A Fortunate Accident – Chapter 32

“I could get used to this,” I say, sipping a glass of champagne and leaning back into Saif’s arms. I prop my feet up on Kalvin’s lap, and he rests his hands on my ankles. I’d love a foot massage, but my feet are still pretty banged up from the last few days in the jungle.

It’s nice being back on my ship, in my home. Now that India knows we’re being spied on and she can’t stop it, her wilderness operation is toast. She’ll follow Takemo’s suggestion of a guarded lab in the city and just send strike teams into the jungle.

“I think you should get used to this,” Saif says, leaning down to kiss me on the cheek. “It looks like your days in the jungle are over.”

I shake my head, sip, and set the glass down. “No. I have a feeling the Rio jungles are a permanent fixture in my life. I’ll be back there before long. You’ll see.”

I lean forward and look at the spread that Lia put together for us. It’s downright luxurious, with smoked meats and printed proteins (always for Saif), decadent cheese, nuts, crusty bread, and bean spreads. I think I’ll start with a giant tower of crackers, meat, and cheese.

Marcelo ambles his way into the common room, and I compose myself a little, pulling my feet off Kalvin’s lap and sitting up straight.

“Hello, everyone. Well, look at this beautiful spread. Lia?”

“Yep.”

Marcelo nods, impressed. He must be gathering data for when he matches Lia to her network. “May I?”

“Of course,” I say, waving to the seat across from us. “You should have some champagne, too.”

“Absolutely,” Saif says, pouring Marcelo a glass.

He tops up all the glasses, and we raise them in a toast.

“To new beginnings,” Marcelo says.

“I like it.” I bring my glass in to match the rest and sip. “And speaking of, I set our departure time for three hours from now. First, we’re going to hit Ossun to talk to Vivian and Renata. Then we’re off to Laguna for a little relaxation.”

“I’m glad the plans are set,” Marcelo says, crossing his legs and leaning back. “The potential match I have for you, the one I’ve been talking to, will be on Laguna for the next month. We have fortuitous timing.”

I raise my eyebrows at him, but he demurs. “You know, I have learned quite a lot about you, Ms. Skylar, in the last few years, and one thing I know for certain. You like surprises.”

“Well…” I start, but he cuts me off with an open hand.

“You like fun and exciting but not life-threatening surprises,” he amends.

“Okay, I will agree with that.” I look left and right at Saif and Kalvin on either side of me. “Another network mate to vet. How do we feel about that?”

“Sky, this is your decision. Not ours,” Saif reminds me. I shake my head.

“No. It’s both mine and ours.” I poke myself in the chest. “I determine whether I’m compatible with him, on a platonic or romantic level, and then, if I like him, he’ll need to pass your muster.”

“We get to muster?” Kalvin asks, leaning back. “I’m not sure if I know how to muster.”

I laugh and smack him on the arm.

“You’re ridiculous.” I turn to Saif. “What do you think?”

He shrugs. “I like it if you like it. Shall we take this man out for drinks? Make him run naked through the streets? Have him serve you on his hands and knees?”

I turn to Marcelo. “I have added two of the strangest men to my network.”

“They are unique.” He raises his glass.

“Look, we will not haze anyone new,” I say like I’m scolding children. “But you know, if you want to take him out for drinks and get to know him, that would be great.”

“We’ll see if you like him first,” Kalvin says, and Saif nods in agreement.

“Okay then. I’m looking forward to meeting this new man.”

Marcelo’s smile is small and devious. He’s up to something, but I’m not sure what.

I pluck a tiny orange off the fruit bowl and wiggle it at Kalvin.

“Want to share?”

He scoots in next to me, pressing his hip to mine.

“You mean, you’re actually going to share your orange with me this time instead of just eating it seductively and then walking away?” His eyes travel down my body. “Though I do like watching you walk away.”

Saif laughs. “Something tells me there’s a story here.”

I peel off the rind and hand a section to Kalvin.

“Thank you, gorgeous. Don’t mind if I do.” He pops the section into his mouth and hums. “Oh yes, there’s a story here. But first, let me tell you all about our flight school rivalry.”

I settle back into the couch and prepare for a harrowing story, but Nanci chimes to interrupt us.

“Skylar, I regret to inform you that your mother is at the port side airlock.”

All of my good cheer evaporates away, and my shoulders sink. Funny how she couched the statement with, “I regret to inform you…”

Kalvin touches my knee, and I jump.

“Ah, shit,” he says, closing his eyes. “We just got you all unwound, and now you’re ready to jump out of your skin again.” He stands up and growls under his voice. “This woman. I’m going to tell her to leave.”

“No,” I say, reaching out to grab his hand. Saif and Marcelo are now on their feet. “This is my problem. I’ll deal with it.”

Kalvin flips my hand around and pulls me to him. “This is us, right? We’re going to be a real network now?” His lips hover over my palm while he looks me in the eye. I feel my face heating under Marcelo’s gaze, but I can’t stop it.

“Yes. For real.”

He kisses my palm. “Then we’ll handle it as a team.” He jerks his head at Saif. “Come on. Let’s back her up.”

Saif’s hand rests on my lower back as he ushers me from the common room, through the cargo bay, to the port side airlock. Marcelo follows at a distance, and I wish he wouldn’t. He’s a father figure to me now, and he is going to witness something extremely unflattering and shameful, I know it.

I sigh, and it’s so bone-weary and tired that I have the intense desire to turn around, go to my room, and hide under the covers. And that is very un-Skylar-like. Usually, I come at problems head-on, sometimes too aggressively.

But this? I just want to hide.

The door cycles and swings open. I hold my breath until Mom steps into the bay.

Her eyes fall on me, and they’re hard, maybe just as weary as I am.

“Skylar,” she says, coming to stand opposite us. “Can I have a word with you in private?”

“Nope,” Kalvin says before I can open my mouth.

“Who are you?” Mom’s voice turns cold, and I already regret letting her inside.

“Kalvin Vidal, ma’am.” He touches his chest. “And this is Saif Bhaat. We’re Skylar’s network mates.”

Mom’s eyebrows climb.

“So if you have something to say to her, you’ll say it with us here as well, and then you will leave.”

My heart lifts with pride at hearing Kalvin speak like this. At flight school, his good looks and charming smile always got him his way. But seeing his more serious side is a pleasure too. I had no idea he was so multi-faceted.

“Listen here, young man. You will not tell me what to do in my own home.”

“This is not your home,” Saif reminds her.

“Like hell it is.” She huffs and throws her hands out. “Skylar, the Amagi was always going to be a temporary loan.”

“You never said as much, and you signed the title over to me right away.” I lift my chin. Show no fear, Skylar.

She smiles and waves the statement away. “A technicality. If we hadn’t, then we would have been on the hook for the insurance and taxes.”

“Which I paid as if this ship was my own, which it is. You can’t take it back from me because I own it.”

“Yes, but you were a part of the family business when it was given to you, so it was still mine.”

Ah, that’s the angle they’re going with?

I point my finger up. “That’s irrelevant. I also spent my own money and called in my own favors to put this ship back together when the military tore it apart. You stopped by during rehab, what? Once? Twice? Oh wait, you never stopped by. You may have followed the written reports but that was it.”

Mom folds her arms over her chest. “You know, I just spent five thousand credits bailing out Dominic from jail, only to find out there’s now a restraining order against him.”

Thank you, Ai.

“The media practically assaulted us on our way out of the courthouse. Now everyone is going to know that our family is fighting. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

I press my lips together, willing myself not to comment.

“So, I have a suggestion for a compromise.”

Mom smiles, and my knees shake. She sounds way too reasonable, too calculated.

“Takemo Diaz informed me this morning that I’ve been let go from Diaz Waste Management. They have given me severance and cut me loose.” She shrugs. “It happens. I didn’t like Diaz, and I figured he would fire me, eventually. But I hear that you and he are… close. So here’s what I want. I’ll drop this suit to get the Amagi back if you tell Takemo to return the Mikasa. We’ll call it quits, fair and square.”

Kalvin glances at me. He remembers overhearing my discussion with Takemo. His eyes narrow as my body heats to blinding levels.

I take a step forward, my chest heaving with heated breaths. “I told Takemo to fire you and sell the Mikasa. Your severance comes from that sale. That was my decision based on the treatment I have received from you and Dominic and Dad and fucking everyone who has ever abused me.”

“Wait a second now —” Mom starts, but Saif steps in front of me with his hand out.

“Don’t try to deny it. I saw it for myself almost twenty years ago.”

This stops Mom quickly, and her face pales.

That’s it. I’m done.

“You will take the severance package and figure out what to do with your life and your network. I’m no longer your daughter, period. End of story. You will not get the Amagi. You will not get the Mikasa. You will leave my ship and never speak to me again.”

I point at her as my anger rushes me towards the inevitable.

“And if you drag this into a court of law, I will lay waste to you and your reputation in the court of public opinion. If you think those doctored videos Dominic has been giving to you for the last twenty years will absolve you of guilt and prove that I’m a liar, then you are mistaken. Think very hard about this before you move forward.”

Silence falls on the cargo bay with only my heartbeat ringing in my ears.

“I see,” Mom says, stepping back. “I was hoping you’d change your mind. Okay then. We will file the lawsuit tomorrow in Sakata City. You better get a good lawyer.” She turns to walk out but stops at the door. “Dominic did what he had to do because you were out of control as a kid. I saw the videos. I know I wasn’t there, that I failed you by being so absent. But Dom did not. He kept you cared for so you could grow up to betray him. I hope you live with that guilt for the rest of your life.”

“If you call starving your first daughter ‘caring,’ I’d hate to see what punishment you held back,” Kalvin says, his voice cold with hatred. Mom’s eyes widen. He sweeps out his hand. “Leave now and don’t come back.”

“Don’t call, and don’t contact us,” Saif fills in. “You’re not welcome here ever again.”

I keep my eyes trained forward as the airlock door swings closed. Once she’s gone, the tears begin — hot, blistering, angry tears. No. Fuck you. Fuck this. Fuck it all.

Crossing the bay to the empty storage boxes, I growl, grab a box, and throw it at the wall. Fuck you. I kick the box, and it bounces off the wall. This inanimate object doesn’t deserve my anger, but that’s what it’s going to get. Kick, kick, throw. I scream and rage at it, kick it again and again, until crack! It splits along its side. A sob bubbles up from my belly as I press the heel of my hand to my lips.

I throw my hands out to the side and scream “Fuck you!” at the ceiling before turning around to face the men.

All the anger evaporates from my body in a rush, and it leaves behind unbearable sadness. “Oh no. What have I done?” I whisper.

The guys approach me, all looking just as sad as I am. Saif grasps my upper arms.

“You did what you had to do. I’m proud of you. That wasn’t easy.” He pulls me forward and kisses my forehead. “We’ll get by without her, and we’ll figure out how to keep the Amagi. It will be okay.” He looks into my face, wet with tears. “Hear me?” When I nod, he nods. “Believe it. Nothing is going to stop us now.”

He hugs me, holds my head to his chest, and wraps me tight. Kalvin’s arms come around from the other side, and he rests his head on my shoulder. I fight off a moment of panic, but the calm comes quicker than it ever has.

Takemo was right. I do need hugs.

“Come on now. Off to bed with you. Kalvin will fly us out of here, and we’ll go back to the farm and figure this out with your actual family and friends.”

Kalvin nods and kisses me on the forehead. “I promise not to crash her into the spaceport.”

When I turn around to head to my room with Saif, I catch sight of Marcelo, and he has the same haunted look he had on his face when we were at Saif’s parents’ house.

His voice starts slowly. “I have tried to be diplomatic about this, weighing both sides of the story and giving your mother and her network the benefit of the doubt. But that?” He points at the door. “That was a bridge too far.”

His chest rises and falls in heaving breaths. “You know what this means?” he asks, and a cascade of shivers drops down my back.

I shake my head, afraid of what he’ll say. Marcelo has always been a gentle presence in my life. Seeing his steely expression cools me from the inside out.

“This means I get involved in a significant way. This means I call in favors and turn over every rock to find the people we need to get this taken care of.”

He backs away and holds his hands out to the side.

“I’m angry, and I won’t back down.”

He turns back to his shuttle.

“Skylar, this means war.”