Page 66 of Tempting Jupiter
One last jerk and his hands slipped over the edge of the metal path. The terrible weight fell away leaving only the inconsequential heaviness of the metal at his wrists. Only the metal path was magnetized.
Morgan’s eyes slid down to the floor. His eyes widened in recognition. His muscles tensed and his chest filled with the air that would form a shout. Jupiter swung the shackles over his head and twisted his body. The weight increased, but with some distance between the shackles and the path it was manageable. Momentum carried him toward the guard reaching for the remote tucked into his belt. Jupiter punched toward him, landing a blow to his torso.
The remote slipped from Thompson’s scrambling hands. Adrenalin kicked in and Jupiter jerked to his feet, twisting back to Morgan. Jupiter lunged for the bastard, taking them both to the ground. They hit the floor together with a dull thud. They were no longer on the path. Jupiter could move freely and he wasted no time wrapping his shackled arms around the man’s neck. He pulled back until the links stretched across Morgan’s throat. He pulled enough to make sure Morgan felt the threat but killing him would accomplish nothing. Keeping Morgan between him and the guards, Jupiter growled out a single word. “Stop.”
The guard who’d been scrambling for the remote froze. The guards who’d been running toward them followed his lead.
“You might kill me,” Jupiter spat. “But not before I kill your master.”
Morgan stayed silent, hands locked tight around the chain at his neck.
“Kick the remote over,” Jupiter demanded.
The guard closest to the device did as he asked.
“Now that I have your attention, I want you to listen carefully.” Jupiter stood, dragging Morgan with him, and spoke directly against the man’s ear. “I allowed your men to take me without harming them. I made no attempt at escape on your transport. If I wanted you dead, I’d have killed you already.” He was safe at least, until that damned auction. “But you will remove these shackles and cease your useless chatter.” He lifted the chain from Morgan’s throat and lifted his arms free. He shoved Morgan toward the guard and extended his arms, presenting the shackles for removal. “Then you will lead me to my cell and leave me in peace.”
The guards all stood motionless, mouths hanging open like buzz-fly traps. Morgan rubbed at his neck as if he could rub away the shame of being bested by a slave.
Jupiter shook the shackles. “Now!”
Morgan scowled, but he seemed to know there was no point in pretending to be able to control him. “Do it, Thompson.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
TheHawley
EarthAllianceBetaSector
2210.164
Seneca lifted the small boy called Raf from his shoulders and set him down in a circle of kids throwing a soft ball back and forth. Before he could fully straighten there was another child with her arms extended toward him. “Me next, please.”
“Sorry little one, no more rides for a bit.”
The girl’s face fell until Toby walked over and gave his back to the child. “You can ride on my back, Bitty.”
Seneca patted Toby’s shoulder and headed to the galley. He’d been waiting for Feeona to come out of her room. He wanted to know more about her plan to rescue Jupiter and sharing a meal would give them an opportunity to talk. But she hadn’t. Hadn’t come down from her room to eat. Hadn’t come down to check on the children. Hadn’t come down at all. Early the day before she’d decided he was good enough with the kids that she could leave them to his care. He hadn’t seen her since.
“Alfred, she’s avoiding me, isn’t she?”
“She hasn’t said so, Mr. Seneca.” Alfred answered without hesitation.
“Why am I surprised she’s not more involved with the kids?” The same kids she willingly sacrificed Jupiter to save.
“She normally spends more time with them, but she always tries not to get too attached to them either.” The questions had been rhetorical. Seneca hadn’t expected Alfred to offer real insight. “She does have me monitoring them. I provide her with a report every four hours.”
“I suppose with you around, she doesn’t really have to leave her room at all.”
“I am capable of flying the ship autonomously, but the ship does occasionally require physical maintenance beyond the repair bots’ capabilities.”
“I thought she’d at least come out for meals.” His disappointment with her absence was entirely due to his need to speak with her about Jupiter. Otherwise, he’d be glad she’d stayed away. Wouldn’t he?
He wove his way through the children and headed for the stairs. He’d had enough of waiting. He would just have to confront her in her room.
Alfred surprised him again. “I have been rather concerned that she’s not eating. She did go to the galley for tea last night, but that is insufficient nutrition and hydration over several days.
Seneca’s steps slowed, then quickened. Alfred would have told him if she was in serious trouble—unless she ordered Alfred not to. No, she was perfectly fine. When he reached her door, he struck it a bit louder than he intended.
