Page 43 of Alien Mine

“Never said she weren’t.”

“And a good mother.”

“She is that,” Fate agreed mildly. “You got to learn when somebody’s yanking your chain, else your dander’s gonna get up and wander off someday.”

Dyuvad waited for the autolearner’s implanted language translator to supply a meaning, and waited. When his mind remained blank and he couldn’t figure it out on his own, he said, “What?”

“I’m messing with you. Getting your goat? Having a go at you?” Fate shook his head and downshifted through a sharp curve. “Where did you say you was from again?”

“Not here,” Dyuvad gritted out.

“Hunh. Kelly done told me about that fancy watch of yours. Said it did all kinds of stuff she’d heard hide nor tail of. Me, neither.”

“It’s just a watch.”

“Yeah, right. And I’m just a beekeeper.” Fate shook his head, his gaze firmly on the road winding ahead of them under the warm morning sun. “You sure your mama ain’t Mossad or something?”

Or somethingwas a little too close to the truth for comfort. Dyuvad searched for an adequate reply and came up empty.

“You’re gonna have to ‘fess up someday, ol’ son,” Fate said. “To me or to Rach, it don’t make no difference, you hear? We ain’t got no secrets between us, none big enough for a dog to gnaw on, leastwise.”

Dyuvad inhaled deeply and reached for his patience. “There are times when I don’t understand a single word you say.”

Fate slapped a hand against his thigh, his grin wide. “Hang around long enough and you’ll catch on.”

Hang around. Dyuvad shook his head and flipped on the radio, the one device in the vehicle he could operate with ease. The longer hehung aroundprotecting Tiny and, by extension, her sister and mother, the more he wanted a place in their lives, a real place, not the passing assignment he’d been given by an anonymous Net ‘path.

What would it be like to live with them day by day, to make love to Rachel every night and sleep beside her? To hold her and her daughters, to be a part of their family, and they a part of his?

What would it be like to love them so deeply, he never wanted to let them go?

He rubbed his wrinkled brow, ignoring Fate’s tuneless whistle and the twangy beat thumping out of the truck’s speakers. His assignment came first. After that, when he was free to act as a man should, he could consider the future more carefully.

Between now and then stood a gang of men intent on harm.Thathe knew how to deal with, and he would, in the way of his mother’s people. Without mercy, without pity, and without a single qualm over what had to be done.

They arrived at Miguel Ramirez’ gated compound on the outskirts of Gainesville an hour later. A guard posted at the gate waved them through without approaching Fate’s truck.

Dyuvad glanced at Rachel’s brother. “How did you know where Ramirez lives again?”

Fate’s knuckles whitened as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. “A little birdy told me.”

“A little birdy?”

“That’s mountain talk for somebody I don’t wanna tell you about.”

“Was it a Net ‘path?” Dyuvad asked, and winced. By Fryw, he really needed to rein in his tongue before it landed him in trouble.

Fate jerked his head around and stared at Dyuvad. “Say again?”

“Never mind. Let’s go. I want to spend the evening at home, not traveling.”

“You and me both,” Fate muttered. He eased the truck forward through the gates and followed the circular driveway, then parked in front of wide brick steps leading upward to a wide porch attached to a freshly painted, white two-story house. He flicked off the engine with a quick twist of his hand. “You sure I can’t bring a gun with me?”

Dyuvad tapped a fingertip against his wrist com. “I have something better should we need it.”

“If you say so.” Fate opened his door and stepped out, then ducked back in and pinned a serious gaze on Dyuvad. “Here we go.”

“Yes,” Dyuvad said simply, and exited the truck.

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