At His Command by Karen Anders

Author:Karen Anders
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-05-31T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Chris lay quietly, listening to his roommate complete his morning ritual. It was dark in the stateroom except for the dim lights over his bunk. Chris guessed it was only about four o’clock or four-thirty.

He turned over until he faced the wall. Sleep had been elusive and fitful since he left Sia’s cabin. His shock at the news of her parents’ deaths had hit him very hard, right in his heart.

His loss was now totally complete. Unequivocally permanent.

And he had to wonder. He didn’t want to complete the thought, but he wasn’t easy, even on himself. Did she blame him for her parents’ deaths as well as her brother’s? The thought gnawed at him in a place that, even after six years, was still raw. And he had to assume some of the blame. He was indirectly responsible for their deaths. It was his error that killed Rafe.

Being with her again had brought it all back. He didn’t have to hear her tell him she couldn’t forgive him when forgiveness was what he wanted and needed. He knew she couldn’t and that reality shattered his foundations even more.

Like a thirsty man so close to water he could smell it, but wasn’t allowed to drink.

He would have been kidding himself if he’d thought there had been any way back into their good graces. The Sotos had cut him out of their lives as ruthlessly as his own father had, but for a short time, he’d had it all. The love of his life, a family who loved him like he was their own and a best friend who had brought all his dreams and hopes together in one neat package.

It had been fleeting, but it had been real, for as long as it had lasted.

Unable to fall asleep, he donned his running gear and slipped out of the ship to the flight deck. It was quiet this morning and almost completely devoid of people.

There was a lone runner and he swore softly. He’d told her it wasn’t safe for her to be on her own, but independent Sia didn’t think anything of running early in the morning without an escort and he was the last person she wanted to see.

It took him a few lengthy strides to catch up with her. They ran side by side in silence until the sun came up over the horizon.

“I’m sorry about your parents,” he said softly, not looking at her. He kept his gaze straight ahead on the pink horizon.

Sia slowed to a walk, not looking at him at first, as if she was processing all that had happened. He reached out and touched her arm, so she looked over at him.

She held his gaze for a fraction of a second longer, and then dipped her chin, before coming to a complete stop. “I’m sorry, too. I miss them.”

“I miss them, too,” he said simply and it seemed to be enough. She nodded and squeezed his arm.

“Since I couldn’t sleep, I’ve been thinking about Lieutenant Cotes.

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