Page 77

The packages had to be all the items I sent. If Cleo had opened them, she would've found a note from me and a bunch of items she could've sold. I shook my head. It had been a good idea but was hampered by Cleo's complete lack of interest in walking anywhere when she was this pregnant.

I snorted. “Maglia should feel guilty. That subduer she gave me didn't work at all.”

Cleo shook her head. “What were you thinking, going on their ship?”

“You're not upset that I contracted with Maglia?” I asked.

“Not at all. I would've done it, but…” her voice trailed off as she pointed to her belly. “I’m only upset that you didn't tell me. My mom did sex work before she married my dad. She was very blunt about my sex education, and I might've been able to give you some advice.”

My jaw dropped. “Why am I only learning about this now?”

Cleo shrugged. “Mom only did it for a few years. Honestly, I'd forgotten about it until Maglia came to talk to me.”

“Did Jasper know?” I asked, desperately curious to know what he'd said.

“Do you remember that expensive comms session Jasper and I did last year?” she asked. I nodded my head. “She warned him then that she knew just about everything there was to know about sex and if he didn’t make me happy in bed, she'd be forced to give him a lecture.”

I barked out a laugh. “I bet Jasper loved it!”

Cleo giggled. “He did. Dad and I were super uncomfortable as the two of them talked sex.”

“I can picture it,” I said. “I wish I could meet your mom.”

“If we're going to be traveling around on a ship, then maybe we can stop by Ki-mora. That's where she and Dad are working now.”

I nodded. “I'm sure we can do that, after the baby is born and you're all recovered. Is he doing well?”

Cleo rubbed her belly, her smile turning serene. “Healthy, kicking, and giving me all kinds of indigestion. Justa gave me a thorough exam before she left and said we were both in perfect health.”

“Can I?” I asked, pointing to her baby bump. She nodded and leaned back. I put my hands on her belly, feeling the odd bumps of life growing inside her. When the baby boy kicked, I let out a long breath.

I loved Cleo, and we would've been friends even if she and Jasper hadn't met and fallen in love. Now that Jasper was gone, she and the baby were the only parts of Jasper I had left.

The only real family I had left.

“I can't wait to meet you, big fella,” I murmured at her belly. “I'm going to be your most favorite aunt ever.”

“You're his only aunt,” Cleo reminded me.

“My earlier statement still stands,” I said, giving her belly a little pat and straightening up. That's when I realized it had been a while and the guys still hadn't shown up. I must've lost them.

Then I remembered I never told them my quarters number. If they lost sight of me, they had no ability to know my destination. They were probably wandering around the station looking for me.

“I'm faster than I thought,” I said with a laugh.

“What?” Cleo asked.

“I was in such a rush to get to you I took off and didn't tell the guys where I was going,” I explained. “I need to go back to the outside docking ports and find them.”

I stood up, and Cleo held out her hands. I helped her to her feet.

“I'll come with you,” she said.

I eyed her. “Are you sure? Maybe you should be resting.”

“I haven't walked yet today, and moderate movement is good for me and baby boy,” she said. She linked her arm with mine. “Tell me about these Talins.”

“They're big and scary looking,” I said as we walked out the door. “And they make all these sounds instead of having facial expressions. They even purr.”