Suddenly Catherine found herself standing again, spinning around and stumbling backwards to land in Sean’s arms, face-first. She snarled at him and stepped back before turning to April.
April kicked the negotiation table to one side. “Let’s see what they teach Global Transport executives, shall we?” She settled into a classic fighting pose and motioned at Catherine. “If you’re not too busy playing with your boy toy.”
* * *
April was going to kill Catherine.
Or the executive was going to spontaneously combust.
Sean cleared his throat as he watched them spar. Or to be more precise, April giving a firm thrashing to the woman he’d recently slept with.
If Catherine got this aggressive in bed—
He willed that sort of thought away. It wasn’t productive and sure as hell wasn’t appropriate when all she wanted to do was emasculate him with a rusty spoon. The angry glares shooting his way when she wasn’t trying to hold off April were proof enough of that.
April, for her part, wasn’t holding back much. Sean had worked with her before as part of the mandatory Guild self-defense training and he knew the courtesan wasn’t going to give Catherine any easy victories.
It would be nice if she gave her one, however.
He’d lost count of the strikes April had landed on Catherine’s arms, her legs, short jabs to her midsection that had sent her back crashing into the wall. None of them were crippling but they’d leave a nasty set of welts and have Catherine begging for some muscle relaxants and painkillers.
He winced, thinking of that lovely silky skin marred by angry black and blue marks.
“Hey.”
He looked up to see April pointing at him.
“You.” She wasn’t even breathing hard. “Come here.”
It was her Domme voice.
Ohshitohshitohshit—
He stepped forward without thinking about it, reacting automatically to her demands.
April Osano was a woman of many skills.
Many of which involved pleasure and pain, not necessarily in equal amounts.
Catherine was bent over, hands on her thighs as she wheezed. April positioned Sean in the middle of the room and walked around him.
Sean swallowed hard, knowing what was next.
Time to pay for his indiscretion with Catherine Rogers.
Usually it was the rookies who got called up for display during their monthly refresher course.
Harry should be next.
Not today.
“Belle, cough up some cold water and a hot towel for our guest.” The courtesan sauntered around Sean as a panel opened to offer a plastic bottle and a cloth. “Sit down and learn, Ms. Rogers.”
Catherine took the water and collapsed in one of the chairs, her cheeks flushed and damp. Her ragged breaths were loud and wheezy as she buried her face in the wet towel.
“Your form is good,” April admitted. “Better than I expected. The only problem I see is you tend to hold back. Sound technique for a gym but if we get into it with your would-be killers you can’t afford that luxury.” She gestured at her outfit then at Catherine’s. “I know what you’re thinking—how can I fight in this?” She rolled her shoulders back. “Because I have to be able to fight in any clothing, anywhere at any time. I can’t take the time to change into a gi or track suit to allow me greater flexibility. You have to be prepared for anything and to fight with what you have or don’t have at hand.”
Her hand landed on Sean’s shoulder.
He closed his eyes and tried not to tense up.
It’d only hurt more.
“Shirt off, please.”
He unbuttoned the fresh white shirt. He tossed it in the general direction of the overturned table.
“Hmm.”
She saw the fresh scratches and marks; she had to.
He imagined Catherine turning even redder, if it were possible.
“I see you’ve been getting physical already,” April said. “Nice, but we can do better.”
He wished for a black hole to open up in the middle of the floor and shoot him into space for a fast death.
“Let’s talk dirty,” April whispered.
* * *
Catherine wasn’t sure if she was going to die of embarrassment or exhaustion. She’d had some tough sparring partners but April’d put her through the wringer and then some.
Whatever she was charging for her services wasn’t enough. She’d put April up against any of her trainers or maybe all of them at once.
Catherine ached from top to bottom, every muscle screaming for relief.
Damn it, she needed a nice long nap.
April strutted around a half-naked Sean as the courtesan studied his bare torso.
Studied the marks Catherine had left there only a few hours ago.
“Fighting dirty isn’t something women tend to do. We’re told to play nice, don’t hit below the belt and don’t pull hair.” April twisted her fingers in Sean’s short black hair and yanked his head back, hard.
His lips pulled back to expose his teeth but he stayed silent.
“I find pulling hair quite acceptable under certain circumstances.” She released him and continued her circling. “Your teachers didn’t allow you to think outside of the box where anything goes.”
Her hand flew to the inside of Sean’s right arm, just below the shoulder. “For example, pinching. A sharp pinch in the right place—” She twisted and snapped her fingers away. “Can distract even the most determined opponent.”
Catherine watched the purple welt rise.
Sean didn’t flinch, didn’t pull away.
“Fighting dirty tends to have you thinking about smacking a guy in the balls. A great target if you can get to it.”
April brought up her right knee and stopped less than an inch from Sean’s crotch.
He instinctively moved to cover with both hands.
She smiled and dropped her knee down. “Most men know that and protect the family jewels automatically.” April patted Sean’s cheek. “Understandable reaction. That’s the problem when you’re told to go for the balls—it’s more likely than not an attack will be thwarted.”
Sean exhaled slowly and returned his hands to his sides.
“But there’re other areas that can be attacked to inflict almost as much pain. When it comes to vital areas, both sexes have the same vulnerabilities. The arms, the legs, the nipples.” Her fingers landed on Sean’s left breast, pinching the delicate skin between her thumb and forefinger.
He rose up on his feet, grimacing, but he kept his eyes closed.
“Same for us, dear.” April looked at her directly. “Giving control, having control and using it. Knowing when to do what is important and not only in the middle of a fight.” She cocked her head to one side. “There are always going to be situations that are totally, utterly out of your control. How you react to them will decide your future.”
Sean whimpered.
“Enough.” Catherine found her voice. “Enough.”
April studied her for a second before releasing Sean. He sank down, letting a whisper of relief escape.
“You do what you have to do, forget every dainty, polite move you’ve been taught. Poke out eyes, bite until they bleed, spit in their faces. Whatever works to keep you alive.”
She continued her orbit around Sean, who remained still and silent. “I know it’s not pretty but if it comes down to it you bite his fucking balls off.”
Catherine ran the ice-cold water bottle over her forehead, letting the condensation help cool her skin. “I get your point.” She winced as she dropped her arm. “More than a few times over.”
April chuckled. “I won’t apologize for doing my job. I hope it
doesn’t come down to it but if you’re the last one standing I want you to make the bastards work for it.” She tapped Sean on the tip of his nose. “Put your shirt on. Lesson over.”
He opened his eyes and went to the corner of the room.
He didn’t look over at Catherine.
“April, would you kill me for a million credits?” The question slipped out before her mental censor could catch it.
April cocked her head to one side. “Now isn’t that a curious question.” She went down on one knee in front of Catherine. “My answer is no. It’s not always about the money.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “What that courtesan, that bitch did was wrong and violated so many of our rules that I can’t even begin to list them all. But I can promise you if I ever ran across her, or that jackhole of an ex-husband, that I’d wreak bloody vengeance in your name.”
Catherine choked on her words, if she ever had any to say.
“Thank you,” she finally said.
April gave a respectful nod. “But if I did want to kill you I can guarantee it’d be fast.” She looked over her shoulder at Sean, still keeping her voice down. “It’s difficult when you fall for a man with a broken heart. Don’t be too hard on him.” She smiled. “At least, no harder than I just was.”
The courtesan stood up abruptly. “I’ll be in my cabin if you want to pursue this further.” She walked toward the door.
Catherine drained the water bottle, her head spinning.
“And you,” April called from the doorway.
Sean spun around, still buttoning his shirt. Panic flashed across his face before he regained control.
“You get a free pass next month. Don’t let me forget it.” She dragged her gaze down his body with a leer. “Although if you’d like to branch out into a different skill field—”
“Thank you.” Catherine stood. “That will be all.”
April gave her another nod and paused at the door, grinning. “Let me know if you want to borrow any toys.”
Then she was gone.
Catherine drew a deep breath, her lungs still aching from the rigorous workout.
Damned courtesan hadn’t even broken a sweat.
Catherine turned her attention back to Sean, mixed emotions bouncing around her mind. Part of her wanted to hug him, soothe April’s temporary injuries. Part of her wanted to slap him silly and demand to know why he thought he had the right to screw with her mind and her heart.
She wasn’t sure what part she wanted more.
“You’ll have to excuse April,” Sean said as he fumbled with the last few buttons. “She tends to take her job seriously.”
Catherine shook her head. “No, she’s right. If push comes to shove I can’t depend on our attackers making all the right countermoves. We won’t be counting points and taking breaks between rounds.” She moved toward him, fingers stretched out. At the last second she held back and dropped her hand to her side. “Are you okay?”
“Sure. We’ve done worse in our training sessions.” The wincing as he rolled his right shoulder back said differently. “She’s a tough taskmaster but she delivers what she offers.”
“I guess so.” She put the empty bottle into the garbage, looking for something to do with her hands. “Thank Sam for sending her along. I learned a few things.”
“That’s good.” He headed for the door, still not looking at her. “Later.”
The hatch swung shut behind him before she could say anything.
* * *
The universe was out to get him.
Why else would a beautiful woman land on the Belle and send him tripping over his own feet to the point of pissing off half the crew and alienating said woman in the process?
Sean found himself turning toward the landing bay instead of his cabin. He couldn’t return there, not right away. He’d end up lying in bed thinking about Catherine and one thing would lead to another and he didn’t want to touch himself knowing how much he’d just hurt her.
The memory of the two women sparring leaped to the front of his mind, rewinding and playing with uncanny accuracy. He might forget what he’d had for dinner last night but he’d never forget this.
She’d been beautiful. Spinning and ducking under April’s arms, almost holding her own with the highly trained courtesan. Catherine Rogers hadn’t been kidding when she’d bragged about her trainers.
She might not be able to fight off a room of pirates by herself but he’d be proud to stand beside her if it came to that.
The corridor hatch swung shut behind him with a metallic thud.
The landing bay was dark and quiet, the dim emergency lighting showing little trace of the debris they’d picked up earlier. Jenny had done her job of sweeping the deck clean and hopefully had found something useful among the remains.
He walked to the far end, counting his steps. It was a type of meditation he’d used before to clear his mind when the galley was too busy and his own cabin too small.
One. Two. Three—
“You been banished too?” The familiar voice came from the far corner.
Sean didn’t jump in shock. Instead he berated himself for forgetting Daniel. He went to the edge of the room where a small air mattress had been set out along with blankets and pillows. A duffle bag lay against the wall with clothing spilling out from the open end.
Daniel sat on one of the folding chairs, leaning back against the Belle’s wall. He hadn’t taken off the leather jacket and chewed on one end of an empty coffee tube, tearing and shredding the thin plastic edge.
He grinned as Sean approached.
“Not in so many words,” Sean admitted. “Are you still—” He jerked a thumb toward the hatch and by proxy, Sam’s quarters.
“For a little longer.” The white-haired man smiled. “She knows I’m right and I know I’m right but she’s not going to give an inch until I apologize for doing the right thing.” He withdrew the gnawed tube from his lips. “She’s right in wanting to get Ms. Rogers to safety but I won’t leave you unprotected and an easy target.”
“Sam does have a point. While Catherine’s testimony is powerful on its own with the documents she’s supplied, it’d be better if she was alive and present to testify. In the big scheme of things it’s more important than a few courtesans on a Mercy ship.” Sean pulled another folding chair off the stack strapped to the wall. In another few days they’d be lined up in a row for customers to sit and wait for their turn with the courtesan of their choice.
Right now it seemed to be Lonely Bachelor Territory.
“Except I don’t measure how much a life is worth,” Daniel answered. “It’s not up to me to assess whether your life is more worthy of saving than hers or,” he smiled, “Catherine’s.” He spun the tube between his fingers. “You know I wouldn’t leave Sam in danger.”
“Despite her best efforts.” Sean smiled. “She’s a handful and a half, our captain.”
“Tell me about it.” Daniel bit down on the coffee tube.
For a second Sean considered ratting Sam out on her long watch for Daniel to arrive, then decided not to. Right now his track record with relationships was abysmal and the last thing he needed was two people carrying firearms mad at him.
Sean nodded toward the hatch. “Shouldn’t you be helping Jenny out?”
Daniel patted his belly. “I’m way too big to be slithering around the undercarriage. Almost got stuck the last time I tried, so I’m leaving the toolwork up to Jenny. Besides, too many hands and all that. Belle’s getting a cheap upgrade but it should help us if it comes to a boarding party.”
“Boarding party?”
“If the pirates make it past Etts it’ll be down to us.” Daniel pointed the transparent plastic at the wall. “One defense is to constantly fluctuate the magnetic field that keeps most of the space c
rap from smashing into the Belle. Anyone walking on the hull using mag-boots won’t be able to keep their footing and any docking mechanism won’t be able to get a clean hold unless they come down to the hatch here.”
Sean nodded. He didn’t quite understand the idea but anything was better than nothing.
“So what sends you here, seeking solitude and silence?” Daniel tossed the empty tube into the pile of clothing. “Didn’t think there was much trouble you could get into on a Mercy ship outside of landfall.”
Sean sat down, not even trying to stop a deep sigh from escaping. “I slept with Catherine.”
Daniel blinked.
“Isn’t that what you, ah, do?” The marshal spoke slowly, choosing each word with care.
“Well, yes. But not this time. I mean, I didn’t want to at first. I didn’t plan—” Sean groaned and covered his face. “Shoot me. Just shoot me.”
“I’m sure Kendra would object,” Daniel drawled. “But for the record, what were you thinking?”
“It was after the debris field and we started talking and all of a sudden I was kissing her and you know the rest.” Sean rubbed the back of his neck. “I fell asleep. Afterwards, with her in bed. I fell asleep.”
Daniel’s wide eyes said it all.
He might not work for the Guild but he knew the rules.
“Now she’s angry with me.” He ticked the names off on his hand. “Kendra’s upset with me. April’s annoyed with me. Sam’s pissed at me. And I know Sara’s mad at me.”
Daniel held up a hand.
“Wait. I know three out of those four names. Unless the ship’s changed her AI name there’s someone else in this equation.”
Sean hung his head. “My wife.” He couldn’t say much more, his throat closing up at the mention of her name.
“Ah.”
The two men sat in silence for a few minutes. Etts, the marshal’s AI, let out a small string of beeps and trills from the black box sitting on his belt.
Daniel didn’t respond to the message, if there was one.
“You came from Vegas Four.” It wasn’t a question.
It didn’t come as a surprise to Sean. As a lawman Daniel had access to more than the Guild portfolios.
In the Void Page 22
