“For two hot studs, I’d leave me, too.”
I sighed, her joke falling flat. “I’m serious. I’d say yes to them. To all of it.”
Olivia’s eyes widened at my vehemence.
“Now it’s not going to happen.” I pushed myself out of the beanbag chair, looked down at Olivia with Emma, who was sucking her thumb. “I’m going back to bed. I’m okay. I just need time.”
I felt like I had tons of it. I had no real job, no real prospects. No Nik and Sam. Braun was going to be a problem because I had a feeling his mating fever was pushing him toward me. I just didn’t want to break his heart, because I knew exactly what walking around with a broken heart felt like.
Empty.
13
Sambor, The Colony
I’d never been to The Colony before. Niklas had said he’d been once, but that had been before I’d become his guard. Seeing the barren landscape through the windows, it reminded me of the planet we’d just escaped. Except here, there were no Hive—I hoped—and we’d arrived intentionally. Crash-landing was something I wanted to experience only once.
Governor Maxim had met us in the transport room. Alone.
Disappointment coursed through me at not having Lucy waiting for us. We’d flown the fucking Hive craft into Coalition-controlled space, and all four of us initiated our comms to let them know we were friendly. The last thing we’d wanted to do was be shot out of the sky a second time. We’d had the medical station connect with Bahre’s comm so they could transport him directly to the unit for emergency medical treatment. At the time we’d had no idea of his chances for survival. He’d been without care for four days, but we’d learned since tha
t time in a ReGen pod had healed his injuries, although he’d be scarred physically for life.
As for the rest of us, we’d flown the Hive ship to Battleship Karter, since it was the closest ship in the sector, and the Hive craft would be kept and studied for technology and enhancements. Helion had met us when we arrived—completely unscathed from the attack—to collect the Nexus unit’s two parts, the body and separated head. I’d been so glad to be back on Coalition turf that I hadn’t paid him any attention. We’d all gone to medical, been examined and released. The two rescued Atlan Warlords and the Prillon warrior would have their integrations analyzed, but were eventually headed for The Colony and a second chance. Var would spend a few days on the Karter to recuperate before being assigned a new mission. As for Niklas and myself, we’d only taken time to eat, shower and don fresh clothes before going to the transport room to be sent directly to The Colony.
No, not to The Colony. To Lucy. Our mate.
In the blink of an eye, we arrived, eagerly going down the steps to the governor. He slapped me on the shoulder and gave us both a broad smile. “It is good to see you both.”
“Governor,” Niklas began but was cut off.
“Do not fear, your mate is nearby,” Governor Maxim assured us.
I was not as schooled at hiding my emotions like Niklas. “Where is she? Why is she not here?”
“She does not know of your arrival.” He frowned for a moment. “Or that you’re alive.”
“That is cruel,” Niklas replied.
“I assure you, it was far from that. I heard of your survival and that of the others. And the rescue of a few who will make The Colony their new home. As for Lucy, I didn’t wish to falsely inflate any hopes she might have if the comms I’d received were wrong or if, hell, you somehow got sucked out a waste chute.”
I stared at the governor with wide eyes. Waste chute?
He sighed. “Never mind.”
Niklas inspected Governor Maxim like he'd lost his mind. “You were afraid we would not come for her.”
Maxim sighed. “I could not risk breaking her heart again. She has been… struggling… since the news of the explosion.”
“I placed my collar around her neck, Governor. She is mine. I demand to see her. Now.” The idea of her suffering was causing Niklas immense pain. My reaction was more along the lines of rage that this Prillon ass would dare deny our mate the comfort we could provide, and disgust at his lack of faith in fellow warriors.
“Lucy is ours. We will fight every fucking integrated bastard on this planet if you try to keep her from us.” I meant every word. The potent effect of Niklas’s pain mixed with my rage and disgust was making us both a bit… unstable. We needed our mate.
Apparently that was the kind of reaction Governor Maxim Rone appreciated and understood. With a chuckle, he put his hands up in surrender and turned to the transport tech. “Where is Lucy Vandermark?”
The tech ran his fingers over the controls, looked to the governor. “Main cafeteria.”
The governor murmured his thanks. “Follow me.”