Free Through Uncharted Space: A Phoenix Adventures Sci-fi Romance by Anna Hackett Page A

down, and so very hard to claw your way back up. He’d seen that in his stepfather’s obsession with his mother, and his jealousy that her sons took up any of her time.
    Sulla had offered Dare all kinds of dark vices.
    Here on Sulla, a man could indulge all his darkest desires of control and submission. He had seen—and experienced—some himself. Some of them had been wonderful and some had crossed a line. He found that Vero had continually pushed their interactions to places Dare hadn’t been interested in going. It hadn’t taken him long to realize that Vero was all about his own pleasure. That the man hadn’t shared Dare’s need to protect a female partner and to give her pleasure.
    “Dakota, this is Vero.” Dare glanced back at her. “Don’t speak unless he speaks to you.”
    Her face didn’t change but he was pretty sure she was grinding her teeth.
    Two women moved from behind Vero, their heads bowed and their hands clasped in front of them. They wore outfits very similar to Dakota’s, but with silver metal, and fabric of emerald green. Instead of metal tops like Dakota, they both wore gauzy twists of fabric. One had pale skin and an abundance of curves and her blue hair swept up and clipped behind her head. The other was taller, willowy, with glossy dark skin and short, feathery blue hair.
    As always, Vero also had two of his burly security guards with him.
    “Come.” Vero waved them onward. “Let’s get back to my residence and have a drink. Talk.” He smiled. “Have some fun.”
    They walked off the landing pads and into the city streets. There were a few people around, men walking with women a few steps behind them. Dare saw Dakota taking it all in—the gleaming buildings and lush greenery. As they walked along a narrow waterway, an elegant boat sailed through the water.
    Soon, Vero led them over a bridge and to his beautiful house. The entire front wall was covered in a metallic latticework intertwined with plants. Their group moved through a wide, arched doorway, and into the cool interior of the airy house.
    Vero led them into a reception room filled with circular couches in a deep green, and tables made from a glossy, brown wood. He sank into a chair, and instantly, the taller woman dropped to her knees beside his feet. The curvy woman slipped into his lap.
    Dare selected a couch and sat down. Without him having to tell her, Dakota fell to her knees, sitting close beside him, pressing her body against his legs. Hell, watching her like this made him hard.
    “So, my friend, what brings you to Sulla?” Vero smiled. “Apart from our obvious pleasures.” He stroked a hand down the arm of the woman in his lap.
    Dare pressed a hand to Dakota’s shoulder. “Two things. First, we need a part for my ship. My engineer tells me we have a problem with our power distributor, and word is, you have one available here.”
    “I think that can be arranged.” Vero nodded. “I’ll have my man take care of it.” He waved one of the security guards from the door over.
    Just then, another woman walked in, her head bowed over the tray she was carrying. It held two long-stemmed glasses filled with an orange drink that was letting off a small waft of steam.
    She handed Dare the drink, never lifting her eyes to meet his. He sipped the sweet liquid. It wasn’t to his taste, but he knew it was a traditional welcome drink made from some delicious fruit that grew on Sulla. The Sullans loved their rituals. It would be rude not to drink.
    He reached down and tipped Dakota’s head back. He pressed the glass to her lips. Her gaze locked with his and she took a sip of the drink.
    Vero laughed and when Dare looked over, he saw the man was watching them.
    “You’re in luck, Dare. We have the part you need.” His smile widened and he swirled the last of the drink in his glass. “But it will cost you.”
    “Of course.” Dare hadn’t expected any different.
    “How about you share your pretty Dakota with me this