“He didn’t until Mason taught him.” The girl had crumbs on her chin and looked so impossibly young. Keeping her safe, and her brother, would be as important as saving those innocent babes.
“I didn’t know Foley could learn to play chess.” Remy managed a smile at Katie who returned it, albeit with effort.
“He is an old dog.”
“Who doesn’t like new tricks.”
“Or a washrag.” Morgan made them all laugh out loud, the sound incongruous to the mood on board.
“Max is on the bridge.” Katie looked at Remy, her expression expectant.
“I suppose he is. Other than the few hours I’ve forced him to sleep, he’s been up there for a week.”
“I’m worried about him.” This was from Morgan.
“He knows what he’s doing. Max has been a pilot for a long time.” Remy hoped like hell it was true. He looked like he’d been dragged backward through a cow’s ass. He had a week’s worth of whiskers, and his eyes were beet red. That was six hours ago, before she’d found her own restless sleep.
Katie hmphed her disbelief while Morgan frowned. Remy ignored them. The man was an adult. He could take care of himself without any meddling, even if she had to stop herself from interfering even more.
“What do we do when we get to Haverty?” Katie had stopped eating, the toast cold and ignored.
“Max and I will meet with the man Cooper told us to.”
“You’re not giving them the babies.” The redhead’s expression hardened.
“Not on your life. We need to take them out of the cases and into the equipment you set up to protect them. We’ll fill the cases with junk to make them heavy. If we’re lucky, he won’t open them right away.”
“And if you’re not lucky?” Katie frowned.
“We’ve got weapons, and we won’t be far from the shuttle.” Remy wasn’t sure exactly what would happen, but they would carry as much ammunition as possible.
“That sounds vague for a battle plan.”
“I don’t need doubts, Katie, so keep them to yourself. I’ve got a plan, or rather, Max and I have a plan.” She got to her feet, her anxiety making her stomach jump. “I’ve made contact about getting the babies to a safe place. I had to reach out to someone for help.”
Katie toyed with the crumbs on her plate. “Who did you contact?”
Remy swallowed the lump in her throat. “The only people who could help.”
It took a few beats before Katie must’ve realized what that meant. “The Great Family? Have you lost your mind?”
“They have the knowledge and the connections to help those poor babies,” Remy snapped. “Do you really think I wanted to?”
“Jesus, how did you do it?”
Remy put her face in her hands. “Max knew someone who knew someone. We sent them a message, and they’re supposed to meet us in a couple hours to take the babies. I want to puke.”
Katie shook her head. “I hope we don’t regret this.”
“I don’t know what else to do. This is a battle with monsters.” Remy’s voice rose.
The engineer got to her feet, eyes blazing. “Do you seriously think I don’t know what monsters are? I spent the first twelve years of my life swimming with them. Sometimes you’re such an asshole.”
Katie stomped out of the galley. Remy left a minute later, her chest tight and her eyes stinging. She shouldn’t have yelled at her best friend, but done was done. Against her better judgment, she went up the stairs to the bridge. Seeing Max probably wasn’t the best idea—she didn’t want to be around others, but she sure as hell didn’t want be alone.
When she stepped onto the bridge, a wave of calm washed over her. The Steel Coyote was her home, and the bridge, the heart of it. The shushing of the engine vibrated through the floor, a soothing noise that had become a part of her. Max was in the pilot’s seat, of course, but he was asleep. His folded arms cradled his head as he lay across the panel. She peeked around him, pleased to see the autopilot engaged. Saint sat on the console and he waved at her.
She smiled at the hologram and mouthed, “How long?”
Saint held up ten fingers. Max had been asleep for only ten minutes. She didn’t want to wake him. He’d almost killed himself to get them to Haverty as quickly as possible. For a man who portrayed himself as a playboy pilot known for having sex on the bridge of a cruiser, he’d proved himself to be so different.
Saint saluted her and disappeared from view. The Moral Compass was smart, knowing when to make himself scarce. She smiled and turned her attention back to her pilot.
She’d never seen Max asleep before. Aside from the whiskers and the deep purple marks under his eyes, he appeared young. A lock of black hair had fallen across his forehead, curling up on his skin. She reached for it and before she took a breath, found herself on the floor, an angry man atop her.
Fucking hell, the man was fast. She hadn’t even seen him move, but he’d captured both her wrists and flung her onto the floor in seconds. His blue eyes blazed like twin flames, fury making them spark. His lips were pulled back into a grimace, exposing his teeth like a dog ready to bite.
“Max?”
His expression softened and his gaze cleared. “Remy?”
“Can you let go of my wrists? I think I might have bruises.” She was sure of it but didn’t want to spook him again. She had no idea he had those kind of skills, not to mention the fury she’d seen in his eyes. It must simmer beneath the charmer he showed the world.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He let her go and gallantly helped her up from the floor. “I know it hurts like a bitch when your bio chip gets squeezed.” He took hold of her wrist and smoothed the back of it.
She wanted to snatch her hand away but didn’t. His gaze grew puzzled as he examined her, running his fingers up and down her skin. When he finally looked at her, she was certain he’d figured out what she’d never told anyone.
Remy had no bio chip.
“There’s no surgical mark. Your skin is smooth as a baby, with nothing to mar it.” He rubbed her wrist again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay. I startled you.” She waited for it, her discomfort growing as he avoided the subject.
“No excuse for slamming you into the floor or manhandling you.”
“Sometimes I like manhandling.” She was about to kick him if he didn’t ask.
“Are you going to tell me?” He finally threw a vague question at her.
“Tell you about what?”
He scowled and released her wrist. “Don’t play with me, Remy. I think we owe each other that much.”
She plopped down into the navigator’s seat. “I’ve never had a bio chip.”
He lowered himself into the pilot’s seat with more grace. “How is that possible? Babies are chipped when they’re born, even on the small moons and outposts.”
“I don’t know, and neither did Gunnar. When he found me, I had no bio chip.” She’d disguised it for years, never using credits of her own. Her adoptive father had protected her, and in the last year, Katie had taken over. Now, Max had taken that responsibility.
Max stared at her, his gaze inscrutable. “Who are you?”
She shrugged with a casualness she didn’t feel. “Remington Hawthorne. That’s all I know or remember.”
“There is darkness out there, Remy, and I’m afraid it might try to swallow you up.” It was an oddly romantic thing to say. “How can I protect you if I don’t know who the enemy is?”
She leaned forward and cupped his cheek. “I don’t need you to protect me, but I have to admit I like you wanting the job. I’ve been trying to avoid whatever this is between us,” she confessed. “You had to focus on flying the ship, and I had to focus on getting ready to arrive at Haverty. Now I realize we could die tomorrow.”
He frowned. “We could also live.”
“I like to be prepared for whatever might come. That includes death. We don’t know who or what will be there
when we arrive. They could be after you, they could want to kill me or take the twins. Sure as hell they want those slave babies. Although we’ve contacted the Great Family about relocating them, I keep doubting that decision. I’ve tried to avoid them, same as Gunnar. Now I don’t have a choice. Damn it.” She trembled with emotion, something she usually avoided completely. Today, however, she was out of control. “I don’t want to die when I’ve only just found you.” Her voice had dropped to a husky whisper.
Max got on his knees and took her into his arms. She needed this. She needed him.
“What is this between us?” His voice was barely a whisper.
“I don’t know.” She was not the type of person to grow close to anyone easily, much less in such a short period of time. Yet here she was, trembling in his arms, eager for comfort and to be close to him.
Max lifted his head and glanced at the hatch. “Do you think Katie is listening?”
She heard shuffling that sounded like feet on the landing. “If she is, I’m going to kick her ass.”
More sounds and then silence. She looked at Max and cupped his grizzly cheek. “We probably shouldn’t be doing this again.”
“I suppose not.” He moved just a bit closer to her.
His lips covered hers with the same desperation that echoed in her bones, her heart, her soul. She needed this; she needed him.
He wrenched his mouth from hers. “We can’t do this now. I’ve got to—”
“Shut up or I’ll hurt you, Fletcher. I’m going down to my cabin, and in two minutes you will follow me.” She kissed him long and hard, her tongue tangling with his, lost in the depths of his mouth.
He ran his hands down her back, tugging her forward until he pressed his hardness against her throbbing core. “I don’t know if we’ll make it down there.”
She chuckled against his lips. “You could always close and secure the hatch door.”
The words had no sooner left her mouth than he was up and sprinting for the door. He appeared to try to close it quietly but it was ill-used and squawked like an old woman. Remy laughed, pleased to find some amusement this day, especially in his expression. Horror, annoyance, and frustration mixed together. He finally slammed the hatch shut and flipped the handle.
She smiled and got to her feet. His gaze devoured her, spurring her on. For the first time in her life, Remy felt sexy.
It didn’t matter that she was six feet tall or that her boobs and ass were too large. None of it mattered. Heat from Max’s perusal empowered her. She unbuttoned her shirt slowly, popping each one out with a flourish. Remy had no idea what she was doing, but it was working.
Max stared at her buttons then licked his lips. A shiver of anticipation raced down her spine, making her nipples pop. A hum moved through her lower belly, making her wet and achy. She pulled off her shirt and the brassiere. He couldn’t take his eyes off her exposed breasts. She almost covered them, but his growl stopped her.
“Don’t you dare. They’re stunning. They’re perfect.” He cupped her, his callused hands against her chilled skin. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
In that moment, she was beautiful. A woman who’d discovered her power. She pulled his head toward her hard peaks. “Then worship them.”
He smiled and did as she bade. His mouth closed around the nipple, hot and wet, oh so good. Then his teeth closed around it, and his whiskers scraped deliciously on her sensitive skin.
Yes.
She reached for him but could only touch his arms and shoulders. Frustration roared through her. She needed more. He unbuttoned her trousers and put his hand inside, unerringly finding her throbbing clit. One swipe of his fingers and her knees wobbled. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders.
Pleasure and pain coursed through her. His teeth kept her on edge as his tongue and fingers brought exquisite bliss. She moved with him, needing, wanting, begging.
“Please.” Remy could hear the edge in her voice.
He never released her nipple or her core, but somehow, he managed to pull her trousers down and his. She stepped out of one leg and slid onto the navigation panel. Hopefully her ass, and what was about to occur, didn’t short out the equipment.
Max removed his fingers from her wetness only to replace it with his hard cock. He thrust into her at once, settling deep inside her core. She squeezed his shoulders and he paused. The sheer joy of being one with him in the most intimate way possible was not lost on her.
She met his gaze and whispered, “I don’t want to love you.”
“I don’t want to love you, either.” His mouth descended on hers and he began to move.
Remy couldn’t focus on the meaning of that exchange. Her body took over and all she managed was to feel everything. The scrape of his beard on her chin as he kissed her, the delicious friction of his cock inside her, the tickle of his hair against her inner thighs.
Their movements were swift and frantic, as though they’d stolen the time to find an escape. His muscles trembled beneath her hands as sweat trickled down their heated skin.
All too soon, her body tightened, close to release. She pulled her mouth from his and sucked in a breath, trying to slow the avalanche before it overtook her. But like a comet in the sky, she couldn’t stop the inevitable.
“Max!” His name was torn from her throat. She exploded into a thousand pieces, blown into the stars above.
He whispered her name, finding his own release moments after she did. Remy couldn’t catch her breath as the waves of the comet’s tail washed over her. He trembled, obviously as affected as she was by their frantic joining.
“Jesus.” His breath was choppy. “I need a moment. My legs feel like rubber.”
She chuckled and moved a lock of sweaty hair from his forehead. “Foley fixed the water.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You’ve been killing yourself for a week, and a shower would probably feel as good as a nap.” She kissed him. “We need to be rested for what lies ahead.”
With more regret than she thought possible, she moved away from him. He handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. After she cleaned herself, she pulled her clothes back into place and reached deep inside for strength.
“We’ll be within sight of Haverty in twelve hours.” He gestured to the nav panel. “I’m going to circle around to the pole so the ground sensors might not be able to pinpoint our location.”
“If you think that’s best.” Her brain didn’t want to string two thoughts together. However, the dark battle they’d face in Haverty loomed over them like a cloud of doom.
“I do. Unless they’ve improved the equipment, which I doubt. Delmar was sure of his own little private army. They have security around the compound, but the rest of the moon, they ignored.” Max had slipped into that person she didn’t know. The boy who’d survived a horrendous childhood only to face it once again. For her.
“What can I do?” She didn’t like feeling helpless, not at all. Control was important, but her head told her Max knew what he was doing. She had to trust him. Relying on others had never come easy for her.
“Prepare for battle and help the twins hide. Foley can stand guard. If you feel it’s safe, give him a gun.” His jaw tightened. Seriousness was not something she thought of applying to Max Fletcher. Yet there he was, as serious as death.
She wanted to kiss him again, but the intimate moment had passed. She clenched her hand around the handkerchief that held the remains of their joining. No, it time was to get ready for battle. Remy thought about what her father would say. No doubt he’d tell her to check her ammunition and make sure her gun was clean.
The ship hailed them three hours later. It was a nondescript cargo vessel with the innocuous name of Newport. No distinctive markings and nothing too shiny or too filthy. It was as bland as it could be. The Great Family controlled a great deal of the trade, moving silently through the quadrant, using ships like this and sticking to the shadows.
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br /> The hail came as soon as Max had spotted the ship. Remy trembled. This was the moment she would either step forward or retreat. She needed to be the Valkyrie Max believed her to be. Not only for herself, but for those innocent children caught in Coddington’s web. She needed to set herself free, along with anyone else she could save.
“This is Steel Coyote.” She managed to suck in a much-needed breath and used the code agreed upon. “Green tree transfer initiation.”
There was a pause long enough to make her palms sweat. “Initiation confirmed. Green tree shuttle arriving in ten minutes.”
Max looked at her. “Let’s get to the hatch and get this done.”
They headed down the stairs in silence. She was ready to jump out of her skin, and her pulse pounded crazily.
“You’re doing the right thing.” His hand on her shoulder alleviated some of her anxiety.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t feel like running to hide behind the nearest planet.” Her laugh was forced.
“But you won’t. We’ll get these babies safe, and then we’ll stop Coddington from ever doing it again.” No matter what happened on the moon, the babies would be safe from slavers.
“One thing at a time.” She couldn’t think about what would happen on Haverty. Right now she had to get through her first encounter with the Great Family.
As expected, the shuttle pulled up to the ship in ten minutes’ time. After the hatch was closed, Remy and Max walked into the loading dock. A man and woman emerged from the shuttle. They were a few years older than her, with dark hair and brown clothes, except for purple neckerchiefs. The woman raised her hand, and the tattoo winked out at Remy.
“Well met,” Max spoke, breaking the silence.
“Well met.” The woman’s voice was as normal as Remy’s. What did she expect? Something evil and dark?
Remy shook off the foolish notion that these people were boogeymen ready to pounce. “Well met. Welcome to the Steel Coyote.”
“I saw you on Azesus.” Max peered at the woman. “You wore a poke bonnet.”
The woman nodded. “You’re as smart as we’ve been told.” She gestured to the machines that sat nearby with blinking lights and a gentle hum. Katie had used bits and parts to create this temporary home for the babies. “Let’s get this transfer complete.”
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