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he asked

The neat line of her eyebrows had lowered and she peered at hi and boots “How do I know you’re a marshal? You could be one of those traffickers”

She had a point and he couldn’t blaain her cooperation, he had to give her proof

He pursed his lips, trying not to smile and cocked his head to one side He’d ue with her The coood an opportunity tothe finer procedural points to prove who he was It wasn’t as if she had a violent record or was part of a vicious gang; if anything she ht provide him with a decent conversation, a better one than the pedantic computer If she respected his authority,with bad behavior If she didn’t, well, he would deal with it—discipline was the cornerstone of his training

“All right This way” He gestured further along the corridor toward his quarters “In there”

Chapter Two

The gun hadn’t shifted its airip on its butt Mason towered over her, his shadow filling the space between them and it cast his eyes into darkness She spied the sparkle in the had a smirk passed over his face Whether she trusted him or not, at least he seemed to have a sense of humor, which surpassed her expectations of a law enforcer

The chamber he took her into was his private quarters She froze on the threshold when she saw the bed It wasn’t the typical cot a solitary man slept in; instead it was si plenty of space to sleep two or three people On the other side of the square roo things on and a bank of small monitors

“Sit at the desk” He nudged her back “I want to show you your arrest warrant”

She tried to ignore the wobble in her knees as she sat, bunching her shaking fingers into fists on her lap He leaned over her to reach the touch screen, grazing his shoulder against hers, and she bristled with goosebumps What should feel like fear was more like trepidation—she set, and her senses battled to contain their exciteer on her

The iside the for his role as a marshal There was also a brief sulist his decorations for valor

Stepping away fro door exposed his wardrobe He tugged on a unifor the crimson fabric and epaulets on the shoulders

“Rank of marshal This is my dress uniform, which I’ll wear in court when you’re indicted for your crimes Satisfied?” He closed the door

Jade had little choice but to agree that he ho he claimed to be and that his authority was unquestionable The confirmation meant she had to comply or face some kind of sanction, but ould that be? She hated the idea of being chemically hypnotized, especially if she couldn’t respond or offer resistance

“Yes For now,” she added haughtily