Chapter 32 Kaitlyn
KAITLYN
“Good work on your mission—our scientists are already analyzing the Love Vine specimen you brought back and we’re very hopeful for the results,” Commander Sylvan said, smiling at them both.
Kaitlyn tried to smile back, but Braze only nodded gravely.
He still wasn’t looking at her or speaking to her, even though it had been three days since they got home from their mission.
He was sitting beside her, the two of them facing Commander Sylvan, who was across from them, behind his desk, and he hadn’t said a word to her the whole time they’d been there.
“Thank you,” she said, since Braze clearly wasn’t talking. “It was, er, a difficult assignment but we’re pleased we got the Love Vine for you.”
“Yes, I gather it was very difficult.” Commander Sylvan frowned and steepled his long fingers on the desk in front of him. “In fact, it’s my understanding that the two of you wish to go your separate ways now?”
“What?” Kaitlyn couldn’t hide her surprise. She turned and stared at Braze, who was still staring straight ahead, ignoring her. “I never said anything about ‘going our separate ways,’” she said, frowning at her Protector. “Did you?”
At last Braze spoke, though he still wouldn’t look at her.
“I thought it best,” he said in his deep, rumbling voice. “I’m going back to the Elite Espionage Corps and…” His throat worked for a moment, as though he was having a hard time getting the words out. “And Commander Sylvan will find a new warrior to serve as your Protector.”
“I don’t want a new Protector!” Kaitlyn exclaimed.
“You don’t?” Commander Sylvan frowned and looked at Braze. “I thought the two of you discussed this before you spoke to me.”
“No—we haven’t discussed anything because he won’t talk to me.” Kaitlyn tried and failed to keep the frustration out of her voice. She felt completely betrayed—how could Braze—the person she trusted with her life—go behind her back and dissolve their partnership without even asking her first?
“I see.” Commander Sylvan looked troubled. “The two of you have always gotten along extremely well in the past. Am I to understand that something happened during this last mission? Something worth ending your partnership over?”
Kaitlyn opened her mouth…and closed it again. She could tell by the look in her Protector’s eyes that he didn’t want what had happened between them to come out. And no matter how angry she was with him, she wouldn’t betray him that way.
When neither of them answered, Commander Sylvan frowned.
“I think before I make a decision on this matter, the two of you had better talk.”
“We have nothing to say,” Braze growled. “With all due respect, Commander, if you won’t reassign me, I’ll leave the Mother Ship.”
Commander Sylvan’s frown deepened.
“I hope you wouldn’t make such a rash decision, Commander Braze. You’re under contract with us here at the Mother Ship. Do you really want to break your oath of service?”
Braze was silent for a long moment. At last he said,
“If you won’t reassign me, I need to leave.”
Kaitlyn felt like a black hole had opened in her heart. She wanted to ask why he was doing this—did he really hate her that much? But she couldn’t seem to get the words out. She only looked down at her hands, unable to even glance at her Protector.
“I want the two of you to talk this out,” Commander Sylvan said.
“I don’t know what happened between you, but you need to speak about it.
Come to my office the same time tomorrow and if you still want to split up, I’ll release you both from your partnership.
In the meantime, get together and talk.” He stood, frowning at them both. “Dismissed.”
Without a word, both of them stood and left the office. They lingered outside the Commander’s office door for a moment and Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what to say.
At last she looked up at Braze, who still wouldn’t look at her. She looked at his golden eyes…his long black hair…remembered how it felt to have those strong arms wrapped around her…thought of how he’d spent hours between her legs, tasting her until she came over and over.
What happened? she wondered. How did we go so wrong?
Suddenly, something seemed to snap inside her—she was angry. He didn’t get to abandon her like this without at least explaining himself!
“My suite. Eight o’clock tonight,” she said, putting authority she didn’t exactly feel in her voice. But hey—didn’t the saying go, “fake it ‘till you make it?” That was her intention—she was going to channel her stern inner Mistress until she got to the bottom of this.
For a long moment, Braze just looked down at her. He was so huge and muscular she was tempted to cringe, but she didn’t. She lifted her chin and stared up at him.
“Did you hear me?” she demanded.
At long last, he nodded.
“Yes. I’ll be there.”
“Good. Don’t be late.” Kaitlyn nodded stiffly, turned, and walked away.
She had no idea if Braze would really come or not, but she hoped he would. He was more than just her Protector—more than a friend and bodyguard. She was beginning to realize that she loved him, and she’d thought—for a brief moment—that maybe he loved her, too.
The thought made her eyes sting with tears. Well, maybe she’d been wrong about that but either way, she had to try to get through to her Protector before they said goodbye forever.