Captive (24 page)
* * * * *
“Mr. President.” “Yes, Jeffrey.” Davis tried to rouse himself and sat up in the bed. He was exhausted, but he'd told his assistant to wake him if they heard anything else from the messenger.
“We received another message.”
“I'm on my way. Just let me get some clothes on,” he said as he began to climb out of bed and rub the fatigue from his eyes.
The last message had told them to lie low, and he wondered what this one would have to say. They had learned in the last few days that their informant was also communicating with Great Britain, Russia, Japan, and China.
Whoever this man was, he was extremely clever, and Davis hoped that when all this was over he could meet him. They had tried to find a way to get messages back to him, but so far, they had been unsuccessful.
There was only a skeleton staff in the communications room, which was not unusual at this time of night. All three of the officers present, as well as Jeffrey, were sitting at the table discussing the message.
“What does this one say?” Davis asked. Lieutenant Sharp didn't say anything just handed it to him to read.
“Five a.m.? That's all it says?”
“Yes, sir,” Sharp replied.
What is the significance of five a.m.?
“The last message told us to watch the skies.
Does this mean that he wants us to watch the skies at five?” Davis asked no one in particular.
“That would be my guess, sir,” Colin replied.
Watch the skies for what?
“Colin.”
“Yes, sir?” Colin stood, waiting for his orders.
“I'm going on a hunch here, but I want you to spread the word to have everyone ready at five. I'm not sure what is going to happen, so have them be prepared for most anything, but if this is an opportunity for us to end this thing, I don't want to miss it.”
“Yes, sir.” Colin went to wake the necessary people.
“Jeffrey,” Davis snapped in his excitement. When Jeffrey looked up at him, he went on. “Have someone set up a telescope at the top of the mountain. I want to see if I can find the ship in orbit when it gets close to five. I don't know if that is what he meant by watch the skies, but if it is, I want to make sure we see it.” Jeffrey nodded as the two of them made their way to the staircase that would lead them to the exit at the top of the mountain.
* * * * *
“Carlone!” Rigora yelled through the door of his office. “Yes, your grace,” Carlone replied as he came quickly to the door.
“Call Commander Woods and tell him that I want to see him right away.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rigora studied the small transmitter that one of his officers had just brought him.
The transmitter was used to tap into communication lines, but what bothered him was that the transmitter was meant to send, not receive. Considering it was found attached to Earth coaxial lines meant that someone on the inside was feeding Earth information.
But who?
Several days ago, Woods had been to his office with a concern about Marcone, but he hadn't really listened to him. Captain Marcone was one of his best officers. He had a brilliant military mind and had done nothing that would make him think he had been anything but loyal. But lately he had noticed a change in him. He seemed more distracted and distant, and this battle with Earth was taking much longer than it should have.
Maybe he should listen to Woods this time and seriously consider what he had to say. In the meantime, he wanted someone to watch Marcone closely. Deep down, he wanted to believe Marcone was loyal, but he also wasn't going to take any chances.
“I'm exhausted,” Celine said and threw the towel on the counter. “I think I'll save the cleaning for tomorrow and go ahead and turn in. Maybe I can get in a little nap before Dorian gets here. You coming, Mikayla?”
“No, I'm not really sleepy yet. You go on ahead.”
“Okay. See you in the morning.”
Mikayla was tired as well, but she decided to stay up and clean for a while. Sleep was probably something she wouldn't be doing anyway, for she was too worried about Sidious.
Warm arms encircled her waist from behind, and she smiled, leaning back against the hard chest just behind her. She didn't have to look to see who it was, she could smell him, feel his heat, his presence. It was as though her body recognized his just by touch alone.
“I thought she would never leave,” he murmured close to her ear.
“I didn't hear you come in.”
“That was the general idea.”
His lips softly touched the side of her neck, and a tremor ran through her. “Trying to sneak up on me?”
“More like trying to seduce you,” he whispered suggestively in her ear.
“Really, Captain.” She stepped away from him, mock shock widening her eyes.
With a flick of her wrist, she swatted at his chest with her towel. “I'm not that kind of girl.”
“No?” he teased, slowly stalking her back against the bar. “I think I could make you into that kind of girl.”
“Confident, are you?” she asked, her lips twitching.
“I'm very confident,” he drawled, his voice dropping to a deep, seductive timbre.
God, the man really knew how to get to her, and he hadn't even touched her yet.
His palms settled on her rib cage just below her breasts, and her breath hitched. Strike that. The man just touched and set her flesh on fire. His thumbs moved upward, stroking the undersides of her breasts.
“Tease,” she whispered against his lips, which were scant inches from hers.
Quick as a flash, his thumbs brushed across her nipples, making them harden like pebbles. She moaned and arched her back slightly.
“Can't say I don't aim to please,” he mumbled as his teeth nibbled a trail down her neck.
Oh, and God did he please.
The door to the bar opened with a whoosh, and Dorian strolled in, breaking their seductive moment. When he saw them, he stopped dead in his tracks, his face red. His lips opened to speak, but the words died in his throat.
Sidious wrapped his arms around the small of her back, pulling her against him.
She laid her head against his chest and smiled at Dorian. The questioning look on his face made her smile even broader.
“It's all right, Dorian. Go upstairs to Celine,” Sidious said.
“Yes, sir,” he stammered, then quickly fled, only once looking over his shoulder at them in surprise.
Mikayla chuckled. “I take it, it's not often the men see you with a woman.” Sidious snorted. “He's probably amazed a woman would even have me.” She laughed. “I have to admit. I wondered that myself a time or two.”
“Is that so?” he growled. He swatted her behind, making her squeal, then laugh.
“Perhaps I should remind you why it is you've had me and enjoyed every second of it.”
“Is that what you think?” Mikayla guffawed, her mouth twitching in amusement.
“I didn't have any choice in the matter, remember?” He grinned and waved his hand in dismissal. “It's all a bit hazy now. But I do seem to recall a certain woman screaming in my ear as she came.”
“A moment of weakness, that's all.”
Sidious chuckled. “Come with me, you little wench.” Taking her hand, he tugged her behind him toward the stairs. On the way, he picked up a bag that had been set on the floor.
“Planning on moving in?” she teased.
“Maybe.” He threw the bag over his shoulder with a smile. “Or maybe it's a surprise for you.”
“A surprise? For me?”
His eyes glanced around the room. “That's funny. I never knew this bar to have an echo.”
She swatted at his arm, and he laughed. She loved the sound of his laughter. It was sexy and rich, coming from deep inside his chest. She'd learned over the last few days with him that he was a man who loved to laugh and loved life. If only he didn't have all this weighing on him. All this responsibility.
Sidious passed up her room and went to the other empty one across the hall. She frowned, then remembered the listening device and understood. “Are you sure there's not one in here?” she asked as they came into the room.
He dropped the bag and turned to face her, a confused frown on his face. The confusion quickly disappeared, and he shook his head. “No. Agnus checked it earlier.
We're good here.”
She nodded and glanced around the room identical to hers, except no view of Earth outside the window -- only dark space and bright stars.
“Get that worried frown off your face, woman.”
“What?” she asked, slightly confused. Had she been frowning?
“Stop worrying.”
“I know I should, but sometimes I can't help it.” His palms cupped her cheeks. “I know.”
She gave him a sexy grin and slid her arms around his waist, letting her hands roam up his hard, muscular back. “Maybe you should help me forget and give me this surprise you have.”
He chuckled. “Just like a woman.” He smiled and reached for his bag, then crooked his finger for her to follow him to the bed.
She sat on the edge, watching him pull a small bag from his larger one. “What have you got?” she asked in curiosity. Knowing him, there was no telling.
He handed her the small brown bag and sat down next to her. “Open it.” Eyeing him quizzically, she opened the bag and peeked inside. The scent hit her first. Strawberries? “Are these what I think they are?”
“Strawberries? Yes. I remember you telling me how much you liked them when we were on Daego. I scanned Earth and found these in a field.”
“You picked these yourself?” She stared at him in shock. It was such a small thing, but so big to her. That he would have actually taken time to do this. “How do you do these things and still do your job?” He rubbed at his chin, his eyes downcast, and Mikayla grinned. “You had someone pick these for you, didn't you?” He grinned sheepishly. “I told him I was curious about them. He gave me a strange look, but followed through on the order.” Mikayla laughed and threw her arms around his neck. “I love you.” His arms tightened, holding her so close she could barely breathe. “I love you too.
Promise me something, Mikayla.”
“What?” she asked, pulling back to look at him. Concern creased his brow, and his eyes darkened in worry.
“Some things are going to happen later tonight, and it may get a little hairy around here. So I want you to promise me you'll stay as close to Agnus as you can and do exactly as he says.”
Terror snaked along her spine. “What about you?”
“I've got some things I need to take care of before I leave the ship, so I won't be with you. That's why I want you to promise me you'll do as I ask.” He took her hands in his and placed them against his lips, giving her a pleading look.
“Of course I will. I promise. But what's going to happen later?” She knew the rebels had something planned, she just didn't think it would be this soon.
“If everything goes as it should, you and Agnus will be out of here before anything starts. I don't want you to worry about this.”
“Sid,” she admonished.
“I mean it, Mikayla. I only want you to think about getting yourself off. Not me.”
“So you're saying you think it would be better if I didn't know?” She narrowed her eyes at him. Anger snaked through her at his overprotective attitude.
“Yes, I think it would be better if you didn't know.”
“Damn it --”
Sidious cupped her cheeks and brought her face close to his. “I'm serious about this, Mikayla. I need to know you're safe. I need to know I don't have to worry about you.”
“All right,” she said as she looked at him and realized he was right. He needed to have a clear head, not be worrying about her. “But you have to promise me something.”
“Okay.”
“Promise you'll make it back.”
Smiling he pulled her closer. “I promise,” he whispered just before his lips touched hers for a slow, sweet kiss.
Pulling away, he reached into the bag and settled a strawberry against her lips.
She opened her mouth, letting him slide it between her lips. It tasted wonderful, like heaven -- ripe, juicy, and sweet. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste as she slowly chewed. Opening her gaze, she watched him as he stripped off his jacket, laying it across the dresser. She sighed as his chest muscles rippled when he moved, making her own juices flow from her core.
She grinned at him and reached for another strawberry. “If you keep doing things like this, you're going to spoil me. And then I'll be terrible to live with.”
“What makes you think you're not already terrible to live with?” he asked as he popped a strawberry into his own mouth, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“But you love me anyway,” she said with a seductive smile.
“That I do, brat,” he said with a chuckle as he pushed her back on the bed and settled next to her. Lying on her back, she smiled up at him as he drew small circles on her stomach with his fingertips. Still propped on his elbow, he smiled down at her and asked, “Did you like your surprise?”
“I loved it. Thank you.”
He could do some of the sweetest things sometimes, she thought as she looked at him. Taking the bag from her, he dumped the rest of the strawberries on the bed between them as she rolled to her side.
Picking one up, he studied it. “These are pretty good. I see why you like them so much.”
“Don't you have anything like this on Tilarus?” she asked as she took a bite of another one.
“We have something similar, but they're blue instead of red. Also, not quite as sweet.”
As she reached for the last one, he quickly grabbed it instead. “I have plans for this one,” he said. Only biting off half of it, he took the rest and rubbed the berry juice along her bottom lip. Leaning down he gently nibbled and sucked until all the juice was gone.