Page 84 of Captain's Treasure
Dez nodded.
“Prosthetics are expensive, and in these conditions, have limited viability. Meaning we have to replace them every few months. You’re going to be far more trouble than you’re worth.”
Cyra gasped. How dare he? Dez squeezed her hand, and she clenched her jaw, settling for a good glare.
“The bomber was caught?”
Cyra refrained from rolling her eyes. The man was the damn director. He already knew the answer.
The director pressed his lips together, the tip of his tongue running in a line along the seam. His gaze traveled over Dez and then to Cyra. She scowled at him.
“Captain,” the director addressed her. “Do you have medical facilities on board sufficient to care for this man?”
“Ye…Yes.” What was he getting at?
“If we reject his contract, will you provide transport for him off Kolben and see to his medical needs?”
The man was running equations. Profit and loss. Dez was no longer a profit with his ongoing medical expenses and the need to house Cyra with him if he wanted Dez to live. And the man had the bomber instead. Ardkin. He would take Dez’s place. Had probably already been tried by the local court and sentenced to a life of servitude.
“My captain?” Dez sounded nervous.
Shit she’d been silent too long. “Of course, we’ll provide transport and medical care.”
The director tapped his screen several times. “I’ve terminated his contract and authorized his transfer to your ship effective immediately.”
Before she could ask about the prosthetic or even respond, the man left. What the fuck had just happened? She faced Dez and joy burst through her veins. “You’re free.”
“No.” Dez shook his head. “I’m yours, my queen.”
She pressed her lips to his. It was true, he was hers, but she was just as much his. Dez threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her to him. The kiss went on forever but was cut short when he gave a subtle tug. She lifted her head enough to meet his hot, golden gaze. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Dez. Always.”
“Aww. That’s so sweet.”
Cyra jerked up, ignoring the slight sting of her scalp as she freed herself from Dez’s grip. Her crew stood in a semi-circle around the end of Dez’s bed. Rhysa fluttered her pink eyes and wore a sappy grin totally fine with having interrupted the best kiss of Cyra’s life.
“Is it true? Are they letting you go? You’ll come back with us right? I mean, I don’t know exactly where back is. We have that load of ore to deliver to Morgual, but we really need to take a wormhole this time. I was telling Rhysa, with the extra weight, we might be cutting it too close, but I know the captain hates ER Bridges, so maybe we risk it. I don’t even know what I’m talking about. I’m just so happy you don’t have to stay here, Dez. Except you lost your hand, and that sucks, but I know a guy who had a similar injury and his prosthetic is totally integrated with skin sensation and everything. So once we make our fortune, we should be able to pitch in together to buy you the very best. In fact, we all agreed, since we all are owners now, that we shouldn’t count profit until everyone on the team is taken care of, like the basic needs, and then we can divvy up any extra. And a hand is a pretty basic need—” Blaize paused to suck in a breath.
Veda put a hand on Blaize’s shoulder. “We’re so glad you’re okay. I’ll find out how soon we can get you released. You can stay in the med lab for as long as needed until you’re healed. And we have plenty of supplies thanks to your family.”
“Thank you, Veda.” Dez’s deep voice resonated through Cyra. Her partners were as happy to have Dez back as she was or at least close to it. No one could be happier than her.
Bodi’s wings fluttered. “I’m thrilled for you both. Now let’s get the fuck off this ice hole of a planet.”
Chapter43
The next cycle,Cyra’s team was in place to leave Kolben. Blaize monitored the systems and fuel from her station on the bridge. Rhysa had set their course for Cassan. Bodi chattered with the guys in the control tower. Veda had decided to join them for the launch and occupied the junior navigator chair. Soon there would be more crew onThe Treasure, but they were her team. The women who had made it possible for Cyra to realize her dream. And it was so much better than she had imagined. She didn’t have to go it alone, she had support and love.
Veda had cleared Dez from remaining in the medical bay. After one planetary day and most of the night with Cyra by his side, his vitals were normal and his wounds, aside from his hand, were more or less healed. Cyra had asked him to wait in their quarters with Princess to keep him company while she dealt with the launch. He might be cleared from staying in the med bay but that didn’t mean he would easily withstand the stress of a launch.
“Ready, Captain?” Rhysa asked?
Cyra nodded, hoping her plan would work.
“We’re cleared to lift off,” Bodi called out.
“Engines are go.” Blaize’s hands flew over the system controls.
