Page 35 of Stars in Umbra
Kainan gave a nod, a glimmer of immense satisfaction in his eyes.
For if there was one thing this man was protective about, it was his woman, children, and his found Sable family.
‘Seeing us all come together in such a magical place made it all the more poignant. We Riders have come to appreciate that our happiest days are the ones where we’re surrounded by those we love.’
‘I had a blast.’
‘Selene and I took note,’ he rasped, his eyes gleaming. ‘I’d warn you not to steal my last remaining leading security specialist, but I think I’m wayfokkin’ late in that regard. Just don’t lead him too far astray.’
Rina blinked, her heart jumping. ‘Oh my. I wasn’t expecting this.’
‘Get used to it, you’re part of the Rider family,’ he growled. ‘I’m only doing what we know to do best, riding you.’
His eyes gleamed as he teased her.
She squirmed, flustered. ‘Can we wrap this personal shit up, please, and get to the professional aspect of this meeting?’
‘I was just softening you up for the kill,’ the SableKhosigrinned, even as his voice turned flint. ‘Now I hear, you’re having quite the start this morning, soldier. A group of Falasian war criminals has escaped your jurisdiction, and on Alloria, Vesk Tyran is dead.’
Her jaw tensed. ‘About Tyran, while we might not like it, he was committing war crimes. You’ve got to admit, the galaxy is better for it.’
Kainan crossed his arms, energy coiling around him in molten threads of violet and blue. ‘You think so? Tyran was a butcher, sure, but he kept the insurgents in check. Now the mines are open season, looting is rife, an uprising is underway, and the Allorian government is hanging on by a thread. His death created a vacuum. Guess who gets to fill it? Even more evil players.’
‘The devil you know versus the demon you don’t, right? I know how it goes. Still, Tyran was a major liability, Commander,’ she shot back, eyes flashing. ‘He enslaved the locals, scorched farmland, and mocked my peacekeepers while draining resources to fatten his war coffers. Tell me again how he was keeping the peace?’
Kainan’s gold-flamed gaze narrowed, unflinching. ‘So what’s your solution? Permit vigilantes to pick our targets now?’
‘That’s rich, coming from the man who leads a crew of meta mercenaries masquerading as businessmen.’
Silence fell, thick and crackling.
Rina was well aware she’d almost crossed a line, and yet she still needed to make her point.
Tension ratcheted as Kainan’s jaw tightened, before he exhaled.
‘I’ll let that slide,’ he rasped, although a flare of menace still radiated from him. ‘Because you’re a kickass soldier, and likewise my wife’s best friend. Also, because you’ve earned your place in both positions through sweat, blood, and tears, this is why I appointed you to lead the Peace Corps: to prevent escalation. To keep our galaxy from burning so hot that we have to spend trillions cleaning up the ashes.’
He took a step closer, his tone cutting now.
‘So here’s what you’ll do. Find out who took out Tyran. Bring them in and remind the sector what order looks like.Savvy?’
She mulled his words for a beat, then gave him a chin raise plus a quick, military salute.
‘Naam, Commander.’
‘Santefor the respect and for your time.’
Before she could help it, she bit out, just loud enough, ‘You only get my esteem in this regard because you’re Selene’s husband.’
He smirked. ‘You’re lucky I’ve got the same for you. Any otherkinaitry that on me, and they might rue the day they breathed.’
She rolled her eyes, halfway out the door. ‘Indeed, Sable.’
Damn him. She loved that man like a brother.
But right now? He was -
‘- a pain in the ass?’
