Free On a Rogue Planet by Anna Hackett Page B

mercs Mal had seen on Centax. His hair was a crazy cloud of gray and his eyes were different colors—one amber and one pale green.
    “He’s called the Taskmaster. He schedules all the Rahl’s mercenary jobs.”
    Mal saw Xander’s hand curl around the edge of the table.
    “He’s the one who would have booked the job with Rexon Dax.” Xander’s tone was dark. “He’d know where they’ve take the Antikythera.”
    “Yes.”
    “So, we find him, get our answers and leave,” Mal said.
    “Yep.” Dathan’s assessing gaze flicked over Xander. “You need to go down, put on a show that you’re a shit-hot fighter and Malin’s your woman. Then get to the Taskmaster and get what we need.” Dathan’s mouth tightened. “Think you can lose that CenSec starch long enough to look tough?”
    Xander’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry about me, Phoenix.”
    “You go down there acting like a CenSec, you’ll get nothing.”
    “I can do it.” The muscle in Xander’s jaw ticked. “I have…programming that will help.”
    “Okay.” Dathan released a long breath. “Time to roll.”
    “Malin?” Xander touched her arm. “I will ensure your safety.”
    Mal felt a rush of something warm. The guy was a born protector. She patted his arm. The chain mesh was cool but under that she felt the heat from his skin. “It’s okay, Xander. I know you’ll look out for me.” A smile tweaked at her lips. “You ready to go look tough?”
    He looked like he was considering locking her in her cabin. Then he gave her a short nod. “Yes. The sooner we go, the sooner we get back.”
    Mal shivered. He had to be talking about getting back with the location of the Antikythera.
    But she wondered if anyone else heard the heavy promise in his tone.
    ***
    Sweet scrap, she was going to be sick.
    Mal wrestled with the urge to tug at her poor excuse for a skirt and instead channeled some Lala. She cocked a hip to the side and lifted her chin.
    The room was cavernous and filled with people and noise. Loud, discordant music pumped through the space and silver strobe lights flashed, highlighting the gathered mass of humanity.
    The men were big and mostly bare-chested. The women in the crowd were like a scatter of jewels. All shapes, all sizes, with myriad types of skimpy clothes underscoring their charms. All pretty, very bare, eye-candy.
    And now Mal was Xander’s candy.
    He stood silently beside her, arms crossed over his chest, scanning the crowd.
    She looked again, saw some fighters grabbing women, openly fondling and kissing them. Public displays of…well, it wasn’t affection…public displays of lust were clearly encouraged. She swallowed. In some of the darkened corners, she saw a fighter or two fucking women up against the wall. Nice.
    She looked back at Xander. Then was distracted by the strong muscles of his arms. His slick chest. The way his super-tight trousers hugged…everything.
    Get a grip, Mal. She couldn’t afford to get turned on in this outfit since it covered nothing. She looked away, and noticed the women nearby. Watching Xander with lustful intent on their faces.
    Mal took a step closer to him and wound her arm around his waist.
    Instantly, his arm slid across her shoulders.
    “We need to circulate,” Xander said. “Find the Taskmaster.”
    “How about we check out the pits?”
    Xander nodded and they headed toward the five sunken fight pits ahead.
    At the first pit, a mass of people pushed against the railings. They cheered, they booed, they shouted obscenities.
    Xander pushed toward the railing, keeping Mal securely in front of him. Most people took one look at him and moved aside. Quickly. His face was set with his best CenSec look. Stony and scary.
    He trapped Mal between his body and the railing. She knew she was supposed to be watching the fight below but all she could focus on was the big, hard male pressed against her.
    When his hand slid over her bare belly and settled there, she drew in a sharp breath. His