Royal Recruit - Susan Grant Page 0,28

her. “He understands what he must do. Just as you do.”

We’re public servants first and foremost. Our duty to others comes before our own interests and ambition. There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men and women. Never forget that. Never forget you’re a Jasper. All her life those words had been recited to her—by her father, by her late grandfather—until the credo had become so ingrained in her psyche that it was part of her. A personal code of honor.

“Jared never dreamed of serving mankind,” she said. “He just had the misfortune of being born into a family that’s known for it.”

Cavin’s arm tightened around her shoulders. “And you had the misfortune of meeting me.”

“What?” She pushed away to stare at him.

A wry smile softened his strong features, but the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes gave away his inner doubts. “If not for your involvement with me, you, Jared—and your sister, Evie, for that matter—would have lived normal lives.”

“Until the Coalition invaded. My meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to Earth. And it was the best thing that ever happened to me.” She poked him in the chest. “If I hear you say anything different ever again, I’ll…I’ll…”

“Kiss me?” Cavin pulled her close, kissing her with slow, familiar heat until she’d practically melted into his body.

Afterward, he cradled her against his chest. “Jared’s strong. He will succeed in his marriage.”

Her head popped up. “Hello. Are you kidding? She’s the queen of the galaxy.” Cavin knew better than anyone else the kind of woman Jana’s brother had married. “Success is going to be the least of Jared’s worries in that marriage. Let’s just pray he survives it.”

The past month had been chaotic, turbulent and emotionally draining. But if she traced the chain of events back to the very beginning, even before Cavin had descended into a secret hangar buried deep beneath a Nevada farmhouse to win Earth a reprieve, one person had caused problem after problem for her family. “The REEF. I blame him. It’s his fault Jared got involved.”

Cavin shook his head. “Blaming the REEF for Jared’s situation is like blaming the symptom for the disease. You want someone to hold responsible? Then look to the cunning, diabolical person or persons who gave the order to have me killed. We may have bought Earth a reprieve, but your brother’s fate—the fate of us all, including his future wife—rests squarely on those conspirators’ shoulders.”

Jana shuddered. The ice in his tone chilled her to the core.

Chapter Nine

Jared did what any man would do in his situation—he went back to work.

Delta Development, known by him and his team as D-Squared, occupied several large and airy offices on the ground floor of an upscale Granite Bay building. But this morning the office was nearly empty of people. Most of the consultants he employed were either out in the field or wouldn’t be in until late.

“Morning, Keri,” he said breezily to his receptionist.

“Hey…” she replied, appearing shocked that he was there.

“I bet you forgot I work here. I’ve got to start coming in more often.” Things like saving the world kept getting in the way. He landed on his chair and spun to face the huge picture window. Propping his feet on the ledge, he crossed one leg over the other.

“Jared?”

He turned in the chair. Keri was there, and Todd, one of his consultants. Terri, his office manager, stood half-hidden behind them. They simply stared at him. “What?” he asked.

“We heard about the marriage,” Keri said hesitantly. “It was on the news. And in the paper. Everywhere.”

“It kind of took us by surprise,” Todd put in.

“It took you by surprise.” Jared coughed out a slightly maniacal-sounding laugh. He went back to sorting through the mail. The trio didn’t leave. He felt their eyes boring into his back. He turned. “What?”

“We were wondering,” Todd began, “what’s going to happen with D-Squared. You know, now that you’re leaving.” He cleared his throat. “Do you know who’ll take over the company? Or if you’re going to let us go? We were curious if there’d be a severance package, or…I mean, if you can’t, I—we understand.”

“Who said I’m going anywhere?” Jared had no intention of going anywhere—especially if it meant he’d be some spoiled diva’s sex toy. He ruffled through the snail mail, separating legitimate mail from junk. Silence in the room had him glancing up again. He sighed. “What?”

“You married the queen,” Keri pointed out.

“Oh, that. I don’t think it