Raashh Decisions (Xxan War Book 3) by Brenna Lyons Read Free Book Online Page A

me, ordered to evacuate by our seir . He chose to come back for you. He demanded it. Daveed all but threw me at Karl and told him to get me out of there. Then he ordered the elevator to take him to you.”
    She realized her mouth was hanging open and snapped it shut. “I don’t…”
    “You do understand, Joy. Any other woman, my brother would have let the security forces do their jobs. Not you.”
    Her nerves rattled, she started walking again. Part of her wanted to protest that Daveed couldn’t feel that way about her. Another knew Arren wasn’t lying. The Xxan don’t believe in lying.
    What did that mean for her? Joy shivered in realization. Daveed had risked death to save her, when he was halfway to escape.
    At the shuttle, Arren took her hand and bowed over it, bringing the back of her hand to his forehead. She suspected it was a Xxanian sign of respect of some sort.
    “Rest well, Joy. Please…don’t try to come to work tomorrow. Allow us time to institute new security measures. When you come back… I’ve ordered your driver to use the secured level of the garage for you, from now on.” He hesitated. “Think about what I said?”
    Answering that was difficult, though Joy didn’t think she could think of anything else. “I will, Arren. Thank you.”
    He disappeared with a smile and a wave.
    Karl stepped down the stairs from the shuttle. “If I may be so bold, Ms. Patterson?”
    “It seems to be the day for it.”
    “Beg your pardon?” His brow creased in confusion.
    She managed a weak smile. “Go on.”
    He raised her hand and pressed his forehead to it, just as Arren had. After a whispered Xxanian phrase, he stepped back and offered his hand to help her onto the shuttle.
    Joy hesitated. “What…? Arren did the same thing. What does that mean, precisely?”
    Karl cleared his throat. “It means we respect your courage and strength, Ms. Patterson. What you did for Daveed—”
    “What about what Daveed did for me?”
    His expression said she was being a fool, though Joy didn’t understand why he would think that.

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    Three days later
     
    Daveed left the driver in the bunker and took the elevator up to his office suite, his mind and emotions in a riot. Who knew what awaited him? The certainty that Joy had resigned cast a pall not unlike the loss of his mother over him.
    And it wasn’t illness. There is no fighting a sudden, acute illness. Joy was shot at, attacked in a building I’d assured her was secure. I wasn’t fast enough to shield her. Of course, she’ll leave.
    All too soon, the doors opened on the thirty-second floor, and Daveed exited the elevator with a confident stride that belied his inner torment.
    If she’s gone, I have to hide my emotions. He steeled himself for the worst at the sight of Celeste rushing toward him. I should have asked about Joy before I got here.
    Stupid! It would have told Celeste too much.
    “It’s so good to have you back, Mr. Raashh.” She pivoted neatly, reversed course, and matched his stride.
    “Quite good to be here.” It was. Five millimeters to the left and I wouldn’t be here. If Joy had been slower or Arren hadn’t broken our seir’s orders, I wouldn’t be. “What is my schedule for this morning?” Please let it be light. Pretending his healing wound didn’t pain him was difficult enough. The uncertainty over Joy was worse.
    “Mr. Rowe sent over new contracts for your signature.”
    “I’ll look over them tonight.” Actually, Arren would. At eight years old, his younger brother had displayed a tremendous aptitude for business. Someday, he may be in charge of Spice Industries. That day would be a relief for Daveed.
    She tapped at the screen on her tablet computer. “Ms. Patterson is setting up the presentation of the new line in conference room three. She said to let you know it would be ready for your perusal any time.”
    His heart stuttered, and the healing tissue in his chest pulled and ached. “Now?”