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“There was an investigation into your disappearance. The council values your insight very much and was quite upset at your loss, that you decided to come here to Pacifica instead of back home.”
I didn’t say anything but knowing that gave me a sincere sense of pride. I’d always worked very hard for New Englandia, and it was nice to know that it was being recognized.
“They found that Councilman Ericson had met with the team in secret. He’d given your security team his own set of orders along with a sizeable payment to secure your demise. Sending me was Councilwoman David’s idea.”
“Why have they sent you?” I asked.
“The council wants you to come home.”
“I don’t know if that’s the best idea.” I stared back at her.
“You can step right back into your life. The council has relocated your things to a more luxurious penthouse in the center of the city even closer to your work, if you want to continue at the museum that is. Your job is ready and waiting for you with a sizeable bump in salary. If you don’t want to continue working there, they are prepared to offer you a position working with the council without any constraints. They’re offering full clearance, which is a very rare for them. They are ready to give you whatever you want, if you only just return to New Englandia.”
I licked my lips. Several weeks ago, I would have jumped at the offer. Since then, everything had changed.
“Corinne, I’m happy here. This is my new home. I’m married now and I can’t just walk away from that.”
“Listen. All I want to ask you to do is meet with an emissary from New Englandia. He’s going to issue a formal apology and make an official offer on the council’s behalf. That’s all. You don’t have to give an answer yet. Just listen to what he has to say,” she countered.
“All I have to do is listen? If I refuse, he’ll leave?”
“Yes,” she answered. This time her gaze was steady. I couldn’t detect any of the uneasiness I’d sensed before. Maybe she’d just been anxious about being in a new place with entirely different cultures and traditions than she was used to. I could understand that. I’d been there before myself.
“I’m really happy to see that you’re okay. I was really worried when they told me that… that you had a husband now.”
She didn’t say anything, but I could tell that she was thinking about the rumors of Pacifica men, how they were cruel brutes that controlled their women’s every move. Those rumors had been so very wrong. Ryker wasn’t like that at all.
I loved him and he loved me.
“I’m very happy here,” I answered softly.
“Can I arrange for a meeting tomorrow?” Corinne asked hopefully.
“Yes. Tomorrow after work. I’ll show you and the emissary my new home,” I smiled.
She nodded quickly, her whole face lighting up.
“I’ll do that,” she replied. Then, before I could stop her, she spirited out the door. To be honest, it was somewhat of a relief because the workday was ending soon, and it was almost time for me to call Ryker. He’d gone off to the southeast to a place once known as Florida about a week ago and we’d set up a specific time to call each other.
I finished up the project I was working on and shut down my office. There was a car waiting outside for me that drove me home just in time for my comm to ring. I picked it up as I was walking through the front door.
“Good evening, my beautiful bride.”
His voice still caused shivers racing down my spine.
“My husband,” I replied softly.
“It’s so nice to hear a woman’s voice,” he answered. “I’m surrounded by men and it’s exhausting.”
I laughed heartily as he broke into a story about his trek through the swamps. A frightened jolt sank through me when he told me that he’d almost stepped on an electric eel but stumbled just in time to miss it. His ankle was a tad sore, but he insisted that it was nothing serious. When I told him about my day and the visit from Corinne, he grew strangely quiet.
“You will not meet with the emissary until I am home,” he finally said.
A stab of annoyance struck me at the expectation in his tone.
“It’s not a problem. I’ll meet with him and send him along. I have no intention of going anywhere,” I vowed.
“It’s not that, little girl. I don’t trust the council. I want to be there to protect you,” he continued.
