Dare: A M/M Sci-Fi Romance (Mindset Duet Book 1)

21. Chapter 21

Agitated, Jason Stravetta paced the confines of his small berth. Lewis had reported on Derek”s duplicity, causing anger to consume him. Even as he fumed over this betrayal, the older man knew this was yet another example of his family”s disrespect and betrayal. Turning on his heel, he walked to the other end of the room before forcing himself to sit down. At least the answer to the question of Derek”s presence was solved. His father had insisted he take more than Lewis and two service staff, offering Derek as another bodyguard/assistant. Reeling from the order to board the Gambit as the company”s representative for a four-year voyage, Jason had neither known nor cared who Derek was, numbly complying with his father”s wishes.

Jason glanced at the com unit, seeing that it was almost time for Derek to come by. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. As much as he would like to push the dickhead out of an airlock, he would have to play the game with him until some more permanent solution could be found. Although Lewis had not actually said it, Derek obviously thought Jason was stupid and useless. He could play to that, knowing that Derek would find out the truth soon. Jason would make sure Derek regretted the day he first heard the name Stravetta.

Derek arrived a few minutes late, a calculated, albeit minor, insult. Lewis announced him, then stood outside the door. Jason sat on his couch, indolently draped over it.

”Derek, you were needed earlier today and were nowhere to be found. I know you were technically off duty, but still, please let Lewis or myself know where you will be. I do not wish to interfere with your free time but do want you available should there be an emergency. You have served my family for some time, and served well, so I will not inform the family of this lapse, unless you repeat it. That is all.”

Derek looked outraged at the mild admonishment, muttered an apology, bowed his head, and left. Jason waited for the door to fully close before he muttered, ”Asshole,” with feeling, before raising his voice to call Lewis into the room.

Lewis entered quickly, standing just inside the door. ”Yes, boss? Did you need something?”

Jason motioned the big man towards him. ”Take a seat, Lewis. We need to brainstorm.” He waited until Lewis wedged himself into a chair.

”I want Derek”s efforts to report on my actions neutralized. I will talk with the captain tomorrow about taking his node access offline. He can send a message, but it won”t go anywhere. As much as I don”t want him guarding me, I know you can”t do it twenty-four hours a day. Leave him on the night shift. I”ll lock myself in my room once we’ve moved up to our deck, and at least I”ll be sleeping while he”s there. Don”t worry, I”ll change the lock code.”

Lewis looked dissatisfied, but nodded in agreement. Jason smiled at him, shaking his head. ”I know we”d both like to shove him out an airlock or use him for compost in the ship”s garden. Despite my reputation, I”ve killed no one except in combat, and I won”t let you do that either. I don”t think he”s worth the trouble.”

The older man gazed at his bodyguard. ”Please keep him away from me as much as you can but try to make it look normal. He knows I favor you, and that can work for us. Dare–Mr. Munro–will see clients morning and evening, so at least you”ll be on shift when he”s here with me.” Jason looked thoughtful. ”I suppose we”ll have to feed Derek some salacious information, so he”ll have something to report into the ether. Feel free to grumble about how much time I spend with the Mindset, how close we”re getting, you know the drill.”

Lewis shifted in his chair, then shook his head. ”Are you sure he can”t take a walk out of an airlock? I hate telling him shi…stuff about you and Dare when you”re not doing anything wrong.”

”Yes, I”m sure. I don”t want you to take that walk when the captain discovers who pushed him. He”s not worth your life, Lewis. Understand?”

”Yes, sir, but I don”t like it.”

Jason nodded grimly. ”Neither do I, but it”s all we have. At least, right now.”

Lewis stiffly stood, pushing the chair back. ”I”ve got another hour on my shift, Mr. Stravetta. Want to change the lock code to the door for tonight?”

”Let”s do it. Dare”s not coming over tonight. He”s had a day catching up with everyone. I”m going to read, sign off on some paperwork, and hit the bed early. Thank you, Lewis. I know this isn”t easy on you either.”

Lewis ducked his head briefly. ”I”m fine, sir. I”ve never felt that comfortable around Derek and now I know why. I”m loyal to you, and only you. The rest of your family, well, not so much.”

”We agree then, because I feel the same.”

Dare wearily finished up his notes for the day. He”d seen every one of his clients for that day, and so far, none had canceled for the rest of the week. Shutting down his computer, he sighed. Thoughts about Jason had intruded on him all day, causing him to bring his attention back again and again. At least tomorrow was a lighter day with only two clients early and three after the end of day shift. He”d be free at oh nine thirty until seventeen hundred. Plenty of time to check on Chance and then drop in on Jason. The older man would be moving back ”up” to his suite tomorrow. The empath needed to know how they would meet when the olderman was on a restricted deck. As that thought crossed his mind, Dare grimaced. He just wanted to see Jason, be with him. Jason seemed to want the same.

The young man huffed out a breath as he turned off the lights and headed for the door. He was thinking too much. A snack, then bed would take care of that.

The next morning, Dare woke very early and sighed. He”d enjoyed sleeping later during the shutdown and knew he was paying the price for that now. Swallowing a groan, he hefted himself up, washed, and got himself ready for the world to see him. He was happily surprised to see Riis in the mess, looking slightly less chipper than usual. Riis, seeing him, gave him a smile of invitation as Dare filled his tray and grabbed coffee.

”Riis, you look like I feel. Changing back to my usual hours has kicked my butt. Is that happening to you, too?”

Riis unaccountably blushed, looking down at his tray. ”Not exactly. I met someone, and we, um, didn”t sleep much last night. I know better, but he was so…anyway, I”m mainlining coffee and will be all day. I know the cap will give me shit about it, too. He can always tell when I”ve been busy with someone. It”s one part cute and three parts annoying.”

Dare carefully did not allow his expression to change as the younger man eyed him for his reaction. Riis shook his head. ”I can tell you want to either give me crap about being so dumb on a workday or just laugh because it”s stupid and I know it. Go ahead, brother. You won”t be the first or last to do that.”

The empath gave him a commiserating smile. ”I was actually going to say that the captain is more perspicacious than I thought. I suppose that makes him a good captain.” He nodded at the other man. ”No, I”m not going to give you shit about this. You”re an adult and can do what you like without being judged by me or anyone. At least, you had a good time and can think about that as you suffer through today. I”d rather have your good memories than just being pissed I had to get up so early.”

Riis snorted. ”That”s true although it”s small comfort. Perspicacious. Couldn”t you just say shrewd?”

The empath mutely shook his head ”no”.

The younger man rolled his eyes. ”Nerd.”