3013: STOWAWAY (3013: The Series)

by Hayes, Susan

  The woman Sonja had called Alayna smiled at him and waved her hand slightly. “Oh, hi there. I’m Alayna. Don’t pay any attention to the grumpy general, he’s always like this before morning coffee. So, you’re my new brother-in-law?”

  “I am. Deacon Wilde, nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too. Take good care of Sonja, and I’ll stay nice. Hurt her, and I will hunt you to the end of the universe.”

  “Alayna! Quit threatening my bonded, will you? I swear he’s going to think my entire family is insane if you two don’t quit it. Deke and Trevar were my choice. And yes, I got a choice, which is more than my brother and Colin gave you. So, let me go over this one more time. I’m happy. I love my bonded. I am not coming back to Earth to run G-Mex, or for any other reason except to visit you…if you quit being so bossy, Nikolai.”

  Nikolai threw up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. So long as no one tries to make me run the company, I’m happy.”

  “Six months under your care, and we wouldn’t have a company left to run, and honestly, I wouldn’t do much better. Do you really think Scott needs to come back and run things? I mean, the charges, are they that serious?”

  Both Nikolai and Alayna nodded. “It’s too early to be certain, but it looks bad. Mars for the rest of their lives, kind of bad.”

  Deke cleared his throat. “I’ve seen the preliminary reports. They came in while you were sleeping, Sonja. The two survivors both identified your parents as their employers. They had orders to bring you back alive and without permanent injury, but that anything up to permanent was perfectly acceptable.”

  Nik scrubbed a hand through his dark hair, his frown deepening. “Fuck. I haven’t seen that report yet.”

  “I’m sure you’ll see it shortly, along with my statement on what happened. The good news is, it’s over. Their ship has been confiscated and everything on the onboard computer is being downloaded and reviewed for more information. It looks like they operate out of one of the colonies, but they don’t know which one yet. Everything about that ship was counterfeit, right down to its transponder codes.”

  “There’s one thing I’ve been wondering. Nikolai, do you think the men mom and the dads picked for me were involved in this?” Sonja asked.

  “They’re being investigated, but so far there’s no evidence they knew anything except that you were missing and assumed to have been taken against your will.”

  She made a low sound of disgust at the back of her throat, and even without looking Deke knew she’d be rolling her eyes as she muttered, “As if I’d let that happen.”

  There was a knock at the door and Deke left the conversation to answer it. It was the nurse he’d seen checking on Trevar over the course of the night. “I thought you’d like to know that the lieutenant is awake. He’s asking to see you both,” she said.

  “Thank you. We’ll be in to see him soon.” Deke turned and found three sets of eyes watching him intently.

  “What is it? Is something wrong?” Sonja asked, her beautiful eyes darkening with new worry.

  “Everything’s fine. Trevar’s awake and wants to see us.”

  Sonja brightened. “He is? Great! Nikolai, I’m sorry, but I have to go. I promise I’ll talk to you again soon.”

  “Two hours. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will be commandeering one of the corporate ships and flying out there to see you in person, you hear me?”

  “Yeah, I hear you. I don’t know how Alayna puts up with you being so bossy.”

  “I think it’s cute…most of the time. Go take care of your man. We’ll talk soon,” Alayna said, waving to them both.

  Nikolai’s gaze met Deke’s, “Take good care of my sister.”

  “Always,” Deke replied.

  The screen went blank a second later, and Sonja hugged him hard. “I love you, and I’m sorry my family all seem to be cranky or crazy.”

  “He’s had a rough few weeks of worrying about you, and now this nightmare with your parents. We’re all going to need some time to deal with everything that’s happened. And sweetheart, if you want to go back to Earth and run G-Mex? We’d figure out a way to make that happen.”

  “Oh, hell no! I’d hate it. I have a few ideas though…the three of us have a lot to talk about.”

  “Uh huh. Just don’t forget to contact your brother before he ends up coming out here in person. And what was that about corporate ships?”

  She grinned at him. “That’s one of the things we need to talk about. Come on, let’s go see Trevar before he starts barking orders and pissing off the nurses.”

  ***

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Trevar had insisted on coming with them, despite his doctor’s disapproval. Four days of bed rest in the medical bay had been two days too long as far as Trevar was concerned. His side was healing nicely, and there was no fucking way he was going to lie in bed like an invalid while Deke and Sonja cleared the last of their personal items off the Arca and did one last tour of what had been his home for the last few years.

  They went through her slowly, double checking cubbies and cupboards for anything they might have missed. She felt emptier somehow, even though he knew that they really hadn’t had much on board her to begin with. She was going to be flown back to the orbital shipyards of Earth to finally get the upgrades he and Deke had been requesting for the last two years.

  Typical.

  He was going to miss a few things about his old life, but the strange foibles of Alliance bureaucracy wasn’t one of them. He wouldn’t miss the uniform either, though it did feel strange to be wandering X2 in regular clothing. Officially, they were still supposed to be wearing them until everything was approved and finalized, but the folks trying to run an entire station without a commander had other things to worry about besides whether two former Alliances officers were in or out of uniform. Scuttlebutt was that they had a new pair of commanders arriving in another week or so, but until then, X2 was being run shorthanded. They hadn’t finished their investigation yet, either. So far no one had been able to figure out how the mercenaries managed to bring contraband weaponry on board, not to mention the fact they’d somehow made it from their ship to the bar without being seen.

  Thankfully, that wasn’t his fucking problem. No, his biggest problem right now was wrapping his head around the fact that his chosen, who had snuck onboard his ship with the clothes on her back and little else, had reconnected with her old lifestyle…and her bank accounts. While he’d been recuperating, the two other members of his little trio had been busy working out things with Sonja’s brothers and the board of directors for G-Mex Robotics, and spending more money than he had seen in his entire lifetime. Not that he was complaining, it just took a little getting used to.

  The last stop on their little tour was the cockpit. Sonja and Deke stayed back, letting him go in first, and he felt a slight pang as he dropped his hand onto the back of his chair and stood looking out the view screen for the last time.

  “You’re going to miss her, aren’t you?” Sonja asked, squishing in beside him so that her head was resting against his bicep.

  “Not as much as I thought I would. I have a new lady to love now.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her hair, breathing in the subtle scent of her perfume.

  “And a new ship to pilot. At least you will have, soon. Another few days and the Mex Riga should be here, ready for her new assignment.”

  “You mean the arduous task of wandering the cosmos, dropping by your company’s various factories and suppliers on troubleshooting assignments? Have I mentioned how much I like this new gig?”

  “It beats the hell out of hauling freight, doesn’t it? We’re finally going to get do what we always wanted, go where we want, when we want, and be our own bosses… for the most part,” Deke chimed in as he leaned up against the door frame.

  “We’re going to be transporting prototypes too, and generally acting like goodwill ambassadors. My family’s company has gotten a reputation for being
inflexible and unapproachable. Scott and I are going to try to change that. The board was so eager to vote him in as CEO, I’d say that they were already quite unhappy with my parents’ leadership. This is going to be good for everyone.” Sonja glanced up at Trevar, her blue eyes alight with happiness. “You are really okay with all this? Leaving the Alliance and making our own way? I know you had planned on doing this someday…but not like this.”

  “Well, our plans were made before we met you, kitten. Things change. As changes go, I’d say this is a damned fine improvement. I’m happy.” He was, too. Happier than he’d been in all the years since Cory had died. It was like everything he’d once hoped to have was finally coming together, long after he’d given up hope it ever would.

  Better late than never.

  “You two ready to say goodbye to your old life?” Sonja asked.

  “I said goodbye an hour ago. I’m all about the future, sweetheart,” Deke said, laughing, and Trevar realized how much had changed since Sonja had arrived. There was a time when Deke barely smiled. It was another sign that things had changed, and for the better. He could feel the love and happiness radiating from his partner and their chosen, and it filled the parts of his soul that had been empty for far too long.

  “Well, don’t wait around on my account. She was a good ship, but she’s not ours anymore. I do have one question though. If we don’t live here anymore, and Mex Riga isn’t here yet, where the hell are we sleeping tonight?”

  Deke chortled. “Sonja calls it a suite. Me? I call it heaven. C’mon, old man, let us show you the wonders that are hidden on this station. All these years, we had no idea what we were missing.”

  ****

  Deke watched Trevar’s face as he entered their temporary home, enjoying the log jam of emotions that piled up on his face as he tried to take in everything at once. He’d felt much the same way the first time he’d seen where they were staying. They’d spent countless hours on this station over the years, and Deke had never known this place existed.

  The entire room was a long, sweeping curve that matched the lines of the station itself. The outer wall was floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the docking ring. The windows could be made opaque or tinted by a simple voice command to the computer system that had seen to their every need since they’d arrived. The carpet was a pale cream, and everything else was varying shades of cream or gold. Burnished gold lamps, pale gold walls, all subtly done, and yet together they made him feel as if he was living in a palace. There was even a holographic fireplace. It wasn’t a large room by Earth standards, but compared to the racks and bunks he’d called home for the last five years, it was huge.

  “Holy stars, how the fuck are we affording this?” Trevar asked, still looking around.

  Sonja spun around in the middle of the space, arms out and a broad smile on her face. “We’re on the G-Mex corporate expense account now, lover. I checked. This is standard accommodation for our representatives the few times they’ve been out this way.”

  “We’ve clearly been working for the wrong people, Deke.”

  “Well, not everyone gets these perks, but I’m glad you like it.”

  “Oh, I like the perks just fine,” Trevar growled softly and reached out to snag Sonja’s hand as she twirled past him. As she fell into Trevar’s arms, Deke felt everything in his world click into place. This what had been missing the last few days. The three of them alone and together again.

  Sonja was so happy she couldn’t stop laughing. Her brother was on his way home to take over the company, she had found a new place for herself and her bonded, and her parents had plead guilty to the charges against them, freeing her from having to return to Earth to testify against them. She’d of done it if she had to, but it was a huge relief to know that it wasn’t going to be required. As Trevar’s lips found hers, she let everything else go and focused on this moment. It was the first time they had all been together since their ceremony and the attack. It was time to celebrate…even if it was a few days late.

  She found herself lifted into Trevar’s arms, his lips never leaving hers as he carried her further into the room. Concern for his injured side made her turn her head to break their kiss. “You’re still healing!”

  He growled at her, dark brows knitting into a frown. “I’m recovered enough for this, woman. I’d of had you in the goddamned medical bay if the nurses and doctors had left us alone for more than five fucking minutes.”

  “You say the most romantic things.”

  “Oh, yeah, he’s a real smooth talker,” Deke snickered as he caught up to them. The two men shared a look, and before she knew it Sonja found herself being deposited face up on a chaise lounge that faced the fireplace. It was backless, with one side that flowed up into a wide curve that echoed the lines of the room. Trevar had placed her so that her head was on the cushions and her hips were elevated, arching her back and leaving her legs to dangle over the curved edge.

  “Whatever this funky piece of furniture is, I think we should order one for the new ship,” Trevar said, stroking his hands up the tops of her thighs and pushing her skirt up as he traversed her body. His hand reached the sheath she now wore strapped to her leg and he froze, his fingers drumming against the leather strap.

  “What the hell is this?”

  Sonja had to fight not to burst out laughing at the look of outrage on her bonded’s face.” You mean my dagger? T’karra gave it to me. Among her people, it’s a symbolic reminder to always be ready to defend yourself and those you love.”

  “Protecting you is our job, kitten.”

  “Yes, it is. But what if you’re not there the next time? She’s teaching me how to use it, and Deke’s been giving me lessons too.”

  “Oh he is, is he?”

  Deke appeared in her line of sight, settling himself on the lounge behind her head. “I think it’s sexy as hell. You should see her, Trevar. I’m starting to wonder if T’karra is right, and there is some Krytos in our girl. She’s got moves.”

  Fingers brushed against her inner thigh, and then the strap was off and the dagger was gone from her leg.

  “I’ll see those moves later. Right now, I have some different moves in mind.” Trevar snagged his fingers in the lace edging of her panties, lifting them away from her skin. There was a kiss of chilled metal and then her underwear was whisked away.

  “Did you just use my ceremonial dagger to cut off my underwear?” she asked, lifting her head to get a better look.

  “I was in a hurry,” he said, his attention already returning to the task of undressing her. His big hands stroked up her thighs, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. When he reached her hips, he groaned softly, his eyes riveted to the apex of her thighs. The heat in his gaze was scorching, and Sonja felt her pussy slicken with moisture even as he watched. He flipped the edge of her skirt onto her stomach and leaned in close enough she could feel the rasp of his stubble against her soaking folds.

  Above her, Deke was stripping off his shirt. She craned her head to get a better look at him, loving the way the mercurial lines shimmered as they played across his skin. In the last few days she had spent hours examining every whirl and curve of Deke’s tattoo, and she couldn’t wait to do the same with Trevar. The marks fascinated her, far more than her own ever had.

  Deke tossed his shirt aside and reached for hers, undressing her and settling her so that her head was resting on his thighs as he knelt behind her, his hands cupping her breasts. Trevar blew a stream of warm air across her tender flesh, and she shuddered as he dropped to his knees and parted her thighs with a firm touch, draping her legs over his shoulders. Stars, she had missed this. Spending time getting to know Deke better had been wonderful, and she intended to spend time alone with Trevar soon as well, but it wasn’t the same. Her heart belonged to both of them, and it was only when they three of them were together like this that everything was perfect.

  Trevar’s tongue touched her swollen clit at the same instant Deke’s fingers stroked
over her aching nipples, and Sonja shuddered. Pleasure surged through her like molten gold, every touch and taste sending her senses spinning faster. Trevar’s tongue lapped and lashed at her clitoris, devouring her like a sinful dessert. She tried to arch her hips, but because of the way she was draped over the chaise there was no way she could do anything but squirm slightly and tighten her legs to draw him in closer. When she stretched out her arms to Deke, he caught her wrists in one hand and drew them over her head, holding her hands captive against the hard wall of his chest while he continued to pluck and play with her breasts with his free hand.

  Every skillful touch of Deke’s fingers sent a jolt of pure lust sizzling down her body to her clit. She was strung out between them, trembling with need and unable to move.

  Deke flicked a finger over her nipple, drawing another long moan from deep within her. “You are so fucking beautiful, Sonja. Spread out between us like a feast for the senses. I don’t want you to move. I want you to have nothing to do but lie back and let us love you. Trevar’s going to let you come soon, and then he’s going to fuck you until you come again. And then I’m going to make you come a third time. We’re your bonded, when this night is over I want every inch of that glorious body of yours to remember that forever.” Deke’s words inflamed her lust and filled her heart. She had never felt as desired as she did by these two men.

  Trevar lifted his head from between her legs to utter a single word. “Ours.” When he latched back onto her clit and drew it into the heat of his mouth, his fingers slid into her channel. That was all it took. She came on a shuddering moan, her body bowing and her eyes closing as she went up in flames.

  Trevar never gave her time to recover. He moved away, stripped naked and was back between her thighs in seconds, his slick fingers guiding his cock to her entrance. He was so thick that she felt body stretch to accommodate his girth as he pressed himself inside. The broad head of his cock stroked over every inch of her inner walls as he buried himself to the hilt. She lifted her legs and Trevar placed a hand on each knee, spreading her thighs so that she was completely open to his gaze. “I dreamed of doing this every second I was stuck in that damned bed.”