Nebula Nights: Love Among The Stars

by Melisse Aires

  Rak was not finished. "There are no nice areas on this damn planet, 'specially not in this old area of the port. And with all the rioting, you never know. Slavers have been sniffing around, too."

  "I know they have, believe me. I'll be fine here." Kiri opened her refrigerator unit to check on her supply of soy creamer. Good, she had some vanilla, some sweetnut, and even gremel fruit. She didn't understand how anyone could put fruit flavor in their coffee, but it sold, so she kept it on hand.

  Straightening, Kiri waved a cheerful hand around her stand, showing that she had her coffee machine running, and she was ready to work. "You want a coffee?" she asked. "My new stuff is pretty good. Bet you like sweetnut creamer."

  "Drink my coffee black."

  "Got it." She poured him a large cup, snapped cover on and handed it over.

  "Thanks. How much?"

  She gave him a look. "No charge for my fight instructor."

  He didn't smile, but she was sure she saw a slight softening in his weathered face. "Thanks. Stay put."

  Coffee in hand, he stepped on a lift and zipped up to the hoverway. As soon as his gray-clad figure was out of sight, Kiri walked back out onto the concourse with her own coffee and stood out of the way of traffic, under the hoverway.

  She sipped her coffee, which was very good, rich and dark, mellowed by the soy creamer. So good, in fact, that for a moment she worried Illyria had somehow mixed up her order and shipped top-grade beans. Then she shook her head. The supplier was too good a businesswoman to make that mistake.

  She studied her kiosk, imagining the improvements she was going to make. Not too much, but definitely a new holovid sign, larger than the one she had now and with some rich, bright colors. And maybe a new rack for snacks and baked goods, so customers got an eyeful of irresistible confections.

  To the left of her kiosk ran a solid wall, with port infrastructure behind it. On the right an empty shop, larger than hers, was closed and barred. If only the space had a business in it that would attract more customers to stop, shop and then have a coffee.

  Perhaps if her upgrade was successful, another business would be attracted to the area. She caught a glimpse of movement in the shadowed depths of the space and paused to watch. Starry, maybe someone was looking it over now. Weird they didn't have the lights on, though.

  Maybe she should call the port police. Yeah, and wouldn't they be glad to hear from her. Shuddering at the thought of having to deal again with a skeptical helmet, Kiri strode back into her shop and busied herself powering up her coffee machine and creating a new, just slightly higher price list.

  Maury appeared with her cart just as Kiri was pouring herself a second cup of the new brew.

  The older woman leaned one elbow on the counter and inhaled. "That smells good."

  Kiri grinned. "It should, it's a better grade. What flavor will you have?"

  "Sweetnut, please." Maury folded up the handle of her cart and flipped up a seat. She perched on it with a sigh, tucking her wrap around her. "Ah, that feels good."

  Kiri handed her a steaming mug of coffee liberally laced with creamer. "How would you like a job that didn't involve so much walking?"

  Maury took a sip of hot coffee and hmmed with surprised pleasure. "My, that is tasty." She regarded Kiri curiously over her cup. "What sort of position?"

  "Running this place."

  The older woman's lovely, tired eyes widened. "Oh, my."

  Within a short time, the two women had decided on a mutually satisfying trial business deal. Maury would learn the coffee business and, if after a few weeks both of them were happy, take over running the stand for Kiri at least part time, with the right to sell her curios on one small display rack. In return, Kiri would allow Maury to train her niece Fava to help in the stand.

  If it worked out, they'd begin keeping the stand open continuously. Business was slower at night, but if they built a rep as always there for the weary traveler, it might pick up. Kiri didn't share her dream that someday they'd even compete with MoonPenny. That was for later—much later.

  Kiri would furnish Maury and Fava with new smocks. Since Stark was paying their wage, Kiri felt able to offer a good one. They would also talk to the bakery on the next concourse about stocking some of their less-expensive treats.

  "My niece is very artistic," Maury said. "Perhaps a new logo …?"

  Kiri nodded. "She's welcome to try."

  Maury toasted her with her cup. "Thank you, my dear. You've no idea what this means to me. My nephew is just out of trade school and unemployed. He can take over my cart business."

  "Thank Stark." Kiri nodded wryly at the holovid unfolding over the center of the concourse, where Stark and his phalanx of pilots stood tall, conquerors of space. "I find myself doing that a lot lately."

  Maury twinkled. "I'll bet you do."

  Kiri blushed.

  Maury walked away with a determined set to her thin shoulders and a spring in her step. Kiri smiled to herself. She was not only getting an employee she could trust, but Stark's credit would make Maury's life easier.

  Time to use his credit again. She activated her comlink. "Sam Finder," she said.

  Chapter 20

  A man smiled into Kiri's holocam. His clothing was neat but faded, his thinning hair a grayed blond.

  The holovid came to life, with the same man facing her from a dark background shimmering with the glaring colors of a gambling den. He looked tired, rumpled, and somewhat irritated to be disturbed. "Ms. te Nawa? What is it?"

  Kiri stared at him. "Mr. Finder? Where are you?"

  He looked chagrined, then shook his head. "Ah, following up a lead for a client. My work takes me many places, you know that."

  She nodded. He'd shared with her over the years some of the unsavory places he'd been, chasing leads for her.

  "What can I do for you, young lady? You know I can't, ah, continue to work for you without more credit on your account. I'm sorry, but I have to make a living."

  Kiri waved her hands, brushing aside his concern. "I know, you kept working long after my credit was gone. But I have more, enough for you to travel to Serpentia. Remember you thought perhaps Kai had been taken there?"

  He stared at her. "You do? I—I mean, yes, I did. And that's great." He glanced around surreptitiously and then got to his feet. "Let's take this outside. I'll link back soon."

  "Okay."

  Kiri blew out a frustrated breath. She understood he didn't want to talk about a private case where others might hear, but after waiting this long, she wanted instant action.

  As she waited, she watched the space port passengers traversing the concourse. A human family passed by, luggage cart close behind them. A father, mother and two children, each with their hands securely held by a parent. As they passed, the younger boy pulled on his mother's hand, pointing at a bright holovid of toys further along. The mother held tightly to his hand, shaking her head. But the man said something that made both boys laugh.

  Kiri watched them until they disappeared. Her hands hurt, and she looked down. She was gripping them together so hard they were bloodless and aching. With an exclamation that was nearly a sob, she uncurled them and flexed them, working out the soreness.

  This time, she promised herself. This time, her search would get results. Sam Finder would live up to his name and find Kai. She refused to believe otherwise. And then they'd be a family again, at least the two of them.

  "Ah, at last," said a stout woman, stopping on the other side of Kiri's counter. "Coffee—the largest one you have. I've been up for twenty hours and another flight to catch."

  "Right away," said Kiri, already pulling the largest disposable cup and sliding it under the spout of her machine. "Flavor?"

  "I'll have that sweetnut. Mind you put plenty in. No skimping." The woman paid her new price without batting an eye, and Kiri smiled at the two Barillians who stepped up as soon as the woman walked away. Caffeine was a universal need.

  "Two large gremel crèmes."

/>   "Great choice," she approved politely. "Enhances the flavor of the Pangaean light perfectly."

  She slid into her patter and for the next hour, served tired, grumpy customers coming off one of the big discount flights. Rak appeared, and she poured him another cup without being asked.

  "Thanks." He took an appreciative sip. "How much longer you gonna be?"

  "Give me another half hour." Nearly her usual closing time.

  He nodded. "I'll wait over there." He indicated a bench under the hoverway near a cluster of faux plants

  Finder linked back, and Kiri walked into the back corner of her stand to speak with him. She didn't need passersby or Stark's pilot hearing her private business.

  The detective was in an old slider now. He looked even paler than usual, and though he smiled professionally, his eyes were tight as if he were in pain.

  "Are you okay?" she asked.

  "I'll be fine. Just a bit of a dustup with the, uh, security at the club."

  "Did you call the police?" she asked. "They can't treat citizens like that."

  "No, no," he assured her bravely. "When I'm on a case, I have to be willing to take my hard knocks. Anything for my clients. Now, about your renewed credit."

  Kiri nodded. "I have plenty. And I want you to follow up that lead you told me about."

  His eyes widened. "You want me to go to Serpentia?"

  She nodded again, triumphant at his look of respect. "I do."

  He nodded back eagerly. "That's grand. I can, er, leave tomorrow, in fact. Best to leap on the tail of the comet, as it were."

  "Link me where to send the credit."

  "I will." The investigator looked at her, his weary face softening. "You are a remarkable young woman, Ms. te Nawa. We'll find him this time."

  "Okay." As she broke the link, Kiri swallowed to tamp down the wild hope that flooded her. Too soon for that, much too soon. She'd done what she could, now she'd stay busy building up her business, so that she'd be ready.

  And Stark would be home in—she consulted her link—four hours. She smiled to herself. Oh, yeah. That she was definitely ready for.

  * * *

  Back on the Arcturus, his business in New Asia concluded, Stark accepted a moon brandy from Opal and checked his comlink. There were several link requests waiting.

  Stark linked Bronc Berenson first. The big man sat in a slider, a landing pad visible behind him.

  "Bronc. What do you have for me?"

  "Sir. Found out who owns the New Seattle club where the ex-soldiers were shanghaied. Place called The Flash."

  "I've heard of it. Who owns it?"

  "Ganger who's done real well for himself. Darkrunner, Tal Darkrunner."

  Stark set his glass down hard enough that the hovertray beside him wavered, the brandy sloshing in the glass. Anger and something else, a slick tendril of unease fought in his gut.

  Berenson waited, his gaze not missing a thing.

  "I want to talk to him, as soon as you can set it up."

  Berenson nodded. "Yes, sir."

  Stark held up one hand in a gesture to wait. He had nothing to gain by keeping secrets from his security chief. The man was like a cerametal safe—he would no more reveal confidential information than he would try to fly without a slider.

  "Darkrunner and I have … a mutual acquaintance." He related Kiri's recent encounter with the ganger, and what he knew of her past history with the ganger.

  The two men exchanged a long look.

  "I need to know if he is involved in this," Stark said. "If he's profiting from slave running, I want him taken down, hard." Slavers were among the most despicable creatures in the universe, and if he had the chance to put even one out of business, he'd celebrate. Thank God his people had saved at least a few beings from a hellish fate.

  "You and me both, sir. Are you … concerned that she may be involved?"

  "Not really," Stark said, and meant it. "I believe I know her character. But I'd be a fool not to have you follow this connection."

  "I understand. I'll be discreet."

  "I know you will. Get back to me as soon as you have anything."

  "You can count on it, sir."

  Stark broke the link. He reached for his brandy and drained it in one gulp. It burned down his throat and settled in his gut, warming his insides.

  He shook his head at his own doubts. He was an excellent judge of character—hard won through years of reading business opponents and potential associates. Kiri was not Adora Crest, just a woman who'd had a series of hard knocks in her life and done the best she could. So she had one past lover who was unsavory—he did as well.

  He answered the link from Haassea next. His mood already bleak, he was not pleased with what she had to say.

  After soothing her ruffled scales, he linked Rak.

  "Trouble?" Stark asked dryly. "Let me guess, Ms. te Nawa."

  "Not sure, sir," Rak replied. "Just thought you'd want to know, she used some of your credit to pay a private investigator. Overhead her when I arrived at her coffee stand this evening."

  Stark scowled. He wanted to throw back his head and roar in sheer frustration. What would his unruly little cat want with an investigator? Was she trying to solve the Vulpean's murder or some other reckless scheme? "Do you know why?"

  "No, but she bought him a ticket on a flight to Serpentia. He flies out tomorrow morning."

  What the seven hells could Kiri want on Serpentia? Galactic flights were expensive, even on the discount lines. "Have our people get everything they can on him."

  "Figured you'd say that, sir. Already on it."

  "Thanks. Keep an eye on her."

  Rak nodded, shifting uncomfortably. "She's a nice girl. Hard worker."

  The hardened warrior was not cut out to be a spy. Guardian, yes.

  "This is for her protection," Stark reminded Rak. "Trouble … has a way of finding her. The more I know about her activities, the better chance I have of keeping her safe."

  "I'm giving her self-defense lessons."

  "Excellent." Or at least so Stark hoped. Perhaps everyone around her should now don high-tech armor. He was beginning to think she was a loose laser charge.

  The pilot grimaced. "She asked if I'd teach her to fly the slider next."

  "I think not. Perhaps when we're on a planet with less traffic." Or when she settled down a great deal.

  The pilot sighed with relief. "Yes, sir."

  Stark signed off and leaned back in his seat, rubbing the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger. At the moment he felt more like a warden than a man with a new mistress. This was one of the reasons why he let very, very few beings close. Business, he could control. People were much more difficult.

  Beginning tonight, he was going to make very, very sure a certain little cat made all this trouble worth his while.

  Chapter 21

  Kiri showered and dressed with Chaz Jaguari singing and dancing on her holovid. She danced her way across the quiet of her bedroom and into the closet to choose an ensemble for the evening. She was tired, but she felt good. She'd opened her stand again, had the upgrade underway, and she'd renewed her contract with Finder.

  She took a sip of the sparkling wine Natan had left for her, and set her glass on the hovertable at her elbow. She smiled at the small table and amused herself leading it around in a circle with her arm. She was getting spoiled.

  Hmm, what to wear when a sexy man was going to be taking her clothing off or at least commanding her to do so for his pleasure. She pressed her thighs together and smoothed her hands over her bare breasts, anticipating his touch there. Her pussy felt swollen and wet already.

  She selected a pair of delicate gold lace undies but left the matching bra in the drawer. She didn't need one just for the evening, and the gold spider lace knit dress hugged her body with clever bands of knit that just covered her breasts and hips. She toed into the soft gold flats and admired herself in the mirror, running her finger through her hair and then shaking her hea
d at herself. Her eyes were huge in her flushed face.

  A chime sounded, and a soft voice announced, "Main door, opening. Stark arriving."

  Kiri hesitated, her toes curling in her slippers. Should she saunter out slowly? Oh, quark it.

  She dashed out into the living area, where Stark was standing by a table, divesting himself of his suit jacket, his back to her. She watched his broad shoulders appear and then his long back, covered in a charcoal fitted shirt.

  She could hear muffled noises from the galley. Natan preparing dinner.

  "Hi," she said, her voice cracking.

  Stark turned, his eyes narrowing as he looked her over. Excitement bursting, Kiri ignored his bleak expression to launch herself across the room and into his arms. She threw her arms around his neck and hiked her legs up around his hips, planting a kiss on his smooth cheek.

  He staggered with the impact, and then his arms closed around her, and he took her mouth with his, hard. His tongue thrust into her mouth. Well, she'd asked for it, hadn't she? Kiri curled her tongue around his, drinking in the taste of Stark, moon brandy and need.

  One arm around her waist, his other under her ass, he hauled her tight against him and turned, carrying her across the room. His cock hardened, riding the soft notch of her labia as he walked.

  Kiri tightened her legs on him, whimpering as need furled out from that spot. She swung through the air, and the leather divan hit her in the ass.

  Stark pulled away just enough to look her in the eye, his own hooded, his face taut. "Such an enthusiastic greeting. I believe you missed me." There was an edge to his voice that both frightened and thrilled her. What had she unleashed?

  Perched on the back of the divan, she wrapped one leg around the back of his thighs, stroking his neck above his collar in feminine placation. "I did miss you."

  "Then let's fix that," he said, reaching between them to work his trousers.

  "Your bedroom," she gulped. "Natan's here—"

  Stark kissed her to shut her up, and when his cock slapped against her inner thigh like a hot, silken brand her pussy clenched with excitement and shock. He was going to have her right here, where Natan might walk out at any time and see them. But as Stark's fingers slid under the edge of her panties in a slick caress, she moaned.