Fearless (Battle Born Book 12) Read online

  Jakkin refilled her mug and then his own before moving the breakfast tray to the counter near the nutri-gen kiosk. “As I see it, we have two possible advantages.” He rejoined them at the table before listing, “One, their ship’s malfunctioning shields. And two, Marsden wants me dead badly enough to come running as soon as they sense the Fearless, which their ship can do even while we’re shielded.”

  Worry rippled across their link as he added the last phrase. She was thrilled that he’d left the connection open, but didn’t want him tying himself back in knots. She looked at their nearly silent guest, wanting to know more about him before offering an opinion. “Do you have a specific agenda?”

  Those strange, smoky-green eyes focused on her for the first time and she shivered. There was darkness in this man, serious darkness. “My agenda is whatever Commander Arvik requests of me. I was hired by Director Hoyt to assist with this mission. That is all.”

  “Director Hoyt?” She looked at Jakkin. “When did Morgan become involved in this?”

  “You know her?” He seemed surprised.

  “I know of her. Everyone in Solar Warden has been wondering for years when, or if, Morgan Hoyt would take over. She has some extremely powerful friends.”

  “I met her yesterday,” Jakkin explained, his expression hard to read. “And Solar Warden can stop wondering. She is now the new Shadow Leader.”

  “Shit,” she muttered. “That’s not going to sit well with Royce, or several of the other commanders. They’re all old school enough to resent being supervised by a woman.”

  Torrin’s gaze narrowed and he looked at her with new interest. “You seem to know a lot about Solar Warden. I thought you were one of the volunteers.”

  She shot him a challenging smile. “I’ll tell you my story, if you tell me yours.”

  Careful, love. I’m not sure he’s completely civilized.

  She understood Jakkin’s concern. Torrin reminded her of a jungle cat watching his prey from the shadows. Silent and deadly.

  “My story isn’t all that unusual,” Torrin claimed, but she didn’t believe him. “My father is Rodyte, my mother Ontarian, so I never felt comfortable on either planet. I didn’t do well with rules, but enjoyed the skills I gained while in the military. Being a hired gun gives me the best of both worlds.”

  If it was a lie, he used it frequently. The tale was just detailed enough to seem plausible, yet not so detailed that it seemed contrived. Still, she was positive there was much more to the story than he’d just said.

  “And you?” he prompted. “Why does a volunteer for the transformation program know so much about an organization that’s not supposed to exist?”

  “I used to work for Solar Warden. In fact, they sent me here to sabotage the rebels, but I met Jakkin and things got complicated.”

  Torrin chuckled and for just a second, his eyes seemed to swirl. “Sounds about right.”

  “Shall we get back to the mission?” Jakkin had silently watched the exchange, but hadn’t seemed jealous until Torrin smiled.

  “Royce Marsden was my commanding officer for two years right after I joined Solar Warden.” She wasn’t sure if the connection would help them or not, but she knew the jerk fairly well. Maybe she could offer perspective.

  Torrin seemed more interested in the fact than Jakkin, or maybe her mate just didn’t want her anywhere near the mission. “Obviously our first challenge will be locating his ship.”

  “That won’t be as much of a challenge as you think,” Torrin predicted. “Marsden contacted a human engineer about the malfunctioning shield generator and he reported back to Morgan. According to the engineer, not only are the shields still failing intermittently, they’re giving off a detectable signal.”

  Jakkin nodded. “That will definitely help. So how do we proceed once we locate him? I’m thinking something quick and stealthy rather than a ship-to-ship shootout.”

  “Can you bio-stream through his new shields?” Kelsey asked.

  “I don’t know. We haven’t had a reason to try.”

  “Let’s plan for either situation,” Torrin suggested.

  “Agreed. If we can stream on board, I say we make it quick and direct. I’ll have my first officer distract Marsden while we stream over and grab him. One of us can incapacitate him with a pulse weapon while the other covers any guards or stray crewmembers.”

  Torrin thought for a moment then shrugged. “Works for me, but missions are seldom that simple. What do we do when it all falls apart?”

  Jakkin chuckled. “You’re right. We had a similar plan with Shadow Leader and it didn’t work for shit. So, let’s presume we won’t be able to bio-stream over. How do we get on board?”

  “Your fist officer could offer to sell you to him?” Torrin didn’t seem thrilled with the idea even as he offered it.

  Jakkin shook his head. “Marsden would never believe it. Too convenient.”

  “Marsden knows Shadow Leader was captured. What does he think happened to me?” Kelsey asked.

  “Not a chance.” Jakkin didn’t even stop to consider her question. “I’m the bait for this trap, not you.”

  “Just hear me out. Marsden wants you dead. That’s true. He’s also crazy enough to blow up the Fearless instead of going after you personally.” Jakkin tensed, but he didn’t speak, so she went on, “We need to give him a reason to hesitate. If I can convince him I’ve been your prisoner all this time—”

  “I said no.” Protective determination blasted across their link.

  She scooted to the edge of her seat, ready for a real fight this time. “I’m a trained operative, Jakkin. Solar Warden is filled with humans. If I’d be facing Rodytes, you’d have reason for concern, but I can hold my own with any human. You know I can.”

  Torrin wisely kept his opinions to himself. He just sat back and watched the argument, not reacting with either words or expression.

  After a long pause, Jakkin said, “Only if I go with you.”

  She shook her head. “That would make him suspicious. If I take off in a shuttle, begging for help, he’ll feel honor bound to assist a fellow agent.”

  Torrin looked at Jakkin, clearly waiting for his reaction.

  Jakkin’s jaw clenched, then unclenched, but defiance simmered just below the surface of his calm exterior. “There is no way in all of hells rings you’re doing this alone.”

  “I’ll go with her,” Torrin offered, a hint of amusement gleaming in his eyes.

  “And how do we explain you?” Jakkin snapped.

  “You won’t have to,” he replied with a mysterious smile. “I’ll alter the rhythm of my pulmonary pump to make it sound more mechanical, then I’ll lower my body temperature so scanners don’t detect me as a life form. They won’t even know I’m there until I’m ready for them to understand the danger.”

  Jakkin’s eyes widened, then his brows scrunched together. “You’re a cyborg?”

  Torrin laughed and his eyes definitely swirled for a second. “I prefer mechanically enhanced humanoid, but I’m not insulted by the term. I was born, not manufactured, so it’s hard to pin down what I am.”

  “Then you could hide aboard the shuttle and Marsden’s crew would think I was alone.”

  Torrin nodded. “Once we’re inside the shuttle bay, I’ll network with the ship’s computer and disable their shields. That will allow Jakkin to bio-stream strike teams to strategic locations all over their ship.”

  Jakkin was still having none of it. “We’ll figure out something else.”

  Kelsey had him and she knew it. Her idea made perfect sense, especially with Torrin’s assistance. Jakkin was just being protective of his mate. “So come up with a better idea and I’ll support you.”

  “I don’t like it. I don’t like anything about it.”

  If concern and tenderness hadn’t been pulsing across their link, she would have been annoyed by his stubbornness. As it was, his insistence made her feel important, special. “They won’t see it coming. That’s a hug
e advantage. We all know it will work.”

  Jakkin didn’t argue any more. Instead, he looked at Torrin and asked, “Can you work with my bridge officers. Explain exactly what needs to happen so they can locate Marsden’s ship.”

  “Of course.” Torrin stood, clearly preparing to leave.

  It was a pleasant surprise when Jakkin said, “I’ll either come up with a viable alternative, or we’ll move forward with Kelsey’s plan as soon as our target has been acquired. One way or the other, Marsden is going down.”

  * * * * *

  Jakkin was still frantically scheming for an alternate plan when they finished the evening meal. He drained his wineglass then set it aside so he could focus on his stubborn mate. She sat across from him and she was so damn beautiful it made him ache just looking at her. How could he send her into danger and not even be by her side? But she was right. She wasn’t a helpless female. She was a well-trained field operative. He knew firsthand how well she could fight.

  “So what do you do once you and Torrin are on board Marsden’s ship?” Challenge rang through his tone.

  Her gaze snapped to his. Clearly, she hadn’t expected the question. “I’ll neutralize Marsden while Torrin works his magic on the ship. Like he said, he’ll lower their shields so you can bio-stream enough of your people on board to subdue their crew. Then we can fly the ship back to the Bunker. It’s probably best to lock Marsden’s crew in one of the cargo bays so they don’t try to regain control on the way back to Earth.”

  Her plan was clean and logical. He didn’t want to like it, but he had to admit it was solid. “And how do we convince him that you’re an uncooperative prisoner rather than a pampered guest?”

  “You know the answer, love. You just don’t like it.”

  He tensed, forcing himself to confront the one detail that made him nauseous. The only way Marsden would believe she was an escaped prisoner was if she looked the part. Restraint marks and bruises, she needed to appear tired and traumatized. “Rodytes don’t abuse females.”

  “If I were truly your prisoner, I would have been questioned at the very least. Marsden knows my disposition. He’d expect me to put up a fight.”

  If she were a man, he wouldn’t hesitate. He’d work over a fellow soldier, make damn sure he appeared pathetic, and Jakkin wouldn’t feel an instant of regret. “I can’t hurt you.” It broke his heart even to imagine such a thing.

  “Then you have to let me spend some time with someone who can. I don’t think Torrin will have a problem giving me a few bruises for the overall good of the mission.”

  Jakkin clenched his fists, but he was desperate to defend her not abuse her. “And how do I keep from killing him once he does?” His belly grew so tight his stomach cramped. “Everything within me needs to protect you.”

  “This will protect me. It will make Marsden feel sorry for me, which will keep me safe long enough for Torrin to come out of hiding.” She stilled suddenly and her gaze narrowed. “How fast does a mating bond work?”

  “Why in creation would you want to conceive right before participating in a dangerous mission?”

  She laughed. “That’s not what I meant. We were told that bonding with a Rodyte makes humans faster, stronger and healthier. It’s the faster and stronger part I’m talking about. If you claimed me tonight, how fast would I feel the effects of the connection?”

  The question made him so angry he had to look away. She was finally agreeing to bond with him and the primary reason was a mission? It was so callous, so—

  She reached across the table and touched his hand. He reluctantly turned his face back around but still couldn’t meet her gaze.

  “I already told you I love you and want to be your mate,” she pointed out. “Why is this making you so angry?”

  “Everything about this is making me angry.” It was true and yet he was intensely disappointed by her motivation.

  “Jakkin.” She paused until he looked into her eyes. “Do I need to say it again? I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. The past six weeks have been one crisis after another, so the timing didn’t seem right. But you’re concerned about my safety and doing something we fully intend to do anyway might give me an unexpected edge.”

  He searched her expression, then searched her mind, allowing his empathic receptors to help him interpret her emotions. She wasn’t just telling him what he wanted to hear. She honestly meant what she’d just said. “The couple often feels a rush of energy and stamina after forming the bond. The strength and speed tends to develop over time, but you’ll feel some increase immediately.”

  “And do you have a problem with claiming me? You still seem hesitant?”

  “Do I?” He stood so fast his chair toppled and he rounded the table. She scrambled out of her chair, but he easily caught her and swung her up into his arms. Without another word, he carried her into the bedroom and sat her down beside the bed.

  He had her dress half unbuttoned when she started laughing. “Okay, I get the point. You’re fine with the plan. Can we slow down for once? I’ve had my fill of fast and frantic.”

  She had a legitimate point. Every time he touched her lately he seemed to go up in flames. He took a deep breath and pressed his hand against the side of her face. “I’ll keep this slow and tender for as long as I can, but Rodyte bondings tend to be intense.”

  “More intense than every time we make love?”

  She’d soon find out, so he didn’t bother with an answer. He bent and captured her mouth with his. Kissing her was the best sort of torture. Her taste sent need zinging through his entire body and her eager responses drove him crazy. She wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her soft breasts against his chest, which only accented the fact that they were still dressed.

  Without separating their mouths, he eased back far enough to finish unbuttoning her dress. Then he eased the garment off her shoulders and she pulled her arms free of the sleeves. She wiggled and the dress fell to the floor, but she was still wearing undergarments. He unfastened her bra and she quickly discarded the annoying scrap of material. His hands found her breasts of their own volition, so he just enjoyed their weighty softness for a moment.

  She felt around inside his collar, but couldn’t locate the seam release. “How the hell do these things work?”

  He chuckled and guided her fingers to the subtle indentation. They pressed on the trigger together and his uniform top split down the center. She looked at one side and then the other, clearly distracted by the mystery.

  “It’s sort of like the plastic zipper on a storage bag,” she concluded.

  He didn’t understand the reference and didn’t really care enough to ask her to explain. He just wanted her bare body rubbing against his. She easily found the release on his pants now that she knew what it felt like. The seam parted and he pushed his pants down, then kicked them aside. He’d taken his boots off when he first arrived, so they were each left in underwear.

  She wanted to go slowly, so he made no move to remove their final garment. He needed the reminder if nothing else. He cupped her breast and she stroked his chest, each visually caressing the other. He loved that the shape of his body gave her such pleasure. And the pleasure was returned. He loved every curve and hollow of her soft form.

  He pulled down the covers and they crawled into bed together. She lay on her back and he lay on his side, arm tucked under her neck. His mouth found hers again as his hand slid over her breasts and belly. He took his time, savoring each discovery as he touched and tasted his mate. Their link was wide open, their emotions flowing freely.

  She stroked his side, his hip, quickly reaching for his cock. He caught her wrist and pulled her hand away, intoxicated by the sudden rise in her desire. “Not if you want me to go slowly.” With a sensual grumble, she moved her hand back to his hip.

  They kissed and kissed, their lower bodies gently rubbing as her nipples grew tight beneath his fingers. “Okay.” She panted against his damp lips. “Ma
ybe not this slow.”

  He laughed and moved on top of her. She parted her legs, making room for his knees between her thighs. He kissed his way down the side of her neck while her hands caressed every part of him that she could reach.

  His lips latched on to one breast as his fingers teased the other. She arched and twisted as if she couldn’t decide if she wanted to push him away or pull him nearer. That might well be the case. Bonding fever could be unpredictable.

  Bonding fever. He was about to claim his mate!

  He’d never expected this day to come, could barely believe his good fortune.

  Sliding lower, he opened her legs with his shoulders. She combed his hair with her fingers and a fresh wave of excitement rushed across their link. He loved tasting her soft center and she clearly loved being tasted. Her arousal fueled his, creating a continual loop of fiery need.

  He paused to bask in her scent, then reached for the sides of her panties. She lifted her hips and raised her legs nearly to her chest, allowing him to slip off her final garment. He gently caressed her folds with his thumb as he breathed her in. Already she was wet and ready for their joining, but he’d just begun to enjoy her eagerness. He lowered his head and traced her slit with his tongue tip, caressing without parting. She groaned, but held perfectly still. He licked her again and again until she started moving beneath him, rocking against his mouth as he slowly ventured deeper.

  Her cream coated his tongue and her taste filled his mouth, sending demanding passion spiraling through his body. He pushed right into her core, filling her with his tongue as he’d soon fill her with his shaft. Her legs shook against his shoulders and her fingers tangled in his hair.

  “Please, Jakkin. Please!”

  He knew what she wanted, but wasn’t quite ready to give it to her. He enjoyed her slick softness for a while longer, then slowly raised his head so he could see her flushed face. Her eyes were closed, her mouth parted, her back slightly arched. Lovely. Perfect. His.

  Very slowly, he pushed two fingers into her core. Her inner muscles tightened and she moaned. Oh yeah, she was close. He leaned back down and licked her clit as he pulled his fingers nearly out. She gasped, tilting her hips as if trying to recapture his fingers. Happy to oblige her, he slid his fingers deep again and left them there while he concentrated on her sensitive clit.