His stomach twisted.
This was just great. Now Kiara was in more danger than ever before. Her father had to have the I.Q. of a spara fruit to do something this stupid. Biardi just might end up the death of his own daughter. Just what the hell was he supposed to do now?
"With a frown like that, you could frighten small children and elders," Kiara said, startling him.
"I didn't know you were awake," he said and flipped the screen.
Kiara was puzzled by his distant mood. "Is som ething wrong?"
He sat back and eyed her. "Your father wants me dead."
Her mouth dropped in shock. He had to be kidding. "What?" she asked, crossing the floor to stand beside his desk.
Nykyrian punched up the contract and pulled her around the desk to read it. "For that amount of money, I'm tempted to turn myself in and collect it!"
Kiara tensed. "You're not funny," she snapped, unable to believe her father would be so ruthless. The contract described how her father wanted Nykyrian executed in minute detail. "How could he do such a thing?" she whispered.
Nykyrian looked at her, his eyes blank. "He's worried over you. Given the condition we left your flat in yesterday, who knows what he thinks has happened to you."
She wanted to scream at the injustice of the contract. "I need to call him. Do you have a telelink?"
He shook his head. "Never needed one."
Exasperated, Kiara rubbed her arms. "We've got to get a hold of him before someone acts on this contract!"
"I don't think your father's going to listen to you right now."
Kiara frowned. "Well take me to him, I can explain."
"Look at the contract. I'm pretty sure he thinks we've killed you. If I go near his airspace, the man is going to shoot m e out of the sky long before you have a chance to say a word."
Kiara chewed her thumbnail, trying to think of some way to end this nightmare. "So what are you going to do?"
He sat back in his chair and sighed. "I'm taking you shopping as soon as Rachol gets here."
Her hand fell away from her lips as numbed disbelief coursed through her. "You're what? You can't be serious."
He shrugged. "You don't have any clothes." Kiara was incredulous. "Nor do I have a debit card," she said sarcastically. "Am I supposed to believe you have this contract out on you, I have one out on me, and all you want to do about either of them, is go shopping—which you hate. Are you insane?"
A sm ile twitched around his lips. "Where I'm taking you, it won't matter. We'll be safe enough."
Duwad, her mind screamed. He didn't seem the least bit concerned over the contract on his life. "If I get shot, or you get killed, I'll never forgive you!"
"If I'm dead, it won't matter."
His blasé tone made her want to slap him again.
In an angry huff, she turned around and went upstairs to change her clothes. "What does he care anyway," she mum bled, swallowing the clump of tears in her throat as she jerked her dress off the floor of the bedroom. "If he doesn't care about his life, why should you?"
A hand touched her shoulder. She gasped and spun about, unable to believe he had followed her so quietly. Nykyrian touched her cheek, his eyes apologetic.
"I'm sorry."
Kiara held his hand at her cheek and nodded. "I couldn't stand it if you were hurt because of me," she whispered. A single tear fell down her cheek. Nykyrian caught it with his finger and wiped away the moisture.
Kiara received his hungry kiss. He held her to him in a tight embrace that told her how much he cared. His lips slid across hers in a raw demanding insistence that stole her breath and made her body ache for more. The sound of an engine outside in the bay, broke them apart.
"Rachol," Nykyrian said as he pulled away. He headed for the stairs.
"Nykyrian?" Kiara waited until he faced her. "I love you."
He closed his eyes as if the words hurt him. Without responding, he turned around and left her standing in his room, Pixley rubbing up against her leg.
Kiara sighed, afraid of how all this would work itself out. It seemed as if all things worked against her. What did she want? With Nykyrian, she would be banned from the theatre. Without him, she would be lost.
"Oh bother," she mumbled and headed to the shower.
Rachol came through the door with enough anger to burst his seams. "I want blood!" he said, crossing the room to where Nykyrian sat at his desk. "Two of Aksel's dogs cornered me near Tondara. They shot me!" he shouted incredulously. "Those bastards actually shot a hole in my stabilizer the size of Mirala!"
Nykyrian just stared at him.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
"Were you hurt?"
Rachol shifted, some of his anger diminishing. "No."
"Then why are you having a fit?"
Rachol laughed. "I don't know, it just felt right."
Nykyrian shook his head at him. "Was there much dam age done to your ship?"