Page 55 of Tempting Jupiter
“Good, and don’t you even think of caving into any of Roma’s threats.”
She hadn’t wanted to tell him about Roma, but logic told her that Roma would insert themselves into the situation no matter how cautious she was.
“I don’t scare that easy.” Morgan grinned, reminding her of a clee-cat—opportunistic and fearless, the cats were known to take down prey triple their weight. “Those Roma pussies put their trousers on one leg at a time, like the rest of us.”
“Excellent, then we have an agreement.” Feeona’s self-loathing compounded with the words. As much as she might tell herself this was only a back-up plan, there was no Plan A in sight. Dread squeezed her heart with the merciless grip of the damned.
Chapter Twenty-Two
NewTelford,Petro-5
EarthAllianceBeta Sector
2210.160
Feeona and Jupiter stood at the edge of the jumble of people surrounding the gate that led to the factory entrance. It had been that way as long as Feeona had been coming back to the factory. They clustered there hoping for day work. Most of New Telford’s colonists worked in the finishing or packing plants. Only the desperate would willingly seek employment at the giant factory, where so many never left.
But the crowd benefited her. It made it easy to approach and get the attention of a guard willing to carry in a note to Toolman. She had Bug busy circling the sky, keeping a watch on the ship where they’d left Seneca to wait for their return.
As they approached, Jupiter closed the distance between them. He walked so close they brushed against each other with every step. Feeona halted in the middle of the crowd and looked up into his hooded face. The shadows of the garment he wore hid him from a distance, but up close it was easy to spot the less than human features that marked him as an Arena Dog. Those features came together in a face that already meant the world to her. A face she’d pressed kisses against, a face she’d memorized, a face she would likely see in her nightmares after today.
“Maybe you should stay here. We don’t want one of the guards to notice you.”
He scowled. “I didn’t let you leave the ship alone. I’m not going to cower in hiding now, when you also risk being recognized.”
She grimaced. “I suppose you’re right.” She gripped his forearm and met his eyes. “When we get to the fence, turn your back, okay?”
“I won’t give us away.” He wrapped his big hand around her jaw, tracing his thumb along her cheek.
With any other man, she wouldn’t have tolerated the proprietary gesture, but it felt right when it was Jupiter. She suspected he’d be delighted if she reciprocated with a possessive move of her own. He wasn’t like other men who wanted to control her. He wanted to keep her safe, sure. But just as he respected Seneca’s abilities, he also respected hers. He trusted her. How bittersweet to see the warmth and confidence in his eyes, when she could only dim that light. The only thing she could do for him now was to keep Seneca safe. If she’d had any doubts before, days of watching the two men together had left her certain that the connection between them was strong and mutual, even if they hadn’t quite figured it out for themselves.
Her throat had tightened beyond speaking without giving away her grief, so she nodded and led him to the primitive looking fence. Three meters high, made of interlocking metal wires, it wouldn’t resist any serious intruder, but it effectively kept the hopeful and doomed at a comfortable distance from the actual entrance to the building.
Jupiter did as she’d asked, turning his back to the armed guards. He kept her close, blocking her in against the fence as he surveyed the crowd. Feet solidly planted and head above anyone else there, he looked like a paid bodyguard to her respectable merchant. It was impossible for a man his size to go unnoticed, but the illusion was a believable one that neutralized curiosity and fit the persona she’d painstakingly built for Petro-5.
Feeona let her gaze settle on a nearby guard, motioning him over when he noticed her looking.
The guard took in Jupiter’s size with a frown, but quickly dismissed him. “You have business here trader?”
She extended her hand, offering a coin in the local currency. Offering too much would only arouse suspicion. “I have a message.”
“I’m listening.”
She waited until the man accepted the coin. “Tell Toolman, his promise-daughter is in town. I’ll be at the Crooked Path.”
Skepticism flashed in his face and then it was gone, and he nodded then moved away.
Toolman lived at the factory and had the rare privilege of being allowed to come and go as he wished, so it made sense that she would come looking for him here. It was less likely that Toolman had ever had a close enough friend to be named a promise-father or that anyone would actually trust him with a child. Other than factory management.
Feeona brushed Jupiter’s sleeve and led him back through the crowd. When they were once again out of eavesdropping range, she slipped her hand in his and led him down the first side street.
“It will take some time for him to get the message and there’s something I need to show you.”
***
Jupiter took Feeona’s hand and let her lead. Her hand felt small and cool. Today she looked as cool as she felt. She’d worn one of her disguises. She’d painted her skin almost white and done something to make her hair even whiter. She’d pulled it back loosely with a clasp at the base of her neck. Her ivory clothes were plain but finely made.
As they moved down the side-road together the shops turned shabbier. They didn’t have to go far before they reached the end of the block. There were no stores beyond that. Fee led him through a maze of squalid houses. The people that came and went there looked as neglected as their shelters.
