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His warmth surrounds me.
I place a hand on his chest and peer up at him, overcome by affection and gratitude. He’s alive. I’m alive. Mom’s okay, too.
But then I think about Ellie. Oh, God. What if the Grozznolans boarded theHaxxal?
As Brute guides my mother to a seat near the viewscreen, far away from the body on the floor, he says, “No deaths or serious injuries have been reported on theHaxxalor any other Darrvason ships. TheJansonnais the only vessel the mercenaries were able to board, as the Darrvason ships were able to thwart their attempts to beam aboard. Many males died on the bridge and in other locations on theJansonna. The captain and most of his command team survived, in case you were wondering.”
Mom’s expression deepens with worry. “Chief Xorrsa. Is he okay?”
“Yes. Chief Xorrsa is well.” Brute’s eyebrows raise ever so slightly, and I sense his surprise through the bond.
“Who did this?” Mom asks as she sits down. “I mean, why did mercenaries attack us? Who hired them?”
“An unknown rebel group on theJansonna,” Brute says, “though I am confident we’ll be able to track them down quickly. Admiral Tornn is sending a shuttle filled with officers who will assist me in the investigation.”
Brute lifts his wrist comm to his lips and barks what sounds like an order into the device, then he settles on the sofa and holds me in his lap. Mom shoots us a curious look but doesn’t say a word. I think she’s starting to accept that Brute is going to claim me one day soon.
I can’t help but wonder what she’ll decide to do about Chief Xorrsa. Part of me suspects she might have feelings for the male, or that she’s at least curious about him, though I really don’t want to think about it since she’s my mother and that’s just weird. But I have caught them spending time alone together on numerous occasions during the past two months.
“I’ve just arranged for a crew to come dispose of the Grozznolan mercenary,” Brute says. He strokes my hair and places a soft kiss to my forehead. I melt at his tenderness.
“Thank you,” I murmur, and a shiver rushes through me. “How did you kill him? It happened fast, and I swear I didn’t see you touch him.”
“I keep at least fifty shooting stars in secret pockets in my uniform at all times,” he explains, “and I used one of these stars to kill the creature quickly.”
“Shooting stars?”
“Small, sharp metallic objects that have a nerve agent embedded in them.”
I peer toward the body, but Brute grasps my chin and forces my gaze to his.Don’t look, he says through the bond.You don’t need to see it, little female.Before I can reply, his wrist comm beeps and buzzes, and he glances down at the small screen. Symbols I don’t recognize scroll across the surface.
“A group of Darrvason officers have just arrived on theJansonna. I must go meet them.” He sets me on the sofa and glances in the direction of the door. Heavy footsteps sound in the entryway, and I know it’s the cleanup crew Brute just called.
I peer at my mother. She’s pale but doesn’t appear harmed. I’m thankful she didn’t get any bruises or cuts from the strange alien mercenary who attacked us.
Brute sends me a wave of warmth.I will return to you as soon as I can. Stay here. I will make sure evening rations are delivered to your quarters.He strokes a hand through my hair, gives me a profound look, then turns to leave.
I watch as he departs, my heart in my throat. When my gaze falls to the floor, I see no evidence of the Grozznolan mercenary. The cleanup crew was fast, and I appreciate that Brute had the matter handled so quickly. I also appreciate that he saved us.
My mother sinks down beside me and clasps my hand. “That was close. Fucking rebels.” She swallows hard and an anguished look crosses her features. “Grozznolan mercenaries aren’t cheap. Whoever paid them must be rolling in galactic credits. Founders and/or their descendants, no doubt. Has to be. There weren’t any Founders or their descendants among The Saviors, so it can’t be any Saviors that were missed. Never mind that they’re likely all dead. I think Officer Brute was probably very thorough in his investigation into the group.”
My chest grows tight. The people my mother and I are closest to are Founders and their descendants—the occupants of the worldship who live on the upper decks. I squeeze Mom’s hand. “I’m terrified to think about it. But you’re right. Has to be someone we know well.” Angelo’s face appears in my mind, and so does his mother’s. My stomach lurches. His mother definitely has a bone to pick with Captain Warren and the command team, and I know she wasn’t happy about the alliance with the Darrvasons. A sinking feeling comes over me. I pray they’re not involved.
Chapter29
BRUTE
Usingthe surveillance equipment I’ve installed around theJansonna, as well as my hacking skills to uncover the trail of galactic credits, it doesn’t take us long to discover the culprits behind the most recent attack. Five wealthy descendants of Founders who live on the upper decks of the worldship.
I growl as one name in particular stands out.
Angelo Garrison. I pull up the male’s file and realize it’s the same ‘Angelo’ that Jenny considers a friend.Fluxx. I have no doubt this revelation will gut her.
The male’s mother is also on the list, and to my surprise, I learn she used to be a member of the command team, though she was ousted by Captain Warren several years ago.
As for the other three descendants of Founders, they are young males who work as security officers. Another growl rips from me. Just how many security officers on theJansonnahave been involved in rebel activity? I certainly hope this will be the last of it.
“All five live on Deck Twenty,” Officer Furrlis announces. “In the same corridor, too. Hopefully they’re in their quarters.”
