Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion, #1)(50)

“Talk to Veronica, scan the ship for trackers, figure out what supplies I’ll need and purchase them, update my sister . . . really, the list goes on forever. What time is it?”

“Almost ten, local time,” Loch said.

Shit, no wonder I felt like I’d slept hard—I’d been asleep for nearly eleven hours. That was plenty of time for Richard to catch up with us if he’d managed to track me straight here. I pushed myself up and out of the bed.

Shower first, but for that, I needed my bag of clothes. While I stood thinking, Loch rolled out of bed. All of that gloriously exposed skin drew my eye, but the bandages refocused my attention. His abs were barely bruised this morning; just a faint yellow hinted at what had been.

Even with nanobots, healing that fast was incredible. Maybe he’d spent some extra time in the medbay before he came up to talk last night?

My eyes dropped lower. His boxer briefs did very little to conceal the impressive erection tenting the fabric.

“Sweetheart, you keep looking at me like that and we’re going to be back in the bed in two seconds flat.”

I lingered for a long second, torn between keeping my distance and gobbling him up. It was already going to hurt when he left. What was a little more pain?

He must’ve sensed my hesitation, though, because he turned away with a growl. “I put your clothes bag in the bathroom. After you get dressed, I’ll meet you in the mess.”

I showered—with hot water, soap, and shampoo—then put on the pale blue tunic and dull gold pants I’d tried to wear on TSD Nine. I draped the blue and gold scarf over my shoulders. Before I went out, I’d wrap it around my head and neck until just my eyes were visible as extra insurance against recognition.

The mess hall was half dining room, half galley. Two long tables that each sat eight took up most of the room. They were upgraded models with plastech tops modeled to look like wood.

A gleaming industrial kitchen lined the back wall. A state-of-the-art commercial food synthesizer was placed next to an old-fashioned fridge and stove. The extra weight alone proved that this was Richard’s personal ship—no merc captain would bother with real food prep when a synthesizer could do it for a fraction of the cost and weight.

Loch sat at the end of the first table and gestured me to a seat with a covered plate. I sat and removed the thermal cover. I was greeted with steaming eggs, bacon, and toast. I looked up in awe. “Thank you,” I said.

The corner of Loch’s mouth tipped up. “While I appreciate the fact that you think I can cook, you should thank Veronica. I just saved you a plate before Tiny ate it all.”

I took my time and savored the first real food I’d had since the Mayport. Though simple, the eggs and bacon were delicious.

“Where is Veronica?” I asked when I was finished.

“Last I heard, she was planning to let the kid burn off some energy in the fitness room.”

“Okay. I need to stop by and see how much I owe her and how she’d like the money, then I’m ready. You?”

“I’m ready.”

I could hear the shrieking laughter even before I made it all the way downstairs. Veronica’s voice came from the fitness room, artificially low. “I’m gonna get you!” By the time I made it to the door, Veronica had Lin pinned on the sparring mats and was tickling him breathless.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I said after Veronica had helped her son up, “but I’m getting ready to go out and need to talk to you for a second.”

Veronica pushed her messy hair behind her ears and came over, expression wary. “Should I get Imma to watch Lin?” she asked quietly.

“No, this is not that talk. I’m headed to the bank. How much do I owe you for the supplies and how would you like to be paid?”

Shock, surprise, then mild offense chased each other across her face. “You don’t owe me anything,” she said. “If anything, I owe you.”

“But—”

“No,” she snapped, low and fierce. “I would’ve paid anything to get off that planet. I would’ve given up every last penny. Paying for the supplies that allowed my escape is the least I can do.” She looked like an avenging angel and it transformed her from pretty into stunning.

I bowed low. “Thank you,” I said. “I accept your gift with gratitude.”

She smiled and the stunning goddess was once again a pretty woman. “I should’ve known you would understand.” She returned my bow.

I did understand. Knowing whether to accept a gift on first offer or to refuse once or more was part of my lessons so I didn’t embarrass our House. And if I had refused her generosity, it would’ve been an insult. But not only that, I also knew about the burning desire to be the master of your own future.

“Do you need anything while I am out?” I asked. “Or do you want to go with us?”

She thought about it then shook her head. “No, I will stay here with Lin and Imma.” She paused. “Unless you need protection. I may not be special ops as you requested, but I am not unskilled.”

“I’ve got it covered,” Loch rumbled from behind me. “Stay, play with your kid.”

“We’ll talk when I get back. Figure out what the plan is, what I can do to help,” I said. “I’ve shut down the ship’s external communications, so if you need to contact me, use your com. You have one, right?”