Desperate Measures (9 page)

felt like a weight lifting from them just to get off the
Raitan
without anyone discovering anything damning. She had to force herself to take one thing at a time. She wanted to rush past the

checkpoints and get right to finding the signs that Krissa would have left for them, but knew that

she had to keep it slow and not do anything stupid that would draw attention from the authorities

here or give Connal any clue that they were in a hurry.

She allowed her bag to be checked by the entry guards and then waited for Gianna and

Nara. The air smelled stale inside the building, but she didn‟t mind it at all. She felt free and

deliriously happy now that she was here. Not very surprising since the ride down had seemed

like being crammed into a very small can. The shuttle had been packed. Even though she knew

she shouldn‟t, she turned and waved to the people from the
Raitan
before she headed down the

white tiled concourse with Gianna and Nara.

“Taunting them isn‟t what we want to do, is it?” Nara asked with a laugh. “Don‟t we

have enough trouble without making them focus on us any more than they will eventually?”

“Well, we can‟t seem like we‟re running away from them and the journey wasn‟t that

bad. Seeming to flee from them would attract more attention than a simple wave.” Raine kept her

voice low, but loud enough for her friends to hear. She knew that the wave was strictly

unnecessary, but it had been irresistible. “Besides you know I‟m always so open and friendly.”

“You know she was being sarcastic.” Gianna shook her head.

Raine laughed. “Yeah, I know, but couldn‟t help it.”

“Let‟s get out of here. The sooner we get to Krissa‟s workplace the sooner we can start

finding her clues.” Nara looked back at the group still at the entry port check-in.

Raine glanced back. Luckily, the
Raitan
was the only larger ship unloading cargo and

crew right now. There weren‟t that many people wandering through the building and she could

easily see Connal and his people. She wasn‟t surprised that they were all waiting for the rest of

the group to get through. This wasn‟t a standard leave for them. This was a search mission.

She‟d heard a few of the quiet orders they‟d been given. She loved it when people

underestimated her. They were to begin searching some park on the far east end of Verai, the

main port city on Forunes. That wasn‟t in the area where Krissa had been working, but it didn‟t

mean that they were safe. Raine wasn‟t so certain that the path of Krissa‟s clues wouldn‟t take

them in that direction. A park would be a good stop-off spot until Krissa could find a way into a

large forest where she could hide.

“You‟re right. Krissa‟s been alone here long enough. We have to find her. Before they do

if I‟m right and she was spotted.” Raine took a deep breath and deliberately faced forward and

took her eyes off them.

“We‟re here and we‟ll get to her.” Nara nodded.

They left the spaceport and caught a public shuttle to the area around Krissa‟s work. She

had no idea how the bigoted fanatics had discovered that Krissa wasn‟t human, but that really

didn‟t matter. All that mattered was getting to their hurt friend. They‟d been working together

long enough to establish emergency procedures. They‟d chosen the first message drop as the area

near the work because the first place anyone would look for someone on the run would be their

home. The message would be waiting for them.

They walked the short distance from the shuttle drop-off to the office building where

Krissa had been working. A thin strip of grass bordered the sidewalk surrounding the large,

gleaming, silver building. They strolled down the tree-lined path until they reached the second

tree from the last. This wasn‟t going to be unobtrusive, but since they only had to search one

tree, they shouldn‟t be here for very long. Nara began looking around the base of it while Gianna

took the back and Raine the front. Gianna found the chip secured to the tree with weatherproof

tape, which blended in almost perfectly with the dark brown bark of the tree.

Gianna slipped the chip free from the protective case and put it in her handheld. She read

the message and then handed the small comp to Raine. Raine groaned when she read where the

next message had been placed. Krissa had left the message in Birdsong Park on the east side of

Verai. It was where the
Feiral
had gone.

“We can‟t all be seen there. It would be too much of a coincidence and the captain isn‟t

stupid.” Nara looked from Gianna to Raine.

“No, he isn‟t stupid. You two are going shopping. I‟m going to take a walk in the park. I

might be able to distract Connal enough to throw him off his game. Maybe he won‟t question my

appearance there too much.” Raine took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“Shopping for what?” Gianna asked.

“Well, think like you were Krissa. What do you think we‟re going to need to get to her?”

Raine shrugged. “A vehicle, some food and of course extra clothing.”

“That we can do. Don‟t let him distract you.” Nara grinned. “We all know how attracted

you are to him.”

“Yeah, I‟m attracted to him. I think it has a little to do with the danger of it.” Raine

grinned and winked, enjoying the teasing. It helped her relax a little when nervousness and

anxiety was building. She handed them her bag. “Just can‟t resist the rush.”

“Well, don‟t get too much of a thrill today,” Gianna shook her head. “We‟ll catch a ride

and go get the supplies we‟ll need.”

“I‟ll meet you at the hotel we researched. Wait for a day and then assume I‟m gone.”

Raine looked from Gianna to Nara to make sure they understood.

“That won‟t be necessary. We know you. You‟ll be there.” Gianna shook her head. “See

you soon.”

“I‟ll see you.” Raine headed to the end of the street.

She knew she‟d be able to get a cab there. It was just a matter of time. She didn‟t get the

first transport she hailed, but after a little time she managed to get a ride. The whole ride to the

park her mind whirled and churned as she mentally ran through the possibilities. The moment it

stopped a calm settled over her and she focused. She had to get to the lake without looking like

that was her goal.

Meandering through the park wasn‟t what she wanted to do, but it was what she had to

do. She kept herself under control and resisted the urge to do a visual sweep for the
Feiral
from the
Raitan
. She wasn‟t supposed to know they were here and looking nervous was the last thing she should be if she‟d really arrived on the planet with a guarantee of a posting.

She picked a walking trail at random. They all joined together at different points and she

could seem to ponder which way to go when she came to a sign. She walked slowly and enjoyed

the warmth of the sun flowing over her. The sweet scent of flowers teased her nose, but she

didn‟t see any nearby. Grassy fields bordered one side of the path and she could see small groups

of people playing games there. Trimmed trees and bushes lined the other side. It was just a small

stand of trees, most likely just a strip because she could see a field on the other side through gaps in the leaves and branches.

She stopped at one of the maps and looked at it. She ran her finger over the glossy

surface, tracing one of the paths. It was while she was there that she got the first glimpse of the

Feiral
she knew were in the area. She saw Rennick looking at the ground near the edge of a

group of trees. She knew he was looking for tracks or a sign that a
Feiral
in animal form was in the area. Raine grinned and let the small smile remain there. Krissa wasn‟t here, of that she was

sure.

She made her way slowly to the lake. She walked out onto the pier and looked at the

water. She loved watching the water. At home, she lived near a lake when she didn‟t have to be

in the city. She liked to go down and watch the waves or go for a swim in the sun-warmed water.

“I didn‟t expect to see you again.” A deep voice came from just behind her.

She tensed and turned. “You startled me. But I didn‟t expect to see you again either. I

thought you and the others would be enjoying your layover since it will probably be short.”

“We‟ll be leaving again in a few days, but we decided to stop here. What are you doing

here? I thought you‟d be with your friend.” Dressed in a white and red shirt and very dark gray

pants, he cocked a hand on his hip and ran his eyes over her.

She could see the suspicion there along with his normal cool confidence. This wasn‟t the

time for any fancy stories. She wasn‟t playing around with him and drawing his interest to her

any more than necessary.

“Well, I expected to be, but the last time we were in contact with her was the day we

were informed we‟d received the posting. We didn‟t know when exactly we‟d get here. She‟s not

there right now. So I‟m killing a little time while waiting for her to listen to her messages.” She

sighed and flashed a smile at him.

When his eyes fell to her breasts, she knew his mind wasn‟t on whether she was telling

him the truth or lying. In spite of the fact that she didn‟t have lush, huge mounds, he seemed

fascinated by her breasts. He‟d lavished attention on them any chance he had.

“Where are your two friends?” He took a step closer to her and trailed his finger over her

arm.

“They‟re shopping. I didn‟t want to be among the crowds or in a building.” She glanced

at the lake again. “I like to be outside sometimes, to enjoy the open spaces and not feel trapped.”

“Are you sure you‟re taking on the right profession?” he asked with a laugh.

“Yeah, once I‟m onboard the ship, I love every minute of it, but when I get back on a

planet, I need the time outside. I know it sounds strange.” She shrugged.

He stepped closer and brushed his lips across hers. She didn‟t know if he meant it to be a

fleeting caress, but as soon as his mouth touched hers, a thrill shot through her. She didn‟t even

think before going up on tiptoe and deepening the kiss. Her hand rose and she traced the shape of

his cheekbone with her fingertips before spearing them into his thick red hair. His taste filled her

and she only wanted more. Her breasts brushed against his chest and the pressure sent a stinging

ache straight to her pussy.

“Captain!” A male voice burst into the silence between them. “There‟s a message from

the ship for you.”

“It‟s not that strange for you to like that. I just didn‟t expect it from you. If your friend

doesn‟t contact you, would you like to have dinner with me?” Connal‟s head lifted and he

stepped back. He slid a glance down her body and heat flared in his eyes.

She knew more than dinner was included in that invitation. At that moment, she‟d gladly

drag him into the bushes if she got the opportunity. “If I don‟t hear from her. Are you going to

contact me or did you want me to contact you?”

“I‟ll get in touch with you later.” His hand brushed over her cheek just before he walked

away from her.

She watched the flex of his muscles beneath the tight cloth of his pants. He was such a

gorgeous man. Why did things have to be so complicated? She couldn‟t live the life he led and

she knew he wouldn‟t want the life she‟d made for herself even if she had the nerve to reveal it

to him. She did wonder if what was between them could have grown into something more. If

they were mates. She‟d never know, because if she did her job right, the odds were against them

ever seeing each other again.

She looked out at the water for a while before she strolled over to a bench. She sat on the

left end. Very carefully, she made sure no one was watching her. When she was certain, she

reached down and felt along the underside of the bench. She found the end of the tape first and

then felt the bump of the slim case containing the chip. She pulled the tape free. She didn‟t take

the time to get the case free from the adhesive. She knew there were too many
Feiral
around to take the chance. She balled the tape up in her hand as she stood and slipped it into her pocket.

Slowly, she began making her way out of the park.

Raine didn‟t stop as she exited the area. She caught a shuttle and made her way to the

hotel. It was a small, but exclusive place that was known for protecting the identity of those who

stayed there. It looked like a very large, stately manor with its blue-gray walls and the elaborate

white trim. Flowers climbed up a trellis and lush gardens grew along the paved path to the

entrance.

She walked up the steps. The door slid open as she approached it and she walked into the

hotel. The lobby was decorated with very expensive, comfortable couches and green plants.

Light streamed across the gold and cream tile from groups of floor-to-ceiling windows. The

place looked very posh. A young woman in a light blue shirt manned the desk and Raine noted

the elegant hairstyle and the expensive look of her clothing as she approached.

“I have a reservation. My name is Raine Iallat.” Raine smiled at the woman.

“Your room is ready, Ms. Iallat, and just to let you know we have you paid through the

next five days. If you need to stay longer just inform us and it will be no problem.” The woman

smiled and slid a small chip across the counter. “This is the pass for your room. Once inside, you