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“He knew.”
“Yeah.”
I pointed at the monitor. “When you’re ready, tap this blue icon, and someone will help you make contact.”
He was staring at the floor again, hunched over and looking miserable. “Thanks,” he barely whispered.
I couldn’t stand it and went over to lift his chin. Holding his cheeks in my hands, I stroked him with my thumbs and made him look at me.
“Don’t take on the burden of your father’s crimes.”
“I should’ve seen?—”
“If he didn’t want you to know, you never would’ve.”
Owen sighed and relaxed in my hands, his eyes glassy with emotion.
I kissed between his eyes and then rubbed my cheek on the same spot before hugging him close. “That you didn’t know should also tell you that he knew you would never consent to what he had planned.”
I felt him nod against my chest, and oh how I wished I was naked again so that I could feel him pressed to every inch of my body. Would he enjoy the feel of my fur on his bare skin? Would he pet me as I’d seen Logan pet his prince?
The urge to find out was nearly overwhelming, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop once I started and there was still so much to do.
I patted Owen and stepped back. Taking some satisfaction that he seemed reluctant to let me go, I said, “I have to go to the bridge and continue monitoring the situation. You can use that same icon to order food, if you wish, and feel free to make use of the facilities.”
“But don’t leave the room.”
“They won’t let you without my permission.”
“Okay.”
His easy acceptance of the parameters of his confinement said more about his lingering guilt than anything else. I reached over and swiped my thumb across his bottom lip before I could stop myself. At the widening of his eyes and his little gasp, I realized what I’d done and turned to flee.
I was in so much trouble.
CHAPTER 4
OWEN
He wanted me. There was comfort in his actions and expressions, but also a burning desire that was easy to recognize even with the captain’s nonhuman face. I couldn’t deny that I wanted his care and passion, but I didn’t deserve it. There was a real possibility that I’d let him do whatever he wanted with me as thanks for not condemning me with my father. The captain could’ve chosen to shoot me out of an airlock or something, with or without a trial to prove my guilt—I had no idea what Norlon justice was like.
Kinda clear Norlon forgiveness was swift and thorough.
What were my own people thinking?
Too curious to resist and figuring I needed to check-in with someone, I went over to the monitor and tapped the blue icon on the screen. A black and white rabbit appeared and smiled at me.
“Hello, Owen. I’m Kazelle,” she said pleasantly. “The captain said you might like to contact someone on Earth. If you give me their telephone number, I can see about making the connection.”
I wanted to be excited about the fact that these aliens could adjust their technology to tap into ours, but my insides were twisting at the thought of who I needed to call. I rattled off the number and thanked her.
“That appears to be an iPhone,” she said as she tapped at a keyboard, “so I can connect a FaceTime call, if you’d like.”
“Can, um, you make it look like the call’s from me? I’m not sure he’ll answer otherwise.” Or at all even if he did see that it was me.
“Yes, of course. I’ve already cloned your number.”
“Okay then. Go ahead.” I managed a nod and cleared my throat, bracing myself for Brett Santos, my father’s chief of staff, to answer. I regretted the visual as soon as his ruggedly handsome face appeared.
