Page 5 of On a Rogue Planet
“Starfreighter.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Starfreighter. You have one.”
“Yes—”
“I need it.” He wrapped a hand around her bicep and started pulling her toward the landing pads.
“Now hang on! I plan on getting off-planet. Right now.”
“As do I.”
Stars. She was practically jogging to keep up with him. She tried to pull her arm away, but wasn’t surprised she couldn’t budge a single centimeter. “Look, I’d like to help…but don’t you have an entire security force? And far better starships than my freighter?”
Her question hung in the air, unanswered, as another giant stepped into their path from behind another junker.
A nasty grin spread over the giant’s rugged face. He lifted a small pistol that glowed blue along the barrel.
Xander froze for a second. Then he shoved her behind him, so hard she stumbled.
There was a whine of an energy weapon.
Mal saw blue electricity race over Xander Saros’ body. He didn’t collapse but he dropped heavily to his knees, his arms hanging by his sides.
In front of him, the giant’s gaze fixed on Malin, his grin widening, baring his fangs.
The breath left her lungs in a rush.
Oh, shit.
CHAPTER TWO
Malin took a step closer to her rescuer. “Xander?”
She looked down and saw neon green flickering wildly in his eyes. Just like a console with a loose connection.Shit.
“Run.” His tone was a hard, authoritative rasp.
But there was a hint of something else in his voice. She noticed the slight sheen of perspiration on his brow and the fine tension in his shoulders. He was in pain. Whatever the giant’s weapon was, it had messed him up.
She glanced back at the giant and her stomach dropped to her knees. He hadn’t moved, but stood there, watching, looking at her like he wanted her to run.
So he could chase her down.
She stepped up beside Xander, her laser cutter clutched in her hand.
Xander glanced at the cutter and his brows drew together for the briefest instant. “Did you hear me?” he growled.
“Yes.”
He blinked slowly.
Poor tough guy. Probably wasn’t used to anyone disobeying orders.
Too bad.
She might be scared out of her brains, but she wasn’t leaving him here to die.
