Page 49 of Captured By the Alien Captain
Runar is like the president. We never let someone of such high power walk freely in an unknown area. What if someone with a grudge is holding something against him? What if something happens to him?
“Jax.” He soothes me with my very name before his hand is rubbing small circles against my back. “Tell me what is bothering you.”
“Just thinking about someone using the guns we gave them to shoot you, that’s all.” Forcing a laugh, I shift beneath his gaze. I hate being honest sometimes.
Before I can take back my truth, he’s taking me by the elbow and leading me off toward the crew’s quarters. My old room is a short ride to the top.
He knows I hate appearing weak to those around me. Once we’re completely alone, I let out a much-needed sigh.
“I worry about the very same thing every time you leave my side,” he admits as if it’s a secret. The words help ease the stress as I snort. “Still, I know everything will be alright. You have my back, just as I have yours. We will be fine.”
Nodding, I try to push all these pesky worries to the side.
Sure, there’s been a few bumps in the transition, but it hasn’t been as bad as it could be. Everything seems alright.
“You’ll get to see your sister again and all will be well.” Continuing his light touches, he even offers me a reassuring smile. “If anything goes wrong, we both know you’ll be the first one to step forward and correct any issues.”
Nodding my head, I grow a little too relieved with his touches.
“You know, you could’ve brought me to the meeting room if you wanted to give me a pep talk.” Pointing out the obvious, I can’t help the smile that teases my lips.
Behind us, my old bed is far too inviting. Despite being much smaller than the one on the vessel, I’m sure it could fit us both if we remained close enough. That shouldn’t be a problem.
“More quieter up here. Easier to think,” he explains with a smirk as he squeezes my hips. There’s only one thing on his mind and I can’t scold him. Not when I’m meeting him halfway by hooking my arms around his neck.
“We’ll be arriving soon, you know?”
He grunts as he picks me up. “We’ll be faster.”
With that argument, I can’t argue. Not when I need this more than I care to admit. As a laugh leaves my lips, Runar helps distract me in the best way possible.
* * *
“Jax!”
I grunt and stumble back as my sister throws herself into my arms. She smells like disinfectants. Did someone spill a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her lab coat?
Flora pulls back and gives Runar a smile and nod. Right behind her, Varrum stands with his hands at his back.
“You guys were taking forever, thought you had gotten lost.” She swats her hand as she encourages me to leave the outside of my ship.
“Ran into some asteroids. Slowed us down a little,” I lie as I swat Runar’s chest when he chuckles.
Thank goodness my sister has been more focused on her project over the last few months. She doesn’t even notice my flushed cheeks or anything.
She gives us a small tour of the current colony she’s residing in. While her defense is lowered, my guard is up.
Knowing I can’t stroll around with my hand resting on my pistol, I keep my steps steady. Runar’s hand on my lower back makes thinking about any sudden rebels popping out harder to do.
“Surprisingly enough, our vegetables don’t seem to be having a hard time growing in these climates. Of course, we haven’t figured out what seasons this planet is capable of, but the greenhouse is thriving.” Throwing a look over her shoulder, her grin is wide. “We’ve got strawberries, Jax.Strawberries.”
I haven’t had a strawberry since we were in high school. It’s crazy how much we take advantage of things when we don’t know what it’s like to have such luxuries stolen away from us.
Hard to think about someone jumping out to attack when my mouth is immediately watering at the thought.
She lets out a laugh at my excitement. “Getting some animals here was not an easy task. There was a lot of trial and error as you probably saw in the reports, but I think we’ve got it.”
Listening to how proud she sounds, I can’t help but enjoy her reaction more than the state of this joint.