Stolen Moments (A World Beyond Book 8)

by Michelle Howard

  More tears slid from Sylvie’s blue eyes as she agreed. “It’s beyond cute, Joni. We’ll be moms together.”

  Arak nuzzled the side of Sylvie’s blonde head, hands moving in a soothing motion over her belly. “Cute makes you both cry?”

  Puzzlement and his cat’s natural curiosity laced the question, causing them both to laugh. Sylvie tipped her head back and kissed Arak’s cheek. He closed his eyes and purred, a distinct Argoran trait. Joni would deny the twinge of envy at the display if asked, but truthfully she thought it pretty fantastic that Sylvie had someone who loved her as openly as Arak did. The glib Jutak showered his mate in affection and public caresses. More so probably than Kyele, Torkel or Rydak together.

  Joni pushed up to her feet and clapped her hands. “Well, you folks carry on with the sex and fun. I’m going to take the hover-car to the market place.”

  Arak stiffened and jerked his attention to Joni. “Kyele is leaving on a mission today, who are you taking with you?”

  “Ever the protective soldier,” Joni teased. “I’ll have my knives.”

  His brows arched, damn him. “Joni, Torkel wants all of you to take protective measures when you leave the premises. After the last attack, you know it’s not safe with the Marenians looking for an opportunity to strike back at the Jutak warriors.”

  Words of protest bubbled forth, but Sylvie shoved at Arak’s arms, struggling to rise. “I’ll go.”

  Arak tightened his hold and a low vibrating growl rolled forth. “You’re staying here. Joni, ask Jaron to find someone to accompany you.”

  “Arak—”

  “Kyele will kill me if he finds out I let you go alone.” Then he added with a meaningful look, “Slowly. He’ll kill all of us very, very slowly.”

  Sylvie’s flushed face and tight lip reflected an imminent blowup, Joni backed off immediately not wanting to ruin their bonding time. “Fiiine. Only cause I love you guys.” She winked and headed for the door. “I’ll see if someone else is available.”

  Jaron was in the Communication center whirling through holo-screens, fingers flying over the ever-present data pad. He tapped the black bud in his ear and rattled off a bunch of codes and instructions she didn’t understand. Joni waited until he flicked a glance in her direction.

  His mouth twitched, but he waved her forward and she plopped into the chair beside him. When done, he rolled his chair to face her and shut down the holo screens of a shuttle taking off from Enotia. More than likely Kyele and his team.

  “Should I be scared?” Jaron asked.

  Shaking her head on a chuckle, Joni jumped right to the point. “I want to go to the market place and need someone to go with me. You interested?”

  Jaron drummed his fingers on the desk. “That explains why Kyele insisted I run a scan on the remaining two hover-cars before he left.”

  Pleasure thumped Joni’s chest hard. Her dark warrior loved her. Not in the vibrant way Arak did with kisses and hugs, not in the fierce protective way of Torkel. He was not as obvious. But this, this was exactly what she’d come to expect from him. Her safety and happiness was his main concern. He did things without her knowing yet she always benefited from the results.

  “Does that mean yes?”

  Jaron blew out a breath and rose. “Why not? You Earth women are always funny. You can teach me more of your world’s sex terms.”

  For some reason, the Enotians thought this was extremely amusing, often asking Joni or the others to repeat a slang phrase or to explain in further detail while they tried to figure out how it made sense. Some things just didn’t translate well.

  “How soon?” She fluttered her lashes, hoping he’d be ready sooner than later.

  Jaron snorted. “I’ll take care of a few things here and comm Bane to cover.”

  Joni skipped to his side and looped an arm about his shoulders in a half-hug. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

  Jaron patted her back awkwardly. “I could use the distraction. Just don’t get me in trouble with Kyele by doing something crazy while we’re there.”

  “Hmm.” Joni pulled away and tapped a finger on her chin as if in deep thought.

  “Earth women. Trouble.”

  Joni laughed, but she had no intention of doing anything wild. She wanted to shop and come back to her new home to wait for her Chosen. Her time as a sex slave with the Marenians was enough excitement to last a lifetime. She’d never jeopardize her happiness with Kyele by being reckless.

  Chapter 4

  Joni loved Enotia’s market place. Alien vendors came from all over and the things available continued to boggle her mind. Beside her, Jaron stuffed his third fluffy pastry in his mouth. She had no idea where he put it on his lean frame. Casually dressed in black military pants and a tight black pullover shirt, there wasn’t an inch of fat on him.

  As she eyed unique bottles containing unimaginable scents, Jaron kept close and though he laughed at her jokes, his attractive features remained guarded. No one got in their way or hindered their stroll as a result. Or maybe it was the laser he wore belted at his waist and strapped down to his thigh. He didn’t announce his status as a Jutak warrior, but the military bearing was easy to recognize.

  For all his jovial attitude, Jaron was every bit the soldier Kyele and the others were. It was in his walk, the way he carried himself, shoulders upright and eyes constantly scanning the area.

  “Joni!”

  Jaron tensed, his hand going to his weapon. He dropped it immediately at the approach of the older blond couple. Shaya and Marlin. Behind them at a slower pace was Faye. Joni grinned and hugged each of them. They were Torkel’s parents and wrapped everyone in a bubble of family. It helped a lot since she and her friends were so far from Earth.

  Shaya moved from Joni’s arms and straight to Jaron who she squeezed tight. Her head barely reached his chest and the tall Jutak had to bend slightly to accommodate her.

  “How are you? Is my son taking care of everyone? Maybe I should send food.”

  Jaron escaped the hug, but a broad grin stretched his face when he pulled back. “Torkel is well.”

  Marlin wrapped an arm around his Chosen, drawing her back to his side. “We will visit tomorrow. Shaya is excited about the baby.”

  Shaya elbowed him and her nose scrunched. “We are both excited to have a new baby in the family.”

  Faye wisely remained quiet. Joni imagined she wouldn’t hurt for a babysitter. Her heart twinged at the thought of how her own father and brother would react if she could share news of her pregnancy with them. Unfortunately the Singles Program she’d signed up for which sent her to the stars for a husband also mandated that participants eliminate contact with their past life.

  “Well, there will be plenty of babies to love,” Jaron added, with a side glance at her. “Joni will give birth after Faye and Sylvie.”

  Joni considered punching Jaron. They’d only discussed the pregnancy with Kyele’s team members. Shaya’s squeal eliminated the option. She smothered Joni in another hug. “This is wonderful news.”

  Shaya pulled back, hands gripping Joni’s shoulders. Faye rolled her eyes and exchanged an amused glance with Joni. “How far? Has Dr. Maku shared the sex?”

  Marlin’s face suffused with pleasure as well. He patted Joni on the back awkwardly. All three stared, waiting for her answer. Joni gave in to her own bubbling excitement. “Only the early stages. Just under twelve weeks. It’s a boy.”

  Shaya linked elbows with Joni on one side and Faye on the other. “Is that what brings you to the market place? Are you buying baby things?”

  “Not yet.” Joni loved shopping. Was addicted to it actually. “I’ll see what catches my eye.”

  “Hmm. You can spend time with us. We’ll talk babies, clothes and men.”

  Marlin made no effort to hide his groan. Jaron chuckled and stepped in line to follow as Shaya headed for the nearest stall. Shaya shooed Jaron. “You can leave, Jaron. Joni’s safe with me. Tell my son I expect a visit soon.”r />
  Eyeing them with a hint of hope, Marlin asked, “Should I go too, my lovely Chosen?”

  Shaya glared, her blue eyes darkening. “You are our escort. It’s the only way Jaron won’t feel obligated to stay, correct?”

  When the attention shifted toward him, Jaron’s cheeks tinged red. He bowed and winked at Shaya. “I believe you are in good hands with a former member of Enotia’s government.”

  It had stunned Joni when she first learned Marlin Alonson had been a member of the Jutak warriors administration in his younger years. Torkel’s papan had a gentle demeanor about him, reminding Joni of her own father with his strong core of honor and integrity. Apparently, there was a hidden side to the silver-haired sweetheart.

  “Are you coming back with Joni, Faye?” Jaron asked.

  She shook her head. “I’ll have them drop me off later.

  Jaron shifted his gaze to Joni. “You stay with the Alonsons. Do not separate. When it is time to go, the hover-car will be where we left it. I will contact Geile to take me back.”

  Knowing how serious the threat of danger was, Joni patted her ever-present knives on her thighs. “You don’t have to worry, Jaron. When we’re done here, I’ll come straight back.”

  He cocked his head at her. Doubt flickered in his blue gaze. She could sense him wavering. “I should stay.”

  “Jaron,” Joni drawled his name. “Trust me. I’m not flighty and I won’t do anything to put myself in danger.”

  At that, he nodded and leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Joni’s temple. His voice was whisper light when he spoke against her skin. “You are Kyele’s everything. Have a care and stay safe.”

  A lump formed in Joni’s throat because she knew no truer words were spoken. “What can happen between shopping and going home?”

  She meant the question to be facetious, but Jaron stepped back and met her gaze intently. “Plenty. When you’ve been a soldier as long as me, you understand the easiest task can take a sudden turn.”

  An ominous shiver rolled down Joni’s spine. The eerie sensation implied something bad was about to happen. Joni shook off the thought. Being pregnant was making her paranoid. Nothing bad was going to happen because her life was finally where she’d wanted it. And she was happy, damn it.

  Jaron waved at Shaya and Marlin, offering another goodbye before leaving them. Shaya rubbed her hands together, glee shining from her gaze. “Where to start?”

  ***

  “Kyele, closing in on your left.”

  Savi’s warning had Kyele spinning on his heel in a crouch, firing his laser at the moving shadow. The target squeaked then stumbled. Kyele and Creed raced toward the fallen criminal.

  “Jutak warriors!”

  “Jutak warriors!”

  The identifying call came up from all of them as they circled the individual. Creed did the honors and put the plasti-cuffs on the thick wrists of their target before rolling him over. Kyele kept his expression blank as he came face to face with the Chamele, a vicious criminal, who was responsible for the deaths of a dozen people.

  Blood dripped from the laser burn on his thigh where he’d been hit. His skin flushed a bright red then a sickly green. “You didn’t have to shoot me.”

  Stefin snorted and pulled Renard to his feet with a brutal grip on his forearm. Another squeak came out and Kyele grimaced. Running after being caught in the act of committing crimes ranked high as one of the stupidest things done when faced by Jutak warriors.

  “You can’t hurt me!”

  Instead of responding to the complaint, Kyele pulled out his data pad, sent in the vid image proof of the arrest and commed a message to Jaron about the completion of the assignment.

  His team members laughed and joked as they led Renard away. They’d be met by authorities at the air transport where custody would be transferred and the Chamele would be held until his sentencing to a prison colony for his deadly crimes.

  Eagerness added an extra hitch to Kyele’s stride. He hated being away from Joni now that she carried their child. He struggled with the fear and excitement of the coming birth. Watching Arak and Torkel, Kyele found himself thrilled like Arak yet terrified like Torkel.

  Back on their shuttle, Markus glanced over at him. “You seem distracted, Kyele. Are you feeling sick?”

  If Kyele hadn’t been paying attention, he would have missed the glimmer of amusement in his teammate’s eyes. Keeping his expression bland, he continued to stare and not respond. Markus shifted awkwardly in his seat while Creed and Savi laughed outright. Markus cleared his throat and developed a sudden interest in fixing his safety harness.

  Reassured that he’d killed the possibility of his morning sickness being a future ongoing joke, Kyele leaned his head back against his seat and closed his eyes. Thoughts of Joni had him in a state of semi-arousal and anticipation. Would she wear one of the provocative outfits she loved to greet him in?

  The seat next to him jostled and Kyele reluctantly banished visions of Joni and sex sharing.

  Stefin had joined him. He met Kyele’s gaze with a serious expression. “Everything good?”

  The engines rumbled beneath them as the shuttle took off, taking them home to Enotian.

  “I am fine,” Kyele answered.

  Stefin nodded. “Markus was joking. All of us are excited about you and your Chosen expecting a little one.”

  They were. Each time a teammate crossed the sands during presentation, the others showed their support by being there. There were no words for Kyele to express his gratitude for the men of Torkel’s Unit who always stood by him and the dark moments he often had.

  “Thank you, Stefin.”

  Another abrupt nod and Stefin leaned back to doze. Kyele liked that about his team as well. They laughed and joked, but also knew when to give him space. Like now. It wasn’t as if Kyele didn’t enjoy the camaraderie, he just preferred his own company sometimes. Unless it pertained to Joni.

  If possible, he’d stay in her presence day in and day out. She filled a need he’d never known he had. As had becoming the Team Leader for Team Two. When Torkel offered the position to him as a sign of his faith in Kyele’s leadership he’d been stunned. Slightly wary as well.

  Kyele’s heart lightened. He may have had an unlikely start in life with a path full of pain and scars, but it was all worth it to get where he was at this moment.

  Joni made it worth it. And now they would have a baby. No one commented on the smile that curled his mouth for the remainder of the trip home.

  Chapter 5

  Joni kissed Shaya and Marlin goodbye before placing her single purchase in the hover-car. Much to her surprise, she’d only picked up a tiny white tee-shirt slightly bigger than her palm and trimmed in lace at the sleeves. It was her first baby item and despite her wish to wait until further along in the pregnancy, she’d gotten it because it was too adorable to walk away from. Faye had no such hesitation and had picked up dozens of baby outfits and blankets.

  “Let Jaron know we took very good care of you,” Shaya teased with a twinkle in her blue eyes as she and Marlin with Faye headed toward their own hover-car.

  Joni chuckled and hopped into her seat behind the guiding wheel. The five-point harness slid into place the moment she touched the start button, cinching with a slight click. A few taps programmed the vehicle to return home. Gentle vibrations stirred beneath her. Joni navigated out of the lot with a final wave to Marlin and Shaya.

  The ride back to the Jutak residence was an easy jaunt Joni had made on numerous occasions. Traffic tended to be light as Enotians traveled in groups or walked most places on their fancy automated sidewalks.

  It completely caught Joni off-guard when something slammed into her on the passenger side. Her head snapped into the door frame. Joni cried out and glanced to the side.

  Another hover-car had hit her. An image of a pale face, mouth open in a silent scream flashed then disappeared as metal ground against metal and the world spun. Another crash jerked her forward in he
r seat. Fire burned across her chest as the harness held her in place.

  Joni’s fingers accidentally hit the acceleration button, sending the hover-car zooming forward. The emergency wheels lowered and caught on a grooved part of the roadway. She gripped the steering guide, frantically pushing for the decel and brake button. Off balance, the hover-car rocked to the side, skidding several feet in the air then lurched.

  Everything tipped over. Her head made contact again, this time with the window. The vehicle slammed down on all fours and Joni jolted in the harness.

  “Kyele. Kyele. Kyele.” She chanted his name under her breath like he was a genie capable of granting wishes. And she had a doozy of a wish. She remembered his long ago words when they spoke of her facing any future threats and took a deep breath.

  “Stay calm, Joni.” He smoothed locks of her red-gold hair back. “You’re smart. All you have to do is hold on until I get to you.”

  He leaned in closer, his green eyes fever bright with promise. “I will come for you, Joni. Never doubt that my Chosen.”

  Trees loomed ahead on a direct collision course. Pain slammed through her body on contact. Joni blinked and the landscape changed as the angle of the vehicle tilted forward. Her heart banged against her chest. She knew this area. A cliff loomed ahead.

  The drop off ended abruptly, an oasis of clear water below where Enotians often came to study rare birds that nested in the area.

  This beautiful countryside was about to be her downfall. Joni braced for impact, feet pressed hard to the floor though there were no pedals. Her head jerked forward, sending her face smashing into the steering guide. Blood spurted, her nose crunched. The hover-car hit max speed and became airborne.

  Joni screamed again. Branches smacked against the front window panel. A blunt force shoved her forward in her seat again. Joni raised her arms to protect her face.

  The safety shielded window exploded with a boom. Her bare skin prickled as slices tore at her flesh. Burning pain ripped at the side of her neck. When the vehicle hit the ground again, the front end crumpled, shook, then the entire hover-car settled with a shudder.