Bargain With the Enemy (11 page)

Steph shifted her weight uneasily.
Does she know I'm taking her only grandchild to another universe?

She said gruffly, ‘We're only here for a short visit. We're on our way to Darkos in a few days time.'

‘Of course. Ivo, why do you not offer our guest refreshments? As you can see, Stephanie, my mobility is severely limited.'

Ivo raised an eyebrow in silent enquiry.

‘I'm fine, honestly, but Mia's feed is almost due. I'll need our bags.'

‘My home is your home.' Ivo's eyes glinted and he indicated a single chair next to the chaise. ‘
Velon
, Stephanie, sit and relax until I return.'

Wow, he actually said please. Is this because his mother is in the room or is he shedding a layer of his habitual reserve?

Ivo marched from the room. Stephanie stared after him, admiring the broad width of his shoulders outlined in his flight uniform. When she turned back, she found Leance looking at her, speculation rife in her eyes.

There was no trace of tears on her face now. Instead the older woman looked quite pleased, a tiny smile playing about the corners of her wide mouth.

For some reason, heat flared over Stephanie's face and Leance's smile deepened.

‘Ivo is very much like his father,' Leance said. Her eyes took on a far-away expression.

‘Do you miss him?' asked Steph hesitantly, uncertain whether the Darkon woman's union had been an organised alignment forged from mutual interests or one of choice.

‘With every breath I take.'

Steph stared.

‘You are surprised, I see.' Leance tucked the blanket over Mia's legs but the baby promptly kicked it off again.

‘I thought being a Traditionalist…'

‘My family has long followed these beliefs but we were blessed. Our union became a meeting of true mates. Alas, my husband chose not to enlighten either of our sons with this truth and outwardly was a rigid up-holder of Traditionalist law.'

‘Then…' Steph stopped, feeling the tell-tale flush flaring like fire over her skin again.

Leance nodded, her smile disappearing. ‘You are correct. If matters had been different Neo would not have felt the need to escape from our lives, but then, perhaps he would never have this precious child. Tell me, Stephanie, was my son happy? Did he…did he find what he was seeking?'

Steph's throat clogged but she choked out, ‘Yes. Neo and Janeen loved each other very much. They didn't have a lot of time together but I don't believe either would have changed a thing.'

Leance's lips trembled as she whispered, ‘Thank you.'

They both stared down at the evidence of her son's love for several minutes in silence until the Darkon woman cleared her throat. Glancing up, she snagged Stephanie's gaze and said, ‘Tell me, Stephanie, what is it that you seek?'

‘Safety,' Steph answered too quickly and thinking,
a family.

Leance quirked an eyebrow. ‘Not your life mate?'

Her hands gripped together, Stephanie stared towards the empty doorway.

No, because I've already found him.

***

It wasn't until the evening meal before Stephanie saw Ivo again. After Mia had been fed and changed, Steph had murmured the excuse of putting Mia down to sleep and had been shown to her room. There she'd spent the rest of the afternoon, wallowing in a deep bath with real water and then dozing on her bed until the baby woke.

As she walked into the main living area clad yet again in her flight clothes, and with little Mia in her arms, Steph sighed. What she wouldn't give to wear a sexy, black dress that would be guaranteed to make Ivo's eyes pop out from his head.

But better still, make him forget all about his sterile ideas of marriage.

Would he leap from his chair? Sweep her off her feet and carry her to his room? Pay homage to every centimetre of her body with his lips, his hands. Lost in her blissful daydream, her gaze sought and zoomed in on him, standing near his mother's chaise. Her body tightened in heady anticipation at the lust glittering like gold dust in his eyes as he examined her in such a leisurely fashion, her toes curled inside her boots.

I want him so much it hurts.

Wrenching her gaze aside, she smiled at his mother.

‘Come and sit beside me, Stephanie.' Leance swung her legs to the floor and patted the chaise. ‘How is Mia? Did she sleep well?'

‘Yes but she's been a bit grizzly.'

Leance looked completely mystified.

Ivo started forward, a quick frown on his face and Steph added quickly, ‘Sorry. There's no problem. I think she's teething.'

Leance laughed. ‘I remember Ivo was like a wounded draptile. He kept me awake for many a day and night.'

I like this woman. She'd make a fabulous grandmother.
Stephanie peeped over Mia's head at Ivo whose attention remained fixed on the baby sucking with loud smacking noises on her fists. ‘Here, Ivo, hold her for a while, please.'

He strode over with alacrity and plucked Mia into his arms, hoisting her against his shoulder while he patted her back.

‘Ivo will make an excellent parent, do you not think so, Stephanie?'

Stop tormenting me.
Steph laughed and shook her head at the twinkle in Leance's eyes. Changing the subject she said, ‘I hope we're not having protein cubes for dinner.'

‘Negative. Real meat and vegetables, Stephanie. You will enjoy the meal,' said Ivo.

So typical of him, telling me what to do and think.
But the notion no longer rankled.

He added, ‘Before we join the others, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you.'

What others?
Like a coiling snake, suspicion rose and Stephanie tensed while Ivo strolled over to a viewing screen and spoke in a soft voice to Mia who stared at the changing colours.

‘We are waiting, Ivo,' said his mother drily.

‘There are several reports I wish you to examine. They deal with a recent expedition to one of our moons where we'd hoped to find viable, subterranean water. You have knowledge in such matters, I believe.'

‘On Earth I do, I'm not so sure if I'd be of any help here.'

‘I am certain your expertise can assist us greatly. In fact, there is a position in this field that will suit you.'

Stephanie shut her slack mouth with a snap. ‘Are you offering me a job?'

He hesitated a moment while he translated her idiom before shrugging his wide shoulders.

‘I'm not staying, remember?' Her voice was sharp as she struggled with resentment. ‘Anyway, I thought Traditionalists didn't believe in women holding down jobs or being equal in status to men.'

‘As you so sweetly pointed out to me, Traditionalist rules have been outlawed.'

Face as hot as an oven, she glared back at him.

‘How wonderful.' Leance clapped her hands, dragging Stephanie's gaze away from Ivo's infuriatingly impassive features. ‘Now you will be able to stay here, Stephanie. You could live here with us, I could assist with Mia and you will earn your own creds.'

I can't believe how tempting that sounds. But how can I sit back and watch Ivo marry that…that thing?

The sight of Leance's excited expression was like a punch in the chest for Stephanie. ‘Now look what you've done.' Stephanie ground her teeth then snapped a narrowed look at Ivo. ‘You don't trust me so why would you offer me work?'

‘Oh, Stephanie, of course he trusts you. The past rones, Ivo has spoken often of your courage and resourcefulness in protecting little Mia.' Leance beamed from one to the other.

‘My lies you mean,' Steph muttered.

Ivo snapped, ‘Then you admit you practiced deceit.'

‘Yes, I did and I'd do it again to get away from that planet!'

‘You deserted your post.' Mouth thin, he added, ‘And you stole.'

Stephanie threw her hands in the air. ‘I can't believe we're rehashing this crap. Yeah, I did all of those things, so you see what a trustworthy employee I'd make.'

‘It is not an employee role I am thinking of,' growled Ivo, his long strides making short work of pacing the tiled floor. Up to the windows then back down to the end of the room then back to the windows again. ‘But I accept you had little choice at the time.'

If not the job, then what did he mean?
Steph's heart did a quick pitter-patter.

‘What an interesting conversation,' mused his mother. Holding onto the arm of the chaise, she rose awkwardly to her feet.

Stephanie hurried to assist, scooping her hand under Leance's elbow.

‘We must not keep our guests waiting any longer.' Leance sent her a sideline look then added, ‘I believe you have met them, Stephanie. Fai and Gordo arrived one rone ago. They have many arrangements to discuss with Ivo.'

Feeling as if the floor had disappeared beneath her feet, Steph curled her fingers and forced out, ‘I bet.'
Yeah, like one marriage and Mia's future.

As if on cue, Gordo strolled into the room with his daughter Fai on his arm. Both stopped in their tracks, identical expressions of distaste frozen on their faces as they stared at Stephanie.

Ivo advanced to greet them, still holding Mia in his arms. No sooner had he reached their side, than the baby twisted around to face them, screwed up her tiny face and vomited.

Fai squealed and danced out of the way. Pointing, she cried, ‘A perfect example of how primitive is this creature.'

She stared down her nose at Stephanie. ‘I have made arrangements for the youngling to enter the academy. She will leave tomorrow.'

‘Mia isn't going anywhere without me and certainly not off to some boarding school! Ivo,' demanded Stephanie.

But Gordo cut in, ‘I will not have my family humiliated in this fashion, El Boeka. Either you rid yourself of these two off-worlders or the full might of the Traditionalist party will destroy you and all who bear your name.'

Stephanie raced to Ivo's side and grasped his sleeve. ‘Ivo, please. You can't send Mia away. I won't let you.'

He shook her off. ‘This is a family matter, Stephanie, and would be better addressed without your presence.'

‘I was right about you. You're incapable of being human.' Tears blinding her, her heart shattering into dust, she plucked Mia from his arms and ran from the room.

These days, I seem to spend way too much time hanging about departure bays.
Stephanie's mouth twisted wryly.

With Mia snug in a make-shift sling stuffed beneath an outsized flight shirt, Steph peered round the corner of a storage cabin to scan the terminal. There were a total of three shuttles squatting on the tarmac waiting for crew and passengers, one of which she suspected would belong to El Gordo and his lot. Two shuttles were in the process of being checked by techs and there was a small squad of Darkon soldiers loitering near the hangar doors.

This wasn't going to be easy. But she was all out of options. The idea of staying anywhere near Ivo was definitely off the table. How could she? Her stupid daydream where she and Mia and Ivo were one happy family had been nothing but a fantasy.

But with her pipe dreams evaporated like smoke, she needed to face reality.

Ivo was getting married.

And that creature he intended to bind himself to forever could never offer Mia the love and security she needed.

Sending a baby off to some horrible academy!

A declaration Ivo had refused to comment on.

He'd made it clear Stephanie meant nothing to him and could never be anything to him. He'd shrugged off her fear for Mia and no doubt as soon as she'd left the room, had ushered his precious guests to the dining area.

One thing last night's events had proved, she couldn't entrust Mia's welfare to Ivo.

After long hours spent alternately weeping into her pillow and walking around and around her room fuming, she finally accepted there was only one option left.

Return to Earth.

I made a promise to ensure Mia was safe and loved. I should never have allowed myself to be distracted by awesome abs and dark, sexy eyes.

She shrugged her backpack more securely over her shoulder and prising open her shirt she squinted down at the sleeping baby.
All good. Okay let's do it.

From the shelf beside her, she snatched up a coil of plasi-wire and with a tech's distinctive cap covering her head, she walked with purposeful steps towards Gordo's shuttle. No one hailed her, grabbed her arm. She kept walking. Heart thudding in slow, heavy thumps that pounded against her rib cage.

Any minute now I'm going to be sick.
She gritted her teeth and reached the side of Gordo's shuttle. The passenger door was wide open. Over to the right, two guards stood with their backs to her chowing down their early morning meal with what she assumed to be the other crew members. A female Ensign stood nearby holding a tray in her hands. One of the guards must have made an unwelcome suggestion for she suddenly whacked him over the head with the tray, much to the surrounding warriors' amusement.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Stephanie mounted the three steps and climbed on board. Moving quickly, she ducked inside the passenger section. A quick glance reassured her she was alone on the shuttle.

But she didn't have much time.

Gordo, the female icicle and their buddies were scheduled to lift off in ten minutes.

Where to hide?

She wound her way through the chairs bolted to the floor to a hatch at the rear. But it was locked.

The sound of voices outside had her spinning round, frantically seeking sanctuary. They'd arrived sooner than she'd expected.

Then the Darkon woman entered, her eyes widening with surprise as she spotted Steph.

Stephanie's arms closed protectively over the baby under her shirt as she asked, ‘I need to get to Darkos as soon as possible. Will you help me?'