Chapter 15 | Justine

Chapter 15

Justine

I knew Xanxians were protective after mating, but I’m surprised at the fire I see in Markas’ eyes. I guess he was like this with Damon and Magda too, but I think he views Rotten as a bigger threat. His scary-o-meter is going through the roof. I’m nervous too but seeing him like this gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. I’m glad he cares this much, but I hope he keeps his fists to himself.

I’m not used to someone loving me this much. It’s strange and kind of touching. And the fact that it’s Markas loving me makes it all the more unbelievable. Rotten holds open the conference room door and I nod a polite thanks to him. Markas squeezes by after me. If looks could kill, Markas would have ended Rotten about ten times by now.

I look around the small room. A square metal table with two chairs on either side dominates the space. When I was in Lemargo, I never would have thought things would end in a Spaceport business center. Life is full of surprises. I sit across from Rotten, while Markas opts to stand behind me like he’s my henchman. It’s weird, but I like it. Rotten leans back in his chair and smiles.

“So, what can I do for you two today? Coming to thank me for bringing you together?”

“No. I want to let you know that Markas is no longer available for freelance assignments.” I try to sound precise and cold-blooded. I think I might be imitating those mafia movies my grandpa liked.

Rotten barks out a laugh.

“Alright. He’s yours. Is that all you wanted?”

“No. I want you to forgive his debt and help him clear his criminal record,” I say.

“Anything else? A yacht with his name on it?”

Neither Markas nor I smile at Rotten’s joke.

“I want you to give me my identity chip back or pay for its replacement.” I lean forward and pin him with my most fearsome look.

“I see,” Rotten says, tapping his finger on the table. I can tell Markas wants to knock his fingers away, but he holds back. “It seems like there’s a lot that you want, but you haven’t offered me a lot of reasons to agree.”

“You’ll agree if you value your life,” Markas cuts in.

“Bold words, Markas. But wouldn’t it be easier for me to end your lives first?” Rotten shoots back.

“Let’s not get hasty here, Rotten,” I say quickly. “I’d like to propose terms that are mutually beneficial, with no killing necessary.”

Rotten nods for me to continue.

“I assume you stranded me on Lemargo to keep me quiet about what I saw aboard your ship. I also assume that you could have killed me at any time but chose not to. This leads me to believe you’re not the killing type or can see some value in me.”

“Go on,” Rotten says.

“I’d like to offer myself to you, in return for all the things I’ve demanded.”

“No!” Markas yells.

“I’d like to hear the rest, please,” Rotten says.

I realize I’ve misspoken. I feel myself blush under Markas’ thunderous gaze.

“I meant offer myself in a business capacity,” I say.

“I still don’t like it,” Markas mumbles under his breath.

“I’m a professional makeup and tattoo artist, which means I’m skilled at changing people’s appearance. In addition, I’ve mastered the art of quickly and painlessly removing people’s identity grafts.” I pause to gauge Rotten’s reaction.

He’s leaning forward, eager to hear more. Oh, I’ve got him now.

“I’ll give you access to my services free of charge, anytime, anyplace, provided I’m available. I refuse to be a party to any capital crimes, but I have a feeling you’re not committing many of those nowadays.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I was aboard your ship. I’ve often wondered if you wanted to keep me silent about your kindness as well as your crimes.”

Markas gasps behind me.

“I guess we’ll never know. A pirate like me benefits from an aura of mystery.” Rotten wave his hand theatrically.

“Of course. And both Markas and I will be sworn to secrecy and bound by the code of honor you enforce for all your associates.”

“You remember that, do you?” Rotten raises his eyebrows.

“Yes, I do,” I tell him.

Markas shifts restlessly behind me.

“So, do we have an agreement?” he asks.

“I believe we do,” Rotten responds.

“Good, because I think Markas would have ripped you in half if you said no,” I say.

“I would’ve liked to see him try,” Rotten cracks.

I let Rotten get the last word in. He can have that win because I got mine.

Markas and I watch the pirate leave in silence. I can tell he’s furious. As soon as Rotten’s out of sight, Markas turns to me. I stand up to meet his gaze.

“Why did you do that?”

“Which part?” I ask as if I didn’t know.

“Offering yourself to him.”

“Just my professional services. The rest of me belongs to you,” I remind him.

“Of course, but still.”

“It was the only thing I could think of to guarantee your freedom.”

“My freedom? Who cares about me? I’m concerned about you.”

“Well, I care about you. I can tell you’re haunted by your past, so I wanted to help you get free of it once and for all,” I say.

“But not at the expense of your future.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Why do you think that?” he asks.

“When I was on his ship, Rotten seemed much more concerned with pleasing the girl he liked than doing anything piratical. Plus, he hired the world’s sweetest criminal to seduce me. It’s hard to worry about a guy like that.”

“I’m worried. And you think I’m sweet?” His lips quirk into a half smile.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve already told you that before,” I say, sliding my arms around his shoulders. His breath catches, and I feel a surge of desire sizzling through our connection.

“Well, I don’t mind being reminded.” His voice sounds softer now.

“Then I’ll have to do it often.” I drag his face down and kiss him gently on the lips. He kisses me back affectionately but pulls away.

“Okay, but it’s strange that you care so much about someone like me. I keep expecting you’ll wake up and realize I’m not worth it.”

I tap him on the nose.

“Markas, you’re worth it and more. You’re the most precious thing I have in my life.”

“Even more than that fancy makeup kit you just bought?”

I laugh. He wraps his arms around my waist, and I melt into the contact.

“Yes, even more than the makeup.”

He kisses me again, slower this time, so it draws out the pleasure. He pulls back and looks into my eyes.

“I suppose it’s worth mentioning you’re beyond anything I could have dreamed. I’m so deeply sorry for deceiving you. It was a shame I thought I’d never escape. But you’ve helped me find a path forward where I can actually bring something good into the world. I’m so grateful it’s hard to put into words.”

“You don’t have to be grateful; you just have to me mine.”

“Sounds like a deal.”

From there, the talking stops and the kissing begins again, harder and faster than ever. I wonder if we can reserve the conference room for the night, because we won’t be stopping anytime soon.

* * *

A week later, Markas and I emerge from the Intergalactic Security Authority with freshly implanted identity grafts. We kiss on the steps like we just got married. I can feel the relief running through Markas’ body. He hated not having his identity graft. And now that his record has been cleared, he can breathe easier about being on Xanx.

I’m pretty damn relieved myself. With my replacement graft in place, I can rejoin Xanxian society. I can’t wait to book my first makeup job since the disaster.

I’ve changed since I boarded The Adventure as a reality show makeup artist. Today there’s a new me, with a new career focus and a new partner who’s changed my world.

“How do you want to celebrate?” Markas asks me. “Do you want to get burgers?”

“We could get vegetable loaf instead.”

“Ah, you’re too good to me,” he says.

He wraps me in his arms and brings me in for a quick, searing kiss.

“Rotten sent me a message this week,” I tell him, and he instantly stiffens.

“What did he want?”

“To wish us good luck with our new identity grafts,” I say.

“Nothing else?”

“No. I think Rotten’s a big softie at heart, but he’ll never admit it.”

“Hmmm. I still can’t forgive him for the pain he caused you.”

“But he brought you into my life, so really, I should thank him. I sometimes wonder if it was his own twisted way of playing matchmaker.”

“If so, it was a pretty messed up way of doing it.”

“Yeah, who knows. But at least he met my demands.” I laugh.

“I can deal with that.” He loops his arm in mine, and I feel the warm, comforting connection to my mate flow through me. “We could go shopping now. I always wanted to get a couple's outfit that screamed, ‘Look at us, we’re in love.’”

“You always wanted that?” I squeeze his arm.

“I started wanting it the moment I met you.”

I laugh, because I’m pretty sure matching outfits were the last thing on his mind when Markas met me. But I’ll let his exaggeration slide. I love the way we fit today, with a matching passion for our future together.

* * *