Page 57 of Star-Crossed Captive
“Is it sexual frustration?” Cache continued, her green eyes flaring. “There’s no way you’ve fucked her already with all this tension and anger in you. I know you too well.”
He clenched his jaw so hard it ached.
But she kept going. “Do you need me to bury the processing interview reports to make her complaints disappear?”
His nerves went numb, and he shook his head in disbelief at what was coming out of her mouth.
“Hell, you only need to crook your finger and half this station would come running. And if it’s come to that, you know my door’s been open since we were teens.”
“Fuck, Cache.”
“Is it anger at me?” she asked like she wasn’t even listening to his responses. “Your mission was too risky. I admit it and take the blame for those deaths, but stars above, I need the old Mace back.”
Nostrils flaring, she turned away and crossed her arms over her chest to stare at the mines. “If you can invoke the old laws, so can I,” she said, voice as quiet as it had been when he’d arrived.
His whole body went rigid. “Cache, if you’re suggesting—”
“I can and I will. If it threatens the operation of this station, I will remove the problem.”
It felt his whole body had been submerged in sub-zero water. When he’d returned toOrion, he’d invoked the Take and Keep law and his bribe to the processor was supposed to bury Nia’s genetic connections. But that same law meant his commanding officer could do the same.
Unless he wanted to battle Cache to the death, she could take what he’d kept.
The need to go to his ward this exact moment overwhelmed him. He would stand in front of her and kill all those who would try to take her. Including Cache.
“Don’t—” His hand drifted to the weapon at his thigh, his mind racing with scenarios. She only wore her gun. He’d be able to take her out, then the two guards, and had enough support on the station to take her command—it was the only way to make it work.
What the hell am I thinking? Challenging Cache? Killing her? Taking overOrion? Those were the last things he wanted to do. He removed his hand from his weapon.
Cache spun toward him, whole body vibrating with pent-up energy, eyes flashing in the low light. “Mace, whatever your issues, get your head on straight.” She took a step closer. “Whatever it takes. Or I’ll be forced to.”
She wouldn’t do that to him. They’d known each other too long.
“And if I hear about another unprovoked attack on a fellow commander, I’ll personally see you in the brig for a year with no chance of probation.”
He stayed still, waiting for the next threat, wondering how far she’d really go.
Cache stood taller, turned to the mines and said, “Dismissed.”
Mace stared at her profile, wanting to say something clever, but words failed him. Her threat hung between them, but he had to believe she wouldn’t go through with it, wouldn't forcehishand.
All he needed to do was get his head on straight.
“Yes, sir.” He turned on his heel and left without a backward glance.
I would change it if I could.
Mace’s words kept looping in Nia’s head, repeating over and over again as she lay there, soaking up the rays giving the trees their nutrients. Those words revealed regret—an emotion she hadn’t thought Tellusians capable of until she came here.
CORE and Tellusians weren’t as different as she’d thought. There were differences, cultural ones, but since working in family medicine, she knew Tellusians loved their children as much as CORE parents did, and people wanted to be happy, no matter where they were from.
If only they could live in peace without the war between them.
A shadow fell across her, blocking the warming lights. Her eyes popped open. She expected to see Mace, but instead Elec stood there.
She jolted upright. “What happened?” Her gaze darted to the tree where Mace had been sitting, then around the surrounding area. He was gone. She hadn’t heard him move.
Elec shook his head. “The commander told me to make sure you ate something.”
