Adiron (Corsair Brothers 1)

I look up at him, a little surprised. I don't know why I am. He's always so thoughtful. It's me that never quite seems to believe someone like him exists. Someone so perfect for me. Wordlessly, I gesture at the baby. "Want to hold her?"

It's a test, of course. Fran casts me a knowing glance, but I say nothing.

"Aw, I'd love to." Adiron scoops Jasmine up from my lap and swings her into the air. He gives her a little toss that makes my heart stop, but Fran only smiles. "Have you missed your Uncle Adi, Jasmine? Have you?" His voice takes on a silly note, and he makes a ridiculous face as he nuzzles her belly. "You want me to teach you to be a mean old pirate just like Zoey? I bet you do."

Jasmine squeals with laughter, her little legs kicking. She giggles, the sound sweet and full of joy, and it's clear she's played this game with Adiron before.

I feel a little silly at giving him a test. Of course he likes kids. He's incredibly close with Zoey, who they've raised since she was small. Of course he likes babies. Judging from the way he's acting with Jasmine—all kissy faces and silly voices—I've been worrying over nothing. "I'll come with you over to the Star," I agree.

Once we're over there, I'll confess my secret.

78

ADIRON

Jade seems to be in a better mood as we take one of the escape pods and zoom over to the Star. She wants to know why we don't do the ship-to-ship walkway, and I explain that the angle of the ship we're towing makes it easier, cost-wise, to just take a pod there and back. As we fly the escape pod into the Star's receiving bay, I glance over at my mate. She's not sick, and her eyes seem bright. It's a good thing, but I still can't help but worry. I don't like that everything upsets her stomach lately, and I need to see if there's something I can do to help.

"How long until we get the Star back to your friend's place?" Jade asks, curious as I settle the pod gently in the bay.

"Couple of weeks," I say. "I imagine there's more direct, faster routes, but we're going to try and stay off the main shipping lanes. Less questions."

"And then how long at your friend's?" She looks over at me. "Jerrok?"

"Just long enough to get the Sister up and running. Jerrok's not a big fan of company…and he's probably still mad at me for leaving Sophie and the carinoux on his doorstep for as long as we have." I grimace at the thought, because I can only imagine how pissed he was when he found out about the carinoux that we neglected to mention. I hope it hasn't torn up his entire station. "Sophie will be joining us after that, I imagine."

She looks at me thoughtfully. "I hope she doesn't feel I'm taking her place."

"Sophie?" I make a choking sound even as I power down the pod. "How are you taking her place?"

Jade shrugs. "She might feel threatened if another human shows up with you."

"I doubt that. Sophie's the mildest little thing. You won't have to worry." I hope Jade isn't threatened by Sophie, though. Sophie's pretty enough, as humans go, but I've never felt anything for her other than sympathy and responsibility. She's a good kid…whereas I feel completely and utterly different about Jade. The feelings I have for this female are decidedly not brotherly. "It's going to be fine," I say again. "Are you worried?"

She considers for a moment. "No, I don't think so. Just thinking aloud."

A horrible thought occurs to me. Jade's been acting a little odd since we got onto the Jabberwock, and I initially attributed it to all the changes, but a new worry's making itself known. "You…do want to go with me, right? If you don't, I'll understand." I practically choke on the word. "I'll take you somewhere safe if that's what you'd like—"

"Adi," Jade says softly. She takes my hand in hers and rubs her thumb over my palm. We probably should be getting out of the pod to go and help with the others, but I don't want to leave until we get everything straightened out between us. "I love you. Of course I want to go with you. I don't know why you'd think otherwise."

I shrug. "I'm not great at reading people. I think my past relationship with Shaalyn shows that." I give her a wry smile. "But you just seem a little distant in the last day or two and it's worrying me."

"I'm fine. I promise."

"I don't think you are." I clasp her hand between mine and rub it. "Like I said, I'm not good at reading people, but I know you. "You've been worried about something…and with the sickness…"