Free Roark (Women Of Earth Book 1) by Jacqueline Rhoades Page A

expect me to take his side. He will be surprised and shaken when I don’t. He will find that my wrath is greater than Harm’s and the message will be clear. My Prime speaks with my voice and in this Sector, on this planet, I speak with the voice of the Galactic Confederation.”
    “And Harm won’t figure this out?”
    “My Prime has already figured it out. We’ve used this ploy before.”
    She started to speak, then hesitated with an inward curling of the lips and lowered lashes. She thought before she spoke, a good quality in a female.
    When she looked up, her eyes held a look of concern, “You’re not going to hurt Commander Suto, are you?”
    “That’s Field Marshal or Marshal and yes, I am.” Seeing her eyes widen, he explained, though as First Commander, he shouldn’t have to. “Field Marshal Suto is a sycophant of certain members of the Confederation’s Council. His family is modestly wealthy and his commission was purchased, not earned. His abilities are better suited to the ballroom than the battlefield. He has most likely never been closer to a battlefield than a holoscreen, yet he sends his men out there on a regular basis.
    “He places himself above his men, and that I will not tolerate. He will learn to lead or he will beg to be transferred. Either way, he will be blooded before he leaves this base and his first blood will be mine.” Roark stopped at the door to his quarters and looked down to see yet another look on her face. “What are you thinking? Say it aloud.”
    “You can catch more flies with honey.”
    Roark opened the door and held it for her. “I don’t know what you mean by this, but it is a falsehood. You will catch more flies with shit.”
    He hadn’t meant it to be funny, but he liked the sound of her laugh. It was another mark in her favor. Though Harm had already told him Mira had a sense of humor, it was nice to have it confirmed. After tossing the comlink on the small reception table by the door, he led her down the short hall that led to the communal area.
    “It means you can win more people over by being nice.”
    “I have little time for nice. Do you like it?” He asked waving his hand to indicate the room.
    He watched her as she slowly turned in a full circle taking in the spacious central room with its wall of windows at the far end. Her lips were slightly parted as her eyes passed over the raised area meant for dining and continuing on to the kitchen where a bank of pristine appliances waited among the vacant countertops. The glass fronted cabinets were empty. The refrigerator kicked on, sending a whisper soft buzz echoing through the cavernous space. There was a hallway to the left and another to the right, but she stayed where she was when she completed her circle.
    “Well?” he prompted.
    “This room is larger than our whole apartment. The floor is beautiful, the walls a perfect color, and those windows are spectacular, but you need to get rid of your decorator.” She pointed to the large desk against one wall, the only furniture in the room. “She’s taken minimalist way too far.” She smiled up at him. “When you said your quarters, I was thinking single room, bed, nightstand, and yeah, maybe the desk. I wasn’t thinking luxury accommodations, though I guess I should have. You’re the First Commander, after all. It really will be lovely once it’s furnished.”
    “It is already furnished with all I need. The rest will be up to you.”
    Roark continued down the hall to the right pointing out the bedrooms as he went until he came to the double doors at the end. Pushing them open, he peeled his bloodied shirt up and over his head and tossed it on the unmade bed.
    “I’ll have the supply sergeant give you a list of the furnishings available. If you find nothing there that satisfies your taste, you must tell him what you need and he will see that it is done. Do not hesitate to ask. It is my wish that you be comfortable in your new home. You will, of