Chapter 30
Ileave the warm buzz of the bar and shiver at the cool temperature outside. I really wish I'd brought my jacket, but I only have the thick cadet one, and it's easily recognizable. A smile passes over my lips as I think about all the information I got tonight. Absolutely worth the hangover.
"Having fun?" A smooth voice shivers over my skin from behind me.
I spin around, my eyes struggling to adjust to the lack of light. Tane steps into the moonlight from the shadows of the building he'd been leaning on, looking like a vengeful god.
"Are you following me?"
"I was just out for a stroll and saw a drunk woman staggering around the streets, talking to herself. Thought I'd see if she needed medical attention," Tane jokes, folding his arms.
"Wow, aren't you just citizen of the year," I retort.
As he steps closer, I notice he’s not wearing his usual military garb.
He always looks good, even in the muted beiges and dull greys, but like this it's impossible to ignore how attractive he really is.
His black pants are like his military ones, with pockets and a utility belt.
But it's the tight, black shirt under the worn, dark green, leather-looking jacket that grabs my attention. I bet it matches his stupid eyes.
Eyes which are now watching me, accompanied by the smuggest smirk I've ever seen.
I cross my arms, mimicking his stance. He cocks his head in a challenge, his curious gaze starting at my feet and slithering up my body like a gentle touch.
I can see the question on his face, probably wondering where I found such clothes––the tight, dark grey pants and fitted black shirt that scoops just a little lower than necessary.
My cheeks warm at his brazen assessment.
Because I have no sense of control on the best of days around Tane, I follow his example. Drinking in his tall frame from bottom to top, completely aware that I'm being obnoxious, yet unbothered by it in my current state.
Tane Valo is devastating. I've never allowed myself to look at him so openly for this long.
My eyes travel up his thick thighs, over his still-crossed arms and square shoulders.
When I get to his face, I notice the perfect amount of dark stubble across his sharp jawline.
Why are his cheekbones so high? He clears his throat.
I turn abruptly, and start walking toward the compound, deciding I am too tired to deal with Tane's games right now.
He follows, so close behind me that he nips at my heels with his big boots.
I whirl on him. "Do you not have better things to do? What are you really doing skulking in the shadows outside of bars, Lieutenant?"
"Wow Treow, you're feisty when you've been drinking." He steps so close I have to crane my neck up to see his face. I notice warm umber flecks floating in his dark green eyes, and I wonder what they'd look like in the sunlight.
"I'm here because I saw you drunk, hanging out with a bunch of grifters," he says through a clenched jaw, the only indication that this annoys him greatly. He sighs, shaking his head.
His sigh reminds me of his soft touches and gentle words in the pod. It's an unfortunate time to remember such things, because I can feel my cheeks heat again, which only causes him to step closer to me.
Suddenly I'm hoisted off my feet and swung to the side of the road.
I start to scream at Tane, but his hand flies over my mouth as he backs us into an alcove on the side of the nearest building.
My eyes fly wide as he presses me into the building so his front is flattening me against the cool brick.
I struggle on instinct, but his finger comes up to his lips, motioning for me to be quiet.
I listen, and for a second, I can't hear anything above my pounding heart. But then I hear it.
Officers.
Tane loosens his hold, arms boxing me in against the building as he realizes I've understood and won't fight him.
A group of four, maybe five, soldiers enters the empty street. Their unified steps thumping on the dirt-packed concrete. Peeking over Tane's shoulder, I try to see what's happening. I can't make out the voices clearly, but I can see the soldiers' shadows. Why are they in uniform? Are they armed?
Tane's grip on me tightens again, silently begging me to hold still. The soldiers peer in through windows of the houses and businesses, shining flashlights inside.
What the... They wouldn't be issued flashlights unless they were on a fairly important assignment. What could they possibly be looking for, that they couldn't just patrol for in the daylight?
Two soldiers come toward the building we're pressed beside, and Tane uses his entire body like a human shield, melding himself to me. Dark eyes lock with mine, and I forget momentarily where we are, or why.
Nearby a yell has me tensing. There are more soldiers than I'd thought, and my heart rate picks up as I realize our position.
Who I'm with, and where, and how that looks even if we're doing nothing wrong.
Tane notices the pause in my breath, and he moves his hand slowly to the base of my neck.
His palm flattens against my chest, fingers pressing slightly.
He leans in, the comforting weight of his hand defusing my panic, allowing me to exhale gently as I focus on it.
My eyes flutter closed. After several deep breaths, I open my eyes, feeling his own gaze burning into me.
His face softens slightly, that look alone could melt me.
His hand comes up, cupping my face, he gently sweeps his calloused thumb over my cheek.
My body hums. His eyes widen, and he looks almost surprised by his own actions.
I hear the soldiers' footsteps move further away, but we stay locked in place.
I tell myself it's just a precaution. Just to make sure they're gone.
Tane shifts, and snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me in slightly. His eyes bounce around my face. We're so close I can feel his breath fanning over my cheeks, and my body relaxes further into him.
Gods, this man.
His eyes dart to my lips, and I almost beg him to kiss me.
And then, just as the thought burrows into my brain, he's stepping back, posture stiff. His hands fall heavy to his sides, fists clenching.
I tip my head back and start to laugh. It's more hoarse than usual, but I blame that on the alcohol. He scowls at me.
"I have questions, Sunshine."
He rolls his eyes but doesn't turn to leave.
"Why is the big, bad Lieutenant hiding from his subordinates in the middle of the night? Don't they answer to you?"
"Soldiers do, officers don't, and I'd rather no one knows what I do with my spare time," he says casually. He stretches his once clenched fists wide a few times before shoving them in his pockets.
"What were you doing out by yourself? Besides following me around."
"The same thing as you, I suspect. Just out to make new friends." He shrugs, mouth twitching. My eyes narrow. Does he know I was looking for information? I think of our assignment, and how Tane hasn't spoken to me since… how I still haven't been reprimanded for it.
He steps closer to me again, and I swallow.
"What else is it you'd really like to know, little menace?" He drawls.
"Why didn't you turn me in? After our assignment. I all but confessed, and yet you took the blame. Why?"
"Because, despite what you've heard, I still live by a code."
"Does that code include killing innocent people?" I spit back, exhausted. I'm tired of the games, and the half-truths, and the tiptoeing around everything.
"Define "innocent", Treow." He breathes out the words, and now he's the one who looks exhausted.
That should make me feel guilty about badgering him; I should crack a joke and make light of the situation, make him feel better and move on.
But... Tane doesn't need me to light up the dark. He can handle it.
"Innocent means... people who would, under normal circumstances, do the right thing, even if our world has forced them to do the opposite.
Innocent means desperate people who have no other choice but to steal, and cheat, and break laws in order to survive, even if that means people like you will throw them in cells, interrogate them in the name of our holy Council, and string them up along church walls like fucking decorations.
Innocent means something different now than it used to, I think. "
I search his face. Normally, this is the part where I regret my harsh words and want to hide behind niceties to soften the blow.
The corners of Tane's eyes crinkle as the ghost of a smile passes across his face. Something else washes over him, something I can't quite place in the moonlight. He looks impossibly handsome with his guard down.
"On that Maple, we can agree," he says softly.
He leans forward, grabbing a lock of my unruly waves, tucking it gently behind my ear. Tingles erupt down my neck as my brow furrows.
"You’re not going to answer my questions, are you?" I ask, swaying slightly. I need food and water. And sleep.
"Not tonight, little menace. Let's get back to base before your ridiculously codependent crewmates send out a search party." He places his arm around the base of my back, ushering me forward.
I sigh, too tired to badger him further, anyway. I fold my arms over myself as a cool breeze sweeps by.
Warmth envelopes my shoulders as I feel something heavy wrap around me. I look over and Tane has slung his jacket casually over me. I snuggle into it involuntarily, loving the instant heat I feel, the jacket thick and already warmed up by him.
"No, I can't––" I protest.
"Can you just.... not be a pain in the ass about this? I'm not cold. I wear it ‘cause it makes me look cool," he grins, and then he winks at me. Like it's the most natural thing in the world to be talking so casually and giving me his coat.
I sigh again and grumble something that is somewhere between agreement and an insult, my eyelids feeling heavier with every step.
I'm too tired to fight him, so I slip my arms into the sleeves; the jacket smells like him, and I have to physically hold myself back from stuffing my face into the collar and breathing in the intoxicating scent. We walk back in comfortable silence.