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“We’re under attack. We’re off the mountain and back in the city, but we are nowhere near the shuttle. We are at the base of the city’s cable car. There is a group of soldiers after us, and we can’t trust anyone. Someone sold us out.”

Rynan cursed. “Okay, let me work out a⁠—”

The comm cut off.

Dare tapped his ear. “Fuck.” His silver gaze collided with hers. “That must mean they’re here.”

They sprinted out of the cable car station and out into the quiet street. This late, there was no one around and no lights on in the surrounding buildings. Dakota searched the nearby shadows, but nothing was moving or looked out of the ordinary.

They moved down the street. “This is the route back toward the landing pads,” he said. “We’ve got to get back there as quickly as we can.”

But she knew it was a long way, and the longer they were out in the open, the greater chance their attackers would find them.

They moved down a few more streets until they reached a square with some lovely trees and lush grass. It was probably pretty during daylight hours, but now, with a lone streetlight lighting it, the long shadows looked menacing.

They were halfway across the square when she saw a tall shadow pull away from the trees. She tugged on Dare’s arm. The shadow moved toward them with a swaggering stride she recognized. Oh, no. Horror curdled in her gut.

A man stepped out in front of them. “Ms. Jones, I’ve gone to a lot of trouble to track you down.” He smiled, and it made her feel slimy and unclean.

He was a big man, with broad shoulders and the rough look of a soldier. His face looked like it was hewn from rock.

“Who the hell are you?” Dare demanded.

“My name is Korrdo.”

Dare stiffened.

Korrdo smiled. “You know who I am.”

“I know you’re the sick fuck who works for Maxir Sander. And I know you’re part of that fucked-up cult, Golden Nova.”

Korrdo’s smile dissolved. “We are not a cult. We are visionaries who fight for what is right.”

“Best we don’t have this conversation,” Dare suggested. “You aren’t going to convince me that blowing up innocent people on starships or in markets is what’s right.”

“The galaxy cannot be constrained by the rules and whims of self-appointed overlords. Anarchy must prevail. Lives will be lost in the struggle, but that is the price we pay.”

“They aren’t self-appointed,” Dare said. “They’re voted in by the people you kill. Sure, they aren’t perfect, but at least most of them aren’t out to kill for no damn good reason.” He shook his head. “There is nothing you can say that’s going to make me believe you are one of the good guys.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ll be dead shortly.” From behind the man, more shadows materialized from the darkness, all dressed in black. “I see the charming Ms. Jones is snuggled up beside you. Has she been using her wiles to seduce you into doing what she wants?” Korrdo’s gaze narrowed. “She’s good at that. Rubbing that tight little body of hers against you and whispering promises that she has no intention of keeping.”

Dakota felt Dare stiffen.

“Oh, she didn’t mention that? That she promised herself to me? Of course, it was all so she could steal from me.”

She looked up at Dare, wondering what he was thinking.

Korrdo took a step forward. “I’ll be taking Ms. Jones with me, and the map.”

“I don’t think so,” Dare drawled.

He launched himself at Korrdo. He moved so fast that Dakota gasped.

She’d seen him fight against the fake monk on the Nomad, but this? This was different.

He jammed an elbow into Korrdo’s neck. Korrdo staggered back, and Dare landed three hard blows to the man’s head and chest. Korrdo swung out, but Dare sidestepped and then grabbed Korrdo by the back of the neck and swung him around.

Dare fought with a blank face, completely focused on taking down his opponent with merciless efficiency. She couldn’t look away.