After they’d taken each other again, with long moans and gentle sighs, they slept. The adrenaline from their space adventure and the extreme excitement of discovering the Constitution having long ebbed away.
He pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. “I love you, Nissa.” But her even breathing told him she was already asleep.
It was the chime of the comm that woke them.
“Yeah,” Justyn mumbled, slapping at the panel beside the bed. “What?”
“There’s an incoming long-range trans for Nissa,” Rynan said.
She groaned. “Hopefully no more double-crossing admirals.”
Rynan snorted. “Can’t promise anything. It’s from the GSS.”
She sprung off the bed. “Okay, I’ll be there shortly.” She grabbed her clothes and yanked them on. Justyn did the same.
On the bridge, Justyn watched Nissa face her second admiral for the day.
“Admiral Hiraku,” she said, her back straightening. “What can I do for you, sir?”
“I’m looking for information, Captain Sander. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but I was informed Admiral DeRuyter had commandeered a ship and left the galaxy in pursuit of you. I was sent to investigate. The admiral’sincreasingly erratic behavior is becoming a serious concern for the GSS.”
As Nissa silently studied the man, Justyn did, too. Over the years, he’d learned to judge people quickly. Admiral Hiraku had a solemn face, with straight black hair and narrow, dark eyes. Something in the man’s steady, solemn gaze told Justyn they could trust him.
Nissa obviously reached the same conclusion. Her shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Well, sir, Admiral DeRuyter’s behavior will no longer be a concern. I guess I should start at the beginning. I was chasing an…alleged smuggler out by Galaxy’s Edge Station when?—”
“This would be the man beside you, correct? Justyn Phoenix.”
When Justyn gave the man a two-fingered salute, he heard Nissa groan. Out of view of the admiral, she kicked Justyn’s shin.
“Like I said, Admiral, it’s a long story.” She recounted the entire adventure in detail.
Well, not all the details. Justyn was happy she left out the more personal ones.
On screen, Admiral Hiraku blew out a long breath. “That is quite a story. And you’re sure Admiral DeRuyter was killed?”
“Yes, sir. I was responsible for firing on the ship. The Phoenixes had nothing to do with it. They have provided me every assistance?—”
Oh, no. She wasn’t going to shoulder all the blame. He stepped closer to her. “Well, it was our ship. And we would have fired on the admiral anyway, the same way we would on any crazy people trying to kill us.”
Nissa shot him a narrow look and lowered her voice. “I’m trying to make sure you and your brothers don’t get arrested?—”
Admiral Hiraku cleared his throat. And was possibly hiding a smile behind his hand at the same time. “You’re well outsideGSS jurisdiction. Besides, firing on Admiral DeRuyter’s ship sounds like it was justified. Captain Sander, rest assured, I have no plans to arrest you or Mr. Phoenix.” A pause. “May I see the Constitution?”
The quiet reverencein Admiral Hiraku’s voice reaffirmed Nissa’s decision to trust the man. She’d suffered too many betrayals to blindly trust anyone anymore.
“Yes, sir.”
Justyn handed her the cylinder, and together they pulled out the document and unrolled it.
The admiral was quiet for several minutes. “Keep it secure, Captain. I’ll arrange a ship to rendezvous with you at Galaxy’s Edge to take custody of the document. I know the Director of the Galactic Institute of Historical Preservation will beveryhappy to see it.” The admiral’s gaze moved to Justyn. “Mr. Phoenix, the GSS thanks you and your brothers for your assistance in the reacquisition of an artifact of historical significance.”
Justyn winced and saw Nissa didn’t even bother to hide her smile.
“Ah, thank you, Admiral,” Justyn choked out.
“You will, of course, be rewarded with the finder’s fee.”
A funny look crossed Justyn’s face and a warm feeling filled Nissa’s chest. He’d forgotten about the finder’s fee.
