Who could blame her, though? After the scene down on Ilari the day before, Kai had contacted the appropriate channels to tell them he’d changed his mind about the posting on Earth, leaving him in jobless limbo again. However, once the story of his actions on the ground had gotten back to Commander Emmanuel and Captain Phillip, they’d come to the conclusion that his fate needed to be decided right away. That, and he had to be court-martialed over disobeying orders.
A hastily convened court had been put together in less than twenty-four hours. He hadn’t wanted her to go. And since she’d put in for leave from work, she’d been wandering around all day, stressing over what his fate would be. When she hadn’t been throwing up, that was.
He undid the first three clasps on his shirt and pulled his tie free as he came toward her. “Well, I’m here, so obviously they didn’t lock me up for arming myself and actively engaging the enemy when I’d been ordered not to.”
She frowned and walked across the sitting area to meet him. She went into his arms and sighed in contentment. A small part of her had been worried he wouldn’t come home tonight.
“So, stop dragging things out and tell me the verdict already. All this worrying can’t be good for the baby.”
He smiled down at her. “They’ve decided we need a more concentrated show of force on Ilari. In fact, they’re sending in another battleship. Farr Zero is already en route. They want a permanent commander on the ground, instead of one whose responsibilities are divided.”
Dismay and dread curled through her as she remembered him the day before. I should be dead. I’m not fit for active duty…
“They didn’t give you the ground command, did they?”
He gave a short laugh and kissed her on the forehead before stepping back and heading over to the table.
“Hell no! No way would I have taken that, even if they’d offered. Wow, this looks great.” He dropped into his usual seat and flicked out a napkin before settling it on his lap.
Sacha sighed and went to start serving their dinner from the warming trays the restaurant had sent the food up in. No matter what she said, he’d tell her in his own sweet time.
Kai folded his arms on the edge of the table and watched her arrange food on their plates. “So there’s actually going to be three commanders stationed at Ilari. One on the ground, one on the Knox, and of course Commander Buckley on the Farr Zero.”
She paused with the serving spoon hovering in midair, hope and happiness bursting through her.
“And…?” she prompted when he just sat there grinning at her.
“And…I get my old command back. Commander Yang will be taking charge of the Valiant Knox as of oh-nine-hundred tomorrow, while Emmanuel will be taking the ground command. But I’m on ship-bound tasks only. I won’t be needed for active duty on the ground.”
Sacha dropped the spoon into one of the bowls and threw her arms around his neck. Dizzying relief speared through her.
“And you’ll be okay with that? The fearless Commander Yang not taking the CSS on in direct battle any longer?”
He shrugged and pulled her into his lap. “Let’s face it, I’m getting on in years.”
She laughed. “Yeah, you’re doddering.”
“And with a family to think of now,” he continued, ignoring her teasing, “engaging in live action wouldn’t be the smartest thing I’ve ever done. For the first time in my life, I’m going to put my heart before my career.” He laid a large, warm hand over her still-flat belly. “And that means you and our baby are the most important things.”
A lump of emotion made swallowing hard as she leaned down to kiss him.
“Anyway, being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” Though the statement might have been on the flippant side, Sacha saw the dark shadows pass through his golden gaze. Darkness that would remain there for the rest of his life.
“And while I might have broken orders, I did stop the CSS who’d planted the bombs from escaping. Emmanuel got told twenty different versions about how I didn’t flinch when the enemy started shooting and stayed cool and calm in taking them out. We both know it’s a load of rubbish, but Commander Emmanuel wants to give me some award for bravery in the line of fire, or some crap.” He made a face. “I don’t want an award, another ribbon to pin on my chest. I just want to forget the whole damned day happened.”
Sacha hugged him against her chest as he sighed. Her gaze strayed up to the display cabinet where the bronze medal set with a yellow ribbon glinted softly under the lights. Kai needed to know about that little talisman, but not tonight. One day in the future, when time and distance put him in a better frame of mind about things.
And then something occurred to her. “Hang on, we can’t forget the whole day.”
He glanced up at her and smoothed a hand over her hair. “Why the hell not?”
“Because yesterday we also found out we were going to be parents.”
“Oh yeah. God. As if that just doesn’t make every damned single thing a whole lot better.” He looked down at her stomach and a loving smile lit his features.
The tender expression knocked the breath right out of her, and for about the millionth time, she thanked the Lord that miraculously, Kai had come back from the dead.
“I’m glad you came home, Kai.”
His gaze came up to meet hers and then he kissed her gently. “I might have gotten out of that prison on my own, but you’ve saved me every day since. I didn’t just come home, I came home to you.”
THE END
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Acknowledgments
As always, thanks to my critique partner and mentor, Erin Grace, even though we’re both so busy these days, we don’t get as many chances to talk like we used to. You still always tell me like it is, and I know you’re there if I ever need anything, especially a synopsis!
Lisa, thank you for seeing what I couldn’t and helping me bring out the final shine in this book.
Thank you so much to Robin—the most wonderful editor in the world—we’ve worked together so well, and ever since the first day you emailed me, you’ve been so positive, enthusiastic, and encouraging about my work. The editing process can be stressful, but you made it seem like a breeze. And to Stacy, thank you for reinforcing Robin’s confidence in my work, and for the suggestions you made that turned this book into what it is now. This has definitely been a team effort, one that I have immensely enjoyed being a part of.
Also, a big thanks to the rest of the Entangled team that helped get this book out into the world.
As always, thanks to my agent, Paula, for all the time and work she’s put into me, both with Entangled and my other books, even the ones we’ve had to put aside. It’s all been valuable experience, and I hope we continue building a solid foundation together for many years to come.
Lastly, Mario, thank you isn’t enough. We make a great team, and we’ve created a beautiful family. I might not always say so, but everything you do—from taking the kids and not complaining when I disappear behind my computer, to cleaning the bathrooms because you know how much I hate doing that—I notice every detail and wonder how I got so lucky to share my life with you.
About the Author
Jess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn’t deterred and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music, a good book on a rainy day, and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia, with her very supportive husband, three daughters, one ball-obsessed border collie, and one cat who thinks he’s one of the kids. Learn more about Jess at www.jessanastasi.com
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