The Star Thief (Star Thief Chronicles 1)

“Fine,” she drawled. “I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

The leader held up his hand to stop his merc from hitting Finn again. “Go on.”

“My name is Renna Carrizal.”

The man’s lips parted. Good. Hopefully her name would be enough. In certain circles, she was legendary. For several reasons.

He raked his gaze up and down her body, his expression two parts cunning, one part lethal. “Well, well. I can think of quite a few people who’d love a chance to talk to you, beautiful.”

Renna suppressed her shudder. “I’m sure we could all sit down for tea and cookies. Sounds delightful.” She tried to yank her arm away from the man holding her, but he didn’t let go.

The Trezian chuckled. “I can’t believe I caught the best thief in the galaxy. I’m going to be famous. And you’re going to be the boss’s new plaything as soon as we ship you off to him.” He rubbed his hands together, his teeth gleaming as his lips stretched into a triumphant grin.

Renna shrugged and examined her nails. “Sounds like I get the better part of this deal. I’m leaving this planet, one way or another. You guys are trapped here with—what—a bunch of half-finished mechs and a team of dirty men? Doesn’t sound like much fun to me.”

“Oh, don’t you worry. Things just got a lot more fun.” The brilliance of his smile dimmed from elated to sadistic. “We’re not just building mechs here. It’s a whole different type of army. And I think you and your friend here will make excellent additions.”

Two of his arms pointed to the back of the room where there was a thick wooden door that looked surprisingly out of place in the high-tech facility. “Take them to the holding cell. I’ll contact the boss. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have Miss Carrizal on his team.”

“In your dreams, love. The only team I work on is my own.” She forced a slow smile to her lips. She’d been in enough oh shit situations to know better than to show her nerves. Even if they were screaming loud enough to deafen her.

The man holding her arms yanked her toward the door, and the other man did the same with Finn. She struggled, using the motion to scan the rest of the room without them noticing. An arms bench sat on the far side, next to a half-opened crate full of assault rifles. Starmasters if she wasn’t mistaken.

The two mercenaries dragged them down another corridor. Their boots echoed loudly on the cement floor, and the walls were built of the same gray stone as the rest of the facility. A series of alcoves were cut into the walls, and Renna’s merc stopped in front of one. He typed in a number at the keypad, and the metal door slid open.

He shoved her inside, and she stumbled a few feet. Finn followed a heartbeat later.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be back for you soon,” the merc called just before the door swished shut.

The captain took two shuffling steps, then fell to his knees. His eyes widened at her before he toppled sideways.

Shit. Renna raced over to him and collapsed by his side. “Are you all right?” Her fingers itched to touch him, to wipe the trickle of blood away from his lip, but instead she folded her hands in her lap. “How bad is it?”

He took a shuddering breath and opened his eyes. The blue depths had lost their usual sparkle. “I think he broke my rib.”

Renna pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “I’m sorry. I thought I could get them to release you if they thought you weren’t important.”

“I figured. Too bad it didn’t work. Besides, do you really think I would have left you here?” He touched her arm. “I know we didn’t start out on the best terms here, but I haven’t changed that much. I don’t leave my crew behind.”

Her heart twisted strangely. Having someone looking out for her was something she hadn’t experienced since she was a kid. But at the same time, it was nice to know someone had her back.

Finn dropped his hand like it had suddenly gotten too heavy. “You shouldn’t have told them who you are. You’re not exactly anonymous in this galaxy, even if they don’t know you’re the Star Thief.” He gasped as he struggled to sit up.

Her heart stuttered at the pain etched on his face. Dammit, he was really hurt. She slid an arm beneath his shoulder and helped him lean against the wall. His body against hers was hard and muscled, and even injured, she got the impression he could still kick her ass.

“Thanks,” he said once he was propped up. Deep lines gouged the space between his eyebrows, and his skin had taken on a shiny, waxy tone, like he was made of plastic. But he tried to smile at her anyway. “So what’s the plan?”

Renna jumped to her feet and paced the room, careful not to look at him. Finn was hurt, and it was all her fault. Whatever she came up with had to get him out of there and quickly. Those punches had been vicious. She wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t injured more than he let on.

The cell wasn’t much bigger than her bunk back on the ship. It only took six strides before she hit the wall and needed to turn back around. She made three passes before she let out a long sigh. “I have no idea.” She shoved her hands into her pockets. “They took my tools and the destabilizer. The only thing that might work is attacking the next guard that shows up and hope we can get away.”

Finn shifted against the wall and winced again. “I’m not going to be much help.”

“I can take care of myself.” His eyes looked strangely sunken, and she made her voice light and joking. Maybe it would be enough to distract him. “You haven’t seen me in a bar fight. Your lessons came in handy.”

“I don’t suppose that’s where you got the scar on your neck?” Finn studied the white line running from below her left ear around the front of her neck. She usually tried to hide it with her hair, but when she pulled it back like now, it was clearly visible. Heat crept across her skin at the curiosity in his gaze, at the way she could almost feel it like a caress.

She laughed awkwardly. “You know it’s not. I had it when I first met you.” She never talked about that night. Even after ten years, just thinking about it still made her skin crawl. Renna wrapped her arms around her waist and sank down the wall to sit on the floor beside Finn. It was better to not have him looking at her. To not feel so exposed under his steady gaze.

“You going to finally tell me what happened?” he asked gently.