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“Just Jamef.” I give her a polite nod and try to walk past, but she moves to my side. Kef. Kef twice.
“Jamef,” she says in a sweet voice. “Of course. How silly of me to forget. I’m just used to males in positions of power.” She hovers at my side, looking anxious. “Do you have a moment to talk?”
“To talk, yes.” Since it seems I can’t shake her anyhow. I stop in my tracks so she doesn’t see me heading towards med-bay and wait for her to speak.
“I just wanted you to know I appreciate how much you’re doing for me.” She smiles sweetly. “I trust you’ll be able to find my love soon? I’m so very worried about him. Nerit isn’t a hard man. He’s not an alpha like you.”
“Alpha?”
“You know. The kind that takes charge and handles the situation. Makes everything safe for his women. A leader amongst men.”
She thinks I’m a leader among men? It takes everything I have not to laugh in her face. “If you say so.”
“I do. Like I said, I know the type.” She takes a step toward me.
I side-step, grateful that my keffing knee responds. “Speaking of Lord Nerit, we’ve found a credit trail that we’re going to pursue. Is there anything in particular you want to tell us? Anyone else that would be using his house’s credit?”
Rhonda blinks. “Why, no. His wife is from another house and she has her own credits. They have no children.”
“And you’re certain he’s in danger?”
“He hasn’t returned to me. Something must have happened. Nerit always comes home.” Her expression of distress is very convincing. “I realize I might seem a bit unorthodox in comparison to your sweet human, Jamef, but I’m just a survivor trying to keep her head above water. If I seem a little pushy, it’s because the only tool I have is my mouth.”
I decide that I don’t like hearing my name on her tongue. Nor do I like that she’s referencing her mouth. “We’ll reunite you with him soon.”
“Thank you,” she says in a soft voice. “That’s all I want.”
I suspect that’s not all she wants, but sure, we’ll go with that. “Can I help you with anything else?”
“I just wanted to tell you again that I’m grateful for your help. You and Bethiah. I was on that station for two weeks, alone, waiting for Nerit to return. It was terrifying.” She blinks again, and this time her tears look real. “I know I’m probably imposing on your cozy little triad, but I did want you to know that I understand how difficult my past with Bethiah can be and that I hope it’s not a problem. I promise I’ll stay out of her way.”
Somehow I doubt that. “Probably for the best.”
Rhonda bites her full lower lip. “If I have any needs, I’d rather just come to you, if that’s all right.”
My skin prickles with alarm at her wording. “You can approach any of the three of us on this ship if you require assistance,” I say carefully. “You are the client for all three of us.”
“Even your little human?” She looks surprised. “She has no legal standing, though. It’s a sweet sentiment, of course. What a kind master you are. I had no idea you were such a soft-hearted one, Jamef.” She bats at my arm, a coy smile on her face. “Dora truly is a lucky one.”
“Indeed. Do you require anything else? If not, I need to check the security feeds.” It’s a lie that comes easily to my tongue. “Ensure that we’re not being followed.”
“I won’t keep you any longer. You must be tired after working on the bridge all day. I’ve excellent hands, you know.” She wiggles her fingers. “Happy to use my talents at massage if needed.”
“It is not needed,” I say, giving her a crisp nod and turning away again. And this time, my keffing leg doesn’t respond like it should, and I stagger. Because of course I do. Gritting my teeth, I don’t turn around to acknowledge my misstep and head down the hall, hoping she didn’t notice.
I suspect she did, though. Someone like Rhonda survives on observing others and looking for cracks in the armor.
Ninety-One
DORA
It’s been an absolutely exhausting day.
Bethiah and Jamef talk on the bridge for a bit longer, discussing common routes and Homeworld lords they’ve run into in the past, but I’m too tired to pay attention. The stress of everything has wiped me out, and I just want to curl up in bed with my mates and sleep. No sex, just the warm press of bodies together, reminding me that we’re a team and we’re in this together. So I gather our empty noodle bowls while they discuss fuel cells and deposit them in the mess hall to clean up in the morning.
