Page 44 of Tempting Jupiter
She would’ve turned, gone after them, but Jupiter held her still. She reached up and pressed her hands to his cheeks, meeting his gaze, trying to make him understand. “You shouldn’t have stopped them. I need the funds I was going to get for this.”
“The money-lender betrayed your trust. The doctor would have turned you over to them.” Jupiter spoke softly, like a rough-hewn blanket to ease the bad news.
Fee glanced over to where the thugs lay on the floor. The big lug had gone from lethal to comforting in a moment. For her.
Jupiter’s thumb brushed against her cheek, urging her to look at him. “I’m sorry we brought you this trouble.”
Fee loosened her hold on him, slipping her hands down to lie against the tempting expanse of firm muscles across his chest. “This is so not your fault.”
“When these guys don’t report back, there’ll be more.” The kid picked up Bug from the med-cart and shoved it into Feeona’s hand.
“There won’t be any place on the station that’s safe.” With that thought, she linked with Bug, powering up the small device. The familiar sensations buzzed through her brain and suddenly she could think clearly again, despite the weakness lingering in her body.
“Come. We must go back to your ship now.” Jupiter wrapped one of his hands around hers as he pulled her toward the opening in the wall.
His hand was cool and slick with blood, but she clutched it like a lifeline. Getting back to the ship was smart, but what then? If she didn’t have the funds, there would be no point in going to Petro-5. Toolman was a hard ass. There was no way she would get to the cargo without paying upfront.
When they stepped through the hole in the wall and into a maintenance tunnel, the kid stopped. “Just go back the way you came,” he said to Jupiter. He shifted his attention to Feeona, lifted a hand and smiled. “Let them protect you, Angel. We can’t lose you.”
She acknowledged his words with a nod and watched as he disappeared down the opposite end of the tunnel. There was no doubt left in her mind, that he was one of her kids. And it no longer mattered that she didn’t have the funds. Not yet. Not going to Petro-5 wasn’t any kind of option. She had to get to her cargo. There was no way she was leaving her next load of children to die.
Chapter Eighteen
TheHawley,KaronaStation
EarthAlliance Beta Sector
2210.151
Jupiter climbed into the ship behind Feeona. The thigh length garment she wore made it hard not to notice her sleekly muscled legs and the curve of her bottom as she moved. A quick glance to Seneca confirmed that the sight hadn’t gone unnoticed by his pack brother.
“Alfred, start launch prep.” Feeona stopped in the middle of the entry room and fixed her gaze on his. There were questions and explanations swirling in her eyes and they had time for neither.
She stepped forward like a youngling walking barefoot over rocks—like every step hurt and had the potential for serious injury. Taking his hand and then Seneca’s, she stood close. The subtle scent that was uniquely her permeated every breath Jupiter took. Her smaller hand tempted him to fold his carefully around the fragile flesh and bones.
“You know you can’t stay on the station. It isn’t safe.” There was none of her usual sarcasm or spark in her voice.
He and Seneca both grunted their agreement.
“We haven’t had that talk.” Fee said.
She was worried about taking away their choice. He remembered her outrage when he’d told her he’d been a slave. He saw only acceptance on Seneca’s face.
“We choose to leave this place with you.” He held her gaze, letting his certainty show in his eyes.
Her lips curved into a small smile. “Good.” She squeezed his hand then spun on her heel and led them toward the pilot’s station. “This way.”
They followed her up several steps, then through a hatch to a generously sized room with a control panel and view screen dominating one wall. With a wave of her hand, she indicated two seats and showed them how to strap into the harnesses.
She dropped into the large, curved seat centered in the room.
Alfred’s voice filled the space around them. “Welcome back, Captain, launch sequence underway.”
Data flowed down the screen like flickering glow bugs.
“Release docking clamps and negotiate launch guidance with the Cavern.”
Lights blinked to life around them.
