HostileIntent (8 page)

“Adam got me caught up while you were asleep. I think I
might know a place where you’ll be safe. It’s a small ranch on the outskirts of
the galaxy.”

She snorted. “Are you sure it’s still there?”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure it’s not going anywhere. It belongs to
an up-and-coming politician.”

A shudder swept through her involuntarily. “Does he know my
father?” It wasn’t that she didn’t like her father. She loved him. But the
people he struck deals with often left her feeling dirty.

“Sweetheart, everybody knows your father. But if it makes
you feel better, he’s never worked with him.”

“And he won’t tell my dad? I think he’ll forgive me for not
telling him that I’m alive, someday. But if he hears it from someone else…” She
shook her head as she thought about how badly that would hurt her dad.

“I’ve worked with this guy before. Representative Lee can
keep a secret. And he’s a good guy.”

“Okay. Let’s go check out this ranch in the middle of
nowhere.”

Michael grimaced as a box rammed into his knee. Thankfully
he was able to bite off the flood of curse words that sprang to mind before
they slipped out. It was his own damn fault he’d gotten hit. He should’ve
anticipated it and stopped the wayward projectile. But he wasn’t paying
attention to what was going on around him as the cargo vessel descended through
the planet’s thick atmosphere. If he were, he’d have noted that anything not
bolted to the floors was moving around freely. He was far too interested in
studying Adam to be paying attention to common, everyday occurrences like boxes
shifting though.

He and Adam had caught up on a lot more than just possible
safe havens while Renee slept. And even after hearing the man say the words, he
just couldn’t believe Adam was Coalition. He’d suspected it when they’d first
met. He’d even admitted those suspicions to Adam. But after Adam had stood by
Renee during the attack, Michael had dismissed his concerns. It just didn’t
make logical sense for the man to go against his own group to protect a
stranger. And yet Adam had done just that. Which put Michael into a bind. He
probably should tell Renee about Adam’s allegiances. But since Adam was working
with them, he wasn’t going to. They needed Adam’s help right now and Michael
was too much of a realist to let political affiliation determine his contact
list.

Good thing too, since it was some of his more shady contacts
who’d been able to get them clothing, new identities and documentation on such
short notice. Now all he had to do was make sure Renee made it to
Representative Lee in one piece and they should be able to start unraveling
this mess.

“I’ve forwarded the meeting coordinates to each of your digital
readers just in case we get separated after the landing.” He tore his attention
away from Adam so he could address the entire group. “Mr. and Mrs. Lee have
been informed of the situation but her ranch hands have not. If anyone else
asks, you’re here to look at a couple head of cattle. Keep it simple. The fewer
details you give, the fewer you have to remember.” The vessel shuddered as it
landed on the planet’s surface. “Are you guys ready for this?”

He wasn’t sure what he’d do if they said they weren’t. And
given their current state, that was a possibility. The people standing around
him looked exhausted and bedraggled. Although for everything they’d been
through that day, he guessed that bedraggled was actually pretty good. Things
could’ve gone much, much worse for them. They could really be dead right now.
Just the thought of Renee being gone forever made his stomach clench painfully.
But he pushed the sensation away. He’d already lived through losing her once
today. He wasn’t going to relive the experience. Not with her sitting right in
front of him.

“We’re ready,” Renee said in a sure tone. And just like that
the men seemed to come alive as the cargo bay doors were opened. On the off
chance that there were security or customs officers in the hangar, they hid
behind the large boxes of cargo. But at the pilot’s “all clear”, they came out
of their hiding spaces and started making their way to the tavern that was the
rendezvous spot.

When they arrived a couple hours later, Michael was certain
that even he looked haggard. Thankfully this planet seemed accustomed to
haggard people. A few customers turned to look at them as they entered but none
seemed overly interested in them as they made their way up to the bar.

“What can I get for you?” a young server asked as she ran a dingy
washcloth over the bar in front of them.

“Whiskey neat for the lady and three of your best brews for
us.” They had to drink or they’d stand out in the tavern but he didn’t want the
men to be drunk on top of tired. Renee, however, was a completely different
story. He needed her to be soundly sleeping when they met with Representative
Lee. It was the only way Adam could tell his side of the story and survive. He
loved the woman but his love wasn’t blind. He knew what she’d do the moment she
found out who Adam worked for. It wouldn’t matter to her that he’d fought to
keep her alive. Still, as frustrating as her black-and-white view of the world
was, he’d always admired how passionate she was about her causes.

“I take it you’re the potential buyers?”

Michael was pulled out of his musings by the dusty ranch
hand who sat down on the stool next to him. “That we are.” Michael lifted his
beer up to his lips, tipped it back and pretended to enjoy the bitter liquid as
it sloshed against his tongue.

“Zack McGree. Miss Kat sent me to collect you.” Zack stuck
his hand out in greeting and Michael shook it briefly. He didn’t have anything
against ranchers. He just didn’t want the guy to notice how smooth his hands
were. Sure, Michael could come up with a cover story to explain his lack of
calluses, but he’d meant it when he’d told the others that the fewer details
they had to remember the better.

Zack didn’t seem to notice Michael’s hands, however. He was
looking down at the floor instead. “Travel pretty light, don’t ya?”

They hadn’t brought any bags with them. They didn’t really
have anything to pack but even if they did it would’ve slowed them down. Still,
that wasn’t exactly something he could say to Zack. “Shuttle companies are
always losing our stuff.” He tossed the man a weary shrug. “If we don’t bring
it, they can’t lose it. Besides, we’re used to roughing it.”

Zack laughed as he signaled the server for a drink. “I think
I like you. We get too many dandies these days what with the man of the house.”
He paled and then cleared his throat. “Not that I’ve got anything mean to say
about the representative. He’s a fine and upstanding man.”

“His friends just require a lot of…upkeep?” Michael asked
with an understanding smile. “It’s the way the universe is going. The other day,
one of our interns was asking about some new shower system that they have at
the swanky hotels in the inner realms. What do we need with a shower that costs
more than a prize steer? He’s lucky we didn’t make him go bathe in the pond for
the next month just for suggesting it.”

Zack laughed and hit his hat against his knee. “That would’ve
taught him a lesson he never would’ve forgot.”

“Especially since that pond’s got leeches the size of my
fist.”

Zack laughed harder and took a large gulp of his ale. “I do
like you. You’re my kind of people.”

“Just call ‘em like I see ‘em.” In truth, Michael was
everyone’s kind of people. It’s what made him so good at his job. The more
people related to and liked him, the more they opened up. And the more they
opened up, the better the story was.

He hadn’t met too many people who were his kind though.
Well, except for Renee. She was as stubborn as they came but she had a sense of
fairness to her that most people lacked. She’d turn on her own blood if she
learned they weren’t playing aboveboard.

And Adam. He smiled as he thought about the man. Adam was
loyal and loyalty was a rare trait these days.

“You folks must be tired. Don’t you worry none, the ranch
isn’t too far away. Just let me finish this and we’ll have you in a bed before
you know it.” Sure enough, as soon as Zack finished his drink he led them out
to a private transport that was parked in front of the tavern. The stylish
vehicle had all the current upgrades and went a long way in explaining why the
ranch hand had expected a slightly more pampered group. And even though Michael
had said they were used to roughing it, he couldn’t help but sigh with
appreciation at the luxury in front of him.

He was slightly disappointed that the comfort wasn’t enough
to put Renee to sleep on the ride out to the ranch though. The whiskey and
soothing ride only seemed to energize her. By the time they reached the
settlement and the door to the transport was opened by a lovely woman, Renee
was wide awake.

“I’m so glad you were able to make it out to my ranch
safely.” She held out her free hand as soon as Michael was out of the vehicle
and he was happy to take it. Her dark hair was worn in a think braid and she
carried a child on her hip even as her rounded abdomen hinted that she was expecting
another.

“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Lee.” He moved to one
side to allow the others room to get out as well.

“We don’t stand on formality here. Please, call me Kat.”

“It’s lovely to finally meet you.”

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you to your sleeping
quarters.” She started walking back to the house as she spoke. “My husband has
made arrangements to join us but unfortunately his shuttle has been delayed.”
She shook her head as she opened the front door. “With the transport strikes, I’m
surprised anyone can get anywhere in a timely fashion these days.”

They followed her through the door and into a welcoming yet
simple room. “You have a lovely home, Kat.” His voice must have carried his
sincerity because she smiled back at him.

“Thank you. It nearly burnt down a couple of years ago. Does
my heart good to see it all put back together again.” She looked around and
sighed. “It may not be as grand as some of the other politicians’ manors but I
wouldn’t live anywhere else. The guestrooms are right this way.” She walked up
a flight of stairs that led to a hallway. “So… This is the awkward moment when
I tell you we only have two guestrooms. I’m sorry. Usually we have a couple of
cabins free but we’re in the middle of calving season. And we’ve had to move
Annie here into her own room so we have space for the baby when he comes.”

“No need to apologize. We’re grateful you have room for us
at all with the last-minute notice we gave you.”

“Okay then.” She opened two of doors that lined the hall. “I’ll
let you guys decide who bunks where. The bathroom is the door just down the
hall.” She turned and started to walk away before stopping. “I’ll send someone
to get you as soon as Jasper gets home.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as she was gone, the four people all looked at each
other in a moment of awkward silence. He wasn’t surprised when it was Renee who
decided to take charge.

“What do you all think is fair? Two in each room?”

That depended largely on who got to share a room with her.
And Michael had a feeling that Adam was thinking the same thing.

“We could do boys in one room. Girls in the other,” Aimes
suggested.

Both he and Adam peeked into the rooms. The beds were good
sized but there was only one per room and he didn’t think they could hold three
large men. “Who’s going to be sleeping on the floor?”

Aimes smiled. “You’re not a dandy. I’m sure the floor would
be plenty comfortable enough for you.” Michael had to admit that Aimes imitated
his earlier speech pretty well.

“Michael and the captain will share a room with me. Aimes,
you get the other room.” They all looked at Adam in surprise. “What? It’s what
we all really want.”

It was what Michael wanted. And Adam wouldn’t have suggested
it if he was opposed to the arrangement. That left the decision up to Renee.
She’d been shying away from a ménage for as long as they’d been together. And
he knew why. But things seemed to be different now. Since she’d found out she’d
died, things had changed. Hell, she’d even said she needed him. The old Renee
never needed anyone. A ménage was a big step though. Would dying be enough?

She took a deep breath and he saw the panic and fear start
to cloud her eyes. She was going to say no. It was the look she always got when
she turned him down. Only she pursed her lips and nodded decisively at the last
moment. “Sure. I think everybody agrees that Aimes needs the most beauty sleep
anyway.” She winked at Aimes and then sauntered into one of the rooms.

It took Michael a moment to realize what just happened. Adam
had gotten her to agree. She’d said yes.

“Boys, are you going to join me or do I need to issue an
order?”

She was a brazen little thing. He’d give her that. “Oh no.
We’re coming.” As he and Adam walked into the room he almost felt bad leaving
Aimes in the hall by himself. Almost but not quite.

As soon as Adam shut the door, Renee started to undress.

Unfortunately Adam chose that moment to open his mouth. “Um…
Not to kill the mood or anything, but I thought you didn’t sleep with
crewmembers.”

Michael could’ve strangled the guy. First rule of being a
man was you never questioned a lady when she was undressing. You accepted it
for what it was. A damn miracle. And you prayed nothing changed her mind.

But he relaxed when Renee just smiled and threw her shirt to
the floor. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a rancher.” She
unbuttoned her pants and started to shimmy out of them ever so slowly. “I don’t
have a crew. I have cattle.”

Adam stared at her for a second longer and Michael had a
moment of fear that the idiot was going to press the issue. But when Adam
started undressing as well, he knew everything was going to be okay. “I always
did want to have my way with a cowgirl.”

Michael quickly shed his clothing. He knew when it was time
to join a party. “Funny. You and I appear to have at least one fantasy in
common.”

Adam quirked an eyebrow at the statement. “The night’s
early. I’m sure we can come up with a couple more.”

“Two ambitious and imaginative lovers. I like that.” Renee
smiled coyly as she took off the last of her clothing and crawled onto the bed.

“Like?” They joined her on the bed as soon as they finished
removing their clothes. “I think we can do better than that.”

“You want better, you’ll have to earn it.”

Michael stretched out in front of her while Adam spooned her
from behind. In this position she was the focus of their attention. But as he
brushed his hand up her thigh he ran his fingertips over Adam’s skin as well.
The contrast of her silky body next to Adam’s much coarser one was a decadence
that went straight to his head. It’d been much too long since he’d indulged in
the pleasure of having two lovers at the same time. Once they made it through
this current crisis, he and Renee were going to have to have a long discussion
about where they were going. But that was a trouble for tomorrow. Today he was
determined to just enjoy the pleasures laid out in front of him.