Crawling to where he now sat at the side of the bed, jerking on his boots, she came up on her knees and enveloped him for a change. Thinking he couldn’t possibly be this upset about a joke, she pressed her face into the side of his neck and moved one hand down his chest, teasing a finger along the open collar of his shirt. “Can you forgive me, Captain Jaylin? Never would I insult this fine, well preserved—”
“Is that another crack?”
“No, no, I, uh, meant well maintained. I can tell you’ve put your blood and sweat into making her a first-class space cruiser.”
Malik choked back a laugh, while Jaylin tipped his head and stared at the ceiling, as though counting to ten or praying for patience.
While in the position to do so, she tried buttering him up, well, more like seducing him by tracing her tongue around the outside of his ear. She whispered, “I’d do anything to prove how sorry I am.”
She found herself flat on the bed before she knew how she got there and a steely eyed blond alien more handsome than sin staring down at her.
“You’d do anything, huh?”
Realizing her mistake, she tried to think what they hadn’t done to her. She had three orifices, and all had been thoroughly used, so she felt safe nodding and saying, “Yes, sir, Captain.”
“Malik, I think a spanking for insulting our ship is in order. Teach her the Renegade provides her shelter, protection, and, in the future, will allow her men to keep clothes on her back and food on her table.”
And Malik, who she could see grinning from the corner of her eye, was no help because he agreed to this plan and gave a hearty, “Aye, aye, sir!”
“Hey, I was only teasing,” she exclaimed.
He stared down at her. After a moment, his lip twitched, the laugh lines next to his eyes standing out.
“You are, too,” she guessed. “Aren’t you?”
Malik laughter burst free then Jaylin’s mouth curved into a wicked grin. “Of course, I’m teasing, but let this be a lesson to you.”
“Another one?” she huffed.
He bent and kissed the pout from her lips. “Yes, never try to outdo a master at his own game. You’ll lose.”
“I’m not teasing.” Malik gave Jaylin a shove and moved him out of the way.
Dani found herself rolled to the center of the bed, with yet another big man on top of her, this one with glimmering gold eyes. Unlike her, he’d known this was a game from the start and his smile had never wavered.
“You’re not?” she asked breathlessly, bewitched by his good looks and the smile that came readily now.
“Hell no.” Shifting them again in the big bed, Dani found their places reversed, with her on top, looking down at him. This gave him free access to her bottom, which he claimed with both hands. “I’ve been eager to turn this glorious round ass rosy red again.”
“Malik!”
“I’ll be gentle.” Her dark twin winked, which had Jaylin chuckling this time.
“You two are in cahoots against me!”
The bed shifted and lips not belonging to Malik—he was still busy grinning up at her—found her ear.
“Never, baby. As a triad, we’re in cahoots with you.” He threaded his hand in her hair, tugged with enough pressure to tip her face up to his, and kissed her until she couldn’t think, let alone protest further. The next instant, he bounded off the bed.
“Carry on, you two,” Jaylin called while he strode to the door. “I’m for the bridge. Someone has to fly this bucket of bolts.”
Malik buried his face in her neck, his body vibrating with his laughter as he rolled them again. When they came to a stop, with him draped over top of her, his legs in between hers, she gazed up at him and whispered, “I’m in it deep with you two, aren’t I?”
“Yes, trilana, but we’re going to make you love every minute of it.”
He kissed her breathless after that, paddled her bottom playfully—playful his word, the two dozen swats still stung, though deliciously so—and carried her to the whirlpool tub in his bathroom, climbing in with her for a relaxing soak before breakfast.
Chapter Seventeen
The glider pulled up in front of a huge two-story house with six white columns gracing the façade, and a wide, welcoming front porch with appealing rockers. She could imagine her grandmother sitting there in the evening, watching the ducks and swans floating down the river at the edge of the lush front lawn.
As Malik helped her out of the vehicle, Jaylin exited the other side and rounded the back to join them. Her gaze was locked on the black lacquered front door. When it opened, a petite, white-haired old woman stepped out. She had tears in her eyes though her mouth tipped up in a huge grin.
“Daniella?” she asked.
“Grandmother Alltryp?”
Having moved to the top of the half flight of wide steps, she put her hands on her narrow hips and frowned down at the three of them. “I’ll have no formality, do you hear? It’s Nana Elise or Nana. I won’t answer to anything else.”
“Nana,” Dani whispered, moving forward.
Jaylin was at her side, but not to stop her. He bolted up the steps two at a time and caught her nana’s arm, assisting her as she started down the stairs to meet her.
“Your cane, ma’am,” a man called from behind her.
“I don’t have time for such nonsense when I haven’t seen my granddaughter in twenty-three years.”
“Do you have time for a fractured hip?”
Dani recognized the kind man who had driven her on Elzor what seemed like an eternity ago. “Blake?”
“Miss Dani, glad to see you again, especially hale and hearty. You’ve had a rough time of it since we last met.”
“That’s the understatement of the millennium.” Malik had come up alongside her, his hand resting low on her back.
“Blake works for me now, dear,” she explained when she stepped down from the last step. “Thank you, Jaylin.” She smiled up at him, while patting his forearm. “You are a big strong boy, aren’t you?”
His eyes widened, and Dani couldn’t help laughing at his startled expression. It changed quickly to a sob as the old woman turned green eyes upon her, identical to the ones she saw staring back at her from her mirror each morning. “Oh, Nana, it is you.”
“No crying, or I’ll start blubbering, too.” It was much too late for that, however, and they went into each other’s arms sobbing.
“Here we go,” Blake grumbled. “Once the waterworks start, there’s no shutting ‘em off.”
Pulling away, Dani wiped away her tears to no avail because more replaced them. Blake, who had walked down to join them, produced tissues.
Sniffling, Nana gazed up at Malik, patting him, too. “You aren’t as stout as your brother, but you’re very tall. Bend down, dear,” she tapped her finger to her cheek, “I’d need a ladder to come up to you.”
As thrown as Jaylin by her candidness, he still didn’t hesitate to lean down and kiss her nana’s wrinkled cheek.
“Now then,” she said, beaming. “I’ve looked forward to your visit and do hope you can stay for a few days, at least. Tonight, I have a quiet supper planned, so we can chat. And, my man of affairs will arrive with the papers in time for coffee and dessert.”
“What papers?”
“You’re of age now, dear. He’ll be transferring your trust fund over to you, and there’s the matter of my will.”
“Your will?”
“Yes, I’m disowning Daniel. You will be the heir to my estate, which includes a controlling interest in Alltryp Universal.”
“Father doesn’t own it outright?”
“No, it is an old family business. I just let him vote my shares.”
“He’ll be furious.”
“Pshaw, who cares? He doesn’t frighten me. He kept you away from me and treated you miserably from what I hear.” She gripped Dani’s hands. “I’m so sorry for what he put you through. I knew he was angry at Ella but still can’t believe he’d ever be so c
ruel to an innocent young girl. It’s like I don’t know him.”
“I’m not sure I want him to know I’m really his daughter. Let him think as he does and maybe he’ll leave us all be.”
“Inside, he knows, even if he won’t admit it. No one can look at you and deny you’re an Alltryp. Although, it’s entirely up to you, dear. I won’t say a word. If one day you decide to confront him, I’m sure your young men will keep you safe while it happens.”
“You can trust that we will,” Malik said with conviction.
“They are very protective,” Dani explained.
“Which is as it should be.” Smiling, she put her curly white head next to hers. “I have faith they will help to repair the damage Daniel has done.”
Their steadfast presence behind her gave her the confidence to reply. “The patch has already begun, Nana.”
“I’m so glad for that, Dani dear.”
“Can I ask...?” she began, but thought better of it. “Sorry, I’m asking so many questions, and we haven’t even made it inside.”
“Here or there doesn’t matter, does it? Ask away,” her grandmother encouraged with a gentle pat to her cheek.
“Why did you maintain the trust after you thought I had died?”
“Now that’s something I’ve asked myself often over the years. I considered starting a foundation in your name with the money, yet couldn’t bring myself to do it because—and this may sound silly—it was my only connection to you. Now I’m glad that my selfishness kept me from it.”
“I don’t think you’re either silly or selfish.” Dani bit her lip. A million credits was a large sum. She couldn’t imagine how much controlling interest would amount to. No matter her nana’s fearlessness, she didn’t feel the same. She worried about her father’s greed. He also had power and influence which could haunt her and, by extension, Jaylin and Malik. He’d shown time and again how vindictive he could be when crossed.
“There is something else.” Wisdom and insight gleamed in eyes so like her own. Traits she hoped she didn’t have to wait decades to gain.
“The trust is very generous, and I’m thankful for it, but I don’t need anything else. I’m worried about the will. Won’t father know if you change it?”
“Not until I’m dead. And I don’t plan on cocking up my toes for some time.”
“I pray not. I’ve just found you.”
“Oh, my dear. My regret is our reunion has come so late and as your new life is beginning. One which will take you so far away.”
“Come with us,” she blurted out, not knowing if it was possible, or if Jaylin and Malik would agree.
“And travel in space?” She shook her head vigorously, sending her glossy white curls bouncing. “This old bird intends to keep her feet planted on good old terra firma.” She waved her hand toward the driveway. “I won’t even get into one of those newfangled air gliders.”
“But, Nana, they’ve been around for almost a century.”
“As have I, Dani. I prefer my Cadillac, and, as long as the government maintains the road system, it’s how I’ll travel. Build a highway to Trilor, and I’m there.”
Dani gave her a watery smile. “I’ll miss you.”
“You can come back, sweetheart.”
She twisted to look at her men.
“Of course, you can,” Jaylin agreed, confirming what Malik had said. “Our business takes us this way often.”
I thought we’d go to your home on Trilor.
We will, briefly. To be official, we must register our triad formally with the state—in person. Afterward, we can go anywhere.
Really?
When children come along, we’ll want to settle down, Malik advised, but we have plenty of time to decide where later.
An image of twin boys, one blond, the other dark, popped in her head. Or a daughter with her, and her nana’s, green eyes. She liked either idea.
You mentioned wanting to travel. Jaylin cut into her thoughts of family. What better way than with us?
“On the Renegade?”
He laughed. “Yes, on our old bucket of bolts.”
“I’m missing something I think.”
At the bewildered expression on her grandmother’s face, Dani realized they’d been moving in and out of their link.
“I’m sorry. How rude of us.”
“What, dear? I’m confused. Please tell me I’m not going suddenly senile.”
“No.” She smiled. “I’m so new at this triad mind-speak thing, I sometimes don’t realize when I’m doing it.”
“Mind-speak?”
“Yes, Jaylin and Malik are telepathic. All Trilorian twins are. And when they take a third, she gets the ability, too.”
“How fascinating. Can you teach me?”
Malik fielded her question. “I’m sorry. For you to learn, we’d have to find you a set of twins, Mrs. Alltryp.”
“It’s Nana.” She whispered in an aside to Dani, “He’s the dark one, and the second, right?”
“Yes, he’s the younger brother, and his name is Malik,” she answered, delighted with the interaction.
“Ah, now I remember. It will take me a little while. They are both so handsome it’s rather distracting. As for twins for me, Malik, I’ll have to pass. I’m too old for courting and all that nonsense, but come inside and you can tell me more about it.” She took Blake’s proffered arm to climb the steps.
Dani smiled after her, bursting with happiness. Needing an outlet, she jumped to hug Malik’s neck, welcoming how he bent, assisting her in doing so, and how his arms clasped her tight to return the affection.
She did the same with Jaylin, squeezing him as hard, and growing warm inside when he kissed the top of her head.
“I’m so glad you’ve found her, Dani,” he said.
“I love her already.”
“It’s settled, then?” Malik asked. “We’ll have regular visits with Nana?”
“Yes, please.” She grinned, beaming.
As they flanked her, each taking a hand to follow the older couple into the house, her grandmother’s voice drifted down to them.
“I can’t wait to tell the women at the club my granddaughter has snagged not one, but two handsome men.”
“Won’t they be shocked?” Dani called up to her.
Elise Alltryp, having gained the top step, gazed down on them, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. “This is my book club, dear. Our staple is steamy romance, including a ménage on occasion. They’ll be titillated more than anything.”
Dani gasped, releasing their hands to cover her mouth. With a preference for contact, each man moved in close, Malik’s arm curling around her shoulders, while Jaylin slid his around her hips. Both chuckled as they urged her up the stairs.
“My nana reads steamy ménage,” she uttered in shocked disbelief.
“I’m old Daniella,” her voice called from the doorway. “Not dead.”
As she flushed hotly, her men, unable to contain their amusement at the feisty old woman, tossed back their heads and laughed.
***
While looking out the guest bedroom window later, instead of appreciating the moonlight glistening on the water, or the shadows of the weeping willows gracefully swaying in the breeze, or the coolness of the night air through the open window which made her nana’s lacy curtains flutter, she couldn’t stop worrying what her father was plotting next.
It had been a bittersweet, tear-filled reunion with her grandmother, but her stories and wit had also provided plenty of laughter. She’d been glad Jaylin and Malik were there to share it with her. Things had taken on a definite businesslike tone when Nana’s attorney—what she called her man of affairs—had arrived during dessert. Discussions of trusts, wills, codicils, and a head-spinning amount of financial and legal terms made her nervous, and turned her thoughts to what her father’s reaction would be. The fact he was out millions of credits in his deal with the Elzorians made her stomach know with fear; Daniel Alltryp wasn’t a graciou
s loser by any stretch of the imagination.
“Do you think my father will retaliate?” she asked in the quiet of the room.
“He can’t be pleased,” Jaylin acknowledged, “except what can he do? You’re legally an adult now. He’ll have to find another way to pad his bank account. Besides, he should be the one worried about retaliation.”
She stopped, picturing Jaylin on the Elzorian ship—deadly and determined. And Malik had blown a pirate ship to bits without remorse. The two of them against her father would be a formidable force, but she didn’t want war. “Perhaps we should go.”
“After our visit, Dani,” he asserted firmly. “We aren’t in the habit of running from trouble, and aren’t going to start now because of your father.”
“When he finds out about the will—and I’m certain he will no matter what Nana thinks—he’ll freak out.” She began pacing, moving back and forth at the foot of the bed while two sets of worried eyes followed her. “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful, but I don’t want it. I want to travel with you.”
“Your grandmother is spry for ninety,” Malik commented. “And under Blake’s watchful eye, she’s likely to live to one hundred, or more.”
“He watches her like a hawk,” Dani acknowledged without slowing. “It’s very sweet.”
“He’s like the son she should have had,” Jaylin put in. “Were you listening to your options, Dani. The attorney said if you don’t want it, when the time comes, you can sell your shares, or hire a CEO to run the company for you and sit back and rake in the profits.”
“I haven’t a clue how to run a huge company, and why do I need to rake in anything more than the million I have. My real worry is father will contest the will. He could drag it through the court system, and the media, making it ugly. I don’t want to think about those headlines.”
“We’ll help you figure it out. Right now, you need to rest. It’s been a long day.” Malik patted the space left for her in the middle of the wide mattress.
She gave it a skeptical glance. Though a king-size bed, the breadth of their shoulders would leave little room for her. She’d be wedged in between them, like the filling in a Trilorian sandwich. The idea held merit, except with her nerves on edge, she couldn’t think about lying still, let alone going to sleep.
The Renegades' Reward Page 24
