Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion, #1)(102)

“Hello, Benedict,” I said with a laugh. “I missed you, too.”

Benedict put me back on my feet, then held me out at arm’s length. “Are you okay? We’ve been worried about you,” he said. “I recently heard a crazy rumor that you’d fought off fifteen mercs with a spoon. Can you believe that?”

“Well . . .” I hedged. I hadn’t actually fought the mercenaries with a spoon. I’d distracted them then ran away, narrowly escaping. It had happened on the station before the one where Captain Pearson had picked me up.

Benedict turned outraged eyes to Bianca. “Did you know about this?”

“Who do you think started the rumor?” she asked with a grin.

“My sisters are going to be the death of me,” Benedict muttered to himself. “I don’t care if your alcohol has gone bad, I need a drink.” He squeezed my shoulders then let me go and moved back to the bar. “Let me know if you want something other than the usual.”

“The usual is awesome,” I said, and Bianca agreed. Benedict made a mean martini and few of us strayed from it.

“Coming right up!” he said.

Bianca and I settled into the living room couches. She sat across from me, and after Benedict handed me my drink, he joined her. By unspoken agreement, we didn’t talk about the impending war. Instead, my brother and sister did their best to catch me up on two years of gossip in an evening. When dinner was ready, we moved to the table and clustered around one end with Benedict sitting at the head.

The food was delicious and wine and cocktails flowed freely. Benedict and Bianca relished telling me about one another’s most embarrassing moments, even as the embarrassed person groaned at the telling. Then, without any other siblings here to stop them, they launched into tales of the others’ embarrassing moments.

It was perfect.

I’d proven that I could handle myself out in the world alone, but I loved having my siblings around. I’d missed this. However, I also found myself turning to look for Loch, and he wasn’t there. The third time I did it, Bianca caught my eye and raised an eyebrow. I tilted my head very slightly toward the bedroom. She nodded.

As the hour grew late, Benedict retired for the night, but Bianca made herself at home on the couch. I sat down next to her.

She turned to me. “So, spill,” she said.

“About what?” I asked. I had hoped to avoid an inquisition, but I should’ve known that Bianca wouldn’t waste an opportunity to grill me while we were alone.

“I don’t know, why don’t we start with the hulking convict you brought home who touches you like you’re his.” Bianca said it sarcastically, but a thread of true worry lurked in her tone. “Of all the men in the universe, you had to pick the Devil of Fornax Zero?”

I shrugged. “It started out as a business deal, but the more time I spent with him, the more I liked him. Plus, he’s hot.”

Bianca smiled but she wasn’t deterred so easily. “You believe his version of what happened on Fornax Zero?”

“Yes,” I said. “His story is corroborated by another friend who has no reason to lie.”

“How are you going to use the Genesis Project information to get him pardoned?”

“I have Father’s agreement to vote on a clemency hearing of my choice, so I just have to bring Yamado or Rockhurst around to my side. I think enough careful threats about going public with the details might do it.”

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Are you sleeping with him?” she asked abruptly.

Heat spread through my face, which was answer enough.

“You never were one for easy paths,” she said at last. “Be careful, Ada. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Something old and sad touched her expression before she wiped it away with a raised eyebrow. “Why didn’t you invite him to dinner?”

“I did, but he thinks that keeping a low profile is the smarter move until he’s cleared. He’s probably right.”

“Benedict wouldn’t betray you,” Bianca said, “and I’ve already met him.”

“I know. But old habits die hard, and he’s been on the run for a long time.” I decided that inquisitions could work both ways. “What’s going on with you?” I asked.

Her expression flickered before smoothing into a smile. “I’m not used to the whirl of the Consortium anymore,” she said. “And remembering to play the grieving widow in public is taxing.” She stood before I could respond. “Speaking of, I have to get up for Lady Yamado’s breakfast in the morning,” she said, “so I need to get to bed.”

I knew a dodge when I heard one, but she looked tired enough that I didn’t call her on it. I walked her to the door.

Bianca pulled me into a tight hug. “I never told you this,” she said softly, “but Hannah offered me the chance to run, once Father started making noise about my wedding. I couldn’t do it. I don’t exactly regret my choice, especially because my husband’s timely death left me a happy widow, but I’m so proud of you,” she said.

It didn’t surprise me that Hannah, our oldest sister, had offered Bianca an out. Father had arranged Hannah’s marriage without her input. It was not a happy union.

“What about Catarina?” I asked, worried about our youngest sister. “Has Father started on her?”