by Siren Allen
Her death was his fault. And he would spend the rest of his life tortured by that fact. When they reached the Iron Bender Silver placed the timed-blaster on the communication panel of the door then stood back.
5. 4. 3. 2. 1.
“Stand to the side.” The panel exploded. Silver slid the door open then moved back into position. Rhodes’ goons immediately started firing. Silver counted the rounds and waited until the goons were forced to reload before he and his crew stormed the ship.
Thanks to the toys Palenzo had given them, The Iron Bender didn’t stand a chance. Silver threw a sleeper bomb to the right where he saw three of Rhodes’ males standing. Five seconds and they’d be out.
Gamma and Ep moved past him, engaging in fire with the other two males that were on the other side of the room. That left Rhodes and Dosavich for him. Silver knew the Bender like he knew his own ship, having spent years flying it for Rhodes when he first joined the Raiders.
The room they had Malia in was the interrogation room. Silver headed that way. He pulled a time-blaster from his pocket and placed it on the door. Five seconds later he was able to slide the door open.
No one was inside. Shit. A commotion at the end of the hall drew his attention. Dosavich.
“Where is she?” Silver asked.
Dosavich flexed his fingers. “She’s dead. Why do you still want her?”
Silver raised his weapon. Dosavich cocked his head to the side.
“You’re a fighter,” the male told him. “Fight me one on one.”
He was stalling. Silver didn’t have time for this shit. He pulled the trigger sending a round into Dosavich’s head. Time to find Rhodes. Silver moved down the hall, trying to keep his thoughts off of Dosavich’s word.
“She’s dead. Why do you still want her?”
“She’s dead. Why do you still want her?”
Silver shook his head, attempting to clear it of the male’s words. He rounded a corner, gun raised. There was only one other place Rhodes could be, his escape pod. Silver raced down the hall.
He made a quick right. Shit, more goons. He fired. Too slow. He took a bullet to the knee. He dropped to the ground, landing on the knee that was already shot. Pain travelled up his thigh.
He gritted his teeth, bearing it, and fired. Three shots. Three guards down. Far more crew members were on this ship than Frost foresaw. He didn’t blame the kid. Just locating the ship was good enough for Silver.
He walked over to their dead bodies and grabbed the comm-device from one of them. He placed it in his ear and listened in.
“Get your asses to the pod. Forget Sebastian and his crew. We’ve got to go.”
It was Rhodes’ voice.
“Do any of you idiots hear me? We don’t need to fight them. I have another way to bring them to me. Get your asses to the deck now.”
Silver pressed the device. “I’m on my way.”
He took the device off and threw it on the ground, stomping it, but not before hearing Rhodes say his name.
“Sebastian? Is that you? Shit.”
Silver raced to the back hatch where he knew Rhodes kept his pod. When he reached the panel he pulled his last time-blaster from his pocket. When he finally slid the door open he realized he was too late. The pod was leaving the ship.
Silver fired, striking the pod twice before it was out of range. Damn it. He couldn’t just let the bastard get away. Silver needed to catch him. He turned and raced back through the door, in the hall he stopped.
Malia, he could sense her. She was near. Silver moved cautiously down the hall. He stopped when he reached a small room. The door was locked. Three kicks and he had it open. This was where they kept the trash. And on top of the pile of garbage was Malia’s body, waiting to be compressed.
Shit. Silver climbed the wall of garbage, slipping on wet items he didn’t want to identify. He could hear the grinder preparing to flatten the trash. Silver reached her arm and pulled, tugging her until they both fell backward.
He gathered her into his arms and scooted back out of the room a split second before the large steel flattener fell down and smashed the items in the room.
“I got you,” He muttered, rubbing her hair out of her face. “It’s going to be okay.” But it wasn’t. She couldn’t hear him. She was no longer alive. Silver leaned his head against hers and cried, letting the tears fall without shame.
“Damn it baby, I’m so fucking sorry. I never should’ve saved you that first time. At least then you could have died in peace with those you loved around you. Instead of dying alone at the hands of my enemies. I didn’t save you all those years ago. I condemned you to a fate worse than death. I’m so sorry, Malia.”
Silver tightened his arms around her and was shocked when he felt her stir.
“Malia,” he pulled back and stared down at her. Did her eyes flutter or was that just his imagination grasping for any sign of life? They fluttered again. “Malia.”
“Silver,” her voice was strained, so deep it sounded masculine.
“Malia, don’t talk.”
“They slit my...”
“I know baby.”
How the hell was she alive? Was this another one of Rhodes’ experiments?
“Silver, did you say you saved me once before?”
So she had heard him.
“Years ago,” he told her.
“You’re the angel I see in my dreams.” She coughed.
“Malia, just be quiet. I need to get you out of here.”
“You’re the angel that saved me when I was dying in my room. You came to me. You told me you wouldn’t let me die.”
Silver stood up lifting her with him and holding her close. Even though his knee pained him, he knew he had to get her to the ship. He needed Striker to help her. To heal her.
“Silver, you were the one who made me how I am.”
“And how is that mate?”
He just had to keep her talking. As long as he could hear her voice he would know she was alright.
“When I get hurt, I heal fast.”
Like him.
“Bruises always disappear, no matter how deep the wound is.”
Like him.
“They slit my throat and it hurt like hell. I passed out. I thought I was dying. But I wasn’t. It healed or it’s healing. It still hurts, but I’m not dead. Am I?”
“No mate, you’re not dead.”
His mate was immortal. Like him. Thank the stars. Silver made it to the extension bridge. Beta and Ep came racing forward.
“She’s alive,” Ep said, his voice filled with the same shock Silver was feeling.
His mate was alive. He was happy. So why the hell did he feel so much pain in his chest?
“Silver,” she croaked. “So sorry for leaving you.”
That’s why. Because she’d left him. He’d risked it all to save her. But she was only in this situation because of her betrayal to him.
“Take her.” Silver held Malia out to Epsilon. “Take her to the clinic on the Striker. Once she is healed she will remain in my room until we are able to return her to Venus.”
“Venus?” Ep and Beta asked in unison.
“I won’t be keeping her. I don’t want a mate who’d rather die than be with me.” Silver stormed across the bridge, leaving his mate and his crew staring at him like he was insane. Perhaps he was.
Being unwanted by your mate would do that to you.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ten days later…
Everyone had been to visit her except for Silver.
Malia lay on the small cot in the clinic listening to Striker tell her how her body was doing today. Each day he updated her on her progress. The computer was amazed at how well she’d healed.
He was even more amazed that she’d been able to do this ever since Silver saved her as a child. It was her childhood secret, not the immortal part, the healing fast part. She’d had no idea she was immortal.
When she was little, the doctors diagnosed her
with a rare brain tumor and swore she wouldn’t live to be an adult. But she had lived. She’d done better than that, she thrived. Her parents had been shocked. They were even more shocked when their once sickly daughter became active and rambunctious.
Once Malia realized she was healthy like the rest of her friends, she wanted to try everything. Skate boarding, rover racing, solar tanning, everything. And whenever she was hurt, she healed almost instantly, depending on how bad the wound was.
Her parents had no idea why she was this way, but they forbade her from telling anyone, fearing it would make others look at her differently. So Malia had kept her secret to herself. And that secret was what saved her life when Dosavich slit her throat.
It was all because Silver saved her when she was a kid. She hadn’t known. He hadn’t told her. If he would’ve, she never would’ve left the ship in the first place. Tears filled her eyes. Why wouldn’t he come see her?
The others made excuses for him, saying as captain he was trying to acclimate himself to this new fighter ship. They even said he was trying to give her a chance to heal completely before he spoke with her.
But she was already healed. There wasn’t much more healing she could do. She wanted to see him. To apologize.
“Malia are you okay? Your heart rate has increased.”
“I’m fine,” Malia tossed the covers aside. She was tired of being treated like she was fine china. She wanted answers. Now.
“You are not allowed to leave yet.”
“You just told me how great I was doing. Why do I have to stay here?”
“Captain’s orders.”
“He never ordered me to stay put.”
“No, but he told me to keep you here.”
“Then those are your orders, not mine.”
“Malia I am sorry, but I must insist that you remain here.”
“And if I don’t?”
“There are ways for me to keep you here.”
“Really, Striker? Don’t you think I’ve been through enough?” Her body was still sore. Migraines still bothered her day and night. Right now she just wanted to see her mate, to talk to him.
“You are correct. You have been through enough. But the captain does not want to see you.”
Okay, that stung, a lot.
“I need to speak with him.”
“He does not wish to communicate with you right now.”
“Am I prisoner here?”
“Until you reach your home-world.”
“But I don’t want to go home. I want to stay here, with Silver.” Stars, she sounded like a begging fool.
“The captain no longer wants a mate.”
“Hurtful.”
“I am sorry Malia. I wish things were different.”
So did she.
“So what am I supposed to do now? Just sit in here until we reach Venus?”
“We have not yet begun our journey to your home-world. We had to dock, restock and refuel before we began. But the journey will not be as long now that we can travel at warp speed.”
“So we’re docked right now?”
“Yes.”
“And where is Silver?”
“He has left the ship to go and trade with the others. Only Ep remains behind.”
“Shit, they would leave the least sympathetic male behind.”
“Why do you need a sympathetic male?”
“No reason, can you page Ep for me?”
“Page?”
“Can you have him come to the clinic. I need to speak with him.”
“Yes, Malia.”
She waited for Striker to tell her Ep’s response.
“Epsilon is on his way.”
Great. But would he help her? That was the zillion dollar question. Malia got back in bed and laid back against the pillows when the door to the clinic began to slide open. Ep entered, his expression blank.
“How may I help you Malia?”
“I need Silver.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
“No, I need my mate.”
Ep looked away. “The captain does not have a mate.”
“Why do you all keep saying that? Just because he is mad doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a mate.”
“It would be best if you started looking toward your future. Leave all thoughts of Silver in the past.”
Wow. She couldn’t believe she was hearing this. She’d promised herself she was done crying. But she couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face.
“Do not do this, Malia. Crying will not help.” He appeared uncomfortable. Malia cried harder. Epsilon slowly made his way over to the bed. He patted her shoulder as she cried. “There, there, Malia. It will be okay. Perhaps the captain will change his mind.”
“I told him I’m sorry,” she cried.
“I know. But words do not heal wounds.”
“How do I fix this?”
“I do not know that it can be fixed.”
“Anything that is broken can be fixed.”
“Not the heart.”
Well damn. “I want out of this clinic now.”
“Has Striker approved it?”
“He says I’m well.”
“Is that true Striker?”
Geez, no one trusted her now.
“Yes, her wounds have healed. She is still sore and needs to rest. But she can do so in her own room if she wishes.”
“So can I go to my own room now?”
“Yes, the captain’s room will be yours until we return you home.”
“And where will he be sleeping?”
“He has not slept on the ship since we’ve been docked.”
“Where has he slept?”
Ep looked away.
Oh hell no. They were on a space station. Malia knew these stations had clubs were males could go see females dance naked and even purchase one for the night. Surely Silver wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Would he?
“Is he with another female?” She had to know.
“What the captain does is his business.”
“As his mate I have a right to know.”
“The captain has no mate. If you wish me to escort you to his room I will. If not, I must return to my post.”
“Yes I wish,” Malia yelled, angry at everyone. “And tell Silver I want to see him before I go to sleep. If not, I will fuck up this whole ship.”
She didn’t miss the smirk on Ep’s face as he led her from the room. He thought this funny. She wasn’t laughing. She would destroy this ship if Silver didn’t give her some answers soon.
She wanted her mate and she wanted him now.
****
The music inside the club was deafening.
Silver was supposed to be trading. Instead, he was sitting in the back of a club getting a private dance. Or it had been private, until Epsilon stormed into the room and sat down next to him.
“It’s going to cost extra for two,” the female on stage said.
She’d told Silver her name. He’d forgotten it the moment she said it.
“I’m not paying for you,” Silver muttered to Ep before lifting his brew and taking a huge gulp.
“I can’t hear you,” Ep yelled.
Silver motioned for the dancer to turn the volume down. She rolled her eyes but did as he asked. When the music was at a more reasonable level, Silver turned to Ep.
“She charges double if there are two people watching. I’m not paying for you.”
“I’ll pay for myself.” Ep tossed a wad of papers at the chick.
She resumed her movements. Silver stared at the back wall, uninterested in what she was doing.
“Captain, why are you here?”
“For a good time.”
“You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself. Plus, we need to get going. We’ve been here for two weeks.”
“We needed to refuel.”
“Yes, and we’ve done that. We’ve also restocked everything we needed. It’s time to go.”
“No
t yet,” Silver shook his head and felt dizzy. Finally, after his sixth brew he was starting to feel something. He wanted to feel nothing. It would take five more to get him numb.
“Silver, your mate is asking for you.”
“Fuck her, I have no mate.”
“But…”
“I told you not to talk to me about her.”
“Striker has allowed me to return her to your room.”
Silver tensed. “Good. She will stay there until we return to Venus.”
“And when will that be?”
As soon as he had drunk enough alcohol to make him forget the dark skinned beauty he was in love with.
“You can’t drink your pain away?” Ep told him.
“Watch me.” Silver lifted his mug and took another huge sip. It was disgusting. But it got the job done.
“My mate… Nahid needs a healer. Remember I told you she’s begun to stir. Striker said she’s healing and is better nourished now. It’s her mind that won’t allow her to wake up. We must get her to a healer. Malia said her friend is a doctor.”
“And you trust the words that come out of her beautiful mouth? I don’t.”
“She made a mistake.”
“She betrayed me. She spied on us for Rhodes.”
“Yeah, and she’s sorry. Don’t you think she’s suffered enough? I mean, she died because of her mistake.”
“Yeah and now she’s back. I die every day. I don’t see you all feeling sorry for me.”
“I do feel sorry for you.”
“Fuck you, I don’t need your pity.”
“Damn it, Sebastian, get your act together. The Striker needs a captain.”
“The Striker has a captain.”
“Then act like it. We need to leave. I’m tired of watching your mate cry, we all are. If you don’t want her, return her home. End this. Instead of suffering every day.”
“I’m not suffering. I’m enjoying myself. I have a different female every night.”
“Yet you rent a room on the top floor and sleep alone.”
“Are you spying on me?”
“I’m your friend. I have to make sure you’re safe.”
Damn it. Silver rubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t do it. Sleep with one of them. I tried. I just can’t…”