by Nina Croft
“Mind your own business,” Skylar snapped.
“It’s as much his business as anybody’s,” Rico said. “Stubborn bitch won’t get the hell off my ship. She could go now—they’d take her back.”
That was interesting. If Rico was trying to get Skylar to leave the ship, he must believe the situation was grim. But that was only confirming what Jon already knew.
“Never going to happen,” Skylar growled, moving to stand beside Jon. “What is it? You know Janey has picked up a Collective ship following us?”
Jon nodded. “That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
“Can’t it wait? Tannis has called a meeting.”
“No.”
Rico frowned and studied him. “You feeling all right? You know, that whiskey can pack a wallop—you’re probably still pissed. Lie down, give it a few hours, and you’ll feel much better.”
“I already feel fine, and I don’t have a few hours. I want to hand myself over to the Collective.”
“Why would you want to do that?” Rico asked. “They’ll kill you.”
“They’re going to kill me anyway.”
“Ever the optimist.” Rico pushed off the sheet and got out of bed. He searched for his clothes, found them on a chair, and got dressed.
“They’re also going to kill the rest of you. Maybe I can prevent that.”
“Dios, you trying to protect us all now?”
Jon considered denying it. Claiming that he was doing this solely for Alex. But the truth was they’d all come back for him earlier. They’d risked their lives to save him. However much he disliked the idea, he owed them.
But this wasn’t really payment of a debt. Rather, it was payment of many debts. All those people he should have protected and had failed.
“Yes,” he said.
“In which case, you can persuade Skylar to get the hell off my ship and go back to her own people.”
“Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to her about.”
“You did? Good—I think.” He nodded toward where Skylar stood with her legs braced, arms crossed against her chest. “Go ahead, then—be my guest.”
“I want you to contact the Collective.”
Skylar frowned. “And say what?”
“Tell them I’ll give myself up, if they back off.”
“They’ve already said they won’t back off. You have information they don’t want out in the open, something about Aiden’s suicide, I just can’t figure out what yet. But whatever it is, it’s bad enough that they want you—and anyone you might have told—dead.”
This was the problem part of his plan, but he was hoping Skylar would have some suggestions. She was Collective, so she would know how they worked. “There must be a way to convince them that you know nothing.” His hands fisted at his side. “I mean to do this. I’ll contact them myself if you won’t help, but I thought they might listen to you.”
Skylar turned away and paced the confines of the room, deep in thought. She was obviously struggling with a decision, and he forced himself to stay silent while she battled it out herself.
Rico was not so restrained. “What are you thinking?”
“That there might be a way.”
“If there’s a way—why haven’t you mentioned it before?”
“Because it would never work without Jon giving himself up, and I believed that wasn’t an option.” She studied Jon for a moment. “Are you sure you want to go through with this. They will kill you. I can’t stop that.”
“I know. But hey, when I was captured last time, I expected to spend two years dying in the mines. At least I won’t have to go through that.”
“Yeah, you’re a real lucky bastard,” Rico said. “But I still don’t see how Jon giving himself up will stop them coming after the rest of us.”
“They might—if I go with him.”
“You’re not giving yourself up with him,” Rico said.
Skylar rolled her eyes. “Shit, Rico, you’ve spent the last half hour persuading me to go back. As you said, they won’t hurt me—I’m one of them. I always will be.”
Jon frowned. He hadn’t planned on taking anyone with him. “You don’t need to come. Just set this up.”
“Won’t work. The reason they want the whole crew dead is they believe you might have passed on anything you know, including how to destroy us. But the truth is we don’t know anything, and you haven’t told us.”
“So tell them that.”
She smiled condescendingly. “Would you believe me? I’m one of them, but they don’t exactly trust me right now.”
“So how will going with me make them believe you?”
For a minute, she seemed undecided, then she shrugged. “You know there’s a telepathic link between members of the Collective, right?”
Jon nodded, and she continued. “Well, the link is made up of certain layers. The top layer is usually open—we use it as a way to communicate. The next layer down shows some of our thoughts and feelings, but we can still keep certain information to ourselves. Right down at the bottom, there’s a level where all my thoughts are open to them.”
“How inconvenient,” Rico drawled.
“Exactly, and we normally keep this level shut down tight. If I open that level to them, they’ll know I speak the truth. I won’t be able to hide anything.”
“Interesting,” Rico murmured.
“I tell you my innermost thoughts anyway.”
“Of course you do.”
“So call them up and open it,” Jon said.
“No can do. It can only be accessed when physically present. I have to go with you.”
It was Rico’s turn to pace. “Tannis isn’t going to let him go. You know how she is about protecting the crew.”
There was that warm fuzzy feeling again. Jesus, what a time to turn sentimental. “So we don’t tell Tannis,” he said.
“She’ll be pissed.”
“Well, that’s hardly going to be my problem, now is it?”
A smile flickered across Rico’s face then was gone. “I might not let you go.”
Jon laughed, but the sound held no humor. “You’ll let me go because you know we’ll all be dead otherwise. There’s no way you’ve survived this long without being a realist. They’ll keep coming after us. One day soon, you’ll make a mistake, and they’ll finish us off. I die either way.”
“I still don’t like it.”
Jon stepped up close. “You don’t have to like it. This is my choice. And besides—this way I get to die a hero.”
Rico shook his head. “Dios, I always said you had a death wish.”
“Maybe once. Not anymore. It’s ironic really, but strangely I don’t want to die.” So many times, he had faced death and survived, not really caring whether he lived or died. Now that he did care…he wanted to live. Christ, life sucked big-time.
“Well, that’s a real tragedy, considering.” Rico glanced across at Skylar. “This will work?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe’s not good enough.”
“It will have to be, Rico. But I think I can make it work.”
He studied her for a moment before nodding. “Okay, go ahead.”
Jon watched, fascinated, as Skylar closed her purple eyes. She stood relaxed, but behind her lids, he could see the flutter of movement. A minute later, she blinked.
“It’s done. They’ve agreed in principle, but they want El Cazador to head back to Trakis Five as a sign of good faith. Once we’ve done the deep link, you’ll be free to go.”
Jon didn’t like that idea. The whole reason behind doing this was to get the rest of them way beyond the reach of the Collective. He’d be much happier with El Cazador heading as fast as she could go in the opposite direction.
“You trust them?” he asked.
“Yes. We’re ruthless, but we’re not vindictive.”
“I like the plan,” Rico said. “That way Skylar can rejoin us as soon as you’re—” He broke off.
/> “As soon as I’m dead? Thanks.”
“Yeah, as soon as you’re dead.” Rico held his gaze. Behind the careful facade, Jon could see the frustration. Rico lashed out and slammed his fist into the wall. “Dios, I wish I could think of another way out of this.”
“But you can’t.”
“No.” Rico turned away, his shoulders tense.
This was going to happen. Now Jon had succeeded, the enormity of what he was doing was sinking in. This was it. He was going to die. For real this time. Only it didn’t seem real. At least it would be over soon.
“I want to see Alex before we leave.”
Rico swung around to face him. “Shit—you can’t say good-bye. Do you think she’ll calmly go back to sleep and let you do this?”
“I won’t tell her.”
“You do know she’s going to make my life hell from now on. This is going to be my fault. Dios, I might just come with you. Get it over with fast. Put me out of my goddamned misery.” He took a deep breath. “Go on. Go see her. Skylar will get the shuttle ready. I’ll go keep Tannis busy. But you need to be off this ship in half an hour, or Tannis will be expecting you at that meeting.”
“I’ll be there, and thank you.”
“What for?” Rico snarled. “Sending you to die?”
Rico stalked from the room. Skylar shrugged and followed him. She paused in the doorway. “I’ll see you at the shuttle.”
Jon stood in the empty room. This was the right thing to do, the only thing. Glancing down, he noticed his feet were still bare; he must remember to pick up some boots after he saw Alex. That way, at least he’d die with his boots on.
His steps were slow as he made his way back to Alex’s cabin. He leaned against the doorway. She was curled up on the bed, but she wasn’t asleep—her eyes were open, and she was watching him.
He had no clue what to say.
Rico was right. If Alex got any inkling of his plan, she wouldn’t let him go without a fight. So maybe he shouldn’t say anything. Maybe he should give her something to remember him by.
Holding her gaze, he stripped his clothes and stalked purposefully toward the bed. Her eyes widened, then her gaze dropped to run over his body in a way that made the blood rush to his groin. He’d been hard from the moment he’d seen her, now his cock throbbed with need.
She opened her mouth to speak, but he gave a slight shake of his head, and she closed it again. He rested one knee on the bed beside her, slid his hands around her narrow waist, and lifted her toward him.
This was no gentle lovemaking. He didn’t feel gentle. He kissed her hard, his tongue forcing her mouth open then thrusting inside. For a moment, she went rigid in his arms, but then she melted into him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms around his shoulders, and she kissed him back with her mouth wide open, her small tongue pushing against his.
His hands cupped the globes of her ass, and he straightened and turned, backing her up until she was supported by the smooth metal of the cabin wall. He reached between their bodies and parted the drenched folds of her sex.
Alex groaned into his mouth as he fondled the swollen mass of nerves, then he surged into her in one forceful lunge, filling her completely.
He pinned her against the wall as he thrust into her. She accepted him easily, and for a second, he stayed still, savoring the hot, wet tightness around his shaft, the sense of coming home. She wriggled against him, and he gritted his teeth and withdrew slowly, held himself poised against her as he stared down into her face.
Her eyes flickered open. “Please, I want all of you—I won’t break.”
He nodded once and shoved into her hard.
He would show her how it could be, the power and passion. With that thought, he released the last hold he had on his control. Then he was slamming into her fast, and she welcomed him. Her head thrashed from side to side, urging him on with muttered pleas. The pleasure was building in his balls and cock, tiny explosions shooting along his nerves, until his whole body hovered on the edge of combustion. She was close too, her fingers biting into his shoulder, her hips bucking against his.
He lowered his head and sucked one swollen nipple into his mouth, biting down as she squirmed against him. He reached between them, rubbed her clit with moist fingers, and she threw back her head and screamed. He held her tight, continuing to thrust as her body spasmed around him until the pleasure was unbearable, and he exploded into her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and hid her face in the curve of his throat as he pumped his seed into her, and still the waves of pleasure washed over them both.
Finally, she was quiet in his arms.
“That was mind-blowing,” she whispered against his skin.
He didn’t answer; he was afraid of his words if he started to speak. So instead, he leaned in close and kissed her softly. He carried her back to the bed and lowered her to the sheets, kissed her again. He stared at her for long moments as he imprinted this last image of her into his memory.
But there was something she needed to know. “I love you.”
“I’m glad.” She slanted him a sweet smile. “I love you too.”
He stroked her hair, feeling the tension drain from her. She was asleep within minutes, and this time she didn’t wake as he pulled away from her, though he silently willed her to open her eyes so he could look into them one last time. He picked up his clothes and left the cabin, the door closing behind him.
He dressed quickly and headed for his own room, where he pulled on his boots. His weapons belt lay on the table, but he’d hardly need that. Skylar would be waiting for him. He wasn’t going to think about what was to come.
She was outside the shuttle having a conversation with Rico, their heads close together. He paused, not wanting to interrupt them and waited for them to finish. Rico dragged her into his arms and kissed her. It took a considerable amount of time, and Jon was tapping his foot by the time Rico stepped back.
“You come back, you hear. I’ve given you a ring and that means it’s forever.”
“I’ll be back.” Skylar peered over his shoulder at Jon and nodded. “We need to go.”
Jon straightened and head past Rico and into the shuttle. Rico put his hand on Jon’s arm as he passed.
“I’m sorry it ended this way.”
“Yeah, so am I.” He hesitated then put out his hand. “Thanks again for coming back for me—it meant a lot.”
“As it happens it was a total waste of fucking time.” But Rico took his hand and held it for a moment. He let go then pulled the silver flask from his pocket and handed it to Jon. “Here’s something to keep you company. Good luck.”
Jon gripped the cool silver in his palm. “Yeah, like luck’s going to help. Watch out for Alex.”
“I will.”
He strapped himself into the seat in the shuttle, rested his head against the back, and closed his eyes. He didn’t think of what was to come. Instead, he captured that last image of Alex. He hoped she’d get over him fast.
Or maybe he didn’t. Maybe he hoped she’d pine just a little.
Finally, he slept as the shuttle carried him back to Trakis Five and certain death.
Chapter Nineteen
Alex slept like a contented baby and woke to the feeling that something was very wrong.
She tried to ignore the feeling. After all, Jon loved her. He’d told her so. She’d never really expected him to get over his fears to that extent, and she should be ecstatically happy.
They would get married, live happily ever after, and have lots of adorable little babies or puppies or whatever it was werewolves produced. If they produced anything.
She sat up in the empty bed, dragging the sheet up over her. Her skin was sensitive, and at the touch of the material, a shiver of remembered pleasure ran through her.
The first time he had made love to her had been sweet and wonderful, but the last time had been beyond anything she could have imagined. Full of raw, primal passion. Jon had made l
ove to her as though she was the only woman in the world, and this would be the only time they had together.
She bit her lip and searched the room for some evidence that he was still around, but his clothes were gone from the floor.
That didn’t mean anything. Maybe he was still in pain and had gone to search out some more medication. Glancing at the clock, she realized she’d only been asleep for an hour. He couldn’t be far away.
She showered and dressed quickly, eager to find him and dispel the nagging sense of impending disaster that hovered at the edges of her mind. She’d feel better once she saw him, touched him. At the door, she hesitated, then went back and fastened her weapons belt around her waist.
As she approached the bridge, she heard raised voices.
“Shit, Rico, you shouldn’t have let them go,” Tannis said, and the words deepened Alex’s sense of unease.
“It wasn’t my decision to make,” Rico’s voice was quieter, free of expression.
“That’s never bothered you before,” Tannis snapped.
Alex peered in through the open doorway, and everyone went quiet.
She quickly searched the room but could see no sign of Jon. Skylar was missing as well, though Janey and Daisy sat at the far side of the room. They both looked away when she tried to catch their attention, and dread twisted inside her.
“Where is he?” Alex forced the words out.
“Why not ask Rico?” Tannis said.
Alex stepped closer. Rico appeared pale beneath his olive skin. She licked her lips. “Where’s Jon? What have you done with him?”
“Shit, why does everyone always blame me?” Rico shoved his hands in his pockets but didn’t move away. He stood staring down at her, an expression in his eyes she’d never seen before. It took her a moment to identify it.
Pity.
She didn’t want his pity. She wanted to know what was going on. A cold, hard lump of fear filled her stomach as she looked from Tannis to Rico.
“Tell her,” Tannis said.
Rico shrugged. “He’s given himself up to the Collective.”
“What?”
“Skylar has taken him back to Trakis Five.”
“Why?” Her legs trembled, and she reached behind her, found the edge of a chair, and sank down. “Why would she do that?”
