Lacy
I closedthe door to my room quietly.After the crew had agreed to let Layla stay for as long as she liked—I was pretty sure Burn had voted so she could hunt for treasure—Layla had taken a shower and fallen asleep on my bed.We’d caught up on the most surface level things while she showered.I knew sleep—and probably food—would be the best thing for her.They would give her the strength to tell us about her ordeal.
Though what she’d shared already was as curious as it was worrisome.I needed to know more about this Johnstone Farrow and his family, but that wasn’t my most pressing need.While Layla slept, I had my own issues to take care of.I’d left a note on the pillow next to her because I didn’t want her to wake up and not know where she was or where I was.
Hearing Dax confess his love for me over the ship’s intercom had been shocking.And life-changing.Getting to stay on the ship?It was like a dream come true.But I hadn’t wanted him to feel pressured by the audience to make that choice.
I tiptoed down the crew quarters’ hallway and made my way to the bridge.
I knew that was where Dax would be.He wouldn’t relinquish it until we were well and truly safe.
The door to the bridge was open a crack.I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath.I could do this.I’d done it a hundred times since the moment I’d stolen this ship.Somehow, this time felt more important than all the others.Even the times when I’d begged him to help save my sister.
He’d come through in spades for me.I loved him for that and a hundred reasons more.
I rapped on the door before I could chicken out.“Dax?”
“Come in, Lacy.”
His deep voice carried so much emotion, it sent shivers through me.
I stepped onto the bridge.The lights were low, most of the illumination coming from the controls rather than the light fixtures.The dark of space loomed ahead of us through the front screen.I imagined the planet behind us and smiled.We’d done it.
“Close the door,” Dax said.
As soon as I had, I crossed to him and he pulled me down onto his lap.“How’s your sister?”
“Sleeping.”
“That’s good.Did Mercer check her out?”
I nodded.That had been a battle, since my sister had insisted she was fine.“He threatened to make it a condition of her staying onboard.”
“It wouldn’t stick, not without a vote, but it was a good play.”
It had been.“I’m glad he did.I would have worried.”
We sat in silence for a moment.
“How did no one know that Blazer has kids?”
I froze, the secrecy so ingrained in me, I could barely speak.Then I relaxed and settled against Dax’s chest.“Loyalty.”
“What do you mean?”Dax looked puzzled.
How to frame it in a way that he would understand?Not that he didn’t understand loyalty, but how would he understand my father?“If Mercer had a kid and asked you not to mention it, would you tell anyone?”
He looked offended.“Of course not.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why wouldn’t you mention it?”I persisted.
“Because he asked me not to.”
“And?”
