“Not physically.” Though, learning about Tom’s betrayal had felt worse than a punch in the gut. “Apparently, he had an affair with a woman from work. Together, they ran an investment fraud scheme, combined with a money laundering operation for a criminal organization. After getting their hands on as much money as they could, they ran away. Mara’s fiancé Jim was also involved.”
“They need to be held accountable.”
I nodded. “The criminals already took care of that. They found both my husband and Mara’s fiancé and...” I swallowed hard, closing my eyes, the image of the bloodied cardboard box as clear as ever in my mind. “They killed them both. They’ve threatened to kill Mara and me, too, unless we find and return the money Tom and Jim stole from them. As if we would know where the money is. Knowing Tom, most of it was probably spent on fancy cars and diamond watches. I recently learned he had a gambling problem too. So... There is no money. Only the bad guys don’t want to hear that.”
“Why don’t your authorities act on that?”
“They are acting. There’s an ongoing investigation. But apparently, it’s not that easy, I’ve been told. We’re dealing with organized criminals.” I sighed again. “Catching them and bringing them to justice will take time. Until then, the authorities approved for us to go to Aldrai.”
He hugged me again. “You’re safe here.”
“I know.” That was a wonderful feeling to have. In that sense, Xavran turned out to be simply godsent to Mara and me.
“You both will stay,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“But I can’t dissolve the marriage agreement, then. Mara’s legal status on Aldrai is as my wife. If she’s no longer married to me, she’d be sent back to Earth immediately.”
Their marriage didn’t bother me. I knew it was as fake as could be, simply a formality.
“Then let’s just leave things the way they are for now,” I said, snuggling closer. “You’re leaving anyway tomorrow.” That came out with more wistfulness than I’d intended.
“I’ll call every day,” he promised.
“I hope you will.” I slid my hand up his chest, past the horns on his shoulder, and around his neck. “I’ll be waiting for your calls.”
I rested my head on the inside of his bicep.
Like every time before, the peace I’d craved descended upon me in his arms.
* * *
FOR ONCE, I SLEPT SOdeeply, I didn’t wake up until my alarm went off.
Xavran wasn’t in my bed the next morning.
I climbed from under the covers, ripping off my bathrobe in a hurry. If I changed quickly, maybe I could still catch Xavran before he left.
My communication disc pinged from the night table. Its screen lit up with swirls of blobs—the written characters of the Aldraian language.
“Incoming message from Captain Xavran Rax,”the mechanical voice of the device announced.
Then, Xavran’s deep drawl sounded.
“You slept so peacefully, I didn’t have the heart to wake you up, even to say goodbye. I’m on my way to the crozan. We’ll do a video call as soon as I arrive.”
I rushed to the night table to grab the device. It wasn’t a live call, though. The message had been recorded and programmed to play after my alarm went off.
“I’m already missing you, Susanna.”A smile filtered into his voice, softening it. “Do you know how adorable you look in your sleep?”
I pressed the device to my chest, giddy with a shimmering swirl of emotions rising in my chest.
For someone who had begged to take it slow, I was falling for this man way too fast.