A Surprise Favor – Chapter 31

Police officers take photos of the crime scene, flashing and popping lights illuminating the bullet holes in the walls and furniture. I try not to look too closely at them for now. Instead, I focus on answering the questions that are being fired at me. I’m the last person to be questioned. A police officer watched me while I snoozed half-asleep in the other room and everyone else went before me.

“So, the intruder broke into your ship and attacked you?” he asks. “Can you describe the sequence of events in full?”

Closing my eyes, I recount the situation, everything I remember. Though I tend to have a perfect memory, sometimes extreme emotions can cloud my recall. And I was definitely worried about the lives of my crew, my network, and myself.

“And then he lunged for his knife when Declan relaxed for a moment. Declan then fired his gun and hit the man in the head.” I pause and press my lips together. “He didn’t shoot to kill. None of us wanted to kill him. But he definitely wanted to kill me.”

The officer types something into his datapad before looking up at me again. “Mr. Sanches said that he aimed for the man’s shoulder, but both of them were moving fast.”

I nod, not surprised. Though I’m grateful to him for ending the incident, I know Declan is not a killer.

“Sir, you need to see this.” Another officer approaches and hands over a datapad. He scrolls and swipes, nodding and humming at the same time. Whatever it is, it’s very interesting.

“Well, it looks like you and your crew did everyone a great favor.” He sets the datapad between us.

The screen displays the man who tried to attack us with the word “WANTED” next to his name. “Shit,” I breathe out, taking in all the information. I commit as much of it to memory as I can — the eleven different names he’s gone by, the list of thirty-six deaths he’s been suspected of, the warrants issued for his arrest in both systems, and on and on.

The officer taps on the datapad’s case. “This man is a sadistic killer. You’re lucky you survived the incident.”

“I don’t know how.” I shake my head in disbelief.

He takes the datapads and stands up. “Very few ships are armed or have former military crew members. I don’t think he was expecting any kind of resistance.” His eyes narrow as he looks down at me. “If I ask for paperwork and licenses for whatever weapons you have onboard, are you going to be able to provide those?”

I smile at him. “I have licenses and receipts of sale. You are welcome to them, if you like.” I paid Kenzie extra for them. They better be top-notch.

He returns my smile. “No need, miz. We’re going to take the body, and you’re welcome to clean your ship and fix anything.” He starts to walk away.

“We’re free to go?”

He turns at the doorway. “Yes, miz. The Laguna Police Division thanks you for your service in dispatching a wanted criminal. You’re welcome back anytime.” He touches the brim of his hat before sliding past Takemo and Declan at the door.

“That’s it?” Takemo asks, looking between Declan and me.

“That’s it.” Declan leans against the doorjamb and crosses his arms.

“What happened to everyone else?” I ask Takemo.

“Kalvin is fine. Lia patched him up, and he’s resting. We’ll get him a doctor on Ossun. Cressida and Ricardo Nine are gone. I think they slipped out the front airlock once the police were inside. Saif escorted Sejal back to her shuttle, and she left. He’s in Carlos’s office. They’re bringing all the systems back online. Uhhhh, Lia and Nisrine are doing their thing.” He looks at the floor, sheepishly. “I cleaned up the mess from my earlier temper tantrum. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He lets out a held breath. I nod and look at Declan. “We really don’t need to worry about the police?”

“No. I have a good reputation with the police here. Granted, this better be a one-time thing, but they won’t bother us. He was a wanted man who broke into our ship and tried to kill you. It was an easy self-defense case if it ever went to court. And it never would have.” He rubs his face and shoves his hands in his pockets.

I can sense his unease and sadness from across the room, so I approach him and get into his eye line. “You didn’t mean to kill him.”

“No,” he says, lifting his head. “But I wanted to.”

“Me too,” Takemo says.

I wrap my arms around Declan and squeeze until he does the same. Takemo’s hand on my arm slides down to my fingers and I grasp his fingers in mine.

“It’ll be okay,” I tell them both.

Declan pulls back and looks into my face, so I let go of Takemo’s hand. But before he can pull away, he drops his lips to my fingers and kisses them.

“I’m going to help Lia and we’ll prepare some food.” He backs away a few steps before turning to leave.

Declan puts an arm around my waist and brings his other hand to my face. “I think I fell for you years ago, watching you fight for this ship in court with your cousin. None of this changes anything.”

Relief floods my chest. “Good. I was worried that all this craziness was going to push you away.”

He strokes a thumb across my cheek. “No. I feel more alive than I have my entire life. This is what I was meant to do. This is where I belong.”

Warmth spreads throughout my body as I rest my head against his chest. For a long time, it was just me alone with this ship. I never thought I’d have a network or someone who would love me. And now I have several men, including Declan. But as much as I appreciate his words and his touch, there’s a part of me that still longs for something more. Something more intense and passionate.

When I look up at him, his eyes narrow, and he pulls my hair away from my face. “You have blood here. Are you hurt?”

I reach up and touch the spot. “No. I think it’s his blood, or Kalvin’s.”

“You should get cleaned up, then.” He sighs as he pulls away from me, but I hold on to his waistband.

“Wait.” I peer up at him through my lashes. “You should join me. We both need to clean up.” I slide my hand down to his and give it a gentle squeeze.

He looks at me, his eyes darkening with desire. “Are you sure, Skylar?” He asks, his voice low and husky. “It’s been one hell of a day, and you could use the rest. You looked ready to keel over and die earlier.”

I nod, heat rising in my cheeks. “Oh, I’m sure some hot sex could solve all of my problems right now.”

He raises an eyebrow.

“Well, okay. Maybe not all of them, but definitely some.”

His smile is one of the sexiest things I have ever seen.

Without another word, I take his hand and lead him through the ship to my quarters. Once inside, I realize I had sent Cressida and Ricardo Nine here earlier. A piece of folded paper is on my desk.

“Just a sec,” I say, dropping Declan’s hand and letting the door shut behind us.

I pick up the note and written inside is, “We’ll meet again soon.”

That’s slightly ominous.

Setting the slip of paper back on the desk, I hear Declan turn on the shower in my bathroom. It’s rare that I use the hot water since the pulse shower usually does the job. But two people? We get to use the traditional setting. Hearing the water run, anticipation grows in my belly, ready to forget, forget, forget.

I can never forget anything, and I wish I could.

When I enter the bathroom, he’s already stripped from the waist up, his broad chest and shoulders chiseled from a lifetime of physical activities. His arms are thick and toned, his waist tapered in. I want to run my hands all over him. His skin is lightly tanned and smooth, with a light dusting of chest hair. All of that time in the sun surfing has done wonders. His eyes captivate and hold me still, their dark depths deep and mysterious like the sea.

“Getting started without me?”

He chuckles. “Let’s even the score.”

He lifts the hem of my shirt up and over my head, dipping his lips down to mine.

Our lips meet in a hungry, urgent kiss that sets my body ablaze. There is an aura of confidence that radiates from him, making him alluring and irresistible. So, so irresistible. His hands roam over my bare skin, cupping my breasts and kneading them gently. I moan into his mouth, my body arching into his touch. I pull away just briefly enough to unhook my bra and drop it to the floor.

The steam from the shower envelops us. His eyes coast down my body, his gaze one of raw desire. I revel in the way he looks at me. He hooks his thumbs into his waistband and pushes all of his clothes off. I pull in a shaky breath, just looking at him. Oh yeah. He’s a keeper.

“Get in,” I say, taking off my pants and underwear.

He slides into the small shower and adjusts the temperature before pulling me under the shower head with him. The warm water cascades over us, and his hands pull me closer. Our eyes meet, and the hunger in his gaze is enthralling. It’s a look that makes my heart race and my breathing quicken.

When my release is over, I can feel him everywhere, from my head to my toes, from my skin to my soul.

We stay like that for a while, just holding each other, not moving. His arms are wrapped tightly around my waist, his head resting against my neck. I run my fingers through his hair, and he presses a kiss to my collarbone.

“There,” he whispers. “Forget, Sky. Forget.”

I think I love him, but it could be the orgasm talking.

He turns off the shower and runs a finger down my body, tracing my curves the whole way. Cupping my ass, he pulls me towards him.

“How about I give you another orgasm and then we break for food?”

I quirk a smile at him. “Do you even need to ask?”

“Perfect.” He picks me up and carries me into the bedroom. Yes, perfect.