Critical Inertia - The Return of Grayson and the Hunt for Paul Rhoads (Aeon 14: Perilous Alliance Book 5) by M. D. Cooper & Chris J. Pike

Author:M. D. Cooper & Chris J. Pike [Cooper, M. D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Wooden Pen Press
Published: 2018-09-26T16:00:00+00:00

FATE

STELLAR DATE: 12.21.8948 (Adjusted Gregorian)

LOCATION: Executive Residence, New Roma

REGION: Dante, Dante Velorum System, Fringe

<Good news, Mr. Rhoads. The Solidarity has docked, and the couriers are on their way down the elevator. We’ll have everything ready for the demonstration with time to spare,> Cecile said.

Paul breathed a sigh of relief that they had arrived safe. <Excellent news, thank you very much. And the Orion delegates?>

<They just docked, sir; should be boarding the elevator any moment now.>

He sent an affirmative response and closed the connection as he walked into the bedroom and caught sight of Janice shimmying into a delicate, purple, satin gown, her hair spun into a messy figure-eight bun at the nape of her neck. Just seeing her casual elegance made Paul feel like he’d been suckerpunched.

“I can’t quite get this zipper. If you wouldn’t mind helping me?” Janice said, turning slightly to gaze at him.

He took in the soft curve of her breasts and how the folds of the gown clung to her hips.

“I don’t mind at all,” he said as he approached.

He stood close as he zipped her up, his other hand sliding around her waist to lay flat against her abdomen. He pulled her back against him and leant over to brush his lips against her neck. She smelled like vanilla—such a simple smell, but it brought back a rush of memories, from the day they’d first met all the way to this very moment.

He’d try to hold onto those memories forever. It was hard to believe it would all soon be coming to an end.

Janice reached back and stroked his head. “Tonight is for both of us and all we’ve achieved. I hope you’re as proud as I am. We’re going to rekindle what your father started…make it burn all the brighter.”

Paul wished she’d talk about something else other than the Rhoads legacy for once. He tried to redirect the conversation. “Good news. The delegation will be arriving in thirty minutes, and the Solidarity has already docked. They’re coming down the strand.”

She smiled widely. “And Chief Raynes? Is he with Chassea?”

Paul shook his head. “Chassea’s message said he had to stay behind on Battia, something about needing to keep things in line there. She has the product, though. We can ask Chassea for details when we see her.”

“Long as everything goes as planned, and Raynes isn’t double-crossing us. Unlikely, but we should be careful.”

“Chassea has never failed us.”

Her counsel was wise as ever; he didn’t doubt Chassea one iota.

Paul offered his wife an arm. “We should head over to the Hyperion so we can be there to greet Orion’s delegation. We wouldn’t want to leave their entertainment to the locals, would we?”

Janice took his arm, staring at him longer than was necessary, before they started out of the house. Alberta and Drake quietly followed behind, little more than a pair of shadows that accompanied their owners.

“This is a day we’ll remember for the rest of our lives,” Janice said confidently. “If we impress Orion and make up for your father’s failure in their eyes, we’ll never have to fear destruction again.

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