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next few words out. So you re the bounty hunter. She made bounty hunter sound like an
obscene, genetic mutation.
Bristling at her tone, Talos said, Got it right on the nose, sister.
Maymon tried again to take advantage of their divided attention to ease off the bed.
Glare focused on Rice, Talos still managed to instantly reach out and push the pirate back in
place despite Rice s objecting yelp.
Stop that! Get your hands off him.
Amy rushed back to the bedside and handed Rice a loaded injector, interrupting any
further discussion or manhandling. Rice gave Talos a disgusted stare. She injected Maymon s
arm, nearly missing the way Maymon flinched at the sudden unexpected jab of pain. This
will dissipate the effects of the poison. She patted Maymon on the shoulder comfortingly.
You ll feel better soon.
Glaring up at Talos, she harshly asked, And this is your bounty ? A defenseless young
man, a living being?
Details of the Hunt 61
Maymon s eyesight improved as the swelling of his lids rapidly decreased. Squinting, he
tried to focus on the commanding female voice beside him. You re the doctor? He stopped
rubbing his eyes to peer at Rice, a leering smile brightening his tear-streaked face. When the
doctor ignored him to turn indignantly back to face the hunter, Maymon relaxed and
watched the two argue over him.
Defenseless? Talos coughed and his wheezing turned audible again. Listen, sister, I
don t know who you ve been talking to, but this defenseless young man wasn t on this
station thirty croms before he d picked the pockets of a dozen people, started a brawl,
destroyed a bar and broke more laws than you and I put together even know about.
Rice placed an audio magnifier over Talos s chest to listen to his lungs while he talked.
A flash of concern marred her flawless forehead, then she readjusted her hypo to change the
dosage and primly injected Talos s arm.
Drawing in a tentative, less-labored breath, Talos added, If I were you, I d be more
worried about your sick bay than my pirate.
Your pirate? Rice s voice rose, her contempt easily heard.
Moving toe-to-toe with the five-foot-six-inch-tall woman, Talos leaned down and
yelled back. Yeah, sister, my pirate.
Undaunted, Rice frowned up into Talos s towering face, one finger stabbing at the
fabric of his weapons sash crisscrossing his broad, heaving chest. Well, now he s MY
patient, and I ll thank you to leave so I can get started on his exam.
You ll be the one looking meself over? Maymon leered at Rice through still half-
swollen eyelids, and then shot a broad grin at Talos. Thanks, guv. Should have said the doc
was a beautiful lass. I take back all those things I cursed at you. A thoughtful look crossed
his face, and he pursed his chapped lips. All except that part at the very last. He frowned
while one hand rubbed his right butt cheek. You gotta stop hitting me stern.
Rice spun back to face Talos, outrage written all over her face again. You hit him? You
exposed him to tactan gas and you hit him?
Giving a child-like, innocent pout, Maymon jumped into the conversation before Talos
could comment. Tis true, I m sorry to say, m lady. Could you check me body for bruises? A
sly, hopeful light danced in his blood-shot eyes while his young, smooth face remained the
picture of fresh innocence.
Talos snorted and walked away, calling over his shoulder. Call me when you re done
with him, Doc. I ll be in the shuttle bay checking on my ship s repairs.
Maymon quickly pushed himself into a sitting position, panic replacing the innocent
smirk. Hold on there, guv! He reached out and grabbed Rice s sleeve, tugging on it to get
her attention as she continued to glare at the hunter. He said that vile smoke could kill him.
Are you sure he should be leaving?
62 Laura Baumbach
Raising a questioning eyebrow, Rice studied the stoic hunter, obviously waiting for
him to tell her how he felt.
Smiling at the unexpected show of concern, Talos shrugged off the doctor s critical,
questioning stare. He winked at Maymon, softly reassuring him. I m fine. Darting a harder
look at Rice, he added, You just take care of the runt, Doc. I m used to taking care of
myself.
Rice shrugged. You like to play God with people s lives. She glanced down at
Maymon briefly before staring Talos in the eyes. I m glad to see you include your own in
that little fantasy.
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