Retribution by Jambrea Jo Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

talk to his sister when a pod pulled alongside them.
    “Get in.”
    Kain sat in the pilot’s seat, and Rave wanted to turn him down, but he had his sister to think of. He gestured for her to precede him. No way could he sit beside the man and not punch him. Rave would save that for when they were alone. His anger continued to build on the ride back to the ship. Why did Kain come after him? Did he plan on taking him back to the Alliance? Why lie? It was a good thing the flight didn’t take long. His mind raced with all the possibilities. None of them good. Could he really trust Kain ?
    Without a word to Kain , he exited the pod as soon as it landed.
    “Mel, I’m heading for the bridge. Do you remember where your room is from last time?”
    “Yes, but—”
    He didn’t listen for the rest. Rave couldn’t be around Kain right now. He had to figure out how to get off the planet. Hopefully, Se had a plan ready to go. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d devised an exit strategy in a tight situation.
    When he walked onto the deck, Se was already pushing buttons.
    “You’d better strap in, Rave. It’s about to get bumpy.”
    He barely had time to sit down before the ship jerked.
    “Try not to do any damage, will ya ?”
    “You want a go at this?”
    “You’re doing great. Just be gentle.” His try at humour fell flat, his thoughts still on the betrayal. Why? That question repeated in his mind. What was Kain’s ulterior motive? Could he really gain anything from fucking Rave over? Shit, why did it have to be so hard?
    “I know what you’re thinking,” Se said, without looking up from the computer.
    “Stay out of my head, Se.” He followed her movements, helping with some adjustments. He worked on keeping the coms silent.
    “Don’t shut him out. Not yet.”
    “I said to stay out.” He paused and changed the subject. “Are we clear?” He hoped he sounded calmer. It wasn’t Se’s fault he had doubts about Kain .
    “Crystal.” She continued working the control panel.
    The ship jolted. Se shook her head and her fingers glided over the buttons. Rave made a few adjustments to trajectory.
    “I didn’t mean that Se.” He sighed.   “I was talking about the planet.”
    “I’m clear about that, too. Just cleared the patrol. So far, no one has given chase.”
    Just as the words left her mouth, the ship jerked again and the alarm bells sounded.

Chapter Seven
     
     
     
    “What the hell was that?” Mel questioned from the floor.
    Kain turned to where Mel had fallen. He put out a hand to help her up. “My guess is we’ve been hit. Go to your room. You should be safe there.”
    “What if someone is hurt? I am a doctor. Who all is on board?” She sounded worried.
    “Just the four of us—you, me, Rave and Se.”
    “Why such a small group?”
    “It’s too complicated to get into right now. Let’s just get you safe,” his said, distracted. He wanted to make sure Rave wasn’t hurt.
    They started walking away from the pod bay towards the living quarters.
    “Don’t hurt him again.”
    It was said so softly that he almost missed it.
    “Mel, I don’t know if this matters, but I didn’t mean to hurt him the first time. I followed orders when I shouldn’t have.”
    “I saw his face when the call came through about the ship being captured. I heard him too, although he doesn’t think I did. He said you lied. Don’t hurt him, Kain . That’s all I ask.”
    Kain looked down at the floor. When things got screwed up, why was it his fault? His heart sank at the thought of hurting Rave again. Why couldn’t the man trust him? He ran a hand over his face. Would it always be this way? A small set back and Kain was back on the outside. Fuck!
    “I want to love him, if he’ll let me, but we have a lot of past to clear up first. After New Moon is safe, I’ll make him believe me.”
    She nodded and stopped at a door he assumed belonged to her room.
    “Don’t make me come after you, Kain Adam Sims.”
    He