by Tana Stone
I clenched my fist and slammed it to the glossy black surface of my desk. What was wrong with me? I was filled with worry and confusion, my usual confidence eroded by the words I’d uttered to Zoey in the fantasy suite. I’d been honest when I said I couldn’t give her up, but it was also impossible for me to keep her and my military aspirations.
A sharp beep drew my attention to the panel inset in my desktop. It was an incoming hail from Drexian High Command—a private hail. I tapped the surface to activate the three-dimensional hologram, standing and leaning my hands on my desk as I did.
“High Commander Dorn.” I recognized the former Inferno Force warrior immediately.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back and gave me a curt nod. “Captain Kalex.”
“You received my report?”
“Regarding the station blackout and the potential Kronock attack?” His brow was creased with obvious worry. “Should I be concerned about a repeat of the attack inflicted on the Boat?”
I walked around the desk and leaned against the edge. “I don’t believe so. We’re isolating the energy source and plan to strike the enemy before they can strike us. We’re also working around the clock to get every security measure and shield fully operational.”
He gave me another nod, but his furrowed brow didn’t relax. “We underestimated the Kronock before. I don’t want to be guilty of that mistake again.”
“Agreed. I suspect our enemy is more active than we believed, but Vekron thinks they haven’t honed the technology to control the energy rift yet.”
“Have we?”
“Weren’t working on it.”
He released his hands from behind his back, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. “I’m glad to have so many Inferno Force warriors on the Island. I know you’ll protect her—and all the souls aboard—with your lives.”
Pride swelled in my chest—and the heavy mantle of responsibility nearly crushed it. “With our lives.”
Dorn crossed his arms over his chest. “How is that human architect? I’ve heard she and Serge have come up with some things to set your station apart.” He tilted his head, and a grin teased the corner of his mouth. “Is it true you have a Zandoran fantasy suite?”
My heart tripped in my chest. Did he know? No, it was impossible. No one knew I’d taken Zoey to the suite. Did they? There were security cameras throughout the station, but none in the suites themselves. But who would have seen us enter the suite and passed that along to a member of High Command? I swallowed, telling myself I was being paranoid.
“Captain?” Dorn prodded, eyeing me with curiosity.
“That is true.” Then I took a breath, the question spilling out of me before I could stop it. “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?”
His smile faltered. “Personal?”
“You were an Inferno Force commander, but you took a tribute bride and left your command.” I barreled ahead, hoping that my question wouldn’t earn me a demerit for addressing a superior officer improperly. “Do you ever regret it?”
The High Commander rocked back on his heels. “I take it you’re considering taking a human mate?”
I didn’t reply but the question hadn’t been one he expected me to answer.
“I will never regret following my heart. It brought me my wife and son—and some of the happiest moments of my life. But I do miss the battles and brotherhood of my Inferno Force battleship. But now that humans know of our existence and are volunteering for the program, leaving your post wouldn’t be required. The brides understand they’re becoming the mates of warriors.”
“If you’ll forgive me, Commander. I heard you were not always a fan of the tribute bride program—or of your bride.”
He leveled a severe gaze at me, causing my heart to stutter. Then he barked out a laugh. “All the rumors are true. My wife was a thorn in my side and had no interest in being mated to me. I fought against the match until I couldn’t deny that I’d fallen for the maddening human for another moment.” His grin faded. “But I was so stubborn that I almost lost her. I don’t recommend following my lead when it comes to human mates. They might not all be as forgiving as mine.”
“But you did win her over?”
He twitched one shoulder. “I did, although other Drexians are better at romantic gestures than I am.”
There was that mention of romantic gestures again. “Understood, Commander. Thank you.”
He cleared his throat, resuming his official stance. “Keep me posted on the station’s progress.” Then his image flickered and disappeared.
I wasn’t sure if I was ready to take a mate, but I did know that I wanted more from Zoey than just hurried sex on my desk or in unfinished areas of the station. And I couldn’t lose her.
I headed for the door. I knew what I needed to do.
Chapter Thirty
Zoey
“You sure you’re okay, hon?” Reina asked, her pale face pensive as we rode the inclinator.
“What?”
Nina patted my arm. “You seem a little distracted. Are you up for inspecting the fantasy suites?”
I twitched at the mention of fantasy suites, my face warming at the unwanted memories that flooded my brain. Since Kalex had taken me to the Zendoran suite, I’d been able to think of little else, although I’d also taken great pains to avoid seeing the captain. I’d said things I definitely wished I hadn’t, and I was still processing what he’d said to me.
“I can always tell Serge we’ll do it later,” Reina said, worrying her lower lip and clearly not relishing the thought of putting off the Gatazoid.
“None of us want to deal with a Serge who’s been stood up,” I told her. “It’s the Bermuda level we’re checking, right?”
She bobbed her head up and down, letting out an audible sigh of relief that I wasn’t going to leave her to make apologies to the excitable alien wedding planner. “That’s right. Serge isn’t convinced the pink sand is the right shade of pink.”
I cut my eyes to Nina. “This is why he called all of us to meet him there? To pick a shade of pink?”
“You’ve seen his wardrobe, right?” Nina muttered to me behind her hand. “If we don’t put in our two cents, the Bermuda sand might end up so garishly neon that no one can look directly at it.”
“Fascinating that Earth has so many different colors of sand.” Reina tapped one willowy finger on her chin.
“Mmhmm.” I leaned back and looked at the top of the inclinator car as the pink lights filled the white dome with color. “Fascinating.”
Nina elbowed me. “Okay, girl. What gives? You’ve been acting weird all day.”
I looked down at her, shaking my head and hoping to shake off the distraction that had engulfed me. “It’s nothing. Just worried about the station.”
She didn’t look convinced, but a buzz in my pocket saved me from having to explain further. I pulled it out and my heart lurched in my chest. Kalex was requesting my presence—in his quarters.
When the inclinator stopped and the doors swished open, I stayed on while Nina and Reina got out. I held up my device. “Sorry I have to bale. The captain needs me to meet with him.”
Reina fluttered a hand at her throat. “You can’t stay?”
I shook my head, not mentioning that I had little doubt what the summons was about. Going to his private quarters did make me hesitate, though. So far, we’d been able to keep things casual, but had what we’d both said in the fantasy suite changed things?
My pulse quivered. The alien water might have made me confess my deepest desires, but that didn’t mean I was ready to admit them in the harsh light of day—or that I was ready for more with Kalex. As amazing as the sex was, nothing had changed for either of us. I was going back to Earth, and he was returning to Inferno Force, so there was no reason to take things to the next level or pretend this was a real relationship. Despite everything, it was still just sex. It had to be. I couldn’t deal with anything more.
�
��What is Kalex upset about this time?” Nina asked, knowing full well the tumultuous history the captain and I shared.
“Who knows?” I tried to laugh it off, but the worry must have shown in my face.
“You’re sure it isn’t something more serious?” Her own face was pinched as she looked at me. “You’d tell me if a Kronock attack was imminent, wouldn’t you?”
I released a breath. “Of course, I would. I promise this is nothing like that.”
She studied my face then her shoulders relaxed, and she smiled. “Sorry. I know you would. I think the stress of all this work and the blackout and the Kronock is getting to me.”
“I know the feeling.” Between hiding my trysts with the captain, avoiding Serge, and worrying about an alien invasion, my nerves were walking a knife’s edge. “It’s been a crazy couple of days.”
Nina waved a hand at me. “Go meet the captain. Just don’t take any of his shit, okay?”
“Promise,” I told her.
“What should I tell Serge?” Reina asked, peering over her shoulder.
Serge walked quickly down the teakwood walkway toward us, his boots clomping loudly. Beyond him, I saw a bright blue sky and pastel bungalows perched over a crystalline sea—fronted by a strip of fuchsia sand. Nina had been spot-on about that.
“Sorry, Serge!” I called, waving over Reina’s and Nina’s heads. “Gotta run. Meeting with the captain.”
His pace quickened as his mouth fell open, but the doors slid mercifully closed before he reached me, even though I could hear him squawking as the inclinator descended.
I leaned against the smooth curved walls as it dropped me all the way to the crew quarters level. Even though Kalex was captain, his suite was on the same level as everyone else’s. Not that I’d been to it before. I’d never had any need.
My heart pounded in my chest when I arrived on the right level. The corridor was quiet and deserted. Not a surprise since it wasn’t the night cycle yet, and everyone was pulling long hours to get the station ready. Which made it even stranger that I was being summoned to the captain’s quarters. Unless he’d purposefully chosen a time where no one would notice me coming and going.
I walked quickly, my shoes tapping on the hard floor, and I paused when I reached the dark-gray door I knew was his. I glanced at the electronic name plate to the side for confirmation, my mouth going dry when I read the words “Captain Kalex” in block print.
I hesitated. What was I doing? It had started as a whim and a way to burn off some tension as well as help myself get over Theo. Kalex had seemed like a perfect fuck buddy because there was no way I’d ever fall for him. But things didn’t feel so simple anymore, and instead of getting him out of my system, the Drexian had managed to get under my skin.
Maybe this should be the last time, I thought, even as my hands trembled in anticipation of seeing him again. I pressed one shaky palm to the door panel, drawing in a steadying breath as the door glided open.
I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting from the captain’s private quarters, but this wasn’t it. The lighting was so low I had to squint to make out the glow of the candles flickering on a low table next to a bottle of wine and a pair of crystal wine glasses. Instrumental music played softly in the background, the warbling of the horns sultry.
My gaze went to Kalex standing beside the table. He wasn’t in his uniform, but instead wore loose pants that hung low on his hips and a snug black T-shirt. He didn’t look like he wanted to throw me up against the wall and fuck me senseless. This looked like a date.
“What the hell is this?” I asked as panic clawed at my throat.
“A romantic gesture,” he said, his words almost a question as his brow furrowed. I saw confusion flit across his eyes then hurt.
Then I ran.
Chapter Thirty-One
Kalex
I swung my leg high, arching it through the air in a Kranji circle kick. When my heel slapped the mat, I thrust my palms out in rapid succession and sliced the air. I grunted from the exertion but didn’t pause for breath as I spun around and launched another kick into the air. This time I landed in a crouch and rolled across the mat, jumping up and jabbing my invisible opponent with a series of punches.
“I’m glad I’m not the one who angered you,” Vekron said from behind me after letting out a low whistle.
I whirled around to face him, heaving in breath as sweat rolled down my bare chest. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
I braced my hands on my knees. “Am I needed on the bridge?”
He shook his head. “Not that I know.”
I ground my teeth, quickly losing what little patience I’d had. I’d come to the sparring mats to release the tension I’d planned to release with Zoey. Just the thought of the panicked look in her eyes before she’d turned on her heel and run away from me made me jerk away from Vekron and resume throwing punches at an imaginary target. “Then what?”
“I hadn’t seen you all day, so I went looking for you,” Vekron said over my heavy exhalations. “After I couldn’t find you on the bridge or in your strategy room, I tried the officers’ lounge. When even that failed, I tried your quarters.”
I didn’t respond.
“Your door wasn’t locked, and I was concerned.”
I stopped thrusting my fists out. I’d left right after Zoey, pausing only to blow out the small candles. I’d left the wine and both glasses sitting on the table, along with the instrumental music playing in the background.
“No need for concern,” I snapped.
“Obviously.”
I turned at Vekron’s tone, meeting his gaze with my fiery one. “You want me to tell you that I made an error in judgment? Fine. I crossed a line no captain should cross, but I’ve learned my lesson. There’s a reason I’ve avoided females for so long, and today was a reminder why.”
Vekron grabbed a black towel from a low bench lining one wall and tossed it to me. “What happened, Kalex?”
I dragged the towel across my face, allowing my eyes to close before I hooked it around my neck, holding on to the ends. “You haven’t already guessed?”
“Zoey?”
I flinched at her name, even though I wasn’t surprised Vekron had put two and two together. He might be Inferno Force—and as tough as any warrior in our elite unit—but he’d always been clever. Not only that, he knew me better than just about anyone.
“I never intended for anything to happen. I still can’t believe it did. Of all the females I’ve ever met, she’s the one who always seems to enrage me.”
“You’ve always liked a challenge, Kalex.”
“Who doesn’t? But why couldn’t I have been satisfied with a harmless challenge like Felaris twins, or the females of Gredellen?”
Vekron laughed. “You’d prefer females with tentacles over Zoey?”
“I’d prefer anything over this,” I said, the physical ache of her rejection still fresh in my mind and my heart.
“Did you get in a fight?”
I wiped my forehead with the edge of the towel. “I wish. A fight I could handle.” I thought back to our most recent fights and how they’d ended. “Fighting was what we did best. But she just ran.”
Vekron pressed his lips together as he walked to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Kalex. If I understood human females, I’d give you some advice on how to get her back, but I’m as baffled by the creatures as you are.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to get her back. Her running was a reminder that I never should have gotten involved in the first place. I can’t even be angry at her. She did what I should have done.”
“Are you sure?”
“There’s a reason why I haven’t signed up for a tribute of my own. I belong in Inferno Force, not here overseeing a construction project or tied down to a mate. Fighting the Kronock is what I was trained to do and what I love to do. I’ll be happy once I can back to our old ship and crew.”
“It’s not like Zoey planned to stay here forever, either,” Vekron said. “Once the station is built, she’s headed back to Earth.”
“Unless Serge is successful at matching her with Dryx.” Even though I’d come to terms with not having Zoey, the thought of him having her made my skin prickle with a possessive fury.
“Not likely.” Vekron grinned. “I have it on good authority that Zoey’s spent most of the day avoiding Serge so he can’t pin her down to a time for that vid date.”
“Really?” This sent a flutter of satisfaction through me. “She seemed pretty eager to meet him the last time I saw her.”
Vekron shrugged. “I’m only telling you what her closest friend on the station told me, and Nina has no reason to lie to me.”
Despite that news cheering me a bit, I frowned as I pulled the towel from my neck and rubbed it across my sweaty chest and stomach. “It’s none of my concern if she takes a Drexian mate, or who she chooses. I just know it won’t be me.”
Vekron nodded slowly. “If you say so.”
I stepped from the sparring room, the cool air of the corridor hitting me and sending a chill over my damp skin. What I needed now was a hot shower and to get rid of any evidence of the romantic gesture I’d been fool enough to attempt.
“Kalex! Vekron!”
We both turned as Jax jogged toward us in his flight suit.
“You’re difficult Drexians to find,” he said, when he reached us.
“So, I hear,” I said, giving Vekron a look but knowing he wouldn’t reveal that I’d been indulging in a marathon Kranji session, or why.
“How go the security patrols?” Vekron asked. “Have the modifications I made to your fighters’ sensors helped?”
“That’s what I came to tell you,” Jax said, his dark eyes glittering with excitement. “The modifications are so good, I think I’ve found something.”
All my previous concerns left my mind, and my mind snapped into high-alert mode. “What did you find?”