The Last Marine (23 page)

Chapter 28

Griffin walked past, ignoring Lucan’s curse. “Well, I’m ready to meet your hubby.” Sometimes that old adage about safety in numbers was true. Like when little brothers got too smart for their own good. He must have still had his angry face on, because as he approached, Prudence’s eyes widened. She jumped up and rushed over to him.

“Merrick is very nice.” She looked up at him with pleading in her lavender-eyes. “Don’t hurt him. You’ll upset Lucan.”

Griffin opened his mouth, but clamped his lips shut again in defeat. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Prudence and buried his face in her hair. Her body went soft against his and she enfolded him in her embrace. For a moment, everything fell into place and made sense.

With her lips to his ear, she asked, “You all right, baby?”

“Yeah.”

He straightened and threw his arm over her shoulder, anchoring her at his side, hoping to hold onto the sense of peace she brought him.

Lucan took Merrick’s hand and brought him over to where Griffin stood. “So, uh, Griff, this is Merrick.”

A smile spread on the giant’s face, softening his features and making him appear a bit more human. “Glad to see you in one piece, Chief.”

Griffin shook Merrick’s hand. “Thanks.”

Merrick released his hand and flung his arm over Lucan’s shoulders, his gaze full of challenge. “We good?”

Griffin checked Lucan’s reaction, but his brother seemed fine with Merrick’s possessive act, he even leaned in closer to the larger man which put the remainder of Griffin’s fears to rest.“Yeah. Lucan says you treat him well. As long as that remains true, we’re good.” He glanced at Prudence. “This is Angelica.”

Prudence shook both men’s hands, but held on to Lucan for a heartbeat longer. “Griffin’s told me all about you. I loved what I saw of your artwork.”

Lucan pulled Prudence away and escorted her back into his shop. “You pick out anything you like and it’s yours.”

Merrick rolled his eyes. “He gives away as much as he sells.”

“I believe it.”

“Come on in.” Merrick clapped him on the shoulder and headed back to the shop. “We live upstairs. You’re welcome for dinner and we’ve got a spare room if you need someplace to stay.”

Griffin nodded. “We’d be grateful.”

However, when they reached the shop, Merrick pulled the door shut instead of walking through and joining the others. He scowled. “The Blue Helmets are looking for Angelica.”

Shit.
He searched Merrick’s face, but couldn’t tell if he was warning him or letting him know he planned to turn them in. “They’re looking for a lavender-eyed woman.”

Merrick snorted. “There were a lot of Lythonian women on
Genesis V
, huh?”

Their eyes locked, but the son of a bitch wasn’t backing down. “Do we have a problem?”

“You’re my brother-in-law.” Merrick sighed. “Where I come from, family sticks together. We’ll keep you both hidden best we can, but eventually, someone’s going to see her. You can’t hide forever.”

“I’m planning to take care of the problem. I had considered sticking around awhile, but I guess I should head out tomorrow. Can I leave Angel here with you?”

“Yeah, but . . . .” Merrick stared at him hard. “Did you tell Lucan?”

“Not in so many words.”

Those bright blue eyes turned cold. “You and I are going to have a problem if you hurt him again.”

The door opened and Lucan poked his head out. “What’s going on out here?”

“We were having a private discussion.” Griffin walked into the shop, forcing Lucan to back up. “Never could get any privacy with you around.”

“This is my shop, my house.” Lucan winked. “My rules. Let me lock up and we can go upstairs. You both look like you could use a hot meal.” He locked the door, flipped the sign and as he walked passed, took Prudence’s bag from her. “Holy crap, what do you have in here, rocks?”

Prudence giggled. “Yes. The glowing kind. They did a good job keeping the Scarecrows away.”

Lucan stopped and turned around. He appeared incredulous. Him and Merrick both.

Griffin shrugged. “Our pod landed out in the Black Desert near the outpost.”

Merrick started laughing. “Those old coots out there have never even tried to cross the desert—they’re too damn scared—but you two made it across?”

“Yeah, well, Angel here didn’t give me much of a choice.” He shot her a teasing frown. “She kept taking off by herself.”

“And you couldn’t let her go.” Lucan shook his head. “Griff’s always had a streak of responsibility about ten miles wide.”

“Is that what you call it?” She scoffed, shooting Griffin a wink. “He wanted to use me for a hostage.”

Lucan’s eyebrows shot up. “Did he now?” He put his arm around her and started up the steps in the back of the shop. “Well, you’re safe now, sweetheart. I won’t let him bother you. Why don’t you tell me all about the big bad Griffin?”

Griffin pushed past Merrick and pulled Prudence to his side. “We worked all that out.”

Lucan shot Prudence a conspiratorial wink and led the way upstairs. The upper rooms were no less crowded with art work, most of what Lucan had displayed were pictures of their home and their parents. The stairs ended in the living room with large masculine pieces of furniture positioned in a seating area. Off to one side a door led to what looked like the kitchen and next to that was a dining area. Simple and clean, their living quarters had a homey feel.

“You have a beautiful home.” Prudence walked over to inspect a painting of the Payne family, which was so detailed it looked more like a photograph than a painting.

Merrick lowered a table top from the wall, and pulled out four chairs from a nook. “Come sit down, babe. I’ll get dinner.”

Lucan brought them some glasses and a carafe. “Wine?”

They both nodded.

Griffin took his glass and leaned back in his chair. “How long have you been married?”

“Almost a year. We met the day I arrived. Merrick had a little place up the street and he offered me lodgings.”

“How long have you been here?”

“A little over a year and a half.” He sipped his wine. “I was the tiniest bit freaked out when I got off the ship.”

Merrick, who must have been listening from the kitchen, laughed. “Is that what you call it?” He poked his head out of the kitchen. His smile faded briefly as he met Lucan’s gaze. The little communication was over in done in a heartbeat, but Griffin caught it. “Poor guy still had hibernation sickness, didn’t have a damned thing with him but the clothes on his back. He sat down on the church steps off Main Street and I’m watching him stare at one of the vendor carts and could almost see him calculating out how to swipe some food.”

Somehow, he had a feeling Merrick was only telling him part of the story.

“Merrick offered me a job—three square meals and lodgings, included with pay.”

Griffin frowned. “Doing what?”

Quiet laughter rumbled from Lucan. “Not what you’re thinking. He needed someone to do all the paperwork for the town court and jail.”

Griffin raised his voice so Merrick could hear. “The Blue Helmets don’t take care of all that?”

“Nope. We police our own,” Merrick said from the kitchen. “The Blue Helmets pretty much stick to the spaceport and Blue Mesa. I play sheriff and judge for Diamond Fjord.”

“You get a lot of crime?”

“Nah. Mostly drunken disorderly B.S., and some property disputes. I think it’s just too soon. What happened on Earth is fresh in people’s minds. They don’t want to make the same mistakes. Right now there’s one law—live and let live. People follow it. They have tolerance. Might not last forever, but I expect it’ll last a while longer.”

“The town is beautiful,” Prudence said. “I didn’t expect anything this advanced.”

Lucan took a sip of wine. “We’ve got doctors, architects, and programmers, everything you can imagine. It’s just a matter of applying those skills to the resources here on Asteria.”

“Food’s ready.” Merrick served them each a steamy plate before joining them.

Dinner comprised some kind of fish—the meat was yellow and lumpy, but tasted buttery and melted in his mouth—a mashed green vegetable which was tart by comparison and black bread with sweet cream. He and Prudence didn’t talk much during the meal, he suspected she was doing the same as he was—savoring every bite.

After Merrick cleared away the plates and Lucan filled their glasses for the umpteenth time, Griffin sat back with a sigh. “My perceptions might be distorted right now, but that was the best dinner I remember eating.”

Lucan raised a brow. “Better than Mom’s Thanksgiving?”

“All right, second best.”

“What about the barbeque ribs Dad used to make on the Fourth of July?”

“Third best.”

Merrick sat down and bumped his shoulder against Lucan’s. “Babe, stop now while I have a little confidence left.”

Griffin chuckled.

Prudence wrapped both her arms around one of Griffin’s and rested her head on his shoulder. “I thought dinner was fantastic, Merrick.”

“Thank you.” He made a little bow. “See, someone appreciates me. And I bet your parents were good cooks, right?”

She covered her mouth with her hand and yawned. “Well, no, not really.”

Lucan and Griffin laughed.

Prudence rushed to smooth things over. “But I did like dinner.”

Merrick pulled a face. “Thanks, sweetie, but you’ve got nothing good to compare my food to.”

She settled back against Griffin and for a moment he was at peace. For a few heartbeats he was content to be here. Sharing a meal and a conversation with family, Prudence right at his side.

But it couldn’t last.

He had to head out tomorrow. He needed to make sure Prudence remained safe and he had to earn back his honor. “So, how far are we from the spaceport?” Griffin took a sip of wine.

Lucan frowned. “Doesn’t matter much. The place is locked down tight. Merrick can’t even get in. Only spaceport personnel has access.”

Griffin’s looked to Merrick. “What about a bribe?”

“With what?” Merrick leaned back in his seat and stretched his arm over the back of Lucan’s chair. “He’s right. Spaceport personnel have one very good reason to be on guard—their ticket back to Earth. They can’t be bribed. Whatever you come up with, I guarantee someone has already tried it. My first two years here, I tried—I’m ex-Special Ops. The place is impenetrable.”

“On top of live personnel, they have auto-scanners.” Lucan took a sip of wine. “If you’re not chipped and you’re anywhere within a quarter mile of the place, they’ll see you.”

“Chipped?”

Merrick grimaced. “Again, I’ve already tried. Captured a spaceport security guard from Blue Mesa, cut his chip out and implanted it into myself. It was as close as I ever got, and I still didn’t get beyond the front gate. After that you still have to pass a retina scan, live inspection, and a DNA scan. You’re not getting in.”

Bullshit. There had to be a way. “What about maintenance? Don’t they ever have locals come do any work?”

Lucan rolled his eyes. “Never. The place is locked down tight.”

Merrick shook his head. “Look, even if you got past all the security, you need two key codes entered at the same time—one aboard the craft and one from Earth—to launch the ship.”

No place was impenetrable. The spaceport had a weak spot. And he was going to find it.

“Why did you come, Griffin?”

Lucan’s question jarred him from his musings. “I don’t know. I was worried. Couldn’t imagine you being happy here. It’s stupid, I guess. Now that I’m here, I see you’re fine.”

“I’m glad you came.” Lucan’s smiled. “It’s good to see you.”

Griffin’s gut tightened. He was glad to see Lucan, too, but he didn’t deserve such consideration from a brother he’d put at risk. He almost preferred Lucan’s lecture from earlier to this. Hearing his anger and hurt was difficult, but it was expected. Warranted. Lucan’s acceptance on the other hand, left him restless and uncomfortable.

“Angel is out cold.” Merrick grinned.

Sure enough, she’d fallen asleep leaning against his shoulder.

Merrick stood. “You want to put her to bed?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty tired, too. Why don’t we call it a night?”

Lucan nodded. “Sure. I’m not going to open the shop tomorrow. We can catch up more over breakfast.”

Griffin stood and lifted Prudence into his arms. “Where do you want us?” He followed Merrick down a narrow passage with low ceilings. They passed a closed door on their right and paused at the end of the hall near an open doorway. Griffin tried to walk through, but Merrick stopped him. “Please don’t leave without talking to him first.”

Griffin shook his head. “I won’t. I’ll explain everything.” He glanced down at Prudence. “To both of them.”

“Goodnight, then.”

“Night.”

Chapter 29

Griffin meant to leave tomorrow.

Prudence kept her eyes closed, but heard every word of the exchange.

She waited until the door closed and Griffin bent to lay her down on the bed, before she tightened her arms around his neck and did her best “waking up” routine.

“Didn’t mean to wake you, Angel.”

“It’s okay. I can’t go to sleep yet. I haven’t had my bath.”

Griffin walked into the adjoining bathroom and came back. “No bath, just a little CO2 laser shower.”

“Sold.”

While she got undressed, she glanced around the little room. They had painted the walls a pale blue and all the moldings and accents white, reminding her of a china plate. A white dresser sat between two windows and the airy drapes hung long enough to pool on the plush carpet. The bed was a deep royal blue, with pale blue and white pillows. She folded her clothes and placed them on the dresser before turning to Griffin. “Please tell me you’re not planning to get between those pristine white sheets without cleaning up first.”

He gave the bed one last, longing glance before sighing. “Hurry up. I’m right behind you.” She’d climbed into the shower when someone knocked on the door.

“I got it.” Griffin went into the other room.

The door slid closed behind her and she flipped the switch and blue-light filled the small chamber. She turned, lifting her arms and shaking out her hair while the Carbon-Dioxide lasers did their job cleaning her skin and hair. After a few moments the chamber went dark and she got out.

Griffin leaned against the doorjamb, arms folded over his chest, naked as the day he was born. She couldn’t help but admire his muscular physique, and how her mating marks rode low on his abs. Just the sight had her aroused. She liked seeing her marks on his body.

Had he noticed? Was that what had him frowning so hard?

“Who was at the door?”

“Lucan. Christ, he’s a cheeky bastard.”

Prudence’s lips twitched. “Why now?”

“He’s going to wash our clothes.”

Clean clothes? “Praise the Goddess. I love him even more now.”

Griffin snorted. “The little shit said breakfast might be more enjoyable if we’re only smelling the food.”

She gasped. The temperature in her body spiked as a full-body blush engulfed her.
She smelled?

Griffin crowded into her space, chuckling. “Pink suits you.”

“I can’t face them again.” She buried her face against his shoulder.

His big hands stroked her back. “I’m pretty sure he was messing around, Angel. I don’t smell anything.”

“Pretty sure?” She groaned. “Of course you don’t smell anything. We’ve been together.”

“I’m positive.” His whole body shook with laughter. “I swear to God, he was just trying to rile me.” He bent to nuzzle the sensitive spot on her neck between her ear and shoulder. “Besides, you’re squeaky clean now.”

“Oh, go take your shower. I’m going to go hide under the covers.”

His laughter followed her into the bedroom. She folded back the comforter and climbed into bed. She had every intention of seducing her mate, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, she drifted off.

*****

Griffin finished his shower and stood in front of the mirror to check on his wounds. Christ, he looked like hell. His hair was a bit too long, he was in dire need of a shave and the claw marks from the Scarecrows covered a good portion of his neck, chest and arms. They were healing, scabbed over and ugly as fuck, but they didn’t look infected.

He was turning away when something else caught his notice. Below his bellybutton, he had a mark like Prudence’s. He looked down at himself. Christ. What the hell had she done?

She’d what, mated him? Weren’t the men supposed to do the claiming?

What the hell had she said last night? When she loved someone and they loved her back her mating marks would transfer. Is that what all this turmoil was? Love? Jesus Christ on Sunday, had he known he’d be claimed by some alien mark because of his unspoken feelings he’d have been more careful because she sure as hell deserved someone better than him.

He stormed into the bedroom, ready to give her hell.

She was sound asleep.

And all his anger melted away.

He wasn’t even sure what he felt. Whatever it was, was tearing him up. Something different than he’d ever experienced before, that’s for sure. But the idea of her loving him when he had to leave wasn’t a cause for celebration. This whole thing was starting to feel like a Shakespearean tragedy where they’d both end up hurt.

He had nothing to offer her. No home. No job. Not even his honor. And for her to give him this—

She jerked awake and opened her eyes, searching for him. As soon as she laid eyes on him, she lay back down and closed her eyes. “Come to bed, Griff. Can’t sleep without you.”

She was killing him. Slowly, brutally, destroying him.

He walked over and climbed into bed and she draped herself over him, tucking her head under his chin.

God, he wished he could stay. Wished he could marry her and build a home with her. Legally binding her to him would mean everything to him. Having her for his wife would make him happier than he’d ever been. But his very name would cause her endless grief with the Blue Helmets. She’d become as notorious as he. Unless he ended their problems.

Still half-asleep, she shifted, lifting up to kiss his chin. “Missed you.”

Ah, Christ. Covering her mouth with his, he made slow, sweet love to her. With each touch, every kiss and intimate possession of her body, he tried to express what he couldn’t say.

He wanted to stay.

He wanted her love and to love her.

Their bodies breathed as one, hearts pounding, bodies arching and straining, united in their purpose. And when bliss took them both, making them shudder and clutch at each other, the release was bitter-sweet.

Goodbye sex always was.

*****

“He’s planning on leaving today.”

Prudence made that statement as she walked down a back alley with her arm tucked into Lucan’s. He’d loaned her his coat which was two sizes too big and a hat which she had pulled low on her forehead. She had to tip her head all the way back to see his expression.

“I know.” His eyes were similar to Griffin’s, that same sea green. “Look, Angel, I asked you to walk with me because I want to know what’s going on with my brother. Merrick thinks . . . ” He looked away for a moment. “Well, why don’t you tell me what’s up with Griffin? Then I’ll tell you what Merrick thinks.”

Were they still upset over what happened yesterday? “I know he’s a bit rough around the edges, but he’s a good man, Lucan. Yesterday . . . I don’t know what happened, but I don’t think it had anything to do with you and Merrick. He’s been worrying himself sick—”

“Stop it, Angel.” Lucan shook his head, grinning. “You don’t have to explain my hot-headed brother to me. I might have a better idea about what all that was about than you do.”

“Really?”

“Griffin’s always been the responsible one. He’s the one who took care of our mom when Dad was away. He took care of me. Then he joined the Marines and he took care of all of us. I don’t think he gave a rat’s ass that I’m with Merrick or that we’re married. What’s killing him is that he didn’t know. That whole scene yesterday—that was Griffin punishing himself for not being around and maybe waiting for me to punish him, too.”

Prudence stared. “Did he say something?”

“Nah.” Lucan sighed. “He’s just like our old man.” He patted her hand. “Now, tell me about things. Does he treat you good?”

“Of course.”

“He is hot-headed.”

She scoffed. “He’s all bluster. By our third encounter I figured that out. All his scowling and barking is just his self-defense. All I have to do is put my hand on him and he stops.”

Lucan chuckled. “Mm.”

“He’s always taken care with me. I feel safe with him.”

They walked in silence for half a block. She wasn’t sure what Lucan was after and she didn’t know how to bring up her concerns. So she studied the buildings they passed, admiring the sunlight glinting off the diamond bark walls.

Lucan cleared his throat. “Merrick said Griffin pulled his gun on a kid in town yesterday.”

She winced. “It was a firecracker. Startled him, is all.”

“Was that the first time he’d been . . . startled?”

She shook her head.

“Nightmares?”

She nodded, stopped, and turned to look at Lucan. “Fugues, too. I’m worried. When we first met . . . I realized he might be suicidal. He wasn’t thinking too clearly, but then he was fine for a few days. I mean he was restless at night, but his humor improved. He seemed happy.”

He tugged her into motion again. “Did something happen?”

She sighed. “Scanner ships passed us one night. He got moodier after that. Then the next night he had to fight off some scarecrows.”

Lucan cursed. “Sorry.”

She smiled. “I’ve been with Griffin for the last week. I’m used to hearing men swear.”

“Yeah, I suppose you would be.”

They continued to walk and Prudence thought back to the fight with the Scarecrows. Griffin had been in control . . . until the end. There was a moment there . . . . “When the Scarecrows attacked, part of me was terrified for him and part of me . . . was a little scared of him. I suppose he had reason, I mean he almost died. Two of them had him in their grasp and . . . oh, I don’t know. He got lost there for a few seconds. Had this look in his eyes. Then he was fine. I stayed awake with him that night and his nightmares were fierce. The next day he had a fugue.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I’m pretty sure he thought we were back on Earth. He kept telling me to go back to base. Said he needed to be punished. He kept saying he didn’t know.” She stopped walking and faced Lucan. “He had no memory of it the next morning. A few days before he had told me some things that happened while he was active duty. Things that would . . . negatively affect anyone. We can’t let him leave. This isn’t good for him.”

“We’re not planning on letting him go anywhere. Right now, Merrick’s playing along with him. He’ll get Griffin’s weapons without a fuss.”

“Not a chance, Griffin’s never without them.”

Lucan gave her a wink. “Merrick’s a damn fine pickpocket and Griffin’s not in top form right now. Merrick will get the weapons.”

She felt like the worst kind of betrayer, plotting against her mate. The rational side of her knew this was best; Griffin needed help. She wanted him whole and healthy. But, goddess did she love the man and, doing this, something she knew would make him furious and hurt was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. Prudence nodded. “Then what?”

“Then comes the hard part. We’re all going to have to sit down and have a chat.” Lucan dragged his hand through his hair. “I went through this with Merrick a while back. It’s not fun. He didn’t want to listen to reason. God, he was a real bastard, if I want to be honest. There were days I didn’t think I could take any more. Days I thought, ‘To hell with him, I’m leaving.’” He shook his head and propped his hand on his hip. “Look, I don’t know how close the two of you are. You don’t have to be a part of this if you don’t want to.”

“I love him.” She pressed her hand to her belly. She was strong enough to do this, as long as it meant there was a chance she’d have a family at the end. “I’ll stay.”

He grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. Here’s the deal, Angel. He’s going to feel cornered as hell, so no quick moves. Keep your hands where he can see them and keep calm. No matter what he says, or how much of a fuss he puts up, you keep your cool.”

Her heart was beating as fast as if she were getting ready to face a scarecrow again. Goddess help them, this wasn’t going to be easy.