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

24. Chapter 24

Once the meal was served, Jason dismissed Henry, saying they would serve themselves. Henry bowed his head before saying, ”Yes, sir,” then quietly left.

Jason eyed the captain. ”I suggest we eat first before getting into what I have to tell you, as it will not aid our digestion. Do you read for pleasure, captain? Or would you prefer to talk about your previous travels?”

Arends assayed a pleasant smile. ”I just finished a book. I enjoyed it a great deal. Perhaps you”ve heard of it or read it.” The captain went on to describe the story and the reasons for his enjoyment as they served themselves dinner. Stravetta had heard of the book, but never read it, so he made a note of the author before suggesting a book of his own. Dinner passed in a very civilized way, to the surprise of both men.

Captain Arends was in a very mellow mood by the time Jason rang for dessert to be brought in, as well as intrigued by his host. He never expected to have a literary discussion with a member of the Stravetta family, their line not being known for erudition.

When dessert was finished, a very good dulce leche, Arends leaned back, happily replete. ”That was a fine meal, Mr. Stravetta, and I enjoyed our discussion. I hope whatever you have to tell me doesn”t ruin my glow.”

Jason gave him a pleased smile before shaking his head. ”I hope it doesn”t either, but no promises.” He then went over what Derek had done, and how. He added he had been forced to bring Derek along and emphasized he had not been his choice. Looking at the captain”s stark expression, Jason gave him an understanding glance.

”To say I”m not happy about this is an understatement. My family coerced me into taking this voyage because they wanted me off Earth and out of their sight. Planting one of their agents to spy on me after essentially tossing me away has destroyed whatever loyalty I felt for them. However, I do not wish to show my hand quite yet. Is there a way to cancel Derek”s comm access, but make it appear as though he can still send reports? I am asking not only for myself, but for Dare Munro. I was able to intercept one of Derek”s communiques, and he informed my family of Dare”s identity and his Mindset rating. They will want him back to work for them, no doubt as a weapon. I will not allow that, and hope you feel the same.”

Captain Arends sat back in his chair, giving Stravetta a calculating stare. ”I lied to the Special Gift Commission about him, saying he was not on board. I aided and abetted him in escaping Earth, which is a felony. I”d do it again. That said, I do not want to lose this ship.” He nodded. ”Yes, it”s possible to block Derek”s access without him being aware of it. However, I sense you have other ideas of how to repair this…breach.”

Stravetta gave the other man a faint smile. ”I”m not going to have him killed, captain, although it”s what he deserves. My family may be killers, but I am not, unless I”m in combat. I have a game to play with my family and feel confident that I will win. When that happens, you and this ship will answer only to me. I have no desire to command and know the value of what you and the crew bring to the Gambit. You would remain captain, and I would simply be here, helping us to plot a profitable course. Does this interest you?”

Arends frowned before shaking his head. ”Of course it does! I want more details, but that can wait. No matter what happens with this, I want Dare protected.”

Jason was silent for a moment. ”I know your opinion of me, captain, but please believe me when I say that Dare will never be harmed. Not by me, or anyone. He helped me when I thought I would have to suffer for the rest of my life. We have, improbably, become close, and are delving into a relationship at this time.” Stravetta shook his head at Arends astonished expression. ”Your surprise equals my own. So, you see, he will always be cared for, no matter how this goes between us. I know our last interaction was me complaining about him. I”m over that.”

The captain leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. ”I warned him away from you, for all the good that did.”

”It obviously didn”t take.”

”You hurt him, and I”ll end you.”

Stravetta bowed his head. ”You”d have to get in line, captain. If you trust me in anything, trust that he is safe with me.” He glanced over to see Arends” implacable expression soften.

”I”ll be watching, Stravetta. Don”t disappoint me.”

Jason sat back with a sigh. ”Please do. Dare needs people who care about him.”

Meeting Riis for dinner, Dare concentrated on the young man waxing poetic about his latest crush. The empath listened for all he was worth to avoid his own thoughts about Jason and their relationship, knowing if Riis got wind of it, he would pry it out of him, no matter how long it took. The Mindset had years of practice at looking attentive, but he neglected to realize that the captain”s assistant was far more intuitive than most. Riis wound down from his paean to the still nameless man he cared for, narrowing his eyes as he looked at his friend.

”You”ve got a strange look on your face, Dare. Is that your ”tell me everything while I diagnose you” look? Did you hear anything I said? Friends pay attention, Mindset, and don”t sit there thinking about their last fuck, or lack of one.”

The empath kept a smile off his face by strength of will. ”I wasn”t doing that. I was listening, but you haven”t even told me this guy”s name. I can”t help if my mind wanders when I don”t know who you”re talking about, or really, why you are.”

”I”m talking about him because I”m into him. His name is Will–I”m sure I told you that before–and he”s an apprentice engineer. He”s very smart and likes anime like I do. He”s thoughtful, and funny, too.”

Dare made a ”give me more” gesture, making Riis huff.

”Fine. He”s great in bed and thinks I”m….” the assistant”s voice mumbled at the end.

The Mindset leaned in closer. ”Thinks you”re what? An acrobat, a wizard? A contortionist?”

Riis eyed him, unsmiling. ”Ha ha. He thinks I”m cute, and of course, he”s right.”

Dare sat back in his chair, grinning. ”Was that so hard? I think you”re cute too, like a puppy. Maybe a kitten.”

”Yeah, bite me, Mindset. He likes me, okay? And that”s what matters.”

The empath was silent for a moment, before glancing at the younger man. ”You”re right. That is what matters. Are you two getting serious?”

Riis shrugged, running a hand through his hair. ”Hell if I know. I do care about him, but right now, we mostly meet to hook up. Our conversations haven”t been that long, but he…feels right to me. We”ve got over three years before we get back to Earth. A lot can happen in that time.”

The Mindset nodded slowly, watching emotion wash over his friend”s face. ”A lot can, even love. I hope this works out for you. I can tell you care for him.”

”Was that before you diagnosed me or while you were thinking about the last time you had sex?”

Dare laughed, shaking his head. ”There”s no classification for you since you”re thoroughly crazy and have no filter.” He gathered his used dishes onto his tray. ”I”ve got to get going. I have some reading to do and notes to review.”

Riis haphazardly piled his dishes up, before standing a moment after Dare. ”You have said nothing about your relationship. You know, the one with your scary boyfriend.”

The empath bussed his dishes, Riis close behind him. ”Not happening, Riis.”

”But it”s in the Friend Code to share that information!”

”Sorry to disappoint you, but I”m not talking. It”s private, Riis.”

”But I”m curious and it hurts not to know. C”mon, Dare, spill.”

Dare stared at him, adamant. ”No. Take an aspirin and don”t call me in the morning.”

Riis looked away, sighed, then muttered, ”You”re mean.”

The Mindset glanced over at him, expression softening. ”I”m a Mindset, Riis. That means I can keep secrets forever. It”s possible that I”ll tell you something before then.”

The assistant heaved another heavy sigh, then nudged the empath”s shoulder. ”I”ll wait until you can. That”s part of the Friend Code, too.”

Dare nudged him back as they walked amiably out of the mess. Harmony mostly restored.