Mrs. Claus’s digital voice broke the mood.
“An incoming com from Captain Danverse, Sergeant Jacks.”
Liam groaned. “This better be important. Put it through.” He rubbed his hand through his sweaty hair.
“Liam?” The captain’s voice had an impatient edge to it. “Is Hadrian Jamison with you?”
“Yes…” Something was off. “Why?”
Hadrian’s grip stiffened. It was fleeting, but the gesture fed a nervous rush down his spine.
“I need the two of you to come down to Cargo Bay Three immediately. We have a problem.”
DANVERSE PACED IN front of the cargo-bay entrance. He rubbed his face as his feet refused to stay still. It had barely been five minutes since he’d contacted Liam…and Hadrian…but he was impatient for their arrival.
He heard their voices echoing down the hallway ahead of them. They were walking briskly, but they were so close to each other. He had no place to complain, but he bristled at the sight. He’d known the two of them had become lovers, but it still gave him pause. Even though he shouldn’t begrudge Liam a measure of happiness he couldn’t offer him.
Liam’s stance was oddly protective next to Hadrian. “Marc, what’s going on?”
“Can’t you hear what’s happening?” Danverse’s stare was solely for Hadrian. Liam arched his brow as he looked back and forth between the two.
“What are you talking about?”
Hadrian shook his head. “Liam drowns out most of the voices now. It has been very different recently.”
Danverse grunted and turned to Liam. “I have a Luxorian military craft docked with my ship. There are soldiers on board.”
“What the hell do they want?”
The soft timbre of Hadrian’s voice was frightening. “They want me.”
And the nervous sound made Danverse unhappy. “Yes, they do. Why is that, Hadrian? What crazy bullshit did you bring onto my ship? They’re threatening to arrest us all if we don’t give you up. What am I supposed to do about that?”
“No. This is not happening.” Liam slapped the control panel. The door wasn’t even completely open before he was through. Danverse and Hadrian were quick to follow.
Inside the packed bay stood a small cadre of soldiers clad in sleek, lightweight body armor and helmets with clear face shields. Each man was large, almost Liam’s size, and they carried meter-long combat sticks. A few of the guards at the rear, blocking the airlock doorway, carried clear shields. The group looked poised to quell a riot. Danverse gave a small prayer of thanks they weren’t packing projectile weapons.
The bay doors closed with a hiss as the soldier with the most rank markings stepped forward.
“I am Master Sergeant Braxus of the Luxorian Guard First Class.” His voice was deep, dangerous, and forceful. “We’re here to take Hadrian Jamison into custody. If you refuse, we will treat your vessel as an accomplice and seize it in compliance with Interplanetary Cluster law.”
Liam was furious. “You have no right—”
“We have every right. That man is a fugitive. He is coming back with us. Peacefully.” His menacing stare burned at Hadrian. “If he doesn’t, I will blow this ship out of the cluster. That is a promise.”
Hadrian stepped from behind Liam, his shoulders sagging. “I will go peacefully. There is no need for any more violence.”
Liam spun. “What? No! I’m not letting you go.” He grabbed Hadrian by the shoulders. “I don’t understand. Tell me what’s going on!” Liam was growing frantic, and Danverse could hear the heartbreak.
“I am sorry, Liam. I should not have brought you into this.”
Two guards brandishing manacles marched forward, shoved Liam to one side, and grabbed Hadrian. One placed Hadrian in a chokehold while the other tried to get the restraints on his wrists. Hadrian offered no resistance.
Liam pushed forward and seized one guard’s arm. “You can’t do this!”
A third guard rushed forward and struck Liam hard in the face with his combat stick. Liam’s head snapped to the side and he dropped to the floor like a broken marionette.
“Liam!” Danverse ran to his fallen friend. Blood ran from Liam’s mouth and nose, and he wasn’t moving. Danverse reached to check his vitals but stopped short.
He didn’t need to see the rage alight in Hadrian’s eyes. It could be heard and felt in the banshee wail. Every corded muscle in Hadrian’s neck stuck out in sick relief as the tension mounted in his body. Jagged needles ran up Danverse’s spine. He knew what was coming next and couldn’t look away.
Hadrian lurched forward, flipping the guard holding him over his head to land on his back. With a savage roar, he stomped the man’s throat to the floor as he wrapped the manacles around the second guard’s neck. The snap echoed, it was so loud. More guards rushed forward.
Braxus shouted commands. “Protect the ambassador!”
Watching the vid of Hadrian dispatching the raiders had been horrific, but the real thing playing out in front of him was something altogether different. A sickening rush came over Danverse. Hadrian punched through the weak spot of one guard’s armor, blood spattering up his forearm. Gone was the artistry of his previous fight. Hadrian was lashing out like a mad animal, with ruthless fury. He was going to kill them all.
Danverse turned back to Liam, who lay unmoving on the ground. He needed to see if he was even breathing. The erupted chaos had interrupted him. As he touched Liam’s neck for a pulse, a solid weight slammed into him, rolling with him along the floor. When he stopped, he found himself on his back looking up at a crazed Hadrian straddling his chest, one hand forcing his head to the side, exposing his vulnerable neck as the other blood-soaked arm poised to strike. There was no glint of consciousness in his eyes. Hadrian was in a frenzy.
Danverse knew he was about to die.
“Hadrian, don’t.”
Hadrian paused.
His deadly strike-hand relaxed slightly, as did his hold on Danverse’s skull. The murderous intensity in his eyes flickered out and the rage began to soften.
Hadrian looked shocked at himself.
“Captain…I am sorry…”
“GUI CHO TOI!” The shout echoed from the airlock hallway. Hadrian’s whole body spasmed and contorted as he fell backward, screaming in agony. Danverse stared as he pried himself out from under the convulsing man. Hadrian’s skin flushed a sickly red. His eyes teared and drool ran from his mouth. Every vein in his body seemed to press to the surface as he floundered on the deck.
Danverse looked around. The guards had stopped advancing, and a lone figure stepped through the group carrying the riot shields. He was medium height but with a grace that made him appear taller. His shoulder-length, rich, black hair was immaculate and swept back, groomed as befitted a man of status. He wore a long black coat with contrasting gold trim at the neck and wrists matching his elegant shirt and pants. His youthful face was stunning and reminded Danverse of Hadrian somehow, but there was no honesty or compassion in his eyes.
The elegant man stepped forward and watched Hadrian writhe on the floor. He stood far enough away for safety, but close enough for an excellent view. Hadrian might have had ice-blue eyes, but there was always a warmth underneath. This man had no such quality.
Another man in impeccable dress came out from the airlock. This one was taller and older, with a touch of gray at his temples. The ambassador? His attire was similar to the younger man’s but in simple black without the elaborate adornments. He held his head high and his chest out, and spoke with an air of command.
“That’s enough, Donovan. I don’t want him damaged.”
Donovan crossed his well-dressed arms. “But I’m not finished with him yet.” He watched with a faint sneer as Hadrian continued to gasp and scream on the floor. Opening his mouth slightly, Donovan played with a tongue piercing. The end of the golden barbell glinted against his pearl-white incisors.
“You most certainly are.” The man turned to Hadrian. “DI NGU!”
Donovan dropped his arms to his sides, accompanied by a soft huff. He turned to the older man, with an intense stare, his mouth a thin line. His jaw twitched as if he was on the verge of saying something.
“Don’t.” The older man shot Donovan a glare. “I don’t want to hear a word. Go back on the ship. We’ll be leaving shortly.”
Donovan ground his teeth, then spun on his expensive heel and stormed back the way he’d come. The guards made an obvious point to get out of his way as more men poured from the airlock, rushing around to take care of their fallen companions.
Danverse’s pulse was still racing. A wave of anxious heat swept over him, threatening to make him vomit. This was not supposed to happen. They swore it would be a simple arrest and the Luxorians would go on their way. Seeing the power the ambassador and Donovan had over Hadrian made him question the validity of their claim, but he was in no position to protest. They had made it clear who had the superior firepower, and he had the lives of his entire crew to consider.
The ambassador kneeled next to Hadrian. With a firm hand, he stroked Hadrian’s unconscious face. It was almost touching. Almost.
“What did you do to him?” Liam raised himself precariously on one arm. His body swayed and his eyes fluttered as if he was trying to keep the world in focus. Blood streaked his face and stained his shirt. A deep welt had risen across his cheek, ending at what looked like a broken nose. Danverse snapped out of his stunned mindset and scrambled over to him.
“Hold still, Liam.” Liam pushed him away, refusing his support.
“I said, what did you do to him?” Liam shouted, clearly directed at the ambassador.
The ambassador barely raised his head in acknowledgement and turned to face him.
“You don’t think I’d create a dangerous warrior like Ronan here”—he pointed to Hadrian—“without a way to turn him off, do you?”
“His name is Hadrian.” The vehemence in Liam’s words couldn’t be masked.
The ambassador shook his head. “No, it’s not. Hadrian was the name of the boy who was his genetic donor. Hadrian died a long time ago. Ronan is my property.”
“That’s not possible.” Liam’s face began to sag.
“Oh no.” The ambassador raised his brow and smirked. “You didn’t fall for him, did you?” He shook his head with a dismissive laugh. “You wouldn’t be the first. Ronan’s skills are legendary, and I did make him perfect. Even if he did cut off all of his hair.”
Danverse was sick of all this bullshit. “Who the hell are you?”
“I am Ambassador Phillip Chien. Ronan calls me Father.”
“Why are you taking him?” Liam wavered but refused to collapse.
Chien looked surprised. “You can’t imagine I would allow a murderer to escape justice, do you?”
“I don’t believe you.”
Chien stood and walked over to him. “Of course, you don’t. I can see how much you want to believe him. Trust me.” A callous smile curled the corner of the man’s mouth. “Ronan’s sexual skills have made me a wealthy man over the years. I’ve met few men or women who can resist his charms. He’s very convincing.” Liam was trying to hold Chien’s stare but was beginning to falter.
“To get free, Ronan murdered a friend of mine, Leo Noble. He was the head of one of our most respected data-tech corporations. During his last private session, Ronan murdered him to gain the access necessary to board your ship and escape Luxoria.” Chien leaned in closer. “He’s been fucking you so you’ll help him do whatever he needs. I bet the blow job that started it all was amazing.”
Liam’s gaze dropped to the floor as Chien stood, regarding Liam with a dismissive snort, and walked back to Hadrian. He motioned to a few of the guards and watched them place the restraints on Hadrian’s unmoving body and drag him to the airlock. One man gripped him by the feet while another followed, one hand on his weapon, as if expecting the unconscious man to leap up like a demon. Master Sergeant Braxus commanded the remaining guards to gather up and move out. The men responded, and the cargo bay quickly emptied of their military presence.
Before exiting the airlock, Chien turned back.
“Thank you for your cooperation, gentlemen. You have done the government of Luxoria a great service.” He strode through the doorway, followed by the last guard. The airlock door closed with a final hiss, leaving Danverse and Liam sitting alone on the cargo-bay floor.
Chapter Nine
THE DULL METAL door of room 226 was no different than any other on board, but the thought of touching it sent waves of conflict down Liam’s spine. Hadrian’s words had him convinced Hadrian was a victim. He wanted to believe the ambassador’s barbs were lies, but how could they ring so true? And why was it so easy to believe?
Dried blood stained the clothing he’d refused to change. He had only just left sick bay. Dr. Bosch had made quick work of the damage done by the guard’s strike. The fracture in his cheek had been repaired, as well as his broken nose. All he felt was a mild numbness left over from the portable stasis field used during the procedure.
Part of him wanted to feel the pain. If he had been smart, he would have walked away instead of allowing himself to get so close. Hadrian had been evasive about his history from the start. He might not have lied, but the omissions were just as painful. Liam felt used. No doubt Hadrian would have vanished the moment his business on Alpha Centauri was complete. A cement-like weight lodged in his chest at the thought.
How had everything gone so wrong so fast? Hours ago, he had been lying in postcoital bliss, and now he wished he hadn’t survived his encounter with the raiders. Damn Hadrian and his mesmerizing eyes. Damn his perfect body and fascinating skin art. Damn his skills at seduction. Damn the perfect man who was now lost to him forever.
He continued to stare at the door. His eyes were as heavy as his heart. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to reach for the controls. Liam realized he had never once set foot in Hadrian’s quarters. Dread seeped into him as he imagined what he might find inside now that Hadrian was gone.
A firm hand touched his shoulder and dragged up to the back of his neck. It was strong and familiar, and any other time, it might have soothed him, but not now. There was too much rage and confusion under the surface.
“You don’t have to do this, Liam.”
Danverse used the tone that would usually help order Liam’s errant thoughts. Liam had ignored his presence all the way from the infirmary. It wasn’t hard. Danverse had barely looked at him or spoken since he’d helped Liam up from the floor of the cargo bay. Liam was sure Danverse was keeping something from him, but he was too upset to care.
Liam exhaled. “Yes, I do, Marc. I let a murderer on board because I decided to think with my dick for a change.”
Danverse squeezed his shoulder, but Liam was beyond consolation.
“None of us knew what was going on. It’s not your fault. There’s nothing we can do.” Danverse sighed. “You just got out of sick bay. It’s okay to let someone else handle this.”
“I’m the chief of security. It’s my job.” Liam turned to stare into the captain’s sad blue eyes. “This was a colossal fuckup. Let me save face somehow.”
“Liam…”
“Marc, I need to do this, or I’m going to hit someone.” Liam’s gaze traced up the arm touching his neck. “You’re closest.”
Danverse shifted his shoulders as he relented. Liam turned back to the door. He drew a deep breath and finally reached for the control with an unsteady hand.
“Mrs. Claus. This is Sergeant Jacks. Please open room two-two-six. Security override code beta beta one-four-six gamma.” He spoke to Danverse without turning his head. “I’ll com you when I’m finished.”
Liam stepped inside and reached out to the inner control. The door slid closed, leaving Danverse on the other side.
Liam’s presence in the room had a hint of violation in it. Stepping ac
ross the threshold had somehow been a profane act. He shouldn’t be there. He shouldn’t have to be there.
The room looked pristine. Everything was in order, with only the shoulder bag Hadrian had carried on board slung over the back of the desk chair. One by one, Liam opened the storage compartments and found next to nothing. The hooded cloak Hadrian had worn was hanging in the closet, and a few pieces of clothing were in one of the drawers. That was the extent of Hadrian’s meager possessions. Not that Liam should have been surprised. Hadrian was on the run from the law, after all.
He opened the drawer attached to the desk. It was empty except for a few sheets of paper. Actual paper? How often do you see that? Something caught his eye in the far back corner. He reached inside and pulled out a small, delicate bird made of intricately folded paper. Afraid of damaging it, Liam placed it back in the drawer.
He dragged his fingers along the pristine bedcovers. They never had the chance to make love there. They had always been in Liam’s room. Or the locker room. Or the cargo bay. For being so regal in public, Hadrian had a wicked carnal streak.
Of course, he did. He was a whore seeking a willing servant. Sorrow welled in Liam’s chest, mixing with the bitter loss.
He scanned the room. The only thing he hadn’t touched was the satchel. Picking it up, he caught a faint scent of leather that reminded him of the day Hadrian boarded. It wasn’t fair this was the ship he’d booked passage on. Squeezing his eyes tight, he held his breath to keep a tear from falling. Even if it was so close to the surface, he couldn’t afford that right then. He gripped the bag in both hands and felt an odd lump.
Reaching inside, he found a small piece of tech. It was metal-surfaced, rectangular, and flat, with a small lens near one end. As he turned it around in the light, the faint impression of a fingerprint could be seen.
Liam placed the item flat on the desk, lens side up, and pressed the pad of his finger over the residual fingerprint. The lens flared red and a holographic image of a man appeared. He was older, perhaps in his sixties, well-dressed and thin. Liam didn’t recognize him.
The Luxorian Fugitive Page 13
