Knight, Dee S. - Bride of the Pryde (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (5 page)

GENverts, or gender-perverted individuals, were genetically manipulated so as to be unsuitable for sex. Used as a form of population control for centuries, the process left males unable to perform and women with no vagina. The government had dictated that another genetic marker be changed at the same time in order to identify GENverts among the general human population. A square-shaped, strawberry-colored birthmark appeared on their necks, just below their right ears. Susan had such a mark—had had it since birth. She considered it a lucky talisman, an accident of true genetics, and a useful tool.

Being thought gender-perverted kept the whole notion of sex out of the equation when Susan dealt with the bastards she did. When the urgency for sex almost choked her, she found some reason to disappear. In her hideaway or Centre City, she took care of her baser instincts, though not with the complications that came with having sex with a man. She had taken an impressive collection of sex toys with her on her trip to Earth, in fact, and had looked forward to spending her nights in Centre City amusing herself while releasing pent-up needs. Too bad they had all been in the suitcase left in the office vault.

But now, faced with the three pilots, she would have to fight for control of her emotions every minute, just when discovering who in the DAT had betrayed her and how to save both herself and her reputation required her full attention. The absolute last thing in the world she needed was three months with the crew of
Erik’s Pryde
. For the first time, she wondered if truly being a GENvert wouldn’t make life easier in some ways.

The passageways she traversed to her cabin showed wear and tear although they were neat and clean. The ship obviously had age on her, regardless of how the captain tried to hide it. Hopefully she had pick up and go where it counted.

Like the rest of the ship, Susan’s cabin verged on the edge of shabby, without the chic. The paint on the bulkheads appeared faded, and the sparse furnishings showed nicks and dents. If Captain Erik had stretched the truth on the COMM and he’d had passengers cancel in the past, Susan didn’t question why. He had nothing to offer a traveler of any discrimination. She wondered if Danessa Vanessa had any idea of the accommodations she’d booked, or if she would care, being from the outlands.

Whatever the former dancer expected, Susan now reaped her choice. She looked at the opened suitcase on the bed. Her bag lay on the bed from when she had removed her Renthaur X-89. She felt naked without it. At least she hadn’t detected a hint of anything among the crew that indicated she would need her weapon on the flight, as no sense of danger emanated from the three men. Now that robot was a different matter. She’d disconnect his diode in a skinny minute.

She sighed when rumbles sounded from her stomach. “Wonder what the food’s like?” she mused.

“Pretty good,” came Erik’s response from behind her.

She spun, resisting the urge to reach for the gun that was no longer in her bag on the bed.

“I thought I locked that door.”

He shrugged. “The captain has access to any part of the ship.”

“And you felt you needed access to my cabin, without knocking?”

“I did knock. You didn’t answer. I worried something had happened. Some women don’t adapt well to the idea of a long time in space.”

Susan gave him her most witheringly patronizing smile. “Why, I just don’t know what I would do without you big, strong men to worry about me.”

It seemed to take him a moment to realize she was bullshitting him. What century was this guy from? Probably the same as his ship.

“Why did you lie about having me on board? And please don’t say that you wanted to protect me. What are you hoping to gain?”

“Who says I want anything?”

“Right,” she said, hands on hips. “
Every
one wants something, Captain Erik.”

“Let’s just say I don’t care for the authorities ordering me around for no reason. Plus, Charlie vouched for you. He evidently saw something in you that—sorry—made him want to protect you. That’s the kind of guy Charlie is, sweet and old-fashioned.”

Erik smiled, as grim a smile as Susan’s had been false. “Don’t think I suffer from the same characteristics. I lied about your being here, and my butt is in a sling because of it. If it turns out you’re wanted by the authorities for a good reason and I made a mistake trusting Charlie, I will hand over your beautiful ass faster than you can imagine. It’s in your best interest to play straight with me. Who are you?”

“Danessa Vanessa.” She held up her hand to stop Erik’s next words. “Or Shanna Ziegler, if you prefer.”

He snorted. “Stop lying. I just checked your fingerprints from the seat arm to the biometrics Ms. Ziegler submitted when she bought her ticket. Aside from your looks, which, as Dilly stated, are like a wet dream come to life, the one thing I know about you for a fact is that you are not Shanna Ziegler.”

“What a charming way you have about you, Captain.”

He shrugged again. “I speak plainly. In space, where decisions have to be made in split seconds, there’s little time for finesse. Maybe you haven’t experienced that in your own life.”

“You might be surprised. Now, whether you think you know who I am or not, I am a passenger on your ship. You’ve lied about that fact and then evaded a direct order to allow the government to board your ship. Whoever I am pales in comparison to the laws you’ve broken, so please don’t attempt to preach to me.” She gestured toward the bed. “Now if you’ll allow me privacy to unpack…”

“She’s a cocky bitch. I like that.” Dilly came up behind Captain Erik. He rubbed his crotch. “Let me spend some time with her, Captain. I’ll find out who she is.”

Erik shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Dilly, stop it. You couldn’t screw a woman if she was willing and handed you a screwdriver.”

“Besides, you stupid pile of rivets and circuitry, I’m GENvert.”

Erik studied her, brows raised. Dilly sputtered, “Pile of rivets and—” He narrowed his gaze. “Take off your clothes and spread your legs, and let’s just see if you’re GENvert.”

“Quite a ship’s steward you have there, Captain.”

“I am
not
a steward,” Dilly said with all the dignity he seemed able to muster. “I am an assistant.” He turned and walked away stiffly.

“He can dish it out but not take it, huh?”

“Dilly’s…sensitive, despite his believing that if he thinks something he also should say it. He does a good job of keeping the ship clean and in good basic repair, plus cooking and generally whatever else we need.”

“So I was right, he’s a steward.”

“As far as it goes. He’s also been with me for a hell of a long time. Don’t mistake his lack of verbal filter and sensitive nature for a lack of will or loyalty. If I tell him to secure you here in your cabin, he’ll do it without question.” He stared without blinking, emphasizing the threat. Susan hated that she looked away first.

“Understood. Now if you’ll excuse me?”

“Lunch is served in a couple of hours. Until then, I’d prefer you stay on the bridge with the rest of us.” He backed up a step into the passageway and waited, as though he assumed she would comply without question.

Captain John “John-is-too-ordinary-for-fabulous-me” Erik has no idea who he’s dealing with.

But damn him! He had thrown her off balance, something no man had managed in years. She was trained to prevent it, had been taught methods designed to protect her thoughts and feelings in all situations and had employed them all successfully, but he still confused her.

“I’d prefer not to.”

“Be that as it may.” He swept his hand in front of him, in effect brushing her out of the room. Other than an out-and-out fight, she had little choice. She preceded him to the bridge, where she took her seat and said nothing. Fury fueled her emotions, but she mastered them every bit as well as Captain Erik.

“I just wanted to let you know,” Erik said with a smug expression as he settled into the captain’s seat, “there’s another fact I can add to my information about you.”

“And what’s that?” Susan placed her hands on her hips and gazed back with all the authority she could bring to the moment.

“As sure as I’m a man, you’re absolutely
not
GENvert.”

“GENvert!” Charlie sounded disbelieving.

When Erik swiveled toward the front screen, Susan couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

* * * *

“GENvert! Who the hell is she kidding?” Erik muttered to Adam as they entered the wardroom, or dining area.

“Since there’s only one ‘she,’ I know who you mean, but what’s this about being GENvert?” Adam had already plotted a path to their delivery point that avoided the flight plan they registered with the Galactic Flight Authority on Earth. The two of them took a quick break for coffee, an ancient drink that Erik insisted they have on board.

“That’s what she claims to be.”

Adam snorted a laugh. “You don’t need to be a psychic to know that’s a lie. I couldn’t read her thoughts, but the pheromones she threw off when she thought we might be boarded were all potent female.”

“She’s one cool woman in tight situations, used to control. I kinda like seeing her off balance.” Erik grinned at Adam. “I just left her speechless.”

Adam considered that. “Not a common occurrence, I’d guess.”

Erik didn’t like leaving the woman on the bridge with only one of them to watch her. His cup full, they hurried back.

“What’s got Dilly so pissed?” Charlie asked. “He’s throwing things around in the galley to the point we can hear him up here.”

Erik stared pointedly at their passenger. “Our guest insulted him.”

“Oh. Well, that’ll pass soon enough then.” Charlie turned serious. “What are we going to do about the GFA? They know where we’re going, no matter how we change the flight path to get there.”

Erik rubbed his jaw. “I know. How’s that new plan coming, Adam?”

“The best I can come up with will shoot the fuel supply all to hell. Unless…”

“Yeah?”

Adam looked at each of his companions before speaking. “We can cut a day off that flight plan if we cut through Heron’s orbital area.”

“Oh, man,” Charlie breathed at the same time Erik said, “Fuck!”

Erik stood and paced before the console, hands on hips. “Are you sure?” he asked tightly. He glanced at Danessa, but she stared out the front viewing screen, seeming to study the blankness of space stretched out before them.

“I’ve checked it twice. I don’t see any other way without running the risk of free-float. Emptying our fuel tanks will leave us vulnerable until we can contact someone to tow us in, and that leaves us open to that someone being the agency we’re trying to evade.”

“Damn, I should have handed her over.” An inelegant snort sounded behind him. He ignored her.

“I assume I am able to go to the bathroom?” she asked.

“Of course,” Erik responded. “Dilly!”

“You bellowed, Captain?” Dilly appeared on the bridge as though he’d anticipated being called.

“Escort our guest to the head, please.”

“With
pleasure
.” He glared at her. She returned it with a withering look.

“Just escort her, Dilly.” Erik called after them, “No peeking!”

Charlie frowned. “I’m sorry, Captain. I know I recommended we protect her.”

Erik stopped and gazed out the front screen into the blackness. “No, you were right, Charlie. She’s not the most likeable female, but she definitely needs someone. It’s just our luck we ended up being the ones.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The question is how to deal with the situation I’ve put us in.”