He rubbed his belly and frowned. “Vee needs to toss you across his knee more often. You’re awfully bossy.”
She smiled sweetly. “I’ll be sure to pass along your suggestion.”
Terror snorted and grinned at her. In the last three days of traveling together, they’d become friendlier. She could understand why Vicious liked him so much.
“Blonde hair, right?”
“Yes.”
“And a big sign that says Hallie?”
She broke into a grin. “Yes!”
Terror waved his hand and then pointed off to their left. “She’s over there.”
Hallie grabbed Lenny’s hand and tugged her friend through the crowd behind Terror. His wide shoulders cleared a path for them. When he stepped aside, Bernie came into view. Hallie started to cry as she rushed into her sister’s waiting arms. The big belly between them made hugging a bit difficult but they made it work.
“Hallie, I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too.” They hugged tighter. Hallie pulled back and gazed down at her sister’s big bump. “Wow! You’ve gotten so big.”
Bernie smiled and snatched Hallie’s hand. She placed it on her belly. Just seconds later, Hallie felt a kick against her palm. She laughed and rubbed the area. “What a big strong kick!”
“I have a feeling she’s going to take after her Aunt Hallie,” Bernie remarked.
“It’s a girl? When did you find out?”
“Last week but I wanted to tell you in person.” Bernie’s gaze skipped to Lenny. Hallie stepped aside so the two old friends could hug and talk. When they finally separated Lenny glanced at Terror. Her shock was evident but she quickly masked it. “Is this Vicious?”
Hallie laughed and shook her head. “No, this is Terror, his best friend.”
“Terror?” Bernie shot Hallie a what-the-heck look. “What kind of baby name books do they have on your planet?”
Terror looked amused. “We’re renamed when we graduate the academy. Our year, they chose names to inflict fear. Some years it’s fearsome animals. Other years it’s star signs.”
“I see.”
Terror glanced around the terminal, his sharp gaze always scanning and assessing. “Let’s move this along, ladies. We’re a clear target here.”
Though she wanted to roll her eyes at his constant vigilance, Hallie understood why Terror was that way. First, they were at war. While the Jesco colony remained one of the safest areas in this sector of their solar system, there were still pockets of unrest. She’d seen a news bulletin about insurgent groups moving into the area and using the colony as a base of operations. Secondly, and probably most importantly to Terror, Vicious had entrusted her to him. If she came back with one hair missing from her head, Vicious would flip.
Terror hustled them out of the terminal and into a waiting transport craft. Hallie took the spot closest to Terror, fully aware her sister and Lenny were afraid of him. Hallie didn’t miss the barest hint of a tattoo peeking out from the driver’s shirt when he turned to eye them in the backseat. Dressed in plain clothes, he didn’t fool her. He was also a Harcos military man.
When she glanced at Terror, he shrugged and answered in his usual low voice. “A brigadier general’s wife is an easy target.”
She hadn’t given that side of her life much thought. Was it always going to be like this now? Would she constantly have to worry about her safety?
“So how is your friend?” Bernie, completely oblivious to her exchange with Terror, reached into her purse and removed a package of crackers. She offered some to Lenny, who gladly accepted a couple. “Did she like the shelter there?”
“She’s better.” Lenny nibbled a cracker. “I think the shelter on Safe Harbor will take good care of her.”
“They took good care of me.” Bernie fished a bottle of water from her bag and took a sip. She offered it to Lenny, who shook her head. “They helped me get my papers in order after I lost my old ones.” Her secret gaze met Hallie’s for a moment. “They got me into a job-training program and helped me find a nice apartment in the women’s sector here.”
“Do you like your job?” Hallie was fascinated with this new, more mature version of Bernie.
“It’s great. I love working with children, and when the baby comes, she’ll be able to come to the daycare with me. She’ll be in a different classroom but I’ll know she’s safe and well cared for and I can pop in to check on her during my breaks.”
“That sounds great.” Hallie smiled at her big sister. “I’m glad you’re happy here, Bernie.”
Bernie reached across the aisle and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry that it came at your expense.”
Hallie shook her head. “It was worth it. Besides, it turned out well for me. You got your freedom. I got my Vicious.”
Terror snorted next to her. She narrowed her eyes at him and thumped his arm. “Be nice, Terror.”
He didn’t tear his gaze away from the window. “Yes, ma’am.”
Bernie and Lenny eyed her with a mixture of fear and awe. She didn’t blame them. A few weeks ago, she would have been terrified of a man like Terror too. She never would have dared to playfully whack his arm or make little jokes. She knew better now. Like Vicious, he looked intimidating but deep down inside he was the sweetest, gentlest man imaginable.
When they reached the hotel, Terror hopped out of the transport vehicle first. He opened the door and quickly ushered them inside. She thought he was being a bit dramatic about it but kept that to herself. Besides, the hotel was more interesting. It was absolutely beautiful and the most expensive place to stay in the colony. She’d fought Vicious on spending that kind of money but he wouldn’t back down. He wanted her to enjoy herself with her friend and sister. Now she felt a little silly fighting him. This was a gorgeous place!
Once they were safely installed in their rooms, Terror came to see her through the shared door between their suites. It didn’t surprise her that Vicious had booked rooms that shared a door for her and his best friend. He’d probably sent orders with Terror demanding she keep the door open so his friend could babysit her while she slept!
“I’m heading out for a bit.” Terror stepped inside her room as she unpacked her small bag. “You will not leave the hotel.”
She blinked at him. “We were going to have dinner.”
“Eat in one of the hotel restaurants. They’re all much better than anything out on the street.”
She noticed his tense muscles. “Okay. We’ll stay in the hotel and eat at one of their restaurants.”
“There are policemen stationed at this hotel around the clock. They’re our men.”
“Military policeman?”
He nodded. “This hotel is a hub of cross-galaxy travel so it’s within our purview to see to its safety. If they tell you to evacuate, you leave immediately. Do you understand?”
“I do.” Her stomach clenched. “Should I be worried?”
He relaxed a little “No. The intelligence reports were clear. I don’t expect any trouble, but I have to go out for a bit.”
She frowned. “To meet friends?”
He hesitated. “Yes.”
She sat down on the edge of the bed and studied him. “You’re lying.”
Hallie knew because she used to look like that when she was preparing to go out to deliver newsletters or work on forged documents or lead families through the woods to rendezvous spots to meet with sympathizers from the colonies. She gestured to his forced relaxation and the tight lines around his mouth. Finding her courage, she asked, “Are you doing something illegal?”
“You mean like forging travel documents?” Terror’s eyebrow arched. “Or maybe aiding and abetting the smuggling of undocumented women and children onto black market transport ships bound for the colonies. Something like that?”
She reeled back in surprise. Her voice lowered, she asked, “You know?”
“I know everything about you, Hallie.”
Betrayal cut deep. “Did Vici
ous tell you?”
Terror’s eyes widened slightly. “No. He loves you. He’d never betray your confidence. No, I investigated you on my own.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Do you think I’d let my best friend marry a stranger from another planet without checking her out first?”
“No.”
“Exactly.”
“But you didn’t tell Vicious.” She remembered her husband’s surprise that day she’d told him everything. He couldn’t have faked that.
“What you did was illegal but it wasn’t without its reasons.” He shrugged. “I figured you’d tell him when it was time.”
“I already have.”
“Good.”
She swallowed hard. “Terror, are you going to be in danger?”
“Probably.”
“What if—what if you get hurt? What if you can’t get back? How will I help you?”
His expression morphed to one of shock. “Help me? Hallie, I don’t need your help. I’m a highly trained operative. What I need is for you to be safe here so I’m not worrying about you while I’m in the field tonight. Can you do that?”
“Yes. Of course. I won’t leave the hotel and I’ll be as safe as possible,” she promised.
“Thank you.” He headed back to his room without another word and shut the door between their suites. She waited to see if he would lock it but there was no beeping noise from the other side.
Alone in her room, she considered what kind of work Terror might be doing here. It occurred to her that Terror probably hadn’t come with her just to be her escort. Had Vicious known? She highly doubted that. He’d sent an armed guard with her to the food court with Lenny—on his own ship! He wouldn’t have dared to send Terror with Hallie if he’d known his friend was working some kind of covert mission.
The fact that Terror had confided in her spoke volumes. Apparently whatever he’d learned about her background made him feel comfortable enough to trust her. She wouldn’t speak of this to anyone. She’d never reveal something like that. Even when the inquisitors of the prison back home had given her their worst, she’d refused to name her accomplices in the Red Feather.
Losing her hair, though humiliating, had been worth it. She’d found comfort in the knowledge that at the very moment her head was shorn in public, while rotten fruit and vegetables pelted her bruised and battered body, three women and their children were escaping Harper’s Well forever.
A knock at the front door to her suite pulled Hallie from those old, painful memories. She found Lenny and Bernie waiting on the other side. She ushered them inside. “So, um, there’s been a change of plans.”
Bernie’s face fell. “Are you leaving already?”
“What? No!” Hallie smiled and touched her sister’s arm. “No. Terror has to meet with someone so he can’t escort us around town tonight. Can we just hang around the hotel?”
Bernie looked relieved. “Actually, I think that’s a great idea. I’m feeling beat after working today.”
As Bernie and Lenny swapped tales of pregnancy fatigue, Hallie let her thoughts wander to Terror. She prayed he’d be safe.
*
Vicious drummed his fingertips on his desk and stared at the vid screen as he waited for his call to Hallie to connect. He’d tried three times already but the satellites had been busy. It was late onboard the Valiant—he’d have to report for duty in less than five hours—but it wasn’t quite midnight at her hotel. He hated keeping track of time differences. Thank goodness there were apps for that.
The screen flashed green. He sat forward in anticipation. She’d been gone three days but it felt like a lifetime. Each call they’d shared had been quick and perfunctory. He was really hoping tonight’s call would be different.
Hallie’s grinning face filled the screen. “Vicious!”
“Hey, Kitten.” He smiled at her excitement. “How is your sister?”
“She’s great. Huge,” Hallie added with a laugh. “She’s having a girl, by the way.”
“That’s nice.” He wasn’t good at small talk, even with Hallie, but he tried. “The trip between the colonies went well? Were there any problems?”
“Calm down, Vicious. The trip was great. The hotel is beautiful, by the way. Did you know they have a spa? I let Bernie and Lenny talk me into going. It was so much fun—but I think kind of expensive.” She looked sheepish. “Sorry about that.”
“I don’t care about the money, Hallie. I’ve rarely spent any of my salary these last two decades. There’s plenty for you to spend. I’m glad you’re enjoying the hotel.”
“It’s nice but it would be nicer if you were here with me.”
His heart ached. “I miss you too.”
Hallie reached out to touch the camera on her end. Her fingertips filled the upper section of his screen. He reached out and placed his fingertips against hers. It wasn’t nearly enough but it helped to imagine her warm skin under his.
“We’re leaving the day after tomorrow. I think it’s an express transport ship. We should dock with the Valiant in twenty-six hours.” She frowned. “Or, at least, I think that’s what Terror said.”
“Where is Terror?” Vicious let his fingers drop from his screen. “I tried calling his room earlier but he didn’t answer.”
“Oh, I think he went out to check the perimeter or something.” She shrugged and waved. “You know how he is. Mr. Vigilant and all that.”
“Yes.” Vicious let his gaze roam his wife. “What are you wearing?”
Hallie laughed and blushed. “Vicious, behave!”
“I can’t. You drive me crazy. I am being serious, though. Is that one of my shirts?”
She nodded and touched the fabric. “It’s the last one you wore before I left.”
“Is that where it went?” He laughed. “I dug through our hamper for ten minutes this morning trying to match up all of my uniforms to be sent to the cleaners.”
“Sorry. I just wanted to be able to smell you while I was gone.”
Heat burned through him. Only Hallie could make such a sweet gesture seem so fucking sexy. “Take it off, Hallie.”
“What?” She looked scandalized. “Vicious, no!”
“Take it off. Let me see you.”
“You’re out of your mind. I’m not getting naked in front of this camera.”
“It’s a secure line, Hallie. Now let me see you.” He made sure to use that gruff tone that made her shiver.
She swallowed hard and bit her lower lip before scooting forward a little on her chair and grasping the bottom of the shirt. She pulled it up and over her head as if in slow motion. Her small breasts filled his screen. His mouth watered at the very idea of licking and sucking those nipples he loved so much.
“You were naked under the shirt.” His hungry gaze roamed her bare skin.
“Feeling that shirt on my skin is as close as I can get to you right now,” she admitted.
“Were you going to touch yourself later in bed and think of me?” He sure as hell had been planning to do the same thing.
“Vicious,” she hissed, her eyes wide with surprise. “I don’t do that.”
He tried not to laugh. “Kitten, we’ve done things together that have eclipsed something as innocent as masturbation. If you want to think of me and rub your clit, I happily approve.”
“Really, Vicious,” she whispered and looked so embarrassed.
He sometimes forgot how wide-eyed and innocent she’d been just a few short weeks ago. In that time, she’d come a long way. Had he really overlooked a lesson as simple as this one?
“Sit back and bring your feet up onto the arms of the chair, Hallie.”
She gasped. “No, Vicious.”
“Hallie…”
“You first,” she countered.
He called her bluff. “Fine.”
She squeaked as he stood and pushed down his sleep pants. His half-mast cock no doubt filled her screen now. He kicked his chair back a few inches so he would be fully viewable by the came
ra. When he sat down, he stroked his cock and checked the small square window in the lower right hand of his screen to be sure Hallie was getting the full picture. “There. Your turn.”
Hallie licked her lips but did as he’d asked. She pulled her legs into the chair, widened her thighs and placed her feet on the metal arms. He groaned at the sight of her pussy filling his screen. He craved the taste of her sweet, salty cum and couldn’t wait to get his tongue on those pretty pink folds again.
“There,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “Now what?”
“What do you think?” He fondled his sac and tried to remember the last time he and Hallie had been in his office together. She’d been tentative and hesitant then but ever so curious. And she’d blown his damn mind. “Lick your fingers. Get them nice and wet. Touch your clit, Hallie.”
She brought her fingertips to her mouth and laved them with her tongue. He could see her hand trembling as it lowered to her pussy. She spread the delicate petals of her sex and placed just one fingertip over her clit. Already, her pink folds glistened as that sweet honey seeped from her core. The need to bury his tongue in her, to feel her thighs tightening around his head and to hear her cries of ecstasy overwhelmed him.
“Like that, Kitten,” he murmured and grasped his cock a little harder. “Tell me how it feels?”
“Good. Different,” she replied, her voice growing husky. “Not like when you touch me. Your fingers are bigger and rougher. You always know exactly what to do.”
He had to admit he liked hearing her brag on him like that. “Close your eyes. Imagine me there with you. I’m kneeling in front of you. My hands are on your thighs. It’s my tongue lapping at your clit.”
“Ah!” Eyes closed, she rubbed faster circles around her clit. Her nipples were hard now.
“Touch your nipples. Show me what you like.”
He wasn’t the least bit surprised when she pinched the stiff peaks between her fingertips. It was the reason he always played with her breasts a little roughly. She responded so beautifully to the sharp mix of pleasure and pain. Sometimes, when he had his fingers buried in her cunt, he could feel her pussy clenching around him as he pinched and tweaked her nipples. She absolutely loved it.
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