by JC Cassels
“Sure thing, Blade,” the boy said, leaping to his feet. He picked up a portable data reader from the tabletop. “I’ll go read up on The Catarrh in my quarters until you call me.” He looked to Bo. “Blade Devon!”
Not waiting for a response, he galloped out.
“He’s a good kid. I like him,” Blade commented.
“Of course you do,” she snorted. “He’s a fan.”
“He said he’s known you for a while.”
Bo nodded. “His brother’s a bastard. I’ve done business with his organization for the past few years.”
“You obviously like the kid,” he pressed.
“What’s your point?”
“Why charge so much to bust him out of Akita?” he asked, studying her carefully. “That doesn’t warrant six hundred thousand, not even for Black Wing skills. Even if it did, you don’t need the credits. I know you. You’d have done it for nothing.”
Averting her gaze, Bo stared into her mug. “Things change,” she said, hesitating. “People change.”
“Not that much,” he said.
The warm timbre of his voice touched an open wound she’d almost forgotten about. For the briefest millisecond, the years fell away and he was the one man she knew she could trust without condition.
Cruelly squelching the echoes of what they’d once had, she forced the memory down. That’s all it was anyway; only a shadow. It had never been real. Trusting him now would be a mistake that could very well get her killed.
Bo pulled her feet from his lap. This time, he let her go.
“That bastard of a brother of his set him up.” She lifted her gaze and looked him directly in the eye. “You, of all people, would appreciate that kind of betrayal.”
His lips thinned, but otherwise he gave no indication that her words affected him at all. He always had been a good Five-Point player.
Bo fought the urge to jump to her feet and retreat to her quarters. She clenched her jaw so hard, she thought her teeth might break.
“He wanted Nix out of the way for something, but he didn’t want him out of the way for too long. So, he contacted me to bust him out. He was very precise about the timing.” She shook her head. “It was cold and calculated. Nix is just a kid. He didn’t deserve Akita, and he doesn’t deserve that – brother of his.”
Blade nodded. “So you upped your rate.”
She shrugged. “Seemed like the right thing to do.”
Bracing his arm along the back of the sofa, Blade leaned back and studied her. “Nice to see you’ve still got a conscience,” he stated.
“Don’t let it get around,” she said, dryly. “It would ruin my reputation.”
“Hell, I’m responsible for half the stuff that made your reputation,” he said with a grin. “Your secrets are safe with me.”
She snorted in annoyance.
He stared at her for a long moment. “I’ve missed you,” he said softly.
Those three words cut through her soul like a turbolaser through hull plating.
Bo closed her eyes against the ache in her chest. She shook her head.
Charm and seduction – his favorite tools for manipulation.
“Don’t…” she snarled. “Don’t insult me by pretending that your being here has anything to do with you and me. You had your chance a long time ago and you made your choice.”
“I wasn’t given a choice.”
Oh, he was brilliant.
She arched an eyebrow and patiently waited for him to continue.
“You’re the one who threw me out, remember? You pulled a blaster on me and told me you’d kill me if you ever saw me again.”
He glanced up at her, most likely to gauge how well he was playing this scene.
Critics had underrated his acting skills back in his holofeature days. He’d injected so much pain and somber emotion into those softly-spoken words. Even his expression was a study in remorse and regret; the tiny crease between his eyebrows…the sad, distant smile…he covered every angle. It was one of his better performances.
“You were under orders to cultivate me as an asset.”
Bo silently congratulated herself on delivering that line without the slightest quaver in her voice.
“I don’t deny that.” Undeterred, he nodded. “You know me well enough to know that I will do whatever it takes to get what I want.”
His gaze captured hers. The intensity in his blue eyes stole her breath as he used the force of his will to hold her in thrall.
“I wanted you.”
Reminding herself to breathe, Bo lifted her chin. “It makes a pretty story, flyboy, but you’re a Predator. You wanted what Andre Marin told you to want.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, and something dangerous flared in his blue eyes. “I’m not IC anymore, Bo. I haven’t been for a long time.”
Her lips twisted in a humorless smile. “Come on, Blade. We both know the Inner Circle doesn’t allow anyone to walk away. You taught me that.” She lifted her mug to her lips. “Andre Marin will always be pulling your strings. I’m not getting on this ride with you. Everything about you is either a lie or a performance, and I am done. I’m over you.”
His gaze roamed over her, as if trying to memorize every detail about her. “I’m not that man anymore, Bo.”
“Of course you’re not. You’re whatever you think I want you to be. What do you really want, Blade?”
He studied her for a long moment, his expression carefully closed.
“I have a business proposition for you,” he said at last. “You’re not going to like it, but I don’t have time to find anyone else, and I need someone I can trust.”
“And you’re asking me?” She shook her head. “Obviously you have no concept of the meaning of the word trust.”
He smiled and glanced down briefly before meeting her eyes once more. “I know what it means, Bo,” he said. “My feelings for you haven’t changed, and if you can’t believe anything else, believe that I trust you completely.”
“You don’t lie to someone you trust!”
“I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, even if it means letting you hate me for lying to you!”
“You’ll understand if I say I don’t feel the same.”
“Now, who’s lying?”
Unable to meet his stare, she averted her gaze.
He drew a deep breath and released it slowly, obviously calming himself.
“I heard a rumor that there’s been an attempt on Lord Marin’s life,” he said. “If it’s true, then I need to get to Trisdos as quickly as possible.”
Her jaw tightened. “But you’re not IC anymore.”
Shaking her head, Bo climbed to her feet, ignoring the blanket that fell from her shoulders. “See? This is what I’m talking about! If you’re not calling yourself IC now, then why are you going to Trisdos?”
His mouth tightened into a grim line. With a small sigh, he rose.
“I have to.”
Bo shook her head. “Did Marin summon you himself?”
The tell-tale muscle twitched in his jaw. “No, he didn’t.”
She canted her head at him and folded her arms across her chest. “So let me get this straight. You heard a rumor that Lord Marin has been attacked. No one has whistled for you to come running, but you’re going to burn up hyperspace to get to Trisdos anyway.” She shook her head. “Right, Blade. You’re not an IC Agent anymore.” Her laugh held no humor.
“Bo…” He reached for her, but stopped when she lifted her hands in warning.
“I’m dropping the kid at Chiron,” she said firmly, stepping away and putting more distance between them. “You find out there whether or not you need to hire me, and we’ll negotiate then.” She turned to go.
“Name your price, Bo.”
She stopped. Slowly, she turned. “My price?”
He slowly nodded. “Anything you want. Anything that’s in my power to give. Name it.”
Hands on her hips, she searched his face. “Anything?
”
“Anything.”
“There’s only one thing I want from you,” She measured her words.
He closed the distance between them. “Name it.”
“I want a divorce.”
He grew dangerously still.
No one could do still like Blade. No one could be as menacing without so much as batting an eyelash.
Bo held her breath, waiting for his response.
The muscle jumped in his jaw again.
Refusing to back down, she held his gaze.
The mighty Blade Devon may frighten holofeature villains, but even under his best warning glare, she didn’t cringe. It wasn’t the threat of physical harm from him that frightened her. If he ever made up his mind to kill her, no force could stop him. The only danger he posed was to her heart.
That, she would protect at all costs.
Bo lifted her chin in defiance.
“At some point, I’m going to clear my name and take my place on Mondhuoun,” she reminded him when she could stand the silence no longer. “I’ll be expected to join with a mate and produce an heir. I don’t want there to be any question of legitimacy when that happens… And don’t hand me that tired old song about how Lahtrecki law doesn’t allow for divorce. I’m not your stupid asset anymore.”
His inscrutable expression didn’t change. Slowly, he extended his hand to seal the bargain.
“We have a deal then,” he said as she slipped her hand into his.
His fingers tightened around hers, holding her hostage.
“Here’s to legitimate heirs.”
Her breath caught. Bo swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.
He knew!
Bo’s face heated under his stare. Her heart pounded in her chest as adrenaline flooded her system. Every instinct of self-preservation screamed for her to run, but his hand held her trapped in place.
He would surely kill her for what she had done.
“There’s one more thing, though.” He said it as though it were an afterthought.
She knew better.
“Of course there is.”
Of course, he wouldn’t let her get away so easily.
“Tell no one,” he said. “I don’t want it to go beyond the two of us. No one knows where we’re going, especially not Nix.”
The thought of it sent a warning chill rippling through her. Bo shook her head. “I don’t think…”
“It could mean my life, if that makes a difference,” he said. “Yours too, probably.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you not telling me?”
He smiled. “State Secrets.”
Shaking her head, she gave him an annoyed look. “Honestly, you need to find a new song. This one is getting old.”
“Bo… If you won’t do it for me, will you please do it for the Commonwealth? I know you’ve got enough of a sense of duty left in you for that much.”
Her shoulders sagged. She hated that he was right. Duty, Responsibility, Service… it was the Barron Clan motto, and it had been drilled into her from birth. With a sigh, she nodded.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then lifted it to his lips. “You won’t regret this,” he promised, his breath warm on her skin.
“Yes, I will,” she said, pulling her hand from his. “I already do.”
***
Nix gripped the data reader so tightly his bloodless knuckles ached.
As silently as he could manage, he slowly backed down the companionway until he reached his quarters. When the door slid shut behind him, he released the breath he hadn’t meant to hold for so long.
His head spun. Was it from lack of oxygen or shock? His heart pounded in his chest. His knees buckled, and he crumpled onto the deck plates.
He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. He’d only gone back to ask Blade which years he’d raced the Catarrh, but when he’d heard her say that Gray had set him up…
His stomach lurched.
He dropped the data reader beside him and scrubbed his damp palms against his thighs.
His own brother!
All these years…since their parents had died, Gray had looked after him and taken care of him and… Gray’d had him thrown into Akita?
A maximum-security prison with Blade Devon. The Guardian himself.
Holy Maker!
The man wasn’t just some actor who played stone-cold killers. He actually was one! Bo had called him a Predator. Everybody knew that Predators were the Inner Circle’s elite assassins. Hell, that he was an IC agent was bad enough. Those guys were top covert operatives and commandos. The Predators were the best of the best – or the worst of the worst, depending on whether they were trying to protect or kill you.
And Blade didn’t want him to know they were going to Trisdos after they delivered him to his brother.
Nix’s throat tightened. What would Blade do to him if he found out he’d been listening?
Scenes of blood and gore from his holofeatures flooded Nix’s mind.
Bo didn’t have a flaming sword stashed somewhere on board, did she?
He swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the knot that threatened to choke him.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and slowly released it. Bracing his hands on his legs, he hunched forward and repeated the process a few more times before his panic eased.
The steady hum of the ship’s hyperdrive engines rumbled through the ship, vibrating the deck plates.
Bo wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Surely she wouldn’t let her…husband…?
Husband?
He had to be if she wanted a divorce.
Nix groaned and shook his head.
“Why couldn’t I have just gone to my quarters?”
Blade had seemed so nice and friendly, earlier, when he’d interrupted his shower.
CHAPTER SIX
“Bapi!”
Chase Fossey braced himself for impact as the knee-high dynamo slammed into him. Wrapping his arms around the four-year-old wriggling and giggling boy, Chase straightened and swung him around, growling and nuzzling his neck.
“I’m sorry, Mister Fossey,” the harried young woman who cared for his group said, out of breath from chasing the boy. “When he saw your cruiser, he took off before I could stop him.”
“Hey,” Chase’s brow furrowed as he lifted his head. “Dash, what have I told you about running off?”
Unperturbed, the boy patted him on the cheek. “I knew it was you.”
Chase sighed and studied the child’s face. The boy had no sense of danger. His amber eyes gleamed with mischief.
Chase fondly ruffled his untidy brown hair. “Dash Fossey, you are a handful.”
The boy giggled. “I know.”
“There were two men here earlier,” the young carer said. “They spoke with Mrs. Rell, asking about you and Dash.”
Chase’s hold on the boy tightened. “Is she still here?”
“In her office.”
With narrowed eyes, Chase scanned the street outside the day care center. Nothing appeared to be amiss. That didn’t mean anything. The very fact that men were asking about Dash sent a shiver of apprehension down his spine.
Without further comment, he headed to the administrator’s office and pushed the door open without knocking. Mrs. Rell, a kind-faced older woman with a short mane of gray hair looked up as he entered. Behind the black-framed glasses, she squinted up at him. She opened her mouth to speak, but Chase cut her off.
“There were men here asking about Dash?”
Mrs. Rell glared past him at the young carer, who slunk out the door, pulling it closed behind her.
“Yes, there were,” she said. Her voice, though pleasant and well-modulated, held a hint of censure.
“Who were they? What did they want?”
She folded her hands primly on top of her desk. “They were First Sector Inner Circle Agents. They were doing a background check on you for some security clearance you applied for. They said it was for a holofeature you have coming up.
”
Ah, hell. Swallowing, Chase forced a smile. “Of course,” he said. “What information did you give them?”
“They had a court order to see your files.”
“I see.” Chase nodded. His heart pounded in his chest. “Thank you. I appreciate your being so thorough.”
In a daze, he excused himself and carried the boy to his waiting cruiser. Wasting no time strapping Dash into his seat, he only gave half an ear to the child’s ramblings. His mind was already turning over his options.
“What happened?” he muttered.
Chase settled behind the steering column and switched on the engine. Strains of music blasted through the sound system. Nudging the vehicle out onto the street, he lowered the volume and keyed the search feature. “Breaking news search,” he said. “Keywords Barron or Devon.”
The sound system whirred a few seconds, and the heads-up display – HUD – showed a spinning icon.
“Audio only,” Chase said.
The icon disappeared and the sound system trilled with a three-note melody marking the news. A crisp female voice filled the cruiser.
“Former Consular Guard Commander Bo Barron is being sought in connection with a bombing attack on Trisdos that left the First Sector Overlord Andre Marin critically injured. Unofficial reports from First Sovran Medical indicate that Lord Marin is in stable, but guarded, condition. Lord Marin’s medical team has not released any further information about the Sovran’s condition.”
Chase’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He muttered a curse.
“Investigators indicate this attack bears close similarities to the Frostfire Massacre seven years ago, for which Barron was convicted and sentenced to execution. Witnesses at the scene of the Trisdos bombing reported seeing a woman authorities have positively identified as Barron. Bo Barron is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Authorities discourage citizens from approaching her, and are instead urged to contact local law enforcement with any information on her whereabouts.”
Chase glanced in the mirror at the gamine little boy contentedly making zooming noises with the toy hovercycle clutched in his chubby hand. Behind them, in the distance a non-descript black ground cruiser followed at a respectable distance.
