by Susan Hayes
“You didn’t wake me. Vance and I usually wake up about now to get a few minutes head start on Annie. She’ll be up soon and wanting breakfast.”
She shot up to a sitting position and started wriggling out from between the two men. “I better go back to my room then. You won’t want her wandering in here and finding the three of us naked and uh”—she flapped her hands around them—“all wrapped up in each other.”
“The house sensors would alert us if she was awake, or crying. No need to bolt out of here.”
“Why are people talking in my bed? It’s too early for talking,” Vance grumbled in a voice still thick with sleep.
“Forgive sleeping grumpy over there, he is not a morning person.”
“Not without coffee, I’m not.”
She snickered. “And here I thought all you elites had being a morning person programmed into you as part of your enhancements.”
“He’s defective,” Dane said and reached for her, tugging her back into his arms.
“You can fucking leave any time, Dane. Ciara is welcome to stay here all day. You? Not so much.”
“I hate to point this out, Doc, but we’ve both got work today. Alayna will be by in a few hours. She said something about a girls’ day?”
Ciara groaned as she remembered what she’d been talked into. “Mother of supernovas, I’d forgotten. We’re stopping by the base so she can check on the arrangements for this formal dinner party. Afterward she’s dragging me out to shop for more clothes and a dress for this party. How did I get talked into this again?”
“Because no one says no to Alayna.” Dane chuckled. “Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“That sounds about right. I’m really not fond of fancy parties.”
Vance stirred beside her, stroking his hand down her arm. “I’m guessing this is because of your parents?”
“Yeah. They were always throwing parties. Trying to climb the social ladder, making connections. It was what they lived for, and I never understood. For me, they were dull, awkward affairs. The last gala I went to was for my twenty-first birthday. Not that the party was really about me at all. I wasn’t allowed to invite anyone and my mother made it clear that if I messed up at all, she’d never forgive me.”
“Sounds delightful,” Dane muttered.
“It gets better. One of the guests assaulted me. Will and I had been crossing paths at these functions for years and he’d barely spoken two words to me. That night, he wouldn’t leave me alone. He kept following me around, touching me, rubbing up against me, and making me really uncomfortable. I ducked outside to try and ditch him, but he saw me leaving and followed. That’s when things got surreal. He told me he could take care of me. Then he grabbed me and kissed me. I slapped him.”
“Remind me to make sure we teach Annie self-defense,” Vance said, looking at Dane.”
“Damn right,” Dane agreed.
“I would have loved to know self-defense that night. I didn’t. The slap didn’t deter Will at all. He told me I should be grateful that someone like him was even interested in me. I was infertile after all and he was a wealthy elite. At first I thought he was offering to claim me. I told him I wasn’t interested. He laughed in my face and told me he didn’t want a chosen, he wanted a mistress. He thought I’d agree to sleep with him if he offered me enough credits.” Ciara felt nauseas at the memory of that conversation. Will’s booze-soaked breath. The way he kept groping her with sweaty hands as he explained what he wanted from her. Her choking fear that he’d try and rape her right there in her family’s garden.
“That’s horrible! He assaulted you and then tried to convince you to be his mistress. What kind of assholes did your parents invite to their parties?” Dane demanded, outraged.
“My parents judged others on their influence and their wealth, not their personalities. They had a very skewed value system.”
“That’s an understatement. So, what happened? Did he hurt you?” Vance asked.
“He didn’t get a chance to hurt me, or do anything else, really. When he tried to kiss me again, I kicked him in the balls and finally got away. I ran back inside and found my mom. I was scared and crying, and all she did was look at me like I was something she’d found on the bottom of her shoe. Her first question wasn’t about what happened to me. She wanted to know why I was such a mess and dragged me upstairs before any of the other guests saw me.”
Ciara closed her eyes as more memories came flooding back. “I told her what happened, but instead of being concerned, my mother was furious. The second we were alone she started tearing into me, accusing me of ruining the party and throwing away a perfectly good opportunity. She called me ungrateful and foolish and demanded to know how could I do this to her, to my family. She wanted to know how I thought I was going to get by in the world if I didn’t take what opportunities came my way? Stars, she wanted me to apologize to Will. Me, apologize to him! When I refused, she came unhinged. She started listing every time I’d failed her as a daughter. I was an embarrassment. A failure. The things she said…let’s just say it was a long list.”
“Your mother wanted you to apologize to the asshole that attacked you at your party? In your house?” Dane asked, incredulous now.
“She wanted me to apologize and then accept Will’s offer—if I was lucky enough that he’d still take me. I refused. She slapped me and told me to get out. I thought she meant out of her room, so I went and had a two hour shower trying to get the feel of him off of me. When I went to my bedroom, there was a message from my fathers telling me to meet them downstairs. I thought they were going to tell me they’d dealt with mom, or at least that I wouldn’t have to worry about Will ever again. I was wrong. They told me it was time I moved out.”
“They threw you out because you got attacked? What the fuck?”
“As far as they were concerned, I’d made the wrong choice. It was the final straw for them. I didn’t understand it then. I still don’t, now. But I left the next morning.
I moved in with a friend from school. I was still hoping they’d forgive me. That it would all blow over. I was wrong. A week later I got a note from my parents saying that they had decided not to continue funding my education. Once I was out of the house, I guess it was easier for them to cut me out of their lives completely. I had to drop out of school before I graduated. After that, I started moving around, picking up work and the occasional course when I could afford it. Eventually I wound up in the badlands, working as a medic and helping people.”
“Holy nova. I see why you don’t want anything to do with your family.” Dane said, breaking the silence that had settled around the three of them.
She nodded. “It’s not a pretty story.”
Vance thought about his little girl asleep in her bed and his heart ached. “I hope Annie never feels that way about us. I can’t imagine being so disconnected from my family. My fathers weren’t the greatest, but when they were home, they tried to be there for mom and me. It wasn’t much, but at least they tried.”
“I don’t see what happened with my parents and me ever happening to Annie. You two will see to it she is loved and cherished. I know it must have been hard to do it by yourselves, but you’ve done a great job. Really.”
“It wasn’t easy. And we grieved. But Christine was always saying that life is for living,” Dane said.
“So, we’ve been doing our best to go on living. It’s what she would have wanted.” Vance stretched as best he could with Ciara in his arms. “Speaking of which, we need to get up and face the day.”
Dane glanced at the time. He wanted to stay in bed and keep talking to Ciara about anything and everything, but Vance was right. There would be other times and more conversations.
“Thank you both.” The smile she offered him turned Dane’s mind to jelly. She was beautiful, and she was theirs…even if she didn’t know it yet.
“All we did was listen, Ciara,” Vance murmured, nuzzling a kiss to the side of her throat.
“You did more than listen. You cared about what I told you, and you told me a little about Christine. I enjoyed talking like this.”
Dane rose to his knees and leaned in until he was nose to nose with Ciara while she was still wrapped up in Vance’s arms. “We care about you, Ciara. What happened in your past, what happens now, and we both care a fuck of a lot about what happens in the future. You’re not a passing fancy, angel. You’re something special.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but she didn’t utter a word. Instead, she closed the last inch between their mouths and kissed him. Her mouth was hungry, and as her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him in tight, Dane heard the word she hadn’t spoken. One word whispered from her heart to theirs.
Yes.
Vance drew her back down to the mattress as Dane claimed the space above her, his lips still melded to hers. Whatever was building between them, he hoped it lasted a good, long while. In fact, he’d be happy if it lasted for the rest of their lives.
Ciara wriggled into a more comfortable position and pulled back enough to flash them a smile. “What about coffee and getting ready for the day? You two have to get to work, right?”
“For you, I’m willing to forgo coffee,” Vance said.
“I bet we can make you scream before Annie wakes up,” Dane declared as lust blazed through his veins.
“I bet we can make her scream twice.”
She laughed and stretched out between them, her slender body flushing with the heat of her desires. “I bet you can, too.”
Dane stared down at the beauty beneath him and knew without a doubt he was falling in love with her. She was amazing, and she was theirs.
***
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Ciara was still doing up her seatbelt as Alayna started the shuttle and headed out for their girls’ day. The second they were out of the driveway, Alayna shot her a knowing smile and arched one dark brow. “So, how are things with Vance and Dane? And before you bother lying, you should know you’re damned near glowing right now.”
Ciara’s cheeks heated, betraying her before she uttered a word.
“Oh, wow. That good, huh? I’m glad you gave them a chance.”
“I am, too. In fact, I think I might be falling for them.” She blushed as she made her confession, but it was the truth.
Alayna whooped and grinned. “Good! They’re good guys. I’d like to see them happy again. Really happy, not just content with their lives. And I like the way you’re smiling right now. It looks good on you.”
Ciara laughed. “If I didn’t know it wasn’t possible, I’d say you planned all this to make sure I had a reason not to leave for the badlands again.”
“I didn’t, but I’m glad you’re thinking about staying. I could use your help. And it would be nice to have a friend in town. Someone I knew from my old life.”
“When you were a notorious thief and answered to no one? Do you ever miss it?” Ciara asked.
“In the beginning, yes. I was so angry at Colin and Nikolai for claiming me and taking away my choices. I couldn’t see how I’d ever fit into their world. I was used to helping others, and I admit, I liked having others rely on me. It took a while for me to find a place for myself in this world. Now? I wouldn’t go back to the way things were. I’m happy. I think you could be, too. But that’s up to you.”
“I’m thinking about it. Going back out there would be easier in a lot of ways, but I’m not sure that’s what I want. Not anymore.” Ciara’s family had judged her lacking because of her infertility and lack of social ambition. She’d walked away from them and that life without regret and told herself she would never let that happen again. Somehow, over the years since she’d left, she’d started valuing herself only for what she could do for others. That wasn’t right either. She needed to find a balance.
Alayna’s wrist unit chimed, and she pulled over to check the message. “Small change in plan. Do you mind if we shop first and do the party planning later today? One of the people I’m supposed to meet with is running late and wants to reschedule.”
“I’m all for getting shopping over with first. Maybe we can sneak in a visit to the guys this way.”
“I’ll let Griz know we’re going to be in later.” She called her bonded on her wrist unit, and within seconds, a deep, rumbling male voice answered her call. “Hey, vorovka. You okay?”
“We’re fine. There’s been a slight change in the schedule. Shopping first, party planning later. Can you let Colin know?”
“Will do. You and Ciara have fun, and we’ll see you this afternoon. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m proud of you. Your father is going to be impressed.”
Alayna beamed. “I hope so. Love you and see you later.”
“Love you, too.”
The vid-link went blank, and Alayna turned back to Ciara with a mischievous grin. “Let’s go see what kind of damage I can do to my credit stash. I’m in the mood to cause chaos, and you’re going to help. We’re going to find you a gown for this shindig. If I have to dress up, you do, too. I’m not suffering alone.”
Ciara couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, at least I know that being claimed hasn’t changed you.”
Alayna started driving again, and for a few minutes, there was silence before she finally answered. “I thought it would, you know? In the beginning, I believed I’d never be able to be myself again. I thought my life was over, but I was wrong.”
“I’m glad. You deserve to be happy, Alayna. Who knew you’d find your happiness with two elites?”
“Tell me about it,” Alayna agreed and gave Ciara an intent look. “You deserve to be happy, too, you know. Fate brought you here for a reason.”
“I told you, I’m thinking about it. I’m having trouble seeing where I’d fit in around here. I got used to my life the way it was. I know things are changing out there, though. You’re really making a difference. You’re bringing the rebels around and making them see there’s nothing to fear from the Alliance. You’re doing good work.”
“You could be doing the same thing I am. You want to make a difference, Ciara? Stay here and show everyone that a face tattoo and a set of tests don’t define who we are or what we can do. I know why the Alliance made the rules, but somewhere along the way the message got twisted. Rebels or Alliance, fertile or infertile, we all have rights. The rest of it is nothing but labels.”
“You always were one for causes. Fighting for the rebels. Stealing food and supplies to give to the ones who had nothing. If your bonded had any idea what they were getting when they claimed you…” Ciara chuckled. “I’m glad they didn’t know. It might not have worked out the way it did. Speaking of working out, how are things going with your father? Is it weird? Is he nice?”
“He’s nice, but yeah, sometimes it’s weird. He lost a baby and got back a full grown woman. And I’m still getting to know who he is. We’re figuring it out, though, reconnecting a little at a time. The first time he came out here, I was a nervous wreck, and he wasn’t much better.”
Ciara nodded, then asked the questions she’d been dying to know the answers to since she’d heard about Alayna’s father being alive. “I have to ask. What’s the deal with your father? How come he never came looking for you? What happened all those years ago? Do you have siblings? Fill me in!”
“How long have you been holding on those questions?” Alayna asked.
“Ages. It just didn’t seem right to ask until we were face to face again. Some things are too personal for a vid call.”
“I tell you all this, then you have to give me every dirty detail about what you’ve been up to the last few days. Deal?”
“Deal,” Ciara agreed.
“Okay then, here are the highlights. My father’s name is Clifton Travers, and I was born Alayna Travers. I was two months old when the shuttle crashed and I got…lost. Turns out, the reason my father wasn’t with us was because he got himself shot.”
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“What?”
“He was assigned to the security detail of a visiting dignitary, and there was an incident. He was seriously wounded. The kind of injuries where they call the next of kin and tell them to get to the med-center ASAP. My mother and second father were visiting friends with me when the call came in. They left immediately, ignoring several weather warnings for the area they’d be flying over because they wanted to get home. We never made it.”
Ciara reached out and brushed her hand over Alayna’s. “I’m sorry. I know this is ancient history for you, but knowing the details...”
To her surprise, Alayna didn’t pull away from the contact. Some things had changed in her friend, after all.
“I have to admit, the first time I heard the story from him, it hurt. Seeing pictures of Elise, my mother, hurt even worse. I look so much like her, it’s a little eerie. It’s like you said, knowing makes them more real to me. I think I miss them more now I know who they were. They’re faces. They’re plans. My dad and I both had chunks missing out of our lives. Having him back in my life fills some of those holes. I feel sorry for him, though. I never knew my other parents, so I don’t know what I lost. He didn’t just lose his daughter, he had his whole family taken from him. I think he still grieves for them.”
“No siblings for you then? No other parents?”
Alayna shook her head. “He never claimed another chosen. He’s been alone all this time.”
“So, what happened after the crash?”
“He was in the hospital for weeks, and by the time he was strong enough to go looking for answers, there weren’t many to be found. The crash investigation was eventually closed. Everyone on board was declared dead. Dad went on to make a full recovery, and he coped with everything by focusing on his job. He started working his way up the ranks quickly. He didn’t have anyone or anything in his life but the Alliance. So he gave them all he had.”
“Do you feel like telling me about your parents? I’d like to hear more. You know my family sucks. Tell me about yours. Starting with how you were found.”