Rayven's Keep

by Wolfe, Kylie

  “Hey,” he whispered. “No tears, okay?”

  Tru nodded as he wiped away the wetness with his thumb. Mouth quivering, she gave him a shaky smile and nuzzled her cheek against his palm. The effort to hold his hand against her face proved too difficult and he allowed it to sink weakly to his side.

  “Hey, yourself,” she replied, her voice raspy. “How are you feeling?”

  Rising from her knees, she perched on the edge of the bed beside his hip. She turned her palm against the hand she held and linked her fingers through his. Nick was surprised by the comfort her ordinary gesture gave him and squeezed her hand in return. She looked him over carefully, and he suspected she was searching his injuries, cataloging each and every one of them. He tried not to squirm, but it was making him uncomfortable.

  He grimaced, feeling the pull of bruised and torn flesh. “I’ve felt better,” he replied without a trace of self-pity. “I probably look worse than I feel.”

  “I hear you are going to make a complete recovery and nothing vital was hit,” she said. “You might be left with a small scar on your chin and one on your shoulder, but I’m told they can be taken care of later if you want.” Tracing the old crescent scar near his eye with a finger, she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “If you ask me, I think another scar will just add to your rakish good looks.”

  Nick snorted and then immediately regretted it when his shoulder began to throb. Careful to keep his discomfort off his face, he attempted a wry grin. “I’ve never been accused of having good looks, so I don’t think one more scar is going to do much damage, do you?”

  “I thought you were one of the most handsome men I’d ever met when I first saw you. Nothing has happened since to change my opinion, nor will it.”

  She leaned forward to brush her mouth across his, a move that seemed to surprise her as much as him. She started to draw back but he was having none of that. He released her hand, and reached up cupping the back of her head. Her face was inches from his, the gentle pressure preventing her from moving away. By the look in her eyes when she met his gaze, he knew she was unsure. For one timeless moment they regarded each other. Then, as he pulled her mouth to his and nibbled along her lips in a series of feathery kisses, her eyelids drifted closed.

  Her hand flattened on the bed kept her balanced above his prone body. He absorbed the delight of having her mouth pressed against his and knew the instant her lips softened to allow more. The burn of desire kindled, racing through his system and the fire consumed him. The pain of his injuries receded, his whole focus on Tru. Taking command, he explored the warm depths of her mouth.

  His heart hammered in his chest, driving the last remnants of the drugs in his system away. He kissed her as a man kisses the woman he wants above all else, his mouth claiming, taking everything, giving no quarter and then demanding more. He swept his tongue into the dark recesses of her mouth, enthralled by her taste, mindless to his surroundings, blind to everything but the woman he was kissing as if his very life depended on it.

  The sound of a throat cleared jerked him back to reality and broke their kiss as effectively as being physically pried apart. Nick rested his forehead against hers for a moment and suppressed a groan, his heart beating a painful rhythm against his cracked ribs. As he dragged air into his starved lungs, he dropped his hand from the back of her head and released her.

  Tru scuttled back, her cheeks reddening. He regretted her obvious discomfort at being discovered in a compromising position, but didn’t regret what had just happened, only that it hadn’t happened sooner and was over far too soon. She touched her fingertips to her swollen mouth and dropped her hand to her side. She straightened, shot him an undecipherable look and turned to face whoever had come into the room.

  “I see the medic wasn’t exaggerating your rate of recovery,” the head of security said. “Glad to see he was correct.” Amusement crinkled the corners of the man’s eyes as he broke the uncomfortable silence. Not waiting for a reply, he stepped fully into the room to stand at the foot of Nick’s bed. “I doubt you remember me, Captain Rayven, since the capture of Anto Geir and his men was fairly chaotic, so let me introduce myself. I’m Sharpe, the head of security here in Killjoy.”

  “Sorry, I don’t remember you. I was a little preoccupied at the time,” Nick answered while he raised the head of his bed to an upright position. He didn’t intend to have a discussion with this man while lying flat on his back.

  Sharpe chuckled. Rocking back on his heels, he slipped his hands into his pockets. “Fair enough.”

  “How can I help you?” Nick asked after he settled. He reached out to clasp Tru’s hand.

  “I want to personally thank you and your crew mate, Siren, for the warning about Crowder and his men. They’re wanted in a number of unresolved crimes spanning several of our planets and it is quite a coup they’re in our custody. It is too bad we didn’t know sooner so we could have avoided what happened to you.”

  “Unfortunately, I didn’t make their acquaintance until we were trapped in that hallway,” Nick said. “Until then I’d no idea they even existed and couldn’t have cared less they were known criminals.”

  The humor slid away from Sharpe’s face. “I know it doesn’t feel that way right now, but you are extremely lucky. Crowder is a violent offender and never leaves witnesses to his activities. It has made him extremely difficult to capture and the fact you both are alive is nothing short of a miracle.”

  “Trust me, I know exactly how lucky we are,” Nick replied, squeezing Tru’s hand.

  “This is the first break we have had, and your statements should guarantee he does a long stretch on Purgatory.” Sharpe’s gaze moved between Tru and Nick. He removed his hands from his pockets and let them drop to his sides. “I’ve been informed you will be spending at least another day in the med facility while you recover, but it has been cleared we can record your testimony for the courts when you feel up to it.”

  Nick was tired, the medication no longer keeping the pain away. He wanted to rub his temples to ease the headache beginning to pound behind his eyes, but stubbornly refused to show any weakness. It seemed especially important with Tru in the room and Sharpe standing at the foot of his bed exuding a disgusting amount of virility. “I don’t plan to be on this rock any longer than I have to,” Nick said. “Why don’t I come by tomorrow, as soon as I’m released, and we can take care of it then?”

  “Excellent. I promise not to take up any more of your time than necessary. In the meantime, is there anything you need?”

  Nick smiled slowly, gaze locked on Tru. “Nope, I’m good. I think I’ve everything I need right here.”

  “I can see that,” Sharpe replied. “If you will excuse me then, I will leave you to get some rest.”

  “Before you go, can you tell me what you have done with Anto Geir?” Tru asked.

  “He’ll be transported to Paladin Minor with a security detail when it can be arranged. There is a facility there, Harrowsgate House. It specializes in drug withdrawal and is secure enough to hold the criminally insane,” he said, his voice kind. He smiled at her.

  “Oh.” She pushed a stray curl behind her ear and bit her bottom lip. “What will happen to him?”

  Sharpe exchanged a look with Nick, who nodded almost imperceptibly. “To be honest with you,” he said, with the barest hesitation, “the odds of him surviving withdrawal from this drug are minimal. It is particularly nasty, and once addicted, few are able to stop using. Harrowsgate has had some success with its patients, but those who survive are usually brain damaged.”

  “If he survives, what then?”

  “I have no easy answer for you, I’m afraid. The authorities on Paladin Minor are coordinating with the Unified Alliance of Planets. They will try to gain as much information as they can about the cartel he worked for so they can stop this threat. I doubt they will get much information out of Geir though, but every little thing will help. They already moved to shut down his operation on Lodestone. Your
grandfather has been instrumental in cutting off that avenue of shipments, from what I hear.” Sharpe scratched his chin and drew his brows together in a slight frown. “My best guess is Geir will be incarcerated the rest of his life. Primarily for his own protection. You can be sure the cartel doesn’t want him around in case he reveals too much. He’ll be no further threat to you.”

  “Thank you. I just needed to be sure he’s taken care of and won’t be coming after me again.” She let out a deep sigh.

  Nodding to Tru and offering a quick salute to Nick, he turned and left the room, making sure the door panel slid shut behind him.

  “I don’t think Geir will be able to frighten you again,” Nick said once they were alone. His shoulder throbbed unmercifully, overshadowing the aches from his earlier beating. Too weary to keep his eyes open any longer he closed them and tried to ignore it. He must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing he knew, a female medic leaned over him with a MedScan.

  “I see you are awake. Good. How are you feeling?”

  “I’ve been better.”

  Her smile was sympathetic, if a little distracted. She turned her attention to the MedScan readout. Nodding her satisfaction, she put it aside long enough to shoot another dose of pain medicine against the side of his neck.

  “You are healing much better than expected, Captain Rayven. You are making excellent progress.”

  “When will I be able to leave? I’m eager to get back to my home and business,” he said, his words slurring from the medication. Blinking bleary eyes, he didn’t protest when the medic lowered the head of his bed so he was prone. She fluffed his pillow to make him more comfortable and pulled his rumpled blankets straight with impersonal swiftness.

  “I’ve spoken to your partner and she’s very aware of the care you will need while you travel home. If you continue as well as you have been, you may be able to leave tomorrow.”

  “Where’s Tru?” His tongue felt thick and he fought to keep his eyes open. It worried him she was not in the room.

  “I sent her to get some food. She’ll return once she has had an opportunity to clean up and eat. It is important she take care of herself as well. I don’t want two patients on my hands, now do I?”

  He grunted and wished the medic would leave. He wanted Tru. He knew he wouldn’t be able to rest until she was back with him and he knew she was safe.

  “I’ll arrange for a meal to be brought to you later. I’m sure you are starting to get hungry. Get some rest. I’ll check in on you before I go off shift.”

  As quickly as she’d entered the room, she left, leaving a faint trail of antiseptic and perfume behind her.

  Nick drifted on the pleasant cushion of the pain medication and allowed his mind to wander at will. Distantly, he realized he couldn’t hang on to a single thought long enough to reach any conclusions, but he didn’t mind. He did know he was still thirsty and once he acknowledged his thirst, it seemed to increase with every passing second.

  A container of water stood on a table beside his bed, but the effort to shift enough to reach for it left him panting and irritable. Propped on one elbow Nick barely had his fingers on the container when Tru walked into the room.

  “Nick! What are you doing?” she demanded and hurried to his side. “Let me get that for you.”

  “Damn it, Tru, I’m not helpless,” he snarled in frustration. The water was just out of his reach, and no matter how it irked him, he did need her help. He flopped onto his back and bit back a groan from the sudden, unwise movement. Tight-lipped, pale and sweating, he avoided looking at her.

  “Of course not,” she snapped. “Anyone can see you are perfectly able to care for yourself. You don’t need anyone, do you?” Grabbing the water, she shoved it at him. He could tell she was angry. She propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Far be it for me to interfere. I’m only a client, remember?”

  * * * *

  Tru’s breath hitched, and she covered her mouth with her hands. She looked at Nick, appalled she would lose her temper with him after everything he’d been through for her. Until the words had left her mouth she had not realized how much being just a client truly bothered her. Her growing feelings for Nick and the kiss they’d shared earlier had made the niggling doubts resurface.

  She was afraid Nick might decide the kiss they’d shared was a mistake and the reason he was in such a hurry to get back in space was to return her home now his duty was done. It was irrational, disconcerting and wholly inappropriate, given the circumstances, and she regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

  Nick struggled to take a few swallows of water, never taking his gaze off her. His eyes looked slightly unfocused from the pain medication and twin frown lines drew his brows together. She could see he was having trouble grasping what she was upset about.

  “You aren’t just a client,” he said, his tone weary.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” Her fingers plucked at the bedding. “I don’t know what came over me.” She moved closer, removed the water cylinder from his lax fingers and placed it on the table, close enough he could reach it in future.

  “S’no problem,” Nick said, his words running together. “Need sleep.” His eyes drifted closed only to blink back open as she moved away. “No, don’t leave.”

  She turned back and returned to the side of his bed, unsure what to do. He barely had the energy to pat the bed to indicate he wanted her to lie down with him.

  “You want me to climb into bed with you?” He scooted slowly to the opposite side, leaving enough room for her to lie down. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, Nick. What if I hurt you?”

  “Won’t.”

  “But–” she didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence before he frowned, reached for her hand and tugged her down.

  Giving in, she stretched out beside him, making sure she didn’t touch any of his injuries. She laid her head on the pillow, and once she settled, he sighed.

  “Better,” he mumbled, looking on the edge of sleep.

  Tru watched him as his breathing evened out and deepened. His dark lashes made crescent shadows against his pale cheeks, but the swelling on his eye was almost gone. Bruises had rapidly changed color from deep purple to acid yellow. All vied with the shadow of his beard and almost hid the healing cuts. Deep lines fanned out from his eyes and added to his battered look.

  Her heart twisted. She was in love with him, deeply and irrevocably. Careful not to wake him, she touched a fingertip to his mouth and brushed his lips before dropping away.

  “I love you, Nick Rayven,” she whispered, certain he was asleep and wouldn’t hear her.

  Chapter 19

  The wind howled outside, its eerie shriek waking Nick from his uneasy dreams. Icy snow particles rapped against the viewscreen, competing with the quiet hum of the heater keeping the cold at bay. Listening, he heard quiet footfalls outside his door as medical personnel went about their business, quiet conversations echoing in their wake.

  He lay still, allowing his sleep-dulled mind to catch up and take inventory of the aches and pains gnawing at him. He felt good, considering everything that had happened and had never been more grateful for the rapid healing abilities of his people as he was now. At this rate, he would be able to leave Killjoy and head into space without too much delay.

  Tru shifted in her sleep beside him, her soft sigh brushing against the side of his neck making him very aware of her warm presence. She was nestled close to his body, but even in sleep, was mindful of his injuries and careful to keep a small space between them. Disliking the distance separating them, he slipped his good arm around her shoulders and nestled her closer. She settled easily against his length, murmuring in her sleep. He rested his chin on the top of her head, taking pleasure in the softness of her hair and the tantalizing scent of her skin. Deeply content, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the peaceful moment.

  I love you, Nick Rayven. The words surfaced from out of nowhere and his e
yes popped open, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.

  The whispered confession tantalized, making him wonder if he’d dreamed those words. Drawing brows together, he stared at the shadowed ceiling trying to remember, feeling unsettled and uncertain.

  He recalled insisting Tru sleep on his bed, needing the reassurance of her presence before he’d allowed himself to give in to the medication and his body’s demands. His eyelids had been too heavy to keep open, but he’d known when she’d acquiesced by the slight dip of the mattress and the instant relaxation in his battered frame.

  Nick moved his head on the pillow to see Tru’s sleeping face. She looked peaceful, dark lashes fanning her sleep-flushed cheeks, lips slightly parted. He turned his gaze back to the ceiling while his thoughts swirled in fruitless circles and his tension mounted.

  The swoosh of the door sliding open drew him out of his mired thoughts. A medic bustled in, MedScan at the ready to record his healing progress. Tru stiffened beside him. Reluctantly, he let her slip out of his arms and sit up. She looked everywhere but at him, and his unease increased. The medic smiled at her and stood aside long enough for Tru to leave the bed and disappear into the cleanser.

  Nick scowled at her retreating back, then at the door closed behind her.

  “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “How do you think I feel?” He was more concerned about Tru’s hasty exit than talking to the man standing over him recording his vitals. Out of the corner of his eye, Nick noticed the medic’s quick frown and closer look at the MedScan readout, and he sighed.

  “You have astonishing recuperative abilities. Amazing, in fact,” the medic murmured. “Those ribs of yours are nearly healed, the blaster wound is already knitting together and the contusions are fading.” He ran another scan and whistled softly through his teeth. Raising his eyes he shifted his focus from the readout to Nick and added, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this before. Do you always heal this quickly?”