Performance Criteria by Mandy M. Roth

Author:Mandy M. Roth
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Futuristic Romance

Chapter Four

Once Brad was positive Conell had not only left the vessel but had departed from their area of space, he focused his attentions back on Aeron. He’d expected her fear of him to return once Conell was gone. It didn’t. Much to his surprise, Aeron hadn’t stopped following him around the ship. Granted, she kept a safe distance from him but still, she trailed behind, observing his every move.

Stopping, he glanced over his shoulder and fought the urge to smile when Aeron pretended to be interested in the latest Interstellar Update instead of him. She bit at her lower lip and it was all he could do to remain in place. Tossing her to the floor and having his way with her, while appealing, wasn’t an option.

“Aeron?”

She jumped slightly and stared at him from wide eyes. “Yes?”

“You can relax, get cleaned up, do whatever. I’d like to head planet-side and check out Perseus first hand. I’ll be gone the majority of the day so it’s up to you as to whether or not you abandon me or wait here until I get back.”

“You want to what?” she asked, not bothering to hide the shock in her voice.

Brad couldn’t help but smile. “You want me to help in the fight against the Vanos. I need to do a threat assessment.”

-46-

Droid Wars: Performance Criteria

“But you could be caught, hurt, killed!” The shock on her face warmed him.

“I’ll be fine. You saw to it that I have more than I need in training.

Though, I had a great deal to start with.” He headed towards one of the many transport shuttles the vessel had and paused when he sensed Aeron following him. “Aeron, honey, I swore to you that I’d never harm you. You don’t have to worry about me sabotaging anything.”

“Sabotage?” She gasped. “Brad, I never thought that! I just don’t want you to go alone.”

Confused, he glanced over his shoulder to find her eyes glistening.

“Aeron?”

“What if you don’t come back? What if the Vanos discover you? What if…?”

“Then you won’t have to fear me anymore and you can build a new droid, assuring the next one can’t turn himself on and off.” It was a cold statement and he wasn’t sure what prompted him to even say it.

Aeron took a tiny step back as her brow furrowed. The pain on her face sliced through Brad but he didn’t apologize. Instead, he continued on his way to a shuttle, being guided by something he couldn’t explain.

Every ounce of him wanted to hold Aeron in his arms and sample her sweet lips yet he put one foot in front of the other, leaving her behind.

Each step he took, he thought of the visions he’d had of Aeron welcoming him with open arms. The harsh reality was she’d feared him and stumbled through lies to no doubt protect her precious Conell.

I’m jealous.

The realization hit him just as he entered one of the shuttles. Brad knew he should go back, smooth things over with Aeron but he didn’t.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.