Space Wrangler (23 page)

“That's my favorite part,” the son said with a conspiratorial wink.

Alexia held her breath as TJ and David worked out the details as though she had no say at all. And under the circumstances that made sense. So she remained silent, and finally, David consulted his pulse band, noted it was nine a.m., and set the time and place for the ceremony: two o'clock sharp in the courtroom on the second floor of the Sea-Mont building.

“I'll do the honors myself,” he told them. “No need to involve that whiny chaplain. Belker and his sidekick Red can be the witnesses.”

“Sounds good,” TJ agreed. “We'll need to bring in a few other folks eventually. Meg Bodin for one, since she'll need to monitor the pregnancy. And Gabby for damage control. She'll make sure the news sent to Earth is upbeat. And she'll help control the platform residents too. A few of the bio-girls—Lana in particular—will try to make trouble, but we'll threaten them with deportation and they'll fall in line.”

“That sounds good. But can we trust Gabrielle with the details?”

“Are you kidding? She's even more loyal than Meg.”

David hesitated, then stuck out his hand toward his son. “After all these years, you've impressed me. So don't let me down.”

“I'm doing this for myself. And my children. Not for you.”

“Your children are
my
grandchildren,” David said with a laugh. “It has a nice ring to it.”

Alexia kept her face expressionless, even though she wanted to roll her eyes at the creepy father-son love fest. Luckily, the socket surrounding her right eye was filled with agony, her cheek was so swollen she could see it without a mirror, and blood was dribbling from her nose, all of which helped maintain a somber demeanor.

“I'll leave Belker with you,” David said. “If she gives you trouble, he'll handle her. And if either of you tries anything stupid, he'll kill you both.”

“Understood.”

He turned to Alexia. “Things are different here. There aren't any courts to run to. No police. No FBI. No newspapers. If you cross me, I'll charge you with sabotage, espionage, trespass, illegal transit, and trafficking with smugglers. Of conning my son into marrying you. Then I'll interrogate you—or rather my men will. Then I'll convict you and alert the authorities on Earth to expect your arrival for imprisonment. Sadly, your capsule will never emerge E-side. Can you imagine the headlines?” He paused for a pointed grin. “Alexia Montoya joins her brother in limbo, while the Montoya fortune passes to the Seatons.”

She wanted to grin back at him. To insist Earth authorities weren't as gullible as he thought. There would be an investigation. People like Lana would testify, as would Rick.

Rick
…

She couldn't bear that thought. He had lost so many friends and loved ones. And had felt so responsible for those losses. The idea he might feel so responsible for Alexia, he might even castigate himself for leaving her in Seaton clutches—

“I get it,” she told David. “Even if I didn't want to marry TJ, I'd do it to save my own life. Luckily, he's the only guy I've ever wanted to have children with. So yes, I can do this. And I will.”

“Good. And remember, it's not just
your
life on the line. It's TJ's too. Because if he crosses me—”

“I get it,” she repeated firmly. “We'll be there at two o'clock sharp. You have my word on it.”

David hesitated, his expression growing angry again, and she realized he was looking over her shoulder. Then he strode past her and snatched up the bio-metal sample that had served as her nightlight. With an audible growl, he clutched it to his chest as though it were the one jar to rule them all.

Then with a final glare in her direction, he stormed out of the room, barking orders to Red and Sampson to accompany him, and leaving Belker behind, with instructions to shoot first and ask questions later.

As soon as David was gone, Alexia ran to the bedroom door, closed and locked it, then rushed back to TJ and hugged him gratefully. “You were
amazing
. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I thought I was dead for sure.”

“You're welcome.”

“Your father
slapped
me,” she added with a grimace.

“You probably deserved it,” he said, his attitude surprisingly aloof.

“Pardon?”

“I can't really blame him.” TJ pushed her away and held her at arm's length. “You raked him through the coals for years. Called him a heartless imperialist and worse. Schemed to destroy his life's work. So…” He shrugged again. “One slap doesn't seem out of line.”

His words didn't make sense, but she decided to let them go, since the throbbing in her face didn't allow for nuance. “He threatened to murder me. And you saved the day. Thanks for the quick thinking.” She licked her lips. “What's the plan?”

He gave a harsh laugh. “I figure there are three possible scenarios. Either you'll marry me at two o'clock and produce a Seaton grandson within nine months. That's best for everyone, obviously. Or you'll double cross me, in which case, I'll turn you over to Dad—”

“
What
?”

He shoved her toward the bed. “Sit down and shut up.”

Shocked, she did as he asked, pulling a lightweight quilt over her nightgown.

“Don't you want to hear the third possibility?” he goaded her. “It'll be your favorite, I promise.”

“TJ…”

“Maybe your cowboy will ride in to save the day again. Then Dad can kill
him
too. That's my second favorite option.”

The jealousy in his tone was thick and unmistakable. Why hadn't she realized how bad it was? And not just on a sexual level. Hadn't TJ seemed envious of Rick's relationship with his FBI father? She exhaled slowly, then reminded him, “Rick's in Sector Fourteen.”

“But the good news is, you gave him a first-class send-off.” TJ's lip curled into a sneer. “Thanks for that, Lexie. It makes this a lot easier.”

She stared at him, dumbfounded. How had he found out?
When
had he found out?

Her stomach was knotting with pain-induced nausea, and she knew better than to try and stand. She also knew better than to speak, much less to approach him physically. Things had apparently gone to seed, and she had learned from painful experience she didn't want to be in striking distance of a Seaton when the worst happened.

Or at least, not if the Seaton was wearing TJ's current expression.

He arched a damning eyebrow. “You thought I wouldn't find out? I almost didn't. I trusted you. I trusted
him
. My good buddy Rick.” He laughed harshly. “You were playing me, trying to get to the sentient, but sleeping with him—”

“
One
night. And not during the trip to the Titans, I promise. It just happened, and I'm sorry. I feel awful, TJ. I know it sounds—well, convenient—but up until then I really thought I was in love with you despite everything. I really thought I'd marry you. Have children with you—”

“Then you found true love with a cowboy? Yeah, that really
was
convenient.”

“No, no. That's not what I mean. I just realized I didn't want to manipulate you—”

“Stop lying to me!” He grabbed her again but this time, she was ready for him. The moment her feet hit the ground she yanked free, then stumbled to the other side of the room and glared.

“I'm sorry, TJ, but it happened. It was over within hours, and I'll never see him again.”

“Well, you've got
that
part right.” He grinned with malevolent glee. “By the time he gets back, you'll be pregnant, and he'll throw you over for a bio-girl, assuming I let him step foot on this platform.”

Her stomach clenched again. “I know you're angry—”

“I'm not angry. I'm free. For the first time since Trent died, actually. I've been beating myself up for betraying you. Betraying
him
. When all the time—” He caught himself and glared again. “What's it going to be, Lex? Are you on board or not? Because Belker's right outside, and trust me, he can't wait to get his hands on you.”

“Stop talking like that.” She stepped closer to him and tried for a firm tone. “You're angry. I get it. Maybe I should have told you about that night, and I probably would have, but I didn't want to get Rick into trouble. You guys had a good working relationship and I didn't want to ruin that.”

“Always thinking of others. You're practically a saint.”

She forced herself to stay cool. “I know you, TJ Seaton. You're not going to let your father kill me in the sinkhole, so stop pretending it's an option. We'll work this out—”

“You'll marry me or you'll deal with Belker. Try to keep up, Lex. It's not that complicated.”

She locked gazes with him, searching for a hint of the old TJ. He had changed. She'd known that for weeks. The sunny guy who held things together had grown bitter and weary. But until this moment, the harsh eruptions had been momentary. Her old hero—Trent's best friend—had always reemerged.

Now there was nothing left. Not one trace. And maybe that worked for her. She could never intentionally hurt the old TJ, but this new one? And his old man?

She would find the strength to kick their asses. Humiliate and ruin them. Or at least outwit them. And she'd better do it soon.

Fighting off another bout of nausea, she showered and put on fresh jeans and a T-shirt while an unapologetic TJ watched every movement. He didn't seem to care about her misery. And
she
didn't care that he was eyeing her body. In fact, it helped her depersonalize him, seeing him simply as a cold-hearted creep. And at least he hadn't invited Belker to see her as well.

He probably just didn't think of it.

David's medicine chest was equipped with several freez-paks, so she activated one and let the instant cold and penetrating painkillers work their magic on her eye socket and cheek. As she pressed it against her face, she told TJ quietly, “I've been thinking.”

“I don't want to hear it.”

Pretending to be hurt by the abrupt tone, she continued. “I know you think I'm selfish, but this isn't for me. Or for you. It's for our daughter.”

His eyes narrowed.

“You and David are so sure I'll have a boy. But what if you're wrong? Or what if we have lots of kids, and some are girls? I always wanted a bunch of them, you know.”

“I remember,” he said, nodding. “You wanted our sons to look like me, and the girls to look like your mother. The
other
disloyal whore.”

The accusation stung, but Alexia didn't react. Instead, she set the medi-pack on the bedside table, then sat down and sighed. “Do you remember how I used to watch the holovid of my parents' wedding? Over and over again?”

His face softened slightly. “Yeah, I remember. What about it?”

“Your daughter will want that too. She'll ask us a million questions about the proposal, and my dress, and the flowers, and our vows, and—and…” She didn't have to feign the sob in her chest, but it worked for her, so she went with it, allowing her whole body to shudder. Then she rallied, as though trying to be brave. “How can we do this to her? She'll want romance. The flowing white gown, the smiling bride, the bridesmaids. The knowledge her parents were deeply, truly in love. How can we give her giant, sadistic enforcers as witnesses? And a bride with a black eye? Or worse, we won't have a holovid at all, which will break her heart.”

“We'll have a holovid,” he muttered. “The freez-paks will keep the swelling down and makeup will take care of the bruises. And we won't show Belker in any of the vid frames.” He cleared his throat. “What are you really saying? You want a wedding dress? I figured we'd have to drug you or something. But you'll actually smile for the camera? Pretend you're happy about it?”

“Pretend?” Tears streamed down her cheeks, again without much effort. “From the day I first met you, I planned our wedding. I wanted it to be perfect, and obviously, that's not possible. But maybe we can pretend for our kids. Something nicer than the truth. And maybe in time…” She covered her face with her hands and burst into sobs.

“Maybe you should have thought of this before you fucked a wrangler.”

She wanted to strangle him, but instead, just gave him a proud, hurt-filled glare. “I want a perfect wedding for my daughter's sake.
Your
daughter's sake. And just for the record, we'd already be married by now if it wasn't for you. I
begged
you to elope with me on my eighteenth birthday. Whisk me away and get it done as quickly as possible, so we could start living our life together. Remember? So don't talk to me about hurtful conduct, because you hurt me too.” Composing herself, she said with a wistful sigh, “If we had just eloped that night, we'd have two or three children by now. And I never, ever would have looked at another man. You believe
that
at least, don't you?”

His expression stayed grim, but she was sure she saw a hint of something in his eyes. Maybe not affection. Probably just guilt. Or regret. She'd take any of those at this point.

“So you want a dress,” he repeated. “And someone else as a witness so we can make a fucking holovid? And in exchange you'll cooperate fully?”

She nodded.

“Okay, then. We need to involve Meg anyway, since your cheek might be cracked. So she can be your bridesmaid.”

“Ugh. She's too old and bossy. I know it can't be Lana,” she added quickly, as though desperate to please him. “But how about Barbara? She's amazingly loyal to you, so maybe you can trust her. Or Gabrielle? You said we'll have to bring her in eventually anyway, to control the press coverage.”