Chapter 26 #2
He held up a hand. “Let me finish. One day, when you’ve had your own children, you’ll understand.
All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy, to go your own way and find a life that fulfills you.
For a long time, I let myself think it was in the GSS.
But a part of me always knew that while you liked it, you never loved it.
So, if this smuggler loves you, that’s fine, but please, just promise me you won’t become a smuggler. ”
Nissa smiled. “I promise, Dad. He’s a good man.”
“He’d have to be for you to fall in love with him.”
They spoke for a few more minutes before they signed off. Nissa swiveled her chair. “Dare, I need to talk with you. I have a proposition to discuss…”
Justyn sat in the darkened lounge, staring at the Constitution laid out on the table in front of him.
The one thing that had finally given him Nissa was going to be the thing that took her away.
He loved her. He was ecstatic that she loved him back. He wanted to keep her by his side forever.
But he loved her so much that he wanted the best for her. And that wasn’t him. It wasn’t a wild life beyond the galaxy’s edge.
He closed his eyes, the pain digging deep into his gut. She was a damned good Patrol officer, a talented captain, and she had the galaxy at her feet. The admiral would get her a great promotion and a challenging new assignment with some top-rate crew and ship.
And a smuggler from the edge would just mess that up for her.
The door made a quiet whoosh as it opened.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?’ Nissa asked.
He looked up. Wished she wasn’t so beautiful. “Thinking.”
“Hmm.” She perched on the edge of the table, giving the Constitution a quick glance. “I didn’t think you spent too much time thinking. Running, and leaping, maybe, but not thinking.”
“You’ll be a celebrity once we hit charted space. And you’re getting that promotion you wanted. I’m happy for you.”
Her eyebrows rose and she crossed her legs. “Carry on.”
Okay, he wasn’t dumb. He heard the laser sharpness in her voice.
But he wouldn’t let it deter him. “We’ll enjoy each other until we get back to Galaxy’s Edge.
” He could have that, at least. It would make the pain when she left so much worse, but he could survive having his heart ripped from his chest…
he hoped. “But I wanted you to know I think you should go. Take the promotion. Fulfil your dreams.”
She slid off the table and stood with her legs spread, hands on her hips. “You are not fucking serious.”
“I love you, Nissa. I want what’s best for you?—”
“So, you’ll decide what’s best for me, pat me on the head, and tell me to go?”
“Uh…” Justyn sensed a trap and snapped his mouth shut.
She leaned over and gripped the armrests of his chair, her face centimeters from his.
“For three years you’ve had me chasing you all over the damned edge—” her voice rose to just short of yelling “—and you dragged me into this treasure hunt, made me fall completely in love with you, and now you’re just going to give me up? ”
His misery morphed into anger. “I want what’s best for you!”
“I know what’s best for me, not you.”
“Fine!”
She leaned closer. “Damn straight.”
Both their chests were heaving.
Then she smiled. That smile that melted him from the inside out.
“You’re playing the martyr again.” She shook her head. “I love you, Justyn. I choose you.”
Fuck. He pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you, too. Clearly it makes me a little insane.” Then he turned serious. “If you stay with me, Nissa, I’ll never let you go. Never. You decide now, and if you’re mine, I’m keeping you.”
She slid into his lap. “I’m yours. Forever.”
He cupped her cheeks and pulled her in for a hungry kiss.
When they finally came up for air, Nissa gave him a smile that made him freeze. He slid his hands down to curve over her shoulders. “That smile is wicked. It means I’m in trouble.”
“I’ve resigned from the GSS and Patrol.”
He gaped at her, his hands tightening on her shoulders. “Come again?”
“I have a new job.” She looked smug. “Two, actually. Dare’s just made me the new pilot and captain of the Sky Nomad.”
“What?”
“Well, I’m not sure if you know, but Evan, the current pilot is leaving after this convoy run.
I think the guy’s too scared of Dare to enjoy the job.
Of course, if I’m piloting a ship, I’m also captaining it.
Dare and I still need to work out a few things because the man is a control freak, but he needs more time to deal with convoy issues and if I take over the captaincy, it’ll free him up. ”
Justyn just stared at her, trying to take it all in.
She pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I’m going into the deep-space-convoy business.”
“You’d give up Patrol? To be with me?”
“Yes. But love’s about compromise, Justyn. And I expect you to make a few compromises as well.”
“Anything, Nissa.” She was making all his fucking dreams come true. He’d dance naked on the bar in Moonrakers if that’s what she wanted.
“No more illegal smuggling.”
“Done.”
She tilted her head. “Just like that?”
He cupped her face. “Yes, Nissa. For you, yes.”
“Damn, I love you.” She rubbed her nose against his. “You can do legal trading to make money for the kids on Hydrae.”
“Legal trading?” He grimaced. “Justyn Phoenix, legal trader. Not so dashing, is it?”
She laughed. “Good. That might help keep the women away.” She moved until her legs straddled his hips. “I’m the only woman for you, now.”
He gripped her hips. “Yes, you are.” He paused. “You said two jobs? What’s the second one?”
“Wife. I want to get married.”
His heart threatened to burst out of his chest. “Justyn Phoenix, trader and husband.” He faked an over-the-top groan. “You’ll completely ruin my hard-earned reputation.”
She patted his cheek, smiling. “My poor baby.”
He kissed her until she was writhing above him, then he looked into her remarkable eyes. “Nissa Sander, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes.” She kissed him again. “Yes.” Her hands slid down his chest. “Yes.”
He slid his hands around her back. “I guess I’ll have a second job, too.” He pushed to his feet, carrying her with him.
“What’s that?” she whispered against his lips.
“Keeping my wife very, very satisfied.”
“I think you’ll be excellent at it.” She smiled. “You can start by satisfying my curiosity and telling me how you got your scar.”
He smiled back. “Well, it was a dark and stormy night?—”
“Justyn!”