Eternal Nights by Patti O'Shea Read Free Book Online Page A

a whisper.
    “Yes, Marsh, ” George said, disdain in his voice, “cool it. We wouldn’t want you to do anything rash.”
    Wyatt had his blank mask firmly in place again before he faced the doctor. “You realize,” he said, addressing George the Jerk for the first time, “that this is a losing proposition, don’t you? Capturing us is the beginning of the end.”
    “Unlikely,” George disagreed. “Once you’re out of the way, no one will be any wiser.”
    Out of the way? That didn’t sound good. She eyed the only exit from the room, but the five men stood between them and the corridor. Odds were pretty low on overcoming them and escaping. Then there was the ricochet factor if one or more fired their guns. With stone everywhere, bullets would bounce around like pinballs.
    “If Kendall and I turn up missing, someone will notice and investigate,” Wyatt argued calmly.
    “Oh, I’m sure your absences will be remarked upon, but I doubt there will be much investigation. Two lovers going AWOL so they can spend more time together. What is there to look into?”
    The doctor’s plan could possibly work. Maybe. A lot of people who knew them casually assumed her relationship with Wyatt was sexual. The few who were bold enough to say something to her face had been quickly straightened out, but she doubted they’d believed her. This was one of those times that being on a post with a small population was a drawback. Not only did everyone know everyone else’s business, but they gossiped about it too.
    George’s scheme wasn’t a long-term solution, though. Not on a planet that was deserted except for the members of their group. People might believe they were off having sex for a few days, but after that there would be questions. Where could they go? There was only one gate in the walls surrounding the Old City that hadn’t been permanently blocked, and it was always guarded. Even if a member of the security force claimed he’d allowed them to leave, a long absence would raise questions about their well-being. Maybe the doctor hadn’t thought of that.
    “No one who knows us will buy the AWOL story.” Wyatt’s deep drawl almost made her jump.
    “It’s human nature to believe the worst of others.” The confident smile on Dr. George’s face sent a shiver down her spine. “While a few might proclaim your innocence, they won’t sway the masses.” To the guy on his left, he said softly, “Get a popper so we can finish this.”
    With a nod, the stooge disappeared from view. Kendall didn’t know whether to be alarmed or relieved. Poppers had been around about forty years, created to quell war protesters without causing injury. They delivered individual doses of a knockout drug, taking down the person fired at, but leaving bystanders clear. It was used in crowds where not everyone was a dissenter.
    But she didn’t know what amount they’d load in the popper or what kind of drug they’d use. If it was too heavy, or too toxic, it could still cause death.
    The errand boy was back in almost no time, making Kendall wonder where the thing had been stashed. He didn’t hesitate, not for a split second, before aiming at Wyatt and firing. The popper caught Wyatt midstride and she figured he’d been trying to disarm the guy. In her peripheral vision, she saw Wyatt go down face first and knew it was her turn to act, her turn to protect.
    Kendall dropped and rolled. The popper discharged, but missed her. She came to her feet and made a dive for the goons. The second blast delivered the drug dead on. Trying not to inhale, she kept moving, but it was too late. The floor rushed up to meet her, and as she felt her consciousness fading, she reached out a hand toward Wyatt.
    *** *** ***
     
    Shit, his head hurt.
    Wyatt would have cursed aloud, but he didn’t have the strength for that. What the hell had hit him? A laser cannon? As he tried to figure it out, he felt himself start to drift.
    He didn’t know how long it took him to