Page 109 of Alien Haven

“Dramok Ilid?” Dolgra’s focus sharpened. She nearly shivered at the intensity of his gaze.

“Is he another subject of the Kalquorian fleet’s spy division?” Sara tried for an offhand tone, but she was already protective of Charity. If seemingly sweet Ilid potentially added to the girl’s danger, Sara was ready to step in.

“He’s a special case. No worries; he’s a decent kid who had a bad time not of his own making. However, Jennifer’s situation might put him in jeopardy if her identity becomes known. I hope she hasn’t told him her story?”

“She’s kept it quiet. She understands how careful she needs to be when it comes to sharing too much.”

“If you don’t feel she’ll be rebellious simply for the sake of watching her minders squirm—”

“She won’t.” Sara wondered what Charity had done in the past to earn her reputation. Dolgra’s concern was probably that of the typical nervous Kalquorian man who hadn’t a clue how to deal with a fun-loving college student. Particularly one who was under pressure.

Dolgra smiled, and Sara told herself his expression wasn’t as warm as her imagination insisted. “Do me a favor and remind her to be careful. She can’t expose her identity no matter how she friendly she becomes with the young men she meets and feels the urge to strike up strong friendships with.”

“She has a good head on her shoulders, but I’ll emphasize the danger she’s in.”

“Thank you. Let me give you my personal com frequency. You can reach me, day or night. If there’s any problem whatsoever, or even the slightest concern, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Do you have any reason to believe she was followed?” Sara recorded the frequency.

“None, but these are strange times. Besides, I’m a spy. Paranoia is my fallback position. It keeps my kind alive longer.” He winked.

Sara laughed, but her stomach dropped. Jesse had been a mere farmer and Amgar a government acquisitions administrator. They hadn’t engaged in the high-stakes risks she guessed Dolgra did. Nonetheless, they were dead, both in the prime of life.

“I still can’t believe Haven rates a spy presence. There’s been no trouble on the planet since the Kalquorian civil war,” she said.

“I’m here because we want to ensure its trouble-free status. In truth, it’s been a boring…wait, I’ve been assigned to Haven six years already? Almost.”

A beep went off on a device on his belt. Dolgra sighed. “I’d better get on these deliveries. The last thing I need is to expose my true identity. It would be almost as bad as Earthers learning who Jennifer Seng is.” He dipped a traditional bow of respect, his gaze steady on her before he hurried to his waiting delivery transport.

Sara closed the door, her heart beating a little too fast. She realized she still held the package Dolgra had brought.

She opened it and discovered a bottle of bohut. Her eyes widened at the label…it was a pricey, extravagant vintage. Sara was well aware of its cost. She’d once considered buying it for her clanmates as an anniversary present, but there had been seedlings to purchase and farmhands to pay. She’d had to settle for a far less exclusive label.

Dolgra had claimed it was a thank-you from the empire. She doubted the Kalquorian fleet had approved of such gratitude, since it was paying Clan Amgar handsomely for hiding Charity.

Surely it couldn’t be a personal gift from their representative. However, he was an unclanned Dramok…

Ridiculous. He’d never been anything but polite to them. All business and reserved, for the most part. She was reading too much into the gesture. She had to be.

Right?

“Don’t be interested in us,” she whispered. “Groteg and Utber will always think of Amgar as their only clan leader, and I…I’m nothing but bad news.”

Chapter Four

“Thanks for letting me do this,” Charity said as Sara’s handheld tapped hers, transmitting a shopping list. “I realize you can have what you need delivered, and I haven’t done much as far as work’s concerned.”

“You should get the lay of the land. The town isn’t a big deal to figure out, but you’ll want to familiarize yourself where everything is. Including the bakery Ilid’s parents are considering buying.” Sara wiggled her brows at her. “Ilid must be very interested to have asked you to get together again so soon.”

“We’re hoping to have fun. He’s probably finding it hard to be in a new place where he hasn’t met anyone yet. I get the idea he isn’t as outgoing as me.” As warm as he’d been when they’d first met, Charity had the notion Ilid wouldn’t have introduced himself to her on the shuttle. His matchmaking mother had been the instigator.

“Be careful then, especially if you’re ‘just having fun,’” Sara advised. “I doubt Ilid would tell anyone your identity, but you never can tell who might be listening in on your conversations.”

“No problem. To him, I’ll always be Jennifer Seng, otherwise known as Miss Behavior and chemistry lab bomber.” Charity offered her sunniest smile despite a jab of conscience. She hatedthe necessity of lying to Ilid. Though her crush on him was no doubt temporary, he was a sweet guy who didn’t deserve to be lied to.

* * * *

“So this is the makings of your baked goods kingdom.” Charity looked around the shop. “I have to say, the smell alone screams ‘buy me.’ I can feel my waistline expanding already.”

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