Page 6 of Radiant Exception
Did he realize that by securing a phony exception for me and that—that—woman, that both of us would be ineligible for one in the future?
And why did that seem to matter so much all of a sudden? I had sworn off women a long time ago, so it wasn’t like an exception was something I’d endeavored to obtain. But the possibility of it…the fantasy of one being snatched away from me without consent, felt so heavy.
“Fuck.” I exhaled, using my palms to lean against the edge of my desk.
I took a beat. The new chief engineer—my wife, was jumbling my thoughts.
I’d spent years refining my ability to remain focused. My mind, however, had other plans, continuing to wander back to the curve of her mouth, her fingers curled around the fabric of my uniform, her warm body pressed against mine.
I shook my head, annoyed at the effect she already seemed to have on me. I needed to stop thinking about her and form a defensive strategy to deal with the mission at hand, knowing I’d now need to work around a new variable.
What were my next steps? I hadn’t felt so out of sorts in a long time, but there was no use panicking, and I wasn’t one to panic anyway—it was worse, I froze.
“I need to call Darren,” I muttered to myself.
Making my way around the desk, I pulled my encrypted comm out of the drawer, rather than my Starlane-issued device, and established a secure line. It didn’t take long to connect.
“Vaughn!” Darren’s face broke out into a smile over the video screen. “I was wondering when I’d be hearing from you.”
“Darren, how could you do this to me?” I couldn’t hold back my anger and shock.
“I take it Lark has arrived.” The corners of his lips curled into a smile.
“I don’t even know what to yell at you about first,” I seethed. “How many times have we discussed that working solo was the optimal plan so I could remain undercover? How many times did I tell you that I didn’t need help, that I had everything under control? At what point in any of those conversations did I give you any indication that I needed assistance?”
Like the pro that he was, Darren let me vent, eventually working out my anger. “Finished?”
“No.” I huffed. “An exception!? You’re out of your mind! I don’t know this girl, and you expect me to pretend to be in love with her, in front of my crew? Are you trying to sabotage everything we’ve worked for?”
“You were supposed to debrief with her this morning. I’ve sent you several messages,” he noted plainly, completely ignoring all my other complaints.
I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. I couldn’t remember which of my squadmates had taught me the trick, but it never worked as well for me as it had worked for them.
“Darren, I’m not working with her. I need her off the ship. She’s going to compromise everything.” I knew it was impossible. Just like she had mentioned in engineering, without her I couldn’t fly, but with her…
“Damian—”
“Don’t,” I growled.
What others would see as a term of endearment, to call someone by their first name, I saw as the highest of insults. And if anyone truly knew why, they’d understand, but I refused to show that level of vulnerability, lest it be used against me. I simply demanded the use of my surname—the only thing I had left from my mother.
“She’ll be good for you,” Darren offered softly.
I choked a laugh. Good for me? More like my absolute nightmare scenario.
She was sex on legs and was already working her way to corrupting me. I didn’t care what Darren said; I was running this mission by myself, and that wouldn’t change. I couldn’t afford the distraction, and she was nothing if not a distraction.
“Give Lark a chance. She’s incredibly experienced. You think I would send you some rookie to muck up the work you’ve already done?”
“Not going to happen.” I shook my head.
“We’ll see.” Darren gave me a knowing smirk. “Keep me posted on your progress. The encryption key will be updated every twenty-four hours. Good luck.”
The line cut before I could reply.
Bastard.
I leaned back in my chair, groaning in frustration.
