Chapter 12 #2
Justyn’s console chimed. She watched him lean forward, then sit up straight like he’d been electrocuted.
His gaze shot to her and he groaned. “Jesus, Nissa, you’re going to kill me. There is no more room in my pants and I just got harder.”
She slapped her hand over her mouth, stifling her laugh. “You started it.”
He glanced at the ceiling, breathing deeply. “You’re right. And now look, I’ve created a she-devil.”
With a snort, she went back to her searches. But thrilled by his reaction to her message, she typed another one.
I think I might like driving you crazy. Can you imagine me, on my knees between your legs as you sprawl in that chair? I’d take out your cock and lick it, stroke it, suck it. I wonder how hard you’d be, and how long it would take me to make you come?
This time she watched him carefully. He choked on his next sip of drink. She was gratified to see perspiration break out on his forehead.
“Woman, I am going to come right here in my pants.” He shot her a slumberous look through half-lowered lids. “Want to come over here and make that naughty little fantasy a reality?”
The idea of sliding down on her knees between his legs, of lowering his zipper and freeing his cock made her hands shake. Oh, she wanted. For a long time, this man had starred in her dreams and left her twisting in her bed sheets.
Did she have the courage to make fantasy a reality?
Her console chimed. This time it wasn’t a message from Justyn. “My search found something in the Hydrae records.”
In a blink, he morphed from lazy lover to focused man. He leaned over her shoulder to look at her screen. “It’s a record of people who’ve stayed at the caravanserai in the town of Meni.” He glanced at her. “That’s the caravanserai we use.”
“I know,” she replied. “I can see the Phoenix brothers listed in recent times.”
His eyes widened. “This record goes back fifteen hundred years!”
“By the Goddess.” She looked up at him. “Justyn, look.” She pointed to a line listed a thousand years before.
A Captain Griffin had stopped at Hydrae.
Justyn gripped her shoulder. “We shouldn’t get our hopes up. Griffin isn’t exactly a unique name.” He grinned. “But it looks like we’ll be joining the Phoenix Convoy and heading beyond galaxy’s edge. You’ll get to see the caravanserai for yourself, Captain Sander.”
Nissa’s shoulder tingled from his touch, the warmth spreading through her. They were really going to do this. Head off into the unknown after a millennia-old treasure. The flutter in her belly felt good.
All of this was thanks to the man beside her.
A man she really, really wanted to get naked.
She blew out a breath. Damn, she was going to do that, too. It would be another adventure.
“What if it isn’t him?” Going all the way to Hydrae might just be a big waste of time.
He flicked a finger against her chin. “Gotta take a risk to get the reward, Nissa.”
She felt a tug low in her belly. She knew he wasn’t talking about finding ancient treasures. Her Sync chimed. “Another naughty message?”
He didn’t smile. “Sorry. Not me this time. I hope no one else is sending you dirty love notes.”
With a frown, she realized it wasn’t a message but a transmission. And she knew exactly who was calling her. All the lovely fizz in her blood evaporated like it had never existed.
Schooling her features, she accepted the call. “Dad.”
“Nissa, what the hell is going on?”
She took a deep breath. Her father’s craggy face filled the screen, along with his scowl. His iron-gray hair was combed neatly, in exactly the same style he’d had her entire life. Adventure was not in Commodore Jonathan Sander’s vocabulary.
“I was going to call?—”
“I heard from a colleague that you’ve taken a leave of absence and you’re on some crazy, wild-goose chase.”
“Yes—”
He powered over her, his voice deep and resonating. “Of all the irresponsible, careless things to do.” He shook his head. “You have responsibilities. You’re endangering your career.”
“No, Dad. I’m going after an important artifact that the authorities want back.”
He waved a hand, his jaw tightening. “A treasure hunt.” He said it like it was something dirty.
“You aren’t a child, Nissa. You should be on your damned ship doing your duty.
Not sullying the Sander name.” He expelled a noisy breath.
“I never expected you to act like this. To act like your brother.”
Her body flushed cold, then hot. She kept her tone modulated. “Except I don’t kill people. I’m sorry you’re disappointed. I have work, I need to go.”
“Nissa—”
She’d heard that disapproving tone so many times before. Sometimes it felt like nothing she did was ever good enough. “I’ll contact you once I’m back on the Freedom.”
“And when will that be?” Icy-cold words.
“I don’t know.” And I’m sorry that makes you unhappy. “I have to go.” She ended the transmission.
She slowly lifted her gaze and saw Justyn watching her. She was so stupid to think diving into an adventure was the answer to anything. She did have responsibilities that were so much more important than her own whims and desires could ever be. She pushed away from the table.
“Nissa—”
She held him off with a hand. “I’ll be in my cabin. I’ll keep going through the documents. Let me know when it’s time to get underway.”
She tried not to think of anything as she walked to the cabin she’d been assigned. She entered the small, but well-equipped space and heaved out a long breath.
Her Sync chimed yet again.
Her stomach dropped. Surely her father didn’t have anything left to lecture her about.
But this time it wasn’t her father’s face that appeared on the screen. It was Admiral DeRuyter’s.
“Admiral,” Nissa said, surprised.
“Captain Sander. I was informed that you’ve taken a leave of absence.” The admiral’s shrewd eyes glittered. “And that you’re heading off on a treasure hunt after the Constitution.”
Nissa stayed silent. Right at that moment she wasn’t GSS. “Ma’am, I’m on leave?—”
The admiral waved a hand. “I want that document, Sander. And I expect you to get it for me. Whatever it takes.”
Get it for her? “Admiral, if I find the Constitution, I’ll do everything I can to ensure it is given back to the Institute of Galactic?—”
“Those idiots couldn’t look after it in the first place! I want the document delivered directly to me. I will ensure its safety.”
“With all due respect, Admiral, what do you plan to do with it?”
The admiral’s face took on a hard and unforgiving look Nissa had never seen on her before. “That’s classified, Captain. I need you to trust me. All you need to know is that we need that document to secure law and order in the galaxy.”
“I’m on leave?—”
Admiral DeRuyter leaned forward. “Nissa, I will ensure you get that transfer you’ve been wanting for a long time.”
“That’s generous, but I don’t feel comfortable?—”
“I also believe that very soon your father’s due to receive a commendation for his years of excellent service in Patrol, correct?”
Dread turned Nissa’s heart to ice.
“Get the Constitution for me and I will ensure your transfer.” The admiral smiled.
It was hard as steel. “I will also ensure your father receives what most consider the pinnacle of achievement in a career like his. You’re aware that the commendation also secures his pension for the rest of his life. Without it…” she trailed off.
Nissa swallowed around the knot in her throat. Without it, he wouldn’t exactly be penniless, but his savings certainly wouldn’t last forever.
“Are we clear?”
Blackmailed and trapped. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. I’ll expect regular updates. I want to know every step you’re taking, and where you’re going. And I’ll also expect that Phoenix will not know anything about our…agreement. Understood?”
Nissa ground her teeth together. “Yes.”