Table of Contents

~ Acclaim for Selena Illyria ~

~ Look for these titles from Selena Illyria ~

Copyright Warning

~ Dedication ~

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

~ About the Author ~

~ Also by Selena Illyria ~

~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~

~ Acclaim for Selena Illyria ~

For Renny's Mate

“With fun and engaging characters, this was a cute short story.”

—Gabrielle of You Gotta Read This

For Seven Sins Inn: Pietro & Callisto

“[A] definite page turner and one I would recommend to anyone looking for an interesting and sizzling tale.”

—Fuchsia of Long and Short Reviews

For Dragons at Midnight

“Right from the start I was immersed into the wonderful world that this author brings to us and I hope that it is not my last.”

—Gabrielle of You Gotta Read This

For Dragons at Samhain

“I loved seeing that connection. The two men knew just what Carissa needed and were not afraid to give it to her.”

—Gabrielle of You Gotta Read This

For Dragon Ugly

“The sparks fly from the moment they meet and grow into an intense love. Not only did I enjoy meeting Brent and Carissa but the rest of the characters endeared themselves to me as well. I really enjoyed my visit to this world and hope to return again soon.”

—Gabrielle, The Romance Studio

~ Look for these titles from Selena Illyria ~

Now Available

Dragon New Year

Dragon Ugly

Dragons at Midnight

“Dragons at Samhain” Halloween Heat II

Mate Not Wanted

At Drogan’s Command

Renny’s Mate

Seven Sins Inn: Pietro & Callisto

Fallen Lovers: Roman

In Print

“Dragons at Samhain” Halloween Heat II

Renny’s Mate (Beach Bums Anthology)

Seven Sins Inn: Pietro & Callisto (Demon Heat Anthology)

Carnevale

and

Subterfuge

Hades Helmet Crew Book Two

Selena Illyria

Copyright Warning

EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/).

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Published By

Etopia Press

1643 Warwick Ave., #124

Warwick, RI 02889

http://www.etopia-press.net

Carnevale and Subterfuge

Copyright © 2014 by Selena Illyria

ISBN: 978-1-941692-01-1

Edited by Julian Smith

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Etopia Press electronic publication: May 2014

~ Dedication ~

To Soph, Thank you so much for all your help. For Lissa Mathews and Jodi Redford. Love you guys.

Chapter One

Anarrae took in the glittering city of Zero Branco bathed in the light of millions of candles. The streets were awash from the golden glow of votives drifting down the canals. Large metallic gondolas moved slowly through midnight-blue waters as the various alien life-forms turned their heads this way and that. The spirit of Carnevale was in full effect, and Anarrae couldn’t wait to take part.

The captain had given strict instructions for everyone to party and blow off as much steam as possible. Their next assignment would a long and arduous one: transporting one diplomat from his home planet to the intergalactic conference on Veritas 10. Just the thought put Ana on edge. With a deep breath, she focused on the festivities before her. People in costume lined the streets, wearing masks in various colors and styles.

While walking down the plank of the transport ship, she readied herself for what was to come. Ana was to go to the Settima Sosta bar and wait for a man dressed all in leather and wearing a black mask made of feathers. He would be her gondolier for the night, showing her the pleasures the planet could offer her—for the right price. Money was to be paid up front. No names would be exchanged. In other words, a perfect encounter.

A glance at her GPS cufflink showed her the direction she needed to go. Winding her way through the crowd, she headed for the bar rather than her hotel. Ana had no reason to check in. No luggage and no need for a room. From what she understood, her guide would be keeping her very busy. A small smile curled her lips as she avoided vendors and street musicians. Another glance at her GPS directed her around the next corner. She rounded the bend and continued walking, trying to keep very aware of her surroundings. The city was also infamous for conmen and women, pickpockets and thieves.

Worn brick buildings clashed with new metallic high rises. The inky black sky was dusted with glittering diamonds and showed off the florescent pale green, yellow, and brown rings of the planet. Double moons hung, their full orbs casting a silvery glow over all. Ana sighed. If only she had more time. The beeping of her GPS informed her she had arrived at her destination.

Ana looked up at a large wooden slab above an ancient looking door, the words Settima Sosta carved in deep grooves in the weather worn lumber. A shiver of excitement raced down her spine. The front of the building showed large windows covered in dirt. Shadows moved behind the glass. Nerves chased away the excitement. What if he didn’t show? What if this weekend was a disaster? Doubts assailed her as she stood before the door to the pub. She was asking some stranger to kidnap her, tie her down, and use every seductive technique in the book to make her come.

Ana paused as she remembered the words of her last lover. He had accused her of being frigid, which was why he had gone to another. After having many talks with her friend Rena, she’d figured out why she couldn’t get into sex with her past lovers. She needed more—as in “tie her down, add a little pain to the pleasure, and fuck her senseless” more. Her arousal increased as she thought about being dominated. After doing research, reading some books and watching a few “special” films, she’d made her decision to try it. That’s what this holiday was all about for her.

Just the thought of leather cuffs encircling her wrists while she was bound to a bed and fucked hard made her breathless. Anticipation sang through her veins. Determination stiffened her spine. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and walked into the bar. The inside was unexpected. It was dark, yes, but it was more intimate than sinister. Soft lighting from candles gave the place a seductive feel. The crystal chandeliers overhead gave the place a touch of class. Worn wooden furniture gave it a touch of Old World, like Earth. She loved it.

Her heart tugged as she thought of her old home planet. She missed it so much, and yet she loved traveling on the Hades’ Helmet. With a great effort, she shoved her nostalgia to the back of her mind and walked toward the counter. Hopping up on the stool, she flagged down the barkeep. “I’ll have whatever’s on tap.”

He was a wizened fellow with wild blue hair streaked with white. His dark eyes glittered at her from behind tiny circular spectacles.

“You sure you can handle it? A little thing like you may pass out.” He started to laugh, a high-pitched cackle that sounded as untamed as his unruly hair.

“I may be small but I can handle whatever you give me. Now pour before I go behind there and do it myself.” Ana narrowed her eyes, daring him to deny her.

The bartender just shrugged, pushed a button, and filled up a tall glass with frothy, crystal-blue liquid. Tiny silver specks danced and twirled in the fluid. He slammed the glass down and stepped back. Pale blue froth sloshed over the rim of the cup, spilling to the warped wood.

Not one to back down, Ana picked up her drink and downed about half the glass before pausing to take a deep breath. With the back of her hand, she wiped away the traces of the liquor before placing her cup down. Bitterness was the first thing she tasted before the sweet chased it away. And then the burn hit. Light-headedness descended on her and she had to hold onto the counter to keep from falling back. She blinked several times as the room began to spin and shake before her very eyes.

A loud cackle sounded and she tried to focus on the origin of the noise. Her gaze locked onto the small barkeep who was doubled over with laughter, pointing at her.

“Outworlders, so damn stupid.” He straightened, pushing up his glasses to wipe tears from his eyes.

“Barkeep, enough playing with tourists and serve me,” a deep, gruff, lightly accented voice demanded.

Warmth washed over Ana’s body as her nipples tightened. Her breath hitched. Her stomach tightened. She peeked at the newcomer from the corner of her eyes and she gasped. She had to look up and up and up. He was tall and swathed entirely in black leather. Half his face was hidden by a mask covered in slick black feathers.

It was him! He had to be the one.

Wavy black hair was brushed back to show off a large silver hoop earring. His profile showed Ana tanned skin and a strong square jaw. The newcomer turned and her gaze locked on his lips, full but not overly so, and shaped in a Cupid’s bow. A large spiked collar encircled his throat; the wicked looking tips of the spikes glittered even in the dim light of the tavern.

Ana licked her lips and watched his Adam’s apple bob. He moved and his face was in front of her. She looked into pale green eyes, the color of olives from Earth. So beautiful and so guarded.

“See something you like?” he asked. A thick tendril of midnight hair fell into his eyes. Ana had the strongest urge to reach up and brush it away. She wanted to see his face so badly, but if this was him, that wasn’t part of the deal. He was allowed see her but she couldn’t see him. Ana licked her lips as she tried to remember what she was supposed to say to him.

“I am in need of gondolier to guide me tonight,” she said softly, surprised that her voice was husky.

The man’s gaze swept over her face and she felt a spark of heat under his scrutiny. He straightened up and she followed the movement. “Sorry, love, not a prossy. If you want one of those, I’m sure you’ll find them somewhere out there.” He nodded his head toward the door.

Horror—pure unadulterated humiliation—rose within Ana. Her throat closed up and words left her. She had just hit on a complete stranger. Her face burned and she turned away. Head hung low, she picked up her glass and downed the contents. Tears glittered in her vision, and she mutely placed five credits down to pay for the drink. It was much more than what would have been asked for but she didn’t care. The night had started off on a bad foot, and her plan to get tied down and fucked had just gone up in smoke. She had no desire to stick around and wait for her true gondolier. Ana doubted he would be as intriguing as the man standing next her.

“Thank you,” she muttered before hopping off the stool and heading for the door.

* * *

Diego watched the woman walk away. His cock pressed against his pants, urging him to go after the small package of deliciousness. He had to admit, he would have gone for her in a heartbeat if he hadn’t had somewhere to be. She was curved in all the right places. Her milk chocolate complexion had him wanting to see her naked and to run his hands over her body.

The beauty’s voice, soft and sweet, edged in huskiness, only enflamed him, and it had been so long since someone had caught his attention like that. A soft fire burned through his veins.

Screw it.

He paid for his drink and left the bar in search of her, despite the fact that he had a job to do. He hated the thought of some other man spending the night in her bed. The only problem he could see was whether or not she’d be interested in what he had to offer.

At first the crowd obscured his view of his prey. He looked left and then right. All he saw were masked revelers celebrating the planet’s annual Carnevale festivities. Frustration made him clench his jaw. He waded into the crowd of people, cursing himself for not going after her as soon as she’d left. There were too many people. With a sigh, he went around the side of the building into an alleyway, ignoring a couple currently fucking against the worn brick face.

Diego brought his wrist up to his mouth. “AI, show me all the hotels within a five mile radius.”

He lowered his arm and watched the mini device search its database.

“Closest hotel is two blocks away,” the AI’s soft female voice replied. “San Marco. Go west.”

“Thank you, AI. Send a message to my appointment that I will be late,” Diego ordered. He refused to say he wouldn’t be there.

“As you wish.” The machine automatically went into sleep mode, and he headed west. It didn’t take him long to come to one of the gaudy new metallic hotels that had been built by the nuovi ricchi of the city, who had wanted to modernize everything. He shook his head and went inside.

Diego made a beeline for the front desk. Once there he cursed himself. He didn’t know her name. The receptionist tuned to him, expectation on her face. Which approach should he use?

“Good evening, love. I’m new to the city and am in need of directions. I’m looking for the Il Grifone gardens? I’m hoping you could help me.” He gave her his most winning smile and watched as she grinned back at him. Her overly large violet eyes turned to her computer console and she typed in a few things. Frown lines creased her brow as she continued to type.

“I’m sorry, sir, I don’t see anything with that name.”

“Please,” he pleaded. “I must find this place. My grandmother, the Universe rest her soul…it was her favorite place in all of Il Doge. She asked me to see it for her and gaze up at the double moons on Carnevale night. She claimed it would bring me luck in love.” He knew he was laying it on a bit thick, but an honorable grandson worked better than a horny man.

The receptionist’s gaze softened. “I shall do whatever I need to do. Excuse me while I go check with my boss.”

Diego nodded and watched her retreat through the office door. That would keep her busy for quite some time, since there was no such place as the Il Grifone gardens. With a big grin, he rushed around the large counter. “AI, give the security team something to keep them busy. I’ll hack into the system and look for my girl.”

“Don’t you think you should just find someone else?” his AI asked.

Diego frowned. “Just do it. I don’t need your sass.”

He swore he could hear the device sigh. The lights dimmed and the various screens on the walls began showing porn. He couldn’t help but chuckle. He searched until he found the security footage and scrolled through the last hour until he found who he was looking for. He accessed and memorized her info. With that done, he ordered his AI to erase his tracks and dashed to the stairs.

By the time he got to her floor, sweat was dripping down his brow, making his skin itch behind the mask.

“She better be a good fuck, for all the trouble you’re going through,” his AI muttered, coming out of sleep mode.

“You can shut up before I put you in pause mode.” Diego threatened. His eyes roamed over the LED panels on the doors.

“You do that and I’ll take my sweet time coming back online when you need me,” she said.

“I should never have insisted you have an AI core. Keep this up and I won’t find you a body.” The AI had no come back to that.

Diego finally found Anarrae’s room and pondered whether to knock or break in.

“AI, access her file and find out why she was looking for a prossy.”

“First you threaten me and now I’m supposed to help you? Cristo, cosa non faccio…” she sighed and brought up the files.

The clear lens on Diego’s mask scrolled through the information. “Interesting. She’s come here for some sort of sexcapade. She wants to be tied down, fucked…oh, no names to be exchanged. Kidnapping optional.” Diego’s lips curled into a smile. “What the lady wants, she’ll get. Wait, what’s this? She’s a crewmember on the Hades’ Helmet. Oh, this night just keeps getting better and better.”

Diego pulled out a small plug on the side of the wrist computer and connected it into the monitor on the door. “AI, bypass the security systems, please.”

“Fine, fine, whatever you want, sir,” the AI grumped.

The screen flickered and then dimmed to black. A small click indicated the lock was undone. Diego slipped into the darkened room. “This is so much more fun than conning the rich and stupid at the Silver Ball. And much more interesting than fucking dumb socialites so I can get their gems.”

“Hey, you have to fuck them. I have to watch,” the AI whispered. “You better turn me off when you’re doing whatever it is you’re about to do her.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you. Besides, for her I want privacy.”

“Really? You’re gonna treat her like a person instead of a warm body? Nice. What’d you do, grow some feelings in the last few minutes? Last I checked, you’re still a conman right?”

Diego said nothing. Something about this woman intrigued him. He couldn’t tell whether it was the horror he had witnessed on her face at the bar when she’d been mistaken or the fact that she wasn’t like the spoiled brats he normally wooed and conned. Something about her made him want to see what was under the surface. He snorted silently to himself. Perhaps the AI was right. She wasn’t just a warm body to him.

He slipped carefully through the suite. He’d been in rooms like this hundreds of times. He’d never kidnapped a person before. He’d stolen large statues, large paintings, and even a suit of armor with ten arms, but never a person. He prayed his first kidnapping would go smoothly.

In the dark, with his cybernetic implants, his night vision was activated, and he saw large landscape paintings that could be found at any other high-end hotel. Diego refocused his attention on the task at hand. He was going to give the intriguing Anarrae the night of her life. With great care he passed through the sitting room, bypassed the kitchenette, and went into the bedroom, avoiding discarded boots, a uniform, some gloves, a com/GPS unit, a bra and some underwear.

“Oh, saints alive, she’s naked.” Diego’s cock pressed against the fly of his pants. He groaned as his stomach clenched. The pace of his heart increased as excitement rose within him.

“Get a grip, you moron. Focus and don’t let your dick do the thinking,” the AI said through a small com unit in the mask.

With a deep breath, Diego refocused his energy on getting to the bed. The soft rustle of sheets was like a gunshot in the silent room. He stilled and strained his cybernetics to hear her breathing patterns. Slow and steady. Relief washed over him and he began to move again. She wasn’t getting up. One single scream would send the sensors in the suite into panic mode, and security would be up to her room in flash, ruining his kidnapping attempt.

He approached her bed and paused to take in her sleeping form. The smell of jasmine from Earth, along with the barest hint of arousal, perfumed the air. It was a heady combination.

“Only screams and moans tonight,” he whispered before pulling the sheets back and scooping her body up in his arms. Then he stopped.

“She’s naked, idiot,” his AI said.

“I know.” Diego gazed down her body. She was fit, with small high breasts, flat stomach, and wide hips. Just gorgeous. Even her toes were perfect.

“Stop staring. Cover her up and then get out of here. Did you forget that you are wanted in three galaxies? Get her and get out of here, Casanova, or you’re dead meat.”

Diego pulled a sheet from the bed, laid her down on it, and wrapped her body up before picking her up again. She moaned but didn’t stir. It must have been the Nastro azzurro ale she had had at the bar. The alcohol on Il Doge was at least a hundred times more potent anywhere else in the galaxy. If she hadn’t eaten she’d be out for a while.

“This would be so much easier if you just woke her up and told her to get dressed,” his AI said.

“She’ll scream. Now find me the best route to get out of here. Also, screw with the security systems again.”

“Fine, fine. But when I get my body, it better be the best one they have. I want it all, you got me? I won’t be some freaking metallic monstrosity, with those weird-ass eyes and mechanical voice.”

“Yes, yes, whatever. Work your magic,” Diego said.

“Security system off. I’m logging off for the night.”

He felt the AI go offline. The slight buzz that usually went through his body was gone. Taking a deep breath, he left the suite and took his time going down the stairs, mindful that he had Anarrae in his arms. He managed to make it safely out of the hotel. It was Carnevale. No one would think twice about the sight they made. It was normal for this time of year. He carried her five blocks to his flat overlooking the river Rivergaro.

He managed to get into his building without the AI’s help and up to his apartment. Once there, he laid her carefully down on the bed, stripped her of the sheets, and shackled her to the iron headboard and footboard.

Her hair was spread out like a dark brown halo against his dark red, silk pillows. Her milk chocolate skin looked decadent, like an offering, surrounded by red and black striped silk. Diego couldn’t wait to feast on every inch of her body and make her scream and writhe in pleasure.

“You want a Carnevale you will never forget, bella? You got it,” he murmured, stripping out of his coat and throwing it on a nearby chair. For the next half hour he took great care choosing his implements of arousal for her. When she finally woke up, he grinned at her confused and sleepy eyes.

“Hello, bella, are you ready to be fucked within an inch of your life?” Diego asked in a gruff voice.

Chapter Two

Anarrae opened her eyes and lifted her head. Her gaze wandered around an unfamiliar room. Her mind felt swathed with cotton. She remembered checking into the hotel and feeling very sleepy. After that, nothing. Now, standing at the foot of the bed, was the man from the bar, shirtless and holding what looked like a riding crop. Her heart hammered against her rib cage as fear slammed into her.

She knew she was in trouble. Real trouble. Her breath came out in small pants. She struggled to get up from the bed only to find her ankles and wrists bound in leather cuffs. Tears welled in her eyes. There was nowhere she could go. Ana opened her mouth to try to scream, but all that came out was a strange, hoarse sound.

“Please,” she finally managed.

“Shhhhh, it’s OK. Relax. I’m not going to hurt you if you don’t want me to. I promise.” The man moved to sit down on the bed, still holding the riding crop. “You wanted a gondolier and here I am.”

Ana swallowed. “How…?” She had to stop; her voice was still hoarse. “Water.”

“Oh, sorry about that.” The man put the whip on the bed and dashed out of the room.

Ana’s head began to pound and she moaned. The day had gone from humiliating to worse. Now the man from the bar had kidnapped her…to do what, exactly? She didn’t have time to dwell too much on his reasoning. He returned with a small cup of clear liquid. He placed it on the nightstand and unshackled her wrists.

“Drink this slowly,” he said.

The soft, roughness of his voice, edged with an indefinable accent, sent a shiver of warmth through Ana, despite her unease. A cool breeze on her skin caused goose bumps to rise, and she realized she was naked. She squealed and looked down at her body. Not an inch of her was covered.

“Drink, and then we’ll discuss rules. I added a bit of something to help with the alcoholic aftereffects. I crushed up a food pellet, I assure you, not some sort of drug.”

Ana took the cup and drank it down without protest. For some reason, she trusted him. A glance into his olive-green eyes set her at ease. There was something there that made her relax despite him being a perfect stranger.

“I should tell you right off, I’m a very well-known con artist,” he said. “The reason I say this is because I looked you up. I know why you’re here, and I want to give you what you need. That is, if you still wish to continue with this holiday?” Uncertainty clouded his gaze, and Ana shifted uncomfortably at his confession.

“So,” she tested softly, relieved to find her voice was no longer hoarse. The pounding in her head had also disappeared. “You’re an admitted con artist, you hacked into my information, and you want to give me the holiday I wanted. I’m not going to ask what you saw, or how you know why I’m here, because I honestly don’t want to know. But I will ask you this: why are you doing this for me? I don’t have a lot of money, no gems to steal, and I’m not related to anyone important.”

The man ducked his head. Thick waves of midnight hair slid forward to cover half of his masked face. “I have my reasons. So, do you want to have a go, or don’t you?”

Ana thought about it as she took in his naked upper body. He was lean, with tribal tattoos covering one entire arm and half of his torso. His dusky pink nipples were pierced with black barbells. His mask still hid half of his face, and he still wore the spiked collar. Now she could see he also had spiked leather cuffs encircling his wrists. He had an air of danger and seduction, but there also something vulnerable about him. Ana found herself drawn to him and couldn’t understand why. She didn’t know him at all.

She sighed. “If I’m going to get tied up and fucked, I might as well do it with someone I’m attracted to. I’m sure you know the rules I had with the other gondolier, yes? No names, no personal information, although that’s too late. I want to be tied down and fucked. A little pain but not too much.” Ana couldn’t remember what else was on her list.

“We need a safe word, something that tells me that you want to truly stop,” he murmured, looking up at her.

Ana licked her lips and thought about it. “I choose ‘jasmine.’”

“Jasmine,” he murmured. “All right, good.”

“Um, what do I call you? No names. I just need to know how to respond.” She ducked her head shyly. This was a whole new experience for her, and she didn’t know how to act.

“What do you like? Do you want to call me Master? Sir? What?” he asked, running his hand through his thick locks.

Ana noticed he had a large silver hoop in the other ear as well. She stared at that hoop, trying to find a name she might like to call him. “Sir” reminded her of Captain Drogan, and she just couldn’t call him that—too weird. “Master” sounded too intimidating. Names rolled around her head, and she tried to pick one.

“How about Dodger, after the Earth character from fiction? You are a con artist after all.” She smiled at her sense of humor.

He chuckled. “I kind of like that. Dodger it is then, love.”

“Are you going to tell me what you’re about to do? Or do I have to guess?” Ana asked.

He stood up and looked down at her. “No, you let me be in charge and just get ready to feel. Now lie back down.”

Ana did so, extending her arms over her head and waited for him to move.

He shackled her to the headboard again. She swallowed and took in a deep breath. Excitement shimmered through her body, and she closed her eyes. Finally her holiday was going right.

* * *

Diego took her cup to the kitchen, drew in a deep breath, and pushed up his mask. He wasn’t sure if he could follow through with his plan. As much as he wanted to do this for her—be the dominant she needed from him—he wasn’t sure if he could carry out her fantasy and not become attached. He ran a hand over his face and sighed. His fingers traced the scar that slashed through his right cheek. He had one just like it on his left.

A weight settled over his shoulders as he pulled down the mask. Anarrae was innocent. All she wanted was pleasure and he was going to give it to her, but things would change. Maybe not for her but for him.

No attachments. That’s what he had told himself daily. Now something was forming for her and his number one rule was being broken. When she’d said no names, he’d had to bite his tongue.

Diego had wanted to give her his so that every time she came it would be his name on her lips. Now he had to deal with being called Dodger. Amusing in one way and annoying in another.

“I’ll just deal with it,” he mumbled to himself. “After this is all over, I’ll let her go and everything will go back to the way it was. No attachments. Just fuck her and run. That’s it.”

When he returned to the bedroom, his breath caught in his throat. She lay there stretched out, waiting for him. His stomach clenched and fire flooded his body, pooling in his groin. For a moment he imagined what it would be like to find her just like that every night when he got home. A groan threatened to rise up and he quickly quashed it down. No, no, no. That line of thought would only lead to a place he didn’t want to go.

He pushed away any notion of what could happen between them. Instead he decided to focus on doing something different with her, something that could get her to trust him and would be pleasurable for both of them. He would have to be the one tied down. His cock jumped at the thought. His heartbeat picked up speed.

She lifted her head and their eyes met. Fire danced in her brown gaze. He glanced over her body and held back a moan. Golden light bathed her skin, making her look like a decadent treat. He wanted to bite, nibble, feast and flick. One look at her exposed sex had him licking his lips. The plump petals were slick with her dew. The very sight almost made him growl. He clenched his fists as he tried to hold himself back.

“You like bondage, yes?” he asked, surprised at how gruff he sounded. Arousal was unfurling its talons in his gut as he watched her move on the bed. A slow slide against the simple Tunisian cotton made him lick his lips. Diego yearned to taste the salt of her skin, the tangy sweetness of her honey. The ache in his gut increased as blood pounded to his cock. He closed his eyes to push back the need.

“Yes,” she replied in a soft, husky tone that made Diego bite his lower lip. He had to keep himself from crawling up on the bed and covering her body in biting kisses.

Diego approached the bed but did not climb on it. “I propose a change. I will be the one tied down, and you get to have your wicked way with me.”

To keep himself from reaching out, he grabbed his right wrist with his left hand and picked the riding crop back up off the bed. The hardness of the handle helped him focus on something other than the ache of his balls and the throbbing of his cock.

“You want to be tied down?” There was uncertainty in her eyes and for a moment Diego thought his plan might go down the drain. “I’ve never been in charge before.”

Anarrae’s gaze wandered over Diego’s body, a heated caress that sent a flush of fire over his skin, made his cock twitch and his heart pick up pace, beating against his chest so hard that he thought it would burst past his rib cage. In his mind’s eye he could see her above him, riding him, kissing him, caressing him—doing things that would blow his mind. He tightened his grip on his wrist and didn’t wince at the pain. Diego had to focus.

“Haven’t you ever wanted to be in charge during sex? Has any man ever given you that opportunity?” If they hadn’t, he would love to have a word with her past lovers. Just the thought of her giving her body to someone else pricked something in him that made him uncomfortable.

He pushed the odd feeling away and watched her very carefully. There was a hitch in her breath. Her breasts moved up and down rapidly. She was interested. The idea seemed to amuse her. Her legs slid over the bed, and she gripped the leather straps tightly.

Diego knew he had to move this along. Need was riding him hard and the night was burning away. In the morning he had somewhere to be. Diego didn’t want to waste any of the time he had with her. He let go of his wrist, undid his pants, and removed his shoes.

Diego stood before her naked. He ran his fingers over his chest, pausing to circle the pad of his index finger around his nipple. Sensation shot to his groin. When he tugged the barbell that pierced his nipple, electricity shot straight to his cock. He rolled the small bud and groaned as pleasure ebbed through him.

His cock throbbed with need. Diego tossed the riding crop onto a nearby chair and took hold of his cock, squeezing just below the wide helmet before moving his hand down to the base and then up again. Slowly, he stroked himself. His eyelids lowered until he gazed at her through a veil of dark lashes.

“See how the idea affects me? How aroused I am at the thought of being under your control? Let’s try something new. This will only be for one weekend after all.”

The uncomfortable reminder returned, pricking his mind again. One time only. One weekend to sink into her fantasies and desires. He didn’t like that one bit but there was nothing he could do.

“And if we do this, will you get to be in charge later?” she asked him. Her face was like a mask, her emotions under tight control. She was trying to hide her reaction from him, and yet he knew her answers. She wanted to be his master in this round.

Diego nearly moaned. He stroked his cock faster. He wanted her to control him, have her way with him. Never had anyone been given that chance. Always in command, always in control—that was him. You give away control, you lose in the con. For this one time, he would relinquish himself to another person. He just prayed the odd feeling inside him that wanted to get to know her better would go away after he allowed Ana her way.

“Anything you want, love.” He meant it.

The odd expression fell from her face and emotions rushed over her features almost too quickly to read. He did manage to catch need, desire, and yearning before she closed herself off to him again.

“Then release me from my bonds,” she said.

That sultry sound was all he needed. Diego released his cock and followed her orders. “Qualunque cosa tu possa desiderare da me, sara' tua,” he murmured.

Anarrae sat up and slipped off the bed. “On the bed, now.”

His cock twitched at the steel in her voice. He didn’t hesitate to slip past her and lie down on the bed. Diego stretched his arms over his head and spread his legs wide. The heated look in her eyes warmed his body, stoked the fire within. Tonight he was hers and hers alone.

Chapter Three

Anarrae couldn’t fight the desire rushing through her body. As she watched Dodger spread out on the bed, her arousal only grew. Need clawed at her stomach as the ache between her legs increased. She fought for control. When he trailed his hand over his chest and he tugged on his pierced nipple, a burst of heat rose up in her. When he began to stroke his cock, her vaginal muscles tightened. He was thick and long. Perfect. The slit at the top already leaked precum.

She wanted him inside of her, thrusting hard, making it hurt, stretching her to the limit. Ana wanted him wild and passionate. Now she was adrift, unsure of what to do. He was handing over the reins, contrary to her expectations. The rules had changed and yet, as she watched the play of his muscles under his skin, the way he laid himself out for her pleasure, she didn’t want it any other way.

Purpose slipped into her veins as a need to dominate him and mark him as hers mingled with her arousal. She wanted to cover his body in love bites. This Dodger, this mystery, this conman was hers for the weekend. Ana was not going to pass up an opportunity to live out her fantasies and be the center of attention for once.

On the Hades’ Helmet she was just another officer, always in the background. Even when giving her status reports, she felt no one heard her.

This man saw her, wanted her, and heard her. It was a heady feeling. She wasn’t sure what to start with. Should she taste him first or maybe cover him in kisses? Was kissing allowed or would that be too intimate?

He made the decision from her. “I know you’re in charge, love, but I want you to kiss me, taste me. Just let go and do what you feel. Don’t worry. I can take anything you dish out. Give me pain and pleasure. Give me heaven and fire. I’m all yours.” His voice was low, edged in roughness. He took hold of the leather bonds and laid his head back on the pillow.

Ana stilled and her breath caught in her throat as she watched him surrender to her control and desires. He trusted her; she was awed. Dodger arched his back and thrust his hips upward, digging his heels into the mattress. His cock jutted upward as if he was begging for her mouth there, in the place where he needed her most. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. Her mouth watered to taste him.

Anarrae didn’t hesitate. She quickly secured the straps just enough to bite into his flesh without risking his circulation. He groaned.

“Does that hurt?” she asked, worried that in her haste she’d maybe gone too far.

“No, no. Feels good. Tie me down, love, and make me yours. Mark me.” He turned his head and arched his neck, as if begging for her bite. Her pussy tingled as need took her. She wanted to give him that sweet kiss of pain.

Ana climbed on the bed and threw one leg over his chest. Goddess, he was hot. So hot, he should have been burning up.

“Lie back down. Let me have my way,” she urged softly. He turned his face back toward her. She gazed into his pale green eyes.

Ana shook her head. A moan slipped past her lips as she felt his skin slide against her thighs as he lowered himself back to the bed. His cock left a trail of stickiness just over her stomach, evidence of his need for her.

She couldn’t wait to have him inside but they needed protection. “Condom?”

“Top drawer next to the bed. Hurry,” he said. “Need to be inside of you.”

Ana reached over and took out the box of condoms. Extracting one, she quickly ripped open one of the packets and moved down his body to roll on the sheath. Once on, she straddled his waist once again.

“Kiss me, love. Let me taste your lips,” Dodger said.

She couldn’t deny him. Ana lowered her head and brushed the lightest of touches on his lips. She slid lower to straddle his legs and reached between them to take hold of his cock. He lifted his head and pressed his mouth to hers while pushing his hips upward. His heated length slid into her hand.

His heat shocked her. She squeezed him, causing his lips to part. Anarrae didn’t hesitate to slip her tongue into the moist, humid cave of his mouth. She explored his teeth, tickling the roof of his mouth while contracting and relaxing her hand around his thrusting cock.

Dodger groaned as the kiss took on a passionate dimension. She nipped his lips, soothing the soft flesh with a few licks before nibbling him again. His hips moved faster, increasing the friction against her palm. His shaft twitched and he moaned into her mouth, then dropped his head back.

“So close, love. So very close. Let me be inside you, please.”

“Not yet.” Anarrae kissed him softly before moving down his body. She let go of his cock and blazed a path of nips, licks, and kisses along his neck and shoulder, across his collarbone and down the center of his chest.

She didn’t stop moving until she knelt between his legs. Ana gazed at the wide expanse of his tanned flesh. His pierced nipples were flushed a dark red. She blew on the buds before licking one and tugging the other gently between finger and thumb. He lifted his chest. Dodger pulled on the leather restraints. The soft creak of leather mingled with his heavy breathing.

“Please, love…Anarrae, I can’t take it. Fuck me. Let me be inside of you.” He thrust his hips forward and his cock slid along her stomach.

“Not yet. I want to explore you,” she murmured, taking his nipple between her teeth and pulling on it gently.

He cried out. “Ana!” His cock jumped, hitting her stomach.

She flicked his nipple and then sucked it into her mouth.

“Fuck!” His body jumped and he moaned. Ana released his nipple only to move on to the other one, showing it the same treatment. She trailed her free hand down his body, took hold of his cock again, and stroked the heated flesh, slowly this time.

“Goddess, you torture me,” he groaned.

She released his nipple and looked up at him. “Do you want me to stop?” She smiled, knowing full well he wouldn’t ask.

He blinked at her. “I just want you to fuck me.”

Anarrae laughed. A husky sound that was foreign to her.

“You are enjoying torturing me, aren’t you?” he asked. His heated gaze bore into her.

“Torturing? I wouldn’t call it that, but yes, I am enjoying what I’m doing to you.”

“Then continue this deliciousness, please, lo adoro. Let me please you by being your bound slave.”

“Slave? I don’t want you to be my slave.” Her hand faltered on his cock and stilled just under the wide helmet.

“But I am, love. You have enslaved me with your beauty and seductive ways. I don’t want to be released.” His lips quirked into a smile.

“Pretty words from a conman,” she chuckled.

“Not a conman. Not for you. I am your guide to pleasure. Consider me your bound servant and your partner in desire.”

She laughed again and resumed stroking his cock. “I don’t have an adequate response so let me continue giving you pleasure.”

He nodded and lowered his head back to the pillow. She flicked his nipple, before moving down to trace the ridges of his well-defined abdomen with just the tip of her tongue. She let go of his cock and circled his navel before nuzzling his shaft with her cheek.

“So hot,” Ana murmured. Her pussy clenched and her body heat went up a few degrees at the thought of having him inside her.

“For you, love. All of me for you. Every inch of me is yours. Take it.”

She continued until she was above his cock. Part of her regretted sheathing him in the condom so quickly. She wanted to lap at the slit atop his cock and taste his desire for her. Instead, she settled for teasing him through the thin barrier. Ana took only the head into her mouth at first.

He let out a shuddering breath as his hips thrust upward, and she released him.

“I’m in charge, remember?” she said.

“Ana, please… For the love of the Goddess, I can’t take it. I ache to be inside of you.”

“No, let me have my way,” Ana said. “You said you were my slave. Do as I say and don’t move.”

He grumbled under his breath and lowered his pelvis back to the mattress.

“I’ll behave.” Dodger promised.

A laugh bubbled past Ana’s lips, and she raised her eyebrow at him in question. “Do you even know how to?”

“It’s a distant memory. One I’m sure will surface as the night progresses but I do ask, no, beg of you—please, hurry. I don’t think I can take much more of this sweet torment.”

“I’ll try.” She smiled up at him. Never in her life had she thought sex and teasing could be so much fun. With great relish, she took him back into her mouth and bobbed her head. Through the thin barrier she could feel him pulse in time with his heartbeat. The heat of his shaft burned the sensitive flesh of her lips. Her pussy tightened, moisture slipping down her thighs and her clit throbbing with need. She could only imagine what he would feel like inside of her. His width stretched her lips almost to the point of discomfort. Even when he hit the back of her throat, there was still more of him left to take in.

Ana knew she was teasing them both. Play time was over. She released his cock with a soft pop and glanced up the length of his body.

“Beg me to fuck you. Plead with me to take your cock inside of my pussy.” She was surprised by her boldness and language. Normally she went with the flow of things in the bedroom and kept the dirty talk to a minimum. Something about being in charge made her feel wanton, wild, and daring.

“Please, Anarrae. Fuck me. Make me yours. Please, love, take me inside of your sweet pussy.”

With a grin she crawled up his body and took hold of his cock, giving him a gentle squeeze before brushing the head against her damp slit.

“Is this what you want?” Through narrow eyes she watched his pupils dilate. His breath hitched audibly.

“Yes!” he cried out. Dodger thrust his hips and she gave him a squeeze.

“You moved. I told you not to.”

“Cazzo!” he gritted out. “Please, Ana.”

“What, Dodger? What do you want me to do?”

“Fuck me.” He let out a growl of frustration and lifted his head to glare at her.

“Glaring won’t help you. Will you behave?” Ana ran his cockhead over her slit again and watched his jaw clench. “Will you?” she said.

“Yes. Now fuck me!” he cried out.

“As you wish, Dodger.” Ana positioned him at her entrance and lowered her body down, enveloping just the head of his cock in her tight entrance.

“Oh, Goddess,” he groaned and laid his head down.

“Feel good?”

“Feel good? Goddess, you feel wonderful. More, I need to be inside of you all the way. Balls deep, please,” he begged.

She slowly lowered her body, taking him inside of her inch by inch. He was much thicker than her past lovers. Even the few sex toys that she owned didn’t compare to him. He was stretching her to the point of pain.

“More, more. Goddess you’re so tight and hot.” His head rolled from side to side, dark hair flying everywhere.

“Give me a second. You’re thicker than anyone I’ve ever had.” Ana panted through the pain as her body adjusted to his cock.

He lifted his head to look at her. Their eyes met. Fire burned in his green depths. Need and concern swirled in his gaze.

“Am I hurting you?” he asked softly.

“Just a little. Nothing I can’t handle.” To prove her point, she pushed her body down taking all of him inside of her. Anarrae’s eyes widened at the rush of pain and she groaned.

“Ana?” Her name was a single word demand.

“Give me a second.”

They waited, both panting. She felt him throb inside of her. That soft pulsing told her his heart was beating out of control. As the pain subsided, she tightened her thighs around his, clenched her inner muscles, and began to move. She rose and fell slowly at first, but then began increased the pace. Her breasts bounced up and down. Sparks of desire burst inside her, adding to the sensations coursing through her body. Pleasure unfurled in her belly as her climax began to climb. The desire twisted and turned, tightening into a knot of heat and pressure.

Ana placed one hand on his chest and rode him hard. With her other, she trailed her fingertips between her breasts and over her stomach. She slipped one finger between her thick nether lips and found her clit. Gently, she rubbed the pearl and tightened her muscles around his cock.

“Harder, love. Ride me harder.” Dodger gripped the leather straps tighter, his knuckles white from the pressure. “I wish I could touch you.”

She did as he asked and increased her pace. Ana didn’t admonish him for meeting her thrusts with short ones of his own. He drove his cock deeper into her sheath. Pleasure pushed her higher and higher. Ana wanted that release. She pinched her clit and the pain shoved her over the cliff as fire burst in her belly, spreading outward. She cried out as her vaginal walls quivered and contracted around his cock. She continued to ride him through her orgasm until her energy began to drop.

“Release me, love,” Dodger said.

Through a haze of pleasure she undid the straps. Once freed, he rolled her under him. He withdrew and then thrust forward setting off a mini orgasm. He paused to withdraw, place one of her legs against his chest and pushed forward. The angle gave him deeper penetration that rubbed over a spot she hadn’t known existed. Her toes curled as an intense pleasure began to build inside her again.

The new position didn’t seem to be enough for him. He withdrew again and took hold of her other leg and placed that against his chest as well. Her ass was now in the air, and her body was tilted up off the mattress.

He shoved forward and began to pound her pussy, riding her harder. The slick sounds of wet flesh mixed with his grunts and Ana’s own soft cries. Another orgasm tightened inside of her. The feeling was so huge; it was overwhelming and terrifying. Anarrae clutched the sheets. Her fingernails dug into the damp cotton as the intensity built.

“Touch yourself for me splendore gioia,” he urged in a hoarse voice.

Ana let go of the sheets and slipped her hand between her thighs. She sank one finger between her pussy lips to work her clit. Their gazes locked and she was mesmerized by the need she found in his eyes. It was so intense it bordered on violence. The look terrified and seduced her.

“Mine, splendore gioia. All mine,” he said.

Dodger withdrew and slammed home just as Ana pinched her clit. The move set off a chain reaction as an inferno tugged her down. Her body shook and she came, screaming. There was so much feeling. It was pure, indescribable pleasure. The sensations that ripped through her body were overwhelming. Her toes curled, her body convulsed, and her heart threatened to burst out of her chest.

In the distance she heard a roar and was vaguely aware of his thrusts slowing down until he stopped altogether. The world was a haze. Nothing made sense. She was completely wiped out. Ana barely felt her body move.

“Dodger?” She called out. Her voice was soft and hoarse. Ana’s throat hurt from her screaming.

“Shhhh, it’s OK, love,” he said.

Sleep tugged at her eyelids and darkness edged her vision. She hadn’t the energy to lift her head and seek him out. The mattress bounced beneath her, and she felt slick, hot flesh pressed against her back.

“Go to sleep, Ana. Don’t worry. Just go to sleep.” He whispered against her ear.

That was all it took for her to slip into dreamland. Hours later he would awaken her again, this time with his mouth on her sex.

Chapter Four

Diego sighed and rose from the bed. He was reluctant to leave Anarrae. Unfortunately, he had places to go and people to see. He cursed the timing of it all. He’d finally found someone that interested him and there wasn’t enough time to explore his attraction to her. Also, there was the small fact that he was a con artist. He doubted that she would be interested in pursuing any sort of relationship with him beyond the weekend. This was all a fading fantasy. She’d forget about him come Monday morning.

Amusement quirked his lips as he thought of escorting her to the launch for the Hades’ Helmet. Security would not be pleased when he made the dramatic gesture of taking off his mask before she went up the plank. His face would be instantly recognized. It was on every wanted poster throughout the galaxy. They’d have to arrest him.

Laughter rumbled up and burst forth unexpectedly. He tried to keep it inside but nothing could stop the sound. He panicked at the thought that he’d woken Ana. He glanced over his shoulder at her and relief swept through him.

Her face was peaceful, angelic, and sexy as hell. Her lips were puffy and she had a soft glow about her, an aura that said she was a well-pleasured woman. Diego’s cock became semi-hard. His stomach clenched as need swept through him, heating his body like a wildfire. He could remember the slick, sweetness of her pussy, the way it contracted around him as she came. Tingles ran up his spine and he groaned aloud. The scent of sex swirled around him, perfuming the air.

He could still taste her. The salty sweetness of her body and the tang of her cream rushed over his taste buds. He licked his lips as a yearning to dive onto the bed and bury himself between her thighs gripped him. He wanted eat her pussy until she awakened again, screaming, and her juices dripped from his chin. Diego let out a growl of frustration and clenched his fists as he tried to regain control. Places to be. The words rolled around in his head, reminding him of what he had put off last night.

He turned away from the bed and marched into the bathroom. After a quick shower, Diego dried himself and dressed. Before he left, he scribbled out a quick note telling Ana that he’d be back and let her know what was available to eat. With his mask still on, he left the apartment and headed for the nearest canal to hail the closest gondola. The small boat floated toward him.

“To the Spanish Steps. Make it quick.” Diego paid the robotic gondolier with a few credits and sat back against a pile of cushions. The robot’s silver head nodded and pushed off from the dock. Guttering candles waved to and fro. Their flames were somewhat dimmed in the early morning light.

Diego wished Anarrae could see this with him. The sky was stained a berry blue, deep purple, and dark rose as the sun rose slowly in the sky. Stars could still be seen sparkling despite the rise of the day. Tilting his head back, Diego watched the undersides of a bridge pass by overhead. The ancient buildings, with their peeling paint and fading facades, rushed by. Waves rocked against the side of the boat and Diego felt at peace.

This was the time he loved the most on the planet that held his heart. He closed his eyes and relished the ride. It would be a long time before he would experience this again. If all went according to plan, after this weekend he would not be returning to Zero Branco—at least not for quite a while.

“We’ve arrived.” The gondolier called out. Diego opened his eyes and let out a breath. With ease, he rose up and leaped off the gondola to the dock. He wound his way through the empty, narrow, cobblestone streets until he found himself at a large silver gate before a terra cotta mansion. He took out a small knife from his boot and pricked his finger with the sharp tip. He held the digit over a small bowl and squeezed the tip. A small drop of blood fell and a whirling sound began. After a second, a green light began blinking and the click of a lock sounded.

He pushed open the silver gate and made his way into a small courtyard with a fountain in the middle, its basin dry and filled with leaves. The garden around it, by comparison, was very well kept. Diego rolled his eyes, shook his head, and made his way for the front door. He reached into his pocket, extracted a small key and inserted into the lock. There was no need to ring the bell. He doubted the butler would let him in so he let himself in and made his way into the front hall.

“Where have you been? Mother has been worried. Were you out conning those idiots of the ton? Come on, we can’t wait for you.” His younger brother Roberto came out of a side door and grabbed Diego’s hand. With strength he didn’t know his brother had, Diego was pulled up a grand staircase to the second floor and down the corridor to the end of the hall.

Despite Roberto’s urgings for him to go inside the darkened room, Diego couldn’t. He was assailed by too many memories of being brought into the room to face his stern, strict father.

“Come on, she’s waiting for us,” Roberto said. “The doctor can’t proceed without us.”

With a deep breath, Diego steeled himself for what he was about to see and made his way into the room. He was confronted by the sickly image of his mother, sitting up in her oversize bed, nearly obscured by the massive pillows surrounding her. Her skin was almost translucent. Diego could actually see the highway of veins under the flesh. She had become thin, virtually skin and bones. It was a difficult sight to behold. The once vibrant woman who ruled her house with an iron fist in a velvet glove seemed so weak and frail. Yet the hard stare she gave Diego made him stand up a bit straighter. The look transported Diego back to when he was a child, guilty for eating cookies before dinnertime or breaking some expensive vase. Despite the outer shell, his mother was still the same woman he had feared and revered.

“Diego, good of you to show up. Now, the reason why you’re here… You and I both know that I’m sick—very sick—and may not be long for this Universe. Your brother has taken care of everything else but I need you to carry out one last request. I know you are a con artist. I understand why you went that route, and you didn’t disappointment me in the least.” Pride shone in her eyes. “I am actually proud of you. Stick it to those ton bastards.” A smile ghosted her lips before she continued. Diego’s mother had always hated society, coming from such a humble background. “Now, for my last request of you, I need you to deliver this message to the ambassador going to Veritas 10.”

She reached over and handed Diego a heavy envelope embossed with writing on the front in a language he couldn’t read.

“It’s more than just delivering the message,” she continued. “You must become one of his entourage and protect him. He will be using the Hades’ Helmet as transportation and security. Captain Drogan will be hard to convince, so you must be spot on. It is very important that the ambassador get to Veritas 10. You must do this for me.”

A weight settled on Diego’s shoulders and conflict rose in his mind. He didn’t like the position he was being put in. On the one hand, he would get to see Anarrae again, and even work with her; on the other, he would be deceiving her. There was no way he could go in looking the way he did. Frustration rose within him, presenting itself outwardly in the form of a growl. Diego turned away from the bed and began to pace.

“Problem, brother?” Roberto asked.

Diego ignored him as he tried to think of what to do. It would take months to get to Veritas 10. He doubted he would be able to stay away from Ana for even an hour. The memory of her curled up in his bed, head on his pillow with her face relaxed in sleep, surfaced in his mind. His body tightened as warmth swept through him in a gentle caress, heating his skin, hardening his cock.

“Diego?” his mother said.

Clenching his jaw he turned back to her. Just one look at her pale face, death with its hand on her shoulder, made him want to run far away. The con was about fun, playing Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to himself or a few deserving souls who wouldn’t squander the wealth he offered. He only took what he needed, not too much, just enough to rub in the humiliation. Death was now a factor into the equation. The con wasn’t fun. It was now a job.

“There is a con involved, but you’ll understand it once you get to Veritas 10,” his mother said.

“You’re asking me to expose myself or risk getting caught.”

“It will be worth it, I assure you. This is very important to me. The ambassador…is important to me.” Her words were low, almost a whisper; her features had softened. There was a look in her eyes, an almost intent gaze that made Diego look away. It was the visage a lover had when she thought of her beloved.

Diego’s mind turned to Anarrae. If he were to pursue her, would his face hold that same look? He shook his head.

“Everything you need to know will be told to you once you reach Veritas 10,” his mother continued. “I wouldn’t ask you to take the risk if there weren’t any rewards in it. I promise you, it will be worth it. Will you do this favor for me?”

Diego knew the answer he had to give. He pushed his other complication aside. “I’ll take it. You better be alive when I finish my job, understand? I want to talk to you when this is all over.”

“You know me. I can’t let things go. I will fight as long as I have strength and if I need to I will implant my brain in an AI. Will that do?”

“No need to go to all that trouble for me. Just don’t die and I’ll be good.” He shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. Anarrae took a backseat to this mission from his mother. As much as he was intrigued with his latest lover, he just couldn’t allow himself to get distracted by anything else. If he did interact with Anarrae on the ship while doing his duty, he would have to keep it to pleasantries despite the warmth still pulsing in his body. Duty was at war with sexual desire.

“Just in case, Roberto will go with you. He is already employed by the ambassador. Roberto will cover all your needs and get you the proper paperwork. I suggest you gather your things and get ready to leave at the end of the weekend. Go back to that young lady you pulled.”

Diego stumbled back, shocked that his mother knew about Anarrae.

“I know everything you do. Your AI tells me all.” She smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Diego growled and looked down at his wrist. His AI remained silent. The small screen remained black, as if she was hiding.

“I’ll deal with her later. You remain alive. I have to go now.” He nodded his head at his mother and left the room.

Roberto rushed after him. “Diego, where are you going? I need to talk to you. We need to discuss this assignment.”

Diego turned and faced his brother, pale green eyes clashing with gray. “Later. We’ll talk before I go. First I have to deal with Anarrae.”

“But—”

“Go on. Go be the responsible brother. Take care of our mother until we go. I have to talk to Ana before I let her go. Let me do this.”

Roberto looked conflicted. His younger brother had always wavered between two masters, his father and his mother. Now it was Diego and duty.

“I promise. Before we go on this mission we’ll talk, get things right. After all, you’re in my world now.” He placed a hand on Roberto’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. A piece of his heart fell away. This was the first time in months that he and his brother had had a full conversation. Now that Diego had the time, he took in the sight of his brother. There were dark circles under his eyes and his face had thinned, his cheeks were so prominent they could cut something. Roberto wasn’t taking care of himself. The evidence before Diego made his stomach turn and his heart stutter in its rhythm.

“Robbie, go out and do something fun. We’re going to have months where all we know is the role we’ll be stuck in. I don’t know what this con is that Mother is talking of, but I do know I have a job to do and so do you. Before we go, you should have fun. Pull a lovely woman, fuck until dawn, and then meet me at Nostalgia Café so we can discuss this mission. I’ll meet you for lunch tomorrow. We have one more day of weekend left. Let me enjoy spending it with Anarrae.”

Diego was caught off guard by what he had just done. He had never mentioned a lover before. Ever. When he was younger, he didn’t tell his mother or brother about any of his girlfriends for fear his father would hear about her, seek her out and humiliate her.

“She must be really special for you to want to be with her so badly,” said Roberto. “I see light in your eyes, brother. You let down your guard. I shouldn’t keep you. You’ve never had it easy, protecting me and Mother from father. Go have fun. Fai attenzione.” Roberto stepped away and went back to their mother’s room. The door closed softly behind him.

“Anche tu, fratello,” Diego murmured before leaving the house. He took another gondola home. On the way back, he resisted the urge to peek in the envelope his mother had given him. If one didn’t have all the knowledge for the job, one could not prepare for problems. He trusted his mother, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t a con at all, just a way to protect her old lover.

When the gondola arrived near Diego’s home he jumped ashore. He was about to leave when the gondolier called out to him. In his hand, he held a Rose Ametista.

“For the lady in your life. It is meant to bring good luck.” The robot gave him an awkward smile. Its silver lips were crooked as it tried to convey the human emotion of happiness, but fell short. The machine’s bright red eyes, unblinking, bore into Diego, almost as if it was willing him to take the proffered flowers. Diego couldn’t ignore that. He doubted the gesture was a genuine attempt to get him in good with his lady. The bot was probably low on credits and needed something to make up the difference.

Robots didn’t have rights like AIs, since they couldn’t prove self-preservation or whatever humans and aliens were using as the test for sentient life. Sadness tugged at Diego’s heart. He dug into his pocket, took out a handful of credits, and poured the silver disks into the robot’s hand while taking the slightly wilted roses with the other.

“Sir, this is too much. No, non ce la faccio piu.” The bot tried to give back half of what Diego had given him.

Diego shook his head. “Take it, my friend. You work too hard for this city. You don’t get as much recognition as your AI brethren. Take it. Consider it a tip for a job well done.”

Diego turned away, ignoring the protests of the robot and headed for his flat. He was just about to unlock his door when he heard voices, one male and one Ana’s. He pressed his ear to the door and listened.

“Yes, sir, the weekend is going well. Um, yes, this is, um, an inn I’m at. The hotel wasn’t as safe as I thought,” Ana said.

“Do I need to make a report?” the male voice asked.

“No, no sir. Just a glitch in the security system. Nothing to worry about. I just felt it would be better to stay at an inn. I lost my GPS and didn’t think to report my change of lodgings.” Embarrassment colored her tone and Diego felt bad. Her captain was probably taking her to task for not checking in.

“Well, make sure you’re at the transport pad to take you back to the ship. The ambassador’s people will be there as well. His guards will take him up to the ship in a separate vessel for privacy reasons.” The annoyance in the man’s voice was evident.

Diego held back a chuckle. Government officials had to have special rules applied to them. Privacy meant the ambassador was either pressing his privileges, being a pain in the ass, or had something important to discuss with someone and didn’t want to be overheard. More often than not it was the former rather than the latter.

“Yes, sir,” Ana replied.

“Good. Drogan out.”

The room fell silent and then the sound of footsteps could be heard moving around the room. Diego absorbed the information he had just overheard. He filed it away to ruminate on later. All he wanted to do now was concentrate on Ana and their time together. Tomorrow would be a rush for the both of them, their last day together. He would have to meet his brother and she would be getting ready to leave the planet. A sense of sadness rose up within him. Their time was so short. So much was in the way. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with her.

With a deep breath he unlocked the door and went into his flat to find her wrapped in nothing but a towel, hair wet from his shower. Ana’s face was slick, shiny with moisture, free of makeup. She looked younger, more innocent, and he cursed himself for what he was about to do. If he was found out, she would be horrified. Although she had no clue as to what he looked like, something in her memory would undoubtedly be triggered and she would know.

Worst case scenario, she would be charged with accessory to perpetrate fraud, lose her job, and maybe face jail time depending on the severity of what his mother was asking of him. Best case scenario, things could be smoothed out quickly. Diego doubted that that would happen. Nothing was ever smoothed out quickly.

“What’s wrong? You look troubled.” Ana was looking at him now, dark brown eyes filled with concern.

He was taken aback at how easily she had read him even with the mask on. Perhaps it was true; perhaps he had let his guard down. Diego made his way into the room and kicked the door closed behind him. With a great flourish he bowed low and presented her the flowers.

“Wilted, I know, but their beauty reminded me of you.” He winced at the cheesiness of what he had just uttered. Anarrae wasn’t some stupid girl of the upper class, easily bowled over by silly compliments and stupid lines, and yet, in that moment, he was treating her like one of his marks. Which, in a way, she was.

As soon as this weekend was over they wouldn’t be lovers. They would be strangers again. Sadness rose and Diego wanted to push that away and make her focus on him.

“I’m sorry. That was a very stupid thing to say. I’m new to this wooing thing,” he said. Both statements were true.

Anarrae ducked her head as if embarrassed. “Is that what this is, wooing? I thought this was just for fun.”

“Can’t there be a bit of romance even if this weekend is supposed to be fun?” Diego walked over and sat down next to her on the bed.

“I’m sorry. I’m not used to this either,” she said.

“Used to what, tesoro?”

“I don’t get noticed a lot and when I do, it’s not for romance,” she said.

“Why not?” The thought that any man would pass her by irritated him. What kind of men was she hanging around with?

Ana fiddled with a loose thread at the end of her towel. She didn’t look at him as she spoke next. “I’m not the most attractive woman and I don’t go out much. I usually stay in my rooms and read or something. I guess I’m too boring for most men.”

There was heartbreak in her tone that made Diego ache for her.

“I know what it’s like,” he said. “I understand the loneliness. My life doesn’t allow for attachments or for trust to develop. Your life of just spending time in your room reading sounds wonderful. A bit of peace. Me, I wouldn’t know that. Always have to be one step ahead of the law.” The words tumbled past his lips unchecked and he groaned inwardly. She’d breached his defenses and all she had was talk. Anarrae Lavender was a very dangerous woman. He had to put distance between them, and yet, sitting next to her, he didn’t want to pull away.

“Why do you do it? Why do you continue to be a conman?” Ana shifted beside Diego. Her eyes held questions and Diego wanted to answer her, yearned to just let go and tell her everything about himself and his childhood. For one shining moment he entertained the thought of being with her on that ship, relaxing, cuddling with her in bed while she read, holding her close while they slept. Goddess, that vision of what might be was so seductive.

Diego changed the subject hoping she’d get the hint. “Why did you become an officer on a starship? Isn’t that lonely too? Not much room on a ship. Sort of claustrophobic I would imagine.”

The urge was still there. It hung between them but Diego refused to act on it. He just couldn’t reach out and yank the wall down between them; if he did his life would go to hell. He was a criminal, for Goddess’s sake. She deserved better.

“I wanted adventure,” Ana said. “And I’m from a military family. Serving on a starship is in the blood. Besides it’s not all that claustrophobic. There are the fantasy suites.” A small smiled played on her lips and Diego envied that. He wanted to be the reason she was smiling.

“What do you do there? Is it something naughty?” he asked, thankful the conversation had turned away from him. The sense of envy remained.

“Sometimes, although what we did last night doesn’t compare. I’ve never been in charge before.” Her smile widened as she looked up at him.

“Do you want to be in charge again?” He had loved surrendering to her, loved the freedom in it. Diego trusted her, which should have scared and surprised him. Instead it only deepened what he felt for her, whatever that was.

“No, I want you to be in charge. I want you to fuck me, hard.” There was confidence in her tone. Her shyness slipped away and in its place was a beautiful woman who knew what she wanted. He had given her that. His inner male preened. His outer male, on the other hand, was hungry to be inside his woman again. Yes, she was his, would always belong to him, even after this whole thing ended. He would look back on this time fondly.

“Leather or silk, love?” Heat poured through him in waves.

She licked her lips. “Silk. And I want to be blindfolded.”

Diego’s cock twitched and his stomach tightened as the image of her blindfolded surfaced.

“Yes.” His voice came out ragged and hoarse. It surprised him how immediate his reaction was, and yet he couldn’t hide it, not from her. “I mean, I’ll go get the scarves and blindfold. You just lie back.”

“But what about my hair?” Anarrae gestured to her damp hair.

“I don’t care. I just need you.” Diego meant it. “I plan on fucking you all over this apartment before we part. You are going to remember me, and I want you to think of me when you’re all alone in your cabin and needing release, understand?” He stared down at Ana, willing her to say yes. If they couldn’t be together on the ship, then at least they would be thinking of each other.

“How could I forget you?” she asked. Ana reached up and caressed his feather-covered cheek.

Diego cursed the mask, wishing he could feel her palm against his skin. Instead, the rest of her body against his would have to do. He moved around his apartment, trying to ignore the woman stretching herself out on his bed. An idea struck him and he grinned.

“Love, how would you feel about being bound just wrists on your knees? Perhaps a bit of role-play? Hmmm, interested? You could still be blindfolded but you’d have to trust me.” He waited for her answer.

“I do trust you. Otherwise why would I have stayed? Where do you want me?”

Deigo turned to look at Ana, now sitting up on his bed. His heart constricted and he couldn’t breathe. Only his brother and mother had ever trusted him so completely, and that had been a long time ago. He was honored. He vowed to try to be worthy of that trust, not matter what.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ana smiled. “Just get the stuff and let’s get started.”

In that instant, Diego wanted to kiss her senseless and thank her over and over again for the gift she had just given him.

“You are amazing, you know that?” he asked as he gathered up all of the things he wanted to use with her.

“Don’t tell me. Show me.” Her tone was husky. The sound wrapped around Diego’s cock and it jumped in response. It pressed against his pants with the need to be unleashed.

“Oh, I will, love. I will. Just wait a moment.” With silk scarves, blindfold, and edible body dust in his arms he made his way back to her.

Ana stood in the middle of the room, hugging herself. “What do you want me to do?” She looked so unsure.

“Take off the towel and go lie on the bed,” Diego ordered, distractedly, as he laid out the items he had chosen. He went into the bathroom and got the body oil. “First, I’m going to give you nice massage to relax you. I must blindfold you first.”

“OK.”

He heard the mattress squeak softly. When he exited the room he saw she had followed his instructions. He gripped the oil tightly, trying to keep from jumping and fucking her right then rather than carry out his plan.

“Roll—” he paused to clear his throat. His voice had become rough. “Roll onto your stomach and relax.”

Ana did as he said and Diego blew out a breath. When he climbed onto the bed, she lifted her head and waited patiently for him to cover her eyes. Once that was accomplished, Ana resumed her former position and lay, arms over her head, legs spread wide.

Diego swallowed, unsure of his ability to control himself. She was like a decadent buffet, waiting for him to feast on her using his hands, mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth. He had to clench his jaw to keep himself from deviating from his original plan of working her up slowly.

Before he started, Diego removed the mask and placed it on the nightstand. There was no fear that she would see him and for once he could let the Dodger persona fall away and be with her as himself. He poured oil onto his palm and rubbed his hands together. With a deep breath, he touched her back, spreading his fingers wide. The lubricant warmed and she let out a soft gasp, which made him smile. Slowly, he moved his hands over the expanse of her back, taking in the differences in their skin tones—his tanned flesh against her milk chocolate. He increased the pressure, running his hands down the sides of her spine. Her skin was so soft, so warm, like silk come alive. Each breath she took moved her back up and down, bone and muscle sliding under the skin—so smooth!

“Computer, soft golden light,” Diego called out. The room dimmed and a gold glow emanated from the small lights in the wall. He knew Ana couldn’t see it, but he wanted to set the atmosphere. He knew this is what he would have done for her if they were in a relationship, little things like candlelight, intimate dinners, and full body massages. This was not about seduction or the con. This was real to him. He wanted to know about her life; he yearned to know more about the beautiful woman on his bed, trusting him with her body and safety.

“Tell me about the ship. What do you do on there? Do you have friends?” He cursed himself for asking but the words couldn’t be taken back.

“I’m just an officer. I give reports, type up reports, gather data…boring stuff really. I do have a few friends.” Ana’s voice was slightly muffled by the bedspread. There was a laziness in her tone that told her he was doing a good job.

“Do you love it?” He hoped she did. If she said, no, he knew he would try to tear her away from it. He’d kidnap her for real and take her someplace where she would be pampered, cherished, and waited on hand and foot. He had enough money to buy an island on one of those luxury planets out near the rim of the universe, close to the suns of Pollex and the moons of Hecate. She would love it.

“I do love my job,” Anarrae said.

“You said people don’t see you.” Diego loathed that. He hated that she went unnoticed. To him she was the rarest gem, the most beautiful. His time with her, though it was not long, showed him a sweet, lonely woman who was pure in her intentions but had wicked desires that lit him from the inside out until he wanted to take her regardless of where they were. No one had ever made him feel like that. His throbbing cock, pressed against the fly of his pants, was proof of her effect on him.

“Yeah, but they’re so busy. There’s always activity on the ship, even in the dead of night.” Her tone was not neutral, her body tense. He knew she was lying. She was making excuses for their lack of consideration.

Instead of pressing the point, he let that pass, only to find himself asking the one question he didn’t want to know the answer to. “Is there someone on the ship you fancy?”

He was on pins and needle waiting for her to answer.

“No, no one. I did once, but he left. Changed ships.” There was pain in her voice.

“I’m sorry,” he said. Silently he rejoiced, yet was angered by the pain this nameless person caused.

“Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault. He never knew. Besides there are rules in place. Crew can’t fraternize.”

“Rules were meant to be broken.”

“Spoken like a con artist.” She was smiling now. He could hear the smile in her voice.

Diego laughed. “Well, first you bend them, then you break them. I am what I am. Can’t help that.”

“Did you always want to be a con artist?”

He tensed. It was only fair. He was poking and prodding, asking things he shouldn’t.

“No,” he said. “I wanted to be strong. That’s it. It didn’t matter if I was an officer in the Universal military or a copper or whatever… I just wanted to be strong.”

Memories spilled around the edges of his mind and he tried to push them back. He refused to think of his past—not with her here. It was as if thinking about his father would taint things, and he didn’t want that. Thankfully she didn’t push.

“What do you do when you’re not conning?” Ana asked.

“I read, sleep, catch up on universe news. Boring really.”

“Do you have siblings? Or is that too personal?”

Here was another bittersweet subject. “A brother. He and I don’t really get along. We do and yet we don’t. We have very different views on the world.”

Diego could just see his brother scowling and he shook his head. His hands moved down to cup the cheeks of her ass, giving them a good squeeze. Her groan was his reward. He gave her a good slap on one mound and she squirmed.

“You like being spanked. Mmm, I think you’ve been a very naughty girl. Perhaps I’ll have to punish you later.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the nape of her neck before nipping the skin.

Ana didn’t deny it. She just let out a groan.

“What other secrets does the beautiful Anarrae have, hmm? Will you tell me?”

“My secrets are my own, con artist.” Her voice was husky.

“Just remember I still have to tie you down. Perhaps interrogate you too? I want to know your hidden gems, love. I want to know what makes you laugh, cry, moan, and scream.” Diego meant every word but he didn’t add that he wanted to know what she was afraid of and what made her feel safe—admitting that would push things too far for him. He would feel the need to protect her. Instead of asking, he moved his hands on her. His thumbs slipped between her thighs to rest on either side of her entrance. A glance down showed him she was wet.

“I’m not going to tell you that.” She squirmed slightly.

“I think your body betrays you, love. You’re wet for me. Goddess, I love that you’re wet for me.” He groaned, her taste rolled over his tongue and he had to keep from moving back, lying down on his stomach and feasting on her plump, damp labia. He resisted fucking her pussy with just his fingers until she came.

“Tell me. Let me hear that I make you wet and aroused. Murmur to me how much you need my cock inside of you. Come on, sweet, whisper to me how much you want me.”

“I don’t think I can take much more of this massage,” Ana groaned.

“Why?” Diego ran his thumbs up and down on either side of the opening of her sex. She writhed underneath him.

“Dodger, please stop teasing me. Fuck me,” she begged.

“Not ready yet. But here’s a taste.” He used his fingers to arouse her. He parted her thick nether lips to expose her clit and massaged it with his thumb. Moisture trickled from her entrance and he swiped it up with his thumbs and continued to tease her, giving her just enough pressure but not what she needed.

He stuck two fingers into her pussy. Her inner muscles clenched down and he groaned as his cock jumped. Leisurely, he fucked her while strumming her clit.

“You like this, love? Need more?”

“Dodger, please. I need you inside of me.”

“I am inside you. My fingers are, at least.”

“I need your cock.”

“Not yet.” He pumped his fingers faster and pinched her clit between his index finger and thumb.

She gasped. Her legs writhed against the cotton sheets. He bit his bottom lip hard, using the pain to focus on giving her pleasure. With a deep breath, he reclaimed his determination and pushed away the ache of his balls to release her clit and began finger fucking her faster and harder. Her body stilled. Her vaginal muscles rippled around his fingers before clamping down tight. Ana began to shake as she cried out.

Diego watched, enraptured by the sight before him. Sweat misted her body. Her head thrashed about on the pillow and her mouth was open as she came. As the spasms stopped, her breath came out in pants. Her pussy continued to pulse around his fingers until that too died away.

Reluctantly, he withdrew the digits from her sopping sex and slipped them into his mouth, moaning over the salty sweet tang that was her.

Chapter Five

As her body calmed down and the sweat cooled on her body, Ana sighed. Her pussy clenched when Dodger slipped his fingers from her aching channel. Despite coming, she still wanted him inside of her. There was the relaxed feeling of the afterglow but there was also restlessness. She felt unsatisfied, unfulfilled. The bed moved and she heard him walking around the room.

“Dodger—” Anarrae started.

“Yes, love?” he asked. Dodger sounded so distant her heart hurt.

“I want you to fuck me. No more massages. I’m not satisfied.” She waited for him to get angry. Past lovers had always been offended when she said that she wasn’t happy with their performance.

“Roll over.”

That two-word command made her cold. Anger stirred up and pushed away arousal.

“I’m not going to do a damn thing. You just—”

He cut her off. “I’m not done yet. I’m not satisfied either, but I’m not just going to fuck you and be done with it. Let me continue my plan, and I promise you you’ll be more than satisfied.”

The mattress dipped and the bed moved. Ana felt the wet swipe of his tongue on her ass before she felt the pain. It lanced through her and she cried out. He’d actually bit her ass. As the ache faded it was replaced by heat.

“Now, chop-chop and roll over. Or I’ll do it again.”

Curious and aroused, she did as he asked.

“Spread your legs wide. Let me see your gorgeous pussy again.”

His words heated her body and arousal twisted in the pit of her gut. She spread her legs wide and waited. Leather slid over one ankle and tightened and she drew in a deep breath as her heart thudded against her rib cage. He did the same for her other ankle. The bed bounced and she could smell the musk and sweat of him. She felt his heat over her and she had to fight to keep from lifting her head and licking his skin. She wanted to cover him in nips and kisses just as she had done before.

Instead, Ana focused on her senses and experience. Everything was amplified. The creak of the leather seemed louder. The feel of the fabric around her wrists and ankles felt softer, smoother, even as the edges of the straps bit into her skin. Dodger seemed hotter, his scent more potent. It was all intoxicating. She found herself struggling against her bonds.

“Stop struggling and relax. It will be OK. Shhhh, calm down,” Dodger said. He ran a hand over her head.

Ana’s heart beat erratically but her body remained relaxed on the bed. When he stopped touching her it felt odd, like an incomplete sentence uttered or a connection not made. An ache started in her heart and she realized this is what it would feel like when they had to part, only more extreme. Sadness descended and for a second she wanted to cry.

“It’s OK. I’m here. Relax and just feel.” His voice calmed her down a bit but not completely.

She opened her mouth to say something only to have the thought lost when something soft and light began to move over her chest, back and forth, slow and feathery. Ana didn’t know what to say. The sensation continued until it got to the right side of her waist. Laughter bubbled up inside of her as he moved over a ticklish spot. She couldn’t stop it. The sound tumbled out and her body shook.

“Ah, I found a ticklish spot. Must remember that.” She could hear the smile in his voice.

The feathery sensation moved away to the other side and continued on to her legs. The feeling was replaced by slick warmth with a bit of roughness. She knew he was running his tongue over her ankle. He licked slowly up one leg and down the other, ignoring her center, which made the ache between her thighs grow. Her clit pulsed with need. She wanted his mouth there.

“So soft,” he whispered against her damp skin. “So beautiful. I don’t think I could ever tire of exploring your body.”

She swallowed. The roughness of his voice made her squirm. “Then don’t.”

He chuckled, a sound like the most decadent dark chocolate, rich and sinful. Just perfect. “I won’t, love.”

Anarrae felt the heat of his body moving up her like a slow-moving wave.

“Goddess, this body is beautiful. I can’t say that enough. I want to worship you, but it would take more time than we have.” Sadness colored his voice but did nothing to dampen the arousal. It only made her want him more.

“Then come to me,” she urged.

“Not yet. I’m not worthy yet,” he said. She didn’t understand that comment so she let it go.

The first touch of his tongue on her stomach made her gasp. It was so unexpected. She had known he had been moving up but had gotten distracted by his words. He licked his way over her abdomen, dipping into her navel before lapping his way up the center of her body between her breasts. Her grip on the straps tightened as the yearning rose to sink her hands in his hair and move him to where she wanted him to be.

Her breasts felt heavy. She wanted to feel his hands on them, cupping them, massaging them. Her nipples ached. Impatience wore at her nerves as she waited for him to make his move.

The first touch of his tongue on her nipple was so pleasurable that heat shot through her, tore a gasp from her throat. Her back arched. She hungered for more. “More, I need more. Suck me.”

Dodger cupped her breasts and squeezed them hard before scraping his teeth over the sensitive tip. Pain and pleasure mingled. When he bit down, she screamed as white-hot heat shot straight to her clit. Her hips bucked and her pussy gushed cream. His tongue laved away the sting. He sucked her nipple hard before biting it again. He worried the tip, licking, sucking and tugging. Bursts of heat shot to her core. An orgasm curled tightly within her. She was so close…just a little bit more.

He transferred his attentions to the other peak, making the desire grow. Ana was taken higher and higher. Dodger released her nipple and the bed shook. She felt the heat of his body recede before feeling something solid against the entrance of her pussy. Her vaginal muscles contracted as she waited breathlessly for that first push.

He didn’t make her wait long. Dodger sank into her slowly. Ana tightened her muscles around his cock, trying to draw him in farther. Dodger didn’t disappoint. He withdrew and thrust forward, more of him slid inside of her. He stretched her to the limit. She wanted to wrap her legs around him but couldn’t. The bonds didn’t give her much room to move. He pulled back and pushed forward again, driving deeper until she was full of him. Then he paused.

Dodger kissed his way up her neck before taking her mouth in a slow, passionate kiss. The pace he set was leisurely, which frustrated her. It wasn’t enough. Need rushed through her veins, riding her. She wanted it fast and hard, not slow.

Anarrae tore her mouth away from his and growled, “Fuck me.”

He responded by withdrawing and slamming into her while taking her lips in a violent melding of flesh. His teeth scraped her bottom lip before his tongue thrust into her mouth, matching the pace of hips. He fucked her mouth like he fucked her, hard and fast. Pleasure built up and up and up until she thought she would burst. When he lowered his body down to hers, the heat of him almost burned her. Anarrae’s sensitive nipples brushed against his chest, setting off sparks of desire, adding to the sweet sensation he was causing with each thrust.

Ana was lost, drowning and burning all at once. She couldn’t focus on any one thing. It all swirled together in one big ball of pleasure. When she felt the first brush of his finger against her clit, she cried out as the first tremor ran through her. He pressed down on her clit. The pressure built within her until it spilled over the sides.

Dodger released her mouth. “Come for me, Anarrae. Come now.”

He let go of the aching bundle of nerves and she came. Ana screamed as the pressure exploded. Waves of fire and pleasure rippled outward. Her vagina rippled around his cock. Her body shook and her toes curled so tightly they hurt.

It wasn’t over. He released her clit and pounded her pussy, riding her harder than before. Orgasm after orgasm rolled over her. Her body shook as her pussy convulsed around his hardened shaft. When her body could take no more, she lay on the bed, muscles jumping, body twitching as he continued to fuck her. He thrust once, twice, three times more before coming. His cock twitched and expanded within her, and he cried out her name as he came.

Dodger covered her body with his. He peppered her face with kisses while murmuring to her softy in Italian. He released her bonds but not her blindfold. With great care, he carried her into the bathroom where he washed and dried her before carrying her back to bed, tucking her in under the covers.

Ana yawned. Exhaustion was taking hold of her and she couldn’t fight it. The lovemaking and his gentle care had worn her out completely. Dodger joined her on the bed. He pressed his warm, dry body against hers, making her feel small and safe. She fell asleep with the blindfold still on and his arms wrapped around her.

* * *

Diego was tired but his mind refused to shut off. Tomorrow was the last day for them. He would have to let her go. Sorrow lanced his heart. They had shared something special, and now he wasn’t sure which way was up or what day it was. All that mattered was this moment with her in his arms. “Goddess, help me but I think I could fall in love with her.”

He shook his head. He was going to have to talk to Roberto tomorrow. He would know what to do.

Finally, sleep took him. They slept for a few hours, only to have him wake her up again and again to make love. They paused only to eat, shower, and sleep. Diego didn’t care if they never left his flat. The world outside his door didn’t exist as far as he was concerned. All that mattered was spending as much time as he could with her.

That night, before they went to sleep, she’d ruined everything by thanking him for giving her such a memorable vacation. He’d wanted to argue, say something cruel to make her feel the pain that was slicing through his soul, but nothing came out. All he could do was say, “You’re welcome.” And he gave her a huge hug despite the fact that his heart was breaking.

When they went to bed later that night, he couldn’t sleep. All he could do was hold her and pray that he could stay away from her while onboard the ship. If he failed, there was no telling what would happen to them.

Chapter Six

Anarrae sat at Nostalgia Café sipping a cappuccino. She stretched out her legs and sighed. The sun was shining and everywhere she looked Carnevale was still in full effect. People in costumes and masks milled through the streets. The gondolas overflowed with tourists trying to get as many pictures as possible. Fireworks went off overhead in bursts of dark colors against the pale blue sky. The rings of the planet seemed to sparkle.

Music that was both joyful and haunting wove its way above the murmur of the crowds. She would never forget this place or this time. Everything seemed so right and peaceful. Ana sipped her coffee and looked a few tables over at Dodger who was in deep conversation with a dark-haired man with dark gray eyes. They had the same jaw line and Cupid’s bow lips, but other than that, she wasn’t sure what else to think.

After one long all-day sex-a-thon—only pausing to shower, eat, and sleep—they had decided that she should spend her last day viewing the city. When she’d said it sounded more like a date, he thrown out, “So what if it is?”

He then proceeded to pull her out the door to show her all of his favorite spots. The café was a pit stop for brunch where he had a quick meeting with a friend, and then after that they would visit some museums and gardens. That night he was supposed to drop her off at her hotel. Ana looked down at the clothes he had given her. They weren’t her biometric uniform but they would do. Simple pants, boots and a low cut top, all in black. They were comfortable and, unsurprisingly, her size. He had somehow managed to get his hands on her GPS wrist Com unit, despite Captain Drogan saying that security at the hotel had it along with her other things.

She wished he’d gotten her other belongings as well. A flush of heat burned her face when she remembered Drogan’s call. The Hades’ Helmet had tracked her down via her secondary GPS chip on the back of her neck and hacked into Dodger’s Com Station to have that little chat with her about the disappearing act she’d pulled at the hotel.

Ana had left out details, including how Dodger had kidnapped her to fulfill her fantasy. No one on the crew knew about her reason for going to Zero Branco and she wanted to keep it that way. Now the question was how to say good-bye to her Dodger.

She wished she knew real his name. Dodger was a cute nickname but it only went so far. He knew her name, but all she knew about him was that he was a con artist. Not much to go on.

Normally she liked to know more about her lovers, but this was supposed to have been a fantasy weekend, not form-a-connection-with-a-stranger weekend. She blew out a breath and looked around. One more day in this amazing place was all she had. The scent of coffee and incense perfumed the air in an odd mix that both soothed and energized. Ana couldn’t wait to see this world through his eyes. She was pretty sure they’d miss all the tourist traps and go straight to the gems.

As the people passed by the café, Ana sipped her coffee. Something inside her unwound. She felt more relaxed than she’d ever known. On the ship, there was always tension until she went to bed at night. Once she got up it started all over again. Here, right now, she could breathe and be herself with someone who seemed to care and who actually saw her. She just wished there weren’t so many things standing in the way. Captain Drogan would have little humor if he found out she’d willingly spent her weekend with a known criminal.

What would it be like to be with him always? To actually form a relationship with him? She pushed those thoughts away. The fact that she trusted him didn’t mean anything. Besides, all they had was attraction. That was it. Could one build a relationship with just that? She didn’t want to think about it anymore.

Ana finished off her coffee and waved over the waiter. After paying the bill she sat, unable to decide what to do. Dodger was still talking to that man. Part of her wanted to just go, to just leave this place and disappear into the crowd. The more time she spent with him, the harder it would be to forget him when it came time to leave. She did want to get the tour of the places the locals hung at, but not if that meant tearing up when they parted come nightfall. That’s exactly what she knew would happen.

After a bit of wavering, she made her decision and scribbled out a quick lie on the napkin about having been called back to the ship early. She thanked him for the wonderful time. Then Anarrae flagged down the waiter and asked that the napkin be given to Dodger five minutes after she left. She stood up and slipped into the crowd hoping, praying, that he wouldn’t come after her.

When ten minutes passed and she didn’t hear him calling after her, relief swept through her, but on the heels of that feeling an ache took residence in her chest and she wasn’t sure why. She told herself that it was only a weekend, nothing more.

Ana spent the whole day wandering the streets, buying souvenirs to send to her family back home and a few trinkets for herself. When dusk arrived and the fireworks died away she found herself at the hotel, sitting on the same bed he had taken her from, and thinking about what she was leaving behind. Her Dodger had charmed her, made her laugh, seduced her and made her feel alive. He’d given her memories that would last a lifetime and keep her warm on lonely nights. A smiled curled her lips. She had no regrets at all. Her fantasy weekend couldn’t have turned out any better.

She yawned as she climbed under the sheets and fell asleep with images of a masked, green-eyed man haunting her dreams.

* * *

Diego slipped into the hotel suite, a sad smile on his lips. He had seen her leave the café but hadn’t gone after her, knowing he needed to let her go and yet wishing it didn’t have to hurt so damn much. Somewhere along the line he had grown attached to Anarrae and he didn’t know what to do about it. There was no way they would work. She worked for the very people who wanted to capture him.

Diego was tired of the con. As fun as it was, Ana had showed him a new aspect of life, one where he didn’t have to keep running and hiding; he could just be. Diego could picture nights curled up by her side while she read, moments when they just held each other, or hours when they did nothing but make love. He wanted that; he wanted it all.

With a sigh, he removed his mask and made his way to the bedroom area. His breath caught in his throat when saw her face—soft, peaceful, relaxed. She was an angel and he was not worthy to possess her. For one last time, he wanted to steal a kiss and then disappear. When she saw him next, he would be part of the ambassador’s entourage, nothing more.

He placed the mask on the side of the bed and leaned down. With great gentleness he brushed his lips against hers, ignoring the soft brush of heat that rose up. His body tightened and need poured through him.

Diego pulled back and tried to stifle the desire that had taken hold of him. His cock pressed against his pants, making him uncomfortable.

“I saw you leave, tesoro. I watched you go and yet I knew that it must be this way. I don’t want to let you go, amore mio. I really don’t. You have formed a space in my life that I’m not sure what to do with. A guy like me doesn’t deserve to have a woman as good and sweet as you. That much I know. I’m not a murderer or anything, nothing so violent, but in my line of work one makes a lot of enemies. If one of them were to capture you, I don’t know what I would do. So for now we must part as Anarrae and Dodger. For now.”

He smiled and brushed back a few strands of hair from her face.

“Goddess, I’m going to miss being with you. We started something, you and I, and one day, if we ever get the chance, I want to see where it goes. So you’d better be ready. I don’t care if you think you’ve found someone or if he makes you happy. I’m your man and you are mine, always. Understand?” Diego placed another small kiss on her lips and stood up. “Arrivederci, per ora, amore mio.”

She let out a soft sigh. That small sound tugged on his heartstrings. It took great effort for him to leave. When he stepped out the door, he found his brother leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

“Done?” Roberto asked.

“For now, yes.” Diego walked past his brother, who fell in step beside him.

“What do you mean, for now?”

“I mean there are no guarantees that I’m going to stay away from her while onboard the ship. There’s no way in hell I’m letting another man take what’s mine.”

“Die—” his brother started.

“Don’t start. I finally found a woman I can be myself with. I’m not letting her go entirely. I understand the ambassador’s life is at stake, and we’ve been charged to protect him. I do remember that. On the other hand, if my path crosses with Ana’s, then I won’t push away the hand of fate.”

“This is a bad idea, Diego. You could get hurt.”

“So?”

“I don’t like seeing you in pain.”

“Pain is part of life, my brother.” They arrived at the bank of elevators and stepped into the empty cab. “Besides, when she’s worth it, then what’s a little heartache and blue balls now and again?”

He began to laugh and so did Roberto.

They made their way back to Diego’s apartment to prepare for what they had to do. The first thing he had to do was change his appearance. He headed for the bathroom, stripped out of his shirt, and stood in front of the mirror. With his mind, he accessed the nanites running through his blood. His thick, wavy hair flowed past his shoulder and turned to a burnished gold color with pale-blond highlights. His scars disappeared, and his eyes became a rich sapphire blue. The small machines couldn’t change his bone structure but anything superficial could be altered.

Reluctantly, he took the black barbells out of his nipples. Just in case he did lose control around Anarrae and they ended up in bed together, he didn’t want to risk her recognizing his piercings or tattoos. Taking out the barbells was easy; altering his massive tattoos was not. It took great effort and concentration to change the tribal markings on his arm and the right side of his body. The artwork morphed, flexing, curling, changing, until they became a large sun on his arm and swirling, coiling spirals and stars over his chest and down his ribs.

His skin burned in the aftermath and a dull ache throbbed its way up his side and down his arm. Diego blew out a breath. He looked so different. In the past, he’d had to change his appearance but not by much. As he gazed at himself, his reflection disturbed him. Even though she had never seen his face, he couldn’t help but wonder if in this new guise she would still recognize him. It was ridiculous and yet the thought wouldn’t go away.

Doubts began to cloud his mind. Should he pursue Anarrae or not? He wandered out of the bathroom to find his brother sitting on the small couch in the living room area.

“Nice look.”

Diego nodded. “It’ll do. So the plan is I present myself as the ambassador and be his decoy until we reach Veritas 10. Once there he takes over and I get a billion credits for my trouble. Nice deal. I suppose I can retire with that.”

“You could retire now. You’ve got enough money,” Roberto pointed out.

“True but some habits are hard to break.”

“Is that what the con was? A habit?”

Diego struggled with the idea and then nodded slowly. “Yes. Things had become tedious. Anarrae showed me that. I want more, even if I can’t have her.”

Roberto raised an eyebrow. “Why not with her? You two can start over. You’ve changed your appearance. Why not your name and everything else?”

“What am I supposed to do? Enter the military and become an officer? Even if I did, chances are we wouldn’t be assigned to the same ship. And besides, it takes years to train in the core. I don’t have that kind of time. She could find someone else and move on.” Diego let his vulnerability show through. His confidence was ebbing and he was treading deep water. Never in his life had he ever found himself not knowing what to do.

“Maybe she won’t,” Roberto said.

Diego shook his head and opened his mouth to say something, only to be interrupted by his brother. “You obviously care for this woman. You can’t just walk away from her. You have to fight for her.”

“I’m a criminal.” That title haunted him and he knew that no matter what he did his past would always follow him.

“So? People can change. The ambassador assured us that your record will also be wiped clean after this job. You’ll be an upstanding, wealthy citizen. Why can’t you use that to your advantage? Besides, you know where the bodies are buried with some of the ton. You could use that,” Roberto suggested.

“I’ll consider it.”

“In other words, you’ll move on, just like always.” Roberto sighed. “I have a few things I need to deal with before we go. I’ll meet you at the docking pad. Before I go, I should say this: you are a good man, Diego, regardless of what you’ve had to do in this life. Don’t forget that.”

Diego choked up with emotion. He didn’t know what to say, so all he did was nod and embrace his brother. That small comment had meant much to him. The years between them had not been kind. Diego had always felt that if he had been someone else, done something else, Roberto would have respected him and they’d be closer. He vowed not to waste this opportunity to get closer to his brother. As for Anarrae, he doubted he’d be able to do what Roberto suggested. Despite being given a clean slate at the end of this job, nothing would change. Questions swirled in his head as he lay in bed.

In the morning he found his brother at the docking pad ready to board. Roberto looked calm, cool, and collected. Diego tried to do the same. When the transport ship arrived, he took his seat. Just as he buckled in, he saw Anarrae step into the hold wearing her ship uniform, every curve on display. His calm, cool persona slipped as heat spread through his body. Hunger rose up, demanding he take her somewhere private, strip her out of her uniform and make love to her until she screamed and every man on the small vessel knew who she belonged to. Instead, with clenched fists, he ignored the throbbing of his cock and tried to control himself.

She took a seat directly across from him and strapped in, looking nervous. Her gaze darted this way and that—everywhere but out the small porthole next to her head. She licked her lips and closed her eyes.

Diego wanted to go to her, take her hand, and reassure her everything would be all right. Instead, he found himself calling out to her. “You OK?”

Ana opened her eyes and blinked a few times before her gaze focused on him. Fear quivered in her dark brown depths. She swallowed hard. “Fine. I’m fine.”

A fine sheen of sweat formed on her brow and upper lip, glimmering in the soft light of the seating area. She blew out a breath. Not caring what Roberto would do to him later, Diego unbuckled his belt and took a seat next to her. He reached out and grabbed her hand.

“It’s OK. Just hold my hand and focus on me,” he said.

She looked up at him and the fear seemed to melt away. Her shoulders dropped and her body relaxed. She even leaned into him. He gave her a small smile.

“Thank you,” she said.

He shrugged. “You were scared. I was just trying to help.”

* * *

Anarrae looked up at the mystery man and felt a pull to him. Despite him having blond hair and blue eyes, it felt as though she were sitting next to her Dodger. Calm came over her the second she took his hand. It felt warm, dry, and solid with a bit of roughness. The contact soothed her. Normally she’d be knocked out by now by some pills. It was too late for that.

The ship began to shake violently as it took off. Ana loathed the rocky takeoffs of small transport. Any minute now she expected the nuts and bolts of the ship to shake out of place and just fall away.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to focus on calming thoughts like kittens, the taste of Dolmarian chocolate, and the feel of Dodger’s lips against hers. That last thought sent a jolt of heat through her.

“I’ve got you. Don’t worry,” the man next to her whispered. His breath brushed her ear in a warm, moist breeze that sent shivers down her spine. Her pussy tingled with awareness. Arousal awoke inside her and she tried not to squirm in her seat. His lips brushed against the shell of her ear.

“Focus on me and it will be all right,” he whispered.

The ride began to smooth out and she blew out a breath. “Thank you.”

She didn’t want to pull her hand back but had to. He was a stranger and she highly doubted that he enjoyed having her sweaty palm pressed against his.

“Um, my hand? I need it back.”

He just smiled at her and she became lost in his blue eyes. They sparkled with mischief and secrets, just like Dodger’s. She told herself to focus. This wasn’t Dodger. She had to leave him behind. That was over. She tried to pull his hand away only to have him increase his grip.

“Ambassador, I need to speak with you.” A man called from across the aisle.

So he was an ambassador? Her political training from the military kicked in. No touching politicians unless you have to. Ana yanked her hand away from his.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that—” she began.

He cut her off. “No worries, love. I’m not offended.”

He gave her a smile that made her think of Dodger, and she had to shake herself. The ambassador unbuckled his seat and went back across the aisle to the man who had called out to him. For a second, she did a double take. He looked like the man from the café that Dodger had been talking to, only he had black hair instead of brown.

Ana groaned silently. She needed a vacation just to recover from the one she just had. As the ship flew to the Hades’ Helmet she felt the ambassador’s eyes on her, staring at her. It made her wonder if something was on her suit or in her hair. By the time they got to the ship, she felt paranoid and twitchy. When they docked, she wanted to find the nearest bathroom and look herself over in a mirror.

“Are you all right?” The ambassador called out.

Ana shook her head. “Fine. Just tired, thank you.”

When the hold opened, Captain Drogan stood just a few feet away from the opening with security flanking him on either side.

A wave of nausea hit Ana. The world swam and darkness edged her vision. She couldn’t help but feel as if she’d been drugged, despite not having been able to eat or drink anything that morning. She undid her belt and bent over, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy. It wasn’t working. She felt even worse.

“Don’t worry, tesoro, I’ve got you.” A male voice murmured above her.

“Dodger?” she said but didn’t look up.

“That’s right. I’m here. Always will be,” the voice said.

Ana felt arms holding her and lips against her forehead. She turned her head to look for the captain. Her vision wavered in and out. Before the world became dark, she saw security turn on Drogan and hold him at gunpoint. She tried to call out but had no energy. Blackness slipped over her eyes and unconsciousness took her just as gunfire erupted.

Chapter Seven

Golden clouds surrounded Anarrae. She floated among the stars. Everything felt good—so light and free. Warmth filled her up like a cup. The world quivered around the edges and she felt her body shake but she didn’t respond. Being so high and relaxed felt too good. She didn’t want to go back to that world she had just left. It had been too loud and violent. Shots ricocheted around her head and she winced. Too loud.

“Anarrae, love, don’t leave me,” someone said. “Please, stay with me. Hang on.”

Dodger? She opened her eyes and blinked at the bright lights. Blue eyes gazed at her. Not Dodger. She groaned and closed her eyes, only to be shaken again. A throbbing started in her head and her stomach flipped. She tried to lift her arms and push the person away but whoever it was refused to move, like dead weight. She felt her arms but couldn’t command them to do anything.

Instead of panicking, Ana tried to fall asleep again. The golden clouds surrounded her, and this time she saw stars twinkling against a deep purple sky. Crystal blue rings appeared as she floated higher.

“Anarrae!” Dodger’s voice yelled at her from a distance. She turned her head, trying to spot him, only to see blue eyes staring at her, anger written in the dark sapphire depths. Why was he angry at her? She groaned as her head throbbed. Pain stabbed her brain over and over again.

“Wake up!” More shaking followed that command, and this time Ana thought she really was going to throw up. Her eyes flew open, and she rolled to the side only to fall to the floor. With a groan, she pushed herself up and opened her eyes. The pounding in her head made it difficult to focus. Her vision blurred. She wanted return to her golden cloud world and drift.

“Ambassador, please do not yell at my patients!” Ana looked up to find Doctor Titheniel, the Earth Elven doctor, glaring at someone. The doctor flicked her stick-straight, mink-colored hair over her shoulder. Her lithe figure radiated agitation as she continued to stare at whoever it was.

Ana sat up and saw a stranger sitting by the bed from which she’d fallen. Thick, wavy, blond hair framed an angular face. Dark blue eyes turned to stare at her, pinning her to the floor with their intensity. He seemed so familiar to her, but she couldn’t place where she’d seen him before. The cargo bay? The ambassador!

Ana scrambled up, only to feel light-headed. Her knees gave out and she crumpled to the floor once more. Strong arms circled around her waist and hauled her up. Once on steady ground, she turned to thank the person, but her stomach rebelled. In that moment, a chill descended over her body. Sweat beaded on her brow as she pushed the man away and retched all over the med deck. The world swam before her eyes and she passed out again.

* * *

“Ambassador, we have to go.” Roberto said.

For a moment, Diego was frozen as he watched the medical personnel swarm over Anarrae. He felt helpless as he watched them lift her and place her back on the bed. Her limbs dragged, lifeless, and his heart ached to hold her, to take her up in his arms and confirm she was still alive. Diego needed to hear her heartbeat, feel her breath against his skin. His palms itched to touch her. He wished they were anywhere but here. He felt nauseated, and not because she had thrown up on him, but because she’d been caught in the crossfire. His hands curled into fists.

“Ambassador,” Roberto pressed. “You need to change and we have to go.”

“Keep me apprised of her condition, please,” he called out.

The doctor made a noncommittal motion with her hand while they began to strap Anarrae to the bed. Diego moved forward and opened his mouth to ask why, only to be interrupted.

“Ambassador, please. Move along.” The ambassador’s second assistant, Pio, didn’t bother with decorum. He grabbed Diego’s arm and pulled him toward the exit. Once the med deck doors hissed shut, Diego yanked his hand away and got into Pio’s face, not caring if it was something the ambassador would do or not.

“Never do that again,” Diego said. “Never touch me without my permission, understand? And if I want a reminder of what I’m supposed to be doing or where I’m supposed to be, I’ll consult someone with better manners. Are we clear?”

Pio blanched. “Ambassador, please. Let’s move on to your quarters. They are ready for you.” Roberto slid in between the men and pointed the way. Diego turned and strode down the hallway, anger making him want to reach out and choke the shorter man. Anarrae was clearly not well and the idea of being parted from her again made his heart hurt. But it had to be done. He had a job to do.

Roberto rushed in front of Diego and guided him to the Imperial quarters, the suite of rooms reserved for the VIPs. “You and I need to speak. The rest of you to your quarters,” he said.

The ambassador’s entourage scattered like mice. Diego didn’t bother being subtle. He grabbed Roberto’s hand and dragged him into his rooms. As soon as the doors closed, he let go and began to strip.

“I can’t do this.” He tossed his soiled shirt, shoes, socks, and pants to the ground before heading to the bathroom.

“One, you have to. You promised. Two, for the love of Christ, warn me when you’re going to get naked.”

Diego stepped into the small shower stall and turned the knob, moaning at the feel of real water pelting his skin. “I love this ship.”

“It was outfitted with the latest technology so, yeah, real water. Moving on. Does this have to do with Anarrae? She’ll be fine. You do know that. The medical staff is the best in the fleet.”

“I don’t care. She shouldn’t have been caught in the crossfire, period. She’s innocent.”

“Diego.” Roberto’s sigh could be heard above the spray of water. “You have a role to play. The ambassador is counting on you. Mother is counting on you. You promised to help. You have to forget what happened on Il Doge. That’s over. She is now an officer of the Hades’ Helmet under Captain Drogan Carter. You try and rekindle that and this whole thing goes up in flames.”

Diego pushed thick, wet locks of hair out of his face and reached out, searching for the automated soap system. A panel slid open and a silver nozzle pushed out to squirt warm body wash into his palm. He spread the jell onto his skin. He cleaned himself as he chewed over Roberto’s words inside his head.

“I know. I know you’re right, but I can’t take it. She looked so fucking helpless, Roberto. I’d do anything to take it back.”

“I know, but the ambassador needs you. His life is on the line. He needs us. Besides, what would we say to Mother?”

Diego winced. He didn’t want to think of how disappointed his mother would be. “Fine, but you better keep an eye on me. This long con is going to be more difficult than anything I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot of big jobs. This has more than one complication that I can see. We have to assess everything from every angle. It’s bad enough I’m a con artist. We’re outlaws. If I get caught, I’m dead.

“The first major complication is Anarrae. I can’t think straight when I’m around her. Next, Captain Drogan. I don’t like lying to the man. I’ve studied his record. I think he’s trustworthy. I think we should tell him. Third, the Chameleon Cyborg that’s been reported to have infiltrated the crew. We don’t know if that’s accurate or not, so we’ll have to take it as fact. What have you heard from your black-ops sources?”

Diego couldn’t care less about this latest threat. Anger rolled around his body as he remembered Ana’s limp body. He wanted to go to her, be at her side. Was she awake yet? Had she called for him? Diego clenched his hands. He hated this situation even more now.

“I agree with you on points one and two.” Worry tinged Roberto’s tone. “As for point three, they’re very sure that we’re dealing with a wallpaper robot.”

“Wallpaper robot?” Diego had never heard of this type of technology.

“Yeah, that’s what they call them. They’re so good at the mimic they can seamlessly blend into the background, so to speak.” Anger filled Roberto’s voice. “I’ve heard of them killing while looking like tea cups.”

Diego’s head came up. “Fucking hell. That thing could be here? Anarrae.” He struggled to turn the water off and get out of the stall.

“Calm down, she won’t be a target.” Roberto assured him.

Diego shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. They could think that Anarrae is with me—with the ambassador. I’ve been sitting by her side since they took her to the med deck. Fucking hell! Stupid, stupid, stupid.” He managed to shut the water off and step out.

Roberto threw him a towel. “I’ll go lay out some clothes. Instead of overreacting, we get to Captain Drogan. He wants to see you anyway for clarification on the incident in the cargo bay.”

“Fine, whatever. Get it done, and make sure the entourage stays in their rooms.”

Diego dried off and got dressed while Roberto made the arrangements. Much to Diego’s annoyance, Pio insisted on going to the meeting. There was nothing Diego or Roberto could say to make him stay in his rooms.

“It’s my duty to ensure that there is no misconstruing of the ambassador’s words.” Pio had insisted.

Diego bit his tongue to keep from snapping at him. They all went to Captain Drogan’s office, but as soon as they were inside Diego ordered the room cleared, saying only, “I wish to speak to Captain Drogan alone.”

“Ambassador?”

“Captain, I wish to speak to you on a high-security matter most urgent. Please, clear the room with the exception of your head of security.” Diego waited for the captain to shoot him down. Instead, Drogan nodded. His dark blue eyes glimmered with interest, but he said nothing until they were left alone with his head of security, Tigress Crow-Ley.

Diego blew out a breath. “First of all, I’m not the ambassador.”

Drogan said nothing and Diego took that as signal to continue. Tigress Crow-Ley narrowed her hazel eyes at him. Her hands drifted to the handles of FP Steiner Laser Pistols holstered on her outer thighs.

Diego wasn’t deterred. “The ambassador asked me to be his double and pose as him until we get to Veritas 10. I’m using nanotech to pose as him. I won’t tell you my real identity, but I will say this: he trusts me with this job, and I intend to carry it out to the best of my ability. Now, the reason for the attack and your security misfiring—”

“We already know why they turned on the captain,” Tigress hissed. “A virus in their data ports. Somehow, they were infected. With the information you just gave us, we can assume the assassin managed to hack his way through the firewalls. We’ve changed passwords, changed protocols, and strengthened our firewalls. We’ve also shut off communication. Only the most necessary messages can go through, and even then they’re screened by our top tech ops. May I ask why you’re telling us this? I could throw you in the brig.”

“Because I doubt the assassin is stupid enough to pose as a high level officer. It draws too much attention, and he’d be required to carry out all of that officer’s duties. That would be a distraction he couldn’t afford. Better to impersonate a grunt worker, someone unnoticeable so he could get close.” Diego began to pace, his mind working overtime to piece things together.

“Yes, but if you were to be killed during all this, regardless of who he chose to impersonate, the ambassador would be safe.” Drogan tilted his head to the side. His gaze seared with intensity as though he saw straight through Diego’s disguise. “Your job would be done. You’re disposable. Why would you sign up for this?”

“This mission is a risk, but it was a favor.” Diego didn’t expound on the subject.

“Yes, but if you survive, what do you get?” Tigress asked.

Diego glanced at the security officer and ran a hand through his hair. “I get a clean record and a pass to a new life.”

“How badly are you wanted?” This came from Drogan.

“Do you really want to know?”

“How good are you?” Drogan pressed. There was calculation in his gaze. Diego wasn’t sure what to think.

“At?” Diego asked, knowing what the question was. He wanted things clarified before he answered.

“At the con. I want to know just who I’m dealing with.” Drogan sat back, but the weight in his eyes didn’t leave.

Diego reached up and rubbed the nape of his neck. He debated whether to tell the truth or lie his ass off. He doubted Drogan would trust him if he didn’t spill it all. With a deep breath, he opened his mouth and slipped into the role he’d played most of his life. “I’m one of the best. You want a guy to talk you out of a situation? I’m your man. Want me to sell someone oxygen on the Moon? I can do it. You want me to get you in contact with the lowest of the low? I’ve got the connections. Just don’t ask me how. Ask me how much.”

“Slick, but I’m not buying it.” Drogan’s gaze continued to bore into Diego. Unlike with Anarrae, it didn’t make him feel exposed. He felt challenged and thrilled by it.

“The ten armed suit of armor of Cyclopsis Eight?” Diego went on. “That was me. And I got it out of there without the guards even noticing. The tainted water scandal of Ambrosias Seven? Me. Damn that orgy was fun. Too bad I didn’t stick around long enough for the king to out his several male lovers.” Diego smiled as the rush of success swept through his veins.

“How?”

He didn’t need clarification for what Drogan was asking. “The statue was shrunk using the nanotech attached to the suit. Fit in my pocket perfectly. As for the tainted water, one drop in the stream that runs outside the filtration system. The computers aren’t programmed to break down the composition of Aphroditean rose lust juices. It was all natural. Anything else?”

“Well, I’ll be damned!” Drogan settled in his chair, a wide grin on his face. Admiration sparkled in his eyes. “They still don’t know what caused such an incident. All natural would just pass through the system. Very nicely played. And not many people know about that stream, since it’s shielded from survey probes. I had a front-row seat for the water tainting. Didn’t stay for that part either. I was really put out when I heard he’d gotten on the table and demanded lap dances from his lovers. All of them were pissed because they were all enemies. King Tauraous was a bold man.”

Diego shrugged and resisted the urge to preen.

Tigress stepped forward, disgust clear on her face. “Captain, I really must insist. This man is a threat.”

“And? He’s the only thing we’ve got helping us to find the cyborg.”

“How, sir?” Tigress was skeptical. Diego didn’t blame her. He was wondering that himself.

“Put him out as bait.” Drogan looked up at Tigress. “But guard him as though he’s the real ambassador. It’s perfect. Besides, I know you’re chomping at the bit to find the hole in security and fix it. You want to figure out how they got onboard, and I’d like to know too.”

Tigress looked away. “I see your point, sir.”

“I have a theory,” Diego said, sinking into the seat across from Drogan. “They must have arrived before us. Did you get any shipments? Maybe something was delayed? If it were me, I’d slip in using confusion as my means of entry.”

Tigress frowned. “There was glitch in the system yesterday. The communications officer detected that someone tried and failed to piggyback on an outgoing message from the captain to one of our officers on Il Doge.”

Diego wanted to throw up. An idea slipped into his mind. He stood up so fast that he startled both Drogan and Tigress. Anger heated his blood. “Some motherfucker on Il Doge knew what Anarrae was up to on the planet and marked her. Fucking hell.” He began to pace, ignoring the looks of surprise and suspicion on their faces.

“How do you know about Officer Lavender?” Drogan demanded.

Diego stopped and looked at Drogan. “What I’m about to say doesn’t leave this room. I do not want her compromised or looked at any differently.” He watched them both carefully. Tigress had suspicion on her face. Drogan’s features were stoic.

“Who’s messed with a member of my crew?” Drogan asked, tone neutral but clipped.

“Anarrae went planet-side to meet a prossy. Someone must have found out and used that info. If I hadn’t met her that night she could be dead, or worse.” Bile burned Diego’s throat at the thought of his Ana kidnapped and tortured or dead.

“So you’re the reason she wasn’t at the hotel during check-in?” Drogan asked.

“Yes.”

“I see.” Drogan turned away. “It’s lucky then. I’m not going to ask why she wanted a prossy. Her business is her own. What I don’t like is that someone used that info to get to her, or would have tried to. This is serious. This means that someone on board my ship knew, or found out, what she was up to and contacted someone on the planet. Tigress put extra security on Office Lavender. Ambassador, I am going to have to ask you to keep your distance from her until this is over.”

Diego nodded grudgingly. He would try to stay away from her, but it killed him inside to know that she was a pawn in someone’s sick, twisted political game. Secretly, it pleased him that Drogan had called him ambassador. That told him that the captain trusted him to an extent. Regardless of what happened, Ana would be safe, and anyone who harmed her would learn why Diego was also feared in the con circles. His hands clenched into fists.

“I do see one problem.” Tigress’s words made Diego look up. “Everyone has a data port, whether installed on their bodies or on their wrist-com units. If the assassin got in once, I fear they’ll figure out how to get in twice.”

“You said that—”

“I know what I said. Security has been heightened, but if they’re really crafty and they can mimic anyone, then—”

“I know what you’re saying.” Drogan pressed the tips of his fingers together. His features were hard, his eyes were unfathomable, his lips had formed a thin line.

Diego could see the issue. “Isn’t there a way to tell the difference between a cyborg and a normal person?” He hated that he didn’t know enough about the current advances in cyber tech. A thought occurred to him. “My brother Roberto has knowledge of this subject. Let me bring him in on this conversation. He’s the real ambassador’s assistant…well, one of them.”

Drogan nodded. “Bring him in here, but only him.”

Diego didn’t waste any time. It took quite a bit of effort to keep Pio from coming with him. “You’re going to have to give him something to do to get him off our case.” Roberto hissed. “That man is like a dog with a bone.”

Diego nodded. “I’ll think of something important for him to do later. Right now, you have to educate us on the latest model of cyborgs.”

Roberto bowed his head toward Drogan and Tigress. “Captain, thank you for believing my brother.”

Drogan shrugged. “I believe him, but I have yet to fully trust him. So, tell me about the latest cyborgs and how to spot them.”

“Cyborgs are essentially humans, only upgraded to be part machine. Almost everyone has cybernetic implants and nanotechnology within them. Cyborgs, on the other hand, need more nanotech than most people due to their special needs. Their mechanical parts need to be taken care of and repaired on a daily basis. A little-known fact is that although their blood appears normal, it isn’t. While most humanoid life forms have A, B, AB, O, and most alien species are classified by M for Martian, J for Jupiterarians and so forth, cyborgs carry what is known as C-plus blood.”

Drogan sat back in his chair. “Can we detect this special blood without extra equipment?”

Roberto shook his head. “No need to do that. All you need to do is have your med deck personnel run the crew’s blood tests like normal, but look for higher levels of nanobots in the blood stream. They should know the regular amount that is contained in a species’ body.”

“Yes, we can do that. Have it go along with annual flu shots since that’s coming up. The Doc’s been pestering me about starting earlier this year due to all our travels in the Green quadrant.” Drogan winced. “I’ll let her know we’re going along with her plan, starting today even. She’ll be thrilled and stop nagging me about it. We should have a backup plan in case the cyborg manages to pass.”

Diego racked his brain. “Isn’t it customary to have a feast when a delegate is onboard?”

“Yeah, sure, but we thought it would be best to keep the ambassador’s sojourn here low-key. You’re thinking we put you out in the open? See if they bite?” Drogan shook his head, thin braids flying everywhere. “I’m not sure about that. You’re already exposed enough as it is. Besides, with the four security officers I had to take off rotation, we’re low on people…unless Tigress will let me use her black-ops guys.” The captain glanced up at the tiger shifter, whose face was contorted in a mix of eagerness and distress.

“On the one hand, they’ve been itching for a mission that isn’t guard detail,” Tigress admitted. “On another—”

Drogan cut her off. “If you say waste their talents on him I’ll deny you planet-side leave when you arrive at Veritas 10. Regardless of who this man really is, he’s a VIP who needs protection, and I want this Chameleon Cyborg off my damn ship. Bad enough one of our people was used for this, but now anyone on this ship could be at risk.”

Tigress’s face took on an emotionless mask. “I’ll have them briefed and ready within the hour. But first I’ll have them tested.”

“Good. We should have the ambassador and his entourage visit the testing area first as a show of how med deck operates, sort of like a guided tour of the ship.”

Diego couldn’t agree more. One, it was a chance to familiarize himself with his new surroundings, and two, he got to see Anarrae again, even if it was only from a distance.

Chapter Eight

Anarrae groaned as she opened her eyes. Bright lights blinded her. It took quite a few blinks for her vision to clear.

“Ana, how are you feeling?” a soothing, gentle female voice said.

Ana looked around and focused on Doctor Titheniel. The ship’s doctor gazed at her with beautiful multicolored eyes. Ana blinked again and groaned. Her head throbbed and her back and bottom hurt. The light was also too damn bright.

“Head still hurts? That should pass as soon as the gas is out of your system. How’s your stomach?” The doctor’s gentle voice soothed some of the pain away.

Ana took a moment to mentally inventory her body. Her stomach felt more stable than before. She shifted on the bed and breathed out a sigh of relief when her stomach didn’t flip.

“I take it everything is better?”

Ana nodded and settled back against her pillows. “Much.” She took in her surroundings. As usual MedLevel was bustling with activity. “I could have sworn that—?”

“The ambassador was called away. I’ll let him know that you’re awake and better. He asked that he be kept apprised of your condition.”

Heat flushed Ana’s face as a memory surfaced. “Oh Goddess, I threw up on him. I threw up on a politician.”

Ana wished the world would open up and swallow her whole. She reached out and grabbed Doctor Titheniel’s hand. “Please, don’t. I’ve humiliated myself enough in front of him.” Ana wanted to hide in her rooms and not come out until they’d left Veritas 10.

“He asked that he be informed of your progress, but I guess I can forget to tell him about your being discharged. After all, I’ll be so busy with the flu vaccinations that the captain authorized. You’ll be one of the first to get them.”

Ana wasn’t sure she was too pleased with this new development. She shifted and pulled up the covers. “You know, I’m not feeling too well right now.”

Doctor Titheniel waved her hand. “Nonsense. Your stomach is stable and your vitals are much better. A few shots will be fine. Now, take off the blanket and give me your arm. We’ll need a double round for the Plutonian flu. Last time that bug hit the ship it spread like wildfire. Come on. The sooner you get the shots, the sooner it will be over. Give me the blanket.”

There was a short tug of war, which Ana lost. The covering was pulled away and her sleeve tugged up.

“You’ll be fine. It will only hurt for a minute.”

Ana cried out as the first needle pierced skin. One after another, she took her shots until she couldn’t feel her arm. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

“Bitch.” Ana muttered.

Doctor Titheniel grinned. “Pin cushion. Here have some Tarraian chocolate, helps with the pain. They’re filled with liquor too. Go on, take some.”

Ana reached out and took a thin, circular piece of candy. Bitter sweetness burst in her mouth, chased by the warmth of the alcohol. She moaned aloud and reached for another one, but the doctor moved the box away.

Doctor Titheniel leaned a hip against the bed. “You owe me dirty, filthy details, woman. I want to know it all—every lascivious thing you did on Il Doge.”

Ana frowned up at her friend, unsure what to say. “Dr. Titheniel.” She began.

“Don’t, Dr. Titheniel, me. You did do something, didn’t you?” She flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder, settled on the bed and leaned forward. “What did you do? Oooh, this is so exciting! I wish my love life was this fantastic. The only thrill I get nowadays are when Dorian and Lex fall into bed with me. I haven’t had sex in universe knows how long.” She reached out and gripped Anarrae’s arm. “I need details. Need them.”

Ana laughed. “How about dinner at my quarters, a girls’ movie night?”

“Bless you! May the heavens open up and rain dildos upon us. Not hurting you, of course. Ugh, gotta get back to work. Here.” She shoved the box of chocolates at Ana and slid off the bed. “I keep telling the captain the earlier we start doing the flu shots, the better things will be. I hope this is a new rule from now on because I’m not going to go through that snarlbit stomach virus again.”

Ana had just shoved another chocolate into her mouth when she swallowed and started choking. Her eyes watered as she watched the ambassador, accompanied by the captain and head of security, enter the med deck.

Dr. Titheniel rushed back over and began patting her on the back, hard. “Ana, breathe honey, breathe.”

Anarrae watched in horror as the chocolate flew out and landed right on the ambassador’s jacket, just as he’d come to stand at the end of her bed. The smile on his face contorted to one of shock.

“Oh, universe, kill me now.” Ana snuggled under the sheets and pulled the covers over her head.

“Oh my God, the ambassador!” Several women exclaimed. Ana peeked out to see a swarm of nurses, all armed with towels, rushing at him.

The ambassador just brushed the chocolate off and smiled at Ana. Her belly did a flip. Heat flooded her body. He moved forward, putting his hands on the railings of her footboard.

“You must be feeling better. You’re eating chocolate.” His grin widened as his eyes narrowed. Fire burned in the blue depths. “I should have my assistant send you flowers.”

Ana’s nerve endings flared to life as memories of her time with Dodger bombarded her. Heat extended from her stomach outward. Her body tightened as her breasts became full. She sucked in a breath and squirmed as her pussy and inner thighs began to tingle. She struggled to shove the arousal away.

Ana couldn’t understand her reaction to this man. It was almost as if Dodger were standing before her. Only, he wasn’t. Ana had never seen Dodger’s face, but the man in front of her had thick, wavy blond hair and dark sapphire blue eyes. Her body told her Dodger was in front of her, but his hair was all wrong. And Dodger—his eyes were blue, not green. An ache started in her stomach and she looked away. Ana wanted Dodger here with her now.

“Ambassador,” Captain Drogan snapped. “We should continue with your tour.”

The ambassador scowled. “Of course.”

Ana looked up and sucked in a breath. It was as if a wall had slammed shut between them. Heat burned in his eyes as he gave her a curt nod of his head before moving off. Confusion flitted through her mind. The air became thin. It was hard to breathe. For a moment, she struggled with her emotions. She knew she shouldn’t be feeling this. The two of them had no connection. This wasn’t normal. Why was she feeling like this?

Dr. Titheniel’s voice cut into her thoughts. “Wow, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he wants you. Lucky! I’ll send these to your quarters and get your discharge papers ready. You’ll have much more privacy there than here, where everyone will gossip like Earth Betties.”

Ana nodded. She needed to gather her thoughts and understand what she was feeling. A glance toward the other end of the med deck made her sigh as the arousal continued to sizzle through her veins. She turned away again and struggled to get out of bed. She was back at work now. She had to forget Dodger, and forget Il Doge. There was no use in pining for a man she couldn’t have. Besides, he was a criminal. There was no hope there. Her heart ached at that thought and tears stung her eyes. She shook her head and slid out of bed. She pulled on her standard issue boots and stood up.

“Ms. Lavender?” a soft male voice asked. She glanced back to see the man that Dodger had been talking to at the café back on Il Doge. Ana blinked. “My name is Roberto. I’m the ambassador’s assistant. I also assume you know my brother?”

Ana looked at him confused. “Brother?”

“You call him Dodger.” The man gave her a gentle smile. Ana stared at him in shock. She licked her lips and tried to form the words. “I see I’ve surprised you. Yes, he’s told me about you. He spoke highly about you. He wished for me to give this to you.” Roberto handed her Dodger’s spiked collar.

With a shaking hand, Ana took the offered gift. “Th-th-thank you. How…how is he?” She clutched the collar to her chest as her heart rate sped up.

Roberto smiled. “He’s off creating mischief. I would like to say thank you. You made him happy.”

Tears stung Ana’s eyes again.

“Did you take the mask he left for you?” the man went on. “Die—Dodger wanted you to have it.” He continued to smile but there was caution in his eyes.

Ana nodded. “Yes. When you see him again, thank him for me.”

“Of course. I hope you feel better. I would have introduced myself earlier but I’m an aide to the ambassador.”

“Of course. Busy. If you’ll excuse me?” Ana bowed her head and left the med deck as fast as possible.

* * *

Diego watched Roberto return to him. His heart ached to go after Ana but he stayed where he was.

“Happy now? I gave it to her.” Roberto’s lips quirked into a small smile. He had a teasing glint in his eyes but he didn’t say anything more.

Diego gave him a nonchalant shrug.

Roberto shook his head. “You’re torturing her. Hell, you’re torturing yourself.”

“Let’s focus on what we’re seeing here.” Diego brushed off Roberto’s comments. The collar had two purposes: It was a gift and it had a tracker in it. Also, one of the spikes detached to become a floating camera. If he couldn’t watch over her in person, he’d do it from afar. His attention turned to the officers getting the shots. So far, the secondary testing that Drogan had ordered had come up clean.

He leaned over to Roberto. “Can the cyborgs manipulate their blood to make it pass for normal?”

Roberto was silent for so long that Diego feared the answer. “Honestly, no. It’s not totally implausible, but that would take a lot of planning on their part. They’d have to know ahead of time if blood testing was going to happen. This is impromptu. Not enough time, I’d guess.”

That answer wasn’t good enough for Diego. “Find out for sure. Too many lives are on the line for this.”

“Like Anarrae’s?” Roberto shot out.

“Like yours, if you don’t find out.” Diego’s stomach contracted in worry for Ana’s safety.

Roberto chuckled. “To hear is to obey.”

“Not funny.”

“I thought it was.”

“Ambassador, this could take a while. Perhaps we could continue our tour elsewhere? Perhaps the cafeteria? It’s dinner time.” Roberto gestured toward the door.

Diego’s stomach rumbled. “I would love to.”

* * *

Anarrae entered the security code for her suite of rooms and waited for the computer light to turn green. Instead it beeped, the red light blinking at her, mocking her. “I didn’t change my code while I was out,” she said.

She tried again. Again the soft buzz floated up to her. Ana hit her wrist com. The ship’s AI didn’t respond, so she put in a message to tech support.

“What seems to be the problem?” Lieutenant Anders asked.

“My security pad is malfunctioning. I tried the AI and got no response.” Ana glared at the pad.

“We’re doing some maintenance on the AI mainframe right now. We should be done in a few seconds. Sorry for the delay. I could send someone to you who’s in the area.”

Ana blew out a breath and let her head drop forward. “So thankful that the captain didn’t do a full AI integration.”

“What?” Confusion filled the speaker.

Ana rolled her eyes. “Sorry, yeah. Please send someone over.”

“It will be a few seconds. I’ll stay on the line just in case.” The speaker started to play what was termed on Earth as elevator music.

Ana leaned against the wall next to her door and relaxed. Her arm no longer throbbed and her headache was almost gone. All she wanted to do now was crawl into bed for some much-needed shuteye. She wasn’t scheduled for duty until tomorrow.

“Lieutenant Lavender?” a deep male voice asked.

Ana looked up and up and up until her gaze caught moss-green skin, a lipless mouth, a flat nose, and large black eyes. She blinked. She was pretty sure she had never seen this person before, and she knew almost everyone. Ana pushed off of the wall and straightened up.

“Yes?” Worry filled her. Had she done something wrong? Still new to the Hades’ Helmet, she was getting used to the ins and outs of the ship.

The man smiled; at least that’s what she thought as she watched the sides of his mouth curl upward. The mystery man wore a standard-issue uniform for the Hades’ Helmet, complete with epaulets to show his rank as a corporal. He held out his hand.

“Corporal Froggie. And yes, that’s my real name. I just transferred into the tech department from the Goliath. What seems to be the trouble?” He gave her a small smile that did nothing to ease her nervousness.

Ana reached out and shook his hand. As soon as their palms touched and he had a firm grasp, she felt a sharp prick breach the skin of her hand. The world grew fuzzy and she felt light-headed.

“Don’t struggle. It will be worse if you struggle.” Corporal Froggie’s voice had become hoarse.

Ana’s body felt heavy as she sank to the floor. She tried to fight it. She brought up her free arm to hit him. The spikes of the collar hit his leg; he howled in pain and jumped away. “Stupid bitch.” He shouted.

Ana had a second before his hand came into view and her head hit the floor. Stars bounced in front of her eyes.

“Hey! What the fuck are you doing?” Someone yelled. She heard a scuffle and then felt herself being rolled onto her back.

“Med deck, I need a doctor on level four ASAP. We’ve got an assault. Victim doesn’t look so good. Damn, Lavender, what the hell just happened?” Ana recognized Corporal Dorian’s voice. She groaned. She tried to speak but couldn’t feel her lips. Her tongue felt huge in her mouth.

“Don’t talk, just close your eyes. They’re sending a medic here ASAP,” Dorian murmured.

Ana closed eyes, feeling very tired. Again.

* * *

“Damn it to hell! What the fuck are we doing? Why wasn’t security put on Ana?” Diego paced back and forth and tried to ignore the urge to punch a wall—or a certain captain.

“The security I’d assigned never got the message. Apparently our AI was being upgraded.” Tigress flipped her wavy chestnut locks over her shoulder and continued to shift from one foot to the other.

“Not an excuse,” said Drogan. “Find out what the hell was going on in tech support. I was told the upgrade wouldn’t be until next month.”

“Shit.” Tigress left the room.

“What about the real Corporal Froggie?” asked Roberto. “He was found tied up and gagged in a supply closet not far from Lieutenant Lavender’s quarters.”

“He can’t remember a thing.” Drogan answered. “Said he was poked in the neck with something and passed out.”

“This freak knows where her quarters are. She needs to be told.” Diego watched Drogan open and shut his mouth.

The captain let out a sigh. “Yeah, she does. I’ll tell her as soon as she’s awake. For now she needs to rest. I’ve taken her off the roster until I can guarantee her safety. How the hell did they find out? Also, how did they infiltrate tech support? That was one of the first places we upgraded the security.”

Diego shook his head. “They have to have an intricate web of informants, it would seem. A background check on the crew, anything that could make a person a good target for blackmail, that’s what’s needed here.”

“You’re a con artist. How would you proceed?” Drogan collapsed in his chair and ran a hand over his face. He looked tired and Diego didn’t blame him. It had been a long two hours.

Diego took a seat in the visitor’s chair. “I’d look for the people with gambling debts first. Next would be the people who have questionable family members. Then it’s the people who have hit rock bottom. After that, I’d work my way up the food chain, using weaknesses and a few other tricks.”

“I can see this is going to take time, which we don’t have. There has to be a faster way. The cyborg could look like anyone by now. Besides that, they’ve probably healed and burned the uniform they stole.”

Diego racked his brain. “What about the AI?”

“I don’t trust the computer system at the moment. If tech support was compromised, the AI could be too. No, there needs to be another way.”

The doors opened to reveal a petite woman with long waves of dark brown hair, wearing a standard uniform. Drogan’s eyes lit up. He leaned forward. “Rena, this is the ambassador.” Drogan gestured toward Diego but kept his eyes on Rena.

“Captain, sir. Ambassador.” Rena nodded her head first toward her captain and then to Diego.

“Sir, this just came through to communications. There seems to be a ship in distress on our route to Veritas 10. High priority.” She slid a thin work tablet toward him across the desk.

Diego watched their body language. Rena kept herself distant, all eyes on Drogan. Meanwhile, the captain scooted closer to the table, one hand under the desk, while using his free hand to scroll through the message on the small panel.

Drogan shook his head. “We can’t. There’s a situation going on here. No stops.”

Diego came out of his people watching to protest. “No, no. Stop. Help. That should throw the situation for a loop.”

“But—”

Diego smiled. “We have a security breach going on. Tell me.” He moved closer to Rena, keeping an eye on Drogan’s reaction. His instincts were on full alert. His reasoning told him that a Chameleon Cyborg couldn’t replicate a sense of loyalty, duty, or deep attraction. Right now, all those emotions were in play. His gut told him that this was a woman he could trust. As he expected, Drogan frowned. The displeasure lasted for a second before it was replaced by an unemotional mask. “How well you do you know the crew?”

“Ambassador—”

“Very well. I know everything about everyone.” She glared at Drogan, which made Diego smile. “Excellent. You can help us.”

“Ambassador—”

Diego ignored him. “We need to figure out who among the crew could be a Chameleon Cyborg. Ideas?”

He gestured to a visitor’s chair. “Well,” Rena started. “That’s a hard question. What would their mission be?”

“That’s a need to know—”

“To kill me.” Diego glanced at Drogan, whose face had turned an interesting shade of red.

“The person should pose as a lower-level officer, someone nondescript, maybe even new to the crew.” Rena relaxed and looked between him and Drogan.

“They’ve done that. Failed.”

“All right, so now they’ll pose as a known member of the crew, someone who everyone knows. Jason Mercy, for example. He has a weakness—women.”

“So, we put security on him. Who else?”

Rena’s nose crinkled as she thought. A glance at Drogan showed he was enthralled with the woman sitting across from him. In that moment, Diego wanted to be with Anarrae, hold her, make sure she was all right. Bile rose up, almost choking him at the thought of Ana injured and vulnerable. It took a great deal of effort to regain control. Rena began to rattle off a list of crewmembers. Drogan got to work putting together a list.

Once she was done, Diego asked, “And after that, who would you impersonate? We need a list of all possible.”

“I’d go with someone close to the ambassador. It’s the last thing I’d do. If that fails, I’d impersonate the captain.”

Diego thought it all over. She made several good points. He nodded. “OK, we’re going to have to approach this differently. For one thing, that’s too long a list and too many possibilities.”

Diego slumped in his seat. “There has to be a way to keep eyes on all of them without causing suspicion. The blood screening will take time. For all the technological advancements, we haven’t made a lot on the medical front.”

Drogan sighed and tilted his head up to the ceiling. “What would you do when you get stuck?”

“I don’t get stuck. There’s just too much going on. Anarrae, my role, all these people…you have so many mines. One wrong move and it all goes to hell.”

“Why are you so interested in Ana?” This from Rena.

“I think I love her.” He snapped his mouth shut and swore. Diego sat up and leaned forward. He ran his hands through his hair and then dragged his palm over his face. Exhaustion tugged at his shoulder and he shook his head. A glance up at Drogan showed no surprise.

“I figured that’s why you stayed with her for all that time,” the captain said. “Not to mention how pissed you were when you found out she had been attacked, but you still have to keep your distance.”

Diego’s hands clenched in restrained anger. He didn’t want to keep his distance. Every fiber of his being demanded that he see her, make sure she was physically fine before he found the person who hurt her.

Drogan continued. “It’s been a long night. Tigress should have the extra security dispersed around the ship. I’ll have one of my most trusted tech guys looking over the AI mainframe as well as the ship’s system. I can assure it can’t be infiltrated. Other than that, go back to your quarters, deal with your entourage, and let me figure things out.” Drogan slid a glance over to Rena.

“Fine. Have fun.” Diego rose and left Drogan’s office, not even taking in the bridge of the ship. He was determined to check on Ana.

Chapter Nine

Ana tossed and turned. Her head throbbed and her arm tingled. She opened her eyes and groaned. When she tried to move her arm it just continued to lie there on the mattress. A glance around reassured her she was in her quarters, which was a relief. With great care, she sat up and slid off the bed. It was a chore making her way to the bathroom. She kept wavering to and fro, crashing into a wall twice.

Once she was in the bathroom, she stripped her clothes off and stepped into the shower stall. Warm water trailed over her skin. She groaned in pleasure. It felt as if a hundred pounds of grime was just melting off of her. After a few minutes she reached out and found the faucets for the warming body wash.

The heated jell slipped into her palm, and she started to rub her hands over her body and moaned aloud. Azure eyes flashed in her mind. They darkened. Twin blue fires burned into her. “Dodger,” she whispered.

Ana wanted him to be there with her. She wanted his hands on her body helping her wash off the imagined dirt of travel and sickness. The ghost of his hands traveled over her stomach. Her skin tingled with yearning.

In her mind, she felt his fingers slipping between her thighs. She could feel the calluses brushing against her sensitive skin with teasing touches. A ripple of pleasure moved up her spine. Fire slid into her veins as the arousal grew. She lifted her chin and allowed the water to pelt her face.

“Dodger.” His name slipped out in a husky whisper. Her sex filled with wet heat as she yearned for his cock moving inside of her. She could feel his thick shaft rubbing against her sensitive vaginal walls. Her stomach clenched as the pressure increased. Her fingers slipped into her tight, wet heat. She pumped them slowly. Her vaginal muscles rippled as the orgasm built.

Ana pressed her palm against her clit, rocking back and forth. “Dodger.” She reached up and tweaked a nipple. Sparks of heat shot straight to her core. In her mind, he pushed her against the wall, fucking her harder. His hand squeezed her hips as he took her higher. She cursed the mask that obscured his features. He dipped his head and took her lips in a hard, biting kiss while he rocked into her, fucking her faster. Small cries fell from her lips as she was pushed closer to the edge.

“Please,” she begged. Ana didn’t just want to come. She needed to come. But she also needed Dodger there with her. Just the thought of him being with her, taking her, his body pressed against hers, made the desire spiral higher. His voice rolled around her head: “You’re safe now, Tesoro, always. I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”

Just hearing those words, the first tremors of climax shuddered through her body. Her vaginal walls rippled around her fingers before clamping down. With each wave, it grew bigger and bigger until she couldn’t hold it off. Ana cried out. “Dodger!”

Her juices slipped over her hand and joined the warm water. Breathing hard, she sagged against the wall and sighed. “I need you, Dodger.”

* * *

Diego’s mind tossed and turned the problem over and over again. It all came down to Anarrae. Something about the situation wasn’t right.

He entered his quarters to find Roberto pacing.

“Where have you been? I’ve been worried.” Roberto rushed up to him but Diego moved out of his reach.

“Whoa, geez, are you Mama now? I was talking with Drogan and Tigress about things. Something isn’t right, bro, and I don’t know what it is. Something feels off.” Diego sidestepped his brother and sat in a nearby chair.

“What?” Roberto sat across from him.

“I’m not sure. But it all leads to Ana.”

“Do you think she’s not who she says she is? Maybe the attack was planned?”

Diego rose and shook his head. He stroked his chin. “No, no, she’s too…ingenuo. That’s not it. It’s something else.” He let out a growl of frustration and raked his fingers through his hair. “This is driving me crazy. I need to go for a walk.”

Diego grabbed his AI wrist com and pushed a few buttons before hooking it into his cerebral interface on the back of his neck. A gentle buzzing sound hummed in his brain. “Good evening, Ambassador,” whispered a voice in his mind.

Diego’s lips curled into a smile. His AI was getting in on the act. “Cut the crap. It’s just us. You’re hooked into my interface.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was going to have to be polite with you. What’s up?”

“I need hologlamour. And for you to hack into the system to add an Ensign Castilleja into the records. Just transferred in from the Battle Hawk.” Diego waited for the protest.

“Done.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What, no admonishments or whining?”

“Nope, none. Soon I’ll get my own body, right? After this job is over, a new top-of-the-line body.” The buzzing increased and Diego winced.

“Yes, yes, body. Top of the line. Jesus.” Diego turned to his brother. “I’m going for a walk. How does the hologlamour look?”

“Is your hair supposed to be bright blue? Jesus, your eyes are huge!” Roberto recoiled, horror on his face.

Diego chuckled. “I’m from the planet Helantis Five, so of course my hair is this color and as for the eyes—creative license.”

Roberto frowned. “Couldn’t change your features?”

Diego shook his head. “Too painful. My body is still recovering from the last time. Besides, it puts too much of a strain on me.” His muscles and tendons continued to pop as heat flared and then died down to a gentle pulse.

“Fine, just be careful.” Roberto shook his head.

“I always am.” Diego left the suite of rooms. He had no particular place in mind to go. There was no way he’d go see Anarrae. Security was too high, and to see her would only make him want to stay with her and make sure she was safe. So he wandered.

As he took in the dark gray hallways, Diego suppressed a shudder. He loathed being on ships of any kind. Too claustrophobic. Not enough room to breathe, to stretch, to live. The walls were too close, the thin lights up on the walls too dim, and the soft thud of carpet too padded for his ears. He yearned for the click-clack of boots hitting cobblestone. Goose bumps rose on his skin. Sweat beaded his brow and upper lip. A single droplet traced a path along his spine. He resisted the urge to reach around and bat it away. The air was too heavy and sterile. Diego felt paranoia sifting through his brain, raising fears about his inability to escape.

“Your heart rate is elevated and your brain waves are all over the place,” said his AI’s gentle, feminine voice. “Would you like me to send a relaxer into your system?”

Diego shook his head and combed his fingers through his hair. “No, I’m fine. Just need to focus and relax. I want you to access Anarrae’s files again, especially in connection to her vacation on Il Doge and the sexual guide she hired. There has to be something I missed.”

Diego stopped short as a small, glossy black ball floated toward him. A security probe. He’d seen the like in only the most guarded of palaces and places of government.

“State your name and rank, please.” The robot’s dull, unemotional voice came through a hidden speaker.

The security probe’s high, tinny voice grated on Diego’s nerves. He gnashed his teeth with each word. With a deep breath, he replied. “Ragnor Castilleja, Ensign.”

The probe fell silent, floating in midair. Diego smiled as he studied the smooth round ball, about the size of his chest, with long, spindly arms and two long thin bars for fingers.

“Identity confirmed. Thank you.” The probe remained in place.

Diego sidestepped the object and continued on his way. When he arrived at the lifts he glanced behind his shoulder to see the single red eye staring at him before it turned and floated along the hallway.

“Computer, what floor is Anarrae on?” He still didn’t know the whole layout of the ship.

“Third floor, room 3-B. I thought you weren’t going to see her?” There was curiosity in the AI’s voice.

“I have questions only she can answer. Switch my identity to a member of the ambassador’s entourage, official security.” Diego ordered.

“Understood. Changed. Don’t you think they’ll get suspicious with all the changes?” This time his AI was worried.

Diego tilted his head to the side and pushed the lift call button. “They could but I’d just fess up to it. I need to figure this all out. This is driving me crazy.”

The lift arrived and Diego stepped in. He pushed the number three and the doors closed with a whoosh. The lights flickered as the cab moved. His mind continued to turn over the problem until he found a tangle.

“Fucking hell.” He punched the metallic wall. “I’m so stupid. Damn it to hell.”

Everything became clear to him in one moment. As soon as the doors opened he dashed down the hall, keeping an eye on the numbers. He skidded to a stop at 3-B. Guards stood on the other side of the hallway. Diego introduced himself.

“My name is Ragnor Castilleja. I’m with the ambassador’s entourage. I need to speak with Anarrae Lavender. It’s urgent. Call Chief Tigress if you need to, but I’m going to talk to Ms. Lavender.” With that, he turned to the door and pressed the intercom. “Ms. Lavender, I’m with the ambassador’s entourage. I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”

The doors swished open and he swore. Ana’s hair was tousled, her body wrapped in a silky black robe that stopped mid-thigh. He had to keep himself from staring. He swallowed hard as he watched her shift from one foot to the other. The outline of her nipples stood out clearly against the material. His body tightened and heated as his cock hardened to half-mast. He licked his lips and opened his mouth. For a moment all thought of the current situation faded away as the need for sex took its place.

“Say something stupid.” the AI said.

Diego gave himself a mental shake and tried to focus. “Ms. Lavender, I have a few questions that I need to ask you pertaining to your visit to Il Doge and Zero Branco.”

She blinked and fear filled her large brown eyes. Diego wanted to reach out, hold her, and assure her that it was going to be OK. Instead, he waited for her to invite him in. Ana stepped aside.

“Please come in,” she said, her voice with a tremor of fear.

Diego’s heart ached for her but he had a job to do. He was followed into the space by the security guards. His heart ached. He wanted to reach out and hold her, but not in front of the guards.

“Computer, scan the security personnel and Ana.”

“You think she’s a cyborg?”

“Monitor her vitals. I’m not sure. Can’t be too careful. The questions I’m about to ask could tip the cyborg off if they’re present.”

“Understood.”

Diego took in the space, a single open-air design with a sitting and work area on one side of the room and a single bed on the other. Three portholes dotted the far wall, showing the starry expanse of space. Just looking out the glass made his goose bumps rise again. His heartbeat ticked up and for a moment he struggled to breathe normally. He refocused his attention on the space. Very few personal effects were scattered around the room. A picture of a landscape stood on a bookshelf. Diego noted with interest that no people were featured in the image.

Ana’s desk was Spartan, with a neat stack of files and a monitor but nothing else. Her room was fairly bare. A couch under the portholes, two pillows and two chairs—everything one gets when assigned a room. No paintings on the wall, no photographs of Earth, nothing to distinguish this room from any other officer’s. Loneliness hugged the room like a shroud. It was almost as if she were too afraid to put down roots on this ship.

Anarrae wore a black silk robe that hung open enough to show a black silk baby doll edged in creamy lace. Diego’s body continued to heat up and tighten. His cock pressed against his pants. He could practically feel her tight, wet heat around his shaft, squeezing it. His cock jumped and he groaned silently. He willed himself to focus.

The sound of the doors swooshing closed brought Diego back to the present. He cleared his throat and marshaled his thoughts while ordering his body to relax. “Ms. Lavender, why did you choose Il Doge for your vacation?”

“We were in the sector, and I was told that it was an ideal vacation spot, especially during Carnevale.” Fear tinged her voice.

“I see. By whom were you told this info?”

Diego studied her body language. One hand curled around her opposite wrist, shielding her chest. Her hands were clenched and she wasn’t looking at him. Defensive position with submission.

“Computer?”

“Heart rate and breathing have risen. Body heat has increased but not by much.”

“OK.”

“The Fountain. AKA the Scuttlebutt’s Arse.”

“What?” Diego stared at Ana, not sure he was hearing correctly.

“It’s an Officer’s Virtual hangout,” one of the security guards supplied. “Shoot the shit kind of place.”

“I see.” Diego could sense that the threads were starting to come together. “Someone told you about Il Doge. May I ask who?”

“Ensign Raelynna Mathrak. She’s aboard the Icarus destroyer. She told me about Il Doge. She even showed me the travel site to book.”

Something inside of Diego pinged. “Site? What site did you use?”

“Computer check out this Raelynna Mathrak.”

“On it.”

“The Travel Whore’s Blog.”

Diego blinked. What was with all these places’ names?

“It’s a traveler’s booking site. You give them the info, and they take care of the arrangements,” Ana said.

“Computer?”

“Ensign Raelynna Mathrak has been in a coma for the past three months due to a mysterious illness. Doctors are stumped. They’ve even called in a Galactic specialist. I’m bypassing security protocols. Looks like her identity was stolen. Person who took over her account’s name is Donlaris Mas. Name ring a bell? I’m not getting hits on any galactic agencies.”

“I know him.”

Diego’s jaw clenched as tension coiled inside of him. “Security, call Captain Carter and fetch Chief Tigress. We have a major problem.” He turned to Ana. “Ms. Lavender, get dressed. We need to meet in the captain’s office.”

Much to her credit, Ana didn’t ask what was wrong. Instead, she dashed into the bathroom. Within five minutes she was ready.

“Let’s go. We have to move quickly. There’s not a lot of time to lose.” Diego grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her quarters and toward the lifts. Just the feeling her hand wrapped around his set him at ease. Something in his chest loosened as his world was set right. The ship didn’t feel so small and cramped. He could breathe without panicking.

In the small cabin going up to the bridge, he moved closer to her. Ana’s scent swirled around him, kick-starting his libido. He dragged in a large gulp of air and blew it out. Her hand opened. For a moment he froze, wondering if she would pull away. She closed fist and he held back a smile.

Diego let out a sigh of contentment. “Tesoro,” he murmured.

“Dodger?” Her eyes widened.

The name hung in the air between them. The cab stopped and with it time froze.

“Huh?” Diego decided to play dumb.

“You said… Never mind.” Ana shook her head and let go of his arm. Loneliness crept into his body. He felt isolated. His lungs didn’t seem to function properly. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t take in enough air.

“Are you all right? You don’t look so good.” The concern on Ana’s face touched him but it didn’t stop the sadness he felt.

“Fine.” He forced himself to smile. The door slid open. He took that moment to compose himself before stepping off the lift. The bridge was mostly empty except for a few people.

“This way, sir.” Ana led the way to the captain’s office.

Diego didn’t tell her he knew the way; he just followed silently. He thought about what he was going to say to Captain Drogan. He decided the best way was to drop the disguise, regardless of the anger, and tell him what he’d found.

They entered the small space to find Chief Tigress at her post on Drogan’s right side and Rena to his left, tablet at the ready. Dark bags were under Drogan’s eyes, tension lines formed on his forehead. “Ah, please come in.”

“Before we start.” Diego dropped the hologram, which drew a gasp from Ana. “I’m sorry for the hoax, but I felt the need for a disguise while wandering around the ship.”

“Ambassador, need I remind you of the danger you’re facing?” Drogan admonished. His eyes sparked with annoyance.

Diego smiled. “I am fully aware of the danger, but something had been pulling at my mind and I needed to work the problem out. A walk normally clears my head. Besides that, my hologlamour is on. It’s non-hackable.

“Moving on, I finally discovered what was bothering me. How did these people find out about Ms. Lavender’s trip to Il Doge? So I went to question her about it.” He tapped a few keys on his wrist computer and pulled up a hologram with all the information the AI had discovered. “As you can see, it was all an elaborate setup. Anyone going to the planet would have been a target. How many officers went that day?”

“Four, including Ensign Lavender,” Drogan said.

Diego was impressed that the captain knew such a small fact. He pressed on. “So, four possible marks and they only go after Officer Lavender? Or three possible marks and one person who could have been in on it? Anyone on the ship owe major debts? Or have a family on the shady side of business?” He crossed his arms over his chest and watched Drogan.

Tigress was the one who answered. “Five people came back with marks on their records. Two of them have debts, but not enough to be blackmailed over.” There was something in her eyes that said she knew more.

Diego ran a hand over his face and shook his head. What these people didn’t understand about blackmail disturbed him. “Even one credit is enough to blackmail over given the right motivation offered. We need names, psych evals and everything you can give us on those people.”

“Why?” Tigress mimicked him, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him the best blank face he’d ever seen.

“Because we need to know how breakable they are, and because we need to know who the cyborg could be imitating next. Anyone close to the people that we discussed earlier?” Diego could feel the pieces falling into place and fitting.

A hologram popped up on Drogan’s desk.

“Captain, sir, could you please move over?” Rena asked.

Drogan hesitated, looked up at Rena, then at his lap, and then back at her before moving his chair over.

Diego resisted the urge to chuckle. The captain wasn’t hiding his desire for his assistant. Rena, in return, rolled her eyes and started hitting buttons on the desk.

“These are the five people who went to the planet. If we exclude Anarrae, these are the profiles that get flagged.” Four screens split off from the main and floated in midair.

“Captain, I don’t agree with this,” Tigress said.

“Why? There’s a possible traitor on the ship who’s putting my crew in harm’s way.” Drogan reached over and hit one screen, which enlarged. He pushed his hand against one of the images. It flew through the air and landed against a far wall. A large picture smiled back at them. Several boxes were filled with text but a few sections had been blocked in. Diego went over to the wall and began studying the information.

“This man is in a delicate position. If the crew were to find out that we were sharing their private files with someone of his stature, they’d go ape shit, sir,” Tigress said.

Diego ignored her. He glanced over at Anarrae and felt his heart tug. Despite feeling the distance between them, he wanted to be close to her in any way possible. The pull to her was straining his nerves. His body ached to feel hers against him again. He wanted to take her in his arms and never let go.

“Get a grip nitwit and study the screen, then figure out a way to be with her,” his AI said.

He returned his attention to the screen and studied the information. “His record is spotless. He’d be a perfect target. No one would suspect him. Where is he at this moment?”

“Med deck. Had a bad reaction to the flu vaccination,” Rena said.

“OK, not him. Next?” Diego glanced at Rena. “Wait…is anyone else in med deck at the moment, for any reason?”

“Ensign Roberts. He’s got a bad case of food allergy. Ate something with nuts in it.”

“What’s he look like? Is his face unrecognizable at the moment?” Worry filled Diego. This guy was too perfect. If the cyborg didn’t go after him it would be stupid beyond belief.

“The swelling is down, as is the redness. “ Concern filled Rena’s eyes.

“Check to see if his ID was used from the time he entered med deck till now. That could have been an attack. Your simulators know of food allergies, right?” Nervous energy filled Diego’s body. He wanted to move but stayed where he was.

Drogan nodded. His eyes narrowed. “Yes, they are programmed to know these details and avoid them. Those machines are constantly upgraded and monitored.” He looked to his Chief of Security. “Tigress, send two security officers to med deck. Rena, any movement?”

Rena nodded. “Yeah, two in the last half hour. One was for a supply closet and the other was for officer’s quarters.”

“Still there?” Drogan asked.

“So far, yes.”

“Tigress, send security there this instant.” Drogan’s face hardened and his eyes took on a dangerous glint.

“Wait. Where are Ensign Roberts’s quarters located?” Diego’s stomach roiled in anger and worry. “On the same level as Ms. Lavender’s?”

“Yes, two doors down,” Rena responded.

Tigress looked at Drogan. He nodded and she lifted her wrist and sent out a few orders.

“Why me?” Ana finally spoke up. “Why am I a target? I didn’t do anything.”

Diego’s heart broke at the bewilderment on her face. Without thinking, he went to her and took her in his arms. “No, you didn’t, Tesoro,” he murmured, before placing a kiss on the top of her head. She melted into his arms and began to cry. Diego stroked her hair and murmured, “I promise I’ll protect you. No matter what, I’ll be there for you.”

A throat clearing pulled him out of the moment. He turned and growled in challenge at the person before he realized it was Drogan.

“Thank you, Dodger.” Ana whispered before she stepped away. He blinked. That was the second time she’d called him that. His heart stuttered. For a moment he wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. She didn’t apologize, nor did she take it back. His heart expanded in his chest before he turned to the captain.

Diego turned his attention to Drogan. “Now what do we do? We know Ms. Lavender is the target. We just don’t know why. If we were dealing with slavers here, they’d have given up. They’ve already got a person on the ship. A possible break in to her room is too much effort.”

“Maybe she saw something during her trip?” Drogan turned to Ana. His black eyes glinted in the light.

Ana stood up straight. “Captain, I have something to tell you.” Before anyone could stop her, she told her story in a rush. By the end she was panting. Rena came around the desk, ordered water from the food processor and gave it to her. The other woman rubbed Ana’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“It’s OK,” Rena said.

Ana shook her head. “No, it’s not. I brought this danger to the ship. It’s my fault.”

Diego shook his head. He hated that she was blaming herself. “Maybe not. On your account you spent most of your time with this Dodger. You went to all the touristy traps and only saw the tavern, hotel, and shipping dock. The only place I’d say you could have seen something was the tavern. It’s in a good part of town, but it’s been known to get in a few drifters from other towns and planets. Did you notice anything or anyone out of the ordinary?”

“No.” She shook her head and sipped her water.

“Then we’re stuck. An assassination is one thing, but going after Ms. Lavender is overkill.”

Drogan steepled his fingers. “Not necessarily. What if they kidnapped Anarrae and reprogrammed her to perform the assassin’s duties?”

Diego drew closer to the desk. “Hack her dataport and screw with her mind? Is that possible?” He shuddered. He’d heard of things like that but had never thought it was true, or real. It was more in the realm of a conspiracy theory than anything. But acting as the ambassador was making him re-think how he saw the world. “Or have her act as an assassin only to get caught, and then the real killer would reveal him or herself and kill me.”

“An elaborate plan, I know.” Drogan sighed. But I’ve heard of similar things in the past.”

Diego’s stomach lurched. “But this is all guesswork. Meanwhile, there’s a cyborg taking on the appearance of innocent crew members.”

Drogan let out a growl of displeasure. He pushed back his chair and stood up. “There has to be a faster way to find this person. Tigress,” he said. “Status report.”

Tigress started forward. “Yes, sir. They’ve entered Ensign Lavender’s quarters and found nothing out of the ordinary. Sweeping for bugs and recording devices.”

“Computer, turn off the signal to the spike camera.”

“Already done.”

“Thank you.”

“Mercurian alloy blend, with the best ShanXion tech. The best, you hear me?”

“Yes, yes. All of it.”

“Nothing found. They even did spectral layering and deep penetration X-rays. Nothing,” Tigress reported.

Diego shook his head. “Chameleon Cyborgs can blend in perfectly. Who’s to say that they didn’t mimic the substance of their surroundings?”

“Good question. We still don’t know. Tigress, call your contacts in the black-op sector, get more info on these cyborgs. Bring in a specialist if you need to. I want it off my ship and away from my crew. Ambassador, I’m doubling your detail. Ana—”

“—will be staying with me,” Diego cut in. “We have an extra suite on my floor. I refuse to have her return to her quarters.”

“Ambassador, that is so kind of you. I can’t possibly—”

“I’m not going to take no for an answer. If I have any ideas, I’ll come to you. Ensign Lavender, if you’ll come with me.”

“But—” Tigress started.

“Good night, everyone.” Diego’s tone was clipped. He refused to talk about this anymore, not when they’d failed Ana…when he’d failed Ana.

Once they were outside the captain’s office, she turned toward him. “Don’t ever do that to me again.” She strode in front of him, chin lifted, eyes shining with tears.

Diego followed her to the lifts and stepped inside, unsure of why she was upset. “Ana…”

“I can’t believe you did that to me, Dodger. You humiliated me in front of my captain. Bad enough you’re on this ship and committing a crime, but to do that!” She shook her head. Tears slipped down her cheeks. Shame shone in her eyes.

“Ana, I have permission to do this. And I didn’t want to humiliate you, but they had no ideas on how to protect you, so I did the only thing I could think of.”

“I’m going to my quarters.” She crossed her arms and turned away.

“Don’t be daft, bella. It’s not safe.”

“Says you. How do I know I this isn’t a con?” She turned her head toward him, her eyebrow raised.

“Talk to Roberto. He’ll tell you.” Diego prayed his brother wouldn’t take advantage of the situation and embarrass him.

“He’s your brother.” Skepticism shown in her eyes.

“Ana, just come with me, please? I need to speak to you alone and where I’m sure it’s safe.”

“Nowhere is safe,” Ana said.

“True.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Can we please talk?”

“Fine. But after that I’m returning to my quarters.” She reached out to press the keypad but the doors opened to Diego’s floor before she could switch their destination.

Diego groaned aloud when he saw four drones lining the hallway against each wall along with four guards dressed head to toe in black. “A bit overboard.”

“It’s for your safety.” Ana pointed out.

“Yes, but, Jesus… I haven’t seen this many guards for just one person in my life. Not even at the Anumerian Ball, and that had every royal house of Anthemas present and without weapons.”

“What does that mean?” Ana didn’t look so indignant now.

He grinned. “It’s an annual event that includes the warring tribes of the Pollux planets and the insane royalty of the Pytho. Snake shifters said to come from Earth but there’s no proof of that. I’ll take you one year.”

Diego stopped talking when he realized what he’d just said. There was no guarantee that she’d want to see him after this. His heart sank and his face flared with heat. “Sorry, I rambled.” He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a nervous chuckle. “Here we are.”

After punching in his security code, he allowed Ana to precede him into the room.

“I was beginning to worry. Ms. Lavender.” Roberto bowed before moving to the side. “I’m guessing there’s been another attempt? A few of the entourage tried to go to the cafeteria only to encounter security. What is going on?”

Diego gave him a quick explanation, and then said, “Why the bloody hell are they going to the cafeteria at this hour?”

“They slept as soon as we arrived. Now they’re awake and hungry. I’ll go talk to them, explain things, then I’ll be in my quarters. I’ll get some info to you from my sources. Good luck.” Roberto clapped his brother on the back and left the room.

When Diego turned around he could see Anarrae was looking around the room. Her eyes were wide. It was a very big room. The bedroom was equally large. Even the bathroom was pretty impressive for a starship of this caliber.

“Do you like it?” Diego said.

“It’s lovely. I’ve never been in this section. Never needed to be.” She turned to him. “Is it all like this?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Now you wanted to talk? Would you like something to drink while we talk?” Diego walked over to food processor and ordered himself a Bermudian whisky.

“No, thank you.” Ana took a seat on the couch but continued to look around. For a moment he hesitated, wanting to sit closer to her but refusing to do so. He’d given her a major shock before. He doubted she’d want him to be so close.

“What do you want to know?” Diego rested an arm on the headrest of the chair and settled in, despite being uneasy about what she could ask him.

“So this is a con and a legitimate job?” Her face was expressionless.

Diego itched to ask the AI to read her vitals, but all he could was nod, hating that maybe she disapproved. “Yes, it is. I was hired on Il Doge.”

“You were discussing the job with Roberto at the café, the last time we were together.”

It wasn’t a question but he answered anyway. “Yes.” He resisted the urge to shift in his seat. Instead, he kept his focus on her and waited.

“So, you’re not conning people? Or me, for that matter?”

“No, I’m not.”

Ana’s shoulders slipped down and her body language became more open. “Good.”

Silence stretched out between them. In Ana’s eyes, Diego could see that there were questions she wanted to ask and things she wanted to say.

“Bella, just say it,” he said.

“I don’t know how this will work or how to act. This is a very odd situation.” She nibbled her bottom lip.

“It is.”

“Did you… Is this hard for you?” She shook her head. Confusion in her gaze. “Never mind.”

“Very hard for me. I hate ships, to be honest—too claustrophobic—but what I hated more was lying to you,” he said. Tension sang through his body as he fought with himself to keep from going to her. To cover up his struggle, he took a sip of his alcohol, allowing the burn to distract him.

“You were on med deck when I was there. You stayed with me.”

Diego nodded but said nothing else.

“Do you have to continue the charade after we get to Veritas 10?” She pressed her lips together.

“No. After I and the entourage leave the ship it’s over. I get my payment.” Diego’s heart lurched. After that it would be all over and he’d never see her again. He shoved that thought away.

“What will you do after this is over?” Her voice was soft and her tone was neutral.

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Emotions rushed across Ana’s face. Twice, she opened her mouth without saying anything. Diego understood the feeling. He was at a loss for words too.

“I just want to say that, if you’ll allow it, I’d like for us to continue what we started on Il Doge, only, um…” He stopped talking, unsure of what to say.

She shook her head and sadness filled her features. “How? You’re a criminal and I’m an officer on this ship. I can’t just leave that behind.”

He gritted his teeth at her words. Annoyance flared in his body. He remembered the way her rooms looked. So empty, lonely. She’d had life on Il Doge—vivacity, sexuality. Here she suppressed all those things. “What do you have on this ship? I’ve seen your quarters. They’re bare. It’s as if no one lives there.”

She turned away.

“You say you love your job and yet there is nothing to indicate that. Do you have lunch with people outside of your rooms? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about, or do you just chat with people on that Scuttle Butt thing?” He knew he was pressing a sore subject by the way she winced, but he refused to let go. They had been given a second chance and he was going to take it.

“Ana.” Diego slid to his knees and maneuvered in front of her. With his free hand, he grasped one of her wrists. “Look at me and tell me that you’re not at least tempted to come with me. We can go anywhere you want. I can show you worlds you’d never see stuck on this floating metal hulk.”

Her face tensed, anger flashed in her eyes. “Don’t call it that,” she said.

Diego scooted back but didn’t let go of her wrist. Her pulse tapped out a steady beat against his index finger. The small contact of her skin against his sent electricity up his arm. His body heated as he gazed into her brown eyes and saw the fire he’d always known had been buried within behind her demure mask.

“I know I’m new here, but I love this ship and all its crew. I just never… I’m not good at decorating.” She gave him a watery smile.

“So? Some people still insist on wearing socks and sandals and they’re happy. It’s your quarters, unless there’s something you’re not telling me.” He rocked back and settled on his heels. Diego paid close attention to her face.

Her lips pursed for a second, her eyes danced and her body sank into the seat. She chuckled. “I never put down roots here, huh? I guess I always thought that they’d come for me, pull me off this ship.”

Secrets sparkled in her eyes that made Diego want to dive in and figure out the mystery that was Ana. “Who?”

“What does your file say on me?” Ana shifted on the couch, her body relaxing still further as she watched him.

“Um, well, military family, and a few odds and ends. Nothing much.” Heat flooded his chest and face. He could appreciate that she was smart enough to guess that he was capable of getting information.

Ana straightened to her full height and her face became unreadable. “Does it say who my father is?”

“Um,” Diego paused. He was about to ask the computer for help but resisted.

“My name is Anarrae Lavender. I am the daughter of Admiral Lukas Diemetro Lavender. Do you know who he is?”

Diego whistled and looked her over. “Military brat extraordinaire.” He chuckled. “He is one of the highest ranking officers in the intergalactic navy. Fucking hell, I’m screwed.” He could’ve kicked himself. If things had been different and she hadn’t made contact would her father have stepped in to order the entire intergalactic fleet to find his daughter? Shit. He was thankful that hadn’t happened.

Ana’s laughter was musical, seductive, and infectious. Her reserve broke down and her eyes glittered.

Diego joined in, reveling in the sound. “No wonder you didn’t plant roots or interact. You were afraid your father would come on board and snatch you away. Military princess is more like it. Goddess, he must have shit kittens when you told him what ship you were assigned to.”

“Actually, I asked for the Hades’ Helmet, and yes, he wasn’t pleased. He wanted me on board one of those galactic cruisers that never goes into battle.” She grinned.

“I’ll bet.” But Diego could appreciate her father’s concern. He’d want her as far away from war as possible. Even the idea of a small skirmish made his stomach flip. He wanted his Ana safe, forever and always.

“He would like you.” She continued to grin. Secrets sparkled in her eyes.

That comment caught Diego off guard. “Why?”

“You’re not like the kiss-asses that populate the military hierarchy.” Her mouth parted to show off her perfectly straight teeth.

“But—” Diego couldn’t fathom how a con artist like him would be welcome in the Admiral’s home—much less dating his daughter.

“You don’t have to tell him anything about your past. It’s not like my family tree is populated with saints.”

Diego’s heart flipped at the look she gave him.

“I wish we could start over,” she said, “but too much has happened, even if I don’t know your real name…”

A maddening urge took hold of Diego. He wanted to pour out his life story to her, tell her everything about himself. Diego struggled as his mind argued with itself over the ramifications of telling her all there was to know about him.

She could be in danger if he told her everything, but she deserved to know. She was being honest with him, and if the cyborg got hold of her…

Diego’s thoughts drifted to his early days in the con when he was young and didn’t know much. The words came spilling out. “I wasn’t always this, a con artist. I was once the son of a very prominent man. Well, people thought he was. Truth be told, Arturo wasn’t a good man. At night, he was a drunk and beat on his wife and children. In the morning he’d go to the courthouse and defend the government against the scum of the planet by spouting off laws and consequences.” Diego’s body filled with tension as he uttered the last part through gritted teeth. A glance at Anarrae put him at ease. The concern and sympathy he found in her soothed the old aches of his childhood.

“My mother was a good woman. She didn’t come from a noble family. They were working stock, but her family had all died in the Great Flu of ’26. She had no one to turn to for help, not with the position she was in. Anyway, I began leaving home very early. I’d return of course, but just long enough to protect my mother and brother and then I was off. The night was my mistress. Her dark embrace allowed me to see the world as it was.

“I was thirteen when I met Riktor, a big name in the con game as well as other work, rumored to be a former Pirate King.” Memories rose up to overwhelm him. The brine and dung scented night. The humidity that hung in the air. The feel of anticipation and danger around every corner. “Gods, Riktor was massive, with white-blond hair that hung past his shoulders and these piercing blue eyes that could see right into your soul. Implants, of course. Half his face looked like it’d been put through some sort of shredder. He wore this drab brown coat with a multitude of pockets, some within other pockets. To this day I don’t know what all of them were filled with.

“Anyway, I’d just escaped the house after a beating from my father. I could barely see. One eye was swollen shut and my whole body was aching. I could barely walk. I had to limp along. I rounded a corner, headed for Goddess knew where when I smacked into him—Riktor. I gazed up at him and realized I was in presence of something big and bad. There I was, this gioventù, shaking like a leaf. I had never been in such deep shit in my life. I’d mostly pinched fruit and stuff from the early-morning sellers or nicked some beer from a bartender when he wasn’t looking. But this… I knew this was true trouble.” Goose bumps broke out over his skin as his brown broke out in a sheen of sweat.

Ana leaned forward, eyes sparkling with interest. That made Diego smile even wider as he continued his story. “He took one look at me and told me to run. I ran like the hounds of hell were after me. Once I’d gotten home, I thought I was safe, naïve as I was. For a week I didn’t go out, didn’t do anything. I was too scared. And my father was passed out drunk for most of that time, so there was nothing to worry about on that front. One of the few joyful times in my childhood.” Sadness threatened to pull him down as his heart grew heavy once more.

“Then I got the bright idea that if nothing had happened, then I was safe and I could go out again. What were the odds that he would find me?” Diego shook his head. “I was wrong. I’d just come out of my house and there he was, Riktor, leaning against my front gate, cool as can be, half his face hidden by the lamp light, flipping a coin the air. As soon as he saw me, he called me by name. I couldn’t get in the house fast enough.”

Diego began to laugh. “I’d gotten the door open, but he’d grabbed me by the collar as soon as I set one foot in the doorway. He hauled me away and closed the door. ‘We’re going on a trip,’ he’d said. I was too scared to shout out for help. Turned out to be the best night of my life. I never told Roberto about it, though. He’d want to come and the places we went weren’t for children.”

“But you were a child.” Ana pointed out. “Teenagers are still children.”

Diego winced. “Yes, but at the time I didn’t feel it. I was the head the family. I took care of my mother after my father’s tirades, and took the brunt of his beatings for Roberto. I was adult enough to do that, so in my mind I was adult enough to go out with Riktor, even if I was scared.”

“Understandable.” She nodded.

Diego wasn’t sure what to make of that one word so he just continued. “I went to my first brothel that night. Jesus, I was terrified. The only naked woman I’d ever seen had been by accident on the cable channel for porn. We drank, ate, and I got my first lesson about the con, how to lie effectively. I was horrible. I couldn’t fib my way through a paper bag, but Riktor kept pushing me until it became second nature. It took weeks to beat the good little boy out of me but it worked.” He shook his head. His mother had been heartbroken but had never said a word of disapproval.

“I left home when I was sixteen. Father had had an accident and died so my mother and brother were safe.” The untruth slipped out with ease, even if acid churned in his gut.

“You said you weren’t exactly close to your mother and brother,” Ana said.

“I wasn’t.” Guilt flashed through Diego. “We’re still not where we should be. We’re still somewhat fractured, even though things are forgiven.”

“You killed him, didn’t you?” The question was asked in a whisper, but it felt as if she’d shouted it out for the whole world to hear.

Diego shifted in his seat, unable to look at Ana. Again the words just slipped out. “I came home one night and my father was on a rampage. I tried to stop it but was unsuccessful. Riktor came in and took care of it all.” He spared her the scene. But he could remember the blood. The splash of black that turned to accusatory red with time and air.

Diego didn’t want to go into details, but he knew Ana could guess the end result—a single glance told him she had done just that—and the sympathy in her eyes seared him straight to the heart. He felt as if the air had disappeared around him. His lungs burned to take in more oxygen.

He turned away. Justifications came to mind, along with excuses, but none of it came out of his mouth. He sucked in a breath when he felt her hand on his arm. A glance next to him showed him she was on her knees beside him.

Ana reached up and caressed his cheek. The look in hers was his undoing. It was so understanding—silent acceptance. He didn’t feel worthy of her trust in him, but he did want to immerse himself in it.

He turned and cupped Ana’s face in his hand and pressed his lips to hers. The contact sent heat sliding along his spine to sit at the base of his back. Arousal spread throughout his body as his cock thickened and his balls pulled closer to his body. He wanted to lose himself in her for a moment, to forget about his past and focus solely on her. His mouth moved over her, taking her lips with great care. When he felt the grip of her hands on his shoulders, he stopped, his breath coming out in soft puffs of air. His muscles strained as he tried to move away from her.

“Dodger, let me help you take the pain away, even if just for a while.” Her voice was a husky whisper that enflamed his blood and made him forget Riktor, the blood and the fear and his past.

He blinked at her. “You want…” Diego paused to lick his lips. “You want to continue?”

Ana nodded. “I’ve missed you.” She caressed his cheek.

Diego turned into the touch, latching onto its warmth and softness like a lifeline and hanging on for dear life.

“Please, let me help take the pain away from your eyes,” Ana said.

Joy formed a ball in Diego’s chest and rumbled up his throat. He squashed the whoop that wanted to come out. Instead, he kissed her. His mouth moved over hers as he slid his fingers along the column of her neck to cup her breasts, weighing them in his hands. It felt like it had been an eternity since he’d cupped those mounds.

He swallowed her moan as he formed and shaped her breasts, squeezing them gently and then adding more pressure. She arched her back, pressing her chest into his hands. Her lips parted wide, allowing his tongue entry. As he explored the recesses of her mouth, his hands released her breasts to slide to her side, tracing her figure with his palms until he could cup her hips. Diego pressed forward.

She moved her face away and proceeded to lie down. He watched her body extend and relax against the plush carpet. For a moment, he wanted to suggest taking her to bed. His thoughts scattered when he watched her take hold of the tab on her uniform top and pull it along the teeth. The tight material parted to give him a peek at the sides of her breasts. She pulled the top apart to reveal her torso fully. She shrugged out of it and tossed it away.

Diego swallowed. She wore no bra. Her breast were free. The plump mounds looked tempting. Her nipples were puckered slightly. He wanted to lap and nip at the peaks until they were tight buds as she writhed beneath him. Diego watched in fascination as she cupped her breasts, massaging the globes and rolling her nipples, pinching and tugging them until they became thick buds. She pushed her chest forward, as though offering her breasts.

“Taste me, Dodger,” she said.

“Call me, Diego,” he said, before flicking one peak with the tip of his tongue.

“Diego,” Ana repeated in a breathy moan. A shudder ran through his body at the sound of his name on her tongue. He sucked the nipple into his mouth, using delicate pulls of his lips to draw moans from her. One of her hands buried itself in his hair. She took a handful and pulled his head back. He gazed up into dark brown eyes, nearly black with desire. “Don’t hold back this time.”

Even though he nodded, he couldn’t say yes. Diego was still wearing a mask, one that fit the role he needed to play. He longed to reveal his true face.

“I know this isn’t you.” She reached up with her free hand to caress his cheek once more. “This is a role, another mask, just like the last time. But don’t hold back from me. Give me all of you this time.”

He opened his mouth to ask how her how he could do that when he didn’t even look like the person he actually was. Didn’t feel like him either.

“I don’t know what you look like,” Ana said, “but I know the person you are. You’re a good man. This is just a shell. I want you to give me all of you.”

Diego was confused. He still didn’t understand what she was talking about. Instead, he stopped her words with a kiss. Everything he felt, he tried to pour into that small contact. The touch started off soft and sweet but turned hard and passionate. He scraped his teeth over her bottom lip. His tongue pushed its way into her mouth, twining and teasing hers.

He lowered his body against hers. The crush of her breasts against his chest sent a jolt of arousal straight to his groin. Desire hummed through his body as he tried to rein in the need to sink into her tight, wet heat. A growl started in his chest and slipped out of his mouth when he pulled away. Diego placed small, biting kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

She moaned. Her body undulated underneath his. Diego took his time teasing her. The world, the danger, his past didn’t matter. All he could see and feel was Ana.

“Diego,” she moaned, when he scraped her nipple with his teeth. He suckled on it before moving on to the other peak.

Diego moved down her body pausing to dip his tongue into the shallow well of her belly button before moving on to the edge of her pants. He traced the waistband with his tongue, then took hold of the tabs on either side of her pants and pulled them down.

Diego paused for a second to compose himself. Anticipation sizzled through his veins. His balls ached for release. His mind was swathed in a haze of desire to connect with Ana on a physical level again.

With a deep breath, he crawled backward down her body to yank off her boots and pants. He rose to sit back on his heels, taking in her naked body. The sight took his breath away: her breasts tipped with dark nipples, the soft swell of her belly, trim waist, bare mound, fit legs. He knew he could worship that body forever and never tire of it. That thought made him solemn.

In that instant, he realized that he didn’t want to leave her—ever. An idea began to form, one that terrified and seduced him. For a moment, he could actually picture himself staying on the ship, becoming one of the crew in whatever capacity Drogan would have him. Would the captain want a con artist among his crew? Never. He shook away the thought. And yet the calculating way Drogan had looked at him in his office gave him pause.

Diego returned his attention to Ana. She’d spread her legs, giving him the perfect view of the damp folds of her pussy. He groaned aloud when she reached between her legs and parted the thick lips of her sex to expose her clit.

“Don’t move,” Diego ordered. He got up on all fours, moving up her legs to settle on his stomach between her thighs. He grabbed her hips and pulled her closer before dipping his head down to tease at her clit with gentle flicks, taking long swipes at the thick bundle of nerves.

Ana’s fingers threaded through his hair, urging him closer. She rocked her damp slit against his mouth. He sucked her clit into his mouth, flicking and nipping the plump nub. He slipped his arms under her legs and settled them over his shoulders, elevating her hips to give him a better angle. Diego held onto her waist with one hand, using his free hand to slip first one, then two and three fingers into her slick channel. He finger-fucked her as he worried her clit.

“Diego, please, more,” she said. Her grasp on his hair had increased to the point of pain. He didn’t protest. Instead, he sucked and bit on her clit harder. She cried out. Her body tensed. Her vaginal walls clenched around her fingers. Ana moaned his name as her body shook.

Diego continued to bite and suck on her clit while his fingers pumped in and out of her slick channel. Diego ignored his throbbing cock and aching balls to continue giving her pleasure. As she came for a third time, he pulled his fingers out of her dripping sex to lap up her juices. He retreated and settled her legs back on the floor.

“Beautiful, tesoro, and very delicious.” Diego licked his lips and gazed up her damp body. She gave him a sleepy smile. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to bed.

As he laid her on the duvet, he took a moment to savor the moment with her. It felt good to be with her again.

“Make love to me Diego,” she said.

Chapter Ten

Sensation shimmered through Ana. With languid movements, she rolled onto her hands and knees and crawled to the head of the bed. She wanted to gaze into Diego’s eyes as he made love to her. The idea of having him above her didn’t satisfy her. She wanted something different, more intimate.

When he climbed onto the bed, Ana took a moment to watch the muscles ripple under his golden skin as he crawled toward her. His movements were slow and sure, as if he was teasing her with his slow progress.

She almost demanded he move faster, but instead she settled against the pillows and waited as arousal pulsed through her body. The sleepy satisfaction from before had faded, leaving behind the burning desire to have him inside of her again, to feel that completeness once more. Gazing into his foreign, sapphire eyes, she opened her mouth to ask if he could switch them to the olive green that had haunted her dreams.

“What do you need, sweetness?” He came to a stop in front of her, sitting up on his heels.

She licked her lips, unsure of if she should voice her desire.

“Tell me, amor.” Diego reached out and cupped her face. She turned into that touch, anchored herself to that contact and drew in a deep breath.

“Would it be too painful for you to change your eyes to green?” She watched his lips curl into a smile.

He nodded. “For you, I can do that.”

“Will it hurt?” Worry filled her face.

“Some, but not a lot.”

Ana watched in awe as the blue color began to fade away, green slipping from the top of the pupil to the bottom until both orbs were the familiar olive green that she knew. “Is this…is this your real eye color?” she whispered.

“Yes.” He reached out and traced her cheek with the tip of his finger.

Relief hit her in the chest. At least something during that time was real. She reached out and cupped his face, stroking his cheek. “I want to stare into your eyes as we have sex.”

He shook his head. For a second she thought he was going to pull away. Ana was about to move when he covered her hand with his. “Not sex, tesoro. Making love. How about this—you sit on my lap and ride me?”

Her heart pounded against her rib cage at this suggestion. She’d never had sex that way before. The idea intrigued her. “OK.”

“Scoot over.” He crawled around her as she moved, turned around and settled against the pillows. “Come, straddle my lap. Let’s take this slow.”

She didn’t hesitate to move. Rising up on her knees, she threw one leg over his thighs and got ready to take his cock in hand when he halted her attempt with a hand on her shoulder.

“Not yet. We’re going slowly and I’ve never had you like this before. Lean closer.”

She did as he asked, leaning forward. Her nipples touched his chest. The heat of his skin against her sensitive tips took her breath away. A shock shot straight to her clit. He grasped her hips and pulled her closer until her body met his from breast to stomach.

His cock was caught between them. Just the feel of the hot, velvety flesh, slightly wet from the precum leaking from the slit at the top of the crest, made Ana’s sex clench in need. She could feel the throb of his pulse against her skin. She rocked against him, drawing a moan in response. His shaft jerked between them.

“Vixen.” Diego moved up and pressed his mouth to hers, taking her lips in a tender kiss. His kisses ranged from hard and biting to soft pecks. She didn’t know what to expect from him and loved it.

Ana responded in kind, giving exactly what she got. She reached out and steadied herself with hands on his shoulders as he held her closer, pressing her body against his, trying to get as much contact as she could. Her hips rocked against his abdomen.

As he grunted and moaned, she slipped her tongue inside of the humid cavern of his mouth. Their tongues dueled and twined with each other, teasing and taunting. Her nails dug into corded muscle as sensation pulsed through her veins.

The press of flesh and caresses weren’t enough for her. She wanted to feel his hard cock inside of her, driving her mad with each thrust. Her pussy lips were heavy, aching for stimulation. She needed him to fill her emptiness.

She pulled her head away and stared down at him. Moving her body back just a fraction, Ana wrapped her hand around his thick shaft. With slow strokes, she teased and tormented both of them. Just the feel of his velvet flesh in her palm made her ache with need.

He looked down to watch her actions. “Fucking hell, I need to be inside you right now.” His shaft twitched in her hand.

“Do you, now? Open your legs.” Ana released his dick and moved to the side. She watched as he complied with her order before she moved between his legs. Taking her time, she laved the wide cockhead. She paused to pay some attention to the leaking slit at the top.

The salty taste of his seed rolled over her senses, drawing a moan from her. She enveloped the head, swirling her tongue over the mushroom head before taking more and more him inside of her mouth until he hit the back of her throat. Ana dropped her hand as her mouth slid down. Her reward was his moans.

Diego threaded his fingers through her hair, grabbing a handful and guiding her movement. She released the base of his cock and took his balls in her hand, rolling and tugging the orbs. Ana hollowed out her cheeks to increase the pressure around his shaft.

“Ana,” Diego said.

Tracing the thick vein on the underside of his shaft, she felt his heartbeat against her tongue. The steady pulse soothed her.

“Cara mia, please.” Diego rasped as his grip increased.

The gentle edge of pain pushed her into action. Relaxing her throat and breathing through her nose, she swallowed him. His body shook beneath her. The harsh sound of his breathing and the staccato beat of her own heart filled her ears. The bed trembled under her knees. Time centered on this moment. Indecision filled her head: to let him come in her mouth or come in her pussy. He made the decision for her when he pulled on her hair. “No, Ana, not like this. I want to be inside of you.”

Reluctantly, she released his cock, but not before lapping up more of his precum. She released his balls and rose, settling on her heels, waiting for his next move.

He reached out and caressed her face. “Sit on me.”

Ana didn’t have to be told twice. The slow-burning arousal in her veins flared to life. Her stomach clenched as she moved to straddle him once more. She reached between them and held his cock as she lowered herself onto him.

“Wait! Protection.”

Ana nearly growled at the interruption. Gritting her teeth, she released him and looked around. “Where?”

Diego leaned over and opened a drawer. He glanced at her. A cheeky smile on his lips set her at ease. “I checked and found these.” He produced a small packet. Ripping it open, he sheathed himself before settling against the pillows. “Proceed.”

“You’re going to pay for that little interruption later.”

“I look forward to it.”

She wrapped a hand around his cock again and positioned herself. Taking her time, she lowered herself onto his shaft, moaning as his wide cockhead slipped inside of her. He brushed her hand aside, gripped her hips and thrust upward. A cry was torn from her mouth only to be swallowed by his lips as he took a kiss. To balance herself, she held onto his shoulders and lowered herself until he was fully seated inside of her.

They moved together in a slow glide of flesh. She squeezed her vaginal muscles, trying to pull him farther inside of her. Hooking an arm around his neck, she placed nips and flicks down his neck while tweaking his nipple with her free hand.

Something didn’t feel right. Pausing, she gazed at the deep red bud. It wasn’t pierced. Disappointment sliced through her but didn’t stop her.

“I’m sorry, cara. Had to take them out,” he said.

“Later. We’ll talk later.” She moved up and down over him, riding him harder. With each down stroke, her clit scraped against his abdomen, setting off sparks, increasing the desire.

Diego growled as his hips moved faster. His cock stroked over that secret spot inside of her that set off small fireworks and shivers of pleasure through her body. She fought with herself as her orgasm grew, twining and curling in on itself as the desire grew.

“Yes, faster. I want you to come.” Diego kissed her shoulder. She pressed her mouth to his as she moved closer. Her nipples rubbed against his chest. Each brush sent shards of electricity to her clit.

Ana’s orgasm expanded, growing until the pleasure overwhelmed her. She stood on the precipice ready to come. All she needed was one little push. Ana slid a hand into Diego’s hair and pulled his head up. She stared into his eyes, seeing desire and need burning in the olive green depths. The sight took her breath away.

She tightened her hold around his thighs and rode him faster as they watched each other. So many emotions flitted across his face. There was need, want, regret, desire and affection. The world narrowed to just the two of them. Everything faded away and all that mattered was them.

Not breaking eye contact, she took kiss after kiss, pouring every ounce of her feelings into each bit of contact. The pleasure continued to well up inside of her. The first tremor of her climax ran through her, then another and another until she came with a cry.

His lips swallowed her exclamation as he continued to thrust into her, driving her into another orgasm as liquid heat slid into her veins and wave after wave of pleasure rushed over her.

“Diego,” she said, as yet another climax rocked her.

He stared at her, gaze softening. His eyelids lowered until all she could see was green glittering behind a fan of golden brown. His cock pulsed inside of her. The thick shaft jerked and expanded, pressing against her sensitive vaginal walls.

He came, crying out her name, but not once did he look away. Once more she climaxed, riding the wave with him until her body floated down. As muscles jumped and twitched and the sweat cooled, she remained seated on him.

Time stretched on as they looked at each other. She saw him in a new light. Her heart expanded in her chest. The gentle caress of his breath against her lips made her mouth burn. Goose flesh rose on her arms.

The moment continued on as they both calmed. As she sank into his gaze, he seemed more open to her. Each layer of his disguise peeled away to reveal a good man—strong, smart, loyal, thoughtful and caring. He was a treasure she wanted to keep with her always. Pain lanced her chest at the thought of having to give him up. She wanted to look away but couldn’t. The hot trail of tears slipped over her cheeks to mingle with her sweat.

“Sempre, Anarrae. Sempre,” he said, before breaking the moment with a single kiss. “Now we sleep.”

Chapter Eleven

Sleep eluded Diego. The day crashed into him. His mind continued to turn over everything that had happened.

Despite Ana’s presence by his side, uneasiness shot through him. He tilted his head upward. His gaze snagged on the gray ceilings that were prevalent throughout the ship and he shuddered.

A sense of the room closing in on him caused gooseflesh to rise on his bare arms. For a moment, breathing became difficult. During the panic he reached out. His hand made contact with Ana’s arm. Not even that calmed him.

What the hell was he doing? Why was he even thinking about staying on this ship? He was a wanted criminal. It didn’t matter what the ambassador promised him. A con artist is a con artist, regardless of where he want or what he did. He could become President of the United Planets of Neve Four and still be a con.

In a flash, he realized that this could all be a setup, that he may have walked straight into a trap.

“I’m in need of gondolier to guide me tonight.” Why had she said that to him and not someone else?

He replayed the evening in his head. Everything had started with a call from a “friend” who wanted to meet at the pub. That friend hadn’t shown up, so he had gone up to the bar for a drink. Diego hadn’t gone to his usual spot in the dark corner of the pub with his back to the wall and eyes on the door. Instead, he’d spied Ana and became interested. He’d only wanted a peek.

When she’d asked him about being a gondolier or guide of the sexual kind he’d been put off. To him, women—no matter how gorgeous they were—who were looking for a gondolier, were trouble that he didn’t want. Besides, gondoliers were scum. They may be suave and smooth, but they don’t care about the women. To think about his Anarrae going to one of those Lotharios for pleasure made him physically ill.

The panic he had was a dull pulse in the back of his mind, reminding him that if he was truly caught, there would be nowhere he could run except out into the freezing, airless arms of space. A cold sweat broke out over his forehead and upper lip. Needing to move, he threw off the blanket and began to pace while his mind worked over his first encounter with Ana.

Why had she thought he was a gondolier? He examined the room in his memory. There weren’t a lot of partiers. In fact, only one or two people were wearing masks. One of them was a man in drag. The other was a woman wearing the best use of tape and ribbon he’d ever seen. Other than that, there was nothing unusual except for his friend’s absence.

Diego paused. That day he’d chosen to wear all black, play up the rogue image. A quick itinerary of his outfit didn’t make him think anything was out of place, although he was the only one with a feathered mask.

A glance over at Ana reassured him that she was sleeping. He loathed waking her up, but there were gaps that needed to be filled in. With a heavy heart and a sigh, he sat on her side of the bed and shook her shoulder.

“Diego?”

Her sleep-roughened voice sent a shiver through him, trailed by the heat of arousal. For a moment he was caught in exquisite pleasure, remembering the tight embrace of her pussy around his cock as she’d fucked herself on him. Focus.

“Ana, how did you know to approach me that night at the pub? Why did you think I would be a gondolier? It’s urgent.” The quicker he got an answer the faster they could return to bed.

She blinked a few times before her eyes settled on him. “I was told that my gondolier would be wearing all black with a black, feathered mask.”

A chill speared Diego. His heart stuttered. “I told him I’d be wearing all black. OK, go to sleep now, sweet. I just needed an answer to something.”

Ana yawned and fell back to the bed, eyes closed.

Shit! Diego got up from the bed and began to pace. It was looking more and more like he’d been set up. The question was why. The world became divided between what he knew and what he didn’t. The fact that he’d been fooled at all shook him to the core. The facts became puzzle pieces that didn’t fit together, no matter how much he tried to jam them into the slots.

On the surface everything looked so perfect. It had seemed to be kismet that he’d met her at the bar. Now, he could see he’d been set up to be the mark. Like a caged Delphinian tiger, he paced the room. The answers didn’t come. The movement only reminded him that he was on a ship in space. There weren’t a lot of places he could go to get the freedom he needed.

So instead, he dropped to the floor, folded his legs Indian style, and closed his eyes. Taking slow, deep breaths, in through his nose and out through his mouth, he allowed the chaos of his mind to rush over him and tried to find his center.

Darkness fell around him as the world became dull sounds. Just hearing Ana’s gentle breathing tempered the storm inside of him as he searched for the elusive thread that would help him find his way through to truth. Stillness slipped through his fingertips and toes, up his arms and legs, and settled in his chest.

The urge to move, to run, faded away until there was only him and Ana’s breathing. The steady thud of his heart and his deep breathing soothed away the frenetic energy.

Awareness of his surroundings sharpened as noises he hadn’t noticed before slipped through: the ship’s creak as it settled and the dull whoosh of air from the vents overhead. Instead of making him feel closed in the sounds soothed him. His thoughts stopped chasing each other. They became separate streams of sense. He was able to pick one and examine it, turning it over and over until he gleaned what he could from it before putting it back to choose another one.

He worked forward from the point when he had been contacted by his friend, piecing together what he could. There were still massive gaps, but it was now clear he had been set up, they both had.

Ana had been set up from the start. He could only assume it had been the prossy request that had put her on their radar. As for himself, Diego could see he’d become too complacent. If Riktor could see him now the man would beat him first and then laugh later. Always be on your guard. Always.

The people had an idea that he would be asked to pose as the ambassador, but why?

Diego smacked himself in the head as an idea formed. If he was discovered, people would think he had killed the man and taken his identity to escape prosecution, especially if the real ambassador ended up dead and he was found with the body.

But why go after Ana? The break-in from earlier didn’t put him at ease at all. It was one of the threads that didn’t seem to go anywhere. Unless it wasn’t meant to. Perhaps Ana was just a distraction.

Diego’s eyes flew open and he was on his feet in a flash. What if there wasn’t just one assassin? What if there were several? He turned his thoughts toward what the ambassador had wanted to accomplish on Veritas 10. He’d spoken of corruption and abuse of power. Could there be more to it than just that? Of course there was more, otherwise people wouldn’t be attacking him and Ana. Riktor had always said to follow the money. With that idea in mind, Diego grabbed his AI wristband and plugged into it.

“You’re naked.” The AI’s voice actually sounded sleepy.

“Not important right now. I need help.”

“What?”

Diego explained the situation and let the AI get to work. A glance toward the bed showed that Ana was still asleep, much to his relief. He unplugged the wristband from his port and headed for the shower. After a quick wash, he checked with the AI.

“Here are the results. So far there are ten cases of corruption that we know of. Five have been prosecuted and jailed, and the other five are awaiting their fate. I don’t think the ambassador was talking about them, so it must be someone who hasn’t gotten caught yet. A bigger fish so to speak.”

Diego’s thoughts rolled over in his mind as he got dressed. There were angles he knew he was missing, things that didn’t make sense.

Another glance at the bed revealed Ana up and awake. She held the sheets to her chest but he could see the tips of her nipples pressing against the cloth clearly. He groaned silently, wishing to pull away the covering and lap the tightened buds before sucking them into his mouth. His cock became semi-hard, pressing against his fly. She pushed some hair away from her face and stared at him. Dark brown eyes were pools of mystery and heat. Her free hand grabbed a handful of sheet as confusion skittered across her face.

“You’re leaving.” Her eyes widened in confusion.

Diego couldn’t leave her alone and uncertain. He strode across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been thinking. Things don’t add up. I need clarity and I can’t get that here, sitting in this room going crazy.” He reached up and caressed her cheek. Slivers of heat raced up his arm when she turned her face toward his palm and kissed it.

“Can I help? Can I come with you? I’ve been pulled into this too. I need answers as well.” Her gaze beseeched him to allow her to help.

For a moment he was torn between keeping her safe and insisting she stay here.

“Please,” Ana said. “Let me help you figure this out.”

The silent demand in her eyes was Diego’s undoing. He knew that Ana deserved to know. He nodded his head. “Fine, but you must promise discretion.”

“Of course.” She gave him a winning smile.

“Good. Shower and get dressed. Quickly please, or I’ll be joining you in that bed.” Diego laughed when she scrambled out from under the covers. “You hurrying makes me think the sex wasn’t good.”

“No. It was fantastic. But the sooner we’re done with this, the sooner we get back into bed.” She turned her head and looked at him from over her shoulder. She gave him a saucy wink that made his body heat and arousal to churn in his groin all over again.

Diego grinned. “I love the way your mind works. Hurry, cara, hurry. We may not make it to bed if you don’t get to the shower faster.”

She ran to the bathroom. The door whooshed closed behind her. While she was showering, Diego put in a call to Roberto with his wrist com. His brother appeared at the door, hair sticking up in all directions, clothing wrinkled and a cross look on his face.

“What?” Roberto said.

Diego hid a chuckle at how gruff Roberto’s voice sounded.

“Disturbed you, did I? I need to see the ambassador. Ana’s coming with. She won’t stay behind. Can you get word for him to prepare for our arrival?”

“Yeah. Give me a few minutes…and next time more notice. I was having an excellent dream.”

“I won’t ask.”

“Good,” Roberto said as the door swished shut behind him.

* * *

Pain shot through every muscle and tendon. Morrigan’s limbs were on fire. Even her fingertips and toes hurt. She rolled her shoulders and winced at the ache she found there. So far the mission was a failure.

The pigeon hadn’t led her to the real ambassador, and the imposter was proving to be a stumbling block. He’d had the crew tested for the C-plus blood enzyme, which had put a damper on her plans to walk around the ship freely. She couldn’t do that without being asked if she’d been to the med deck yet. The fewer bodies to be found, the better chances for her success.

Lt. Froggie had also proved an unwise move. Her sensors had short circuited, and her rage blocker had failed. Instead of taking Anarrae to a more private place for questioning, Morrigan had almost killed her. Becoming Pio also proved to be a bust as he didn’t know anything.

Morrigan walked over to the corner of the small storage closet and dragged out a compact machine no bigger than a backpack. She hit a few buttons and watched it light up, coming out of hibernation.

“Is it working properly?”

“Yeah, just needs some time to recharge. Time for you two to go back.”

“But we’re getting close. I can tell.”

Morrigan straightened up to look at her clones. In the dimness of the overhead light she saw her mirror image right down to the scarred half of her face. Dark brown spirals formed a chaotic halo around an oval face with brown, almond-shaped eyes framed by dark lashes, a crooked nose and a full, rosebud mouth. The skintight black bio-suit hugged every curve, showing a lithe body conditioned for fighting. Small red censors on the cloth blinked on and off showing low power.

Movement to her left drew her attention to the other clone. Both the creatures gazed at her, determination in their eyes.

Morrigan shook her head and sighed. “No. You’re low on power, both of you are. We don’t have time for this. The ambassador must be eliminated. It’s our job…our last one.”

They looked rebellious for a second, ready to override her and take control of the mission. Instead, they nodded, shoulders slumping, eyes downcast. Morrigan leaned over and hit a button the machine, watching as her clones faded out of existence.

Once she was alone, Morrigan let her shoulders drop. Tears clouded her vision. Weariness tugged her limbs down. Her legs shook with effort. The past seventy-two hours had been spent running around trying to catch the ambassador. So much energy had been expended. She barely had enough in her to change her appearance one more time, but she had to in order to leave the storage closet.

“So tired,” she said. “So fucking tired. This needs to be over.”

With the last vestiges of her strength, she shifted her appearance one last time. Once out of the storage area, she caught sight of her image in the shiny black surface of the ship map—hazel eyes and wild, dark-chocolate hair shot through with varying shades of brown. The uniform of an officer of the Hades’ Helmet fit snuggly around Tigress’s more abundant curves.

Satisfied the mimic had gone smoothly, she headed for the Chief of Security’s quarters. Once inside the small space, she headed straight for the closet. The real Tigress struggled against her bonds. Anger had darkened her eyes to a stormy green. Morrigan dug into her pocket and pulled out a syringe.

“I can’t afford to kill you. So for now, you’ll just have to sleep. Once I’m done, the cuffs will be released, and you’ll be no worse the wear.” She tried to smile but couldn’t. The emotion of compassion had been stamped out of her under the heel of a boot. Morrigan couldn’t feel any emotion other than the sweet numbness of the chemicals pumping through her system. “Good night, Tigress. I do apologize.”

She wasn’t sure why she’d tagged on that last part, but she let it be as she stuck the needle into Tigress’s arm. The Chief of Security struggled until her movements faded into nothing. Only her gentle breathing could be heard, muffled by the gag.

Satisfied that her captive wouldn’t give her anymore trouble, Morrigan headed for the computer console and brought up her mission specs. The official government seal at the top of the page assured her it was a sanctioned mission, an order for the death of the ambassador from Il Doge. The usual cautions about what was permitted and what was forbidden were attached before the signature at the end, making everything official.

Morrigan read the name again on the bottom. Anton N. Cessiro, Minister of Defense. From her research, she knew that Anton was the ambassador’s brother. The reasons for the order weren’t her concern. She only knew that the ambassador had been one of the reasons the Chameleon Cyborg program had ended without explanation or warning.

Morrigan had been in the middle of a mission. Heat flared on her face as she remembered returning to the safe house, face bathed in blood, body in agony due to the torture she’d endured, only to find the neat and tidy cabin empty. No sign of life was evident.

She’d managed to steal a small off-world craft and return to the main base to discover it too was empty. The last communication was the order of the program to be terminated, and all cyborgs decommissioned by the order of the Intergalactic Defense Council. She’d been abandoned and left to die without as much as a warning.

“They’ll pay,” she breathed. “They’ll all pay, starting with the ambassador.”

Chapter Twelve

Ana followed close behind Diego, resisting the urge to reach out and grab his hand. They weren’t in a part of the ship she was familiar with. She knew they were near the landing bay, but this section was off limits to non-engineering crew. Any second now, she expected someone to leap out from one of the many darkened doorways and tell them to turn around. Sweat beaded on her brow and upper lip. A tingling on the back of her neck increased her unease. Heavy footsteps trailing behind them reminded her they weren’t completely alone.

Roberto had insisted on coming with them and acting as security. When she’d pointed out the need to bring in proper guards, Diego had disagreed, explaining that they couldn’t trust security.

That small reminder sent another bolt of nervousness through Ana. Her heartbeat raced. Her palms were damp with sweat. The walls seemed to be closing in on them. She wasn’t normally claustrophobic, but being in an unfamiliar place was bringing out a side of her she’d never known existed. Her face felt hot and itchy. She resisted the urge to scratch. She was pretty sure once they’d gotten free of the passage she’d need an allergy shot of some kind.

“We’re almost there, tesoro,” Diego said.

His voice was her only comfort. She latched onto it and let her pride fall away. Ana reached out and grabbed his hand, holding onto it for dear life. He stilled for a second before continuing on. A hand on her shoulder caused her to squeak aloud.

“Sorry, but I need to bypass you and move to the front.” Roberto’s voice seemed louder. She felt him brush past her and watched his darkened form slip in front of Diego. The low voice floated over to her, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“OK. Bella, Robbie is going to move ahead of us. It’s not far, but the ambassador hasn’t been responding to Robbie’s communications. He wants to make sure it’s safe for us to continue. We need to stop here for a bit.”

Diego turned around and pulled Ana to him. He enfolded her in his arms and pressed a kiss on the top of her head. The scent of soap and man swirled around her, soothing her nerves.

“How are you doing? You OK? Do you want to return to the room?

She shook her head and buried her face in his shirt. “I need answers, Diego. I have to understand.” She gazed up at him. His pale green eyes seemed to glow in the sickly overhead light.

“I understand, Ana, I do. You shouldn’t have been pulled into this. I’m sorry.” He pressed another kiss to her forehead. Secrets drifted across his face, regret obvious in his eyes.

She sensed that he was withholding information. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Once we’re there. But not out in the open.”

“Brother, come on. He’s ready for us,” Roberto called out.

“Come on.” Diego grabbed Ana’s hand and pulled her down along the corridor. She mourned the loss of the heat of his body. Ana hoped that soon she’d have answers.

They arrived at their destination within a few steps. She’d expected some strange hole in the wall room with pillows and rugs strewn on the floor and boxes of food against a wall. Instead she came out at the far end of the docking bay. A small luxury transport ship sat just a few yards away. It was much smaller than some of the transport and cargo ships that were housed around the large space. The muffled sound of the engines of ships could be heard, as well as a few pings and dings, but other than that it seemed as if they were alone.

An air lock popped and a gush of air hit Ana’s face as the door to the ship lowered to form a small plank way. A man who looked exactly like Diego stood framed in the doorway, illuminated by the golden light from within the ship.

“Good to see you made it. Please come in.” The man called out.

Ana blinked. He even sounded like Diego. Her step stumbled as he pulled her with him to the ship. “Don’t worry, tesoro, he won’t bite.”

It wasn’t him biting that she was concerned about, it was how similar they looked. The closer they got, the more she saw that they looked like twins. Her world seemed to have split apart.

They walked up the ramp and entered the ship. The interior wasn’t what she expected. Instead of the barest of utilities, there was a full-size bed, the latest food-processing unit, a bench, and the head. The living space took up the entire back of the cargo ship. Expensive silks and pillows in bright colors were everywhere.

Ana shook her head. It all felt wasted. The man from the doorway had retreated to the bed. He sat on the edge, his body tense despite the smile on his face.

“It’s good to see you. It’s been…lonely. I’m so used to being surrounded by people. I used to wish for a bit of quiet. Now that I have it…” Sadness flashed across his face before fading away under a sunny smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Moving on. Why did you need to see me? Are we at Veritas yet? I’ve turned off most of the instruments except for life support and, of course, food and waste management.”

“Ambassador, I need answers.” Diego moved over to the bench and sat on the edge.

Ana stood near the doorway, unsure of what to do.

“We should move inside, Ms. Lavender. We need to close this hatch just in case,” Roberto said.

Heat flushed her cheeks and neck in embarrassment. “Sorry.”

A warm, firm hand on her lower back pushed her forward. She stumbled, tripping over a rug and crashing into the opposite wall. Diego was off his seat in an instant. His body crowded hers as he pulled her to him.

“Are you all right, bella?” His arms wrapped around her making her feel safe and calm.

“Yeah, just tripped.” Heat flashed through her face.

“I’m so sorry.” Roberto apologized, mortification clear on his face.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the ambassador get up, concern etched on his face.

“No, no. It’s OK.” Diego guided her to bench. She sat down, feeling more embarrassed than ever.

Diego wrapped an arm around her and began to talk. “We’re here because I believe we’ve been set up: Officer Lavender and I. We want answers.” He told them all about what conclusions he’d come to. With each word that came out, Anarrae became ever more worried. To think that she’d been marked and Diego had been set up horrified her, and the thought that they were pawns in someone’s game to kill the ambassador sent a chill through her. By the time he was done speaking, Ana shivered as her gaze flitted to all the shadowed spots in the room.

Diego hugged her tight against him, his fingers gripping her arm in what she assumed was a reassuring squeeze. It didn’t do much. The ambassador settled farther back on the bed. It was odd seeing him like this, so casual, as if Diego hadn’t just told him of the elaborate plot to kill him and the extent to which the perpetrators had gone.

“It’s a good theory but what if you two hadn’t met? Or hadn’t hit it off? Not that your theory isn’t a good one, but those things have to be considered. I suppose that’s why they brought in the Chameleon Cyborg, to ensure there was a contingency. All things considered, yes, you do make sense.

“Now, as for who would kill me or go to so much trouble, I’d say my brother. We’ve been trying to end each other since we were infants. That’s the way of the house of Tauranious. I’m the eldest and must fight for dominance, but my mission is to reveal the corruption in the senate and the political structure. Your mother recommended you for the mission, and I hadn’t really told very many people about it. My office could have been bugged, though. I’ll order a sweep once I’m on Veritas.”

“That’s it? Our lives are in danger, and this is all for a family feud?” A peek at Diego showed his rage. Despite her own anger, Ana could understand it and had seen these types of family feuds before.

“Surely in your travels, you’ve seen this type of thing between families and houses?” The ambassador raised a golden-brown eyebrow. His blue eyes sparkled with intensity. Something lurked beyond the azure depths, something dark and frightening.

“Yes, but—” Diego started.

“So you understand. It’s like a tide pool, drawing in anything that gets too close. Even innocent bystanders aren’t immune. I apologize for everyone getting hurt on my account, but it’s the way of things and has been since the founding of our house.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

That small movement angered Ana. The heat of banked rage pierced and cracked the chill of fear. She shrugged off Diego’s arm and stood up.

“That’s bullshit.” Shaking with a newfound confidence, she moved closer to the ambassador, no longer caring about decorum. Her ship, her friends, and her lover were all in danger and she refused to stand by and allow this politician to act as if everything was status quo. “You and your brother can battle each other all you damn well want but not on my fucking ship. You damn well better figure out a way to fix it before someone dies and that, sir, will be all your fault.”

Predatory interest glittered in the ambassador’s eyes, making her very aware of their positions. Sometime during her speech, she’d climbed on the bed to get in the man’s face.

A smile quirked on his lips. He moved his face a few millimeters toward her. His breath fanned her lips.

“What an interesting person you are.” He regarded her the way a predator looks at prey.

She felt a tug on her hand. A glance back showed a very upset Diego. Ana quickly rejoined him, more embarrassed than angry now.

“Sorry.” She ducked her head.

“I’ll figure something out. If you’ll excuse us, ambassador?” Diego’s face was unreadable as he pulled her out of the shuttle with Roberto at their heels.

“What the hell was that?” he said, once outside of the ship. Ana opened her mouth to respond only to be cut off. “We were pulled into a family feud? Our lives are in danger because they want to kill each other? And here I thought he was involved with mother. He was flirting with Ana. What the fuck? Roberto, explain this to me before I turn around and hurt him myself.”

Roberto chuckled. “Worried, brother?”

Diego reached out and grabbed Ana’s hand. “No.”

Ana hid a smile and moved closer to him.

“Bugiardo. Anyway, you are familiar with Rico, the ambassador’s father?”

Diego gave a tight nod. “Yes.”

“He and mother were lovers before he married the countess to take his place in society. It was a directive of his father. Mother was very much in love with him. It was with great reluctance that she married father. She was pregnant, you see, and needed someone who was willing to be a father to the child.”

“Wait, what?” Diego stopped and Ana crashed into him.

“We must keep moving, remember? Assassin on the loose?” Roberto continued ahead of Diego and with Ana hot on his heels. She wasn’t sure what was going on but she felt it was important.

“Mother lost the baby,” Roberto went on. “That boy was the last connection she had with Rico. When she looks at the ambassador, she sees her old lover, now dead, and the son she lost.”

“Fucking hell!” said Diego. “What else haven’t you told me?” His grip on Ana’s hand tightened.

“Nothing else. It was mother who thought to ask you to do the job. So, given the assassination attempt, we can assume there’s a leak in the ambassador’s office.”

“No shit, Sherlock.” Diego sighed. “This doesn’t help us. We have a theory as to where the hit came from but no way to track the culprit. I’m assuming they’re going to avoid the med deck. So do I hang out and act as bait?”

“Well, no, because that’s just suicide. We know they want the ambassador, and we assume that his brother hired them, so the question is how to lure that person out without anyone getting hurt.” Roberto opened up a door in front of them and they stepped out into a hallway near a lift.

“What level are we on?” asked Ana.

“We’re on level two.” Confusion covered his face as his gaze moved around.

The corridor was empty. “Where’re the security drones? They’re supposed to be patrolling.”

“Shit. You’re right. Something is wrong.” His hold on her hand tightened.

“I’ve finally found you,” a low gruff voice said from behind them. They all turned to confront by Chief of Security Tigress.

Something was off. The shifter’s hazel eyes turned from green to brown to gold and then to blue. Ana frowned. She’d never seen Tigress’ eyes go blue before.

Understanding dawned on her just as the imposter raised a Browning Laser Pistol at Diego.

“She’s the assassin.” Without thought Ana pulled Diego to the floor just as Roberto pulled a gun. She tugged Diego with her while Roberto and the assassin traded shots in the hallway.

The world became chaos as security drones came barreling at them. Their round bodies bobbed up and down in the air as their spindly arms turned into weapons. “The captain is going to be so pissed.”

“Worry about that when we get to him alive. Where would he be right now?” Diego’s palm had become damp.

“Probably on his way to the danger zone. He’s undoubtedly been alerted of the firefight going on. I’m more worried about where Tigress is.” Ana’s heart hammered against her rib cage.

“We should go find her. She could tell us more about this person, and how long she’s been mimicking the Chief of Security.”

“I don’t think for long. The captain would notice.” Ana hoped they got to Tigress in time.

The captain’s voice boomed over them. “What the hell is going on?”

Ana snapped to attention at the sight of Drogan standing above them and responded automatically. “Sir, the assassin’s taken on the identity of Chief of Security Tigress Crow-Ley. Roberto, assistant to the ambassador, and the security drones are fighting back there.”

“Fucking hell! Stay here with security. I’ll give Roberto some support. How the hell did this happen?” Drogan rushed off toward the fight while special ops soldiers surrounded Ana and Diego.

“Screw this.” Diego said. “I want answers. I’m tired of being jerked around. Come on.” One of the soldiers tried to stop him but Diego glared at the man. “Either you escort us or we go without you. Either way, I’m going.”

Diego tugged Ana with him. They stepped into the lift only to be crowded to the back by all of the security trying to go with them.

“Someone hit the button for Chief of Security Tigress Crow-Ley’s quarters.” There was a gentle hitch as Ana’s stomach lurched up, and the elevator began to move. Her hand was still clasped with Diego’s. She moved closer to him, trying to get more room for herself. One of the soldier’s knife sheathes was digging into her arm, and someone else was standing far too close.

Silence filled the cabin. For a moment the ride became claustrophobic. The quiet was broken here and there with the creaking of leather and a few muttered curses. When the lift stopped, it was a relief when everyone rushed out into the hallway. Ana took a few deep breaths, filling her lungs with air and trying to find her calm.

“You OK, cara?” Diego reached out and caressed her face.

The concern he showed made her feel much better. “Yeah, just felt a bit claustrophobic.”

“Now you know how I feel. I’m not that great on ships either, but it’s worth it when you get to a new port and explore a new world.” He squeezed her hand.

Ana wondered how the awe of being in space didn’t overwhelm him as it did her. “You’ve had a lot of adventures, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have.” Diego gave her a mysterious smile. “Come on, let’s go find out what happen to the Chief of Security. Which way do we go?”

“Down this hallway, sir.” One of the guards directed. He took point and they followed him.

Ana’s heart thudded in her chest like a jackhammer. Despite not knowing Tigress very well, she was scared of what she would find once they reached the Chief of Security’s quarters.

“We’ll have to ask you to stay back. We’ll go in first and secure the area.” Soldiers swarmed around them, and Diego pulled Ana against the wall. His arms encircled her shoulders. She buried her head in against his chest and waited. The gentle whoosh of the doors opening raised goose bumps on her arms. A sudden commotion could be heard and then footsteps rushed past them.

Ana lifted her head and watched as three guards ran past them. In front of them was a woman clad all in black holding a gun. Shots were fired but they all missed.

“Come on.” Diego grabbed her hand and led her to the room. A chill raced down her spine as they entered Tigress’s suite of rooms. It was much larger than Ana’s own suite and sectioned off into small areas by low walls and cabinets. They crept in while the guards were looking the place over.

“So far the place is secure. What’s this?” One of the guards pointed his rifle at a machine the size of a large backpack. At the top, lights blinked on and off and there was some sort of LED readout in an alien language that Ana didn’t recognize.

“I need help!” Diego called out. He was kneeling on the floor with Tigress in his arms. “I opened the closet and she fell out. She’s unconscious.”

“I’ll get the doc here.” The soldier spoke into his wrist com, then frowned. “No signal. Can anyone call out?”

The other guard tried and shook his head. “Stay here and look around. I’ll try out in the hallway.”

Ana took in the dim room. “It’s too dark in here.” She turned to look for the light switch. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadow along the wall. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. She looked again.

The shadow continued to creep along. Ana watched in horror as the shade drew closer and closer to Diego. She opened her mouth to call out. She looked around and saw the guard was out cold. Realizing she was all alone, Ana rushed over, grabbed the soldier’s gun and moved toward the figure. Her hands shook and she prayed she wouldn’t be noticed.

The closer the shadow got to Diego, the more afraid Ana became. She had done attack drills and knew how to defend herself, but had never used the training before outside of the dojo. Adrenaline and doubt curdled together. Steeling herself, she moved forward with silent steps.

The shadow became solid. The clear outline of a female figure came into view. The threat raised a knife over her head and began to swing it down when Ana struck, hitting the woman with the butt of her gun. The shadow assailant crumpled to her knees.

Diego looked over his shoulder but didn’t move. Ana continued her attack, this time with a blow to the head. The woman fell to the ground with the knife still in her hand.

Chapter Thirteen

Ana’s body shook as the adrenaline began to recede. Her hands quaked as she dropped the energy rifle. It clattered to the floor. The sound was so loud, it made her cry out in shock. She gazed down at the unconscious person who’d come up behind Diego. Anger and fear melded into something she could only identify as outrage. Her leg swung back. On autopilot, she let out a loud scream as she began to kick the body. Each blow made the woman shift a bit, but she didn’t awaken.

“Ana, Ana. Stop.” Diego leaped over the assassin and held onto Ana as sobs racked her body. Tears fell unchecked. The wicked-looking dagger was still in the woman’s hand. Even unconscious, she wouldn’t let go.

“What happened?” This came from the now unbound Tigress who looked ready to rip someone apart.

The words fell out in a babbled rush as Ana explained. Meanwhile, Diego searched the apartment.

Tigress rolled the unconscious body over and shook her head. “Someone get the captain. I need to report what I know.”

“Chief, when did she—?”

Tigress looked up and shook her head. “I was so stupid. I’d gone to the gym for a work out. I pushed myself beyond my limits because I was so pissed over con-boy here. Anyway, I was so deep into my thoughts that I didn’t notice when I first stepped into my room that someone else was there. By the time my tiger managed to warn me it was too late. Bitch got the drop on me, knocked me out with a tranq, and bound me. She’s only been me for what I can surmise to be a few hours. It was soon after our meeting at the cap’s office, so no damage was done on your cover. At least I don’t think so.”

Diego shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that, but your captain was engaged in a fight with another assassin when he came to check on you. He had security with him, of course.”

“Tigress report!” Drogan said over a small com system on the wall.

Tigress rose and rushed over to it. She pressed a button and gave him the details.

“Get the assassin to a holding cell,” said Drogan. “Jesus, this is a nightmare.”

The com went out and everyone was left staring at the body.

“You heard the man,” Tigress said. “Get this bitch to holding. I’ll send for the intergalactic interrogator. Fucking moron will preach prisoner rights to us, of course.”

Ana hid a smile. It was no secret that Tigress hated dealing with the interrogator. Everyone felt that she just wanted the job done, no government assistance necessary. Ana thought it was something else.

Diego drew back and brushed some hair out of Ana’s face. “Come on, cara. We have to go see the captain.”

Ana nodded and followed him out of the room, bypassing the special ops guys. “That was so close.”

“Are you all right? Do you need water? A drink? Maybe to lie down?”

“No. Well, maybe something to drink, but later. Right now I want answers.”

“OK.” Diego stroked her hair and gave her a kiss on the forehead before pulling her to elevator.

On the ride to the bridge, Ana moved closer to Diego. “Do you think this is over?”

He shook his head. “No idea. But I’m beginning to think this is more than a grudge.”

“Why?”

“I’ll know when we get to the captain. First, let me call Roberto. He should be there with us. I have some questions about the Chameleon Cyborg units.”

Diego used his AI to request Roberto’s presence at the holding cell area.

“What are you thinking?” Ana asked.

“There were two. That’s two too many. How the hell did they get on in the first place? I think they had help, but the question is from whom—the ambassador’s entourage or someone on the ship?”

“I’d hate to think it was someone on the ship working with the ambassador’s brother.”

“I do too, but something still isn’t right here. How did they get on the ship? And how could they be sure that we would meet and hit it off?”

Ana shuddered. They’d been set up and it had all worked out, probably just as the masterminds wanted. She knew one thing for sure. Her feelings for Diego were real. Ana reached out and took his hand, holding it tight. He squeezed hers in return.

“We’ll be safe, I promise you that.” Diego told her.

She trusted him. It was the other players in the game that she felt uneasy with.

Once they arrived on the security deck at the top of the ship, a sense of claustrophobia descended upon Ana. The darkness pressed against her even though she was still in the cabin. The blinking lights felt like predators watching her every move. Heaviness sat on her chest. She labored to breathe. She wanted out. She wanted to be far away from the deck and never see it again. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead and upper lip.

She lifted her hand to press the button for down only to have Diego grab it. A glance toward him revealed she wasn’t the only one affected by the oppressive nature of the space.

“This is against Intergalactic prisoner rules.” They heard someone say from the darkness. “The lights need to be on, all of them.”

“And I say I don’t care.” Drogan’s voice responded.

With a deep breath Ana stepped out of the elevator, followed closely by Diego.

“Captain—”

“Save it. She tried to kill one of my crew and held my Chief of Security hostage. The rules be damned. I need answers.”

“She held Tigress… I understand the situation, but in order to make sure they are fully prosecuted, all the rules must be followed. I understand your anger, but please, see the other side. If it were you, wouldn’t you want some consideration be paid to you? For you to be treated as a living person rather than a creature?”

“Chameleon Cyborgs are—”

“Are what, Captain? They live, breathe, and eat just like you and I,” the interrogator said.

Drogan sighed. “Computer, lights on full.”

“Danke schön.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. Ambassador, Ana, good to see you here. You both can give your statements.” Drogan nodded toward them. The bags under his eyes and they way he held his body taut betrayed just how tired he was.

Ana felt sorry for her captain and wanted the situation to be over and done with. But that would mean that Diego would be leaving her. Her heart clenched but she pushed aside the pain to focus on the inquiry.

“I’ll go first.” Ana sidestepped Diego and went with the interrogator to a small room. She didn’t see any cells or other doors. “Where are the holding cells?”

“Huh? Oh, they’re status pods installed into the walls. The prisoners are made unconscious and put into the pods until they are needed for interrogation or transfer.

“Oh.” She noticed several darkened LED lights but only two were lit up.

“Now, Ms.?”

“Officer Anarrae Lavender.”

“Ah. Officer Lavender, please tell me what happened.”

They stepped into the small padded room, which was furnished with only a table and two chairs. Ana took one and the interrogator took the other. Ana settled into the seat and began her story, leaving out the part about visiting the real ambassador.

“Um, am I being recorded?” She asked when she was done.

“Yes, as soon as we stepped into the room the recorder was activated, as was the camera. I’ll go over your responses, both verbal and physical, to determine if your answers are truthful, but I can say right now you’re leaving something out. May I ask why?”

Ana started. She licked her lips and racked her brain for answers.

“Under ambassadorial code five, paragraph CV, line ten she doesn’t have to answer if sworn to do so by a prominent political figure for the safety of others.”

Ana glanced toward the doorway and sucked in a breath. The real ambassador stared at her, eyes glittering with intense interest. She could tell in an instant that it wasn’t Diego, despite his identical appearance. Ana shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

The interrogator nodded. “Ambassador, I’ll get to your testimony in a bit. I’m not done with Officer Lavender.”

“Of course. May I sit in on this?”

“I’d rather you not.” The interrogator’s eyes narrowed. A hard edge in his voice set something off in Ana. The two men glared at each other, but no words were exchanged.

“Fine. I’ll wait my turn. Office Lavender.” The husky tone of the ambassador’s voice made her more uncomfortable.

“May I ask if you’re intimate with the ambassador?” The interrogator asked as soon as the doors whooshed shut.

The question startled Ana, and for a moment she wasn’t sure what to say. The truth was no, but to say that would be lying to him.

“I’d rather not say.”

“Understandable. I believe we are done here for now. Please wait out in the check-in area until I can dismiss you properly. I may need some corroboration from you.”

“Understood.” She slipped out of the chair and left the room, feeling shaken. It was as if the interrogator knew something she didn’t.

In the check-in area she was shocked to see double. Drogan was deep in talk with both the ambassador and Diego. Diego was the first to turn toward her.

“He let me go,” Ana said. “Should be here any minute.”

“I’ll go in.” Diego stepped away from the crowd and headed toward her. She gave him what she hoped was a steady smile. As he passed by, he caught her hand and gave it a squeeze before heading into the room. As soon as the door shut she headed for the group.

“Why aren’t you hiding?” She asked the ambassador.

“Roberto filled me in on what was going on. I felt a need to come here and make sure that the interrogator didn’t probe too deeply. Besides, I have information you need. Roberto is doing more in-depth info diving.”

Ana opened her mouth to ask more, but the arrival of Tigress cut her off.

The Chief of Security nodded first to the captain and then the ambassador. “We have security footage from inside my quarters. She was careless, didn’t deactivate the feed. We have a problem. She’s a Morrigan model. That means she can clone herself three times. We have two, but the third could still be on the loose. She used a mini energy converter to hold her clones. Security found it, but we haven’t been able to bypass her security measures.”

“Diego should be able to help with that.”

Tigress’s eyebrow rose in question but she said nothing.

“Roberto is on his way,” the ambassador said. “I should get back to my shuttle. It was a pleasure to meet you both and see you again, Officer Lavender.”

Ana shivered when the ambassador drew out her last name. Instead of dwelling on it, she turned her attention to Captain Drogan. “Sir, is there anything I can do?”

“No, you’ve done enough. Two of the three assassins have been caught and the ambassador is safe.” He sighed heavily. “I just want the ambassador off my damn ship. That man annoys me. I could have done so much if I had known he was going to pull all this subterfuge shit. My crew is off balance.”

She thought over his words. “Perhaps that was the idea? Throw the crew off balance and the traitor will be off balance too?” The words came out unchecked. She hadn’t meant to say anything out loud.

Drogan’s eyes narrowed. His nostrils flared. “I can see that. Even understand that.”

“And if he thought we’d been impersonated, then he couldn’t inform us of what he was doing,” Tigress said.

“This all reeks. Especially when he claims his brother put a hit out on him. No ship captain would have taken on this mission without all this knowledge beforehand. He said time was of the essence.” Drogan shook his head.

“You don’t believe him?” Ana asked.

“He’s a politician. He can’t be trusted completely. I wouldn’t put it past him to withhold information. The only reason he came out now was because at least two of the assassins have been caught. It’s almost safe for him to roam around. Hell, he’d probably consent to being bait if we offered that up on the table.” Drogan began to pace.

“Do you think he’d do that?” Ana prayed the answer would be yes.

“No, he’s a power player. He’d let a grunt like Diego take his place on the chopping block.”

Tigress muttered under her breath, something about fucking suits and decision makers. Ana smiled. Without doing much, Diego had apparently won over Tigress.

“Is there a way to protect Diego?” Ana asked. It felt good to be say his real name rather than his cover.

“Not sure, to be honest,” Tigress said. “We need to know if the clone is in the box or if it managed to escape. The feed gets grainy in some places after you and Diego get in. Security assumes that that was the result of a power surge associated with Rag Nor tech, which is the energy company that put together the machine used by the Morrigan model. But we don’t know much about the Morrigan model. It’s all classified and even I can’t get permission to glance over the report.”

Roberto hurried up to them, clutching a file. Ana hoped he was bringing good news.

“The Morrigan model is a class-A Chameleon Cyborg,” he said, addressing Drogan. “It’s the highest grade the government authorized to be put into commission before the order of termination. Only one was put out. Its goal was to be a team in a box so to speak. The machine that is lugged along is a DNA sequencer that allows the Chameleon Cyborg to become anyone it wants while retaining its own core self. Here’re all the details. Destroy after reading.” Roberto handed the file to Drogan before bowing out.

“Officer Lavender, Tigress, with me.” Drogan said. “Officer Taybor, tell the ambassador to join us in my office as soon as he gets out.”

The security officer manning the check-in point nodded but said nothing.

Ana and Tigress followed Drogan to the elevator. Ana hoped that they would learn something that would allow them to gain the upper hand.

* * *

Morrigan looked around. Darkness surrounded her. Breathing was difficult. The air was compressed and stale.

Ships. How she loathed spaceships.

She moved to her right and something clattered to the ground. The seconds ticked by as she waited for someone to come and investigate. Nothing. Moving with great care, she picked her way through the cleaning supplies and grabbed a shelf. She hauled herself up and popped open a vent before crawling into the air duct. Her clones had been captured. Instead of going after them, she decided that she had to complete the mission. One way or another, the ambassador was going to die.

Morrigan’s vision became fuzzy and then cleared once more. She swore. Her energy banks were low. She needed her generator.

She called up the ship’s map. A small diagram of the Hades’ Helmet floated before her. “Computer, map out a route to the holding area.”

A red line was drawn from where she was to the deck she wanted to be on. Following the path, she made her way through the maze of ducts until she arrived at her destination. A peek through the vents showed her just a single guard on duty.

Morrigan smiled. Piece of cake.

Chapter Fourteen

Diego sat across from Drogan. The stress of the day pressed on his body, caused his shoulders to droop. His eyelids kept slipping down. The day pulled at him, urging him to sleep. But he couldn’t sleep. All his energy was ebbing away. He couldn’t help but wonder if he would even be able to make it to the elevator, much less to his quarters. Roberto was talking but the words were a jumble that didn’t make sense.

“Here.” Ana pushed a mug into his hands. The scent of coffee floated up to him and made him smile.

“Thank you, amor mia.” Diego wanted to kiss her but couldn’t lift his body out of the chair. Ana just nodded, ran a hand over his shoulder, and took a seat next to him.

“As I was saying, the Morrigan model is a cyborg unit able to make fully developed, independent, corporeal copies of herself. She is the only one of her kind. The only one to be developed by the company before they terminated the project. What the special ops team saw was a fully realized hologram who could react and think but not become solid. But its lifespan, as it were, is short. These copies can only last a few minutes away from the energy unit.

“Now, as for the cyborg herself, depending on energy depletion she can last days or even months without needing a recharge and update from the mainframe system. However, similar to changing one’s appearance, it takes massive amounts of energy and, with all three clones out and about at one point, I’m sure it was draining on the main cyborg, so she’s going to have to refuel at some point.”

“What about the threat she poses?” This from Drogan. “If she’s low on energy, would she still be a danger? Can she morph her appearance?”

“Depends. The test trials were inconclusive. There wasn’t enough fieldwork conducted to come to any conclusions, so we don’t know what she’s capable of. However, it’s my guess that yes, the threat level would lessen. Even the hologram would deplete her reserves. We can assume she’d go after both her clones and the machine.”

“I’ll place extra security on the holding area,” Tigress said, hurrying out of the room.

“Here’s another question,” Ana said. “Why didn’t she kill Tigress? Or the other person she imitated? Why leave them alive?”

“Too many bodies to bury is too much time wasted,” Roberto said. “Why kill when you can incapacitate? Disappearing members of crew would draw too much attention to her. Much easier to knock them out, assume their identities, and stow them away in their quarters or med deck.”

Drogan nodded. “So we can assume that the only person she wants dead is the real ambassador, which is both good and bad. My crew isn’t in danger but he is. The question is, how do we make it to Veritas 10 and capture her?”

“Use me as bait,” Diego said. “We leak the location of the real ambassador and go from there.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ana tense but couldn’t say anything to soothe her just yet.

“I’m for that. We can have special ops waiting for her and go from there. Where is Tigress? She should have been back by now.” Drogan looked around. He hit a button on his desk just as the doors whooshed open.

“Sorry for the delay. The captain of the special ops unit had an idea. He drained the machine to almost nothing, leaving just a little bit of energy left, and set it out in the open. The trap is set. If it works, we’ll be able to catch three birds with one stone. The conman won’t have to risk himself, the ambassador will be safe, and we’ll get the assassin.”

“Careful, Chief. I’ll start to think you like me,” Diego smiled.

Tigress sneered back at him. “You’re more useful alive than dead. Besides, I dislike the real ambassador. Smug bastard thinks he can jerk around my people. Not likely.”

Diego smiled as Tigress settled in next to him. For the first time since taking on this job, he felt comfortable. Both Drogan and Tigress had his back, and he and Ana were making progress.

“Captain, when this is all over, I’d like to speak to you.” Diego sipped the last of his coffee before setting it on the arm of the chair.

Drogan nodded. “I would like that.”

There was a lot unsaid in those simple words, and Diego was hopeful. Despite the claustrophobic feel of the ship, he had Ana and that was enough for him. He could sense a new adventure on the horizon if Drogan took him on as a crewmember. In what capacity he would work, he didn’t know. “Come on, love. Time to go to bed. I could sleep for a week.”

“Captain?” Ana remained seated, waiting.

“Go on, Officer Lavender. It’s been a long two days.” Drogan nodded.

Diego and Ana rose and left the office. Without thought, he put his arm around Ana, and they stepped into the lift.

“How are you doing?” Diego said, placed a kiss on Ana’s temple.

“Tired.”

The ride to their floor was short. As they ambled toward Diego’s quarters he couldn’t help but wonder why the ambassador had chosen to leave his hiding place. The danger hadn’t been lifted. Diego remembered the interest he’d shown in Ana, and how the man had flirted with her. A shudder rippled through him. He hadn’t wanted to say how disturbing it had been. Although Ana had shown no interest whatsoever, Diego had seen enough of that type of behavior in men of power to know that it wasn’t over. The ambassador wanted Ana. She’d stood up to him and most people didn’t do that. He just prayed the man would get the message before something bad happened.

When they arrived at the door Diego punched in the security code and stepped into the room. He took a moment to survey the space until he felt it was safe for Ana to be inside.

“You OK?” Ana said, as she brushed past him to sit down.

“Tired.”

“We need to talk.” The words were spoken quietly, as if she didn’t want to actually say them out loud.

“I know.”

“I don’t like the ambassador.”

“Neither do I.”

Ana laughed. “I have no interest in him whatsoever. He makes me uncomfortable, but I do want to talk about after this is over. Where do we go?”

“Not sure,” Diego lied. Until Drogan agreed to his idea, he wouldn’t get Ana’s hopes up or put her into a space where she felt conflicted.

“Liar.”

Diego smiled. “How did you know?”

“Your expression was neutral. I won’t press. Too tired to. But can I ask if there’s hope?”

“Yes, you can, and yes there is. Things just have to work out the way I want them to.”

“OK.”

“I want to pursue this, Ana, I do.” Diego settled across from her. “I want to be with you, that’s certain.”

“But you don’t like being on the ship.”

He shrugged. “There’s ways around that. Do you want me to stay?”

“Yes.”

“Thank the Goddess. Should we go to sleep now? I’m knackered.”

She held out her hand. “OK.”

He took it and reluctantly stood up. For a moment the room swayed and a yawn escaped from his mouth.

“You’re really tired,” Ana said.

“Everything has collided and I’m feeling the effects. They said this would be easy. When I return to Il Doge I’m going to throw a tantrum.”

Ana laughed. “You don’t look like a tantrum guy.”

“Yes, well, I’ll make sure not to have it around you.”

“I’ll just have to be there to make sure that you’re on your best behavior.”

Diego sucked in a breath at the thought of his mother meeting Ana. The idea didn’t make him uneasy. The memories, on the other hand, that could be brought up didn’t sit well with him.

“It’s OK.” Ana pulled him to the bedroom. “Nothing you did will make me leave you.”

Diego’s heart stuttered at that statement. “You don’t know what I’ve done.”

“But I see the result. You’re a good man. That I know.”

“You won’t know until I tell you…and I’m scared.” The confession made the darkness inside of him rush up to squeeze his heart. The breath was stolen from his lungs as he tried to shove his emotions back down.

“You can tell me in bed. Now strip.”

He didn’t argue. He took off his clothes and climbed into bed. Ana scooted toward him and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Now tell me.” Ana placed her head on his chest.

For a moment he tensed. The words were stalled on his tongue. He wasn’t sure he could do it.

“It’s OK, just tell me.”

Diego sighed and let the words fall from his lips unchecked. “I’ve killed people. I took their money and saw evil up close.” A shudder went through him. “I saw people die and did nothing to stop it. I’ve seen innocent people being crushed under the heel of the rich and did nothing to stop it. Sure, I’d give back occasionally, but for the most part it was about me. I lied to people, made women think I was in love with them. I took money from the rich but I didn’t care who got caught. People lost their jobs and lives because of me. I stopped caring about anyone but myself.”

“That’s a lie. If you didn’t care about your brother and mother then you wouldn’t have taken this job.”

“Yes, but they had to use her health to even get me to see her. I wouldn’t have gone had they not told me she was dying.” Diego had never confessed that out loud. “I wouldn’t have gone if they hadn’t said she was on her death bed. There are parts of me that are still angry that I had to grow up so fast, that I was the one to protect my mother and brother from my father. I’m angry that I may have a half brother out there. And I’m tired. I’m tired of using people to get what I want…and I’m tired of being used.

“I was once pulled into starting a war. I got out before things got too bad. The fight is still going on. But despite everything I’m proud of the cons I’ve pulled. Well, some of them at least. But for the most part I hate myself. I hate that I’m proud of some of the things I’ve gotten away with.”

Ana said nothing, so Diego continued. “I can’t look myself in the face anymore. I don’t know who I am, and I don’t know if I can come back and care. I did this job to have my record wiped clean and get paid. That’s it. That was the biggest draw of all, even more than doing the job for my dying mother.” Diego hated the words coming out of his mouth and what these confessions could do to the way Ana saw him.

“You’ve lived a life most people could never imagine,” Ana said at last. “But you do care, otherwise you wouldn’t be doing any of this. You wouldn’t care about me or your brother. You’re lying to yourself so you won’t get hurt. You’re scared of how I’ll react, and you’re unsure of your future. Stop thinking and just let go. You’ve had a long two days. A lot has happened. You’re running on empty, Diego, so it’s time to rest. Let me take care of you. Let me help you.”

“Oh? And how are you going to do that?” He turned his head and watched her roll her eyes.

“Just go to sleep.”

“But you didn’t answer me.” He chuckled.

“I’ll answer you in the morning. Now sleep.”

At her words, his eyelids began to drift downward. A yawn escaped and he groaned.

“Fine, but your answer better be really creative.”

“Oh, trust me, it will.”

* * *

Morrigan surveyed the brig through the vent. Still only one guard on duty. Stupid officers. She dug into her breast pocket and drew out her laser knife. She cut through the vents and grabbed the covering before it fell. Pulling it inward, she rested against the wall and went into shadow mode.

She slid out of the duct and landed without making a sound. She crept along the wall, moved past the stasis pods, and headed to her power cell. Her body felt jittery as though she was working on near empty. Her fingers tingled and her feet ached with each step she took. When the large battery came into sight, relief swept through her. Eagerness to become fully charged made her rush toward it. When she arrived at the cell, Morrigan reached out with trembling fingers.

As soon as her hand made contact with the machine, there was a whir of the fan and the delicate music of a computer coming to life. The first pulse of electricity rushed up her arm. It was like a balm to her weary muscles. But the hit didn’t last. The energy stopped almost as soon as it had begun.

Anger overcame her. A hot rush of emotion welled up inside of her and became physical. She hit the machine, letting out a shriek of rage.

Hands wrapped around her wrists and drew her back. She fought and kicked, screamed like a banshee at not being able to feed her tired body properly. Pain pierced her neck. Her limbs became heavy, movement sluggish. Her eyelids fluttered. She tried to struggle against her captors but nothing happened. Her hands and feet didn’t respond. Her legs and arms felt like lead.

As the darkness of sleep took hold, she tried one last time, ordering her nanotechnology to respond. Nothing. She felt the shackles close around her wrists and the coldness of a slab through her bio suit.

“When she wakes up, I want to talk to her.”

Morrigan knew that voice but couldn’t identify it. Her thoughts moved as if mired in molasses. She tried once more to move, but nothing happened. As the last of her thoughts floated away, she prayed that she’d get another shot at the ambassador.

Chapter Fifteen

Time floated by on slow wings. When Morrigan next awoke she was no longer on a cold metal slab. She sat in a hard chair. Dark walls met her blurry gaze. She tried to lift her hands to rub her eyes and clear her vision but found her limbs wouldn’t move. Her body felt too heavy. An attempt to move her head only showed her more dark walls. Dim light bathed the space from overhead. Nothing else took up room with her. Unease crept up her spine. Fear tightened her throat. Her heart beat out a staccato rhythm against her rib cage.

Not since training camp had she been captured. Morrigan had vowed on that day never again to be so helpless. Not until years later, when she returned from her mission to find her base dismantled and her fellow soldiers gone, had that feeling returned.

The whoosh of air drew her attention. She turned her toward the sound. What greeted her pushed away the fear. The emotion was replaced with rage. She tried to lunge toward the man, lash out, strike him. Much to her fury, her body still refused to move.

“I’m sure you know who I am,” said the ambassador, “as I know who you are, so no need for the formalities. I’ve taken the liberty to study your files. We’ve also downloaded your memories from your core processor. Lots of interesting reading. What struck me the most was that your memories have been altered.”

A small panel opened in the floor and a chair rose into view. The ambassador sat across from Morrigan, taking a relaxed pose with his ankle resting on his knee. He gazed at her, no emotion on his face.

The anger took a backseat to curiosity. Morrigan took a moment to digest what he’d just said. She did an internal scan to corroborate his statements. Her data port had been accessed while she’d slept and data had been downloaded, but his claim that her memories had been altered didn’t ring true. Although, something didn’t feel right—she didn’t feel right.

“You wouldn’t know. The scientists who created your braincase and interfaced your mind with that of the core computer in your body have remote access through a backdoor program they installed in all the Chameleon Cyborgs. You wouldn’t know you were hacked until it was too late.”

The ambassador tilted his head to the side. His dark blue gaze bore into her making her uncomfortable. She’d heard whispers of secret things that the scientists had done, things like that, but she had dismissed them as myth. There hadn’t been enough evidence.

“You’re lying to save yourself.” Her voice came out husky, as if unused for some time. Morrigan swallowed a few times. She couldn’t help but wince at the pain that caused.

“Don’t take my word for it.” With a wave of his hand, the ambassador made a hologram appear in front of them. The schematics to Morrigan’s body rotated before her. Lines and small letters detailed the modifications that had been made along with the programs that were installed in various parts of her.

Morrigan read through it all, absorbing each and every scrap of information. This design was much more detailed than what she’d been shown when she’d first joined the program.

“I’m sure you’ll think we altered this information to suit our purposes. Look at the time stamp. As you know, that can’t be altered. Their programming is far too complex for the likes of anyone but the creator to modify.”

Morrigan’s eyes scrolled to the bottom of the page. A small shriek left her mouth as she read the small seal at the bottom. The signature of the document’s creator stood out in bright red pixels. The name was clear enough to read. Her heart sank. The world around her crashed down as crimson bathed her vision. She’d been lied to and used.

“I was never a part of this project,” the ambassador went on. “I never signed off on it. I’d argued against it in the highest courts due to this type of manipulation by the secret sectors of government who felt they were above the law. They used this program you’d been recruited to for their own purposes. They used you and your fellow soldiers to carry out assassinations in the name of patriotism and government.

“I am on my way to Veritas 10 to request permission to investigate how far this actually goes. I feel you could be useful. I’ll give you all the information I have if you agree to form a team to investigate this matter for me. I have permission from a panel on this matter. You will answer only to us and no else.

“Once we have all our findings, we will go public. If I don’t do as I say, you have my permission to kill me. Do we have a deal? Better yet. I’ll let you think on it.”

“I will think about it,” Morrigan said. The ambassador’s gaze hadn’t wavered as he spoke. He was serious, that much was obvious, but Morrigan needed time to digest the new information she’d been given.

The ambassador rose. “These are your quarters. You will be under 24-hour guard. Your ability to move about the ship will be limited. The captain will want a full list of all your victims. At the moment, we’re recharging your fuel cell. Before we reach Veritas 10 I’m going to request that you go through an operation, whether you agree or not, to have a tracking beacon put inside of you. Also, many of your parts are outdated. I’ll be requesting that you be outfitted with new equipment and programming. Whether you choose to take part in my project is up to you, but as a soldier of the military it’s a piss-poor shame that they used cheap parts to turn you into a weapon. I’ll return in the morning. Good night Morrigan.”

With that, the ambassador left her to her thoughts. She wasn’t sure what to think. When the room began to move around her and a bed and a sink slid out of the wall, she jumped. The shock of being able to move around surprised her even more. A food processor, chair, and table lifted up from the floor. The room became basic quarters for a serving officer, not a prisoner. This courtesy being extended to her made her both suspicious and tired.

Morrigan just wanted to know what to believe. She knew one thing: if the ambassador was right, she wanted blood and justice.

* * *

“Thank you for coming to see me so early,” Drogan said. His voice was full of fatigue. “I know it’s four in the morning, but I felt I should speak to you before we reach Veritas 10. We’re only a few days out, and I wanted to deal with this before we got there. I’ve been briefed on your past and your abilities.

“A man of your unique skill set, I feel, would be an asset to my crew, and I’d like you to join us. Not as an officer, of course, but as a consultant. Your abilities and connections would be very useful to us, and allowing you to retire would—in my opinion—be a waste. I’ve spoken to the ambassador, who agrees with me. Your exemplary performance, your loyalty to him and concern for the crew, as well as your quick thinking, has allowed us to possibly gain an advantage on the shadow government that is trying to get more than a foothold in our way of life.

“We thank you for your service and, as your reward, a full pardon will be yours. Your record has been completely expunged, and your payment has been deposited in your account.” Drogan stared, his black gaze pensive.

Diego knew this was the time to negotiate. He’d been thinking of requesting a position on the crew in any capacity they would be willing to give him, just to be with Anarrae. This was the opening that he had only dreamed about.

“You’ll, of course, be receiving a commission as a consultant, not an actual crew member. Due to your past and all, we can’t extend that to you.”

Diego nodded. “Understood. First, I’d like to keep the suite I currently have.”

“Done.”

“I’d like secure off-network access for my AI. We will in no way endanger the crew, but some of our sources wouldn’t take too kindly to receiving a com with a starship call sig in it. They like their anonymity.”

“Understood and done.”

Diego raised an eyebrow. Before he could ask, Drogan filled him in. “My Chief of Security knows that I’m asking you and understands that if you should accept there will a few things she has to accept. She doesn’t like it, but will live with it if it means a new way to keep the ship and her crew safe.”

“All right. My AI has been pestering me for ages about becoming autonomous. She wants a top of the line body, all the bells and whistles.”

“We can arrange that. We’ll be staying over at Veritas 10 for quite some time before our next mission. We can start the process there. Anything else?”

“I’ll need a small spacecraft of my own. On occasion, if we’re in a certain galaxy or vector, I’ll need to pay my respect to certain people. This doesn’t just ensure my safety, but yours as well.”

“Done. We have something you can use. I’ll let you take a look at it to see if it needs modifications. Anything else?”

Diego could see that Drogan was reaching his limit with the requests. “Should I think of anything else, I’ll let you know. Once we get to Veritas, though, I have to return home to see my mother. She’s been ill. Roberto and I must pay our respects, or the old bat will haunt me into the afterlife.”

Drogan nodded. “Understood, but know this: my patience is limited. You have two requests left.”

“Thank you, Captain. It will be a pleasure working with you.” Diego rose. “Good morning. I’m going to go to sleep now.”

“We’ll speak later.”

Diego left Drogan’s office with a grin on his face. Stepping onto the lift, he hit the button for his floor. The doors were sliding shut when a hand stopped their progress. Tigress slipped in next to him.

“Don’t be so smug, con artist. If you slip up and get one of my crew injured, I’ll throw you in the brig and dismember you myself. Clear?”

“Crystal. Although, do you normally threaten members of the crew who helped save your ass?”

The elevator came to stop. Before Tigress could respond, Diego was out the doors. He rushed down the hall. As soon as he punched in the security code and slipped into his suite, he began to laugh.

“Careful moron, you keep pulling her tail, she’s liable to slice your arm off,” his AI said.

“Then I’ll just have to get it fixed. Time to take you off and let you rest. I have my appearance to change before Ana wakes up.”

“Whatever,” the AI said.

The dull buzz in the back of Diego’s head faded to nothing. He removed his wrist com. After he walked into the bedroom area, he put the computer on a dresser and headed toward the bed. For a moment he gazed at Ana, taking her all in. In sleep, her features were relaxed.

“Beautiful,” he said. Leaning over, he placed a kiss on her cheek before heading into the bathroom.

The sense of conflict, the uneasiness, and the pressure of living two lives had slipped away. Diego felt calm. It was more than just his part in the charade being over. New possibilities were now open to him. A new life now lay before him. Excitement burned through his body. He wanted to start anew, to begin his life with Ana honestly, with no more masks.

“Lights.” He stepped into the vanity area flooded with a pale golden glow. It wasn’t bright enough to blind, just enough to see. “A bit brighter.”

He moved deeper into the bathroom and stopped before the vanity. Staring at his reflection, he studied the planes of his current face. He could look at his reflection a thousand times and still not feel comfortable with another person’s face.

He considered changing his appearance back to the way he was. Now that he was pardoned, his record scrubbed clean, he could be himself again. No more masks. He reached up and stroked his stubble-coated jaw. If he walked out of there looking like himself Ana might become frightened and think someone had broken in. Besides, she deserved to see the mask fade away.

Stepping away from the mirror, Diego stripped off his shirt, undid the belt of his pants, and pulled off his boots before padding back to the bed. He climbed onto the mattress and gazed at her sleeping form. His heart contracted. For a moment he didn’t want to wake her. He wanted to curl up beside her and hold her. But he was impatient. He straddled her body. Starting from her hand, he kissed his way up her arm until he got to her bare shoulder. There, he took a nip at the crook before moving up her neck, pausing to flick her pulse point.

Ana’s breathing increased. She arched her back and moaned. “Diego.”

He traced the delicate shell of her ear with just the tip of his tongue, reveling in her soft groan. The rustle of the sheets filled the air, mingling with the gentle drone of the air-recycling unit above. The brush of her silky skin caressed his shoulder and the side of his throat as she hooked her arms around his neck.

Her fingers dug into his hair, taking a handful and pulling hard. He stopped what he was doing. The seconds ticked by as the silence between them stretched out. Diego’s heart thudded a constant rhythm against his rib cage. Tendrils of need wound their way along his spine to start pinpricks of heat at the base of his back and between his legs. His balls drew closer to his body, tightening. His cock pressed against his pants, demanding release. The need to bury himself deep inside his woman increased with each moment.

Slowing his breathing, Diego held himself above her, arms shaking with effort. His fingers dug into the comforter. He ached to ask her permission to continue. This felt just like the time he gave her control on Il Doge when they first met. Only this time he wasn’t tied to anything. His cock twitched in his pants. Arousal flared hot in the pit of his stomach as he remembered that sweet torture of being hers to do with as she wanted.

“Ana?” Her name was dragged out of his mouth in a husky breath. It was a plea, a prayer and a demand all in one. Her response was to increase her hold on his hair and pull him closer to her head.

“Please.”

That single word made him shake even more with effort. With a deep breath he lowered his head. The words take your time were on rotation in his head as he kissed his way from her ear to her cheek.

“I’m going to be with you, Ana, always. I’m not leaving.” He kissed the corner of her mouth before moving his face away.

She rolled onto her back and stared up at him. Her brown eyes filled with so many emotions it was difficult to distinguish the joy from the confusion. “How?”

He told her about being called to see Drogan as he pulled the cover away to expose her naked body. Once she was fully exposed, he rose up onto his knees and undid his fly.

“So, you’re part of the crew now?”

He nodded, his gaze traveling over her nudity again. After pushing down his pants and discarding them, he crawled up the bed again. “I’m all yours. We can stay here in these quarters if you want. I’ll go anywhere you want to be with you. I’ll even stay on this blasted ship, but I never want to be parted from you again.”

Ana’s eyes glistened with what he thought were tears. “You would do that for me?”

“Yes. I can’t go on without you. I need you to live.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. It was a weighted statement, one that he knew would make her feel pressure he didn’t want her to endure. He opened his mouth to take it back. This relationship was new to him. He wanted to enter into it with no baggage, without giving her any reason to hesitate.

“And I need you too.” Ana opened her arms to him. “Make love to me.”

Diego shoved his pants off the bed and moved upward. He settled on his side next to her. In this position he could stare right into her eyes as they made love. And this time it would be making love, not fucking.

“Take me cara. I’m yours.” Anarrae threw her thigh over his hip and reached between his legs. Diego’s breath lodged in his throat as her hand wrapped around his cock. She moved her face closer and pressed her lips to his. His eyes fluttered shut as he allowed the sensations of being with her again unfolded.

His body felt too hot, too tight. The pressure inside of him increased as she pumped her hand leisurely up and down his cock. Every so often she paused to smear his precum over his cockhead. He rocked his hips, sliding his cock in and out of her grip. He groaned when she took his bottom lip between her teeth and tugged, sucking the sensitive flesh into her mouth. Her tongue slid over the heated flesh, setting off sparks of pleasure.

Diego groaned and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Just a whisper of her nipples against his chest caused his stomach to tighten and the heat to increase. His cock jerked in her hand as his balls pulled closer to his body. His self-control was ebbing away. Diego wanted to be inside her now.

As if sensing his desire, Ana squeezed his cock just under the wide helmet head. The small burst of pain only added to his pleasure.

“Goddess, please,” he said, pulling his head away. “I need you.”

She said nothing. Instead, Ana guided his cock closer to her mons. The heat against his cockhead was nearly his undoing. He could smell the musky perfume of her arousal. When she teased him by running his cock against the damp lips of her labia, Diego nearly cried out. Just a hint of what could come had him fighting his baser needs.

Diego wanted to unwrap her hand from around his shaft and slide inside of her, to feel her pussy clench around his cock as he drove in and out of her, fucking her until they both came, screaming. Instead, he waited, allowing her the lead.

“Do you want me?” she said.

Diego stared at her as if she’d gone mad. He resisted giving her a sharp retort. She currently had a delicate part of his body in her grasp. He wasn’t going to risk her retaliation. “Yes, bella, I want you, very badly.”

She graced him with a smile. “Just checking.” Ana moved closer until he felt her position him at her entrance. “Now, fuck me.”

He shook his head. “No, we’re making love, my Anarrae.”

Diego pushed his hips forward and slid into her slick channel. Her vaginal muscles rippled around his shaft as he thrust in and out of her pussy. The pace started off slow but gradually increased his speed until he was pounding into her. She moved with him, rocking against him.

Ana lowered her head and took his lips again. His mouth fell open, allowing her tongue to slip between his lips. Their tongues dueled and twined around each other. The kiss became more passionate as their bodies slapped together faster, harder. Diego slipped his hand into her hair and took a handful. Her legs rubbed against his as they rocked together.

The pleasure built as their slick bodies danced the ancient steps of lovemaking that were as old as time. The pinpricks of heat at the base of Diego’s spine increased, burning hotter with each pass. His balls ached for release with each thrust. He pushed away the wave of need, wanting to stretch this moment out as far as it could go. He continued to move with her.

His climax spiraled higher and higher as the heat between them increased. The sound of wet flesh slapping against flesh became music to his ears.

“Ana,” he said as she squeezed her vaginal muscles around him.

“Diego, please, let me see you, let me see the real you,” she said.

He didn’t hold back. With a silent command he ordered the nanobots to change his face, let the subterfuge fall away. They continued the dance as pain rippled through his face. The ache was overcome by the pleasure he felt from moving with her, being inside of her. It distracted him from what was happening. Her mouth blazed a trail of fire along his jaw line, soothing away the ache as the pain subsided.

“So beautiful.” Damp fingertips slipped along his cheeks as she covered his face in kisses.

As Ana explored his true visage, they stopped moving. Her lips danced along his forehead, eyelids, nose, cheeks, lips, chin, and his neck. When she pulled her upper body away from his he groaned, hating the loss of contact.

“Even your tattoo has returned to the way it was,” she said.

Diego took a breath and groaned at the ache. His skin felt tight and hot. It was painful to breathe.

“I’ll make it feel better,” Ana assured him.

He opened his mouth to ask how, only to shut it and groan when she began to move her hips again. The pleasure built. Pain was forgotten in the face of desire. The fire between them burned higher and higher until Diego couldn’t hold the pressure back any more. A tidal wave of heat washed through his body, saturating every cell inside of him with sensation.

Diego came, balls pulling tightly to his body, fire sliding up his spine and her name bursting from his lips. Spurts of seed coated her vagina as he came. Her pussy quivered around his cock, contracting and relaxing, drawing out every drop from him. He shook as the afterglow set in. Opening his eyes, he stared at Ana in awe. “I’ll always be with you, cara. I promise.”

She gave him a saucy smile. “You’re damn straight you will. Because if you leave me, I’ll hunt your ass down and bring you back.”

He laughed long and loud before pulling her close. “I know.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head and let out a sigh. “Let’s go to sleep. We still have a long way to go.”

Epilogue

The Hades’ Helmet sat in the atmosphere of a large, white planet dotted with large pools of blue. Veritas 10 sat below them. Ana stared at it through the porthole. A smile played on her lips. Diego was staying with her on the ship after his record had been wiped clean. He’d insisted she move into the big suite with him. She’d said yes. It felt right being with him there. She felt safe, more connected.

A story was made up about his new appearance that everyone bought. Well almost everyone. Tigress seemed to be keeping a close on eye on him, which only amused him.

Morrigan, the assassin, had agreed to help the ambassador, and her assistance would replace a prison sentence. She would serve her time in his service, investigating the secret branch of the government that had been growing in power lately. The Chameleon Cyborg actually seemed eager to carry out her sentence. Captain Drogan was just happy to have her off his ship.

The crew was spending a month at Veritas 10 for repairs, a tune-up, and to ready the ship for the annual inspection. Ana was happy for the vacation. She wanted to get to know Diego better, and Diego would be able to spend more time with his brother before they both went back to Il Doge to check in on their mother. Ana wanted to go with them but duties were keeping her on the ship.

“She’ll be disappointed, but we’ll see her next time we’re in the sector.” Diego pressed a kiss to her temple as he wrapped his arms around her. “I look forward to that.”

The chirp of someone at their door sounded and Ana tensed. This was the meeting she’d been dreading since they arrived at Veritas.

“You don’t have to see him if he makes you uncomfortable,” Diego said.

“No, no, it would be impolite. Come in.”

The doors slid open and the ambassador came in without his entourage. He smiled warmly. “I couldn’t leave without saying good-bye to the both of you.”

He made his way over to Ana and took her hands. She stilled, unsure of how to act.

“You’re sure you don’t want to join my little troupe?” the man said.

Ana gazed up at him, horror on her face. She hadn’t told Diego that the ambassador had offered her a position on his staff. Diego stilled behind her.

“I’m very sure,” Ana said. “I enjoy being on the Hades’ Helmet. Besides, everything I want is here.” She let go of his hands and gave him a small smile.

The ambassador nodded his head. “I understand. He better be worthy of you. Diego, thank you again. I couldn’t have asked for a better man for the job. I am forever indebted to you.” The ambassador stepped around Ana and held out his hand toward Diego.

With hesitation, Diego took it, pumping the hand up and down before letting go. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the envelope his mother wanted him to give to the ambassador. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my family. This is from my mother.”

Emotions flitted across the ambassador’s face as he accepted the packet. “My father always loved your mother. That much I do know, and if he’d known…” The ambassador shook his head. “Your mother has done a lot for me, and I appreciate everything she’s done. What I did was nothing. If you ever need my help, just ask. I must go now. Meetings all day. Officer Lavender, it was a pleasure meeting you. Good-bye.” With that, he moved away, bowed, and left the room.

Ana let out a breath she hadn’t even known she was holding. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“Just gives me another reason to tie you to the bed and use every instrument of pleasure I can find on you. I hear Drogan has a very interesting room attached to his and Rena’s. Perhaps I’ll ask to borrow a few things.” Diego laughed.

A shiver of anticipation went through Ana. “You’re in control this time, Dodger. Do with me as you will.”

Diego growled. “Oh, this could be fun. I’ll go get the mask. You get the cuffs from my bag.”

Ana laughed. Despite everything they’d gone through to be together, she wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. It had all been worth it.

~ About the Author ~

Multi-Published Author, part vampire, part pixie, Selena Illyria was born with a need to write and enable. Her imagination takes her into the paranormal, sci-fi and fantasy genres and all sorts of mischief. When not writing she enjoys catching up on her TBR pile, watching some of her favorite programs and listening to her favorite music as well as teasing people with posts on decadent food and plot bunnies.

Discover more about Selena Illyria here

Website: http://www.selenaillyria.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selena-Illyria/100175079107?ref=nf

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Selena_Illyria

Yahoo Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selenaillyriasofferings/

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/selenaillyria/

~ Also by Selena Illyria ~

At Drogan’s Command

Hades Helmet Crew Book One

Selena Illyria

Who knew one little disc could cause so much trouble? Certainly not Rena, until the disc in question—the one in which she lives out every sexual fantasy she’s ever had, including a few inspired by her crush, Captain Drogan Carter—falls into the wrong hands. Drogan’s. Rena is desperate to get it back—she can’t let him know all her darkest, dirtiest secrets…

When Drogan finds the disc and watches the very private contents, his first feeling is guilt. But that guilt soon turns to a raw, sexual need to have the wanton, carefree Rena in his bed. He knows she’ll never come to him willingly, but once he gets her, he’ll have plenty of time to win her over, and to prove to her that reality can be so much better than fantasy. But first he needs a plan, a way to get her right where he wants her: at his command.

Buy At Drogan’s Command here

http://www.amazon.com/Drogans-Command-Hades-Helmet-Crew-ebook/dp/B00FAUT8T4/

Mate Not Wanted

Bachelor Auction Book One

Selena Illyria

Letting Madison go unmated? Pierce won’t stand for it…

Lioness shifter Madison doesn’t want to be mated. So when her friends bid and win tiger shifter Pierce McKinney at the Bachelor Auction, she knows she’s screwed. Pierce is the one man who can get under her skin. Especially when she knows that sex with Pierce will burn hotter than the sun…

Pierce McKinney has been trying without luck to wear Madison down. So when her friends win him at a charity auction, he’s determined to win her for his own. He’ll give her what she needs and desires, and he’ll even bring in a friend to play to her fantasies. But Madison belongs to him, and only him. And he intends to show her that he plays for keeps. Even if she’s too stubborn to admit it. Because Pierce is too stubborn to let her walk away…

Buy Mate Not Wanted here

http://www.amazon.com/Mate-Not-Wanted-Bachelor-Auction-ebook/dp/B00HFF7MS6/

Dragons at Midnight

Dragon New Year Book One

Selena Illyria

One dragon is hot enough, but three can make this tiger shifter burn in the most delightful ways.

Tiger shifter Louisa thought she'd ring in the New Year all alone. Little did she know that three younger dragon shifters plan on making sure she celebrates things right. Add a little steam, a few dragon shifters with dirty minds, and some creative use of furniture and New Year's Eve becomes the perfect scorching-hot party for four.

Buy Dragons at Midnight here

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-at-Midnight-ebook/dp/B006M47PV0/

Dragon Ugly

Dragon New Year Book Two

Selena Illyria

Can a dragon shifter give more than just hot sex?

After Brent’s New Year’s fling with his friends Fletcher and Tor—and Tor’s mate Louisa—Brent is determined to find his own mate. His dragon wants him to find their mate, too, and if Brent doesn’t find a way to locate her soon, his dragon will take matters into his own talons. And that could spell trouble.

Wolf shifter Carissa has no desire to live up to her wild musician mother and artistic father’s vision of free love and sex parties. She’s buried her sexual desires and focused on building up her aromatherapy store, Scentify, no distractions allowed. Until she meets Brent. The sexy dragon shifter makes her burn with suppressed need. The only problem? His dragon wants Carissa, too. And pursuing the dominant dragon would be playing with fire.

Giving in to his dragon saps Brent of his focus and energy. Things are turning ugly—dragon ugly. How can he bond with his mate when his dragon only wants sex?

Buy Dragon Ugly here

http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ugly-New-Year-ebook/dp/B00D8DE0AM/

Seven Sins Inn: Pietro and Callisto

Selena Illyria

Pietro doesn’t think he has time for love. Being a demon king and part owner of Seven Sins Inn leaves him little time for women. But when his friends claim that they’ve found the perfect match for him, Peitro is determined to prove that he doesn’t need a set up--he can find his own date, thank you very much. Undeterred, his friends send him to investigate a “problem” at one of the Inn’s guest functions, where Pietro sees the woman of his dreams, right there in the very kissable flesh.

Paranormal negotiator Callisto Monroe went to the Seven Sins Inn for a friend’s wedding, hoping she could scope the place out for work. But she didn’t plan on being swept away by the hot, dark-haired demon, or spending a weekend having the hottest sex of her life. All that’s well and good. But when things get too hot to handle, how is she supposed to protect her heart?

Buy Seven Sins Inn: Pietro and Callisto here

http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Sins-Inn-Pietro-Callisto-ebook/dp/B009PB94LQ/

Roman: Fallen Lovers

Selena Illyria

Can a mere woman heal a fallen angel's wounds?

Author Tristina Deveroux has been dreaming of a man—a tall, dark, sexy man whose nightly visits bring her to a fever pitch. But come morning, she always awakens agitated and unsatisfied—and alone. When her agent suggests a writer's getaway in Scotland, Tristina can’t resist the chance to gain a little distance, hoping a change of scene will help her escape the dreams and get her mind back into her latest book.

But when she receives a passionate letter from a mysterious Scot, she can't resist the urge to meet him. Can love triumph and heal them both from past hurts? Or will the clash of fantasy and reality bring the past back to haunt them?

Buy Roman: Fallen Lovers here

http://www.amazon.com/Roman-Fallen-Lovers-ebook/dp/B004GHN5NW/

Renny’s Mate

Selena Illyria

One Island. One Werewolf. One week of wicked sex in the sun...

When Larissa's given a week at her boss's private island, she jumps at the chance for some sun, sand, and complete relaxation.

Avoiding his family's annual get together, Renny hops a plane for his brother's private island. But once the werewolf in hiding spots Larissa coming out of the surf--wet, nude, and irresistible--hiding is the last thing on his mind. And the last thing he expected was to find his mate. But how can a woman like her trust the black sheep of the family who's never committed to anything in his life?

Buy Renny’s Mate here

http://www.amazon.com/Rennys-Mate-Beach-Bums-ebook/dp/B0074B6IM2/

“Dragons at Samhain”

Selena Illyria

Halloween Heat II

An Anthology of Erotic Paranormal Ménage

Three stories of blazing paranormal ménage. Hot dragons, sexy wolf shifters, and scorching threesomes to make an unforgettable Halloween night.

"Master Me" by Rachel Firasek

"Dragons at Samhain" by Selena Illyria

"Witchvine Seduction" by Dawn Montgomery

Buy Halloween Heat II here

http://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Heat-II-ebook/dp/B009MRN9SW/

~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~

Double Take

Alyssa Turner

Same face, same mission, same woman. One big risk...

In post apocalyptic New York, Shannon Morris has one job to do: find the secrets everyone wants to hide from the all-powerful Eaglecorp. From her appointed perch high above the underclass, she would never have guessed she'd become a rebel sympathizer, or fall for two men at the same time--twins.

Ex-military resistance fighters Tristan and Pryor Davies also have a mission: to take down Eaglecorp by any means necessary. And Shannon is their key. But loving Shannon was never part of that plan. It's a complication no amount of training could have prepared them for. They know instinctually how to rule her pleasure, and the sex between the three of them is explosive. But when the twins are forced to choose between their mission and Shannon, they struggle to find a solution they can live with. Because living without Shannon isn't an option.

Awakened to Eaglecorp's oppressive stranglehold on the people, Shannon begins to discover just what she's capable of. There's no turning back from the mission--or from the searing heat of twin lovers. Shannon is the key to defeating Eaglecorp, but only if she can unlock the truth before everything falls apart. In the end, the biggest secret she'll uncover might be her own...

Buy Double Take here

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Take-Alyssa-Turner-ebook/dp/B008RQQ8KK/

Prince's Courtesan

Mina Carter

Imperial Princes Book One

He wanted the one woman he couldn't have...

Outlawed noblewoman Jaida Lianl had been everything from a high speed courier on Arcalis Prime to a waitress in the cloud café’s on Selenis. Different careers, different names, different identities. When a cover got this easy--so easy she started to believe it herself--she knew she’d been in the same place too long. It was time to move on before she got comfortable and started to make mistakes. Mistakes would allow Imperial Prince Sethan to find her, and if that happened, people would die…

Now after five years, Seth has found her, and she can no longer outrun her destiny: she'll be the prince's courtesan, but he'll never own her heart…

Buy Prince’s Courtesan here

http://www.amazon.com/Princes-Courtesan-Imperial-Mina-Carter-ebook/dp/B004NIFGYK/

Harem Mistress

Mina Carter

Imperial Princes Book Two

Illicit love, burning hot sex...

Keliana is an imperial harem mistress, but that doesn't stop Jareth Nikolai from wanting her. A colonel in the imperial fleet and the prince's right hand man, Jareth has earned his reputation as a loyal, stone-cold soldier, but thoughts of Keliana heat his blood to boiling--even though she's the property of his prince.

Keliana knows it's forbidden, but she can't get the handsome colonel of out of her mind, nor can she ignore her dreams of one day loving him openly as a free woman. When she's called before her prince and given to Nikolai as a gift, she thinks her dreams have finally come true. Until Nikolai is raised to prince and cannot marry his harem mistress.

And deep within the shadows, enemy machinations work to keep them apart forever...

Buy Harem Mistress here

http://www.amazon.com/Harem-Mistress-Imperial-Princes-Carter-ebook/dp/B0087HBY80/

Yeoman’s Curse

The Kirsoval Scourge Book Two

T.C. Archer

Some things lost are too dangerous to be found.

Some call her a pirate, but Destiny calls herself treasure hunter. When she and her lover Shane Richards happen upon a derelict Kirsoval harem slave ship, they chance a salvage operation that could be the bonanza of a lifetime…or a lifetime of horror. But when it comes to Kirsoval treasure, there may be no one better suited than Richards to face the dangers. His dark violet eyes are the only hint of the Kirsoval blood that flows through his veins—the very thing that might save them, or pit Destiny against the man she loves…

Buy Yeoman’s Curse here

http://www.amazon.com/Yeomans-Curse-Kirsoval-Scourge-Archer-ebook/dp/B00FY3YHB6/

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue