Grenville
Page 9
“She was probably quoting from some saccharine book of inspirational quotes,” Imee said. Akomi laughed from where she was sitting and failed to cover it up with a coughing fit. “But it’s not entirely wrong.”
“I just need to know if it’s true. Tell me I can fly. Tell me you’ll give me, give us, another chance.”
His voice cracked on the word us, and wings crashed against the inside of her rib cage. “I’m willing to forgive you. We both know there can’t be an us with the rank differences. One of us will get drummed out.” Meaning her, because she was the expendable one in the long run. There were always more pilots. Rangers were revered.
“I tendered my resignation.” The words flattened in the air like a wing crumpling under high-G, and they left her almost as deflated. Before she could interrupt he held up a hand. “The Commander wouldn’t take it, for the record. But I wanted you to know that you were worth more. That I love you more than any of this.”
Her heart skipped at the word, at the first time she’d heard him say it, and then it fell in the next beat. “If they didn’t take it,” she said, “then we’re back to square one. No fraternization.”
“Not exactly. There’s one other option.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a band of black silicon resting in a carefully folded paper box. “It’s not elegant, and like me, it’s less than you deserve. But it’s sturdy, and it won’t cut your finger off if it gets crushed.”
Her pulse thundered in her ears as he held the box out to her. She was vaguely aware that her roommate had abandoned all pretense and set her book down so she could walk closer. “I... What are you asking me?”
“We’ve known each other forever, and it’s taken me this long to realize that I’m useless without you. Imee Lewis, I love you. Will you marry me?”
She tackled him before he could finish the question, smothering the words with a kiss, promising him a hundred more. A lifetime’s worth. When they broke apart, he smiled and leaned his head against hers. “Is that a yes?”
Imee coughed out a quiet laugh. “That’s a yes.”
“Okay you two, stop it before the kids come back.” Akomi’s grin threatened to split her face in two. “This better mean I get to be a damn bridesmaid.”
Imee couldn’t stop smiling, and her smile couldn’t stop leaking little laughs of happiness. She looked at her roommate. “Yes, you can be a witness. Or a bridesmaid. Or whatever we end up with. But only if you go play lookout so we can neck some more.”
“Gross!” Akomi laughed, but she strode off all the same. She called back over her shoulders, “I’m still going to want details, you know.”
Imee chuckled and shook her head. Grenville stroked the side of her face, fingers leaving a trail of sparks in their wake, his amber eyes never leaving hers. “I should warn you, it’s not all roses from here. There are some issues.”
She’d already been thinking about it; she couldn’t fly for his fireteam, couldn’t be in a position where their marriage might affect her judgment or cause her to disobey an order. It would mean not seeing him during the day. And she’d be stuck worrying about him when he was on a mission, fully aware of what he was risking and powerless to help him. He’d be stuck doing the same for her.
And it would be worth it. So very worth it.
A black-furred body shoved in between them, and the circle of their arms opened to include Djehuti. The three of them fit together like they were pre-fabricated to do so. Like they were a family.
THANKS FOR READING! I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Three Systems, and to the Rangers of Fireteam Bravo. If you’re not ready to leave yet, then you’re in luck – the story continues in Book 3, Chen. Learn all about your favorite taciturn specialist, and her fun-loving wolf Nujalik. Available now at all your favorite e-tailers:
https://books2read.com/u/mgGpkR
Also by JC Hay
TriSystems: Rangers
Inouye
Grenville
Chen
Penzak (Coming Soon – Originally Shadow of the Past from Pets in Space 3)
May (Coming Soon)
TriSystems: Smugglers
Heart of the Spider’s Web (in Pets in Space 4)
The Corporate Services Books
Dubai Double Cross
Mumbai Manhunt
South Seas Salvation
Flare: Team Corona (Part of The Great Space Race)
Hearts and Minds
Acknowledgments
No book exists in a vacuum – there are limitless hands (and paws) that shape the creation of a story, and while there’s never enough room to thank all of them, I certainly have to try.
First, to my darling spouse – of course, thank you for being the amazing supportive person you have always been. You have been remarkable at being my shoulder, my support, and when I needed it, my taskmaster. Thank you for continuing to be my happily ever after, and for continuing to say yes every day.
For Shannan, who told me I should, and Kim who made me look good, and for Sasha – my brilliant editrix. You took rough-thrown clay and somehow shaped it into a Ming vase. Your eye for story, your skill in pushing me, and your knowledge of what I’m trying to say have all been invaluable in the creation of this series.
To my papillons, F and L – even though I know you can’t read this. The umbra wolves are my love letter to you. They wouldn’t have existed without you in my life. The joys, and also the grief that you’ve taught me have made my life immensely richer. There is nothing so bad that it can’t be healed by cuddling a fluff, chasing a ball, having a good meal, or sleeping at the seaside. I’ll miss you forever, F.
And lastly, thank you dear reader, and all the readers. Science Fiction Romance is a niche inside another niche, and it is your belief that they aren’t strange bedfellows, your voracious appetite for more great stories, and your dedication that keep me going. You are collectively the reason I sit down in front of the keyboard every day, and the payout that makes all the low times worthwhile.
Bless you all,
JC
About the Author
JC Hay is an SFR Galaxy Award-winning author of Science Fiction Romance, an inveterate dog lover, and dreamer. His tales of heroic hearts and fantastic futures reflect his heartfelt belief that sci-fi and romance go hand-in-hand, because the coolest gadgets in the world are useless without someone to share them.
http://jchay.com
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