Page 47

“We lost contact with you,” Ry said. “What happened? Are you and Dakota okay?”

Dare managed to get to his feet. “We got ambushed. Korrdo took Dakota.”

Ry’s harsh breath hissed across the line. “Korrdo? As in Korrdo Drach, Golden Nova’s second-in-command?”

“That’s the one. He stunned me and knocked me out.” Dare looked up at the shuttle.

“I had Nissa bring the shuttle to you remotely,” Justyn said.

“Thanks.” Dare saw the back ramp of the shuttle lower. The end was only a few meters off the ground. He ran and jumped, gritting his teeth at the pain that flared through his body.

He pulled himself onto the ramp and into the shuttle. He settled into the pilot seat, taking over the controls. He needed to find Dakota.

He hadn’t told her, but he’d slipped a tracking device inside the waistband of her skirt. He set the shuttle’s scanners searching for her.

A sharp wave of nausea rolled over him. He sucked in some air, and realized he wasn’t going to do Dakota much good in this state. He moved back to the rear of the shuttle and opened a cupboard marked Medical. He yanked out a med kit and rummaged around inside it until he pulled out a pressure injector. He dialed it up to the strongest stimulant he could find. Not only would it block the pain, it would give him enhanced strength…for a period of time. He jabbed it against his neck and pressed the button. He winced as the stimulant hit him.

He was on the clock now. He had to get Dakota back before the stimulant wore off, because when it did, he was going to crash. Big time.

“Dare?” Ry’s voice. “The system just notified us that a Class Five stim has been used. Tell me you didn’t use it.”

“Already took it.”

Rynan swore. “That stuff is dangerous. Without the antidote, when you crash, at best, you’ll be out for hours, and at worst, you’ll go into cardiac arrest. What happens if you’re in the middle of a fight⁠—”

The comp beeped. Dare spun. The scanners had picked up her location. “Don’t have time for this argument right now.”

His brother sighed. “Just get Dakota and get back here. ASAP.”

Dare sat back in the pilot’s seat, checked the comp, and set the shuttle moving.

As he moved over the sleeping city, it didn’t take him long to find her. He spotted Korrdo and his goons moving down a path alongside a narrow waterway. Dakota was still struggling and being dragged along by Korrdo.

When they saw the shuttle, they picked up speed.

Dare set the shuttle on autopilot, still locked onto Dakota’s signal. He grabbed a pair of laser pistols and a gun belt from the shuttle’s hidden weapons locker. He checked their charge, then holstered the pistols at his hips.

He waited for the shuttle’s side door to open. Beside the door was a built-in zip line and retractor reel. He attached the end of the zip line to his belt. By now the stimulant had fully hit his system, and he was buzzing with energy.

He took two steps and leaped out of the shuttle. He whizzed downward and felt the zip line system slow his descent. He touched down gently on the ground, bending his knees.

As he disconnected the line, Korrdo’s men rushed at him.

Dare kicked the first one in the gut. Then he blocked a hit from the next, spun, and slammed his foot into another man. The final fighter was a woman. She came rushing forward, spinning knives in her hands. Dare whipped out his laser pistol and shot her in the shoulder before she got any closer. She stumbled back with a cry.

He fired at one of the other men who was getting back to his feet.

Ahead, Dare saw Dakota fighting with Korrdo. She had a scrappy street style—ducking and weaving, moving quickly, and not letting Korrdo get hold of her.

Dare stalked toward them, both pistols aimed.

“Dare?” Ry’s voice. “You’ve got more bad guys incoming, and you’ve also got Sullan authorities on the way. You guys aren’t exactly being discreet.”

“Roger that. We’ll be on our way shortly.”

Dare charged forward, his focus narrowed to Korrdo. He aimed both pistols at the Golden Nova man.

Korrdo looked up and his eyes widened. He was turning to face Dare when Dakota took advantage of his distraction. She kicked out, landing her foot between the man’s legs. Korrdo let out a strangled cry, and at the same time, Dare fired his laser pistols.