Page 29 of Alien's Love Child

Jesse's trembling beside me, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. The Alliance doesn't play nice with weapons traffickers - especially not human ones. They'll shoot first, maybe ask questions later if they're feeling generous.

I lean close, my lips barely brushing her ear. "Go. Now. Get to Rena."

She shakes her head, stubborn even in crisis. Her hand finds mine in the darkness.

"Jesse." I squeeze her fingers. "Your crew needs you. I've got this."

The boss is still talking, mapping out exactly where to find her ship. "They're docked in Bay 7. Crew's probably still aboard. Better move fast before they catch wind."

Jesse's eyes meet mine, a thousand unspoken words passing between us. I give her a slight nod.

"Go," I mouth.

She starts inching backward, each movement carefully measured against the creaky metal beneath us. I watch until she disappears into the shadows, my training already kicking in as I assess the situation below.

Five targets. Three armed, two probably not. Xander in the middle, looking smug as a well-fed cat. The boss still on his PerComm, sealing everyone's fate with a smile.

This is what I trained for. Years in the military, countless missions, all leading to moments like this. Only this time, it's not just about the bounty anymore.

CHAPTER 11

JESSE

My boots barely make a sound against the concrete as I slip away from the window. The rain pelts my face, mixing with the cold sweat breaking out across my skin. That bastard Xander has been using my ship, my crew, as his personal data storage.

"Rena, you copy?" I whisper into my PerComm, ducking behind a dumpster as footsteps echo from around the corner.

"Here, Cap. Everything okay?"

"Run a full system scan. Look for any hidden files, especially in the auxiliary drives." My heart pounds against my ribs. "And get Taluk. Have him guard the door. Tell Par to check Xander's room for…anything. Oh, and get the robot to scan for any small and artificial bugs."

"What's going on?"

"Just do it. And Rena? Don't let anyone on or off that ship until I get back."

The footsteps fade away. I press my back against the wet wall, my mind racing through possibilities. If the Alliance finds those weapon schematics on my ship, we're all going down for terrorism. Life in a mining colony would be the best-case scenario.

Through the rain-streaked darkness, I stare at the warehouse's grimy windows. My fingers trace the spot on my arm where Davin grabbed me, practically throwing me toward the exit. The memory of his touch burns hotter than the bruise forming underneath.

"Get to the ship," he'd growled, his silver hair hanging over his face. "I'll handle this."

Handle this? There are at least eight armed thugs in there, not counting whatever backup might show up. The rational part of my brain screams to run, to protect my ship and crew. But my feet won't move.

A crash echoes from inside, followed by muffled shouts. My hand drifts to my blaster.

"Damn you, Davin," I whisper, the words catching in my throat. "You magnificent idiot."

The rain soaks through my jacket, but I barely notice the cold. All those little moments flash through my mind – the way he'd lean against the galley doorframe during late-night talks, how his eyes would soften when he thought I wasn't looking. Even the lies felt like half-truths, wrapped in genuine care.

My PerComm chirps. Rena's voice cuts through the patter of rain. "Jesse? Found something. It's bad."

"I know." My voice cracks. "But I can't—" Another crash from the warehouse. "I can't leave him."

"Leave who? What's happening?"

My heart clenches. He might be lying about his past, might have his own agenda, but no one fakes the way he stepped between me and danger. No one risks their life for a mark like that.

"You better survive this," I mutter. "We have a lot to talk about."

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