Cover Fire (Valiant Knox)

by Anastasi, Jess

  “Jesus. You can’t really think that. You can’t think I’m anything like him.” The words came out hoarse, his throat tight.

  “It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what Stanton thinks. And right now, he has you pegged for a CSS mole.”

  He surged to his feet, yanking out of Alpha’s grip when his friend tried to grab his arm. A few short, agitated steps took him to the rear bulkhead of the carrier, and then he had nowhere else to go. He braced both hands against the wall—it was either that or break a few knuckles taking his frustration out. Lowering his head, he sucked in a ragged breath, grappling with the smoldering going on in his chest.

  Goddamn it. This was what it had come to? He’d made some mistakes, yeah. Maybe he could have gone about things a little more smartly. But hell, comparing him to Lawler kicked him in the guts. Filled his whole body with acid until he felt like he was burning from the inside out. He was nothing like Lawler. And if Stanton didn’t get a clue about that real fast, they were going to have a serious problem.

  “Seb.” Jenna’s hand landed on his shoulder. He dragged a hand over his face before glancing at her.

  “They’re actually going to let you talk to me?” He shot a glare past her to Alpha and Bren, who were making no secret of the fact they were watching every word closely.

  “Don’t let Stanton win,” she murmured quietly. “He’ll want you emotionally unstable. It’ll be easier to trip you up.”

  She came up against him, and like there was magic in her touch, the turmoil within him settled, draining away and leaving him feeling wrung out. Despite their audience, she kissed him, though it was arguably chaste. She shifted so it probably looked like she was hugging him, but left her mouth close to his ear.

  “Whatever you tell them, keep it as close to the truth as you can, and you’re less likely to slip up if the lie isn’t complicated. You needed to see the wreckage for yourself. Some random MP didn’t secure your cell properly, and you simply walked out of lockup.”

  “Don’t worry about me. What about you?” He smoothed a hand up and down her back, taking a second to revel in the simplicity of having her against him. God, he didn’t want to let the possibility into his head, but what if this was their last moment together?

  “If you’ve learned anything about me, it should be that I’m a survivor.”

  He could hear the smile in her voice, so he leaned back to set a palm against her cheek, taking in her green eyes. The first thing he’d noticed about her, and would no doubt be the last thing he remembered of her for a long time to come.

  “I don’t want to lose you.” The words came out rough, with no artifice whatsoever. “You might survive, but I—”

  The rest of the thought got lost in the absolute yawning nothingness he could see before him. Whatever the outcome of their little adventure, he couldn’t see any kind of future for himself. He’d never once been scared in all the years he’d been on FP squad, no matter how many deadly battles he’d flown into. But right now, he was terrified.

  “You’ll be fine, Seb. We both will be. Just not together.” The words were firm, but her expression was wavering.

  He blew out a ragged breath, setting his forehead against hers. “Yeah, and how am I supposed to live with that?”

  “I don’t know. But you’ll be alive. That’s all that matters.”

  “Is it really all that matters?”

  The sound of the engines changed as the shuttle set down, stopping Jenna from answering. Alpha and Bren both stood, but Seb shifted to put his back to them as he leaned in to kiss Jenna one last time. It was hard and desperate—nothing about it sweet or simple—but that pretty much summed up their relationship.

  Jenna grabbed a handful of his shirt, right over his pounding heart, kissing him back just as fervently. But instead of making him feel better, it only made the churning in his guts turn to stone.

  She pulled back, her expression determined as she looked up at him. “It matters, because I can survive elsewhere in the universe as long as I know you’re alive.”

  But he didn’t want Jenna elsewhere in the universe. He wanted her by his side where he could love her just a little bit more every day.

  Before he could reply, she stepped out of his embrace, and then around him to where Bren and Alpha were waiting. When she reached them, Alpha took her arm, as though he thought she might otherwise try to make an escape.

  Jenna didn’t seem bothered by it, but she sent the guy a hard look. “This isn’t going to make sense to you, but if you’re going to separate us, don’t leave Seb alone. Not even for a second. His life is in danger.”

  Both Alpha’s eyebrows shot up. “On our own base?”

  Jenna’s features tightened with impatience. “Yes, on our own base. But I’m going to take care of it shortly. Just get me some face time with Stanton, and it’ll all be over.”

  Though he’d already been worked over emotion-wise since stepping foot on the shuttle, her words made his heart go into a free fall. What the hell was she playing at?

  “Jenna, what are you going to do?” he demanded as Bren took his arm and they started walking off the ship.

  When they got outside, Colonel Cameron McAllister was waiting for them with a contingent of base security officers. Alpha briefly greeted Cam, then split off in another direction with Jenna. She glanced over her shoulder, gaze full of regret.

  “Good-bye, Seb.”

  “Jenna, wait!” He pulled his arm from Bren’s grasp, but before he could go after her, the CAFF stepped into his path, Cam clamped a tight grip on his shoulder, and the three base security officers shifted into his peripheral, hands on their weapons.

  Bren took his arm in a pinching grip, hard enough for him to get a clue that he better not try to escape. “Sorry, Seb, but maybe you can see her when this is all over, like she said.”

  “Bren, you don’t understand. You can’t let her see Stanton. It’s too dangerous—”

  Cam cast him an unimpressed glare. “I don’t know what the two of you think is going to happen, but I can assure you, base security is the highest it’s ever been. Especially since two of our own managed to so easily sneak out of here yesterday morning.”

  For a wild second, he almost blurted out the truth, about who Jenna really was and why he’d done all the things he had. But that would still result in exactly the same thing he was trying to avoid: CI finding out that Jenna was still alive and finishing what they started. Speak up or keep quiet—he couldn’t see a way out of this without risking the only thing that mattered to him. Jenna’s life.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Bren and Cam led Seb to an interview room in the security annex of the base. Surprisingly, Stanton wasn’t already waiting in there. The d-bag probably wanted to make a grand entrance or something.

  Bren had stayed silent the whole walk over, and now she simply pointed out one of the four seats, a wordless order for him to sit. Cam ordered a couple of MPs to attention in either corner of the room, then took up a wide-legged stance next to the table, expression far from impressed.

  “Will you at least tell me where they took Jenna?” Seb tried not to sound belligerent as he rounded the square table and dropped into one of the uncomfortable, utilitarian chairs.

  Glaring, Bren crossed her arms. “So you can escape and go find her? Don’t you think you’ve found enough trouble since she arrived on the Knox?”

  He didn’t fail to miss the note of contempt in her voice, putting his defenses way up.

  “None of this is Jenna’s fault.”

  “Yeah?” Bren took a step forward and braced one hand on the desk. “You might have skirted the line when it came to defying orders before, but it was always for selfless reasons, to save someone else. You’re one of the first to put your well-being after that of the squad. Yet, since Jenna turned up, you’ve not only crossed the line, but you made damn sure you blew it to hell on the way past. And for what? Because your best friend turned out to be a traitor and feeling
s got hurt? Well guess what? Lawler betrayed all of us, not just you.”

  “You’re his CO, Brenner,” Cam put in, rumble of irritation in his voice, like maybe he was pissed that the Knox’s problems had become his problems. “If you thought he was compromising the safety of the squad or the ship, you should have addressed the issue long before now.”

  Her expression turned ice-cold, but Seb could tell the barb had stung.

  “This isn’t Bren’s fault either.” He shoved to his feet, making the chair squeal across the floor. “I know what I did was selfish. Don’t think I had any illusions about my choices. But none of those accusations are fair, and you know it.”

  Bren straightened, some of the anger draining out of her expression. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But this isn’t just about you, Seb. This is about all of us. No one wants to see you go down for this, and even though your ego is already bigger than the Knox, you’re pretty much the best damned pilot on the squad. We can’t replace you that easily.”

  With a long sigh, Seb dropped back into his seat, flattening his palms on the cool top of the table. “I’m sorry as well. I only wish I could make you understand, but there’s a lot more at stake than just my spot on the squad.”

  “Well if you actually told Alpha or me what the hell is going on, maybe we could help you.”

  “I would. I’ve wanted to.” He shook his head, focusing on where the light reflected off the dull surface of the desk. He hated that he was torn between trusting his CO and squad and betraying Jenna’s confidence. “But it’s not in my place to say anything.”

  Bren didn’t answer, instead, she paced away to the door, avoiding Cam’s intense gaze shifting between the two of them. After a long silent moment, she looked back at him.

  “I can only guess that whatever your motives, you somehow think you’re protecting Jenna by not speaking up. But, I have to tell you, things are not looking good for you. Stanton wants to railroad you straight into an interrogation cell. Yang is the only thing standing between the two of you, and even he is starting to lose ground. I hope, whatever happens, that Jenna is worth it.”

  “She is worth it.” He brought his head up, catching Bren’s questioning gaze. “She’s worth everything.”

  Bren nodded, her face taking on a definite note of resignation. “They’ve put her in the barracks on the east side of the base. She’s under house arrest, but not detained or restrained until we get the whole picture. If you play your cards right, you might be able to save her from going down at least.”

  “Thank you, Bren.”

  Without replying, she opened the door, motioning to the two military police. “Apparently you need a guard, though I’m inclined to think at this point it’s more to stop you from making some other crazy escape attempt. By the book all the way from now on, got it, Sub-Lieutenant?”

  “Yes, Lieutenant Brenner, sir.”

  With a nod, she left the room. Cam shot him a final warning glare as he followed Bren out. “You know I run a tight base, Rayne. I don’t want to hear about you causing any more trouble, or Stanton and Yang won’t be the only ones you’ll be answering to.”

  “Yes, sir,” he repeated, trying to keep the antagonism out of his voice as Cam shut the door tightly behind him.

  He got it, he’d screwed up. But he didn’t need everyone to treat him like a rookie who’d accidentally discharged his weapon during silent operations.

  Seb leaned back in his chair, eyeing the two MPs who were studiously not looking at him.

  “So, what do you guys do for fun around here? Please tell me there’s an underground fight club or secret poker game on base. I’m awesome at poker.”

  Neither man answered, though the one on the left seemed to be fighting a grin.

  “That’s your game, huh? Bore me to death. Sensory deprivation until I crack? Well I can tell you with all certainty that it’ll work. There’s nothing I hate more than being bored. Get Stanton in here so I can spill my guts.” The door rattled as he finished saying the words, and despite his jokes, his heart skipped over a few rapid beats. “Is that him now? I guess it’ll be better to get this over and done with.”

  The MPs shared a look, hands going to weapons as the door swung open and a figure launched into the room. Because it wasn’t Stanton, it was the damned ninja again. Aw hell, hadn’t he left this guy on the Knox? He shoved to his feet, backed way up as the attacker put down one of the MPs in a blink, and then turned on the other.

  While the ninja wannabe was grappling with the remaining MP, Seb scuttled around the table and went in low, snatching a knife off the belt from the MP laid out on the floor.

  By the time he got upright, the attacker had knocked out the other MP and turned toward him. He kept the knife concealed at his thigh, shifting back half a step. His heart ramped up in his chest as the ninja tracked him and another step backward put him up against the edge of the table.

  “I don’t suppose I can just promise to keep my mouth shut and take myself off to some other part of the galaxy? You don’t have to kill me. Apparently CI is going to make sure I’m kicked off the squad.”

  The ninja leaped at him, and Seb brought up the knife. At the last second, his attacker twisted, and he ended up slashing the ninja’s arm instead. The attacker shifted out of reach and kicked at his wrist, sending the knife spinning out of his grip.

  Christ, he was in serious trouble. The last few times, this guy had almost taken his number. He was pretty sure only other people interrupting this bastard had saved him. Well, there wouldn’t be anyone to intervene this time. So yep, he was kinda screwed.

  The ninja pulled a gun, while clamping a hand over his bleeding bicep. Well, at least he’d done some damage to the guy. Maybe if he was really lucky, he’d hit an artery and this would all end with him bleeding out. Of course, the ninja could shoot him a dozen times before that. But surely, someone had heard the commotion. Surely someone would come in here to see what the hell was going on. He just had to stall long enough… But the ninja was lifting the weapon to line him up. He skirted around the table, putting the piece of furniture between them—not that it would save him from a gunshot.

  “Just wait one—!” The words were hardly out of his mouth before the weapon went off. Seb felt something prick into his chest and looked down, not to see a bloody mess, but a small tranq-dart nailed right over his heart.

  “What the hell?” The words slurred a little, as though his tongue had swelled to twice its size. A lightning surge of raking numbness spread through him in a flooding tide, and his knees gave out as his arms fell limp to his side. He pitched over, trying to keep his eyes open, but landed half facedown and couldn’t roll himself over.

  The ninja reached up to pull off the mask, shaking out a wealth of glossy, dark-red curly hair, before stepping over him.

  Seb groaned, trying to force some power into his limbs. Without even looking at him, the woman pointed the gun and shot another dart, this one sticking into his thigh. A new hot wave of deeper numbness started spreading, and he couldn’t keep his eyes open.

  …

  Awareness came at him with all the finesse of a sledgehammer and left his head aching in much the same way.

  Goddamn. What the hell had he drunk last night? And how much? And for god’s sake, why? He’d thought he’d left his days of getting ass-face wasted back at pre-mil training. FP squadron members did not overindulge to the point of making themselves comatose, not if they wanted to keep their spot on the team.

  A little more of his brain cleared, but that only made his head feel worse as he realized he was sitting up and had his arms stretched awkwardly behind his back. His fingers tingled with pins and needles and he tried to bring his hands forward, only to encounter some kind of resistance.

  With a groan, because this was going to be like taking a nail in the forehead, he cracked open his eyes and forced his neck muscles to lift his head. Everything spun woozily for a moment, before settling and slowly focusing.

 
He was in some kind of dusty storeroom on the base…at least, he assumed he was still on the base. The large room about him was shadowed, stacked with crates, some haphazardly covered with tarps. No. Maybe not a storeroom. The cargo hold of a ship? A deep churn of anxiety rolled through him.

  Seb tugged at his arms again, and the chafing around his wrists registered. Damn it, he was tied up. His heart lurched and the rush of blood, laced with adrenaline, cleared his fuzzy mind right up.

  The interrogation room. He’d been in the interrogation room with those two MPs. And then that crazy ninja-chick had come in, taken out his guards and shot him up with some kind of drug. Katie. No, Carrie. That’s what Jenna had said her name was. If Stanton had been behind Jenna’s apparent death, had he ordered Carrie to take care of loose ends, like Jenna had surmised?

  According to Bren, Stanton thought he was a CSS mole. Maybe this was the agent’s way of scaring the truth out of him. Torture him for answers he didn’t have and then make him disappear for good. Unless Stanton suspected he’d worked out the truth about the CI agent being a CSS mole, and his only intention was to see Seb dead after wringing out whatever information he could.

  The rush of blood through his veins turned cold, and he tugged at the ropes again. He had to get out of here before Carrie or Stanton came to start working him over. He had no idea how he’d stand up under torture. He couldn’t be the one who gave Jenna up, couldn’t be responsible for her death by telling Stanton his underhanded tactics to take Jenna out had failed.

  He strained against the ropes, his shoulders starting to ache, while the burn in his wrists increased until his hands started slipping against one another, wet with blood. But it was no use, the ties weren’t loosening in the least, and he was probably wasting energy he’d need for later. Not to mention the drugs hadn’t cleared his system yet, leaving his movements slow and awkward.

  Seb swore, his words echoing dully off the surrounding bulkheads.

  A clang sounded somewhere behind him, off to his right, followed by the grating noise of a hatchway opening. Footsteps echoed, closing in on his position. He clenched his hands, not bothering to crane for a look. Whoever it was would reveal themselves in a moment, and after that, the fun would begin.