Page 48 of On a Rogue Planet
Xander dipped his head. “Don’t thank me until I’ve restored order on Centax. You cannot return yet, Xalla. Our planet is still under the control of the Rahl.”
Mal gave the woman an impulsive hug. “Trax will be all right. He’s the toughest old salvager I know.”
The woman nodded, her lips trembling. “He is.” Then, she moved to join the group of women.
Mal watched as the Centaxian women searched for clothes and comforted each other. She saw their strength despite their ordeal.
Xander touched her shoulder. “They’ll be okay.”
She nodded, and knew that Xander was seething under his cool, calm mask.
She reached up and traced a hand over his jaw. The need to comfort him welled from somewhere deep inside, surprising her. She was a mechanic. Offering comfort wasn’t something she was good at. “You saved them.”
His hand cupped hers and held it there. He drew in a breath. “How many other Centaxian women have been taken? Sold to slavery? Abused? Tortured?”
“We know where the Antikythera is now. We’ll find it. We’ll save them.”
He tilted his head. “We?”
“Trax is my friend. He helped me—us—get off-world. I won’t rest until we make his attackers pay and Centax is free.”
Xander was silent, and Mal looked back at the women. Many of them were staring at her and Xander. Most were staring at Xander with wide eyes and mouths hanging open.
Hmm, she might be ruining Xander’s tough guy reputation.
He took another deep breath. “Thank you, Malin. Without your help…”
She winked at him. “Not too shabby for a distraction, huh?” She pulled away, but in one of his lightning moves, he grabbed her hand.
“You are a beautiful distraction. One who erodes my control.”
Her breath hitched.
Then he stiffened and touched the implant at his temple. “Go ahead, Dathan.”
Mal listened to Xander’s side of the conversation. Watched his jaw tighten and his eyes narrow.
“We’re on our way. Also, there will be a shuttle of Centaxian women hitting orbit soon. Help them get away.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“A huge group of enraged Rahl is headed our way. We need to get to the shuttle. Now.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Xander and Malin sprinted through the Rahl living areas. Xander studied the map overlay, identifying possible routes to the landing pads.
“How far to the shuttle?” Malin asked, panting a little from their pace.
“Not far?—”
A door at the end of the corridor burst open. The lead Rahl spotted them and let out a roar.
Without blinking, Xander pushed open the nearest door and dragged Malin through.
They were in the kitchens.
Staff of all species looked up from their work, staring at them. Xander paid them no attention. He crossed the space and pulled Malin through another door.
