“None.”
She frowned, her heart cracking for the man she’d grown so fond of.Despite Jamie being an ass, she had a brother.And both her parents lived.As much as she bemoaned their neglect, their deaths would destroy her.
“I’ll be your family,” she said, flashing Nenn a smile.“Then you won’t be alone.”
Silence met her offer, for so long that she wondered whether she’d said the wrong thing.
“I should not desire my sister,” he said.
Every muscle in her body tightened, cramped, forcing her to lean back and pull her hands away.The air charged again, ramping the tension between them.
“No, you shouldn’t,” she rasped, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
His touch at her jaw tilted her head back, then soft lips brushed across hers.Her breath caught a second before he kissed her.
When he thrust in his tongue, he wrapped his fingers around her throat, warming her as he dominated her.Heat coiled in her belly.Her nipples tingled as they hardened.He devoured her, taking his sweet time to plunder her mouth, toy with her tongue, and control every one of her reactions.
“You cannot be my sister,” he whispered, his breath fanning her lips.
She swallowed around the lump of her throat.“No, I rescind my offer.”
He chuckled.“Good.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aloneinherroom,Tiny sucked in a deep breath, her thoughts circling Ulvus’s advice.She couldn’t carry her anger forever.While Nenn was climbing his wall, she wanted this done.And who knew when next she’d be alone to do so.
She said to her tablet, “Open email.Compose to Henry and Maria Bryant.Speech to text.”
Dear Mom and Dad,
I’m sorry for my silence.I’ve been kidnapped with my consent by an alien race offering me a possible healing.I’m loving the trip, and I’ve met someone too.
I just wanted to get something off my chest, once and for all.
Why was Jamie loved more than me?Why did you neglect me?Was I a bad daughter?Did I do something to make you love me less?
I don’t think you’ll get this message, considering I’m isolated, one of two human women onboard.That’s a good thing when I’m writing this fueled by anger and resentment.I’m sorry this is out of the blue, but it’s been a long time coming.
All my love from a daughter whodoesmatter,
Tiny.
“Send.”She slumped, drained, and yet somehow, that shadow that had clouded her thoughts was gone as if a weight had been stripped from her.“New message.Compose to Jamie Bryant.”
Dear sweet baby brother,
To say I hate you would be wrong, because I don’t.I should for what you put me through.I’m blind, you asshat, thanks to your drug dealing and general disregard for everyone else in your life.I’d call you selfish, but that would mean nothing to you.
So, here goes.I forgive you for always stealing Mom and Dad’s attention and affection and for ruining my life and career.And, I guess, for making my existence pointless.
Maybe one day, I can look back at this and feel nothing.
Iwillfind my new purpose, and I hope you find yours.
Tiny.
“Send,” she said and sniffed.Why was she crying?Enough was enough.Ulvus was right; she had to move on, to forget.She leaped to her feet.Okay, she was standing.Now what?She wiggled her butt, longing to lose herself to music.But how?The speakers on the tablet wouldn’t do it for her.She headed for the door, not wanting to bother Nenn during his climb.When the door swished shut behind her, she paused.Right was the bridge.Someone there might be able to help her.Seventeen steps brought her closer to the quiet hum, purr, whizz of the bridge.
