by C. J. Barry
Cidra rolled her head from side to side wearily. “Wex's hired killer isn't the same as facing the d'Hont, and you know it. You've never seen them in action.” Her voice caught. “They are ruthless and cruel. And more than that, they are very, very good at what they do. Two Kin-sha aren't going to be any match for a ship full of d'Hont."
While she spoke, Grey rained gentle kisses over her face and down her throat. He'd heard what she said and knew she was right. But there was no way he was going to let her face the d'Hont alone. He raised his head and looked into her eyes. “Let's hope it doesn't come to that. All we have to do is find that shipment and get back to Avion. Then it will be over. You'll be free. The Faulkner name will be cleared."
Tears spilled down the sides of her face. “I don't want you to die because of me, Grey."
The tears caught him off-guard, ripping at him, clawing at his throat. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. He could barely get the words out. “I won't. And neither will you. I promise."
* * * *
"Commander, they've jumped to hyperspace.” The Lieutenant's report rang out moments after Calíbre disappeared in a streak from Expunger's main viewport. Plass smiled. The chase was on thanks to the tracking device attached to their K12 jet.
"Track and follow them, Lieutenant. Stay back a discreet distance.” Plass noted the confused faces of his deck crew. They didn't understand his reluctance to seize Cidra Faulkner. He sighed and headed off the bridge. Expunger launched into hyperspace in a spectacular matrix of starlines that lit up the viewport behind him.
He would not offer them any explanation until he had Cidra Faulkner, until he possessed the irrefutable evidence he needed to bring down Tausek. For now, he was the Commander of the ship. The crew would obey his orders. He acknowledged there could come a point where that might not be enough.
If he couldn't convince the crew of Tausek's guilt, his life would be worth no more than hers. Over time, Tausek and the d'Hont had virtually become one entity, linked by blood and death and revenge. Plass saw clearly that the alliance was Tausek's absolute manipulation, giving him the force he needed to achieve his goal. They had been used. He had been used.
It was his responsibility and duty to expose Tausek for what he was. He only hoped he could do that without destroying the d'Hont as well.
* * * *
Decker groaned to no one in particular. “That's one mean, cold rock."
Accessed from the archives, a three-dimensional, miniature scale projection of Courf occupied the holo deck in front of him. Underneath, the slowly rotating planet scrolled its environmental, physical, and chemical properties.
"No wonder it's uninhabited. Not exactly paradise,” Grey agreed. The statistics were not encouraging. He glanced at Cidra to see if she grasped the situation.
"According to the galactic chart records it has a minimal atmosphere. Oxygen is nil. Mainly gaseous carbon dioxide in the form of ice fog,” Decker muttered. “I hate ice fog. Forget a visual search."
Cidra remained silent, studying the statistics somberly.
Grey kept his eyes on her. “They probably died on impact or shortly thereafter. It wouldn't have taken long."
She nodded in understanding, but the blue eyes that met his were brimming with unshed tears and the shadows of more death. A reminder that this entire affair had taken far too many lives.
Decker rattled along, totally oblivious. “It's going to be a challenge to find a crashed transport under all that fog, even for Coon. This planet is rough. Rilles, mountains, caverns, fissures.” He shook his head. “It'll be a miracle if we find it at all. The only good thing is that it should be preserved exactly the way it was ten years ago. In cold storage."
Cidra paled. Grey changed the subject. “Can we get by with the survival suits?"
Decker nodded. “I think so. You're not going to be able to move real fast and whatever you do, don't puncture a hole in it. You won't last a second on that hunk of ice. Not even long enough to make it back to the K12.” He did look at Cidra and immediately amended his blunt warning. “But the suits are pretty tough."
When she didn't respond, he cast Grey an apologetic look. Grey hitched his head toward the door. Decker nodded and stood up. “If you need me, I'll be on the bridge.” He walked out.
Cidra nodded automatically, her thoughts well beyond the current discussion. The transport crew was dead. Until now, she had held out a glimmer of hope that they had found a planet that could support life. That they had found a way to survive until someone could rescue them. One look at Courf and those hopes were dashed.
Grey didn't like the look on her face.
"It's going to be cold down there.” He smiled at her. “We could share a suit."
Cidra's eyes focused on him with a start. Then she smiled as if she'd just seen him. “Let me guess. They were designed by a man?"
"How'd you know?” His smile grew. She was back and she was his.
She laughed. “I'm beginning to detect a pattern here."
"Actually, I think it's a matter of imagination and variety."
"Getting bored?"
Grey was already making his way around the table to where she sat.
"Cidra, we've barely begun.” He pulled her into his arms, tilting her head back for a sizzling kiss that left them both breathless and wanting.
The room comm unit chimed. Once. Twice. Then one long, insistent chirp.
Grey broke off the kiss and growled, “I'm going to fire whoever that is.” He reached around Cidra and activated the unit. “What!"
Decker cleared his throat. “Sorry, Captain. I thought you'd want this transmission. Rourke Jaccar. You can blame him for bad timing."
Grey stared wistfully at Cidra's lips. “Put him through."
A second of static preceded Rourke's cheerful voice. “Stone. Hope I interrupted something good."
"You did, you bastard. You owe me.” Grey snagged Cidra's arm as she tried to leave and give him some privacy.
"You aren't going anywhere,” he whispered in her ear.
Rourke gave a hearty laugh. “Ha. You should thank me for helping you pace yourself."
"My pace is perfect, thank you.” He winked at Cidra. She gave him a slow smile and dropped back down into her chair.
"Well, you might want to speed it up a little, Stone. I just heard from a friend on Saurel that the d'Hont were keeping an eye on you."
All smiling stopped.
"They were on Saurel? When we were there?” Grey kept his eyes locked on Cidra's.
"I don't know if they were on Saurel, but they were detected off-planet. Far off-planet, running surveillance in a Class One cruiser. You've got your hands full with that ship.” Rourke didn't sound optimistic.
Grey leaned against the table while his stomach did a tight pitch and roll. “Just one?"
Rourke choked. “Just one? Do you have any idea what those ships can do to you? Yeah, trust me. They only need one of them."
"Are they still there?"
"That I don't know, but I'll check into it,” Rourke said. “I wish you'd tell me what is going on. I could help out."
Cidra shook her head emphatically. Grey held up a hand to agree.
"Sorry, Rourke. This game's a little too rough.” Grey came back. “I'll let you play the next time."
"You are one stubborn bastard,” Rourke grumbled.
Grey smiled. “I have my moments."
* * * *
"I don't like it a bit, Captain,” Decker grumbled. “Not one bit."
"Neither do I.” Barrios glared at Cidra. She refused to look at him and instead concentrated on her meal as they all sat around the dining table in Calíbre's lounge.
"Those are direct orders,” Grey stated. “Cidra and I go after the shipment in the K12 once we get to Courf. If the d'Hont show up, you take off. You won't do us any good if you are destroyed."
Decker slammed a hand on the table and silverware jumped. “They are going to kill you no matter wh
at we do. We're not going to just fly off and leave you."
"You better.” Grey's voice rose. “It's my ship. It's my call. With any luck, they will follow you."
"And if they don't, you'll be target practice,” Barrios stormed.
Cidra piped up. “There is no other way. We have to use the K12. How did you think we were going to get the shipment in the first place? We have to go down there."
Barrios turned on Grey. “Exactly how close are the d'Hont, Stone?"
Grey dropped his fork on his plate, giving up on trying to eat. “Close. Word is they were just off Saurel at the same time we were. If the d'Hont wanted us dead, they had their chance then. A single Class One cruiser was sighted."
Decker grimaced at that bit of news and suggested, “Let me and Coon take the K12 down."
Grey shook his head. “This is our mission, not yours."
Decker frowned. “How did they know we were at Saurel to begin with?"
"Maybe it was a parting gift from our little spy,” Grey said through clenched teeth. “Mora must have seen the schedule before she left."
"Well, they can't possibly know we're heading for a chunk-of-ice planet in the middle of nowhere,” Decker said.
Grey blew out a breath. “I'm not taking any chances. Until I'm certain we lost them in hyperspace, this is the plan. At least if they find us, you can get help."
Barrios snorted. “What for? There won't be anything left to help."
Grey ignored the comment and gave Decker a hard look. “Don't even think about taking them on yourself. Calíbre is no match for a d'Hont cruiser. Just get out of there as fast as you can."
Cidra nodded and finally met Barrios’ eyes. “You still have enough evidence to take back to Avion. At least enough to launch a full-scale investigation. If anything happens to you, the truth will never be told. That's all that matters."
"Forget it,” barked Barrios. “Dead is dead, whether it's today or tomorrow. We'll never be able to get help in time to save you. Forget the whole thing. I don't care about any of it."
For the first time in her life, Cidra raised her voice to her old friend. “Well, I do care, Barrios. I can give you ten years worth of reasons why I care.” Her last word rang out, leaving the dining room in an uncomfortable silence.
Barrios slumped back in his chair, emotions warring across his face. Cidra silently cursed herself a hundred different ways. “I'm sorry.” She placed her hand over Barrios'. “Just promise me, you will see that the evidence gets back to Avion."
He stared at her hand, pursed his lips and nodded.
"It's settled.” Grey resumed eating his cold dinner.
"Yes, sir. If that's all, I have work to do.” Decker rose abruptly and exited the dining hall.
* * * *
The lav's water spray drizzled over her like a fine, misty rain. Cidra stood cocooned in a fog of steam. Taking advantage of Calíbre's rec center had been a good idea. A hard run on the TrackMat was just what her body needed, but the solitude had given her mind too much time to think.
Tomorrow they would reach Courf. It was the end of the line. The entire mission came down to this.
If—Courf was the right planet.
If—they could find the transport.
If—the evidence was intact.
If—they could get it back to Avion before the d'Hont caught them.
If—anyone would listen.
It was still a long way from here to there. She sighed and did the only thing she could do—she pushed the doubts aside.
The water slid in rivulets down her. A body awakened. She let the spray stroke her, luxuriating in its intimate caress. Grey had done this to her, unchained the woman within. Touching her, tasting her, and drawing the heat from her very soul.
She washed up, skimming lightly over areas where Grey had lingered and worshipped with his warm hands, his devoted mouth, and adventurous tongue. There wasn't a spot on her body he'd missed in the past few days. She smiled a slow, satisfied smile.
He loved her. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch. Someday he would say it to himself and to her. She only hoped they both lived long enough to hear the words.
A great sadness crushed her warm thoughts. Her hands stilled. He would die for her, there was no doubt in her mind. Die defending and protecting her, die fulfilling his promise to Syrus.
Sudden, painful tears mixed with the spray. The d'Hont were close. Grey wouldn't admit it, but his preparations were obvious. He sensed it. There was a very good chance that tonight might be their last night together. It drew a gut-wrenching cry from her. It had all been too short. Anger at the injustice surged through her. Not that she believed in justice, but just this once, she wanted to believe it existed. Wanted it for Grey, for herself, and their future. There was still so much she wanted to do.
She deactivated the spray and dried off quickly. She had to be with Grey. That single thought energized her as she dressed. She paused as another thought invaded, wondering if she had the courage to go through with it.
Cidra finished dressing and smiled all the way to his office. The door slid open. She stepped inside.
"I have a question for you."
Grey glanced behind him as Cidra's voice interrupted his study of the Courf's miniature scale projection in the holo deck. He had been too absorbed in the details to notice she had entered his office, never heard the door slide open and shut. The room was silent except for the subtle hum of equipment.
He wondered how long she'd been standing there watching him.
He straightened his back, rolled his shoulders, and turned to face her. “What question?"
She moved in closer, running her gaze over his body. “The night Rourke and I were looking for you on Vaasa, you were wearing a comm unit. Coon said it was your personal unit, but I never saw one on you.” Her eyes met his with marked curiosity.
Grey smiled broadly. “That's because it's not on me. It's in me."
When her eyes widened, he laughed. “It's surgically embedded. That way I don't forget to put it on in the morning."
"Then how do you activate it?” Cidra asked, fascinated.
"That's a secret."
Cidra narrowed her eyes at him. “Where is it?"
He folded his arms over his chest. “That's a secret, too."
Cidra knew a challenge when she heard it. “Really. I'll bet I can find it."
Grey knew an opportunity when he saw it. “I'll bet you can't."
"You're on. Winner gets breakfast in bed tomorrow morning,” Cidra laid down the stakes.
Grey smiled. Cidra in his bed. He was a winner either way. He shoved off the table and stood in front of her, his hands on his hips. “Deal. Search away."
Cidra smiled back. She began circling him slowly, scanning him from head to toe as if plotting her strategy. Her blatantly erotic appraisal had him rock hard in a flash.
"You'll tell me when I'm getting close?” she asked in a lazy, sultry voice.
"I'll tell you."
He watched her circle him again, watched as her eyebrow raised at his unmistakable arousal. She stopped in front of him and went to work on his shirt, releasing the fasteners and tugging it off. He drew in a deep breath as her hands slid over his shoulders and smoothed down the fine, dark hair covering his arms. Retracing her path, she spread her fingers wide across his chest, raking the flesh lightly. Grey sighed and congratulated himself on his brilliant maneuver.
Her palms slid over the ridges and planes of his torso, her eyes shrouded in concentration. It wasn't until she ducked her head and licked one dark nipple that he understood who was really in control. His pulse quickened as his mind dulled.
"Am I close?” she murmured against his chest, kneading his pectorals with her fingers.
Grey's voice was husky. “Not yet.” He felt her hum softly against him as she kissed and licked her way across his chest to the other nipple.
"Now?” she asked innocently, her warm breath feathering the sprinkle of
chest hair. His breath caught when she nipped him lightly.
"No."
"Hmm, this could take some time,” she said sweetly. Grey grimaced. She'd kill him for sure.
Her hands continued their delighted torture over his body, reveling in the splendor of the male form. Soft skin over hard muscle. She would never tire of it, never tire of the way he felt under her hands. Never tire of her own body's reaction and that wicked, wonderful hunger for him.
Cidra raised her head and kissed him full on the lips, her hands sliding around his waist. When Grey tried to slip his hands around her, she brushed them away. “No help from you. We had a deal remember,” she whispered. Grey swore and deepened the kiss in frustration. Cidra moaned low in her throat.
Her hands traveled down his bare chest and slipped inside his pants. Grey sucked in air. Before he knew it, she had his pants undone and was pushing them down his legs. He dropped his head back and groaned aloud. He was definitely in trouble. A steamy sweat broke out all over his body.
Cidra felt the sudden change in him. He kept his word, giving her free run of his body, but it was costing him dearly as he battled for control. Raw desire shimmered from his body into hers. Her own control waned when she exposed the hard evidence of her effect on him. Wild fire raged within her even as she fought to dampen it.
Cidra tugged his pants to the floor. He stepped out of them without a thought. He couldn't think if he tried. She was kneeling before him, caressing his calves and legs with her hands and mouth. His breath hissed through his teeth, his body straining with urgency. He didn't know how much more of this sweet torment he could endure.
"Nothing here,” she commented calmly against his thigh.
"'Scuse me?"
Cidra laughed softly at his strangled response. “No comm unit yet."
He had beautiful legs, she thought as she traced the tense, steely muscles. A hunter's legs, full of stamina, endurance, and power. Cidra heard his succinct curse as she slid higher up his thighs. She could feel his heat, see his desire looming beside her. More than anything, she loved the way he wanted her.
Her hands moved up and gently captured him, stroking the engorged length of him. Grey's hands balled into tight fists. When she took him into her mouth, he growled as he braved the wet flames that licked and burned him. Every muscle in his body was pushed to the limit, trembling and twitching. Each breath expelled forcefully through flared nostrils. Her technique was unskilled and excruciating. Heaven help him, she learned fast. Experienced or not, she reduced him to a base sexual animal like no other woman.