A twinkle formed in her eyes, and that beautiful smile graced her lips once again. His chest expanded, a strange euphoria filling his lungs.
“For you, apparently. We’re on our way to sector three to meet with the Sandowins. Even with the portal jumps, it will take us an interstellar week to get there, but we can drop you off at the inter-planetary base. You can catch a freighter headed to Earth.”
A hard ball formed in his gut. This time he was all too familiar with the emotion—fear. There was no way in hell he ever wanted to return to Earth. He steeled his features, hiding his true feelings, but he couldn’t stop his teeth from gnashing together.
She blinked. Her gaze narrowed. It seemed as if she could read him like a schematic. “Would you like a shower?”
The tension in his shoulders eased, at least for the moment. “Yes. Thank you, Captain.”
A quick, friendly smile graced her features, and she tugged on his shirt. “Come with me. There’s a private shower in my quarters. I’d hate for one of the crew to interrupt you in the bathing facility. After that, there’s some food in the commons.”
A shower and a meal sounded good, anything to take his mind off his future.
CHAPTER 5
Elle traipsed across the bridge to relieve the nervous energy flowing through her veins. The engines rumbled beneath her feet, evidence that they hurtled through space toward their destination. Her stomach twisted. They’d lost precious time picking up Angelo Thirteen, erasing the cushion they’d built in the schedule. She didn’t regret her decision, though. There was something about him, an unflustered tranquility that calmed her ragged nerves, easing into her soul like a welcome blanket. She’d left him in her room, giving him a fresh towel and one of the generic scrubs, size extra-large, from the crew’s shelves. To say his presence warmed her was an understatement.
She twirled her mother’s ring around her thumb. It had been two years since she’d had a male in her private quarters. Michale had been her last boyfriend, but after a heated argument one night and a slap to the face, she’d ended her short three-month relationship. He was so much like father. A shudder ran over her shoulders and down her back. From that day forward, she’d vowed to live life on her own, shelter her heart.
Angelo Thirteen was so unlike the men she’d dated, so level-headed, so quiet. Bringing him into her inner sanctuary spoke volumes of how much he’d affected her, but she still wasn’t convinced she could trust him.
She shook her head and fisted her hand. “Adalyn, how much farther?”
“The answer hasn’t changed since the last time you asked, two decitons ago.” Adalyn swiveled in her seat. A loud squeak pierced the air, reminding Elle to tell Britnie to fix the annoying noise. “Elle, please. I wish you’d take a break. Go grab a bite to eat or something.”
Elle pinched the bridge of her nose and exhaled. “I’m sorry, Adalyn. Just worried about this deal with the Sandowins.”
“We lost some time when we picked up our passenger.” Montoya’s quipped voice skated over Elle’s nerves.
Adalyn smirked. “You’re just jealous because you haven’t met him yet.”
“You two are as bad as Nuette and Britnie.” Any male on their planet would’ve jumped at the chance to bed a female who came on to him like her crew had, but not Angelo Thirteen. He’d kept his distance. Elle wondered why.
Montoya whistled. “Heads up. Prepare for the light speed jump. Approaching inter-dimensional portal in five, four, three, two, one.”
A loud thump resonated through the ship.
Paragon slowed.
Elle’s scalp prickled as her hair stood on end. “Assessment.”
“Can’t seem to pull up enough energy to power us through the portal.” Montoya’s usually calm voice held a trace of unease.
Elle tensed. Another delay was not what they needed. “Santek, analysis.”
“Failure in cold fusion reactor number three.” Santek’s low voice echoed through the bridge.
Montoya audibly inhaled. “Damn! Maybe we shouldn’t have pushed the reactors so hard.”
Elle’s throat constricted, and she swiped her finger across one of the gold chevrons on her arm, opening a channel throughout the ship. The air crackled. “Britnie, reactor three is down. Can you repair it?”
“Not sure. Give me five decitons and I’ll get back to you.”
Elle resumed her pacing, her feet striding across the smooth floor. Santek’s skin rippled, and the movement only increased her unease. “Santek, why didn’t you warn us something was wrong?”
“I was unaware the reactor was so touchy.” His smooth, calm voice only toyed with her nerves, like a sudden cat scratch, irritating and quick in its delivery.
Adalyn tapped her long nail against the screen. “Elle, the Sandowins may not wait—”
“I’m well aware that those bastards might leave if we’re late.” A pang of regret hit her in the stomach. She glanced at her friend. “Adalyn, forgive my scathing words.”
Adalyn gave her a quick nod. “We’re all under a lot of stress.”
Montoya grabbed Elle’s arm. “Circling around to prepare for relaunch.”
Elle turned to face her second in command. “Montoya…”
Over her friend’s shoulder, Angelo Thirteen leaned against the doorway. His dark stare met hers. Awareness prickled her skin.
The com-link screeched and Britnie’s rushed voice pierced the air. “Elle, the reactor has completely failed, and…”
“Go on, Brit.” Elle straightened her shoulders, her gaze still locked with Angelo Thirteen.
“We don’t have a spare.”
The firm hand of fear gripped Elle’s chest. Breathing became difficult, but she couldn’t let her crew down, couldn’t let her brother down. There had to be another solution. She pressed her lips together. “I’m open to suggestions.”
An eerie silence filled the air.
“I may be able to help.” Angelo’s deep voice resonated across the room, working its way into her chest.
A tingle of hope loosened Fear’s fingers. “I’m listening.”
“There is a small cold fusion reactor in my pod. Perhaps that will be enough. Let me see what I can do.”
Elle studied him for a long moment. His gaze never wavered from hers. Before she could change her mind, she nodded. “Thank you. Any help is appreciated.”
What choice did she have? She had to trust him.
CHAPTER 6
Elle’s stomach churned. She couldn’t sit in her chair any longer. Bracing her hands against the soft synth-coated armrest, she rose from her seat. Blood rushed south. Spots formed in her eyes. She held on to the back of her captain’s chair until her vision cleared, her fingernails digging into the soft material. Of all the bad luck, a defective reactor. How could this happen?
“Elle, you’re up and down, up and down. Please quit. You’re stressing me out.” Montoya swiveled in her chair. Her brow furrowed. “Don’t worry. Britnie will figure out how to fix the reactor.”
Don’t worry. If only Elle could stop herself. Her mouth went dry.