Page 24 of Grant’s Flame

“I’ll never forgive myself…” I said quietly.

“Well, that’s on you, then. But you don’t have to worry about Bas and me. The man understands that I operate on principle. Always. If he knows I was involved, he can bring it up with me, not take it out on you. Don’t be a horse’s ass and fall on the sword so easily.”

“You really are an amazing friend, Elijah. And an outstanding human being. I’m proud to call you my friend.”

“Even if I told you I rode your girl Shawna for three hours straight last night?” he floated past me.

“Fuck you! You did not. You’re not her type, not in the least.” Strangely, not an ounce of jealousy twisted in my gut, where it usually would have in response to his dig.

“In fact, I did. And Jesus H. Christ, no wonder you tip that woman the way you do.” Then he let out a low, tormented groan. “That girl’s got kinkier needs than you and me put together.”

“Shit,” I said, grinning while I remembered my last romp with Lulu’s hottie. “Don’t I know it.” I chuckled. “Was she able to walk today?”

“Not my concern,” he said offhandedly. “I’ll catch you later, chief. I need to do some legit work today at some point.”

“Elijah?” I asked, not sure if he’d already disconnected.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks, man. I mean…for everything.”

“Catch you later, Twombley,” he said.

Elijah Banks was never one to take credit for the good he put back into the world. He’d much rather everyone think he was the dick-swinging playboy he made himself out to be.

I flopped onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. By my calculations, we had at least four days remaining until we arrived at our destination. I had to make peace with my shipmate, and I had a feeling she wasn’t going to roll over easily. She never did, so why would she start now? That thought made me grin and then audibly chuckle.

“Oh, Blaze,” I said to the walls. “What am I going to do with you?”

After a nice long, hot shower, I dressed for a balmy evening and went to find my girl. Okay, so not my girl, per se, but the one I was currently bending over backward to please…all while my mind—and my heart—were in knots. I didn’t really know what I planned to say to her when I found her, but I knew when I’d designed the day’s meals with the chef that morning, I’d asked that dinner be ready in a half hour from now.

I also knew as I strode down the short passageway that I owed the woman an apology.

Maybe what I’d said earlier was insensitive. Perhaps the way I’d assumed I knew what was best for her was my attempt at playing king, as she so astutely accused. And just maybe, presuming to know what she needed to heal was high-handed.

But she had to realize I was in deep with her, and I couldn’t help wanting to make things right in her life. Help her wipe out the pain of losing her husband, and when she was ready…fill that void myself. If she thought I was playing king, was there any chance she would just let down her guard…and be my queen?

At the last cabin door in the corridor, I paused and listened near the door. Rio’s soft voice could be heard. Was she singing? I put my ear against the panel and held my breath, really zeroing in on what sounded like a lullaby. As quietly as possible, I tried the polished nickel knob and found it unlocked, so I pushed the door open a few inches.

Rio lay on the bed with her little feline friend asleep on her chest. While she absentmindedly stroked his silky black fur, she sang softly to him. It was precious and gut-wrenching at the same time. Before her husband died, the woman had confided in me that they were desperately trying to have a baby. As Abbigail’s due date loomed closer on the horizon, she was probably lamenting her childless, and now husbandless, life.

My quiet knock pulled her from her tune, and she scanned me with her soulful eyes where I stood in the doorway.

“I come in peace,” I said, offering the Vulcan salute. The gesture had the desired effect as a coy grin spread across her lips.

“I think you’re way too tall and antagonistic to be a Vulcan, Tree. No matter which generation you favor.” She giggled. Rio put up her hand to make the foreign greeting’s symbol but had to hold her fingers apart with her other hand.

“Fail,” I said teasingly. “No true Vulcan involves two hands!” I threw my head back and laughed harder.

“I don’t think I’d be Vulcan regardless.” She shrugged and sat up taller against the headboard when Robert scampered away from the commotion. “They’re much too placid for my temperament.”

“Mind if I hang out with you?” I asked, motioning to the bed.

“It’s a free country last time I checked.”

“Baby, can we stop? I wanted to apologize before dinner. The captain told me he wanted to power down for the night, so I asked the crew to set up our meal on the bow. Does that sound okay?”

“It sounds great. Perfect, actually. Is it warm outside?”