Skyport Virgo 1 - Refuge (29 page)

"Yes, but I was planning to be charitable and leave you two on this one. I'm sure an SOS would be answered eventually." Jai shrugged and cocked the weapon. "If you'd rather, I'll just kill you both now."

Before Pike could speak, Quinn popped into the control deck. He fired his stunner, but Jai was too quick. He managed to escape the paralyzing blast. Jai pulled the trigger on the gun. Pike flinched as the gun exploded loudly and shot out a bullet. Jai's aim was no better than Quinn's and hit a control panel. Sparks flew and Quinn darted out of the way.

Pike felt a tug on the back of his jeans. Suddenly Laleh had thrown herself between his legs. She wasted no time taking aim with his stunner and hitting her brother right in the chest. Jai jerked at the unexpected impact and dropped to the ground, his limbs shuddering wildly against the floor. Laleh dropped the stunner and scooted back. Quinn's shocked expression morphed into a broad grin. "Way to go, Laleh!"

As Quinn raced to Jai and kicked aside the gun, Pike spun around and dropped to his knees. He gathered Laleh in his arms and nearly squeezed the life out of her. She buried her face in his neck and shuddered with obvious relief. Pike pulled back and wiped the sweaty strands from her eyes and cheeks. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Just hot and really thirsty."

"I'll take care of you once we get back on our ship." Hugging her tight, he smashed his lips to hers again. "I love you, Laleh."

She smiled and returned his kiss. "I know."

Their exuberance was short-lived. The fire alarms sounded. Pike's gaze moved to the smoking panel. His gut clenched. Fire aboard a ship was always lethal. They had to move and fast.

Pike turned to Quinn. "Where's the key?"

Quinn stepped around Jai's unconscious body and searched for the key. "Shit!"

Dread pierced his belly. "What?"

Quinn hastily stripped off his gloves and knelt down. "It's fallen through the grate here." He shoved his fingers through the thin slats and tried to reach it. "Fuck!"

Pike turned back to Laleh and studied the chains. They were bolted into the ships floor. Quinn skidded to a halt next to Pike and unzipped the tool pouch on his suit. He rifled through the various tools in search of something useful.

"These are after-market modifications," Quinn muttered. "There's nothing in this suit's tool kit that will work. I should have stolen an Omega suit."

By now smoke filled the chamber. Pike hovered on the edge of panic as he grabbed one of the chains and placed his feet against the wall behind Laleh. He tugged mightily, the veins in his arms and necks threatening to burst. Quinn joined him, throwing his considerable strength into the mix. They growled and grunted but it was no use.

"Hold tight." Quinn jumped up and ran away. "There has to be something in the engine room we can use."

As Quinn disappeared, Pike picked up the tool pouch and tried the various sockets on the bolts. If they ever made it back to Virgo, he was going to mandate the suit kits on all ships be replaced with the same tools used by the elite teams. No more of this low bid bullshit.

Laleh's hand settled on his wrist. Tears dripped down her face. "Just go, Pike. Take Quinn and go."

His stomach dropped. He forcefully shook his head. "I'm not leaving you here, Laleh."

"You have to," she insisted. "You can't stay here."

Pike clasped her face. "I fucking love you, Laleh, and if this is it, then we're going out together."

She gulped and shuddered as she sobbed. He could see her trying to be brave, fighting the panic that must have been threatening to overtake her body.

"No one is dying here today," Quinn stated as he rushed back into the room. Pike realized he'd heard everything through their earbuds. "Here."

Pike accepted the crowbar Quinn thrust into his hands. He wasted no time shoving it under the metal slab Jai had attached to the floor to hold his chains. As they worked the crowbars up and down, desperately trying to loosen the metal, Pike coughed and tried to breathe. His eyes watered from the acrid smoke swirling around them. He could feel the heat intensifying. They were running out of time.

With a screeching groan, the metal slab popped loose on one side. Pike and Quinn hurried to pry the other sides free. They threw aside the crowbars and lifted the entire slab, Laleh and all, from the ground. Pike met Quinn's gaze. "Run!"

Quinn needed no further instruction. Looking over his shoulder, Quinn hurried across the control deck. The smoke was so thick now Pike could barely see his partner across the short distance. Laleh sputtered atop the slab, her hands gripping the edges as she tried to keep upright and not rock her weight. They rushed down the corridor toward the boarding tunnel. The fit through the tunnel was tight. They tilted the slab just enough to scoot through. Pike's arms burned from the strain, but he didn't care. To save Laleh he'd risk permanent injury.

They reached their vessel and lowered Laleh to the ground. Pike wiped the sweat from his face. Panting, he caught Quinn's gaze and laughed. It was one of his quirks. Any time he escaped near death, Pike was gripped by the unavoidable urge to laugh.

"PIKE!" Laleh's shriek stopped his heart.

As if in slow motion, Pike looked down at his wife. She reached for him, her face twisted with terror. Before he could figure out what was wrong, Quinn slammed into him and threw him against the far wall. Vaguely, Pike heard a gunshot. Quinn fell just inside the doorway.

Pike snapped his gaze to the boarding tunnel. Jai stood halfway down the walkway.

Acting quickly, Pike slammed his hand against the door lock. It fell immediately. As the door hissed and locked, Pike hit the emergency release button for the tunnel. Jai's bloodcurdling scream was cut off after a second.

Rushing to Quinn's aid, Pike rolled him onto his back and assessed the injury. He'd taken a bullet to the upper right shoulder. It wasn't life threatening, but there was a great deal of blood. He ran to the first aid cabinet and jerked out the case.

"No!" Laleh shouted, shaking her head. "Bring him close to me. I'll patch him up.

You've got to get us out of here before that ship explodes."

Laleh's clearheaded instructions brought Pike back into the moment. Nodding he handed her the case and dragged Quinn next to Laleh. She tested the reach of her chains before waving him off. Pike darted into the captain's chair and slapped at the various buttons. They'd barely cleared Jai's ship when the shockwaves of the explosion rocked their small vessel. Pike braced himself against the dashboard with a boot heel but kept the ship flying straight.

He exhaled a shaky breath as they hit clear space. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Laleh caressing Quinn's cheek. She smiled warmly down at him. Any other time, Pike would have boiled with jealousy but not today. He understood the depth of friendship the pair shared. More than that, Pike owed Quinn his life. The man had taken a bullet for him.

"Is he okay?" Pike's voice betrayed his concern.

Quinn lifted a hand in a thumbs-up gesture. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, Grayson."

Pike chuckled and returned to his piloting. "Glad to hear it, Quinn."

Legs curled to the side, Laleh sat in a wide chair at Quinn's bedside. He'd come out of surgery hours earlier, but the effects of his sedation had yet to wear off. Dr. Karp and various members of the medical staff came and went a few times. For all of them, treating a bullet wound was a once in a lifetime event. Laleh's gaze traveled to the bedside table where the bullet now sat in a clear tube as a souvenir. Apparently Quinn had asked Dr.

Karp to keep it before being rushed into surgery.

Laleh shook her head and frowned.
Men!

Her thoughts turned to Pike. She glanced at her silent transmitter. He'd sent a message hours ago but nothing since. She looked at the clock on the opposite wall. It was nearly ten in the evening. They'd been back on board Virgo since a little before noon. She cringed at the thought of the ass chewing Pike was now suffering.

Pike had broken so many regulations. Out of morbid curiosity, Laleh had scanned through the Spacefleet Code of Conduct while waiting for Quinn to come out of surgery.

She'd stopped after the first dozen infractions. Guilt soured her stomach. Yet again she'd put Pike in the worst of positions. If he lost his career over this, she'd never forgive herself.

Quinn made a soft noise and stirred. Laleh sat forward and touched his forearm. His eyes flew open at her touch. Confusion filtered across his face as he took in his surroundings. He reached up and touched his wounded shoulder. "Ow."

His voice sounded scratchy, so she reached for the small water pitcher on the table and poured a glass. She sat on the edge of his bed and gently tipped his chin as she held the cup to his lips. "Drink."

Quinn smiled gratefully and sipped at the cold water. "Thanks."

Laleh set aside the cup and held his hand. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore but okay. You?"

"I'm fine. A little shaken up earlier but I'm better now."

Quinn quirked a smile. "And your old man?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "After they wheeled you into surgery, Pike was requested in the situation room."

"Shit," Quinn swore. He started to throw off the thin blanket and made to get out of bed.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't let him take all the heat for this."

Laleh put a hand against his chest and gently pressed him back to the bed. "You just came out of surgery. You're not going anywhere. And since when do you care so much about Pike?"

Quinn reluctantly sat back. "We came to an understanding."

Laleh smiled with amusement. "I have to admit I never expected to see the two of you riding to my rescue, working together."

"Beggars can't be choosers."

At the sound of Pike's voice, Laleh turned toward the doorway. Pike leaned against the jamb. Like Laleh, he'd showered and changed clothes, she into jeans and a tee, he into his uniform. He looked as if he'd been through the wringer. His haggard gaze moved to Quinn. "You all right?"

"I'll live, sir."

Laleh noted Quinn's return to official address now that they were back on Virgo.

"Good to hear, Petty Officer."

Laleh sensed he needed her. She patted Quinn's hand and slipped off the bed. "I'll check in on you tomorrow. Good night."

"Night."

Laleh skirted the edge of the bed and took Pike's outstretched hand. She cast one final glance at Quinn before shutting the door behind them and heading out of the infirmary. Pike pulled her close to his side, his arm curving around her waist, his fingers spanning her hip. She ignored the curious stares and gossipy whispers as they made their way through Virgo to their quarters.

Once inside, Pike slumped onto the center of the couch. Laleh straddled his hips and cradled his face in her hands. She nuzzled her nose against his before kissing him tenderly. "Tell me."

Pike sighed and leaned back, his head resting atop the cushion. Laleh snuggled against his chest. He stroked her nape as he spoke. "The Admiralty called me on the carpet. I was honest with them, told them about Jai and the beating he gave you in Houston and the kidnapping. They sympathized, but commandeering a Spacefleet vessel and an Omega crossed the line into court martial territory."

Laleh's body stiffened. Pike's arms tightened around her. "Shh," he whispered. "It didn't go that far."

"What happened?"

"I showed them the jewelry and repeated what Jai had told you. They were stunned, to say the least. Bearing in mind the intelligence I'd gathered, they chose to wipe the slate clean. I'll be docked three months pay and won't be allowed any leave for the next twelve months. All in all, it's not too bad a deal. Oh, and they expect you to testify sometime in the coming week."

"Of course," Laleh said. "I'll do whatever they ask."

"Quinn will be happy to know he's been promoted to Chief Petty Officer."

"Really? That's great!"

"He was already on the short list for promotion. I just made sure the Admiralty understood exactly what kind of a soldier he is."

Laleh pecked his chin. "You're so sweet."

Pike chuckled and shook his head. "If you say so."

"I do." She sat up and unzipped his jacket. He seemed pensive as she pushed the jacket off his shoulders and down his arms. "There's something else, isn't there?"

"Dari lodged a murder charge against me as soon as he heard Jai was dead."

Laleh stilled as fear washed cold down her body. "You're not serious."

Pike's mouth settled into a grim line. "I am."

"But Jai tried to kill us."

"Yes, he did."

"Can he do that? I mean, ask the Federation to charge you with murder?"

"He can, but he didn't get very far with his complaint. Arrival and departure logs and cameras at
Hedonisma
showed Jai dragging your unconscious body through the corridors and onto his ship. Add to that the latest information about the Scourge and Jai. Dari withdrew the complaint about an hour ago."

Laleh sagged with relief. "So that's that."

Pike nodded. "That's that."

"It really is over now," she said, disbelief coloring her voice.

Pike grasped her waist. "It's really over."

Laleh couldn't stop the tears that gushed forth. After all this time, to know she was finally truly free was simply overwhelming. Pike hugged her close as she sobbed, his lips ghosting over her forehead, his hand stroking her arm. When she quieted, he lifted her and stood from the couch. Laleh's thighs tightened around his waist as he carried her through their quarters and into the bedroom. He placed her on the bed and crawled atop her, his weight familiar and comforting as he hovered over her body. He took his time making love to her mouth, his kisses sensual and unhurried. Laleh clutched at his sides.

The reality of their brush with death fueled her desire.

Pike stripped away her clothing. She lay naked atop the comforter and raked her hungry gaze over his sexy form as he removed his clothing and threw it aside. In a second, he was over her again, his knees on either side of her waist. His fingertips grazed her cheeks. Something powerful burned in his gaze. "I love you, Laleh. I think I'd die without you."