Janaya (9 page)

“Who’s the woman? The blonde? Why are you so protective?” his reporter nemesis shouted. “Is she on witness protection?”

“Witness protection? Who’s on witness protection?” another reporter demanded, thrusting his microphone in front of Luke.

Luke bit out a succinct curse. “Shut up!”

The din faded.

“What’s that the boy said?” an elderly gent asked.

“Quiet,” his wife said, “then I can hear for both of us.”

Luke resisted a roll of eyes but it was a close run thing. “We can’t attend to your problems if you’re all shouting over the top of one another. I want an orderly line and we’ll deal with you one at a time.”

“What time is the press conference?” someone shouted from the back.

Luke rubbed the sudden ache in the region of his chest and prayed for more patience.

“Tell us who the blonde bird is and we’ll leave,” a reporter said.

“My cousin,” Luke said, folding his arms over his chest.

“If she’s your cousin, then why didn’t you say so?” the smart-assed reporter retorted.

“Because my family has been through enough of your muckraking in the papers.” The ache in his chest intensified, not exactly painful but sharp enough to give him pause. Lord, he hoped he wasn’t coming down with the flu. He didn’t have time to be sick. “I wanted to protect my family’s privacy.”

“So what time’s the press conference?”

When hell freezes over. But he wasn’t dumb enough to spell that out. Past experience helped him along. “When we have anything of importance to report,” he said.

Hopefully Hinekiri and Janaya would find the parts they required and be on their way before more damage occurred. Luke sucked in a hasty breath as a jolt of pain pierced his ribs. Yep, that was the answer. He’d keep his father on the job, helping them search out the parts they required. That way they’d avoid further messy entanglements with the press.

Chapter Six

Janaya bent to study a sheet of rusted metal at closer quarters. She tugged it from a heap of antiquated Earth vehicle parts so she could get a better look. A sharp cramp bit into her side and she dropped the metal with a loud clatter. Killer let out a startled yelp and ran to hide behind Hinekiri.

“Are you all right?” Hinekiri asked, attracted by the noise.

“No food,” Killer said. “I’ll try over there.”

“Fine.” Janaya winced at a repeat flash but bore the pain in silence.

“Hmmm.” Hinekiri planted her hands on her hips. She cocked her head to the side, a small smile playing about her lips.

Janaya glanced over her shoulder to check Luke’s father’s location and to see what he was doing. “What does that mean?” she demanded in a harsh undertone. Her aunt had that annoying smirk on her face again. “Tell me instead of acting secretive. It’s driving me phrullin nuts.”

“Good girl. I’m proud of you for applying yourself to language studies. It’s very important to immerse yourself in local culture.”

Oh, right. She was on to her aunt’s subtle maneuvers. Janaya applauded in a slow clap of congratulation. “Very good. Now stop dodging the issue and tell me why you’re smirking.”

“How are you feeling, dear? A few aches and pains?”

“Is that another symptom of being on Earth?” Janaya said, feeling a swoop of relief clear to her stomach. For a fleeting moment, she’d worried she’d caught some insidious disease from this backward planet. “That’s reassuring. I was starting to think I was ill.”

Hinekiri’s smirk widened to display a mouthful of white teeth. “Nothing wrong with you, my girl.”

Janaya’s warning antenna extended to full length. She concentrated on her aunt’s expression, trying to read the subtle nuances. “But? There is a but, right?”

“I never liked that Santana. The thought of being related to him—” Hinekiri broke off to give a theatrical shiver.

“Not the bonding rubbish again.”

“Yep,” Hinekiri chirped. “Think about Luke and what you were doing last night.”

Heat crowded into Janaya’s cheeks in a most unprofessional way. Thank the Gods none of her fellow bodyguards were present to witness her discomfort. “No! I refuse.”

“Humor me.” Hinekiri’s violet eyes glowed with silent laughter. “Just a little experiment. Is the cramping pain still giving you problems?”

Janaya nodded, wondering how her aunt knew. But then nothing Hinekiri did surprised her.

“Think of Luke,” Hinekiri insisted.

Involuntarily, Janaya pictured Luke and recalled the strength and heat of his muscular body when he was buried deep inside her pussy. Warmth flowed like molten dragon honey through her veins. Feminine juices moistened her G-thing. Again. A permanent scenario with the enticing Earthman around, she thought with disgust. But that didn’t mean she had to like the sensation.

“Pain gone?” Hinekiri prompted in a gentle voice.

Janaya frowned. The aches and pains had eased. Could Hinekiri be telling the truth?

No, just wait a Dalcon minute! She refused to stay here on Earth for a moment longer than necessary. Not when she’d worked so hard for her promotion to captain. No way, no how was she staying here on Earth at this godforsaken outpost called New Zealand. Her hands curled to fists. Dammit, she wanted to see her father’s proud face when she received her captain’s bars.

“I’m not staying here.”

Killer tore over to them, barking insistently. “Purple people eaters! Purple people eaters!”

“Killer’s right. Torgon,” Hinekiri said in resignation. “I wish they’d take the hint and leave me be.”

Janaya wheeled around to see a purple-suited trio heading their way. “Why does this happen to me? Why couldn’t they have stayed away while Luke’s father is with us?”

“With the situation between you and Luke he was bound to find out soon. This will be easier for all of us. It’s not good to have secrets from family.”

“I am not staying on Earth!” That was not a hysterical note. Janaya sucked in a deep breath before speaking again. “I’m going home to Dalcon as soon as the ship is repaired.”

“Hmmm.”

“Too late now.” Janaya pulled out Luke’s gun and shook her arm, trying to get rid of a prickly pins and needles sensation. “Let me take care of this. And make sure Luke’s father stays out of the way.”

Luke’s father sauntered up to them, the way he moved reminding her of Luke. The aches rapidly disappeared as a vision of Luke popped into her head. Naked, cock waving like a flag in the breeze. Horrified, Janaya shook the vision away.

“Hell’s bells,” Luke’s father muttered. “Get a load of the pansy purple suits those blokes are wearing. They look like they’re going to a fancy dress party.”

“Richard.” Hinekiri batted her eyelids in a flirtatious manner. “There’s a sheet of metal down the far end of the yard. I need some help to move it.”

“I’m the man for the job.”

Janaya watched her aunt herd him away so his back was to the approaching Torgon. A nagging pain exploded through her chest, making her stagger. Concentrate, phrull it. She fixed her gaze on the three Torgon and lifted her weapon.

Another wave of pain swept her arm and her pulse rate skipped in jerky jumps. The hand holding the weapon trembled, and her fingers tightened on the gun. She didn’t need Luke. No matter what Hinekiri said or thought. They’d agreed to have a little fun while she was on Earth.

Sex. Mutual pleasure.

Warmth flowed through her veins again and her pulse slowed to normal. The hand holding the gun steadied. Control returned. Janaya stared the Torgon in the face, their intimidating stares having no effect.

“Hand over the galaxy charts and we’ll let you go.”

“I don’t think so.” Janaya squeezed the trigger. The Torgon on the right exploded into a mass of purple ash.

“Holy shit!” Luke’s father had come up behind her.

“Stay back, Richard. Let Janaya handle this.”

Janaya quit mucking around and sprang at the remaining two Torgon. A kick to the ribs crippled one while she calmly fired at the other. A third shot finished the last and piles of steaming purple goo were all that remained.
Huh. Interesting
. Shooting them with a different weapon produced goo instead of ash.

“It’s safe now,” Janaya said. “That seems to be the lot of them.”

“How did…? Did you…? Does Luke know about you?” his father demanded. “And who were they?”

Janaya put her weapon away and turned to Hinekiri. She winced at the arrow of pain that shot across her chest and spread down to her stomach. “What else do we need in the way of parts? I want to leave so I can take my captain’s exams. Once we depart everything will get back to normal.”

“Not so fast, missy,” Richard Morgan said. “You haven’t answered my questions.”

Janaya opened her mouth to tell him to quit giving orders but Hinekiri dug her in the ribs.

“I’ll do the talking,” she said.

“That,” Janaya muttered, “is what I’m afraid of.”

Hinekiri ignored her. So did Richard. Janaya shared her glare between the two. If he wasn’t so damned annoying and the situation wasn’t so wrong-time, wrong-place, Janaya would have felt pleased for her aunt. Instead, pissed was the Earth word that battered her brain. And it sure fitted the occasion. She was well and truly pissed.

She wanted to go home.

She wanted her promotion.

She wanted love.

“We’re ready to leave as soon as we load this last sheet of metal on your vehicle,” Hinekiri said.

“Good,” Richard said. “You can enlighten me on the way home.”

Janaya climbed into the back of the vehicle, not really listening to Hinekiri’s explanation to Richard. A steady stream of pain circled her body, making her legs heavy, her body lethargic. The need to see Luke was like a craving for a heady drug. She knew the drug was bad for her but if she didn’t have it, she thought she’d collapse and die.

“A spaceship!” Richard exclaimed. “Where’s it parked? When can I see it? Did you make those crop circles?”

“I’d have to plead the fifth on that last one,” Hinekiri said with a chuckle.

Huh? Stupid Earth-speak. “I don’t think—”

“That’s right, missy. Don’t think. Kids these days are all the same. Luke and my daughter, Lily, are always trying to tell me what to do.”

Hinekiri sent her a speaking glare, one Janaya remembered distinctly from her growing-up years. Janaya allowed an indignant sniff to show displeasure, then she closed her eyes and started to recite the bodyguard regulations in her mind. The steady hum of anticipation that fizzed through her body ruined her concentration. The second regulation remained a mystery. All she could think was she’d see Luke soon.

“Janaya, we’re home.”

Janaya’s eyes snapped open to Hinekiri’s smiling face. Home? She focused on the strange gnarled tree and the white house with the garden of cheerful red flowers. This was not home. A shiver worked down her body.

“Janaya, let’s get you inside. You need sleep.” Hinekiri reached for her but Richard nudged her gently aside.

“You get the door, Hinekiri. I’ll carry Janaya. Poor thing looks done in.”

Janaya frowned. Something wrong. But she couldn’t keep her eyes open. At least the weird tingling and the jabbing pains had subsided. She sighed deeply and breathed in essence of Luke. It seemed to surround them as Luke’s father carried her inside. She fought a yawn. Perhaps she’d sleep after all. Hinekiri would stay safe in the house.

* * * * *

By the time Luke left the police station, it was pitch-black outside. Once he exited the township of Sloan and headed down the country roads leading to his house, the nagging headache he’d suffered lightened. Not surprising. He challenged anyone to deal with the crap he’d put up with today and stay headache free.

Two battered vans had parked on the side of the road. Luke slowed and wound down his window. “You folks have a problem?”

“No problems,” a longhaired man said. “Just stopped to have a snack for dinner and to clear the head before we swap drivers.”

Luke nodded. “Take care.”

The strangers waved him farewell.

The house was dark when Luke drove up the uneven driveway. Although it was late, the fact struck him as strange. His father didn’t generally turn in this early. Ah, well. At least he could have a quiet beer to unwind. Luke parked and his groggy brain took in the fact his father’s vehicle wasn’t there. His gut prickled and instincts shot to high alert. No way! His father would have rung if he intended to go off on his travels again especially since they had guests.

Had he rung work? Hell, Luke didn’t know. He’d meant to grab his pile of messages before he left and promptly forgotten.

Had Janaya and Hinekiri gone?

The question fueled a strange panic he didn’t want to analyze.

Luke jumped from his vehicle and jogged up the path leading to the back door. It opened when he turned the handle but that wasn’t unusual. Sloan was generally a crime-free town with few problems. He bent to remove his boots then stepped inside and switched on the light.

The first thing he noticed was the small square package on the table wrapped in purple paper with a darker purple bow. The attached name tag indicated it was for Janaya. Beside it sat a plain white envelope. His name was on the outside, written in his father’s bold scrawl. The two things combined made his gut jolt in renewed warning. The panic ratcheted up a notch. He reached for the envelope then tossed it aside.

Beer first, then something to eat before he faced whatever was in the letter. The bad news could wait a bit longer.

Luke yanked open the fridge and pulled out a drink. The can let out a hiss as he lifted the ring pull. Tipping back his head, he drank savoring the crisp taste of hops sliding down his parched throat. Someone had left a covered plate in the fridge, the remnants of dinner. His stomach rumbled as he yanked the foil cover off the plate. Well hell. His father had obviously gone all out to impress the ladies with his cooking. A roast beef dinner with all the trimmings.

Feeling decidedly better, Luke shoved the plate in the microwave, set the timer then picked up the letter from the table. He ripped open the envelope and pulled out two sheets of paper. The familiar scribble told him his father had written one and he assumed Hinekiri had written the other.