips when the bay doors slid open once again, and Lieutenant Becks stepped through. Parsons followed only half a step behind him, and both scanned the bay, clearly looking for something—or someone. The moment Parsons spotted Tariq, he nudged Becks with his elbow and pointed toward the corner.
    Without an escape, Tariq did the only thing he could. Setting his coffee on the bench, he pulled Cami to him and combed her hair down around her face. “Stay behind me and don’t say anything.”
    “What are they doing here?” Clinging to his shirt, Cami pressed herself against him but peeked around his arm. “They’re the reason you wanted to leave the atrium, isn’t it? Maybe it’s nothing bad.”
    If she truly believed the elites came with good intentions, he had some waterfront property on Reema to sell her. “Don’t move and stop talking.”
    She didn’t speak, but with her cheek pressed against his arm, he felt her nod.
    “Parsons.” Tariq inclined his head. “Becks.”
    Parson’s had the leaner frame, and his blond hair was a shade darker. Otherwise, the two looked remarkably similar, especially in their Alliance-issued uniforms. From behind, Tariq probably wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
    “Relax, Navarra.” Becks held his hands up for peace. “General Whitmore wants to see the girl.”
    “Fine.” Tariq reached behind him and placed his hand on Cami’s hip. “We’ll go right now.”
    “We’re to