Gora handed her a pair of pants and a top that Jack quickly threw on.
“He’s on his way to meet them,” Gora said.
She froze. “What? No. We have to stop him, Gora. I have to tell him something first.”
Gora shook her head. “It’s too late, dear. They’re already in the meeting chamber.”
Jack’s hands began to shake. Oh, God. This was not going to be good.
* * * *
Haydrien stared at Stefan Marcone as though he’d grown another head. What the hell was he talking about?
“I don’t have your daughter, old man,” Haydrien replied as he walked to the head of the large table that dominated the room.
Stefan had not come alone. Two other men were with him. One about the same age as Stefan, the other much younger. Haydrien studied the younger one. “Who are you?” Haydrien asked.
“Jonah Marcone. Jack’s twin brother.”
“Where’s Jack?” Haydrien asked.
“You have Jack,” Jonah replied.
There was a slight hint of amusement swirling in Jonah’s eyes that made Haydrien uneasy. “I have the woman who was named after Jack, not—”
Jonah shook his head slowly. “You have Jack,” he repeated softly.
Haydrien scowled. “What the hell kind of game are you playing?”
“We’re not playing a game,” the other older man replied.
At that second the door opened, and Jacquelyn stepped inside. Her worried eyes met his, and it was in that instant he knew. My God. Why hadn’t he seen it before? She’d lied to him. Pain sliced through his gut like he’d been punched. He bent over slightly and grabbed the back of the chair for support.
All this time he’d had Jack right under his nose. He’d been played for a fool.
Jacquelyn. Why the hell hadn’t he seen it? Because like so many others, he would’ve never imagined a captain with Jack’s record had been a woman. It never once crossed his mind.
Son of a bitch.
She took a step toward him, her eyes pleading with him to understand. Why hadn’t she told him? Why?
He set his lips in a firm line and took a step back. From the corner of his eye, he watched Stefan rush forward and grasp his daughter’s face, forcing her to look at him, allowing Haydrien to finally break eye contact with the woman who’d just devastated him.
“Are you okay?” Stefan asked.
“I’m fine,” she said and turned her gaze back to Haydrien’s.
“As you can see, she’s unharmed. Now the three of you can get the hell off my planet. And while you’re at it, take her with you.”
He couldn’t look at her. He couldn’t look at any of them and turned to leave the room through the side entrance. She’d made a massive fool of him. He just wanted her gone.
JACK WATCHED HIM go and swore she felt her heart shatter. She knew the second she saw the hurt in his eyes he’d put the pieces together. What they had was over. He would never forgive her for this. In his mind, he felt betrayed, and could she really blame him?
Stefan started toward Haydrien, but Jack grasped his arm, holding him back. “Don’t. Just let it go.”
Her dad pointed toward the door Haydrien had just walked through. “He—”
Jack shook her head, trying hard to hold her tears at bay. “He never laid a hand on me. Just let it go.”
Her father reluctantly nodded, but she could still feel the tension radiating off his entire body. He was furious, but he would do as she asked. He always did.
Around her father’s shoulder, she caught Jonah’s concerned stare. He was her twin, the other half of her. She could see in his eyes and in his understanding expression that he knew exactly how much she hurt right now. She ran and threw herself into her brother’s outstretched arms. He caught her to him and held tight.
“Just take me home, please,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain of holding back.
Jonah bent and put his arm under her knees, lifting her easily. He carried her from the room, her father and Uncle Sidious following. She closed her eyes tight and buried her face in her brother’s neck, finally letting the tears fall.
Chapter Twenty
Jack held her cup of tea in her hand as she leaned her shoulder against the window and stared out at the stars. They’d just exited the transport gate and now entered the outer rim of her home galaxy. Tilarus was only a few hours away. She sighed and leaned her temple against the glass.
Home.
She took a tentative sip of the hot liquid. Warm cinnamon filled her mouth, but the taste of her favorite tea did little to ease her aches. She’d fallen in love with Haydrien. She doubted that ache would leave anytime soon.
She’d done her best at hiding her hurt from her dad, but she hadn’t been able to hide it from Jonah. Through racking sobs, she’d told her brother everything, or most everything, but then made him promise to never tell their dad. As far as Stefan Marcone knew, Haydrien had never touched her, and that was how she wanted to keep it.
The door to her room opened, and she watched through the reflection in the glass as her father walked into the room and leaned his hip against the small table that separated the living area and bedroom.
“You’ve been way too mopey, Jack. I know you. Something’s wrong. Do you want to talk about it?”
Inwardly, Jack cringed. She lifted her head and smiled softly at her dad through the reflection. “If I had boy problems, would you really want to hear about it?”
His lips twisted. “Not really, but I thought I would make the effort.”
Jack laughed softly and walked over to place a kiss on his whiskered cheek. She rubbed the backs of her fingers over the stubble and grinned. “You better shave that. If you don’t, Mom will know something’s up.”
He smiled softly as he grasped her hand and placed a kiss inside her palm. It was something he’d done since she was a little girl, and surprisingly the gesture made her feel a bit better.
“Yeah, for some reason whenever I’m worried, I always forget to shave.”
Jack snickered as she walked around him to sit on the edge of the bed. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. Just homesick.”
He turned to study her over his shoulder, his gaze serious. He wasn’t going to let this drop. “What happened over there, Jack?” he asked softly.
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “Nothing really. I just got to know him. He’s a lot like you, you know.”
Her father made a strained face. “Yeah, so your uncle likes to tell me.”
She sighed and stared into her cup. “I should’ve told him.”
“If you had, do you think he would’ve hurt you?”
Looking up at her dad, she thought about it for a second before answering. “In the beginning, I thought he might. I kept my mouth shut and behaved in the hopes that Agnus would get to you. I had no idea what he would do to me. I tried to explain about the ship, and I thought that he’d dismissed my whole explanation, but I heard him ask Lear to check into it. After I got to know him, I don’t believe he would’ve done anything to me, but…”
“But what?” her dad coaxed.
“I was enjoying his company,” she finally said. “Do you know that I got sick, and in four days, he never left my bedside?” Her father frowned, and she continued. “The medicine he’d stolen is what saved my life. I think I was afraid if I told him who I was, he would…”
“React just like he did?”
“What would you have done?” she asked.
“If I were him?”
She nodded.
“I think a lot of it would depend on my feelings toward you. I’m sure he felt like an idiot, not figuring it out. Maybe he didn’t want to figure it out. Maybe like you, he was enjoying your company and didn’t want to see the truth. All I know is I saw the hurt on his face when he finally put two and two together. You don’t hurt like that if you don’t care.”
“Maybe.” Jack shrugged and sighed tiredly. “I
t doesn’t matter now. It’s over and time to start new.”
“No more being a pilot?” her dad asked with a frown.
“Just for now. I think I need a break. How’s Agnus?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“Berating himself.”
Jack snickered. “I can just imagine.”
“He was devastated that he hadn’t been able to do more. Last I heard from your grandfather, Agnus was demanding we stand together as a family and convince you to give up this nonsense of you piloting ships.”
Jack smiled and stared into her cup. Agnus would never let up now. That was for sure.
“I haven’t told your mom about this. I didn’t want her to worry until there was something to worry over.”
“Thank you,” Jack murmured.
Her mother, Krista, would’ve freaked out if she knew what had happened.
“If you want to talk about…anything,” her dad said, “I’m here.”
“I know, but I’m fine, Dad. Really.”
* * * *
It had been the roughest four weeks Jack thought she’d ever experienced. She’d hardly slept at all. Every time she tried, she missed Haydrien lying next to her and would eventually just get up, only falling asleep when she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer.
God, she missed him so much.
“What do you think of this one?” Miya asked as she held up a deep blue dress.
Jack blinked and tried to stay focused on her and Miya’s plan for the day. Miya had dragged her all the way to Daego to stay at Sidious and Mikayla’s lake house and spend some time shopping.
Daego was a small moon where most of the galactic elite came to relax. The small town by the same name was nestled by a mountain lake and catered to couples who wanted privacy in a gardenlike setting. Shopping was some of the best in the galaxy. It was where Jack got most of her clothes.
Jack could admit to needing the diversion; unfortunately it wasn’t working. Neither was the afternoon spent in town searching for a dress for Miya.
Jack shook her head, deciding the color wasn’t right for Miya’s darker complexion.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“What is it you need this dress for?” Jack asked.
Miya glanced back over her shoulder, giving Jack a look of censure. “Jack, you’re as bad as the men in this family. Only half listening.” Miya hung the dress back on the rack and turned to fully face her. “I need a new dress for Ambassador Dorn’s party.”
“Dorn? As in Alexander Dorn?”
Miya nodded and began to sift through the next rack.
“So that’s why you’re so interested in finding a new sexy dress?” Jack teased, her lips twitching slightly.
Her cousin wasn’t into fashion, but for some reason, she wanted to make sure she looked good for this party. Jack wondered if it had anything to do with the handsome ambassador.
Miya scowled and pointed her finger at her. “Jack, don’t you dare. It’s not like that. Dorn is very nice.”
“Yeah,” Jack said drily. “Very nice-looking.”
Miya’s face took on a dreamy expression as she examined a dark green dress. “More like gorgeous.”
Jack watched Miya closely. “Is that a hint of a crush I’m detecting?”
Miya placed the dress back on the rack. “I do not have a crush on Ambassador Dorn. I just think he’s very…handsome.” She shook her head as she sifted through a rack of skirts. “He’s too old for me, anyway. Too…intense.”
“So what kind of guy is it you like, Miya?” Jack asked, genuinely curious.
She’d never known her cousin to date, at least not seriously. Miya was too focused on her career. But she was right about one thing. Jack agreed that Dorn was way too intense for Miya.
“I don’t know,” Miya said, then sighed. “When I was younger I thought I wanted to marry my dad.”
Jack giggled, knowing what she meant. She’d gone through that phase herself.
“Dad’s strong and has that whole don’t-mess-with-mine mentality. He always made me feel safe. But at the same time, he adores and pampers Mom and isn’t afraid for anyone to know it. He’s always so good to her. So sweet. I want a man like that.”
“Maybe Dorn’s like that,” Jack offered as they stepped out of the shop and headed down the block to the next one.
Miya scrunched her nose. “He definitely has the protect-what’s-mine vibe.” Miya motioned toward a table under a large shade tree, and the two sat down. A waiter walked over and took their orders. Hot tea and cocoa bars for Miya. Flavored coffee and kema chips for Jack.
As the waiter walked away, Miya studied her closely. “Are you okay, Jack? Really?”
Jack shrugged one shoulder. “Most days I’m okay.”
“Do you miss him?” Miya asked.
Jack’s lips opened in surprise. Why would Miya ask her that? Then she sighed, realizing she really needed to talk about it. Miya had always been easy to talk to, and Jack knew her cousin wouldn’t pass judgment or make her think she was stupid. It was time she got it off her chest. Maybe if she said how she felt out loud, then maybe she could move on.
HAYDRIEN SAT AT the next table with his back to Jack, listening. It had taken him days to track her down. When he’d spotted her walking down the street with the young brunette, he’d wanted to shout but instead had moved in behind them. He wanted to be close enough when he caught her attention that if she ran, he could stop her.
He was about to say something, but when he heard Miya’s question, he decided to wait to hear Jack’s answer. The last month without her had been harder than he ever imagined.
He missed her. He wasn’t even able to sleep in his own bed anymore. Not without her next to him. He missed her smile, even her smart mouth. That he missed the most.
The waiter returned with the women’s order, and Haydrien fisted his hand in frustration. He wanted Jack to answer. He needed to know if she missed him as much as he did her.
“I miss him a lot,” Jack whispered so low Haydrien almost didn’t hear her. “I think I fell in love with him, Miya.”
His heart skipped.
“Did you tell him?” Miya asked.
Jack snorted. “I didn’t even have the chance. Well, actually that’s not true. I had the chance, several of them. I think I was just afraid and let him distract me.” Jack let out a long sigh. “It was so stupid. I’m sure he hates me now.”
“I don’t hate you.” He turned in his chair to face Jack’s back. Reaching out, he tugged gently at the back of her hair. “I miss you…Jack.”
JACK GASPED AT the voice coming from behind her. Her eyes widened as she stared at Miya’s surprised look. Jack was almost afraid to turn around. Had she really heard him? Had he really just said that?
When she didn’t turn around, Haydrien moved to take the chair between her and Miya. He sat and gazed at Jack. He looked so good, yet at the same time so tired.
“I’m so sorry, Jacquelyn,” he whispered.
A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
“I assume this is Haydrien,” Miya murmured.
Jack swallowed and turned to give her cousin a pleading look of understanding. “Miya, do you mind?”
“Are you sure?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Yes,” Jack whispered.
Miya looked as though she might argue, then changed her mind. She stood and walked a few feet away, giving them some privacy.
Jack turned back to Haydrien and had to fist her hands around her cup to keep from throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him close. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Looking for you. You’re damn hard to find. Do you know that?”
Jack swallowed but didn’t say anything.
“I can’t sleep. My staff won’t talk to me.” Jack’s lips twitched at that. “Even Lear chewed me out. It’s official. I’ve lost control of my house.”
Jack smiled slightly, but it quickly faded. “I’m s
orry I didn’t tell you,” she said.
Haydrien reached out and grasped one of her hands. Pulling it from the cup, he wrapped her fingers within his own. “That’s probably my fault. I made you think I would do something terrible to you if you did. I also know the ship wasn’t your fault. Lear ran everything through simulation after simulation. It always ended the same. That ship was just too old to be out there.”
He leaned forward and brought her hand to his mouth. He gently kissed the backs of her fingers, sending a warm current of desire up her arm. He pulled back slightly and stared at her fingers as he softly brushed his thumb over them.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, then sniffed.
He wiped a tear away and smiled softly. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Come back home with me,” he whispered.
Jack thought her heart would melt at the love shining in his eyes. The chair next to her made a noise as it was pulled away from the table. She looked over to see her brother sit down and stare firmly at Haydrien.
“Man, you’ve got balls,” Jonah drawled.
“Jonah,” Jack growled.
Haydrien sat back and studied Jonah thoughtfully. “This is between Jack and me.”
Jonah sat back, mimicking Haydrien as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, so she’s Jack now?”
Jack slapped her brother on the chest with the back of her hand. What the hell was he doing?
“Are you trying to tell me that you forgive her little secret? That you’re in love with her and want her to come back with you?”
“Yes,” Haydrien answered without hesitation.
Jonah turned and grinned devilishly at Jack. “Oh, I have to be there when you tell Dad.”
Jack rolled her eyes. “Did Miya call you?”
Miya walked over and took the seat across from Jack. “Sorry,” she said. “I knew Jonah was in town, so I called. I just wanted to…” Her words trailed off as she looked pleadingly at Jack.
“She did the right thing,” Jonah said, then turned his gaze to Haydrien. “I wanted a word with the pirate anyway.”
“Jonah, please don’t do this,” Jack whispered.
“It’s okay, Jacquelyn,” Haydrien said but kept his gaze on Jonah.
Her Pirate Master (Entwined Fates) Page 13
