Free HeartStorm (HeartFast Series Book 3) by Linda Mooney Page B

shielded as he tuned into her emotions. Once DiMackerlyn stepped within that boundary, he would be acutely watched by her husband. And if things got out of hand, she knew Hunter would immediately shut the man down.
                All sound in the bay hushed as the engines were disengaged, their familiar whine lowering to a whisper. The landing platform swung inward to hug the ship's belly. The outer hull door opened, and Sender emerged, followed by a slightly built young man. Star assumed the person following her would be the genius engineer named Wooly.
                She continued to watch as the two descended the short flight of steps, when she caught another movement. Glancing up at the ship, cold dread filled her at the sight of the man standing on the landing platform. Instantly, Hunter sent her a thread of warmth to dissolve her fear.
                DiMackerlyn slowly went down the steps with Challenger directly behind him. The man glanced around the bay, observing the small two-seater One parked at the further end of the immense enclosure, and Two closer by where repairs continued to bring the ship back online.
                From where he stood at the front of the group, Deceiver greeted the little man walking with Sender. The two shook hands.
                "I'm Deceiver, leader of the Guardians. Welcome to Command Center."
                "Melbin Wooly. Thrilled to meet you," the young man replied. His wide grin almost split the engineer's face in two as he stared at Deceiver. Star hid a smile as she recognized the almost adoring expression. It was the same look the Guardians got whenever they were around the general public.
                "I hear you might be able to teach me a thing or two?" Commander spoke up as he joined the two.
                Wooly's face paled, and for a moment Star wondered if the little man would faint. Fortunately, the little man managed to collect himself and shake the outstretched hand of his idol. "I-I-I don't know, but I'll be delighted to show you what I know," he stuttered.
                "How about right now?" Commander inquired, gesturing toward the disabled Two.
                "Sure! All right!" The little man nodded, and together the pair walked away, already engaged in animated conversation as Commander explained the problems they were having, and Wooly pelted him with questions.
                Star shifted her attention back on the older man now approaching Deceiver. This time, however, the Guardian leader did not offer his hand in friendship. "I'm Deceiver, leader of the Guardians," he introduced himself again.
                If DiMackerlyn noticed the slight, he didn't appear to be bother by it. "Aginthon DiMackerlyn. My daughter is Terrin DiMackerlyn, although I hear she's calling herself StarLight of the Guardians."
                The man's eyes darted from figure to figure standing behind Deceiver, finally landing on her. At first he appeared stunned to see her dressed in her Guardian uniform. In the next instant, one of those oily smiles she hated slid along his mouth.
                "Hello there, Tereshca. It's been too long."
                "My name is Terrin, and you damn well know it. Quit calling me by that name," she snapped. She kept her arms crossed, almost hugging her upper chest. Again, a warmth curled inside her as her husband soothed her ragged nerves.
                "Ah, so you prefer the name your mother gave you, and not mine?" By the tone in his voice he sounded disappointed. By his demeanor, he was not. Rather than argue a moot point with him, she opted to go ahead and get this whole ugly encounter over with.
                "What do you want?"
                "I wanted to see you. I been looking for you ever since you ran away."
                "You frecking sold me to a gypsy train!" Fists