Page 104 of Starborn Husbands

My fingers lace with his and my chest stirs with swirling heat. There’s so much I want to say to him, but the words choke in my throat. Instead, I press my lips to his and slide one of my rough palms along his smooth cheek, holding him where I want him.

“Lanta,” he says in breathy tones.

“Gem.”

“Oh, my fucking Gods,” Jericho says, slapping his thigh and laughing his ass off. “Never thought I’d see the day someone dick-whipped my brother.”

My hand moves to the hilt of my new blade.

“Jericho Orion,” Dad scolds before I get the chance to use his ass for target practice. “The baby is in the room.”

“He’s already destined to be a ruffian, Dad,” Jer says.

While they bicker, I take stock of my man, making sure he’s in the same condition I left him in.

“No one’s beat on me since I left you,” he says.

“They better not have.” I press another gentle kiss to his lips and twirl him until his red hair fans around him. He’s so pretty.

Zhang barrels in like a bowling ball with a storm brewing on his face. “They’ve refused me an angel and stargate access. They’re being difficult on purpose so I’ll have to go by ship.”

“At least they’re allowing that,” Father says in his deep rumble.

“It will take me weeks to get there. Merrick’s behind this, I just know it.”

“My ship is faster. Take mine, it’ll shave off a few days,” Father says.

My jaw almost drops. He doesn’t lend that ship to anyone. Never thought he’d lend it to a Centaurus. Sure, it’s for Treyu, but chances are Merrick will keep him safe. Nothing unauthorized is getting into Heaven.

Zhang raises a brow. “Your ship is faster than the palace ships, General Orion?”

“I’ve made some upgrades,” Father grunts.

Upgrades, my ass. I guess if you call reptilian caldenite an upgrade. I’d call it a whole new ship. Father doesn’t like to give away his secrets or his sources. He doesn’t always deal with the purest souls of the galaxy.

“Thank you, General. I’ll take you up on your offer, and I’ll have him back here in no time.”

“Are you willing to do what it takes?”

“Of course, I am.”

“It might mean never becoming an angel, Centaurus. Are you prepared for that?”

Does he think Zhang’s going to have to snatch him and run?

Zhang’s muscles tense. “I’m prepared.”

Fuck. That’s exactly what Father thinks. Godsdammit. I spare a glance into Gemini’s eyes. It’ll upset him if Zhang has to give up his lifelong dream. “If I drive the ship, I can knock off another couple of days,” I say, squeezing Gemini close. He’s coming with us, but I haven’t told him that yet. “You’ll drive like the earth-dwelling elderly, Centaurus.”

He smiles. “I accept your offer. We leave now.”

“Wait.” I get on both knees and tug Gemini down with me, fishing the ring out of my pocket as I go. I’ve been rehearsing what I’d say to him since Father pulled it out for me.

Wet tears run in rivulets over his fine-boned cheeks, probably because he thinks I’m saying goodbye. I take his slender hand and separate his long middle finger from the rest.

“If you think I’m not coming with you Atlanta Orion?—”

“I don’t think that.” Opening my fist, I show him the ring. I feel the eyes of my family members on us, but they know better than to utter a single word.