Page 16 of Crossing Quinn

The arrogant Coletti needed a good smack upside his head. On the other view screen, I noticed Detja rolling her eyes. “I have a hover bike and a device that summons the var bugs. Anyone gets too close, and they will soon be doing the funky chicken itch dance,” I replied testily.

A surprised look flashed across Quinn’s face. “You’ve been to Earth?”

“We actually lived on Earth for a while.”

“Where?”

“Utah, Mexico, and then Egypt. Mami was fascinated by the pyramids.” On the surveillance camera, I noticed Nilus’s warriors running down a passageway. I grinned as they ran smack dab into Dolon, knocking him on his butt.

My uncle took one look at the horde of var bugs chasing them and shrieked like a little girl. Jumping to his feet, he tore off down the corridor with the warriors right on his heels.

I watched in disbelief as they ran around in circles, trying to lose the hungry bugs. Which was an impossible task. Believe me, I knew. “While they’re busy trying to evade the hungry insects, I’ll slip out and go after my mother.”

“Nilus will still be able to track you,” Quinn warned.

“Will he?” I touched an icon on my console, and a holographic keyboard appeared. I typed in a series of commands and hit Enter. A second later, ultrasonic waves bombarded Nilus’s ship. Within minutes, millions of var bugs covered every inch of the hull. The noise was cacophonous.

Detja looked at her screens and laughed. “Very clever. The sound distorts the ship’s scanners.”

“My father is an expert in battle tactics, and he came up with this technique.”

“Effective,” Quinn admitted.

I touched my bracelet and my biosuit reformed. “Promise me you will help me find my father, Quinn Jones.”

“You have my word.”

“Thank you.” As warlords went, he wasn’t too bad.

“Don’t get dead on me. I still have to take you back to Tanith,” Quinn growled.

Then again… I gave him the one-finger salute and walked into the armory. I could hear Detja scolding Quinn as I geared up for battle. My weapons belt contained two laser pistols, grenades, knives, and an ultrasonic bug caller. I pulled a laser rifle off the rack and checked the charge.

“Keep our link open,” Detja instructed.

“Yes, my lady.” Ignoring Quinn’s scowl, I punched in a passcode on the command console. The wall slid back, revealing a tunnel and two hover bikes.

Quinn grumbled, “You remind me of my sister, Kaylee. Nothing scares her either. She’s always getting into trouble.”

Trouble? I eyed Quinn angrily. “I will fight to the death to protect those I love. Are you any different?”

“No, but how many battles have you fought in?” When I started to answer, Quinn interjected, “Without your father’s help?”

“None.”

“My point exactly,” Quinn said sarcastically. “You will charge in without a thought to the consequences.”

“I will do what is necessary to keep my mother safe.”

Quinn snorted. “And get your ass shot off. Wait for me.”

“No.”

“Stupidity is not a virtue.”

The first chance I got I was stunning his ass. “You need to get laid. It might improve your disposition.” I gave myself a mental head smack. Goddess, where in the nine hells had that come from?

A smile curved Quinn’s mouth. “You offering, darlin’?”

“Not in this lifetime.” My love life might suck, but taking on a dictatorial, bad- tempered Coletti warrior was sheer madness. A sigh escaped me. No matter how attractive I found him.

“You’ve never been kissed, have you?”

My jaw dropped. What? One look at the devilry in Quinn’s eyes, and I knew he enjoyed provoking me. “That is none of your business.” My duties didn’t allow time for romance, and keeping Mami safe was a full-time job.

Quinn smirked. “Pucker up, sweetheart. It’s an easy fix.”

I started the hover bike and zoomed off. I was definitely stunning him. Twice.

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