Unchained by C.J. Barry Read Free Book Online Page B

worth
throwing away her future for. Retreat seemed the sensible
choice.
    “ Mora, exhale before you
hurt yourself,” Cidra muttered with disgust and turned toward the
exit.
    “ Hold it. I’m not finished
with you.” Mora reached out with her right hand and sunk her
fingernails into Cidra’s left shoulder. Her attempt to twist Cidra
around never had a chance.
    Something in Cidra snapped. She would later
recognize it as her self-control. She reached across with her right
hand and wrenched Mora’s hand off her shoulder, simultaneously
stepping back. Using Mora’s own forward momentum, Cidra pulled her
across the front of her body and flattened the surprised woman
against the wall to her right. Cidra pinned Mora to the wall by
shoving her forearm under Mora’s chin. The whole maneuver took a
second, leaving Mora blinking wide-eyed, helpless, and gaping at
Cidra.
    Grey had rounded the corner of the corridor
just in time to see the action unfold. He slowed to a stop. As he
feared, the confrontation had escalated. He knew only too well what
Mora was capable of, even if he had found out the hard way.
Unfortunately for Mora, she’d just picked a fight with a fully
trained Kin-sha.
    He leaned against the corridor wall and
decided to let Cidra finish what she started. Besides, he
thoroughly enjoyed the idea of someone getting the best of Mora for
a change.
    Cidra didn’t give Mora a chance to recover.
Her self-control had deserted her, replaced by pure fire and
brimstone. There was no way she’d allow anyone tell her what to do
after ten years of hiding. Quiet fury laced her voice. “Now it’s my
turn, Mora. Rule Number One. I make my own rules. Is that
clear?”
    Mora nodded weakly, still stunned. Her
breathing came in short gasps and only by the grace of Cidra’s
grip.
    “ Good. Rule Number Two. I
don’t care to hear your opinion of me or Avion or anyone else.”
Cidra’s voice shook with the effort. Mora’s eyes
widened.
    “ And Rule Number Three.
Stay away from me.” It was a low, dangerous whisper.
    Mora stared at Cidra before slowly nodding
again.
    Cidra stepped back and released her hold.
Mora sucked air into her lungs, clutching her throat with one hand
and bracing herself against the wall with the other. The red
jumpsuit looked suddenly deflated. She gave Cidra a murderous look
but said nothing.
    Cidra spun around and resumed her exit from
the dining hall, now more disgusted with herself than Mora. The
damage was done. She had barely boarded and already made a mortal
enemy. At this rate, she’d go through the whole crew by
tomorrow.
    Retribution left her shaking and confused.
Anger had claimed her and won. Why had she let it? Mora had
certainly struck a few nerves, but it was no excuse. Cidra had lost
control, plain and simple. Syrus would not have been pleased.
    Clearing the doorway, she looked up to see
Grey waiting and cringed. From the look on his face, he had
witnessed the scuffle. As she approached him, she took a deep
breath and braced herself for his reaction. Now she would find out
how the Captain ran his ship. This could possibly be the shortest
employment contract in history.
    “ What was that all about?”
His brow furrowed, his expression unreadable.
    Cidra halted directly in front of him. “Mora
and I were just discussing a few things.”
    “ Such as?” His face
darkened.
    “ Rank. Avion. What type of
women you prefer,” Cidra drawled. “She has strong opinions on all
subjects.”
    Grey swore. Cidra took a deep breath. “I’m
sorry if I’ve caused any problems for you.”
    He didn’t seem to hear her as he took her
arm and led her down the corridor. “Don’t worry about it. Mora’s
leaving soon.”
    Baffled, Cidra frowned and glanced up at
Grey. “You wouldn’t discharge Mora because of this incident, would
you?”
    Grey said nothing as they made their way
toward crew quarters. He guided her past her cabin. When the door
slid shut behind them, Cidra found herself standing in