Carbon Copy

by Ashley Ladd

  Perspiration dotted her brow. Now she couldn’t trust herself to speak without revealing the depth of her feelings for him. Nor did she want to make Caid any more insufferable than he already was. His ego was huge enough.

  “Daddy Dearest’s going to love this!” Dennis mocked from the outer chamber where he was being led past in chains. “His little princess has fallen head over heels for a pirate.”

  She shot a deadly glare at her ex-fiancé, wishing she had shut him up when she’d had the chance. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, she tried to cover up the truth, “He’s just saying anything to cause trouble.”

  Caid slid his finger under her chin and tilted her face up to his. Knowing eyes gazed down at her, searching her soul. “And what do you say, milady? Have you found yourself in love with the pirate, now?”

  Defiantly, she met him stare for stare. She needn’t apologize for her feelings, especially not for an emotion as joyful and positive as love. “And what if I did? What of it?”

  “That wasn’t an outright no.”

  “It wasn’t an outright yes, either,” she parried, enjoying sparring with him.

  “So how do I get an outright yes or no? Is there some method of persuasion at my disposal that can elicit a forthright answer?” He closed in on her, his lips feathery light and teasing against hers.

  She veiled her eyes lest he read the answer he sought in them. He couldn’t know until he gave an inkling of his feelings. “Perhaps the gentleman has a confession of his own to make first?”

  Caid and Vizzy guffawed, shaking with mirth. “A gentleman, she says! Moi? Seems hardly fitting.”

  The clone moaned and pleaded, “Have mercy. Get me out of here before I get sick.”

  “Is the force field secured around her?” Caid asked, reaching out with his sword. It met with electrical resistance, and he nodded with satisfaction.

  Caid held her loosely, and murmured against her forehead. “The Confederation will need to see the two of you together, test your restored DNA before they know that you’re innocent.”

  “We’ll have to take them to Barukia with us and present them to the authorities once I’m back to my normal self.”

  “Looks like that’s the only way to do it,” Caid agreed, a frown between his brows. “I don’t fancy having them along for the ride. They’re a treacherous pair to be sure.”

  Vizzy thumped his chest, voicing his agreement.

  “Can some of your brethren join us, to keep watch over them while the doctor performs his magic on us?” Siobhan eyed her double with trepidation. The woman would do anything to get free. She didn’t feel safe putting them in their cargo hold, but it would be suicide to leave them here unattended so their minions could free them.

  Several pirates voiced their accord, “Aye! We’ll accompany you and keep watch over these menaces.”

  “We best be getting underway, then, before any uninvited guests crash the party.” Caid went to twirl his beard and then frowned when he encountered his clean-shaven chin. “I can never remember that I’ve parted with my beautiful beard.”

  Siobhan tried to stifle a laugh behind her hand and failed, winning a scowl from the corsair. She stroked his smooth chin, tracing his dimple, missing his roguish beard. “Hopefully you will be restored to all your resplendent glory in no time.”

  “I hope so.” Caid flipped open his communicator and commanded with a thick Scottish brogue. “Bring us home. We’re tired.”

  Standing in position next to the pirate, she waited to be transcarted off the abominable world. Fractions of a moment later she stood on an authentic pirate vessel, and Caid looked to be in his element bossing his crew about.

  “It’s a far cry from your Confederation ships, I imagine,” Caid said, sidling up to her back.

  “How did they know where to find us?” A band of pirates had never looked so utterly beautiful.

  “I thought we might need some help so I called for backup shortly before we made our final approach to the planet.”

  Smart move. She nodded, longing to lean back against him but dare not with his crew witnessing their every move. Sighing, she missed the way things were between them.

  “Why the sigh?” Caid’s arms crept about her waist and pulled her back against him where she nestled her head against his warm chest. Damn the crew. Let them think what they wanted.

  The words slipped out before she could stop them. “I was wishing I could jump your bones, but now you have crew swarming all the decks.”

  Caid nuzzled her neck, his warm lips driving her insane with yearning. “They’re not swarming my private cabin. Vizzy, take the com.”

  Vizzy lifted his head and nodded. When one pirate leered, Caid cast him a reprimanding look. Thereafter, the rest of the crew bowed their heads circumspectly as Caid led her below decks.

  Caid bolted the chamber door behind them and then scooped her into his arms and deposited her on the bed. “I presume that you’ve gotten your lily-livered ex-fiancé out of your system.”

  “Who?” She didn’t want to think about the leech ever again, didn’t want to waste energy on the criminal. “There’s only one man I want, and I’m looking at him.” To accentuate her words, she licked her lips sensually with her tongue.

  Caid divested himself of his clothing and then made short shrift of hers after he leapt onto the bed. “You know I’m a scallywag, a rogue of the first order.”

  “You’re my hero.” She ran her fingers through his glorious hair. “I can’t wait until your beard grows back.”

  “So you like the beard?”

  She corrected him. “I love your beard.”

  Caid propped himself up on his elbow, and gazed deeply into her eyes. “You’re not just on the rebound, trying to teach your ex a lesson by bedding me in front of him?”

  She made a point of gazing about the chamber. “I don’t see anyone in here but the two of us.”

  “What would your father think of you consorting with a pirate the likes of me?”

  “My father isn’t the one making love to you.”

  “Love?” Caid scooted back a few more inches. “Pirates aren’t good at long-lasting love and commitments. You don’t think…”

  Siobhan put her fingers to Caid’s feverish lips. “Shush. Starship captains aren’t well-known for those things, either. But that doesn’t mean we don’t take our pleasure where we can get it.”

  “Weren’t you engaged?”

  His many questions annoyed her. All she wanted to do was bed him and all he wanted to do was to have a heart to heart. She shivered at the thought of her disastrous engagement. “Exactly. You saved me from a fate worse than death. Death’s corridor would have been far superior to wedding Minnikow.”

  “Well now, if you’re sure…” Caid closed the gap between them, burying his face between her breasts, licking a fiery trail of wet heat to her nipple.

  “Totally sure.” She held his head against her swiftly beating heart and thrust her nipple as deeply into his mouth as she could, moaning her pleasure.

  Delighting in his restrained power, longing for him to unleash it, she ran her palms across his well-muscled back. When he dipped his finger into her trembling pussy she writhed, and sought his matching heat with her hand. Finding it, she curled her fingers around his velvety girth and stroked gently, wanting to pleasure him as he pleasured her.

  Their breathing become raspy, and she gulped in air greedily. His thumb massaged her clit with an expertise that stole the last vestiges of her breath. A crescendo built lustily inside her, but she wanted to be united to him when she came so she tore away from his seductive ministrations.

  She gazed up into his passion-filled eyes and murmured, “Ravage me.” Wrapping her legs about his back, she pressed against him and plundered his mouth.

  Intoxicating kisses sent wave upon wave of rapture through her soul. When he plunged into her, his magic exploded, skyrocketing fireworks through her.

  He held her tightly against
him as she snuggled into his warmth. To her chagrin, she discovered she had lied. She wanted to continue a relationship with the man she loved, and she was deeply, irrevocably in love with Caid. But divulging this information would only drive him away. He wasn’t a man to be held captive. Her best strategy was to take what he freely offered for as long as he was willing, and cherish the memories.

  It was sheer lunacy for her to consider life with a pirate. She couldn’t give up her commission, nor would he be happy living in her shadow. In the end, he would wind up as disgruntled as Dennis. She couldn’t subject him to that. It wasn’t fair to any man.

  The com broke into her musings. She recognized Vizzy’s voice, still amazed that Caid could understand his incomprehensible noises. When she looked askance at him, he interpreted, “We’re entering the Barukian orbit. Prepare to disembark.”

  Irresolute sorrow claimed her. This was the end of their line. Once they were changed back to normal, they would go their separate ways. She would never see her pirate again.

  She resolved to be strong, not to let him see into her soul. She would meet the future with her head held high. She wouldn’t let her crew know about this brief respite.

  Pasting a cheery smile on her face, she bounded from the bed, sluiced off their lovemaking in the small dry shower compartment, and donned her Violetian robes for the last time. When she emerged from the compartment, Caid leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his impressive chest. “The doctor’s awaiting us. The operating chamber is all set.”

  “I’ll miss my lovely violet complexion,” she joshed, trying to keep up the pretense that she was relieved to get back to her life. “Of course you’ll be able to regrow your beard.”

  “True.” He rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “I don’t feel like myself without it.”

  And she wouldn’t feel like herself without him. But then, who was she now? She had changed and was rediscovering, redesigning herself. Everything she had held sacred had been blasted to bits. Her concept of the universe had taken a one-hundred-eighty degree turn.

  “Where will we put up our guests during the recovery period?” She watched as he covered himself, lamenting that it was the last time she’d see such a sexy view.

  “I’m sure the good doctor knows a safe house.” He opened the door for her and marched to the bridge. “All’s well?”

  Vizzy turned and mewled.

  “Good. Hail Vignolo and let him know we’re on the way.” Caid sounded anxious to be rid of her. Could she blame him? She had almost gotten him and his crew killed on more than one occasion.

  “We’re ready for you,” the alterationist announced as they entered his office. “Are you sure it’s safe to resume your lives?”

  Siobhan’s head shot up. Did he know something they didn’t? “Has something happened?”

  “Confederation officers have been asking questions. And more than one bounty hunter.”

  Bounty hunters? Her gut roiled at the thought of such cutthroats interested in her.

  She shook off her fears. “Once we prove to the Confederation that I was cloned, and that it was she who perpetrated the crimes, I’ll be cleared.”

  “Do you think all the bounty hunters will get the news in whatever far quadrant of the galaxy they hole up?” The doctor pursed his lips and looked from Siobhan to Caid.

  “He has a point. Perhaps you should remain in disguise, or take a new one more to your liking.”

  “And do what? Starship captain posts aren’t exactly easy to step into. Nor will my family know me. I’ll have no means of support.” No, that wasn’t an option at all. Still, the wise man had a valid point.

  But her family’s wealth could accomplish many great things. Surely once she proved her innocence, they could spread the word far and wide, and put up a reward for anyone harming her. And what about Caid? “Are you considering retaining this form?”

  “No, but I’m only a penny-ante criminal compared to you.”

  “Thanks.” But his logic held fallacy. “But you aided and abetted me! Anyone who doesn’t know of my innocence will still think you’re duplicitous as well.”

  Caid braided his hair. “I’ll take my chances. If not for you, I wouldn’t have gone through such hassle.”

  Conflicting emotions assaulted her. She didn’t know whether to be grateful for his help or sore that he seemed to regret helping her.

  “Give me the address where to send your reward for all your help. I’m sure my family will be most grateful.” Seething, she glared at him.

  “That won’t be necessary. I don’t want compensation.”

  Vizzy threw up his hands and stomped behind them.

  “Then I’m sure Vizrael will accept payment. Tell me where to send his reward. He risked his life, too.”

  Caid shot a quelling glance at his first mate. “Vizrael declines reward as well.”

  Vizzy howled and slammed out the door, shaking the walls.

  “Correct me if I’m mistaken, but aren’t you a pirate?” Why was he shaking every preconceived notion she held about him and his kind? Did he enjoy playing with her mind? “Don’t pirates lust for treasure?”

  “Let’s just say I’m doing this for my soul and leave it at that.” Caid released the plait from his hair and shook it out.

  Commotion broke out in the next office, sending frissons of alarm down her spine. She jumped to her feet, reaching for a nonexistent taser, cursing her lack of one. “Do you have any weapons, doctor?”

  Caid shoved her beneath a table. “Stay down,” he ordered, joining her.

  The doctor pushed an alarm siren, and the doors automatically bolted. But that didn’t stop the wall from bursting into flames behind him, knocking him off his feet.

  Mallory two and Minnikow burst into the room, phaton cannons securely in their grip. “I know you’re hiding in here, Captain!” Fury raged in Mallory two’s voice. “This universe isn’t large enough for the two of us. I’ve come to return the favor.”

  Obviously, her double wasn’t going to turn her over to the Confederation to stand trial for crimes against humanity.

  Caid put his finger to his lips, and then pressed touched the intelligent earring that doubled as his communication device. Whispering, he ordered, “Vizzy, we need help. Our guests have joined us. Bring the brethren.”

  “We know you’re in here,” Dennis said in a singsong voice that sickened her to her stomach.

  She watched their booted feet from beneath the desk as the devilish duo split up to search the room. When Minnikow got close enough to touch, she held her breath.

  Dennis paused and then got down on all fours, peering under the desk. “Hello, Siobhan. Surprised to see me?”

  Without a second’s thought, she punched him in the nose, sending him reeling. “Not really.” Nightmares had a habit of stalking her and this one refused to go away.

  “Remind me not to get in your face,” Caid said as he grabbed his rival’s cannon, and stripped him of his taser. For good measure, he set the taser on stun and knocked him out. “That should hold him for awhile.”

  Mallory two stomped on Caid’s arm, making him drop the taser. Bones crunched and Caid’s features contorted in agony.

  She’d had a bellyful of the evil clone. “Fight someone your own size, sister. No weapons. Or don’t you know how to wage a fair fight?”

  Her clone threw her weapons across the room, and held her hands up. “Be warned, I’m fully trained in the martial arts.”

  Siobhan wondered just how old, how experienced her double was. Just because they shared the same DNA didn’t mean they shared the same knowledge and experience. “How much training have you had? I grew up on it.” She came up from behind the desk and rose to her full height. She cursed the long hair and flowing robes that could potentially get in her way.

  “Long enough to best you.”

  “How long have you been alive?”

  “Three years.”

  The knowledge staggered Siobhan. So her trea
cherous fiancé had been plotting this for at least three years and she’d been completely blind? Her faith in herself was severely shaken. Where had he hidden her?

  The clone lunged at her, delivering a vicious kick to her abdomen.

  Siobhan fell back so that it just nicked her, but she could feel the tremendous power behind it. Hatred glittered in her opponent’s eyes leaving no doubt she intended to eliminate her. Much as she wanted to hand her over to the Confederation to prove her innocence, she might not have the luxury of taking her alive.

  Her double showed no mercy, whirling about, kicking at her face, pounding her before she could regain her balance. Grudgingly, she admired the clone’s skill. “Dennis taught you well.”

  “It’s obviously not genetic,” the clone said, spitting at her. “I’m ashamed to be cloned from such a weakling. Show some backbone. I tire of this easy fight. Killing you won’t be the pleasure I anticipated.”

  “So don’t kill her,” Caid said, struggling to sit up. “She could always agree to remain in this form, keep this identity and let you keep hers. It’s a win-win situation.”

  Both women turned to the pirate in astonishment. “You can’t be serious,” Mallory two said, guffawing. “Let her live so she can run to Daddy and keep me from my fortune?”

  “It was a thought,” Caid said with a cavalier flourish of his hand.

  “A daft one,” Siobhan mumbled under her breath. Just as she was about to write Caid off as addle-brained, she spied Vizzy and a crew of reinforcements. Thank God!

  The big fur ball motioned for her to duck out of the way, so she acquiesced as he leveled his taser at the evil clone.

  “You make this too easy, Mallory. All the stories I’ve heard about your prowess were lies. I’d make a far superior starship captain to you. You’re just a sniveling, inept coward.” The woman was so intent on patting herself on the back, that she still didn’t notice the newcomers.

  When Vizzy squeezed the trigger, Siobhan glared at her nemesis. “No, you make it too easy. So long.”

  Too late, the clone whirled around, catching the taser blast full in the stomach. Wordlessly, she stared at the hole in her stomach as she slumped to the ground, writhing.