AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Look, the point is that there is more to this than you or I understand. It’s best that you come home and stay out of it while the Alliance authorities continue their search.” He’s pleading with me. “You can help me from the ECPD office end of things. It’s not a good time to be wandering the galaxies.”
“Well, if this mission to find Frankie and Kaye ever turns intowandering, maybe then I’ll consider throwing in the towel.”
I hang up the line because the sheriff clearly has no information that can help me. I did what needed to be done by showing my face and confirming my health and well-being. I might have respect for DJ, but I’ve never had much faith in law enforcement. The last thing I plan to do is run along home while my friends’ lives slip away.
Niko looks thoughtful but says nothing while he connects a call of his own.
I’ll admit I’m eager to catch a glimpse into Niko’s life, so when we switch seats, I lean forward for a good view of the screen. But I’m quickly disappointed when the camera on the other end of his comm call shows nothing but a darkened room with shadowy shapes.
“Who the rut is this?” A mumbling woman replies.
“Niko.”
“Oh, you must be on the brink of death,” the voice says. “Why else would you call me?”
“I have a mission I need help with.”
“Since when do you have your own missions?” A flatly delivered question.
“My mate’s friends are to be auctioned somewhere in the borderlands. Will you help me find them? Oh, and we’ll need a ride from Lungfish Station.”
A beat of silence.
“Yourmate?”
“Yes, I—”
“Tell me this, your mate wouldn’t happen to be human, would she?”
Niko doesn’t often look this flabbergasted, so I clasp a hand to my mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
“Yes, but how did you—”
“I’ll take the job. See you when I see you.”
The call cuts off and Niko locks eyes with me.
“That was unexpected,” he says.
“No kidding,” I agree.
“But it looks like we have our ticket off this station.”
As he disconnects his comm device and finishes the requested payment, I open the door and enjoy the warmth of the false sun. What I wouldn’t give to feel real sunlight beating down on me.
“I need a drink,” Niko sighs as he follows me outside. “What do you say?”
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
RAINA
We endup in the bar across the street from the comm booths. It looks more subdued now than it did last night. Some of the patrons, however, look like they have been inside here since the same time I was writhing on Niko’s lap in the throes of ecstasy. The place is open at all hours, manned by drink-delivering drones, and smells vaguely of piss. But honestly, I’m relieved to find myself in any kind of establishment. Every moment of my freedom feels like the first time all over again.
“This law officer,” Niko says as he sips from a pink beer. “He wants you romantically. It’s clear to me he considers you mating material. Do you two share a history?”
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you,” I reply. On Niko’s recommendation, I’m drinking a light green liquor that looks like absinthe but tastes more like white wine. “What would you know about it if your people don’t date?”
“Male instinct is enough. You didn’t answer my question.”
