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“Your next prey, where is he?” she asked as he led her out of the cell

“Nyle Curtis—big-ti bad, especially narcotics He’s holed up on a space station on the edge of the sector According tohis latest successful trade It’s a good tiuard is down He’s paid his men, they don’t need him until the next deal cos” Curtis was a h to catch

“How long will it take to get us there?” They’d arrived at the engineering control center

“Fifty days”

Jade halted suddenly and he almost collided with her “Fifty days!” Her eyes had widened in disbelief

Her reactions surprised hiitives, the longer it would be to her trial and sentence “You don’t want to enjoy this freedom while it lasts?”

She pressed her hand around her narrow throat, as if to stem a wave of nausea He took her ar out here for so long”

“This is space, sweetheart Everything takes longer Did you think you could just dash out, hand out a few supplies, and dash back hoain? If you want to be out here, it’s dedication that brings its rewards” He wondered if she regretted her decision to help her compatriots out with their illicit one into hibernation for the duration of the flight He disht: stasis scared her for soside hirown to like the idea of having her company every day

“I’ently “You’re withto keep you safe That’s uy here, Jade I’ood one”

She stared right into his eyes, searching for so and with as much reserve as he couldwas kissing her sweet lips and holding her in his arms

He released her and stepped back, shaking off the ludicrous need to touch her She wasn’t his type Everyone back at home would tell him only a woman whose sub devotion could es

“I’ll let you fix the security controls The console is over there Probably another dodgy set of circuits Make a list of other faults or issues; the computer will obey your inquiries, then a list of supplies needed I expect everything to be done by eight That’s ill eat” He rattled off his co from a dream

She offered hiht, not a minute before, or after”

It was unexpected—the relief at hearing her cocksure response; he actually wanted her to resist a little, because then he ht have so alaxy—teaching her obedience