Sexual Memory [Dark Colony 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Elle Saint James

  “The cloaking function will be deactivated in one minute.”

  “If we only have a minute,” Jeremy said. “I vote for kissing you again.” He pressed his lips to hers once. Then Will took her in his arms and kissed her, too.

  Vidarr took Olivia into a hearty, tight embrace, lifting her into the air six inches, and kissed her soundly. “This is my favorite plan so far.”

  Angelica pushed out a sharp breath, trying to stem the flow of wrath boiling through every part of her body. This wasn’t how she wanted to spent the last few seconds with her men.

  “If I could have you both, I would. In this life or the next or any possible way I could manage it,” she said in a quiet yet passionate tone, speaking directly from her heart.

  Will squeezed her shoulder, and said, “I feel the same way. If I could, I’d jump at the chance to join the two of you on as many space adventures as we could find.”

  “The cloaking function will be deactivated in thirty seconds.” On the outer visual screen, a Border Control ship came into view a handful of klicks away. If it kept its current trajectory, it would be almost on top of them the moment the ship rematerialized in space. They likely already had the electronic capture net ready to snare them seconds after they were visible.

  Jeremy seated himself in the pilot’s chair.

  “What are you doing?”

  Jeremy said, “I know we have only a few seconds left, but I’m not ready to give up. I refuse. And besides, I just thought of something.” He reduced the life support on the command deck to eighty percent and pushed the propulsion to the limit.

  “This gets us closer, but not quite over the border,” Angelica said, placing a soft hand on his shoulder.

  “You’re right. But I needed to do something instead of just waiting around to be caught up in the electronic capture net.”

  Angelica tightened her grip on his shoulder, hoping he understood how much she loved him. “I’m sorry,” she said. “You came all this way to get me. And now…” Her mouth closed. She didn’t finish her thought.

  He looked up at her, his gaze filled with love. “I’m not sorry,” he said, placing a hand over hers. “I’ll never be sorry I came after you.”

  Angelica stared deeply into his eyes, trying to convey her undeniable love. Will, standing behind her, kissed the back of her neck and lowered his chin onto her shoulder.

  Vidarr and Olivia, hand in hand, walked over to where they were. All five of them watched the inevitable through the outer view screen.

  The computer’s voice said, “The cloaking function has been deactivated.”

  Jeremy pushed the button to have the life support put back to a hundred percent and put the rest toward propulsion. But on auxiliary power it still wasn’t fast enough to get across the border before a capture net seized them. If only they had another thirty seconds or so.

  But they didn’t.

  The Border Control ship changed their trajectory and headed in their direction the moment the Mirage became visible. They saw the yellow spinning capture net lights on the outer hull preparing to trigger.

  An expected warning came through their speakers. “Halt, unidentified ship. You have crossed into the Forbidden Zone. You will be detained and taken to the District Six authorities for questioning. Prepare to be boarded.”

  They waited to feel the jolt when the electronic capture net seized the ship. Will gripped her hand. Jeremy was still seated in the captain’s chair pushing buttons and trying to give them every advantage.

  Then, all of a sudden, from the starboard side of their viewing screen, a second ship uncloaked a klick away from their position. Jeremy sat up straight in the pilot’s chair. Everyone’s gaze zeroed in on the new spacecraft’s trajectory. It was going to cut right between the Mirage and the Border Control ship.

  “Holy fuck,” Jeremy whispered in a tone that sounded like he’d just been saved from death. He turned in his chair, engaging the propulsion on the console to full speed ahead, with the trajectory headed for the border and safety.

  Angelica focused on the ship, realizing why Jeremy had started working.

  The Stargazer came fully into view on their screen. A laser beam shot out from the forward guns in the direction of the Border Control ship, specifically targeting the area of the enemy ship’s exterior electronic capture net apparatus.

  Explosions resonated along the enemy’s hull and the capture net lights disappeared. The Stargazer also promptly vanished as if it had never been there.

  “Hold on,” Jeremy said. He then punched the propulsion into high gear and in less than fifteen seconds they were across the border and finally, at long last, well and truly out of the Forbidden Zone.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we are officially out of District Six airspace,” he said with a grin, jumping out of the pilot’s chair to hug Angelica.

  Seconds later, all five of them screamed and danced around the captain’s chair with exuberant glee. High fives were delivered repeatedly all around.

  Jeremy kissed Angelica again, grateful she was safe. He’d met his goal and gotten her out of the Forbidden Zone, along with three other innocent souls as a welcome bonus.

  Bergeron suddenly came bursting through the double doors and onto the command deck. He was dressed in a full bio-containment suit, but immediately ripped his helmet off and took a deep breath of air. “Angelica, you bitch, where are all of the extended oxygen replacement filters for the suits?” He fell to his knees, taking in one deep gulp of air after another. “I almost suffocated.”

  Vidarr vaulted across the command deck quickly to the entrance, fisted one hand, and punched Bergeron hard in the jaw. Bergeron’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he went down in a crumpled heap surrounded by folds of the white bio-suit, his helmet rolling away from his slumped body.

  William and Vidarr promptly pulled him out of the suit and tied together his wrists and ankles using a roll of electrical tape. Hopefully he didn’t have a universal key hidden away for that.

  Once they’d gotten several klicks away from the District Six border, a ship uncloaked alongside of their ship. The Stargazer.

  Jeremy stood up from the pilot’s chair, pushed the communication button to hail them, and Drew Maxwell’s face came up on the command deck’s view screen. Angelica smiled and waved. He smiled back at her and also waved.

  “What the fuck, Drew?” Jeremy asked harshly.

  “I’ll interpret that as a ‘Thank you so much, Drew. You just saved my ass, Drew. Whatever would I do without you, Drew?’ instead of an insult.”

  “It was a damned reckless thing to do.”

  Drew glanced out of frame to his left. “Well, it worked, didn’t it?”

  “You shouldn’t have taken the risk. I didn’t authorize you to cross into District Six space on any suicide missions for any reason. What you did was illegal. They’ll probably send a Warrant of Detention.”

  Angelica grabbed his hand and squeezed.

  From off screen she heard Nathan Tyndall’s voice. “Oh look, the boy scout found his regulation book. I guess this means that there’ll be no living with him going forward. I have to say, I’m going to miss the troublemaker.”

  Then Gray Wyckoff stepped into the frame next to Drew. “I ordered Drew to ‘accidentally’ cross over the border to deflect the capture net.”

  Drew then added quickly, “Which saved my bacon, because I was going to do it regardless of anyone’s feelings on the matter.” Gray shrugged and smiled. “I know you’re the captain of this ship and everything, Jeremy, but I still own it and distribute the payroll to everyone. Lieutenant Maxwell and your crew all have to listen to me, especially when you’re not aboard.”

  Jeremy’s mouth dropped open. “Gray? How did you even get here?”

  He shrugged. “Nathan and I flew out on the Skydancer.”

  His brows furrowed. “So…what are you doing aboard the Stargazer?”

  Gray tilted his head to one side. “Well, that’s a long story, inv
olving two irate Trade Governors, a secret mission to the Forbidden Zone border complete with a handy free pass on any risky behavior, but suffice it to say, I’m glad I was here in time to make a difference.”

  Jeremy pushed out a relieved breath and grinned at them both, but didn’t say anything else. He just shook his head and looked stunned by recent events.

  “Well, I’m grateful, Drew,” Angelica said. “If Jeremy kicks you to the curb, I’ll request your services for the Mirage.”

  “Excellent,” he said, and flashed another grin. “You’re the one I did it for anyway.”

  “Good to see you again, Angelica,” Gray said. “Now that you’re back on this side of the Forbidden Zone, you can only have two months off, and then I’ll expect you back to work. We’ve missed you.”

  Angelica grinned, so grateful she had so many friends willing to go to such great lengths for her safe passage. “Two months would make me stir crazy. I’ll take a week, maybe.”

  Gray nodded. “Whatever you want. Thankfully, you’re back safe and sound. Penelope will be so pleased. She sends her regards. In truth, she told me not to come back without you.”

  Penelope was Gray’s wife. They’d forged a close friendship since meeting nearly a year ago. Angelica had a lot of respect for her and what she’d endured. Besides, she was so good for Gray.

  Nathan stepped into the view screen frame on the other side of Drew. “Angelica. There you are. Glad you finally found your way back to this side of the border. It hasn’t been nearly as fun here without you.”

  “Thanks, Nathan. But I had lots of help.” She glanced at Jeremy.

  Nathan’s gaze also went to Jeremy, and a smirk followed. “Good for you, troublemaker. Or are you truly going back to being a boy scout fulltime?”

  Jeremy shrugged. “Perhaps a combination of the two after all my adventures in the Forbidden Zone.”

  “Where’s Bergeron?” Gray asked, suddenly. “Please tell me he’s contained.”

  “Yes. He’s tied up, why?”

  “We have information that he’s been luring citizens into the Forbidden Zone. That’s one of the interesting reasons why Nathan and I are here. Trade Governor Brawley for starters, and I’d imagine Trade Governor Winnick, also would like to have a long chat with him. “

  Olivia perked up. “How is he?”

  Gray’s brows furrowed. “Governor Winnick?”

  She nodded.

  “He’s fine to the best of my knowledge, but I know he’ll be a lot better once you return home.”

  Olivia looked over at Vidarr. They shared a troubled look between them.

  “I hope so,” she said.

  Angelica wasn’t certain why Olivia wasn’t more excited about returning to Bravura to see her father.

  * * * *

  William wandered into the frame next to Angelica, but refrained from touching her like he wanted to. Likely he should start acting like he had a wife waiting for him upon his return. It would take a bit of practice not to touch her whenever he wanted.

  “Prince Roghan?” Gray said in a shocked tone. “Is that you?”

  “Well, that’s what I keep hearing,” he said jovially, trying to suppress the urge to shout. I don’t know this Prince Roghan person. I don’t want to be him. Instead, he added, “I don’t suppose we’ve ever met before, been acquainted at all, or better yet enjoyed any sort of long-standing friendship?”

  Gray tilted his head to one side. “Not to my knowledge.”

  William smiled. “So you’ve only seen publications about me, is that right?”

  “Yes. I believe there was a royal wedding recently, wasn’t there?”

  William shrugged. “I do not possess my memories. The District Six Slavers took them from me. And likely why they are so successful at keeping prisoners for their gladiator games.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I can have a message sent to your planet if you’d like, letting them know you’re safely out of District Six. Also I’m delighted to start a long-standing friendship with you immediately. The Dalton Prime Corporation is here to serve all your transportation needs, especially since the other half my captains have now returned to this part of space.”

  William smiled. “I’m not opposed to a new friendship, especially since you saved us in the eleventh hour. And I’ll also keep your offer in mind regarding any future transportation needs.”

  “And the message?”

  “Yes. Please send one, letting my family know I’ve survived, and have them meet us on Bravura if they wish to.”

  Jeremy and Drew launched into a discussion about the ship repair and bringing someone over to the Mirage to look over the engines.

  Meanwhile, Olivia caught his gaze and motioned him away from the others. They continued talking and making plans to get back to Bravura once the Mirage’s main engine was repaired, tested, and fully functional again.

  “Are you upset about meeting your family?” she asked.

  “No. Not exactly. My continued lack of memories are still troubling me. Everyone knows me, but no one knows me well enough. I don’t remember my family at all.”

  “I’m certain they’ll be glad you’re alive?”

  “Likely they will, and I hope I’m happy to remember them as well. However, I’m also afraid I have a wife waiting for me.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened. “Oh.” She looked over at Angelica, now helping to make plans for their return to Bravura. “I see.”

  “Also the singular memory that I do have, is dancing with a bride. In fact, it’s been my only memory of home. Also she is…” He shook his head and didn’t finish his sentence. What he’d been about to say wasn’t a fact, just a feeling.

  “Tell me. Perhaps I can help you.”

  “How can you help me?”

  “The device I used to disable the chip the slavers put in your head has more than just one function. The device can do other things as well.”

  “Like what. Restore memories?”

  “No. But I can take the memories of the arena away. You wouldn’t be tortured by your memories of your imprisonment. Or what you did there.”

  William looked over his shoulder at Angelica. “But then I’d forget Angelica, too. And Jeremy, is that right?”

  Olivia nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately you would. What else do you remember about the bride you danced with that you didn’t say before?”

  William closed his eyes. “I recalled that I loved her very much. In the dream, we’re dancing at sunset and I have this overwhelming feeling of love for the beautiful woman I’m holding in my arms. Not only that, but it feels like more than just a friendship or a family member. It feels like the two of us have an especially special close bond. I’ve never told Angelica that before.

  “In fact, I tried to tuck it away so that I didn’t remember it either. But now that we’re free, and about to be introduced back into polite society, the responsibilities of my past have caught up with me. Unfortunately, I don’t currently know what my obligations even are. If I have a wife waiting for me, Angelica and Jeremy will be removed from my life.”

  Olivia made a sympathetic noise, then said, “All I can offer you is elimination of the memories you suffered through while in the gladiator ring and the rest of the life you led there.”

  “How long would it take to perform whatever you’ll do?”

  “Ten minutes.”

  He nodded. “I appreciate your offer, but I need to think about it. I’m not certain yet which way would be easiest for all concerned.”

  “Of course. I understand. However, just so you know the limitations, we must use the device before you speak to or meet anyone you’ve known well.”

  William nodded. “Thank you. I’ll sequester myself until we get closer to Bravura. Can we meet an hour before we arrive there? I’ll have a decision for you by then.”

  “Certainly. And whether you decide to do it or not, doesn’t matter, okay? Not to me. Either way is a good choice, right?”

  “Thank you. Wil
l you also neglect to tell Angelica about this coming choice of mine?”

  Olivia frowned slightly. “I won’t tell her anything, but I truly believe she’d understand.”

  “Perhaps. But I’d appreciate if I could tell her myself in my own way. Whatever I decide.”

  Olivia smiled. “Of course. I promise not to say a word.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Four days later, less than an hour away from Bravura

  William pondered his immediate future. On the way back, the Stargazer had intercepted a message that was also headed for Bravura like they were. It was from William’s planet, Hydrock. It stated that a contingent of family was being sent to Bravura to greet Prince Roghan and his imminent return. No further message was relayed nor were there any specific family members mentioned in the communiqué.

  He’d hidden away alone in quarters away from Angelica and Jeremy for the duration of this trip. He appreciated that neither of them asked any pointed questions about why. Although he suspected they knew exactly his thinking. Angelica especially. She knew about his only dream from home. When her only recall had become a reality—in the form of a brash, young man on a mission to find his love at any cost—William had to consider the probability that his was also a reality.

  Jeremy had not only been completely understanding about his and Angelica’s unusual relationship—while she’d been kidnapped and hidden as a slave in District Six—he also didn’t hold anything against her, which was a rare thing indeed. William was grateful she had Jeremy in her future, especially if he couldn’t be there himself.

  He simply wished for the three of them to remain a trio or at least be afforded the possibility of planning a future together. However, the weight of his unknown past pushed that discussion right off of the table before it could begin.

  The more he thought about the woman in his dream, the more he suspected she’d once been someone he couldn’t live without. Someone more important than mere family. Whenever he had the dream of her, the feeling in his gut was that of pure love and devotion.