Page 27 of Badass Alien Boss

“Starlight Interplanetary Hotels?”

“That’s the one. Its flagship hotel is located on Elyxis 4. SIH is a subsidiary of Korsan Enterprises. The hotel has been undergoing renovations. Reno costs have skyrocketed. Time is money, but the delays don’t explain all the cost overruns. I want to see with my own eyes where the money is going. As mybodyguard, I figured you’d like to tag along.”

“I’m game. When do we leave?” she asked.

“As soon as we can arrange a flight.”

“As yourassistant, I can book the flight—and hotel reservation?”

He nodded. “Good idea. It’s better if you book it, and we travel under your name. I prefer to be incognito as a vacationing guest. If Starlight Interplanetary recognizes my name on the booking, they might question Korsan or put their very best foot forward. I want to see how things really are.”

“How long will we be gone?”

“Figure for three days. One travel day. One day to nose around. Then back the next. So, two nights at the hotel.”

“How will we explain our absence? We can’t just disappear.”

“I’ll tell him I need a little R & R, and I’m going to stay a few days at a resort.”

“Technically not a lie.”

“Technically.”

“What if he asks which resort?”

“ThenI’ll lie.” The last time he’d brought up Elyxis 4, Korsan had discouraged him from going. He didn’t doubt that had been a deliberate misdirect. He eyed her data tab. “How are we on time?”

She squinted at the device. “A little over an hour and a half has passed.”

That much? The time had flown by.

“I’m down to 15 percent power. My device wasn’t at full power when we boarded, and the light is using up the battery.”

“Turn it off. It’s time. The storm should be hitting soon. We don’t need the light anyway.”

The light went out.

He could see nothing, but other senses sharpened. Although they weren’t touching, he couldfeelMichaela next to him, hear her soft breath and his own heartbeat, and smell her unique enticing scent.

“If the buildings protect people from the radiation, why aren’t devices protected?” she whispered.

“Different type of radiation,” he murmured. “One form is used to communicate—another disrupts communication. If a building isolated us from all electromagnetic energy, we wouldn’t be able to get a signal in or out.”

Conversation ceased. The silent darkness felt like a caress, the warm water flowing over his skin. His breathing quickened.

“It sure is dark,” she whispered some minutes later. “I can’t see anything. Can you see?”

“Not a thing.” He chuckled. “You think my vision is better than yours? That we can see better than humans? We can’t.”

“But you’re a badass with superpowers.”

“I was never that much of a badass.” He paused. “You’re not afraid of the dark, are you?” he teased.

“No. Not that.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“Well, dying tops the list.” She paused. “And I guess letting people down. Screwing up and having someone get hurt.”