Page 58 of Sublime Target

Jerik’s hand moved faster than humanly possible, becoming a dark blur.

It took Clarissa a moment to realize he held a gun, and it was pointed straight at the mercenaries. “Let me explain it in a way that you understand because I don’t think you fully grasp the situation. You and your masters exist because I allow you to. If I pull this trigger, you will be vaporized. Consider yourself fortunate I am not in the mood to obliterate you just yet. I’ve been patient up until now, but the moment you threatened one of my own, you indeed spoke a language I understand perfectly well, and I can only respond in kind. Take me to Garner now. Do not make me repeat myself.”

The woman with the gun looked at her comrades. Then, she looked back at Jerik, staring at the point of his sleek, black alien gun, which was unlike any weapon Clarissa had ever seen before.

The air was thick with tension. The mercs didn’t dare move. Although they tried to project stone-cold competence, Clarissa could sense their fear.

She didn’t blame them.

Who wouldn’t be terrified at the thought of being turned to ashes by a huge bolt of plasma?

And Jerik…

He was as cool and calm as anything, as if ice wouldn’t melt in his mouth.

Relaxed. Slightly amused, even.

As if this was little more than a minor inconvenience.

How could he be like this when, just moments ago, he was threatening to obliterate those four from the face of the Earth?

The boss-merc let out a heavy sigh. With a faintly trembling hand, she lowered her gun. “Shit. I don’t get paid enough for this. Hey, you.” For the first time, she directed her attention toward Clarissa. “You’re the EA, aren’t you? You have security access to his office, don’t you? Let’s go.”

Clarissa glanced at Jerik. “I’m coming with you?”

He smiled, wicked and tender at the same time. “Of course you are.”

How the hell was she supposed to do her job now? “And what if I tell you no?”

Are you going to make me bear responsibility for the lives of these four people?

The mercenary woman did a double take, staring at her in shock as if to say: are you insane?

“I could go without you,” he said lightly, “but that would probably involve damage to the building.”

Clarissa couldn’t decide whether to be amused or annoyed. “Urgh. Fine. But as an official employee of Garner Corporation, I’m as much responsible for his safety as these mercenaries. Promise me you won’t hurt him.”

Jerik turned so he was fully facing her. He closed his fist and placed it against his chest in a salute-like gesture. Then he tipped his head, bending forward slightly.

Was that a… bow?

He looked up, his crimson gaze earnest. “Clarissa, I promise I won’t hurt the man. I just want to speak with him. And after that, I will leave the building, as agreed.”

“Fine,” she said slowly, giving him a meaningful look. Her heart was pounding again, and there were butterflies in her stomach, but she hid all that. I want to be able to trust you. I really do. “Let’s go, then.”

The Gage Security people were looking at her strangely.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flicker of movement. Clarissa looked over her shoulder.

There was Bea, frozen like a statue behind the front desk, shaking her head slowly, her mouth open in an O of disbelief and uncertainty.

She’d been there the whole time, watching them.

Clarissa suppressed a groan, knowing Bea would be on her case later, and somehow, she would have to explain all this.

How did one explain that, despite having one of his people threatened, this dangerous Kordolian ex-commander was somehow acting restrained… all because of her?

This timeline was getting more and more out of hand.

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