by Anna Hackett
“The Hydraens?”
“A humanoid race who live on a planet here.” He tapped the screen. “Hydrae is a caravanserai world.”
“Caravanserai?”
“Old Earth word. Caravanserais were roadside inns or camps offering respite to travelers on the trade routes.”
“You’re thinking the Nero might have used the Colony Route?”
“Maybe.”
Silence once again reigned, both of them mulling over their respective thoughts. Unable to stop himself, Justyn penned another short message.
If you were naked, I’d lay you back on the table and put my mouth on you. I want to watch you come and hear those little cries you make.
When her Sync chimed again, he saw her shoot him a suspicious look. He kept his face blank as she opened it. He watched a beguiling mix of outrage, desire and temptation cross her face. It made him want to push her back against the table and do as he’d written.
She made a choking noise. “Justyn…”
“Nissa.” He mimicked her tone. He didn’t move closer to her, just watched her face. That face he could stare at all day, with her stubborn chin, generous mouth and beautiful scale pattern. “It’s true. I can’t get the memory of you out of my head. I relive that moment in your cabin a hundred times a day. The sweet curve of your ass, thrusting my fingers inside your tight, hot wetness—”
“Stop it.” Her smooth-as-sin voice was shaky.
“No harm in a little fun, Nissa.” And damned if he didn’t want to be the one to loosen her up a bit, make her smile more.
“Focus, Phoenix.”
He heaved a sigh and turned back to the map. The line they’d extrapolated as the route of the Nero glowed. “If they knew they were headed out of charted space, into the black unknown, they would have stocked up on supplies.”
Nissa cleared her throat. “Um, yes…no food printers back then. The only printers they had then made items from plas to make parts and goods. They hadn’t worked out how to manipulate protein.”
Justyn smiled to himself. Oh, he liked seeing the captain overwhelmed and off balance. “Right. So where did they take on supplies?”
She straightened, her mind fully on the map now. “Enterprise Station.”
“Right. So, based on the size of the Nero’s cargo bays, by the time they were here—” he touched the red mark where the Nero passed the galaxy’s edge “—they were running low. They would have needed to re-supply.”
Her eyes sparked. “Right! So, you know the convoy route. Where’s the most likely place they would have stopped?”
He tapped a finger against his mouth. “Maybe Uurin. It’s a temperate planet but there’s not much civilization there. The humanoid species that call it home aren’t very advanced.”
“Where else?”
He snapped his fingers. “Hydrae! That’s got to be it.”
“The caravanserai world. Did they offer respite to travelers back then?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. Tell me more about it.”
“You’d love it.” Justyn did. “The people are so friendly. They’ve developed outside the galaxy as we know it so they have a different view on things. They have a slower pace of life, believe in everyone finding their own passion, not living up to external expectations. Their architecture is simple and beautiful.” Hydrae was a quiet little paradise. “Believe me, anyone stopping there considers never leaving.”
Nissa leaned back against the table. “Traveling the convoy routes must be so exciting. New species, new planets, new foods.”
“It is. You meet new people, see amazing things. But it’s also dangerous. Some species prey on the convoys, looking to steal goods and ships, or take slaves. Sometimes even the food’s dangerous. I tried some berries once that shone like pearl. Damned things tasted like ambrosia. Turned out they were also violently poisonous.” He shook his head, remembering the hideous pain. “Luckily, Elana, our medic, is smart and quick. She saved me from a painful death.”
Nissa shook her head. “And you like to bring some of these amazing things back to the galaxy, where they could be dangerous to other species.”
He grinned. “You’re just trying to trip me up and get me to admit to smuggling.”
***
Nissa rolled her eyes at Justyn, ignoring his question and looked back at the star map. “So, you think Captain Griffin stopped at Hydrae for supplies?”
“Yep, I do.”
She thought so too. “Do you have access to any of their records? We need to check to see if there’s any reference to a visit in the right time period.”
“They don’t keep many records. They have excellent memories, so they tend to store things in their heads. Their planet’s history is mostly recorded in oral storytelling. That said, Rynan does collect data and historical records from all the planets along the convoy route. Guy is obsessed with security and boy, does he love information. He might have something.” Justyn moved back to the table, plugging his Sync into the computer console and working on the larger screen.
Nissa followed, trying to rip her gaze off the man’s first-class ass and the way his jeans hugged it. His dirty little “notes” had left her feeling more than a little hot and bothered.
Damn tempting smuggler.
She sat back in her chair, shifting restlessly. This time it had nothing to do with boredom and everything to do with the aching emptiness between her thighs.
Why shouldn’t she enjoy a man she was crazily attracted to? She wasn’t talking about long term, or forever. She was talking about enjoying every wild thing there was about Justyn Phoenix while they were on this crazy treasure hunt together.
“A-ha!” Justyn tapped furiously at the screen. “I found Ry’s stash of files on Hydrae. There’s not much. I’m shooting you the link to the directory now. You start at the top and I’ll start at the bottom, and we’ll work toward the middle. See if you can find anything referencing the Nero.”
“Got it.”
It was tedious work. Most of the records were intelligence about climate, resources, level of development of the Hydraen people. Certainly nothing gripping, with the exception of some interesting information about the caravanserai and its long history.
But as the minutes ticked by, Nissa felt her vision waver from staring at the screen so long. She rubbed at her tired eyes and glanced over at her partner. Justyn seemed just fine, wide-awake and alert. He was sprawled back in his chair, his gaze intently flicking across the screen as he read.
A naughty idea tickled at the edge of her mind. No. She couldn’t.
But as she watched him snatch up his drink and chug back a large gulp, her stomach tightened with pure feminine appreciation.
She opened up a blank message screen and typed.
I’ve had my fantasies, too, Phoenix. I imagine you naked, exploring every inch of that big, tough body of yours. With my hands and my mouth. I wonder what you taste like and how your cock would feel in my mouth.
She stared at the blinking cursor. Goddess, was she really going to do this?
Screwing up her courage, she hit send.
Justyn’s console chimed. She watched him lean forward, then sit up straight like he’d been electrocuted.
His gaze shot to her and he groaned. “Jesus, Nissa, you’re going to kill me. There is no more room in my trousers and I just got harder.”
Nissa slapped her hand over her mouth, stifling her laugh. “You started it.”
He glanced at the ceiling, breathing deeply. “You’re right. And now look, I’ve created a she-devil.”
With a snort, she went back to her searches. But thrilled by his reaction to her message, she typed another one.
I think I might like driving you crazy. Can you imagine me, on my knees between your legs as you sprawl in that chair? I’d take out your cock and lick it, stroke it, suck it. I wonder how hard you’d be. And how long it would take me to make you come?
This time she watched him carefully. He choked on his next sip of drink. She was gratified to see perspiration break out on his forehead.
“Woman, I am going to come right here in my pants.” He shot her a slumberous look through half-lowered lids. “Want to come over here and make that naughty little fantasy a reality?”
The idea of sliding down on her knees between his legs, of lowering his zipper and freeing his cock made her hands shake. Oh, she wanted. For a long time, this man had starred in her dreams and left her twisting in her bed sheets.
Did she have the courage to make fantasy a reality?
Her console chimed. This time it wasn’t a message from Justyn. “My search found something in the Hydrae records.”
In a blink, Justyn morphed from lazy lover to focused man. He leaned over her shoulder to look at her screen. “It’s a record of people who’ve stayed at the caravanserai in the town of Meni.” He glanced at her. “That’s the caravanserai we use.”
“I know,” she replied. “I can see the Phoenix brothers listed in recent times.”
His eyes widened. “This record goes back fifteen hundred years!”
“By the Goddess.” She looked up at him. “Justyn, look.” She pointed to a line listed a thousand years before.
A Captain Griffin had stopped at Hydrae.
Justyn gripped her shoulder. “We shouldn’t get our hopes up. Griffin isn’t exactly a unique name.” He grinned. “But it looks like we’ll be joining the Phoenix Convoy and heading beyond galaxy’s edge. You’ll get to see the caravanserai for yourself, Captain Sander.”
Nissa’s shoulder tingled from his touch, the warmth spreading through her. They were really going to do this. Head off into the unknown after a millennia-old treasure. The flutter in her belly felt good.
All of this was thanks to the man beside her.
A man she really, really wanted to get naked.
Nissa blew out a breath. Damn, she was going to do that, too. It would be another adventure.
“What if it isn’t him?” Going all the way to Hydrae might just be a big waste of time.
He flicked a finger against her chin. “Gotta take a risk to get the reward, Nissa.”
She felt a tug low in her belly. She knew he wasn’t talking about finding ancient treasures. Her Sync chimed. “Another naughty message?”
He didn’t smile. “Sorry. Not me this time. I hope no one else is sending you dirty love notes.”
With a frown, she realized it wasn’t a message but a transmission. And she knew exactly who was calling her. All the lovely fizz in her blood evaporated like it had never existed.
Schooling her features, she accepted the call. “Dad.”
“Nissa, what the hell is going on?”
She took in deep, even breaths. Her father’s craggy face filled the screen, along with his scowl. His iron-gray hair was combed neatly, in exactly the same style he’d had her entire life. Adventure was not in Commodore Jonathan Sander’s vocabulary.
“I was going to call—”
“I heard from a colleague that you’ve take a leave of absence and you’re on some crazy, wild-goose chase.”
“Yes—”
He powered over her, his voice deep and resonating. “Of all the irresponsible, careless things.” He shook his head. “You have responsibilities. And you’re endangering your career.”
“No, Dad. I’m going after an important artifact that the authorities want back.”
He waved a hand, his jaw tightening. “A treasure hunt.” He said it like it was something dirty. “You aren’t a child, Nissa. You should be on your damned ship doing your duty. Not sullying the Sander name.” He expelled a noisy breath. “I never expected you to act like this. To act like your brother.”
Nissa’s body flushed cold, then hot. She kept her tone modulated. “Except I don’t kill people. I’m sorry you’re disappointed. I have work, I need to go.”
“Nissa—”
She’d heard that disapproving tone so many times before. Sometimes it felt like nothing she did was ever good enough. “I’ll contact you once I’m back on the Freedom.”
“And when will that be?” Icy-cold words.
“I don’t know.” And I’m sorry that makes you unhappy. “I have to go.” She ended the transmission.
She lifted her gaze, saw Justyn watching her. She was so stupid to think diving into an adventure was the answer to anything. She did have responsibilities that were so much more important than her own whims and desires could ever be. She pushed away from the table.
“Nissa—”
She held him off with a hand. “I’ll be in my cabin. I’ll keep going through the documents. Let me know when it’s time to get underway.”
She tried not to think of anything as she walked to the cabin she’d been assigned. She entered the small, but well-equipped space and heaved out a long breath.
Her Sync chimed yet again.
Her stomach dropped. Surely her father didn’t have anything left to lecture her about.
But this time it wasn’t her father’s face that appeared on the screen. It was Admiral DeRuyter’s.
“Admiral,” Nissa said, surprised.
“Captain Sander. I was informed that you’ve taken a leave of absence.” The admiral’s shrewd eyes glittered. “And that you’re heading off on a treasure hunt after the Constitution.”
Nissa stayed silent. Right at that moment she wasn’t GSS. “Ma’am, I’m on leave—”
The admiral waved a hand. “I want that document, Sander. And I expect you to get it for me. Whatever it takes.”
Get it for her? “Admiral, if I find the Constitution, I’ll do everything I can to ensure it is given back to the Institute of Galactic—”
“Those idiots couldn’t look after it in the first place! I want the document delivered directly to me. I will ensure its safety.”
“With all due respect, Admiral, what do you plan to do with it?”
The admiral’s face took on a hard and unforgiving look Nissa had never seen on her before. “That’s classified, Captain. I need you to trust me. All you need to know is that we need that document to secure law and order in the galaxy.”
“I’m on leave—”
Admiral DeRuyter leaned forward. “Nissa, I will ensure you get that transfer you’ve been wanting for a long time.”
“That’s generous, but I don’t feel comfortable—”
“I also believe that very soon your father’s due to receive a commendation for his years of excellent service in Patrol, correct?”
Dread turned Nissa’s heart to ice.
“Get the Constitution for me and I will ensure your transfer.” The admiral smiled. It was hard as steel. “I will also ensure your father receives what most consider the pinnacle of achievement in a career like his. You’re aware that the commendation also secures his pension for the rest of his life. Without it…” she trailed off.
Nissa swallowed around the knot in her throat. Without it, he wouldn’t exactly be penniless, but his savings certainly wouldn’t last that long.
“Are we clear?”
Blackmailed and trapped. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. I’ll expect regular updates. I want to know every step you’re taking, and where you’re going. And I’ll also expect that Phoenix will not know anything about our…agreement. Understood?”
Nissa ground her teeth together. “Yes.”
Chapter Thirteen
Justyn stood on the bridge of the Sky Nomad watching Dare’s crew work with practiced precision as the ship pushed back from Galaxy’s Edge.
He loved the beginning of a convoy. The sense of potential and excitement.
Justyn could see it in his brothers, too. Ahead of him, Dare stood in his usual spot in the center of the bridge, his posture sharp and his expression serious, watching both his crew and the viewscreen with focused intensity.
“Evan, once you�
�ve finished pushback, get us on course.” As always, Dare’s voice rang with command. Justyn could easily imagine Dare in charge of a fleet of warships. He might have done well in the military, except he needed to make the rules, not follow someone else’s. Justyn was well aware what had left his brother with a driving need to be in control. None of them had escaped that basement unscathed.
“Yes, sir.” The Nomad’s pilot hurried to obey.
Justyn listened to Tasha, the comms specialist, communicating with the other ships that would be part of the Phoenix Convoy. They were all pushing back from the space station’s docks.
But through all the organized chaos, he was excruciatingly aware of Nissa standing off to the side. She looked cool and calm, but he knew it for a brittle façade.
God, her father was a piece of work. Spit and polish to the bone. Commodore Sander had given his daughter her height and the shape of her jaw, but Justyn had seen little else of her in the hard man. A man who seemed to be living through his daughter’s career.
Justyn moved toward her. Behind her stood a small group of convoy passengers who’d paid for passage on the Sky Nomad. There were two Cathar monks in their blood-red robes, hands pressed together, quiet eyes watching the proceedings. Three adventurers—two men and a woman—bouncing on the balls of their feet, watching on with excitement. And five colonists looking for new worlds to settle. They looked a little awed by it all.
One of the colonists, a curvy woman with a cloud of golden hair caught his gaze and offered him a smile filled with invitation. She wore simple fitted trousers and a button-down white top, but she’d left a few buttons open to display all her charms. She whispered something to her red-haired friend, a taller woman wearing a similar outfit. The redhead also looked his way and they both giggled.
Justyn gave them a polite smile before reaching Nissa. “You okay?”
“Fine. Eager to be underway.”
Her voice held about as much emotion as the ship’s metal walls. “What do you think of all of this?” He waved at the viewscreen. A dozen ships of varying makes, sizes and shapes were moving into formation behind the Sky Nomad on Dare’s commands.