Page 62 of Loaned to the Leonid Knight

“It is better for the Pride if people do not see him. Let them think he is managing our accounts somewhere else,” Memhet said in a heavy voice.

Gideon looked at Sasha. “You see what I see,” he whispered, and he knew she did. They could see fear, greed, and shame dressed as compassion, as a sympathetic plea, as promises of handling the problem they helped create. “I will not lie to any magistrate, Mr. Imazi. I will tell them what happened."

“I know, but... But they’re going to find him insane anyway, Gideon. He has gone mad if he believed he could simply kidnap you and your Queen. Listen, you know I know the right people. This is ultimately what will happen, but it is also the best outcome. Farhet needs help. A criminal prison will only fuel his rage and his desire for revenge, to regain control of the Pride. A place on Tigerite-Four with caring staff and tranquil cures will help him focus on healing and getting back to a solid place where he can someday be presented to the family—and he will never again have access to the Imazi wealth or connections. Memhet will not allow it,” Mr. Imazi waved a shaky paw as if to wave any protests or details away. “I do understand that my son offeredyou 300,000 credits for your ‘assistance.’ Prostitution, more like,” Mr. Imazi sneered.

Sasha bridled, but Gideon remained relaxed, sitting back in his seat, his Queen on his knee. For once in his life, he held all the power, no matter how much the Imazi Pride might like to believe otherwise. They might believe Farhet would end up isolated and “cured” on some Tigerite planet, but he would tell his story and let the magistrates decide.

“We haven’t always treated you well, Gideon. And we can’t make up for Farhet’s sins,” Memhet said in a tired voice, a weary expression on his face. “I’m to be married next cycle, to a beautiful young Servali Queen. If it hadn’t been your Sasha that he attacked, I suddenly find myself fearing what he might have tried with Yalana.”

“Mem!” Mr. Imazi snarled, then dissolved into a coughing fit.

Sasha’s expression softened. “I know this is hard on your Pride. I truly am sorry about that.”

“We know it won’t help, but we want to honor my brother’s just debts. We think you should have the 300,000, plus a share of a mine on Lynx-Nineteen that my brother was speculating on. We heard during the comms earlier that you were planning to settle there, with other Felid-human couples.”

“That’s right,” Gideon said, mouth dropping open. “A mine? On Lynx-Nineteen. Hillhead? Eastshore?”

“Peterhill.”

“That’s only about a hundred miles south.”

“We’ll send a hoverbike for you,” Memhet nodded eagerly, hoping to hear Gideon accept the deal.

“They will keep the luxury shuttle your brother so foolishly used in an attempted kidnapping,” Mr. Imzai barked.

“Oh. Yes, that’s more convenient.”

“This stuff isn’t going to buy our silence. We’ll still tell what happened,” Sasha reiterated, even though her expression remained soft when she looked at the two Leonids on the screen.

“It’s not a bribe. It’s an apology and a wedding gift. Be well, Gideon. Be well, Queen and cub. You always have a place in the Imazi Pride, should you want it.”

“Thank you, sir. I think we must give our allegiance to another Pride, theComet Stalker Pride,” Gideon said, bowed, and ended the call.

“WITH THE ADDITIONALmoney and the mine shares, I believe we can eventually expand to a small herd of razortusks. Not right away. We will have much to learn—but we also have quite a ways to travel. And as we are both free from our former contracts, we can take on tasks of helping around the ship—but we ask for no pay. Your friendship has been more than enough for us.”

Sasha glowed with pride as Gideon finished his little speech around the communal table that evening. Farhet remained in the brig, awaiting a transport that would take him to a Leopardine planetoid to await trial. The conceited Leonid seemed to think his troubles were over and that Gideon would be the one in trouble, and Sasha was guilty of looking forward to seeing him lose it when he realized he would be the one dragged away under the care of the Intersystem Criminal Investigations Office.

Rupex nodded gravely. “That’s very ambitious, and it will take time and patience. You and Sasha could not be better suited for such things. I know that Jade and Ardol will help you get anything you need. He was an amazing freight coordinator. He might be a bit conceited, but as much as I hate to admit it, he had reason to be. He had connections and charm that opened doorsthat others would find slammed in their faces. And Dane, the sheriff, is a good man. You could not ask for better neighbors. Doc Weaver will be able to help you and Sasha, if you should ever want to pursue a sibling for your cub.” The captain nodded again. “It sounds like you two will begin a wonderful life in a wonderful place very soon. Hard, at times, but wonderful. We visit each year, so we’ll not lose touch.”

Gideon extended his paw. “I would hate to fall out of contact. I was hoping we could call you every cycle and check in?”

“Please do. You must tell us what everyone is up to and show us around your new place. I want you to know, Gideon, that you and Sasha will always have a place in theComet StalkerPride.” Rupex took the offered paw and shook it heartily.

“I am honored.” Gideon bowed. “Although Sasha and I are very excited to start a little Pride of our own. Right, my Queen?”

Sasha beamed and squeezed his paw, eyes shining at him. “Right, my King.”

Epilogue

Eleven Cycles Later...

“She’s asleep. We probably have four hours, and I have the monitor set on my personal computer in my pocket,” Sasha whispered, slipping outside, looking up at the gorgeous violet sky overhead.

Gideon wrapped his arms around her waist and listened to her soft, aroused noise as he caressed her breasts, then her hips, working his way to the round bottom that was just so delectable. “When your dress comes off, make sure it stays nearby, then.”

“I will.” Sasha shivered as his deep voice dropped even further, rumbling, a low growl in his chest speaking to his lust. She looked out over their land. They’d bought a place at the very edge of town so that they had almost sixty units of land to terraform. In the two cycles since they’d been here, things had started to take shape. Dusty, barren land now sported a few trees, and a few units had taken to grass and wildflowers. They were working on irrigation and diverting water from a distant lake with a Felid-dug canal. It all had to be done so carefully, but that was Gideon. Careful. Kind. Thoughtful. Incredibly intelligent.

She had the best husband ever.