Destin's Hold (The Alliance #5)(47)

“This is totally cool, Destin. I had the ladies who installed it show me how to work it,” Beth said, sliding down to sit near the head of the table. “We each have a control station. Destin, your console has the ability to lock any of us out.”

Destin listened to Beth explain the operation of the console before turning the meeting over to Tim. His second-in-command started off hesitantly at first, his gaze moving to Trig when he started explaining some of the resistance they were still facing and some issues with rolling out the housing for the residents by sections, trying to focus on families first. Soon, the intense discussion and the need to be proactive in rebuilding the city relaxed the group and they grew more comfortable in discussing each project they were currently working on.

“What about you, Destin? You said you had a possible situation that we needed to be aware of,” Tim said when the last of the current agenda had been discussed.

Destin glanced at Trig, then at the men and Beth sitting around the table. He had fought alongside each of them for almost ten years now. They had patched each other up, listened to each other when the grief or stress became too much, and watched each other’s backs so they could grab a few hours sleep without fear of getting their throats slit.

“There was a situation on Rathon, the Trivator home world,” Destin said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table in front of him.

“What kind of situation?” Mason asked.

“A group of aliens known as the Waxians tried to assassinate Razor and Hunter’s families, including Kali and Ami,” Destin replied with a heavy sigh.

“Well, if they have so many fucking problems on their own world, why did they come screw ours up? Wouldn’t it have made sense to just keep your trash to yourself?” Jason asked in a bitter voice.

“Watch your language, Jason. Mikey might tell Grandma on you,” Beth murmured.

Jason picked up a pen on the table and threw it at Beth. Destin wasn’t exactly what happened next. One second Trig was sitting slightly off to the side, the next, Jason was on his back on the conference room table with Trig snarling down at him, his hand wrapped around Jason’s throat.

Destin pushed his chair back and stood up. The other men did the same and aimed their guns at Trig. Only Beth seemed to have her head in the game. She had launched onto the table and knelt between them, her hand pressed against Trig’s shoulder.

“Down, big guy,” Beth whispered in a soft voice. “You don’t strike me as the temperamental sort. What triggered you?”

“Beth, get away from him,” Mike muttered, thumbing the safety off his gun.

“You boys are always playing rough,” Beth replied, not raising her voice. “He was just playing, Trig.”

“He threw something at you,” Trig gritted out.

Beth chuckled. “Where were you when I was ten and the local gang was throwing rocks at me and Grandma? Jason didn’t mean nothing. He’s just sore over losing Kali. Let him go,” she whispered, sliding her hand down his arm to his wrist and wrapping her fingers around it. “Let him go, big guy. He didn’t mean no harm.”

Beth’s loud gasp filled the room when Trig suddenly released Jason and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her off the table and into his arms. Loud curses echoed over the sound of Jason’s coughing. Destin ignored them all. He had seen this aggressive, protective behavior before – in Razor. His gaze moved to Beth’s face. Instead of being scared, she looked confused… and amused as hell.

“Beth, why don’t you take Trig for a cup of coffee?” Destin suggested with a pointed look.

“Coffee? Hell, I’m thinking a keg of beer,” she muttered. “Do I walk or do I get carried?”

“I think carried for the moment,” Destin said with a nod of his head. “You can work on the walking once he calms down.”

Beth looked at Destin with a cheeky grin. “Has he had his rabies shots?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him that,” Destin replied, running a tired hand down his face.

“Destin…,” Trig muttered, looking conflicted and a bit dazed.

“I’ve got seven men with enough firepower to stop a tank, I think I’ll be safe,” Destin interrupted, dropping his hand back down to his side. “Go on. Get a drink, calm down, and avoid Mary at the moment if you value your life.”

“Who is Mary?” Trig asked.

“I’ll explain,” Beth promised, seeing the expression of exasperation on Destin’s face. “That way, big guy. To the fancy coffee machine."

Destin watched Trig carry Beth out of the conference room. He shook his head and glanced around the room. With a wave of his hand, he indicated to the men to put their weapons away and return to their seats.

“What about Beth?” Mike asked, staring at the door with a look of indecision.

“Trust me, Trig is in more danger at the moment than Beth is,” Destin replied, sitting down in his chair. “Now, where was I…?”





15





Sula shook her head and groaned. Closing her eyes, she drew in a series of deep, calming breaths before she opened her eyes and gazed out of the window. She was having trouble focusing on the report in front of her. All she could think about was Destin.