Starship Revenant (The Galactic Wars Book 3) by Tripp Ellis Read Free Book Online

outstanding warrants.”
    Zoey shook her head. “I want a full refund if you get arrested.”
    “I’m not getting arrested.”
    The customs patrol ship fired two shots across the bow.
    “I think they mean business,” Violet said.
    “How are those jump coordinates coming?” Declan asked.

12

Zoey
    “ L ocked and ready to rock , sir,” Mitch said.
    Declan grinned from ear to ear. He looked through the window at the customs officer pacing next to him. Declan smiled and flipped him off. Then he engaged the slide space-drive.
    The bulkheads warbled. Zoey felt her stomach twist up in knots. The Zephyr vanished, and there was nothing the customs agents could do about it.
    “One of these days they are going to catch up with you,” Violet said.
    “Maybe. But not today.” Declan smiled and put his hands behind his head, triumphantly.
    “What are your outstanding warrants for?” Zoey asked.
    “Parking tickets,” Declan said, his voice thick with sarcasm.
    “You might want to take care of those before you take on your next client.”
    “Look, honey. You can’t hire a bunch of outlaws and expect them to be squeaky clean.”
    “I’m not your honey.”
    “Thank God.”
    Violet arched an eyebrow at him.
    Zoey grumbled.
    “Lighten up, princess. We got away, didn’t we? I’ll uphold my end of the bargain. I’ll get you to Alpha Ceti 7. I’ll get your beloved captain out of jail, and take you wherever you want to go. But what I won’t do is listen to anymore of your grumbling. So, let’s all try to have a positive attitude. Fair enough?”
    Zoey scowled at him.
    “Great. That’s settled,” Declan said. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you. But I’m ready for a little breakfast.” He climbed out of the pilot seat and ambled toward the galley.
    “Is he always this much of an asshole?”
    “You have no idea,” Violet said. “But he grows on you.”
    “Like a fungus,” Mitch said.
    It wasn’t long before the smell of bacon and coffee lured everyone into the galley.
    Declan was at the stove. He was cooking the old fashioned way. Bacon was sizzling in a pan. He was frying up a ham and cheese omelette in another. “I’m taking orders, if anybody wants anything?”
    “Don’t you have a food fabricator?” Zoey asked.
    “You know, sometimes you just can’t beat the real thing.”
    “Two eggs, sunny side up. Bacon. And toast,” Violet said.
    Mitch pondered his options. “Spinach and cheese omelette for me.”
    “French toast,” Brody said.
    “Scrambled eggs and bacon,” said Jaxon.
    “Are pancakes on the table?” 8-Ball asked.
    “I can do pancakes,” Declan said. “I got waffles too.”
    Zoey melted for an instant. “Oh, my God. Waffles and maple syrup.”
    “Shit, I change my order,” said Mitch. “I want waffles too. But I still want an omelette. Fuck it, give me both.” Mitch wasn’t shy about eating.
    Declan slaved over the stove and fixed everyone’s breakfast. One thing was certain, he took care of his crew. They may have been a ragtag bunch of outlaw mercenaries, but they were the closest thing to a family that any of them had.
    After everyone was served, Declan finally sat down to eat. It was one of those meals where nobody said a word—everyone was too busy stuffing their faces. After a night in jail, it tasted better than any breakfast Zoey had ever eaten.
    Max jumped up on the table and surveyed the feast. He was an Antarian Sphynx from Beta 2 Majoris. His skin was royal blue and his eyes were emerald green. He was sleek and graceful, and lacked the wrinkly appearance of most hairless cats.
    He sniffed the food as he strutted down the table toward Declan. It may have been Declan’s ship, but Max was the boss.
    Declan held out a little piece of bacon, and Max devoured it.
    Zoey was tired and hung over, and her face was tender as hell. “You got a med station on this ship?”
    “What do you need?” Declan said, crunching on a crispy slice of bacon.
    “Something for