Page 28 of Trak
“That’s why you will succeed.” The urge to hold her made his hands shake. “And you won’t be alone. You’ll have me, and I will be a fantastic father.”
Her lips curved. “You’re so humble.”
“And you are blind to your own capabilities.” He cocked his head as a sudden thought came to him. “You didn’t enter this program for yourself, did you? You’re here for someone else.”
She swallowed and looked away. “Yes. Idoneed the money from this. It’s a matter of life and death.”
“Whose life?”
“My brother’s.” Tears filled her eyes, surprising him. “He has a rare blood cancer. He only has me, and entering myself in this program seemed like a way to pay for his medical bills without resorting to methods our father used.” She hastily rubbed the back of herhand over her eyes. “Turned out to be more than I bargained for.”
“Your brother. Is he…?” He didn’t know how to phrase the question of how close to death the boy was.
“He’s stable at the moment. His treatments often have to be delayed while insurance denials are appealed. It slows the process down.”
“Your brother will get all that he needs,” he said roughly, inordinately relieved to know the reason that brought her here. It was a question he should have asked much earlier. “You doubt your capacity to care for another, when caring for another is all you have been doing for quite some time.”
“That is true, I guess.” She bit her bottom lip. “Thank you.”
A nervous-looking alien, who Trak knew to be the manager of the theater, crept up to him, stretching out her many-tentacled arms, and speaking in the universal tongue.
Trak took out his chip so he could talk to the female, whose light gray skin was blue-tinged with agitation. He knew what this was about, but he let the manager stammer out a request for help cleaning up.
Trak gave her the name of the cleanup crew he hired for occasions like body disposal—which wasn’t common—knowing he’d pay extra for the dead Belka-Tu’s removal and for the theater to be restored to proper form. He’d also be paying for the statements of bystanders and any visual recordings the theater had—and theydidhave them—to show Ambassador Giru Limpa’s killing was justified. Fortunately, Trak was not lacking in funds.
“Can you please take that weapon from the female?” asked the nervous manager. “She’s making everyone fearful.”
Trak’s eyes flared. “That female just escaped, and avenged, her own kidnapping. And she’s my mate.”
“Well, sir, thatisimpressive, but weapons are not permitted here.” The manager shook her tentacles and cast a glance at Anna. “Do you think she’ll shoot anyone else?”
“Probably not,” replied Trak, knowing very well that most of the theater patrons carriedsomesort of weapon. “We’re having a rather personal discussion here,” he said. “Would you mind letting us finish it?”
“Probably…ah.” The female backed away, looking aggrieved. “Of course, sir.”
Trak decided to take pity on her, since he wanted to remain a patron. He replaced theEnglish chip and smiled at Anna. It probably didn’t look friendly, considering the length of his fangs. “The management would be grateful if you relinquished your weapon.”
Anna pressed it tight to her thigh. “I don’t think so.”
“How about we go back to our chambers, then?” he suggested. “I could use a cool bath.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “Will that help with…this?” Her hand waved over the flaming length of him.
“It might. What will also help is you telling me you love me and that you’ve decided to stay with me for the rest of our days. And possibly make more babies. Extra points if you can agree to live on my ship for periods of time, occasionally.”
“Extra points?” She raised a brow, but a smile tugged her lips. “You have nerve.”
“It’s the secret to my success.”
She frowned, dropping her gaze. “I do, you know.” Anna peeked up at him, never looking so vulnerable and unsure in all the cycles he had known her. “And okay.”
“What?” he asked, utterly confused.
“Idolove you,” she said. “And I’m okay with the rest of it.” Her cheeks flamed redder than her hair, but when she looked over at him, he saw the gleaming of tears in her eyes and a new softness, just for him. She tucked the weapon down the back of her jumpsuit and gestured toward the exit. “Try to keep up, Trak.”
Eighteen
It had been an Earth month since Anna’s kidnapping. To her relief, Trak did go back to “normal.”
