Free Sullivan Saga 1: Sullivan's War by Michael Rose Page B

that she came from money. He’d thought about contacting the local authorities but had quickly rejected the idea. He didn’t think they could be trusted to keep her safe.
    Sullivan realized that the other side of that coin was that he would have to keep her safe. It would slow him down to have her around, but he couldn’t justify cutting her loose. She wasn’t the type of person who could survive long on this planet alone.
    They were enjoying their last night in the hotel. He’d have to find someone who would hire him. He had skills that would come in handy on a planet like Abilene. His ultimate goal was to get to Faris, where there was a large population of refugees from Edaline. Faris had taken in many of the rebels after the civil war, and a steady flow of people dissatisfied with Edaline’s government had been making the move ever since.
    Sullivan gently shook Kate to wake her. She stirred and opened her eyes. “Kate, I’m going to go out and find some work. I want you to stay here.”
    “No, I’ll go with you.”
    “This isn’t a safe planet. You’ll be better off here.”
    “Please, Rick. Don’t leave me alone.”
    Sullivan pursed his lips. “All right, but if you come, you’ll have to help me.”
    “I will. What do I need to do?”
    “You need to be confident. You need to walk like you aren’t afraid of anyone, like you mean business.”
    Kate got up from the bed. She put one hand on her hip and raised her chin slightly, looking down her nose at Sullivan. “Like this?”
    “Less prissy, more pissy.”
    Kate lowered her head and glared at him.
    Sullivan laughed. “Yes, exactly like that!”
    Kate laughed, too.
    Sullivan pulled at her shirttails. “I’ve noticed a lot of the women here seem pretty promiscuous. Can you tie this up, expose your midriff?”
    Kate blushed slightly. “I don’t want to draw attention.”
    “Trust me,” said Sullivan, “people are going to be looking at you anyway.”
    Her blush deepened. She tied up her shirt, exposing a smooth, toned stomach. Sullivan nodded his approval, stuck his gun into his belt band and made sure the bulge of the firearm was visible underneath his shirt. The shirt he’d stolen from the apartment was a bit tight, which helped accentuate not only the gun but also his muscles. He figured that could help him here.
    Sullivan and Kate made their way down to the lobby of the hotel. Sullivan started for the front door but stopped. Coming in was Frank Allen. Sullivan turned to head toward the rear entrance of the hotel but Allen spotted him before he was out of sight.
    “Hey! Sullivan!” Allen yelled out.
    Sullivan grabbed Kate’s arm and broke into a full run. He bounded through the rear entrance of the hotel and out into the street. He heard the door slam open a second time and Allen’s steps behind him, gaining as Sullivan checked his pace so Kate could keep up with him.
    He turned to Kate and put his mouth near her ear. “Do you trust me?”
    “Yes,” she said, breathing heavily as the exertion began to get the better of her.
    “Then play along,” he said.
    Sullivan was still leading her by the hand. He pulled her into a narrow alleyway and stopped halfway down the alley. He spun around, pulled her into his arms and drew his gun. He put the barrel against her temple as he put his other hand around her neck.
    “Stop, Allen! Don’t come any nearer.”
    Allen slowed to a walk and stopped at the entrance to the alley.
    “C’mon, Rick. I know you won’t hurt her.” Allen closed the gap by a few steps.
    “Yes, he will,” said Kate, genuine fear in her voice. “He’s already said he’d kill me if I try to get away.”
    Allen paused. Had Sullivan grown more ruthless since he’d been on Abilene?
    Sullivan turned the gun from Kate to Allen. “Just turn around and walk away.”
    Allen had intentionally not drawn his gun, but now that Sullivan was aiming at him, he wished he had. “I know you’re not a bad man, Rick. Remember our