Page 34 of Alien's Love Child

"Think about it." The boss spreads his arms wide. "You've got talent. Real talent. The kind that could take you places in an organization like mine. Fastest growing syndicate on Glimner. We've already done away with Talipa and her crew. And we're just getting started."

He reaches into his coat and retrieves a cigar, which he holds out to me. "Whatever the Alliance is paying for this sniveling genius, I'll double it."

"Not interested." My grip tightens on the gun.

"Triple it then." He takes a step forward. "Come on, friend. You're clearly not Alliance – too much style. Too much..." He waves his hand, searching for the word. "Panache. We're expanding faster than any syndicate in Glimmer's history. The money's good, the benefits are better, and the retirement plan?" He taps his temple. "Can't beat it."

"There's not enough money in Glimmer's entire economy to make up for what he wants to do." I jerk my chin toward Xander, who's still cowering in the corner. "Mass murder wrapped in scientific jargon is still mass murder."

"Such principles." The boss clicks his tongue. "That's really quite..." His hand moves, quick as a snake. "...a pity."

The gun appears in his grip like a magic trick. But he's not aiming at me – he's pointing at something behind my shoulder. I spin, catching sight of the industrial tanks lining the wall. Warning labels flash red and yellow.

"Shit-"

The muzzle flash blinds me. Glass shatters. Heat slams into me like a physical wall, lifting me off my feet. The world turns orange, then red, then black. The last thing I hear is Xander's startled yelp and the boss's low chuckle before everything dissolves into darkness.

CHAPTER 13

JESSE

The neon signs blur together as I walk through the crowded streets. Another silver-haired man catches my eye, but it's just another Kaleidian tourist. My heart sinks for the hundredth time this week.

"You need to stop doing this to yourself," Rena's voice crackles through my PerComm. "Come back to the ship."

"I can't. Not yet." The words catch in my throat. "He has to be out there somewhere."

"Jesse..."

"Don't. Please." I switch off the PerComm, letting the city noise wash over me instead.

A couple laughs as they pass, the man's deep chuckle hitting me like a punch to the gut. For a split second, it sounds just like him. I spin around, but they're already disappearing into the crowd.

The rain starts, a light drizzle that makes the neon reflect off the wet pavement. My boots splash through a puddle as I duck under an awning. This is just like where we kissed, pressed against the wall, his hands tangled in my hair. The memory burns.

A flash of blue skin in my peripheral vision makes my breath catch. I push off the wall, shoving past people, muttering apologies. But when I reach the corner, there's no one there who could be him.

"Excuse me, miss?" A street vendor waves me over. "You look like you could use some tea."

"Thanks, but I'm not-" The words die as I spot someone tall with silver hair across the street, walking away. My heart races. "Sorry, I have to-"

I dart between hovercars, ignoring the angry honks. But when I reach the other side, he's gone. Like smoke. Like he was never there at all.

My PerComm buzzes again. This time it's Taluk.

"Captain, we need you back here. There's a potential job."

I lean against a storefront, feeling dizzy while watching the crowds pass by. Every other person seems to have his height, his build, his coloring. But none of them are him.

"I'll be there soon," I say. Reluctantly, with a pit of nausea sitting in my stomach, I let my feet move forward towards the port. Somehow, I know this will be the last time.

The port authority car sits outside my ship like an unwelcome guest that's overstayed its welcome. My boots clang against the ramp as I march up, not bothering to hide my irritation.

Inside, Officer Marrow stands in my cargo hold, datapad in hand. Again.

"You know, if you're going to keep visiting, I should start charging rent."

He looks up, his cybernetic eye whirring. "Captain."

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