The Bond That Consumes Us (15 page)

Not like Calantha.

“When is Sean expecting us?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.”
No
. “If Sean found something, then I need to speak with him.”

Fallon sighed, taking a step back. “I can take you to the archive room. I have some time before I need to start back at the bar.”

She went to collect a few things and all Taber could do was watch. Her amber hair wasn’t pulled back and it flowed over her shoulders in soft waves. It was in stark contrast to Calantha’s straight black locks, and infinitely more beautiful. He clasped his hands behind his back and looked straight ahead—blocking all thoughts of his dead mate from his mind.

“I find it odd that a ship of this reputation has so few customers on board.”

Fallon chuckled. “I think it’s great. This place is usually crawling with crazies. Men hitting on anything that moves. Women jumping on the men as they walk by. It’s usually a hedonistic wonderland. And I work here.”

“I thought you enjoyed it.” If she didn’t, then why would she not accept a life with him on Eurus?

“Oh I do, don’t get me wrong. But it gets a bit old after a while. I’ll be happy when I’m able to get back to Earth and open my own bar. Ready?”

99

Taber took a moment to really look at Fallon. She practically glowed, her pale white skin shimmering in the dull lights of the room. Her lips were pink, full, like she’d been kissed recently. A stab of jealous rage flashed through him until he realized it was probably a result of their lovemaking and not from Commander Bruce.

It had better not be, or there’d be a third murder on this ship.

As they walked through the halls, Taber noticed quite a few more people in the corridors. Young men, older men, all looking excited to be here and all freshly showered, were staring at Fallon as they walked by, grinning at her.

“Where the hell did these guys come from?” She whispered the question that was circling around in his head.

“Let’s find out. Sean will know.”

The trip to the archives took longer than Taber expected, and even Fallon was cursing by the time they reached it.

“This means the bar is going to be a fucking insane asylum tonight.”

He lightly placed a hand on the small of her back, bending his mouth to her ear.

“I’ll be there to make sure nothing happens.”

Fallon swayed into his body, brushing her hip against his thigh. “Thank you.”

Without another word, they walked into the room. Sean was sitting at a desk, a hand pressed against his forehead as he leaned forward, reading a data pad. He didn’t even look over his shoulder and Taber knew his friend recognized his footfall.

“You’re not going to fucking believe this, Taber. They went and offered leave to three shifts of miners from Eurus.”

“What?”

“Kamran had no idea the investigation was still ongoing. I was just speaking with him.”

“The administrator should have checked with us before authorizing something like this.”

This didn’t make sense. Even distracted as he was by the birth of his daughter, Kamran wasn’t a man who made mistakes and took risks like this. There was something very wrong.

“I need to speak with him,” Taber said, moving beside Sean.

“I figured as much. He’s expecting your call.”

Fallon momentarily forgotten, Taber punched in his security clearance code for Eurus’ communication network and waited for Kamran to acknowledge the signal.

When the administrator’s face blinked onto the screen, Taber couldn’t believe how tired he looked.

“Are you well?”

Kamran chuckled. “It’s good to see you too, Taber. Yes, I’m well, though I haven’t slept much the last few days.”

100

Pleasantries momentarily forgotten, Taber leaned forward, staring directly at his friend.

“Why did you grant leave to the miners? The last time we spoke, I told you I wanted to maintain restricted access.”

“And as I told Sean, I received your clearance signal along with a message from Captain Zane explaining that the murderer had been caught. I was expecting your return.”

Taber looked immediately at Sean, who shook his head. “I’ve spent the last ten minutes trying to locate the signal. I can’t find a thing.”

“Can Haylie help?” Taber asked, looking at Sean’s progress.

“Not now. Orya is keeping her pretty busy at the moment.”

“It would help to know where the signal originated from,” Sean said, tossing the data pad aside.

“They may have used Zane’s private communicator. The records wouldn’t show in that database.”

The three men all looked at Fallon, who gave them a shy smile. “I’ve seen him use it a few times. He told me he had it installed in case of pirates.”

“Thank you, I’m sorry, your name is?” Kamran asked in a tone of voice he used during touchy negotiations.

Not that Fallon seemed to mind the change in the administrator. Taber couldn’t help but watch the interchange with fascination.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m Fallon Reist. I’ve been…spending time with Taber and Sean since they’ve been investigating the murders.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss, Fallon. But you are in good hands with my people.”

Kamran’s gaze shifted from her to Taber, and he couldn’t help but feel he was being scrutinized. But he’d survived worse than what Kamran could do to him over a vid screen.

“What is the situation there now?” Kamran sat down at his desk. “Do you need me to send additional personnel?”

The idea of throwing more people in the path of this murdering psychopath wasn’t appealing. “No. I believe these murders are linked to Fallon. I would prefer to move her from the
Damara
to Eurus. That way we’ll force the murderer to follow, making him easier to apprehend.”

Kamran frowned, sitting back in his chair. “I don’t like the idea of inviting a serial killer to our home. Do you think this is the best way?”

Fallon cleared her throat and stepped beside Taber. “Look, I don’t want to be the cause of any more issues. Plus, I’m not convinced I’m the reason this guy is killing people.”

“Yes, Administrator, I feel this is the best way.”

101

“Taber, I’m not going to—”

“Sean, do you agree?” Kamran cut Fallon off, shifting his attention to the other man.

Fallon let out a soft growl and crossed her arms across her chest. “Excuse me—”

“Yes, Administrator,” Sean spoke above her. “This man appears to be targeting men who are close to Fallon. And unless Sara and Davin have been able to find any clues as to who this could be, I don’t think we have many options. By moving her, it will force him to move from his comfort zone. We will be at the advantage.”

“Does anyone care what
I
think?”

The three men looked at her for a moment before nodding. Fallon would be protected. For the first time since his arrival, Taber felt in control of the situation. Being on Eurus would mean he’d have a better chance at catching the killer and ensuring Fallon’s safety.

Kamran sat straight and smiled. “I’ll let Captain Zane know we will be inviting Fallon to stay with us. Please arrange for your transport on the next shuttle.”

“We’ll see you soon.” Taber nodded and cut the communication.

“You’re all assholes.”

Sean’s mouth threatened to twitch into a grin. He was wise enough to get up and leave the room without another word. Taber wasn’t as fortunate to have such an option.

“Fallon, please—”

“Don’t you
dare
! I’ve been on my own for years. I don’t need a bunch of overprotective…men to try and save me now.”

“This is not just for your protection. If we can lure the murderer off the ship, it will be easier to trap him on Eurus.”

Fallon rolled her eyes. “You honestly expect me to buy that load of crap?”

“Yes.”

“You’re snorting boost if you think I’m going to agree to leave my home on the chance that a serial killer is going to follow.”

When she started to walk away from him, something inside snapped. Taber grabbed her by the arm and pulled her in tight to his chest. She gasped and her eyes went wide as he stared down at her.

“I think you’re forgetting something,” he said is a low voice. “Eurus is my home.

My home and my rules. You like it when we play by my rules, don’t you?”

She blushed fiercely and bit her lower lip. When she tried to look away, he turned her chin back to face him.

“Don’t you, Fallon?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Louder.”

“Yes.”

102

He smiled and ran his thumb over the soft skin that covered her jaw. “That’s my girl.”

Her body was hot and he caught the scent of her arousal in the small room. The animal inside him that wanted to claim her once again reared its head. When she tipped her head back, her eyes half closed, he couldn’t stop his impulse to kiss her.

Despite the urge to be rough, Taber slowly lowered his mouth to hers, keeping his eyes closed. The gentle brush of skin on skin sent a shiver through him before he opened his mouth and claimed hers. He tried to show her how much she affected him, how much she was coming to mean to him, all with that one chaste kiss. When he pulled back, Fallon held her position for a second longer, giving him the pleasure of seeing her completely relaxed. Fallon opened her eyes and stared at him, confused.

“I want you to trust me,” he said, placing another quick kiss on her lips. “I promise you now that no harm will come to you. Once you are safe, you can return to your ship or I can arrange for your passage to Earth.”

She blinked several times before giving her head a shake. “Really?”

“I promised. That is something I have never broken.”

This time it was Fallon who kissed him. There was nothing gentle or passive in her contact—it was needy, demanding and more than a little grateful.

“Thank you.” Though she didn’t look as convinced as he was hoping she would.

Not wanting to, but needing to complete his task, Taber stepped away from Fallon and walked around the side of the desk to the archive’s computer.

“Sean and some of our people on Eurus were researching some of the files on your crew. We were supposed to be matching them up to potential stressors that could have triggered a psychotic break.” He tapped away, picking up the trail that Sean had left.

“Can you think of anyone who that would describe?”

Fallon perched on the edge of the desk, peeking over the top of the computer to try and read the screen upside down.

“No one and everyone on this ship fit that description. Most people have a reason for taking an assignment like this.”

“Like what?”

“Trapped on a ship for years at a time far away from home? Most people are running away from something.”

That caught his attention. Looking up, he raised an eyebrow. “And what are you running from?”

The blush that had been fixed on her cheeks suddenly drained as she looked away.

“Nothing.”

“You said everyone was running away. Is there something that I need to be aware of?”

103

She tried to say something, but he could see she was struggling. Whatever it was, clearly she was still fighting against the memories. That was something he could relate to.

“Fallon?”

“I’d rather not talk about it, okay? It isn’t relevant to our current situation.”

He was going to push—wanting to find out about her secret. He would have too if she hadn’t stood and tried to leave the room.

“Look, I’m going to go get some of my things together. I’ll wait in my room for you to get me. There’s no rush.”

“You’re not going alone.”

“It’s okay.”

The whoosh of the door opening and closing cut the echo of her footsteps as she ran out of the room. Once again, he was alone.

Only this time, everything was far from being fine.

104

My god, she couldn’t believe she’d almost told him. Fallon didn’t remember seeing anyone as she ran back to her quarters from the archives. She was pretty sure she’d bumped into at least one person, but she wasn’t in any frame of mind to notice them, let alone apologize for being rude. She’d almost spilled her heart out to him. Every last detail of her life in one moment, and that would have been it.

The last thing she wanted was for him to know about Jessie. About how stupid she’d been.

Once she was safe inside her quarters, Fallon fell into her chair, wrapped her arms around her body and let out a sob. Even now, she couldn’t open it up, the pain still fresh even after four years.

If there was anyone who could understand what she was going through, it was Taber. Deep down, she knew that he could help her deal with the pain of betrayal—the fact Jessie had abandoned her for another woman. He’d resented her drive to own her own business, hated how successful she was working at her uncle’s bar. In bed, she’d always had to take the lead to get the satisfaction she’d wanted. Just one more thing he hated.

Blinking away the tears, she set to work packing a few of the things she’d need for her stay on the colony. Only once she had a grasp on her emotions did she call Lance on the vid.

“So how long will you be gone?” he asked, frowning and scratching his neck like he always did when he was worried.

“Taber doesn’t seem to think it will take very long. I’m sure I’ll be back in a day or two.”

“What if it takes them longer than that to catch this guy?”

She hadn’t really considered that possibility. “He’s offered to get me a ride back to Earth.”

Lance seemed to consider that for a long time, to the point where Fallon was getting nervous.

“What?”

“Did he say how much it would cost?”

“No. But I’m not about to do anything stupid. I’ll come back to
Damara
if it’s going to be too high a price.” Like giving him her heart and soul.

Lance nodded. “Okay, then. I’m sure they won’t let you keep in touch with me, so I’ll just say be safe.”

105

“I will.”

With nothing else to do but wait, Fallon sat on the edge of her chair and tried to keep any unpleasant thoughts at bay. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of father Taber would be. She’d seen the very worst and best of people walk into her bar over the years, each and every one of whom she’d tried to picture as a parent. Sometimes the images would be a quick, fleeting picture of what they would be doing with their child.

Other times they were long, drawn-out stories, scenarios she’d play out in her mind. It had been something she’d done for years, ever since Jessie laughed at her when she’d mentioned the possibility she’d like to have children. Later that night she’d caught him with another woman, someone he’d been fucking on the side for months. She never wanted to be caught off guard like that again.

With Taber, she knew he’d be firm but loving and fair with any child who was his.

There was more to him than the controlling security chief he let the world see. The way he would touch her, kiss her neck, she felt safe and even loved.

Not that she was under any delusion that Taber was in love with her. His people didn’t work that way. From the sound of it, life for a surviving partner of a bond mate wasn’t an easy burden to carry. She couldn’t imagine the pain he must have gone through.

The computer announced Taber’s presence. She waited until the second ring before she forced her body to get up and move, unsure of how long she’d sat there staring into nothingness. Opening the door revealed the man she’d grown so accustomed to over the past week. He’d changed, now wearing the same tunic he’d had on the day of his arrival. His hair was neat, his hands clasped behind his back and his uniform pristine.

Looking him over from head to toe, she remembered the little flip her heart did when she’d first laid eyes on him back at the bar, what seemed like a lifetime ago. She’d thought of him as a walking wall of muscle—now she knew there was so much more to him.

“Hi,” she said, making sure to keep her eyes on his.

“Hello. Are you ready to go?”

Funny, the way he asked the question sounded very much like he’d asked her
are
you okay?

“I sure am. I have to say, I’m actually looking forward to getting off the ship for a while and walking on stable ground.”

“The shuttle is waiting for us. Sean is going to stay here to continue the investigation. And see if anyone goes missing after our departure.” He said the last in a voice so low it barely rose above a whisper.

Grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder, Fallon stepped out into the hall and placed a security lock on her quarters. “All set.”

Taber walked half a step behind her as he always did, the closeness of his body giving her a sense of peace. It surprised her how much she’d come to rely on him, enjoy his presence so quickly. It hadn’t been like this with any other man—this total, complete 106

trust. Still, as much as Taber was beginning to mean to her, she didn’t know if she could put herself out there like that again. Open her heart up to the possibility of getting it crushed. Fallon’s chest began to tighten and the old panic started to creep back under her skin.

Needing to distract herself, she looked back and him and smiled. “So what is Eurus like? I don’t know a thing about it.”

“The planet’s surface is toxic to humans and Briel alike. We need enviro suits to get from the station to the mines. The station itself is full of life. Very similar to here in many ways. You’ll enjoy it.” While he sounded as if he were giving a clinical description of his home, she heard critical notes of pride in his voice.

“Do you have friends there?” It seemed odd that she hadn’t thought to ask him that before now. In fact, it was hard to believe Taber
had
a life beyond what she’d seen him do since he was on the
Damara
.

“The administrator has been my closest friend for many cycles. Over thirteen. And, of course, Sean. Only recently have I made further acquaintances.”

Fallon turned to look at him as they walked. “That sounds…lonely. You mean to tell me you only have two good friends?”

The fact that he wasn’t close to many people didn’t come as much of a surprise either. He was her opposite in so many ways. While she made fast friends with just about anyone who set foot in the bar, she knew he didn’t trust quite so quickly. It’s probably what kept him alive for so many years, considering his job. Still…

“No. I am close to Kamran’s mate, Haylie, as well as her friend, Sara.”

“Oh. Is she single?”

A bead of jealously began to roll around inside her. She knew he wasn’t with anyone romantically, but even the idea that another woman might be interested in him wasn’t sitting right.

“Sara is recently married to a man named Davin. I know they wanted to have a traditional Raquilian ceremony but waited until Haylie had her baby. Davin mentioned they would perform it back on his home planet and Sara wouldn’t leave until her friend was out of danger.”

“This is the administrator’s wife?”

“Yes. She is human.”

It took a second, but the implication of what he’d said to her finally sank in. Fallon stopped with a gasp. “You mean Briel and Humans can have babies?”

Any feelings of jealousy were vaporized by the fear and panic at the idea of getting pregnant. They hadn’t done anything to be safe. Fuck, she was having sex with an alien!

Why hadn’t she thought about that?

“Fallon?”

Taber stopped beside her, running a hand down along her arm. She couldn’t stop the shiver that shot through her body or the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

107

“S
hallen
, what’s wrong?”

She looked up at him and saw the concern on his face. Somehow, knowing that he was there for her took the sting out of her panic.

“We hadn’t…I mean when we…I could be pregnant?”

Looking at him, she saw something change on his face. A flash of emotion that flew by so quickly, she couldn’t read it before his normal calm expression resurfaced.

“There is that possibility. If you’d like, I can have Sara give you a physical. That way, if there is a chance, she will detect it.”

The last thing Fallon wanted was any of Taber’s friends getting too close. Part of her didn’t want to get to know them for fear of liking them. If she did, it would make leaving that much harder. And she needed to leave, needed to get back to Earth.

“She won’t have to know anything,” he said, as if he were reading her thoughts. “In fact, knowing Sara, she’ll insist on it anyway.”

Fallon smiled and shrugged. “Well, I won’t protest then. Just in case.”

They continued their way toward the shuttle, Fallon’s mind buzzing with the uncertain possibilities. It continued to buzz for the entirety of the trip. With Taber beside her, she couldn’t help but think of what life would be like for her if she were to stay. Waking in his arms every morning. Making love to him at night. Fuck, making love to him wherever the hell she felt like.

Waiting while he ran off to save someone or fight in some battle. The uncertainty of whether or not he was okay eating at her until he walked through the door. Fallon stole a look at his profile as they sat side by side in the shuttle. There was only one other passenger besides the pilot and he was a miner returning to Eurus, so she didn’t have to worry about what others would think.

She reached out and slid her hand under his, feeling relief when he gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?”

“Most men would be freaking out right now. Or would be beaming with joy. I need you calm until we know.”

Taber nodded, keeping his eyes forward. She didn’t think he was going to say anything and looked away.

“You should rest,” he finally answered. “I have a feeling once we arrive at the colony, things will get…busy.”

Before she could protest, he draped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his chest. The warmth from his body soothed her inner turmoil and allowed her mind and body to relax. For the first time since she woke up this morning, Fallon relaxed and she drifted to sleep.

108

* * * * *

The hiss of the shuttle hatch opening set Fallon’s heart pounding. It was strange, but she had the feeling something big was about to happen to her, change her life.

Giving her head a shake, she took a deep breath and stood a little straighter.

“Are you well?” Taber asked.

As they reached Eurus, she noticed he was beginning to pull away from her physically. The physical nature of their relationship had changed since they both considered the possibility she was pregnant. She missed having his arm wrapped around her, but she wasn’t about to push him into anything either. It’s not like she was planning on staying here indefinitely.

When the hatch was finally open, Taber walked ahead of her down the stairs. His massive frame momentarily blocked out the people standing there, waiting for him. She waited, hanging back, curious to see him in his home, with people who cared about him.

There was another Briel, the administrator she’d seen on the communicator earlier, who greeted Taber first. He was almost as tall as Taber but not as muscular. Still, there was something about the way he held his body that left no doubt this was a man used to being in charge. They didn’t shake hands, though the other man tried, and instead Taber bowed deeply from the waist.

“I trust Haylie and Orya are well?” Taber asked with his normal calm demeanor.

But there was something else, a note Fallon hadn’t heard in his voice before. Taber’s back was a bit stiffer and his hands clasped behind his back were squeezed together tightly. If she didn’t know better, she’d think there was a problem.

“They are well. Haylie is anxious to see you and has asked me to tell you to get your ass over to see her.”

A small blonde woman laughed and grinned at a Raqulian, one of the few alien races she had met before, standing behind her. “She’s pretty much back to normal. It’s going to be hell keeping her from work, at least for a while.”

“Isn’t Orya enough…work?” Taber asked, straightening.

“My wife believes in multitasking.”

The administrator turned his gaze to Fallon and she immediately shivered. So much for being the quiet observer. He stepped past Taber and held out his hand to help her down the shuttle stairs. She took it and smiled, feeling shy for the first time in her life.

“Where are my manners? Welcome to Eurus.”

“Hi. Thank you,” she said as her face heated. Damn, this was like being brought home to meet his parents.

Taber was immediately at her side. Close, but still not touching. “Administrator Kamran, let me officially introduce you. This is Fallon Reist, and as I said on the communicator, I believe it is her life that is in danger on the
Damara
.”

109

“Please, call me Kamran. And I have every confidence that Taber will be able to keep you safe here while he finds the killer on your ship.”

When Kamran finally released her hand, Fallon noticed Taber’s body relaxed slightly and he was finally able to look at Kamran again. It was as if he didn’t like anyone else touching her. Even a man who Taber claimed was his closest friend. She pushed aside that line of thinking quickly.