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br /> Her tummy rolled over as she examined it. Lucky for her it was still in one piece, although it had deteriorated somewhat. There were cracks along the seam and the neon colored liquid that seeped from them was all the evidence she needed.
Lily knew the lethal poison was in her system. She just didn’t know how much. The bullet clanged loudly as it fell into the sink and she watched it roll around until it lay at the bottom.
She retrieved her satchel from its hiding spot in the air vent above the cot, hissing at the pain that ripped across her shoulder. She sucked it up and rooted around until she found what she was looking for. Her head was light and fever continued to sweep along her flesh.
The anti-serum she’d brought from her home planet of Terre was cutting edge. She just prayed it would work on the poison Mallick used, and that it was enough.
Quickly she swallowed all of it and then grabbed the remaining alcohol. She poured the rest onto the wound and the scream that erupted from her throat couldn’t be helped. It rang in her ears though it sounded fuzzy, as if coming from far away. She bent over the sink as her belly rolled and she felt her legs begin to buckle.
The world was tipping and the fire that had been in her shoulder was now cold, yet it hurt even more. A groan escaped from between tight lips and she bit down hard in an effort to hold on.
Oh god, Is this how it would end for her?
Her mind began to darken and she knew she was falling. She grimaced, preparing for more pain but strong, warm, hands broke her fall as they slid up along her ribcage. Lily’s head tipped back and she fell against a broad chest.
Her eyes focused briefly and she smiled, finding it absurd to see the shock that colored Kerr’s handsome face. His deep brown eyes reflected gold, making them round balls of liquid honey. Christ but he was delicious.
She opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t manage to get anything out. And then everything went black.
Chapter Four
To say that Kerr Strome was speechless would be an understatement. He stared down at the half-naked woman in his arms and shook his head dazedly.
What the hell had Blackie done to her? Who the hell was she?
He’d been on his way to talk to the soldier, not content to leave things until the morning when an unholy scream erupted from inside Blackie’s quarters. His access code had overridden the soldier’s personal one and he’d been able to gain entry in seconds.
The woman in his arms moaned softly and his eyes drank in features that tugged at something long buried inside of him—something soft—and in his world, not acceptable. A classic nose, high cheekbones and generous lips were all aligned perfectly. His belly tightened at the sight of her breasts, so incredibly feminine and soft. Her eyes were closed but he’d already glimpsed the deep blue color and as his gaze passed over her long, crimson hair a nagging suspicion began to build.
He gently picked her up and as another groan hitched at the back of her throat and she winced in pain, he noticed for the first time, the wound on her shoulder. It was raw, ragged and bleeding profusely.
His eyes scanned the room.
Combat boots and a uni were strewn along the floor. A bloodied knife was at his feet, antibiotics as well and in the sink the evidence of a bullet glistened against the steel.
An image of Blackie diving for him as the stranger fired flashed in his brain.
Sonofabitch!
The woman in his arms began to tremble, her teeth chattering loudly. Kerr swore and tapped his com unit.
“Tell Medic I’m on my way,” he said abruptly and then turned to leave. The door slid open before him but he paused, grabbed a blanket from the bed and quickly covered her nakedness.
His eyes and hands were clinical but inside his body clenched at the sight. Even covered in the grime and sweat of war, the woman he held against his chest was the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on.
He felt something twist hard, like a fist had just closed on his heart, but he savagely shook it away.
This soldier had more secrets than he could imagine, and in his world secrets got people killed.
Kerr strode out into the common area and headed toward the medical unit. When she was well she’d have a lot to answer for. There was no reason for anyone to hide who and what they were unless their agenda was malicious. He didn’t care that she was a woman; mercy was not part of his vocabulary. If she was a traitor, she wouldn’t make it off his planet alive.
Two hours later found him by her bed, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she slept. Medic had cleaned her up and the creamy complexion of her skin shone softly in the waning light. Not one blemish, perfectly smooth. She was fucking exquisite.
How the hell had he not known he was a she?
But you did.
The thought slipped through his mind and he grimaced, looked away and tried to still his fast beating heart. On some level he’d known the soldier was different. It wasn’t just the size, it was the way she’d held her head, the tilt of her chin and the delicate lines of her features.
