“Yes. I was certain you’d keep me informed of your movements, but you’ve always had a stubborn, independent streak.”
And DeRuyter was apparently a power-hungry, control freak.
The admiral continued, “I needed contingencies. Including Gunn.”
“You still wouldn’t be able to leave witnesses.”
“No. Unfortunately, you’re right.”
“Her ship’s weapons have come online,” Rynan announced.
“Last chance, Nissa. Come aboard with the Constitution. You have no allegiance to that edge trash behind you.”
Justyn gripped Nissa’s arm. “She’ll kill you.”
Nissa nodded. “I don’t think I’ll take you up on that offer, Admiral.” Nissa stabbed a finger at the screen and cut the transmission. She slipped into the weapons console beside Rynan. “Can you shield my biosignature? She’ll have it and try to teletrans me out.”
“Already done.”
She looked up at Justyn. “We need to get out of here.”
“We might have to destroy her ship.” Justyn watched Nissa’s face steadily. “You okay with that?”
“She just threatened treason and murder. Yeah, I’m okay with that.”
“They’re opening fire,” Rynan said.
The lasers hit theNomad’sshields, but the ship still shuddered under the impact.
Rynan cursed. “Shit, they’re packing more than the standard weapons.”
“Take them out.” Dare’s command was hard and crisp.
“Returning fire.” Nissa tapped at the controls to prepare weapons. She hesitated for the briefest second, then touched the final button.
The firefight was vicious. The admiral had a damned good pilot at the helm.
But Rynan had equipped theNomadextremely well.
TheNomadjolted under the impact of an ion missile. Nissa programmed in a complex attack using the ship’s lasers, plasma cannon, and missiles.
Suddenly, the side of the admiral’s ship exploded. Nissa stomach clenched. She’d hoped to maim them and leave them here for someone to find.
A second later a chain reaction of explosions tore the ship apart.
There was silence on theNomad’sbridge. Nissa stared at the viewscreen and the debris hanging in space.
A hand gripped her shoulder. “Nissa? Are you okay?”
A woman she’d admired, had modelled her career on, had just betrayed them all. And now, Admiral DeRuyter was dead. And her crew. Nissa pressed a hand to her eyes and breathed. “No. But I will be.”
But deep inside, she wondered if she was deficient in some way, because the people she cared for most kept betraying her.
Unsteadily, she got to her feet and pushed Justyn’s hand away. She headed for her cabin. “I need to be alone.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“It wasn’t your fault, sweetheart.” Justyn ran a hand down Nissa’s back.
