Stripper by Anitra Lynn Mcleod

Author:Anitra Lynn Mcleod [Mcleod, Anitra Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781619210592
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 13549093
Publisher: Samhain
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Panic filled Diane when the guard took Scott away, but she told her son everything was fine and forced a smile. Chatting happily, Scott went with the guard, and Diane allowed herself to be chained hand and foot.

They’d landed on Windmere not long ago, and she hadn’t seen Duster or the kind and mysterious Mary. Diane feared that Mary had gotten herself into trouble just to help them. Michael’s own wife turning against him probably did not put him in a happy mood. About the only good thing in being taken hostage by Michael was Network Thirteen wasn’t going do anything even if they managed to track her to his planet, which was iffy anyway. Since Michael “Overlord” Parker assuaged his guilt by funneling money to the anti-slavery group, they wouldn’t do anything to annoy him.

Hobbling awkwardly in her ankle chains, she made her way to Michael’s office in the custody of four ridiculously armed guards. Just like Duster said, the room was massive but didn’t come close to dwarfing Michael, who reclined casually, one foot up on his mahogany desk, peering at her with the gleam of a predatory wolf.

“We’ll be fine alone. Wait outside.” All four guards exited through the gigantic double doors. They closed with a whoosh of air and ringing snick of metal on metal. The puff of air from them smelled like fresh wood oil, lemony and clean. The whole office smelled slightly citrus. It made Diane think of a sweaty glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.

Diane kept her chin high despite the fear of being alone with him. Michael Parker seemed bigger now than he had seven years ago, and far more dangerous and deadly. Clad in clinging red silk and black leather, he looked relaxed and yet ready to launch himself at her.

Once the guards exited, Michael bared his teeth in a semblance of a smile. “Diane. After all this time.” Ever so casually, he lifted and sipped from a squat glass of amber liquid. “Don’t you think you owe me an apology?”

Hope surged through her that maybe it could be this easy; then painful reality filled her with apprehension. “I don’t think if I offered you an apology, you would accept it.”

“I might. If you make it compelling enough.” Michael’s voice rolled like far-off thunder, low and rumbling, like barely contained power that surged ever closer. Energy coiled around him and made the hair along her neck stiffen.

Swallowing a tight lump in her throat, keeping her son and Duster firmly in her mind, she didn’t care if she had to get down on her knees and beg. “I made a mistake seven years ago. I was young and thought I was doing the right thing. When I fell in love with Duster, I knew I couldn’t do what they wanted of me.”

“They?”

“Network Thirteen. They sent me on the Damn You to kill you both, and I couldn’t. I did the best I could to get everyone out alive.”

“Odd. I didn’t hear you say you’re sorry.

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