Page 33 of Rescued By The Alien Prince Pirate

"You are angry at me," Cyburn declared as more of a statement of fact than a question.

"I'm a little frustrated," I admitted without looking at him.

I kept my eyes fixed on the floor of the ship and willed myself not to cry, but my chin quivered anyway. My own face betrayed me and how upset I was.

"I can offer you a promise," Cyburn said.

I stared at him, trying to be optimistic but it was difficult. "What kind of promise?"

Cyburn took a deep breath as if he was debating whether to tell me what he really wanted to say to me.

"If you go along with me and trust me wholeheartedly, I'll agree to letyoube my ace in the hole against the robots."

How could I say no to that offer?

I gave him a look of feisty resolve because I felt it deep in my heart. "You have yourself a deal."

ChapterFourteen

CYBURN

“You need to come out now, Jun," I warned, speaking directly and loudly to make sure the intercom picked up the sound of my voice. "IfIcan't hide behind a veil, then neither should you."

"There is no need to hide," Jun countered. "For neither of us. This is going to end peacefully, remember?"

"Then come out so we can talk about this," I said. "Face to face."

"Are you asking for a parlay?" Jun asked, his voice rising curiously.

I paused. I needed to be careful with this reckless robot. He was a loose cannon— a real lit fuse when it came down to it.

If he sensedanykind of doubt on my part, then we were fucked. I had to keep him right where I wanted him. Ifanyonewas going to get trapped, it was going to be Jun and his slew of robots—notus.

"Yes." I paused again. "I would like to request a parlay."

Now it was Jun's turn to hesitate. The silence went on for what felt like hours— even though in reality it was only several seconds.

"You may have your wish," Jun declared.

I exchanged a cautious and quick glance with Nix and Carmela. They looked like they wanted to avoid a battle at any cost, but I already knew the fight was coming— and so did I. It wasn't going to be as easy as Jun was making it sound. There was always a catch, especially when the Belic were involved.

"Thank you," I said carefully. I didn't move. It was like my body was frozen.

"I will have my crew cease fire, and I ask that you do the same," Jun added.

"We will comply," I said.

"Do I have your word?" Jun asked. His voice was laced with suspicion.

"Yes."

"Then disable your weapons and put them on the floor," Jun said with an air of cocky authoritarianism.

I hesitated.

Jun noticed.

"Do we have ourselves a deal?" he asked with an edge of skepticism.

---