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Chapter Seventeen

W ith victory making her steps buoyant, Britt left the haven of Nerx’s arms to approach her mother, who stood to the side, out of the way of the men working on Aldur and Haiz. Worry furrowed her brow. Sadness lingered in her gaze. Not once did she glance away from Aldur.

“Mom?” Britt touched her mom’s hands, calming the white-knuckled grip.

She jerked back and blinked in a daze. “Oh, honey,” she said, dragging Britt into a crushing hug.

“Was thinking, while they heal Aldur in that pod thingy… A shower wouldn’t go amiss and maybe something to eat?” She didn’t pull out of Mom’s embrace, letting her take as long as she needed.

“I feel so helpless,” she sobbed. “Their tech is so advanced, I’m of no help. And I’m not an expert on their physiology, not yet anyway. But yes, I can’t just sit here. A shower would be nice.” She chuckled through her crying. “I could kill for an herbal tea.”

“How’s your hip? Did they at least scan you with their med gun?”

Mom nodded. “All good.”

Britt slumped. “I’ll ask Nerx to fetch you the moment Aldur stirs. Let’s get you freshened up.” She tugged on Mom’s hand, almost dragging her from the medical.

With one stumbling step at a time, Mom followed.

Britt paused next to Nerx still standing guard at the entrance of the common, his brooding scowl in place. “Please—”

“I will, ensa .”

She smiled. “And send Lily to me if she’s done playing with her dolls.” She stole a kiss, not sure why, but with her lips tingling, glad she did. There was just something potent about the man she’d hated days ago. Whatever this was, this alien attraction, she was helpless against it.

“What was that?” Mom asked when they entered her quarters.

“Same as you and Aldur, so it seems.” Britt pinched her lips to swallow a laugh. “Who would’ve thought… Now, hop in the shower, and I’ll get your clothes and tea ready.”

Mom hurried to the bathroom; no doubt eager for that tea. Britt smiled as she gathered capris and a blouse from Mom’s closet. She’d soon feel like a human again, and once she had tea and perhaps her favorite PB the neon pink tutu she wore bobbed around her.

“Cupcake, come meet your granny.”

Lily skipped inside then stopped. “I have a granny?” She faced Mom, her mouth slack jawed. With a squeal, she bounced around the room, then wrapped her arms around Mom’s legs, hugging them.

Mom laughed, caught Lily’s hand and twirled her. “Hello, granddaughter.”

Lily giggled, pulled away, then stared at Britt. Tears spilled over her plump cheeks. “You’re my new mommy?”

Britt’s heart wrenched, and she stepped toward Lily. “Of course,” she managed to say through the lump in her throat. “And Aldur is your grandfather.”

Lily’s face crumpled as she threw herself at Britt, who kneeled to pick her up.

When Mom had been saved, Britt had thrown herself at Nerx—she’d expected him to catch her.

With the sobbing girl cradled in her arms, Britt let her tears flow.

Yup, she trusted Nerx when she hadn’t felt like that with any man since Dad died.

Something unraveled in her soul. His death had been a betrayal.

It had taken her this long to realize why she’d never dated, why she was such a control freak, why she was too scared to love again, and why she had to let that all go.

“A new beginning for us all,” she whispered, rubbing her cheek over the crown of her daughter’s head. “Lily and I are on a mission. Aren’t we, squirt?” Britt asked, trying to lighten the mood. “We’re crocheting clothes for Ollie, a stuffed elephant.”

“Oh, that sounds like a noble quest. Knights armed with crochet needles.” Mom paused, a slight frown forming. “You remember how?”

“Sort of. We tried this morning.” Britt chuckled, tossed Lily over her shoulder then spun, eliciting giggles and laughter from her ‘captive.’

“I’ll show you when I can.” Mom hummed. “Might even have a try. Something to keep my hands busy.” She glanced at the door.

“Go.” Britt nudged her chin. “Check on my stepdad. Squirt and I will follow.” When alone, Britt sank onto a chair, adjusting a heavy Lily to face her. “How do you feel about having me as a new mommy?” She tucked a stray curl behind Lily’s ear. “Mm? You can call me whatever you want, sweetheart.”

“Can I get a brother?” Lily asked, pressing her palms together.

Britt laughed. “God controls that. You’ll have to place your order with him.”

“Oh, He knows,” she sang, scampered off Britt’s lap and skipped to the door. “I’ve gotta tell Nerxie. He’s going to be so happy.”

Britt grinned and raced after Lily, eager to overhear that conversation. His men stared at Lily when she darted around the common, calling Nerx’s name. She barreled past Britt to the communications room, her energy unparallel. This time, Britt was hot on her heels.

“I bring sad news, Operations Commander Malo,” Nerx said.

Britt lunged and caught Lily’s arm, dragging her back while pressing a finger to her lips.

“Elite Operative Ronin has been killed on an enemy’s battleship.”

“And his body?” a man asked. She had to assume it was this Malo speaking.

“Left behind,” Nerx said. “Can we retrieve it, Edon?”

“Yes and no,” Edon said, confusion in his voice. “His O.D.I. is active which is not odd for a male not dead for long. What I cannot reconcile is his request not to retrieve him.”

“He is alive?” Nerx roared.

Britt winced and hoisted Lily into her arms.

“When were you planning on telling me, Pilot?” Nerx demanded.

“My apologies, Supreme Commander,” Edon said. “It just came through. I was monitoring his O.D.I. signal as per protocol, expecting it to fade as his residual energy does.”

“Is the signal stronger than expected for a ‘dead’ male?” Malo asked.

“Yes, but too weak to port. I do have his location on the Bronvol if you wish to ignore his request, Operations Commander.”