Stark Surrender Read Online Free Page A

Stark Surrender
Pages:
Go to
Aquarians could have the damned oceans and everything in them. He didn't care about any of this. He stabbed his thumb impatiently at the signature space.
    She straightened. "Thank you, sir. I'll send these on to AquaTerraCon right away. Thrilling, isn't it, sir?"
    With a look at his expression, she took a step back, her smile faltering. "Sorry, sir."
    "It’s fine," he said with an effort. "I'm glad you're interested. Er, what is it you like about the deal?" He couldn’t bring himself to care, but if she was talking, she wasn’t asking anything of him.
    "Everything, sir. With the new AquaTerra crawlers, we can learn so much about the planet—go places we couldn't otherwise. I can't wait to see all the creatures   living in the seas here. Will they be similar to those on Aquarius, or very different?" Her pale cheeks flushed with excitement.
    Logan nodded, even managed a parody of a smile. "Of course. May their discoveries be everything you imagined."
    "Thank you, sir."
    She tipped her head to regard him with renewed concern. "Are you all right, Mr. Stark? You look very tired."
    He realized he was rubbing his temple again, behind which the pain was now pounding like giants boots stomping through his head. He lowered his hand.
    "I'm fine," he said brusquely. "What's next on my agenda?" There, that sounded right.
    “Let’s see … oh, yes. Prince Azuran’s people linked to confirm your audience with him the day after tomorrow. He’ll be arriving late tomorrow evening, and will of course be staying on board his ship at the space port. He will receive you and members of the Frontieran delegation there at noon for luncheon.” The glow in her eyes said this was a great honor.
    “Right.” This Prince Azuran could leap into the Frontieran seas he was so curious about and stay there.
    She looked disappointed at this lack of enthusiasm, but rallied. "And now, Mr. Berenson is here to speak with you."
    He nodded, holding his body straight to hide the cold sweat which sprang out in his armpits and down his spine. Berenson? Who the hells was he? "Fine, send him in."
    "Yes, sir." She glided from the room.
    The sec she was gone, he rose and strode across the room to the lav, where he rummaged through the storage units until he found the supply of gesics. He took one, then added two more, and went back to his desk.
    Hearing muffled voices outside his door, he fumbled with his com until he was able to open an audio link to the outer office.
    "Oh, Mr. Berenson," the Aquarian said, relief clear in her hushed voice. "I'm so glad you're here."
    "Why?" rumbled a deep voice. "Something wrong?"
    "Well ... I'm not sure. It's Mr. Stark. He's ... not himself, somehow. I'm afraid he's ill in some way."
    There was a short silence. "I'll talk to him."
    "Oh, thank you, sir. I'll announce you."
    Stark broke the link as her voice sounded through another link. "Mr. Stark? Mr. Berenson to see you."
    "Send him in." Waiting, he picked up his coffee to take a drink, then scowled. Why was it empty? Grabbing the carafe, he poured the last of it into his mug. He took a swig, scalded his mouth and swallowed as quickly as he could. Hells, that burned.  
    He looked up as a huge man moved into the room, the door sliding shut soundlessly behind him. Stark relaxed a fraction. He knew that broad, stoic face, brown hair so short the color blended with his tanned skin, and keen hazel eyes. Knew the erect carriage of an ex-soldier, the centered stance of a fighter. Bronc Berenson, his ... what? He frowned, scanning the man's attire.
    He wore, not a business suit, but khaki shirt and pants tucked into leather boots. Stark knew instantly the man’s vest hid more than one weapon. But his body language said he was peaceable for now, so Stark quelled his first instinct, which was to reach for a weapon himself—only he wasn't   carrying one. He'd remedy that immediately the other man was gone.
    Berenson was security of some kind—his security, probably. Which didn’t
Go to

Readers choose

S.P. Cervantes

Paula Treick Deboard

Cindy Martinusen Coloma

Isabella Bradford

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Monica Murphy

Christine Duval