Free Dead Girls Don't Cry by Casey Wyatt

survived. He hadn’t let us down yet.
    Heavy machines moved into position. The workers unlatched more hoses, wires and mechanical items from the ship’s side. Blood pounded in my head, caused by my tight jaw and grinding teeth.
    “I didn’t mean to offend. Or imply Jonathan can’t defend you.” Ian’s voice softened. The low tone made my toes curl. “I hoped we could prove our innocence together.” His shoulders slumped then stiffened as if he had made a decision.
    Tempting. So very tempting. I tore my gaze off his profile. So what if he was sexy as hell, there was no “together” for us. “What will you do? Thalia won’t stop hunting you.”
    “She can try and find me.” He turned to face me, grinning widely. “I’m coming with you.”
    “Why?”
    “Is that your favorite word?”
    “No. But I’d like to know what’s behind the sudden change of heart.”
    Ian’s face grew somber. “You saved my life in that alley. Despite what I said that day, I owe you.” The impish smile returned. “Besides, someone needs to watch your back.”
    Right. I probably should have been touched by the sentiment. Instead, suspicion danced in my head. What was his angle? “I have my family for that, thank you very much.”
    “I got the impression they don’t like you very much right now.”
    “Because of you.”
    He held up his hands. “Fine. Sorry. Let’s not go there.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “You make it very hard for a bloke to get to know you better.”
    A small smile crept across my lips. Yes, we’d have plenty of time together. I could use it to find out more about him. I’d have to finesse the information. Based on our previous encounters, I could tell already that a direct approach wouldn’t yield results.
    “And what about the rest of your group?” From what I did know about Ian, I got the impression he took care of his rogues.
    “Most of them are coming too. Jonathan had room to spare. A select few of the rogues are staying. I need men on the ground, keeping an eye on Thalia.” He looked like he wanted to say more. When he didn’t elaborate, I didn’t press.
    The heavy machines drove away. Prior exited through a side door disappearing from sight. Moments later, he reappeared with Jonathan by his side. An animated discussion was underway with lots of hand gestures, some more lively than others.
    “Can you hear anything?” I asked Ian.
    “No. Best get your things,” he cupped my elbow and guided me back the conference room. Good thing because I’d forgotten the way back. Anytime I’m in a strange place, I can’t find my way out of a paper bag with a road map. If we had stayed there long enough, I would have figured out the lay of the land and been fine after.
    We gathered my meager belongings and handed them over to the ground crew. Prior allowed each of us one bag. The rest of the cargo area was devoted to mission necessities and travel capsules. Not coffins as Prior corrected me when I suggested the idea.
    “These are state of the art stasis chambers, designed to induce deep hibernation as soon as the lid is closed. Everyone will go to sleep and wake up fresh and read to tackle Mars. You there! Load those crates into the cargo hold. ” Prior dodged off to scold the offending worker.
    Sign me up for deep sleep. At least I wouldn’t be bored the whole trip.
    Ian sniffed, “You won’t catch me in one of those things.”
    “Don’t like being cooped up?” I asked.
    “No. Never have. Besides,” he leaned in conspiratorially, “Remember, I’ll be watching everyone’s back.”
    Curious. For a rogue, Ian was as protective as a sire.
    Honks cut through the noisy activity. A series of golf carts cut through the crowd. The flight crew had arrived.
    Ian’s jaw tightened. “Humans,” he observed.
    I shrugged. “I’m guessing there aren’t a lot of vampire space pilots out there.”
    “Could become problematic later.”
    When I pressed, Ian was tight lipped. I hung back