bridge.”
“You take care of Mel. I’ll monitor the search for Davidson.”
Rave nodded and pulled Kain to him for a kiss before stepping from the shower. He didn’t take long to dress, and he was on the bridge minutes later.
Rock looked the same. The man never changed. If Rave’s heart had been in it, he would have taken up the man on his offer of sex. The timing always seemed wrong for the two. Rock was so different from Kain . He was tall and muscular, rough looking with tattoos, and long dark hair he pulled back to keep out of the way—most gay men’s wet dream.
Rave caught Se looking at Rock with lust in her eyes. So, Se had a thing for Rock. He wondered why she’d never said anything before. He’d have to remember to ask Se about it later.
“Rock! I’m glad you’re here.”
The big bear of a man turned and pulled Rave into a hug, lifting him off the floor. Rave laughed. Not many men could pick him up like that.
“You called. I’m here.” Rock sounded matter of fact as he put Rave down.
“We don’t have much time. I hate to do this to you, but I can’t have my sister in danger.”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
“If things were different—” Rave stopped when Rock caressed his face.
“He’s back, isn’t he? The man who broke your heart.”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“You’re different. Happier than the last time I saw you. I’ve never seen you this way unless you’re talking about your man.” Rock gave him a sad smile. “He’d better be good to you.”
“Thank you.” Rave squeezed the man’s hand and turned to see Se staring at them. He gave her a wink. “Se, could you call my sister to the bridge? We’ll get her boarded then head out.”
“She’s on her way. I paged her when Rock showed up.” This time he really looked at Se. She blushed and stumbled over Rock’s name. He didn’t have time to say anything because his sister came on deck. Se deserved some of her own happiness. Maybe Rock could help her out with that.
“Ready to go, sis?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he hugged her to him.
“I’ll be back as soon as everything is cleared up. I’m sorry about this,” he said.
“It isn’t your fault. Stay safe.”
He nodded, went back to Rock and held out a hand. “Thanks, man.” Rave tugged him into his body and hit his back while whispering in his ear. “Don’t be a stranger and maybe you should talk to Se.” He pulled back and grinned at the man as he looked over at Se.
With a nod, Rock left, Mel close on his heels.
“What was all that tough guy man-hugging about?”
He didn’t answer Se’s question.
“After they’ve left, engage the autopilot for Seid II. I’ll be in my quarters. I’m not sure what we’ll find when we get there. We’d better all be prepared. Kain is following a lead on the warrant right now.”
“Don’t think you can ignore me, Rave. I’ll plot the course, but before you go, what was going on with Rock?”
“I offered him a little advice. That’s all.”
Se didn’t look convinced but continued working at the computer.
“You can go back to your quarters if you want. I’ll take over,” he offered.
“No, I got this. Go see if Kain’s found anything else.”
Rave left her to it. He hoped Kain had found out something about the person who’d jumped the gun on the warrant. Rave thought he should know that name, but nothing came to him. He shrugged and headed to his room where his lover waited.
Chapter Nine
Seth paced in his quarters. Things weren’t going as planned. The Retribution had slipped through his fingers on New Moon. The stupid planet guards had fucked that up. Kain and Rave would be on the defensive now.
The calls from both the Royalists and Alliance kept coming through, but he’d managed to dodge them so far. He pawned the Alliance off on a subordinate and ignored the Royalists. They shouldn’t be contacting him anyway,
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