Page 18 of Iced
“Is everything okay? You forget something?” he asked.
“No. I’m fine. Just excited.”
The way Daisy clasped her hands so tightly her knuckles were white suggested anything but excitement. She was anxious.
“Are you sure you’re feeling good?”
“Stop asking. I told you the results came back fine. Angel gave me some meds for the sickness, so I’m sorted.”
“Meds? You still don’t know what’s causing the sickness? You shouldn’t take pills to hide the symptoms if you’re unwell.”
“Give it a rest. We’re about to go on a mission. You’re supposed to be excited, not complaining at me.”
He continued to watch her. Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a faint tremor in her hands.
“Docking now,” Cleo said through the speaker by the exit ramp. “Asiram’s atmosphere is breathable. You won’t need your breathing apparatus.”
“What about the acid rain storms?” Rexx said.
“It’s all clear. ELVIS has run an atmospheric check. It should be good for at least twelve hours. If anything changes, we’ll alert you.”
“What about signs of life out there?”
“There are no habitations within a hundred-mile radius of where we’re landing,” Cleo said. “We can get in and out unnoticed.”
“And the packs of hounds?”
“Stop looking for problems, Rexx. We know what we’re doing.” Daisy pulled an uncharacteristic frown. “Cleo wouldn’t send us in if there was a risk.”
“Those hounds are a problem. And there are always risks on these missions,” he said.
“They’ll be curious about what we’re doing, but we’re not their food of choice,” Daisy said.
“Cleo, scan for pack hounds,” Rexx said.
“ELVIS is constantly monitoring for threats. There are no large groups of hounds in the area,” Cleo said.
“They move fast. They could—”
Daisy snorted a laugh. “I’ve got an idea. If they bother us, you can stand there as bait while I make a run for it. There’s way more meat on you than there is on me.”
Rexx grunted. It was unlike her to be so snappy.
“Is there a problem I need to know about?” Cleo said.
“We’re good,” Daisy said. “I just need to get out of here, get away from Rexx, and capture the emet.” She bounced on the balls of her feet and started pacing again.
Rexx followed her this time. “Daisy, are you sure Angel gave you the all clear?”
She spun around and glared at him. “Yes! Besides, it’s none of your damn business. I know how to look after myself.”
“I’m not saying you don’t.”
“If you’re worried about me operating at maximum efficiency, as you always call it, I won’t screw this up. Give me space. You’ve been bugging the hell out of me. I don’t need it. I need a partner I can work with, rather than someone who’s always trying to stop me from having fun.”
His head jerked back. “I’m not doing that.”
She jabbed a finger into his chest. “You treat me like I’m some pathetic china doll who’ll break if someone breathes on her. I’m not yours to control.”
