Page 93 of Across The Stars
“Let me finish. I have something to tell you.”
“Is it that you’re sorry for being the biggest jerk of the century?”
“Since we parted ways—”
“Since you dumped me.”
“Since weparted ways,we’ve been looking for the gek ship that attacked you.”
That made me pause. I stopped struggling to listen, my thoughts immediately going to Quinn.
“We found a lead,” Vahko continued. “It was in a dangerous sector on a colony station.”
“And?” I said anxiously.
“And we’re getting somewhere. We know Quinn got off the ship in an escape pod. We’re trying to trace her steps.”
Slowly, he released me and I turned to look at him, the aggression drained from my body.
“You’ve been looking for her?
He stayed close to me and I could smell that scent of his radiating from his suit. I tried to focus, powering through the surge of emotions that his presence stirred in me.
“I’ve been sending inquiries to the mayor weekly trying to get him to look for her,” I said. “He just ignores me. They even put her damn name on the memorial wall on U-Deck.”
“He’s got a lot on his mind. Everyone does. But now that we’ve surged, the valerian council has become much more protective of humans. We still think Quinn could havementioned something about you and me and that’s why you and Sam were targeted.”
I thought about it and my stomach twisted imagining what Quinn was going through.
“So?” I said, hopeful. “Any leads on where she is?”
“Not yet. Atom is analyzing the data I got from the gek ship as we speak. I’ll know more then.”
“Who’s Atom?”
“My AI.”
Well, that made me feel guilty for the two slaps I’d just delivered to him. But on the other hand, he did abandon me and I still didn’t appreciate that. And he did lock me in a room with him when I was upset.
“You could have led with the Quinn thing,” I said.
“You didn’t exactly let me lead with anything.”
“Yes, I did. You led with ‘are you with that guy?’ He’s just a friend, by the way. Not that you have a right to care, but he’s teaching me how to fly.”
That stupidly handsome smile spread across Vahko’s lips and I had to look away, rolling my eyes. Damn him.
“Also, locking human women in a room with you when they’re upset is a bad idea. Especially one that’s a Leo.”
“A Leo?”
“Just trust me. We’re like wild cats in small spaces. I could have scratched your eyes out.”
“Could you?” He narrowed his eyes.
I shook my head because he was right. “So, new colors, huh?” I said, looking over his suit.
“Different job.”
