Dealers' Choice - Susan Hayes Page 0,76

Phyl smiled at Zura, then Cynder. “It’s what you Armas folks have done since you started this place. Made it a home, a shelter against whatever storms may come.”

Chance nodded. “One of the things I remember from my time on Haven were the storms. They’d roll in like every dark thing in the universe was coming for me. I hated them at first.” She smiled, a little sheepishly. “Okay, I always hated the storms, which is why I live here now, but I did like one thing about them. After they passed, everything was fresh and new again.”

There were nods and smiles from around the table and a general sense of comfort and support flowed between them. It was a nice feeling, made more so by the fact she was included in that comaraderie. She was part of the family now—the boundaries she’d created to keep her secrets were gone. She’d already endured one tempest, and it had reshaped her world. They would make it through this next one, too. And when it was over, she’d find a way to bring her parents to the Drift so they could see the life, and the males she’d chosen for herself.

Xori looked over to the gaming area, where her vardo were working. They were laughing and joking with the customers, but Vic caught her eye and smiled, holding up two fingers then pointing toward her. She grinned and nodded. They’d be going on break soon and she’d get to spend a few minutes with them before they finished up their shift while she went to the office to work. After they were all done for the day, they planned to wander the shops together looking for things to furnish their new rooms in the ever-growing family section of the club’s staff quarters.

Cynder had joked that if their staff didn’t stop falling in love soon, they’d have to expand the club, and Xori could see why. She had no idea how many beings lived within the relative safety and comfort of the Nova’s walls until she’d become one of them.

Their new rooms were simple but comfortable, with space enough for the three of them to relax together. They still had a lot to learn about each other, but she was happier than she could remember. She had a home and a family. One worth fighting for. She’d made her choice, and she’d stand with her mates to protect each other, and everyone who called this place home.

She finished her juice and pushed away from the table. “I’m going to spend a few minutes with my vardo, then I need to get back to work.”

Zura groaned. “I need to get back to my office, too. I’ve got too many orders and not enough pilots.”

Phylomenia raised a brow. “Who’d we lose?”

“Tucker and Banes. Fraxxing idiots were smuggling unlicensed pharma and thought I wouldn’t find their hiding spot.” She rolled her silver eyes. “Because no one would ever think to stash contraband in the gap between the inner and outer hulls of the cargo bay.”

“Amateurs,” Phyl scoffed.

“Exactly. If you’re going to smuggle the good stuff, you’ve got to be smarter than that.”

Vic and Ward were heading her way now, but Xori paused to ask. “So, you didn’t fire them for doing something illegal? You fired them for getting caught?”

Zura nodded and grinned. “Yep. Welcome to doing business on the Drift, Dr. Virness.”

Xori laughed and then said her goodbyes. She was only a few steps away when she heard Phylomenia cursing sharply.

“Son of a fraxxing starbeast. What’s he doing here?” The older woman’s normally relaxed drawl had deepened and taken on an edge sharp enough to draw blood.

It wasn’t hard to figure out who ‘he’ was. Xori got a good look at the male as she walked slowly over to where Vic and Ward stood, just inside the VIP area.

The human male moved with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, his gaze scanning the crowd as if he were taking note of everyone and everything at once. His hair was black and marked by silver at his temples, and there was more silver in his close-cropped beard, but there was nothing about him that suggested infirmity, only experience. His clothes were tailored, dark and casual, but they might have been a uniform the way he wore them.

Thanks to her better-than-human hearing, she could still follow the conversation going on at the table she’d just left.

“Phyl, who is that?” Zura asked.

Phylomenia didn’t answer the question. “Someone needs to contact Archer and let him know that when I’m done here, I’ll be needing a word. You can also tell him that if he knew anything about this and didn’t tell me, I will space his remains one piece at a time, starting at his feet and working up.”

Phylomenia must have stood or done something to attract the male’s attention, because Xori saw the moment he recognized her. For a split second, all his confidence vanished. He froze, staring. His lips moved, but he was too far away to hear what he said. The shock only lasted a moment, and then he turned and made his way toward them, a practiced smile replacing his surprise.

Vic gathered her into his arms and moved her to one side as Phylomenia stalked past them.

“Do we know what that’s about?” He asked as he kissed her in greeting.

“No idea, but I think we should stay close in case she needs us.”

Ward moved in behind her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Hey, little star. We’ll stick close, but if trouble starts, you let us handle it, okay? No going hellcat today.”

“Alright.” She winked. “Maybe tonight?”

Both males uttered a soft groan. “Yeah. Tonight’s good.” Vic said.

“And tomorrow,” Ward added.

And forever. She cocked her head so she could hear what was being said between Phylomenia and the new arrival.

Even with the sound dampeners, she could make out every word. “Garrett Michaels. What the fraxx are you doing here?”

***

Thank You for Reading Dealers’ Choice!

I hope you enjoyed Xori, Vic, and Ward’s story.

If you’re looking for more stories like this one, I invite you to explore the other books in the Drift universe, which include both the Nova Force and Drift series.

About the Author

Susan lives out on the Canadian west coast surrounded by open water, dear family, and good friends. She’s jumped out of perfectly good airplanes on purpose and accidentally swum with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef.

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If the world ends, she plans to survive as the spunky, comedic sidekick to the heroes of the new world, because she’s too damned short and out of shape to make it on her own for long.

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To contact her about her books or to arrange end of the world team-ups, you can email her at [email protected].

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For all titles by Susan Hayes, please visit her website:

susanhayes.ca

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To keep up with her latest news, releases, and appearances you can join her

Newsletter

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Want to read more stories with book boyfriends

that are out of this world?

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Check out Susan’s other Sci-Fi Romance Titles

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The Drift

Double Down

All In

Wild Card

Three of a Kind

Full House

No Limit

Blind Bet

Aces Over Queen

Chance of a Lifetime

Dealers’ Choice

Nova Force

Operation Phoenix

Operation Cobalt

Operation Fury

Star-Crossed Alien Mail Order Brides

Joran

Vader

Kash

Tarjen

Torel

Radek

Karos

Jet

Vykor

3013: The Series

3013: RENEGADE

3013: STOWAWAY

3013: TARGETED

3013: FATED

3013: SCARRED