Rush, Bruze, Persima, and Katrina sat in a covered vehicle drawn by horses. It was more like a large armored vehicle, Katrina thought. She’d noticed it even had something that reminded her of a gun turret on a tank. The thing was huge. It was longer than a stretch limousine, and taller than army trucks. And it was drawn by large draft horses. A dozen of them.

Horses! Who’d have thought? Katrina fully intended to find out how they had horses on Marcomal. Were they originally from Earth or…? She had so much to learn about these other planets.

They were accompanied by six of the governor’s security team, each on an individual mount. Rush’s father had told them they’d be there to make sure no one intercepted or interfered with their expedition to the Javelin.

He’d held her hand and told her he wished the best for her.

Katrina felt there was something she was missing, some hidden message in his good-bye, but she couldn’t come up with anything.

She’d smiled and thanked him, eager to get on the road. The sooner they were on Janus, the quicker she’d get some sort of resolution.

Persima sat quietly next to Katrina, a tiny frown playing on her beautiful dark features.

The sound of shouts drew her attention away from the cause of Persima’s frown.

The carriage lurched to an abrupt stop.

Rush made for the carriage door. “Stay inside. The carriage is weapon-proof, so you’ll be safe from an attack. We will seal you in.”

Bruze was right behind Rush.

“No. You won’t lock me in.” Katrina had had enough of that crap.

“Katrina, this isn’t the time for your stubbornness.” Rush glared at her.

“You are not the boss of me. My future is at stake here as well. No locking me in.”

He shook his head and slipped out the door, followed by Bruze.

Persima grabbed Katrina’s arm. “Come.”

“Where?”

Her smile was secretive as she pressed a button. Overhead, a metal plate shifted and a narrow ladder dropped.

Persima led the way upward, Katrina followed.

They stood inside the space she thought resembled a gun tank turret. Except no gun. They could see everything from an elevated safe spot.

“How did you know about this?”

Persima shrugged. “In my business, men talk too much.”

“Ah,” Katrina nodded. “Pillow talk.”

“Exactly.”

Three or four dozen men on foot, on horseback, and some in vehicles that she’d have to guess were Marcomal’s version of a motorcycle surrounded the carriage.

“Where are the soldiers? Oh, God, they’re—”

The governor’s security team was off their mounts, hands secured behind their backs.

“Shit,” Katrina hissed. “We’re in deep shit.”

And the next thought she had—

Rush!

He was out there.

Persima smiled.

Katrina wanted to shake her. Was Persima a part of this? Would they all be killed? Was she going to be taken for ransom again?

Fuck. Shit. Fuck. “What the hell are you smiling about?” She found herself wanting to strangle her.

Persima pointed. “Jeweler.” Her smile grew wider then she scooted out of the turret area and went below.

Katrina scrambled to follow her. Jeweler?

Who’d have thought a woman could move so fast?

Katrina had a hard time keeping up with Persima. Before she knew, the woman was in the carriage’s bowels, then out the door and running across the packed sand of Marcomal. No sooner than Katrina had stepped foot outside the carriage than Persima had launched herself into the arms of a man who looked like he should have been on the cover of an ancient world romance novel.

Long hair, light-brown, flowed about the man, blowing in the wind coming off the desert lands. He was clothed in leather the same color as his hair, and it came as no surprise his skin was tanned deep brown.

He sported two earrings in each ear, and a set of necklace chains dangled across a broad chest revealed by an open vest.

This was Jeweler? He looked more like a cross between a buccaneer and a surfer. On steroids. Because, my God, the man’s muscles had muscles. And right now, his very muscular arms were wrapped around Persima while a smile revealed perfect white teeth.

Yep, he should have been on the cover of a romance novel.

Persima held on to him as though her life depended on it. Or his.

“You’re okay,” Persima’s voice carried with the wind.

“Of course.”

“I’d worried Eph caught up with you.”

His laugh was hearty. “He’ll wish I hadn’t caught up to him, when I do. One day.”

Katrina looked for Rush and Bruze. They stood to the side, but it looked like Jeweler’s men had weapons trained on them.

She stormed toward Jeweler and Persima. He unwrapped Persima’s arms from around his neck and moved her to the side. He still sported that smile when Katrina was upon him.

She jabbed a finger into his chest. “Why do they have their weapons pointed at Rush and Bruze?”

He frowned slightly, glanced toward Rush, then indicated with a wave for his men to lower their weapons. “You must be Katrina.”

She nodded.

“I’d think you’d start our acquaintance with a sign of appreciation.”

Heat rose to her face that had absolutely nothing to do with the winds coming from the desert. He had a point. If it weren’t for his interference…

“Of course. I apologize.” She wrung her hands together, reminding herself he had lots and lots of men there, and they were all armed.

Then she chastised herself for forgetting he’d actually helped her, so he was bound to be one of the good guys.

Or was he?

She cringed inwardly. “Thank you.”

He acknowledged her with a slight tip of his head. “I just arrived. I was a little behind my men, held up in the middle of a transaction.”

Katrina could only imagine, and she didn’t want to know what kind of transaction.

Bruze and Rush stepped forward.

“Cousin!” Jeweler beamed and reached for Bruze, engulfing him in a hug. He nodded a greeting to Rush.

Persima put a hand on Katrina’s shoulder then looked at Jeweler with a scowl. “Don’t be mean to Katrina. She’s been through a lot.”

He looked chagrinned for the briefest of moments. He tucked a lock of Persima’s hair behind her ear. “Simmer down, Simi.”

Katrina watched their interaction. There was chemistry, but… was it on his part? Did Persima feel the same way?

“Simi?” she asked. “Is that what you prefer?”

Persima shrugged. “Either is fine.”

Rush cleared his throat. “Why were the governor’s security team taken away? Why the presence?”

Jeweler appraised Rush then turned to Bruze. “This is your crewmate?”

Bruze nodded.

“Because the governor sent six men. If Eph were to come claim what he thinks was stolen from him…”

Katrina fought the urge to sputter profanities. She was not to be considered property, damn them.

Jeweler continued, “Eph will come with a force that would be more than capable of handling the measly assortment of men the governor sent to escort you.”

“But we have a letter. Some kind of escort letter,” Katrina added.

Jeweler raised a brow. “Eph would stuff that in places one might not want it put into.”

Katrina flinched. That she believed.

“So, why are you here?” Rush pressed on.

“I wanted to make sure Persima was unharmed. She wasn’t at her place, and none there knew where she was.”

“I’m fine,” Persima raised her arms, as though to show him she’d received no injury.

“And,” Jeweler added, “I wanted to ask a favor.” This last bit he addressed to Rush and Bruze.

“Which is?” Rush crossed his arms over his chest.

Katrina looked at him as though he’d gone nuts. He wasn’t in a position of power, and yet, he was behaving as though he had full control in this situation. She reminded herself to ask him later if he had a death wish. Then she thought she better not, seeing as how he was part of the effort to save her.

Everyone watched Jeweler, whose gaze was solely focused on Persima.

“Take Simi with you. Keep her safe until I can neutralize the threat Eph is posing.”

“Of cou—” Katrina froze. Do I really have the right to extend an invitation to the Javelin? I’m not even part of the crew. I’m not even part of anything. The thought was sobering. She really had no home, no nothing.

Rush put his hand on Katrina’s shoulder. “As Katrina was saying, of course, we’d be more than happy to assist. I’m confident I can speak for the captain of the Javelin when I offer Persima refuge amongst us.”