“I don’t care what you think you know. Joe is my brother, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get him back. If that means hanging out on a ship full of criminal delinquents, so be it. But you won’t shut me up in here and expect me to obey.”
Iza gave her the sweetest smile she could muster. “If you need food, it’s down the corridor and on your left.” Then she took a step forward until they were nose to nose. “Oh, and one more thing, stay out of my way.”
Iza turned away, her eyes stinging with anger. Why did the woman have to remind her so much of Joe?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Joe’s mind drifted back to the day he’d left TSS Headquarters. The shuttle back to Earth had been as quiet and disgraceful as his trip to the Outer Colonies transport had been. This time, however, there was no mention of his disgrace, only the long interrogation. He’d managed to keep his anger in check even when they threatened to go after Iza.
“You don’t know who or what she is.” Ian Mandren had ran a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth. Joe couldn’t remember ever seeing the Primus Elite Agent looking so frazzled. “You’ve jeopardized your mission in every way possible, and you still think keeping her hidden is the way to go. We can find her and bring her in. Considering what you’ve told us so far, we should.”
“I’m asking you—begging you—not to, sir,” Joe had said, sitting forward in the chair as Mandren paced. “I know what I did was wrong, but with my relationship with the crew being what it is, I think I did more good than if I’d gone by the book. You know what it’s like in the field. Decisions have to be made, choices that at the moment can’t be weighed against the better judgment of times without threat or danger.”
Mandren had shaken his head. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t know what the High Commander is going to do with this information. You did more than bring us information about Arvonen and the uprising on Hubyria. You used your training to aid this Captain Sundari in theft, extortion, and other illegal activity. You let her fiancé, Karter Hyttinen use you to gather more information to aid him in his nefarious business dealings. That’s quite a list of offenses, despite your reasoning. All I know is, I can’t protect you. You’ll be exiled to Earth for this, and bringing in the artifact and this report isn’t going to change that.”
“I know. And for the record, so did she when she gave it to me. Iza didn’t have to turn the sphere over to the TSS. She’s being cooperative; she should get some credit for that.”
“Credit? She’s riding in an H3X with an independent jump drive that we provided. She’s changed you. You were always quick to anger, but you’ve turned your back on the principles that made you an Agent, and I’m not sure sending you to Earth is far enough.” Mandren had stopped pacing to lean forward to look into his eyes.
Joe wasn’t sure what he had seen there, but he hadn’t said anything for a full minute. It had taken everything Joe had not to shift in his seat at the scrutiny.
“The one thing you haven’t admitted are your true feelings for this woman, Captain Iza Sundari. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
The conversation had been interrupted with the arrival of his discharge orders. It didn’t matter that Mandren hadn’t answered the question. The Agent had a job to do, and he viewed Joe’s lack of enthusiasm for the interests of the TSS as proof enough of his change of heart.
Joe had been given back his duffle, minus any Taran tech. He’d have to learn to fit in again on Earth. He was provided with the necessary credentials to begin his exiled life and there wasn’t another word spoken about how he would manage or live.
The sight of the blue planet from orbit took his breath away. It seemed so small, but he knew it held places he’d yet to visit. He’d been gone for years; things might have changed, even progressed, in his absence. Going back to the Earth didn’t have to be a punishment. The further he traveled, the deeper the ache in his chest became. Iza would see none of it. He couldn’t imagine any kind of fulfilling life without her. Perhaps, one day, Earth would become an official member of the Taran Empire and they’d be reunited. He didn’t want to die alone.
Maybe he could arrange to attend his sister’s wedding. Then Iza could join him there. It wouldn’t be so bad if he knew she’d be there. Seeing all of his old friends and former teachers would be tough, but with Iza at his side, he could brave the animosity they might feel for a TSS traitor.
— — —
“Sir, it’s happening again. He’s leaving the fantasy and drifting back into memories,” the technician said as he watched the brain patterns on the monitor change.
“It’s all right. Keep him focused on Sundari as long as you can. Monitor everything, real or imagined. There’s plenty here we can use,” Victor said. “Even if you have to move forward a bit in his timeline, keep him out of reality and inside the fantasy.” He held out his hand over the controls and swiped his fingers over the thought patterns to the right.
“Yes, sir.”
“Keep me updated on his continued regression. I’d like to be here when you break through.”
“I’ll do my best. As I said, sir, this technique… it’s not an exact science. The mind is complex and layered. It does everything it can to protect itself. Any sign that these memories aren’t happening in real-time and he’ll try to force himself awake. The jolt could—”
“I know the risks, Doctor. That’s not why you’re here. You’re here to get it done. If you have a problem completing this task, I’ll get another brain expert in here to replace you. I think you understand my meaning.” Victor held his gaze steady.
The man’s shoulders slumped but he nodded before turning back to the monitor. “Yes, sir.”
— — —
How different Joe’s journey to Earth had been compared to his trip from the Verity back to Headquarters. He didn’t want to leave Iza behind, but he wasn’t going to put her in front of the High Commander with what he knew. If they chose to keep her there, Joe knew he’d do whatever it took to get her out, and that would put them both in compromising positions. The last thing she needed was to be on the run for the rest of her life. He didn’t savor the idea himself.
Investigator Desirae Hyttinen put him in a holding cell like a common criminal, though she didn’t force him to hand over the sphere. She didn’t take her dark brown eyes off of him but didn’t seem to want anything to do with the artifact he carried. Her straight, blunt hairstyle matched the sharp outline of her uniform.
“You’ll be more comfortable here. Besides, from what you’ve probably done, this isn’t so bad. At least you still get a view of the stars.” Desirae pointed to the overhead viewport and the stars beyond it.
Joe looked up through the viewport at the stars, thankful that whatever happened, Iza would be safe now. Arvonen would have more than a few repairs to attend to after their last bout and he had the sphere in his hand. No one could open a Gate without it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Trix was on the flight deck monitoring the systems when Iza arrived. Braedon was sitting at the console with his tablet in his lap. It looked like he was sketching a new comic.
“Braedon, have you reached out to your father?”
“Yes.”
“Any word?”
“No, nothing from Joe, my father, or anyone else of consequence.” Iza picked up something else in his tone but couldn’t name it before he continued, “A message came in from Apex for Karter, and I’ve already informed his Highness.”
“All right,” Iza acknowledged.
“Your heart rate is no longer erratic, but I believe this set back in finding Joe will be detrimental for you,” Trix observed.
Iza caught the worried glance from Braedon before he averted his eyes back to the console. She rolled her eyes. “Just do what I ask will you and save the physical check-up for later.”
“Are you all right, or is there something we need to know?” Braedon asked.
“No, I’m fine,” Iza said waving away their worried looks of concer
n.
Iza ran a hand under Atano’s black chin and he licked at her fingers as if they were covered in meat sauce.
“I hear you did a lot of guarding while I was away. You’re probably hungry.” Iza didn’t have to wait for an answer as he danced around her ankles. “Okay, then, let’s get you something to eat. I’m going to my cabin after I feed Atano. Trix, keep monitoring comms, and let us know the minute we get a nibble.”
Atano dashed to her side at the mention of his name, and he followed her to the galley. Inside, she found Cierra tending to her plants and Agent Skyler Anderson at the table, her hands folded in front of her as if she’d been waiting there the whole time. It was unnerving to come upon her unexpectedly, and Iza had to force her mind to remember why she’d come. Atano nudged her calf and she reached for his bowl.
“He’s cute. What’s his name?” Agent Anderson asked.
Iza answered without looking at her. “Atano.”
“Speaking of names, you can call me Skyler. No need for all the Agent formality.”
“All right,” Iza muttered. But I rather like ‘Agent Sky’.
“I made vegetable stew if you’d like some, Captain,” Cierra snatched up her bowl, dropping the stew in before she could protest. Then, to Iza’s horror, she reached for one of the plants and snatched several leaves off of it and topped off her bowl before handing it back to her.
As if she’d done nothing at all, Cierra sashayed out of the room, her pink robes whispering. Iza leaned back against the counter and stared down into the bowl for several more moments in shock before she looked up and met Agent Anderson’s strange look.
“Did Joe ever tell you we had a cat?”
— — —
Karter detested sharing. Perhaps it had to do with being an only child.
His intention was to have it all—carrying on his father’s legacy, as it had been done in the Hyttinen Dynasty for centuries. He had no idea what that responsibility had meant at the time. However, as he got older, he realized the root of most of his problems was the fact that he was required to, or someone insisted, he share.
He’d already tried to get rid of Agent Joe Anderson once before, but it had all gone awry. This would make things more difficult for him later on. She’ll be my wife like it or not. Hadn’t that been the mantra since he’d forced her to sign the contract?
It was entirely unfair and nothing like he’d imagined for himself as a child playing in his father’s office. Thinking of his father reminded him that he still had work to do. Karter had chosen Iza more than the mere fact she was interesting. He happened to know more about her than she knew about herself at the moment. He’d known about her aunt for some time and had to use that to his advantage when the time came. It had gone almost as well as he’d hoped. Though, due to Iza’s hot temper, their reunion had backfired. Not only had she darted out without getting any meaningful information, but she also didn’t seem inclined to even speak with the woman again.
That left Karter at a disadvantage, which wasn’t a position he was used to playing. He needed something to go on if he was going to defeat Mr. Arvonen. The man was in league with several other Lower Dynasty heirs, and it was obvious that he was going to have to deal with the man sooner rather than later.
Mr. Arvonen was after those spheres, and that meant Karter needed to get to them first. It was a simple as that. He would not be outdone by the man or run out. The man had something over the other dynastic heirs, but he had nothing on Karter himself. The Hyttinen Dynasty heir ran his business with immaculate precision with an efficient team led by one of the best.
Becca had reached out to him, and he used his handheld to return her vidcall. “Becca, where are we with the most recent transactions and acquisitions?”
“Everything is going according to plan, Mr. Hyttinen. We’ve acquired the other two locations, as requested, and we have completed the financial transactions needed to secure them.”
“And my mother?”
There was a pause as Becca looked off into the distance as if trying to figure out how to say what came next.
“I need you to be upfront and honest with me. What’s going on? Have you heard from my mother?”
“Yes, she made a public statement for the Sensationals several hours ago. I was debating about how best to tell you, but maybe you should see it for yourself.”
Becca sent the video file, and as soon as he received a notification of the message’s arrival, Karter downloaded it to be viewed after the vidcall. He hardly wanted Becca monitoring his reactions.
“I’ll be sure to look at it. But I’d like the highlights please.”
“Your mother has aligned herself with the Arvonen Dynasty. She has spoken out openly against you, accusing you of going rogue, and insists that your investors are making a mistake by backing you.”
Karter gritted his teeth. He knew his mother was intent on keeping the Dynasty to herself, but he had no idea how much. He looked back on all of the meetings she’d dropped in on, and the clients that she dismissed him from the room to speak with privately. Had all of those times been with Mr. Arvonen? Quite possibly. What did she hope to gain by aligning herself with a madman?
“Also,” Becca sounded even more tentative, “it appears that she may have hired the Iron Dog to trail you.”
“Well, that explains a lot.”
For as long as he could remember, his mother had been behind him pushing toward his father’s legacy—doing anything in her power to upset Karter’s other dealings and force him back under her thumb. When had things changed? He tried to remember but his thoughts were interrupted when Becca called his name. She was asking him something that he’d missed.
“I’m sorry, what was your question?”
“How would you like to proceed?”
Karter was accustomed to dealing in options, but he preferred to be the one in control. This feeling of powerlessness was new. After discovering the true motivations of his friend Raquel, the archaeologist, he’d lost some of his confidence. Had my mother prearranged that meeting as well? Karter didn’t want to entertain the thought that every relationship he had was based on his mother’s lies. Iza was the only one untouched and untainted by his mother’s ambitions and yet central to both their plans.
“What about my engagement party? Has it been confirmed—was my mother responsible for the robbery?”
Becca took a deep breath hesitating and then rushing forward to answer. “Yes, it has been confirmed.”
Karter let out a slew of curses he usually kept under wraps around his employees. “I apologize. This has taken me by surprise. This is an impossible situation. If I have my way, then my mother will suffer the consequences of her choice in alliances. No one should have to decide between loyalty to their legacy and their surviving parent.”
“Many must make that choice, sir. She knew what she was doing when she made her choice. The question is, will you do the same?” Becca’s voice dropped and she leaned toward the camera. “Karter, you’re not a child.”
His eyes met hers at the familiar use of his name.
Becca’s intensity didn’t waver. “She’s your mother, but this is your business and your livelihood. As much as she may have shown her love for you in the past, she will not live forever. You can’t trust her to look out for the best interests of your legacy anymore. You’re a man who is more than capable of handling his own future.”
“Are you buttering me up like bread or what, Becks?”
She blushed, which made her green eyes sparkle even more. Then, she got control of her irresistible smile and spoke. “Absolutely not. I’d never lie to you,” she said her expression serious.
He wondered if that were true. The sincerity in her tone made him want to believe it.
“I’ll send you a file of everything I found, but I think the video will have most of what you need for now.”
Karter nodded and flashed her a smile of his own. “Be careful, I’m not sure you’re not in danger yours
elf.”
“I know how to get myself home,” she said with a wink.
Then, the vidcall ended, and he was left staring at the video she’d sent over to review. He opened the file and an image of his office appeared on the viewscreen. He watched his mother enter his office alone. Then, Mr. Arvonen came in and sat down in the sitting area of Karter’s office opposite his mother and managed to look pleased with himself. Karter paused the video, looking away from the display, determined to calm his breathing. How could she betray me in my own house?
— — —
Once Atano was fed, he seemed eager not to let Iza out of his sight and clung to her heels as she moved about the ship. Looking at the dog circling her feet as she was coming out of her cabin, she bumped into Karter. He was grumbling to himself, and he looked ready to punch something or someone.
“You look like you could use some good news.”
“Why? Do you have some?”
“Sorry,” Iza shrugged, “fresh out. What’s going on?”
“I just got off a call with Becks—Becca—my assistant,” he stammered. “Sorry, I’m a little thrown.”
Why doesn’t he admit his feelings for her? She’s the kind of woman who would wait for him to get his affairs together.
“So, are you keeping your true feelings for Becca a secret from her, too?” Iza said.
Karter’s head snapped up and he glared at her. “I don’t know what you mean.” His eyebrows furrowed.
“You haven’t told her?” she said her eyes wide.
“I already told you, there are many obstacles to us being together,” Karter said with a wave of his hand as if he could erase the conversation.
“We’ve all got obstacles. What are you going to do about it?”
“Do about what?” Braedon said coming down from the flight deck.
“We were just discussing Becca. Karter’s very attractive and loyal assistant,” Iza said. She smirked at Karter when he glared at her.
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