Rescuing Rory (12 page)

“I know you’re watching and listening, little brother.” Amos glanced up at one of the monitors and waved. “I’ll take care of your girl.”

Kal should have known better. Amos knew him well and expected him to observe. Kal shrugged and leaned back in his chair to watch and listen. He kept one eye on the search he was running for Jasper and the other on the monitor. He was vaguely aware of Flynn and Garth working behind him.

Amos reached the door to Kal’s quarters and knocked once before putting his hand on the security lock. It was coded for all the brothers so the panel slid open. The visual security for their quarters were disabled as all of them liked their privacy. As long as the door to his room remained open, Kal could use the hall monitor just outside to see into the space.

Rory glanced over her shoulder and then jumped to her feet when Amos stepped into the room. “What do you want?” The suspicion in her voice was edged with fear.

“Kal said you’re a mechanic.”

“Yeah, so what?” Her tone was getting more belligerent by the second. Her shoulders were squared and her hands were curled into fists by her side. Kal knew she was afraid and trying not to show it. If he didn’t know her so well, he might not have noticed it.

“Come with me.” Amos motioned to the door. “We’re going to the engine room.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you, buddy. I don’t know you at all.” Kal almost broke into the conversation but held his tongue as he wondered what Amos would do next.

“But you know Kal. Trust him too.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Rory’s gaze darted around the room. Kal could tell she was looking for a weapon of some kind. It struck him like a blaster shot to the midsection that she thought Amos was there to make a move on her.

“Kal knows I’m here.” Amos cocked his head to one side and studied her. “If you want to stay, if you want to be part of the crew, I have to know what your skills are.”

“I just bet you do.” Rory edged toward the bathroom. He noted that her hands were shaking.

Kal hated seeing her this upset. “Rory, it’s okay.” She froze when she heard his voice over the communication system. “You can trust Amos.” What he didn’t say was that she could trust him. Once she got to know his brothers better she’d never have these kinds of doubts again.

She glanced around her but stopped her furtive movement toward the only other room in the small quarters. “You’ll be there.”

“I’m here. I’ll always be here.” He knew both Flynn and Garth were listening to him but didn’t care. This was all about reassuring Rory. “You won’t be alone,” he promised.

Rory released a pent-up breath, her entire body wilting for a moment before she straightened. “Okay.” She faced Amos. “Lead on to the engine room.”

Amos stepped out and waited for her to follow him. “This way.”

Chapter Nine

Hours later, Kal concentrated on his search for Jasper, paying only minimal attention to Amos and Rory. The two of them were speaking a language he barely understood. No doubt about it, Rory knew her way around engines and mechanical systems. More than that, she seemed to be enjoying herself.

He glanced at the monitor and chuckled. Rory was wearing an old pair of overalls that were way too big on her. Both the sleeves and legs were rolled up into thick cuffs. She was on her back half under one of the thrusters with Amos sprawled beside her. The two of them were fiercely engrossed on whatever they were doing.

“Seems she wasn’t lying.”

Kal glanced up at Flynn. “Seems she wasn’t.” It was only he and Flynn in the control room. Garth had left several hours ago to catch some sleep. They had someone manning the control deck at all times, which meant one of them caught up on sleep during the daytime hours. None of them minded. It was a small price to pay for peace of mind and safety. They’d long ago learned to nap whenever able and they could all function on little rest.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea,” Flynn began, making Kal tense all over again. “But if she makes you happy that’s all I care. She’s still on probation until I say otherwise.”

“Understood.” He didn’t have to like it but he did understand his brother’s reasoning. Rory was still very much an unknown quantity.

“Go get her and feed her.” Flynn frowned. “And she’s going to need clothes.”

Kal suppressed a grin, knowing his brother wouldn’t appreciate it. Part of Flynn might be ready to toss Rory out at the next planet stop but the other part, the protective side of Flynn was already taking care of her. Kal knew that was the first sign of his acceptance.

“I’m on it.” Just as he pushed away from his station, a monitor beeped. He slid back in and started tapping on his keyboard.

“What is it?” Flynn demanded.

“I think I’ve found Jasper Freeman. He’s not listed as the official owner of the compound but I tagged some of Freeman’s known associates as well. This property is owned by one of his staunchest supporters. It’s a big property and seems to be the hub for his little cult.” He brought up the map and coordinates. “A planet called Eden, it’s part of the Aurora Cluster.” He sent the flight data to Flynn. “You can set a course.”

Flynn didn’t waste any time. “We’ll have to stop for supplies before we reach there. We need to restock and Rory needs clothes.”

Kal consulted the maps once again and made a quick search. “Oasis is on the way.” The small supply planet was at a crossroads between three different systems. They’d stopped there before.

Flynn quickly set a course. Kal could see the tension in his brother’s body. “We’ll find her.” He wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince, himself or Flynn.

“I know.” Flynn stared out into the wide expanse of space that lay before them.

It would take them a week to reach Oasis and several weeks after that before they finally made Eden. Kal knew that no matter how long it took they wouldn’t stop looking. This wasn’t the first lead they’d had but it was the best one. And it was thanks to Rory.

Kal went to his brother and waited until Flynn acknowledged him. “I probably don’t say this enough but thank you for everything you’ve ever done and continue to do for all of us.”

Flynn shrugged. “You’re my brothers.”

And that said it all. To Flynn that was reason enough for everything he’d ever sacrificed. Kal reached out and dragged his brother into a hug. “We wouldn’t have survived without you,” he whispered.

Flynn returned his hug. “You won’t ever have to worry about that. I’m too mean to die.”

Kal laughed in spite of himself. Flynn released him and thumped him on the back, and Kal was grateful he was wearing a battlesuit. It would, hopefully, keep him from bruising too much. Sometimes his brother didn’t know his own strength.

“Go see your girl,” Flynn told him. Kal didn’t need a second invitation.

“Call me if you need me.”

Flynn just waved him away and turned back to staring out into space.

* * * * *

Rory would be the first to admit she was having the time of her life. It had been far too long since she’d been able to tinker with an engine and she’d missed it. There was something in the way all the parts of a system went together and worked in harmony, an order that helped ground her in spite of all the uncertainty in her life. Amos was indeed a kindred soul. His engine room was as pristine as hers had been.

She faltered as the familiar pain lanced her heart. Her father and the
Traveler
were both lost to her. But she had a chance to build a new life.

“What do you think?”

It hadn’t taken Amos long to accept that she knew what she was talking about but he continued to test her knowledge. “I think if we add another fuel cell to this unit we can get another twenty percent capacity out of it.” She’d done it with her father’s ship.

“What about the cost?” he pointed out. “Fuel cells aren’t cheap.” Amos slid out from under the thruster and wiped his hand on a rag he pulled out of his pocket. Like her, he was wearing overalls. The only difference was his fit him. The pair she was wearing bagged on her everywhere.

She slid out and accepted the rag when he handed it to her. “They might not be cheap but you won’t worry about that when space pirates are on your tail.” She finished cleaning her hands as best as she could and handed the rag back to him.

The panel slid open with a
whoosh
and Kal stood in the doorway. She knew she had grease on her face and her hair was probably all standing on end but she didn’t care. She was just so happy to see him.

Kal grinned at her. “Looks like you’re having fun.”

“I am.” She pushed to her feet and paused, uncertain as to whether she should go to him or not. Kal solved the problem by coming to her and pulling her into his arms.

“Told you she knew her stuff,” he said to his brother.

Amos stood and shoved the dirty rag into his pocket. “So you did. You realize I’m conscripting her into service immediately.”

Pride and pleasure swamped her. Rory knew she was grinning like an idiot but couldn’t stop. To have her skills accepted by Kal’s brother meant a lot to her.

“Flynn won’t like the fact she wants to spend his money.” Amos gave her a pointed look.

Rory scowled. “It’s his choice. I only told you what’s possible.”

“I’ll talk to him about it. I think it’s a good idea.” Amos winked at her and she realized he’d been teasing her. The knot in her stomach slowly unclenched. “I’m out of here,” he continued. “I expect you’ll be busy for the rest of the day. I’m going to catch some shuteye.”

Amos got all the way to the door before he glanced back. “See you later.” He looked at her overalls. “We’ll get a pair that fits you.”

Rory felt like a little kid who’d been promised a treat. She was going to be doing work she loved once again.

Kal leaned down and kissed her. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

“I really did.” It was the most normal she’d felt in a long time.

“Good.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her out of the room.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Taking you to bed. Any objections?”

Rory wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his chin. “Nope. None at all.”

“Are you hungry?”

She thought about it. “A little.”

“Why don’t you get cleaned up while I fetch us something from the galley.” When they reached Kal’s room, he set her on her feet beside the door. He motioned for her to place her palm on the sensor. “Put your hand in the center and leave it there.”

She did as he asked and watched as he punched a series of codes into the security lock.

“Take your hand away,” he instructed.

She pulled it back by her side, her fingers curling involuntarily into her palm. She shifted from one foot to the other while he finished with yet another series of codes. Her father had been security conscious but Kal and his brothers took it to a whole other level.

Kal smiled and motioned to the panel. “Try it.”

She placed her palm on the security lock and the door slid open. A jolt of pleasure went through her. She was coded into the system, at least for this room. She was under no misconception she could enter any other section. It was a start.

He set her on her feet. “I’ll be back.”

Rory stood in the room amazed at how much her life had changed in such a short time. She hugged herself even as she hurried to the bathroom. It didn’t take her long to divest herself of the overalls and clothing she wore under them and take a spin in the cleansing unit. When she was done, she gathered her belongings, carried them out into the other room and laid them on the chair. She went to the dresser and was digging around for a clean shirt when the door opened behind her.

She jolted and grabbed for her discarded shirt but stopped when she saw Kal. He was carrying a tray that was tilting precariously to the right.

“You’re going to drop that,” she told him.

He overcompensated and bobbled the tray before righting it. He set it on the desk and came toward her. “You are so damn beautiful.” He cupped her face, leaned down and kissed her. “I’m a lucky bastard.”

“I’m the lucky one,” she told him between kisses.

“I promised myself I’d leave you alone for a day or two.” He worked his lips over her jaw and down the curve of her neck. “You’ve got to be sore.”

She was a little but she didn’t want to stop. “Not too sore.”

Kal groaned and nipped her shoulder. She gasped and then moaned as her entire body turned to molten need. He was still dressed, which wasn’t fair, so she worked his flightsuit open and dragged it down his arms.

“You should tell me to stop,” he told her as he yanked open the front of his battlesuit. She was getting used to his layers of clothing.

She placed her hands on his chest, toying with the hair on his chest. “But I don’t want you to stop.”

Kal swore, picked her up and tossed her onto the bunk. Rory laughed, feeling freer and happier than she’d been in her entire life. She stretched on the bed, enjoying the way his eyes darkened and his entire body hardened. He stripped faster than she’d thought was humanly possible and joined her on the bed.

She expected him to pounce and take her quickly but he paused and touched her face. He didn’t say anything but his eyes darkened she could see myriad emotions cross his face. “I know,” she told him.

Kal levered himself over her, his arms and shoulders straining. “I can’t wait.”

She hooked her legs around his waist and arched up to rub her damp pussy over his hard shaft. “Then don’t.”

He closed his eyes and took a breath. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He opened his eyes again and stared down at her.

“You won’t.”

He swore again and shifted position so his cock head pushed against her opening. He thrust inward and they both moaned. She was wet and more than ready but he was large and it took another thrust before he was buried to the hilt.

Rory loved the feel of him inside her, his cock filling her, stretching her. Heat rolled off his big body, warming her. There was no place else she’d rather be. He braced himself on his forearms and began to fuck her hard and fast. She stroked his chest and shoulders. Dug her fingers into his ass to pull him closer.