And that pissed him off more than he could say. The chances of whatever bond they had progressing would remain a mystery. He pinched his nose and drew a deep breath. Even if Bane wanted to take hope in his maman’s encouragement, there would be no chance to see a relationship through. He had to accept this was fate’s way of taking the matter from his hands.
He exited his room on a huff of frustration and almost crashed into Sasha. The Bounty Retriever stumbled back, hands up to regain her balance. A tentative smile curved her lips in recognition. “Whoa, Bane. Slow down.”
Bane swiped a hand over his hair. “Sorry, Sasha.”
She tipped her head to the side, the sympathy in her gaze more than he could handle. “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m assuming everything is about to go down shortly?”
He nodded, knowing Jaron had probably keyed her in to the highlights. “The transfer of custody for Nikol to the Marenians, the prison transport for the two remaining prisoners and the arrival of Vee and Kyele.”
She squeezed his forearm. “Good luck and be careful, Bane.”
Smiling in thanks, he hurried off and couldn’t shake a feeling of dread.
***
The morning came far too quickly for Mischka. As two guards arrived to lead her out, her chest knotted with dread. Sleep had been scarce the night before and the reality of her situation was sinking in like a kick to the face. This was it. The final trip down a road that really didn’t have any other turns. It was always going to end like this. Drawing in a deep breath to muster her courage, she extended her arms to be restrained.
Smile not quite gentle but considerate nonetheless, the light-haired guard spoke in a lowered tone. “No need. Unit Leader Alonson left orders to bypass the plasti-cuffs today.”
They were marching to the next cell before she could question the unexpected kindness. There was no reason for the Jutak warrior to do Mischka any favors. She’d lied to one of his soldiers, risked the health of the same soldier with the faulty parts and put his own life in jeopardy by her actions.
Even as she puzzled through the why of it, she spotted Gordo waiting in the hall with a guard at each shoulder. He glared at Mischka, lips twisted in an ugly snarl. On his wrists were cuffs similar to what she’d worn on arrival. Her brow creased. Why did he have them and she didn’t?
A burly blond guard led Nikol out of his cell. Mischka stiffened as he ducked his massive height through the entrance and moved with heavy steps. Someone had given him his boots. She was still barefoot, the cold of the floor sinking between her toes.
Nikol’s gaze caught hers and something strange passed through his dark eyes. He frowned then shook his head as if confused about something.
“Hands out!” The guard commanded.
Tension filled the air as each guard concentrated their attention on him and had hands on or near the weapons strapped to their sides. Smirking, Nikol widened his stance and took his time lifting his arms. The cuffs went on without a fight. Mischka shivered, part relief an altercation had been avoided and part worry, wondering what was going on. Nikol was too calm, too sedate and she feared something terrible was going to happen.
In a solid line they proceeded outside where two hover-cars waited. Mischka and Gordo went into one with a set of guards and Nikol was led to another with a set of guards. Against her will, her gaze scanned the courtyard of the detention facility.
Buildings still shuttered due to the early hour as a limited line of guards patrolled in the bright dawn of the purpling sky. Mostly empty save for their small group preparing to leave. No sight of a blond with piercing black eyes who’d touched her last night with passion so exquisite and fierce she still felt remnants of lingering pleasure between her tender thighs. Chest drawing tight, she masked her disappointment and dropped into one of several empty seats.
Letting her head hit the window with a thud, Mischka ignored the guard’s questioning look as he glanced back at her from the front seat. Nasal passages burning, she muffled her quiet gasp and worked to hold back pointless tears.
I love you, Bane. I wish we had gotten time to explore all of what that meant. I wish you could have taught me what it was like to have someone love me while I learned how to fully love you in return.
The drive fortunately was mindless, the terrain a blur to her misty gaze until they reached the space port. It was an outdoor facility though she noticed a domed shaped silver building further down the road, beyond gates off to her left.
Her door opened on a squeak and the driver grasped her arm above the elbow to help her out. Blinking against the lights shining on the paved section, Mischka realized there were a number of red-clad figures standing near two shuttles. One she recognized immediately. It was gray with the red logo identifying it as a Marenian vessel.
The second was a dull, matte black. Armed men in bulky helmets stood next to a lowered ramp beside that one. They wore dark brown jackets and pants tucked into thick soled boots. Instead of weapons they held fully extended shock sticks. Prison guards. Her pulse kicked and she let out a slow exhale. A prison transport to take her and Gordo to await their respective trials.
A soldier in a dark blood red uniform approached their group. He wore a laser tied to one thigh and the handle of a deadly knife extended from the holster strapped on his opposite thigh. A slight breeze from the wind teased the blond strands back from his forehead, but his blue eyes never wavered as he came to a stop directly in front of them.
“Nikol Wulven, I am Jutak Commander Vorik. You are being released today as a courtesy gesture from the Enotian government.”
Mischka’s mouth dropped but she closed it immediately when Nikol threw back his head and laughed—laughed loud and boisterous. He glanced around and lifted his bound hands in the air. “Thank you and all of Enotia for your hospitality.”
When he was finished with his mockery, he stared at the Jutak Commander and thrust his arms forward. There was no humor now. “Remove these. Now!”
A muscle clenched in the older man’s jaw but he came forward and keyed the locks which caused the plasti-cuffs to fall into his hands. He curled his fingers around them and muttered, “You are lucky today, but you’re on our radar now.”
Nikol’s lips curled. “Wasn’t I already?”
Without waiting for an answer, Nikol turned. He didn’t immediately head for the shuttle instead arching a brow at Mischka. She inched away and accidentally bumped the guard who’d remained at her side. She regained her composure then almost lost it again when Nikol spoke to her. He never deigned to speak to anyone outside his tight circle except for that one occurrence years ago when their paths crossed in the hall.
“Do you wish to leave as well, Mischka? It is an easy enough matter to have you returned to Marenia. You have been loyal to Lothar through the years.”
Everyone around them shifted on their feet. Glares suddenly turned her way. Nikol hadn’t made any attempts to lower his voice and now her face burned with the heat of embarrassment. The only reason she didn’t refuse outright was because the fear of being sentenced to life on a prison colony was only slightly less intimidating than returning to face whatever punishment Lothar deemed acceptable.
She worked to clear her throat twice before she could say clearly. “No. No, thank you.”
Going back to Lothar would equal death for her. She’d rather take her chances.