Breakwater: Rick

By Becca Fanning

Why did I agree to this heist? This question had been plaguing Zosha since she stepped foot on Dalos XI. It definitely didn't pay well enough to risk getting a phaser blast through her skull. It certainly wasn't for a good cause, though her fixer Spinner handled all the contract details. Deep down she knew why: she was the best damned thief in four sectors. What else would she do with herself if she wasn't constantly riding the greatest adrenaline rush she knew? Now she just had to sneak aboard this smuggler ship and she'd be off this damned planet...
Rick didn't much care for stowaways. In his time smuggling cargo, he's had to take dozens off the Breakwater, most of them still breathing. Why did they always think they could just slink into the cargo hold and hide behind a box? Like, really? He didn't know this one's story, but he could smell her. Her scent intrigued him, but before he had time to make polite introductions or throw her out on her ass, a group of dock officers headed their way. He'd have to deal with her later.
This 20,000+ word BBW Bear Shifter Romance novella has all the heat and passion you expect from a Fated Mates story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gizmo Media
• Release date: May 23, 2021

Book preview

Fanning

Chapter 1

Dalos XI was one of the few cities that could boast to being as stunning as the stars around it. The capital of colony world, it seemed to consist entirely of glass and light. In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, it was also famous for having a peerless security force resulting in very little crime, especially for a port-and-trade city. People travelled light years to explore the peaceful, picturesque metropolis. It was the sort of place one could look at and think we did it, the future is here, a shining love letter to human civilization in glass and chrome .

Shit, Zosha hissed to herself as she crawled through a vent in the anterior security station. "Shit, shit, shit, don’t be a dead end, don’t be a—oh, motherfucker."

She rested her head against the rough material of her pack, trying to convince herself that she should keep moving instead of just giving up then and there. In the end, the horror stories she’d heard from duct runners back on Lytos about the dangers of staying still too long won over the desire to accept her fate. Carefully, she turned herself around and began crawling back down the tunnel, pushing her bag ahead of her.

I blame you for this entirely, she muttered.

Are you talking to me? a bored-sounding voice drawled over the comm link. Because if so, I’d like to remind you that this mess is not my doing.

Me being lost in this fucking metal labyrinth is, Zosha groused. I wanted to take my chances with a forged ID, but no, you wanted me to do it the hard way.

As much as I hate to cast aspersions on your impressive array of unlawful talents, there’s no way you could have gotten yourself an ID capable of fooling even a rookie Sixer, Spinner replied. And with my current schedule I couldn’t have gotten you a workable one in time. Chin up, darling, you’re almost out. Take the next left.

See, you telling me that the first time would have made this a lot easier, Zosha said, making the turn. Honestly, if you’re going to force me into the vents you could at least make sure I don’t get lost. I think I’d rather just get my throat slit by Lan Doro than die in here.

Zosha, I am in the process of crumbling a regime, Spinner said, sounding mildly affronted. I can’t just drop everything to hold your hand because you picked the wrong man’s pocket. Besides, Lan Doro would never simply slit your throat. With what you stole? He’s going to make you an example. Turn right.

Zosha grumbled but complied. Is it too late to hitchhike to some agriculture world and settle down with a nice lumberjack?

You’d die of boredom in a week. Alright, see the light? That’s your exit. I’m going to put the cameras on loop until you’re in the clear. On my go.

While Spinner worked whatever magic he used on the camera, Zosha made sure her gloves were intact after crawling around the vent and reached awkwardly around her bag, multitool in hand. She began to work on the screws holding the vent screen in place, wincing as the electric current hit her. On any other job she’d use an E-pulse to knock out the defense mechanism but she couldn’t risk security noticing that one of the vents was malfunctioning. Even if they assumed it was just a maintenance error and sent a handyman instead of a guard, she was in trouble. Anyone spotting her, no matter who it was, could get her killed. She couldn’t afford to relax until she was out of the system. As it were, she relied on her gloves to take the brunt of the electricity and worked fast. It was difficult because she was working from the wrong side, but she’d had plenty of practice and in short order the screen came loose. She grabbed onto it to stop it from falling and waited for Spinner to tell her to act.

Okay, he said finally. The cameras from where you’re coming out to the port are all on a loop. You need to go fast. Go into the hallway and follow the blue light. You want to be in docking bay 7.

Got it. Zosha was moving before he finished speaking. She pushed her bag forward and it fell out of the vent, taking the screen down with it. Next she wriggled forward until she was only in the duct from her knees down, her feet pressed to the top of the metal chamber as she slipped slowly forward. She took a deep breath and relaxed, tumbling completely into the hallway. She hit the ground palms-first and let herself roll. It was clumsier than she’d like, but nothing felt broken. Grabbing her bag, she dashed towards the hallway.

As promised, there was a blue light embedded in the floor that led visitors towards the docking bays. She ran along it, ignoring the odd looks she was getting from people. She skidded to a stop when she reached the end of the light path, looking around wildly for where she was supposed to be. She couldn’t see any signs and cursed under her breath. Her eyes fell on a lone security guard.

The guards out here don’t check ID, she reminded herself as she hurried towards him. It’ll be fine.

Excuse me? she called to him, trying to sound