Page 38

Chapter Twenty-Four

Aboard the Mula Pesada.

V ic unholstered her blaster when she paused outside Trent’s door. “Computer, remove lockdown ship-wide.”

Awake, he sprawled across his bed, wearing nothing but his pants. “What’s going on, Vic?”

“Seems like Nikko’s been trafficking humans to be used as medical test subjects.”

Trent gaped, his toothpick falling from his parted lips. “Legit?” He rose to his feet, his gaze resting on Drafe looming behind her.

She hesitated. Trent’s shock seemed real. “I suggest you stay in your quarters until we can ascertain your role in this.”

“Sounds fair.” He frowned. “As in real people, Vic?”

“Women and men, about thirty of them.”

“Farg.” He stumbled back and sat on his bed. The door closed on his pale face.

“Computer, the lockdown on Trent remains in place.” She smiled at Drafe, loving the patience and peace rolling off him. “Now, to Grunt’s. Computer, has the new maintenance crew chosen a manager?”

“They have.”

“Please send him to Grunt’s quarters.” Vic paused, pressing her body against Drafe’s. “He’s a cute kid and doesn’t deserve to die.”

“You are the vengeance dealer, Vic. I guard you as I promised.”

She rested her fists on her hips to hide how much his words delighted her. It took all her discipline to keep her lips from twitching. “Oh, yeah, and what would you have done had I not been here?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Killed everyone.”

She couldn’t fault him. He was who he was, had never lied about it, and had no reason to. “Fair enough.”

Following the flickering lights, a man hobbled along the passage to Vic. “I’m Dez, and the computer says you need me?” He’d had a shower and scrounged clothes from somewhere, although, the trousers threatened to fall off him.

“Yes, the kid’s a tech whizz and may be of use to you. I’m sparing his life but placing him in your care. Also, I have Trent in his quarters. His shock is genuine, so his sincerity is yours to unravel. Computer, open Grunt’s door.”

Grunt swiveled his seat and smiled. “Hi, Vic, Drafe, Caah, Dez.” He gestured to the floor-to-ceiling screens.

His quarters were otherwise sparse. His bed sat in a corner, neatly made.

Nothing was out of place. “I’ve watched everything play out, and maybe helped a little.

Yes, I knew about the prisoners, along with Leah and Nikko’s agenda.

” He rose from the chair and crossed to Vic, drawing a swirl over his inner wrist with a forefinger.

A badge glowed. “My name’s Iain Grant. I’m with Interspatial Law Enforcement.

I.L.E. has been tracking these Ring disappearances and pod deployments.

” He settled his gaze on Drafe. “We couldn’t destroy the pod before your scouts found it.

I.L.E. would like to extend an apology from the human race for the destruction, loss of life, and inconvenience the pod has caused.

” He tapped the closest screen. “Too many attempts to infiltrate Carne has cost us the lives of trained operatives. The Mula Pesada was one of many ships departing from Lunar Base that coincided with the disappearances.”

Farg. Typical, Vic, sticking your big foot into the middle of things . “And I ruined your operation.”

“On the contrary. You were the catalyst. Everything has come to a head.” He tapped another screen, revealing Webb sitting on his bed, very much alive. “Nikko didn’t kill Dean Webb as we expected. He will lead us to those supplying Carne with test subjects.”

“Will I.L.E. intervene in the taking of the medical facility?” Dez strode into the room to stare at one screen displaying his people laughing in the mess.

“We have insufficient forces close enough to stop you, so no. I do request you leave key members alive to be charged for these crimes.”

“Do we get to keep the facility?” Dez offered a lopsided smile. “We are without homes.”

“That is agreeable. I will also suggest your facility be a safe zone for those Carne has harmed. I am certain I.L.E will allocate the funds to support you indefinitely.”

Dez beamed. “We will hold onto the ice hauler as well, to serve as additional income.”

Grunt nodded and captured Vic’s hand for a shake. “It has been a pleasure to observe you, Victorious.” He blushed. “That sounded creepy.”

She laughed. “A little.”

“It is best you visit with Themba now. He is not…well. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask for me.”

Vic took that as the cue to leave and did so, waiting in the passage for Caah and Drafe. Dez remained to discuss something she didn’t need to be privy to.

“One last stop. Themba hired me as a debt owed.” She marched to the elevator and took it to the level above.

Opening the captain’s door, she drew to a halt.

Where his quarters was messy before, now it was chaos.

In the middle of it lay a weeping man. His screen was on, looping a video…

of the Ring. She narrowed her eyes, focusing on the combatants.

That was Ande. Stumbling in, she climbed over the debris to wipe away coffee dripping down the screen.

Ande was pinned to the floor, losing the match.

His stats flickered along the side of the screen, all good.

Within a blink, he was up, firing blasters from his left arm.

Those were new. Devlin dodged and bounded toward Ande, closing the distance.

In each other’s space, they couldn’t throw punches, so they grappled then spun in a lover’s embrace.

“Now that the bitch is dead, you won’t come to me?” Devlin’s whispered words carried to the arena, silencing the crowds. All held their breaths, as she did. The pain on his face spoke of love lost, of aching need, of yearning. “I thought with her gone—”

Ande chuckled. “Vic was a sister to me, Devil. You fucked me over one too many times. There will never be an us.”

The crowd roared, stamping their feet while chanting, “Victorious.”

“Listen,” Ande smirked. “She is still beloved.”

“No, no more.” Devlin thrust Ande away and forward kicked him, sending him flying. Her friend landed on the sand and glided, digging grooves with his heels.

Devlin vaulted into the air, planning on landing on top of Ande. She had seen this strike before.

“Move,” she yelled, but Ande blinked, as if he had something in his eyes.

Devlin hit Ande with a knee to the chest, winding him. “For Carne,” Devlin roared, then ripped out Ande’s throat.

A strangled cry tore from her, and she staggered back from the image. Her dearest friend, the closest she had to family, was dying… No, this vid was old. Ande wasn’t dead. No, no, it couldn’t be true. She spun and hefted a sniveling Themba off the floor to shove his face at the screen.

“Is this true?”

He flicked his red and swollen gaze up. Fresh snot and tears leaked out when he blubbered.

“When?” she asked, despite the stamp in the corner flashing yesterday’s date.

Dropping him, she cradled the screen again to press her temple to it, pleading for it to be a lie.

Ande was fine and would meet her in two years like he promised.

“I begged you to come with me,” she wailed, slapping the screen, and splintering the glass.

“I honored my side of the deal, Maz.” Sebastian’s face appeared.

“But when you hid Vic from me, you intervened in Carne's business.” He tapped his fingers on the desk. “That violates our agreement. I have revoked the protection order on Ande. As you can see, he didn’t last long. What a pity.” The image flickered to the arena, the scene playing on repeat.

Someone yanked her back, and she flailed, throwing out her hands to claw the screen.

Strong arms wrapped around her and crushed her against a warm chest, pressing her face into muscle.

The scent of sun-soaked skin relaxed her struggle, and she wept for her friend, her brother, and… her inability to save him.

“It’s not true,” she chanted. “It’s a lie.

He has amazing promise. Farg. Devlin killed him.

I’ll gut him, I swear I will.” Her ranting fell on a pregnant silence peppered only by Themba’s sobs.

He’d lost a son. She pulled out of Drafe’s arms and slumped to the floor beside Themba, curling around him.

Time slowed as she cried, drenching the poor man who was sopping wet and shivering. When no more tears flowed and those on her cheeks had dried, she lifted her head. Drafe waited in the doorway, silent, his brow furrowed at her madness, no doubt.

Warmth brushed across her mind. The fragrance of cinnamon teased her senses. She struggled to hold onto both.

“Please…” Her voice cracked. She wanted to ask for Tiny, but the girl was injured. Nenn couldn’t help either when he had to see to Tiny.

Drafe crouched beside Vic and brushed her damp hair off her flushed and swollen face. “What do you need, gevatia ?”

She glanced at her captain and the last connection she had to Ande. “Themba’s shivering.”

Drafe nodded, scooped her off the ground, and set her on her feet. He didn’t release her until she had found her balance. Then, as if Themba wasn’t a big man, Drafe lifted and carried him to his bed. She darted around him, tugging on the blankets to tuck in the devastated father.

“I’m here, Themba.” She patted the man’s shoulder as his breathing deepened.

“We cannot stay, Vic, not with a facility to siege.”

She met Drafe’s gaze. “How long have I been…”

“Hours.”

So much time had made no impact on the solid darkness infesting her lungs. She couldn’t breathe, it was so heavy, weighing her down, her eyelids, and her arms. “And you stayed? Why?”

“You were in distress.” He rubbed his chest. “I feel it, Vic, and cannot bear it. Please… Action is better than being lost in memories and thoughts of vengeance.”

“You just want me to strike the facility with you.” She leaped to her feet to poke his right pec with a forefinger.

He caught her finger, hand, elbow, and pulled her closer. “Never. It pains me to put you in harm’s way. Nor can I abandon you while you mourn.”