Page 11 of Desperate Measures

Gazing at Todd’s badly hidden admiration, Toni couldn’t help herself. “Any plans to celebrate, Mike?”

“Not really. I’ve been doing the job with minimal input from Kuran for a few weeks now, so it’ll be just another day at the office.”

“But surely a nice lunch? The new Italian place in mid-town is great and not overpriced. Oh, what’s the name?”

“Violi’s,” Todd supplied. “I love it.”

“Yeah? Would you be up for it this afternoon? Around one?” Mike invited.

“Sure! Great.” The secretary lit up like a Christmas tree.

Her work as matchmaker done, Toni left them to figure out the rest. She swept into the still-open door of her sister’s office.

“What are you doing on this planet, Nobek?” she barked at the muscled Kalquorian standing close to Stacy. “I heard they evicted you already.”

Kuran chuckled. His ruggedly handsome face was more so when he was in good humor, as he apparently was that morning. Toni was surprised. Because Stacy was his clan’s intended Matara once she eventually left office, Toni had expected him to be grouchy about the changing of the guard.

Nobek Kuran of Clan Rihep, which included Dramok Rihep and Imdiko Etnil, wasn’t quite the quintessential Nobek, in Toni’s estimation. He was better. The majority of his breed were unequivocal tough guys who based their warrior self-images on how many asses they’d kicked.

Kuran was no pushover, but he owned the easy attitude of someone who didn’t feel he had to prove himself. His aura had the feral stamp of a Nobek, but it was balanced by concern for others. Particularly Stacy and his clanmates. What could present as savagery in lesser men was kept under careful control. He had a sense of humor too…desperately needed since his Imdiko clanmate was a constant cutup.

He glanced behind Toni at the open doorway. Mike was finally taking his leave, and Todd watched him go, his lips stretched in the smile of a man who’d gotten everything he’d ever wanted. “Have those two finally moved from meaningful glances to the next step?”

“They just needed Cupid to give them a little push.” Toni preened, pleased with herself.

“Cupid, huh? Would she be the same Cupid who told me most men weren’t worth the effort?” Stacy arched a brow at her.

“For me. Todd and Mike might be good for each other, but my standards are exceptionally high.”

“Your standards verge on impossible.”

Toni made a face at her older sister. The governor of Earth II looked smart in a skirt suit, the hem of which probably bordered on unprofessional for some critics. Downright scandalous for the judgmental Earthtiques, the vocal minority who caused trouble whenever they could.

Toni doubted Kuran minded the sight of the sleek, brown legs Stacy displayed. Her sister was a beautiful woman, her tight black curls framing high cheekbones and piercing dark eyes. It felt a trifle uncomfortable seeing Stacy in such a way. Toni wasn’t jealous, which was odd because they looked a lot alike. Somehow, what she saw in the mirror was attractive rather than arresting, which Stacy definitely was.

Was being the younger sister who ardently admired her sibling why she couldn’t recognize herself as being Stacy’s equal, even in a matter as insignificant as looks? Stacy had ever been Toni’s measuring stick, the ideal to aim for. While Toni had plenty to be proud of, she still felt like the kid sister, racing after the shadow of something she’d never reach.

She shook off the sensation with effort and spoke to Kuran. “Speaking of high standards, did you find a job to replace the glamorous position of Earth’s security grand poohbah?”

As a Kalquorian, Kuran probably had no idea what a grand poohbah was, but he was smart enough to figure out what she meant. “I’ve been coronated emperor of Alpha Space Station. Don’t worry. I won’t insist you bow until you visit me in my throne room.”

Toni managed to keep from bellowing laughter as Stacy did. Instead, she gave Kuran her best “are you kidding me?” stare, usually reserved for a certain ridiculous Imdiko, whom she named. “You have been clanned to Etnil for too damned long.”

“Probably, but he’s threatened to chain me to the wall if I try to leave him,” he chuckled. “To answer your question, I’m assigned to oversee a segment of the planetary defense systems from outside aggression. Considering the empire is now at war against the Darks, which we fear will eventually target Earth, it’s a big responsibility.”

“The fleet already had a little heart-to-heart against the Tragooms when they tried to sneak a peek at our defenses.” Stacy grinned. “They won’t try it again any time soon.”

“Same for Mercy and New Bethlehem,” Kuran said in a low voice, his gaze flicking toward the still-open door where Todd might overhear. “Of course, they have no idea we were there, nor are they aware of the Tragooms’ brief presence a day’s travel from them.”

“How is it on Mercy these days? They won’t let extraterrestrial news agencies near the planet, and I don’t trust what reports they broadcast themselves.” Toni huffed at the Earthtique-leaning government that had recently scandalized its way into violent riots.

“It’s quieted down,” Stacy sighed. “The flu-like illness they’re dealing with has taken the starch out of them. It’s hard to pretend a pro-alien contingent is trying to overthrow the government when everyone’s sick in bed.”

Toni detected a false lightness in her sister’s tone. Stacy wouldn’t lie to her, but she didn’t necessarily tell her everything about ongoing political situations either. She was forced to carry heavy burdens thanks to public office. Regret tugged at Toni’s heart. She’d been Stacy’s confidante in the past. Her elder sibling knew Toni would cut her own vocal cords before sharing secrets, but Clan Rihep had assumed her old role. Rightly so, but Toni was sad to become a lesser source of support.

She brushed it off. “How are the refugees from the Galactic Council settling in?”

“Very well.” Stacy beamed. “Not to sound Machiavellian, but my bid to win the governorship has experienced a generous push from the new voters.”

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