Page 68 of Tempting Jupiter
She approached him like she expected him to tackle her again. “I don’t give up.” She fisted her hand in the loose material of his shirt and pulled him down until their faces were close. “Iwillget him back. Understand?”
He had no reason to believe her, but her resolve steeled his own determination. “Wewill get him back.”
She nodded her head and released him. “I was going to start with the specification for the security and control systems.” She strode back to the controls. “But now that you’re here, let’s take a better look at these schematics.” He followed, relieved she accepted his participation.
Feeona rolled her shoulders. “Alfred, keep a closer eye on the kids for us, will you? Report on anything you think I should know.”
“Yes. Captain. If I may be so bold—”
“Not now, Alfred.” She leaned over the controls, bracing one hand on the panel and adjusting the angle of one of the screens with the other. Her arm shook as she adjusted the screen. She leaned heavily on the console. Glancing at him, she pointed to the screen. “I need you to find every route from both the security level and the auction room to every external hatch. Let me show you how to work the monitor?”
Seneca nodded but lifted a finger to signal a pause. He recognized the signs of fatigue and dehydration. She hadn’t been avoiding him out of a weakness of character. She’d been working and skipping meals and probably hating herself for what she’d done. A circumstance he’d lived for years. “Alfred, have Toby bring us protein bars and a couple of nutritional shakes.”
“Right away, Seneca.”
Seneca dropped the finger and returned her steady gaze. “Now, I’m ready.”
Later, when they had a plan and there was nothing more to be done, he would weigh everything he’d learned about her and tease apart the confusing tangle of his emotions about this woman that was Jupiter’s mate.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
NewHopeSettlement,Agrove Colony
Earth Alliance Beta Sector
2210.168
Seneca grasped the armrests as the ship shuddered. He lost his ability to focus on Feeona’s landing lesson when the planet they’d been circling became a world with an up and a down, land and sky. It was only his third time landing, second on a planet. The deceleration and the knowledge they were on solid ground both relieved and agitated him.
The external view screen provided a clear view of the line of beast-drawn carts waiting for them in the open field. She’d told them all what to expect. Carefully described the animals and assured them these beasts were gentle, tamed. The children had listened intently as she’d described the new life they’d have. He remembered thinking that he wouldn’t believe Fee was telling the truth about her plans for the kids until he saw it for himself. The need to doubt her had faded days before they’d made it to the agrarian planet. He should’ve been suspicious of these humans who offered a place in their homes in exchange for farm work. He had only Fee’s promise that the kids wouldn’t be worked too hard, that they’d be cared for and given true homes. Some would have farms of their own one day or leave the farming life, if they wished. And he believed her.
He ignored the nausea that the uncomfortable sensation of landing had given him and cleared his throat. “You’re sure this place is safe? Roma…”
“Probably doesn’t even know this colony exists.” Fee looked over her shoulder. “Independent colonies like New Hope aren’t owned by corporations like Petro-5. There isn’t even a proper port here. They’re self-sufficient. The colonists here work hard, but they work for themselves. They’re truly free. And I chose Agrove as our one and only stop because I have the strongest ties here.”
There was only patient reassurance in her voice, no defensiveness. That was progress between them. He believed in her, but he knew he hadn’t yet earned an equal measure of confidence from her.
She swiveled her seat to face him and laid her palm over his hand. “Sen, I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t sure.”
He’d known, but he’d had to ask. She’d explained that she had arrangements with over two dozen communities that took in the kids she rescued. Normally she would make several stops so no one colony would be overwhelmed with new kids.
She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. “If it will make you feel better, I’ll send out Bug for a look around from above us.”
He nodded. It would at least give them advanced warning if anything went wrong. “Thank you.”
The chatter of the children drifted in from the common room. Seneca reached for the clasp on his safety restraints and got to his feet. He forced away the frown he’d developed from over thinking. “I’ll go help them get ready to go.”
Her worried face softened into a smile. “Thanks. Just a few things to finish up here.”
She sat in the pilot’s chair, wearing a hand-stitched tunic with her hair pulled loosely back by a single band and not a bit of cream on her face. It was the simplest look he’d seen on her and anticipation shined in her eyes. Beautiful. He wanted to brush his fingers across the soft skin of her cheek. He wanted, and that was a feeling he hadn’t had for anyone since Jupiter. His gut still ached with worry for Jup, but he’d seen the same ache eating at her. She was to blame, and she carried that weight as well. Knowing the kids made it impossible not to understand the difficulty of the choice she’d made.
Seneca pushed that thought aside for later and headed toward the kids. Toby was already helping the others. His mood had been even and content until they dropped out of skipspace. Since then, he’d become distracted and distant. The others were talking and laughing with excited nervousness. Toby was all business.
The kids were lined up and waiting when Fee came to the hatch.
She leaned down to straighten a collar for a pale blond boy. “Are we ready?”
A discordant jumble of “ready,” filled the space. She turned to him and lifted her eyebrows.
