“We can fix it.”
She smiled at him. “I know.”
She turned back to Dean and looked at him more closely. When the Scorpiian blinked his many eyes, she leaped back and yelped.
“He’s still alive?” she asked.
“Scorpiians are hard to kill.” Serac pulled her against his side again. He glared at Dean, pushing as much menace as he could into his expression. “Kimmy and I have bonded.”
He paused for a few moments to let that sink in. Dean closed his eyes for a few moments, then opened them.
“I don’t have to hold back to keep her safe,” Serac said. “And next time, I won’t.”
“This is you holding back?” she asked.
Serac squeezed her tighter against his side, keeping his attention on Dean.
“For the friendship we once had, I will let you go,” Serac said. “But I don’t want to see you again.”
Kimmy leaned forward. “And you have to promise to leave Mrs. Simpkins’s cats alone.”
Serac could sense that she was trying to exude menace…not quite successfully. He drew from his own experience and broadcast as much threat as he could, using all the intimidation skills he’d learned over the years.
“Blink if you understand,” Serac said.
Dean hesitated for a long while, but finally blinked.
Serac nodded, then took the broom from Kimmy and struck the ice holding the Scorpiian in place, breaking it to pieces.
The moment Dean’s claws hit the ground, he turned and leaped through the bay windows. Glass shattered into the front yard.
“Hey,” Kimmy yelled. “You couldn’t use the door?”
“We’ll fix it,” Serac said, pulling her close again.
“Fine. But he should pay for it.”
“That would mean we would see him again. And I doubt we will.”
Kimmy shook her head. “I guess time will tell.”
16
“So, let me be sure I understand.” Hank’s booming voice made Kimmy want to cringe. It was only Serac’s tight grip on her hand that helped her stay steady. The Lyrian was imposing, even when viewed through a vid screen.
“I sent you to investigate the communication from this Dean fellow, to scout out trade routes, and to deliver my family’s parcel to my new sibling,” Hank said. “Instead—without my authorization—you moved forward with establishing a relationship with a respected supplier on Earth and made our first delivery to the Antareans, securing our role as their new trade partners.”
“Yes,” Serac said.
“And the Scorpiian?” Hank asked.
“No longer a threat,” Serac said. “To our operations, at least.”
“Hmm.” Even that sound from the Lyrian boomed through Serac’s ship, the noise making Kimmy’s chest vibrate.
“And in the”—Hank made a point of looking at a control panel on his chair—“seventy-two Earth hours that you’ve been gone from my ship, you also became mated to an Earthling.”
“Yes.” Serac squeezed her hand, sending waves of calm and confidence through her. It was wonderful to feel from him.
“Given everything Serac has accomplished, I think you should assign him as part of a permanent presence on Earth,” Kimmy said.
Serac opened his mouth to speak, but then just let out a breath and smiled at her.
Hank’s eyebrow ridge rose up his forehead. “She certainly is a bold sentient.”
“She’s not afraid to speak up for herself—or others.” Serac turned to address her. “You’ll make an excellent partner for our operations. If you’re comfortable with them, that is.”
“I am.” She leaned in closer, mesmerized by the way the light was gleaming across his lips.
Hank cleared his throat loudly. “What is it with Earth and these pair-bonds?”
Payback poked his head out from Kimmy’s hair and chittered at them in a chiding tone.
“Anything else you’d like to tell me?” Hank asked.
“About the parcel—” Serac halted as Kimmy cut him off.
“I accidentally imprinted with him,” Kimmy said.
“Accidentally?” Hank repeated.
“And then trained him to attack using something the Earthlings call tickles,” Serac said. “He will be an even more useful companion for your sibling—when she’s of age to have a parcel.”
Hank huffed out a breath, then rubbed his chin with one of his hands. “There must be more to this Earthling than it seems. Very well. You are assigned to Earth for the foreseeable future. You and your mate can work together to secure that end of our supply chain.”
Kimmy’s heart felt like it was in her throat. They could be together and still help others and she could run her pet parlor and… and…everything.
“I expect regular reports, incredible success, and you”—he fixed Kimmy with a pointed stare—“will take excellent care of my family’s parcel. Understood?”
She stood a little straighter. “Yes, sir.”
Hank let out a snort and turned back to Serac. “The Department of Homeworld Security is looking to set up a permanent presence in Harbor. It will be harder for you to operate outside their scans, but we can’t have them slowing us down. They can help others as they are able, but need to leave us to do our own good.”
She could sense Serac preparing a response, but Kimmy jumped in again. She wanted them to know that she was Serac’s partner in this. His equal.
“Absolutely,” Kimmy said. “We understand the importance of…expediting the recovery of whatever planets we can.”
Hank leaned back in his chair and grinned. “I like her. In that case, welcome to the crew, Kimmy.”
He ended the transmission.
“I’m part of the crew?” Kimmy asked.
“According to our captain.”
“Part of a spaceship crew?”
“Last I checked.”
“And you get to stay with me!” Her excitement echoed back at her from Serac.
“I do,” he said.
“This is really happening.”
“It is.”
He rested his hands on her waist, leaning in so their foreheads touched. A low growl of approval rumbled from his chest.
“Well, in that case…” She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Just before their lips met, she said, “Welcome home.”
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Cassandra Chandler uses her vivid imagination to make the world more interesting, spawning the ideas she turns into her award-winning Science Fiction romcom series and her darkly evocative Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Romances. Fast-paced and compelling, her stories will introduce you to characters and worlds you’ll love to escape to.
Also by Cassandra Chandler
Gray Card
Duration of Stay
Nothing to Declare
Note from Cassandra
I’m so glad we had the opportunity to connect through the Pets in Space® 5 anthology! If you enjoyed Rate of Return, there are plenty of other adventures for you to experience in The Department of Homeworld Security series, starting with the award-winning Gray Card.