But… it didn’t really feelunsafeeither.
“Can I at least pack my stuff?” She asked, giving him a sheepish look. “I don’t have much. I live in the employee dorms. So, it’s mostly just my clothes and a few knick-knacks.”
Sway smiled, bringing her hand up and kissing the back of it. “Of course. I’ll go with you tonight to get them.”
“So will I,” Loyalty added, giving her a bright, small ratchi grin.
Sway gave him a brief nod before turning back to the two in the window. “Captain?”
Tanin shrugged. “If you want her to come and you’re willing to cover her, then fine. But she’s your responsibility. And you.” He looked at Grace. “Figure out what you’re going to do. I’m not hauling you around forever.”
She nodded quickly. That was fair, of course. And she didn’t want to be just a burden to be carried about like luggage.
But so much had already happened in the last few marks. She still wasn’t even sure this was really happening. There might be a chance she was about to wake up from some kind of humiliation induced post-date night terror. She could figure all the details out later.
The only thing she could say for sure was that Sway’s hand, in hers, as he finished ironing out some details between himself,his captain, and Loyalty, was warm and steady and the only thing that felt real anymore.
Chapter 11
Sway
Moving Grace onto the Humility wasn’t that difficult. Only time consuming.
The three of them – including Loyalty – went further up the station back to where the employee dorms were located. It was rather high on the station, away from all the people and shops down below and close to the docks and offices. The dorm floors were quiet and, mostly, empty, since everyone was still at work. Though, judging by the time, Sway estimated that would be changing soon.
Grace’s room was a simple space. It was big enough for her bed, a privy, and a small kitchen. Most everything inside it was company property. Furnishings provided for the employees that moved to the station from elsewhere.
It made Sway angry. Grace was a dock master. She was, ostensibly, rather high up in the station’s hierarchy. The room she had been provided with, however, was something that would be more likely to be assigned to the dock workers.
Was that a deliberate choice by her boss? Maybe his way of making her not get too comfortable so she’d be more open tohis advances. Sway wouldn’t be surprised. Especially if he was already keeping watch on her because he thought he could claim her as a mate.
And, if that was indeed the intention, it worked very well. Grace’s movements were quick as she moved about, gathering her stuff from the minimal amount of storage space available. She even still had the luggage that she must have brought from Holotulle under her bed.
Loyalty remained standing outside, guarding the open door, while Sway stood just inside, looking around as Grace moved quickly from one side to the other, gathering things – clothes, shoes, keepsakes, toiletries.
Honestly, she didn’t have much. He was rather surprised. She dressed and moved with such grace and elegance, he was sure she would be the type that appreciated the finer things in life. But looking around her space, he didn’t see much of that.
Everything she owned fit into two suitcases and one bag. As he was picking up the luggage, she was putting the bag over her shoulder. She gave him a grateful smile as she followed him out. Loyalty took one of the suitcases, which Sway gave up without a fight because it meant he could take Grace by the hand again. Unfortunately, her luggage wasn’t the type that came with hover tech that would allow it to float on its own, but it really wasn’t that heavy, so it wasn’t a burden.
“What about your stuff?” Grace asked Loyalty as they walked towards the steps that would lead back down to the first floor.
“I can go get it from my ship later after we make sure you’re safe,” he said jovially.
“But what if Covor…” Her voice trailed off. But she didn’t really need to finish the sentence. He was certainly the type to sabotage Loyalty’s ship. And unlike Sway, he didn’t have crew members to prevent it from happening.
“It’s fine,” Loyalty shrugged. “Really, I don’t have much. I only intended to leave home long enough to get this body. My last body was a four-legged beast. Didn’t even wear clothes. So, there’s nothing on that ship that I’ll miss. You’re more important.”
Sway glanced over at Loyalty briefly. The violet male was already looking back at him, grinning like he knew what Sway was thinking without him even needing to say anything. His eyes were the same glowing, bright purple as his quills – like a beacon marking him as a 108.
And he was obviously amused, though Sway said nothing. He claimed to be mated, but Sway didn’t know that for sure. And Grace was certainly lovely enough to tempt a male into lying in order to stay close to her.
But regardless of what intentions he might have, the fact remained that hehadcome to her defense once before. Sway felt like he owed him at least for that.
Besides, if hewaslying about being mated, Sway could always deal with him later.
He looked forward again, leading them up back to the Uver Prime docks. Hiding the aggravation that rushed through him immediately on the heels of that thought. Not because he was disturbed by the idea of hurting Loyalty. Only because of his own failing.
What was wrong with him? Sway had been good foryears. He hadn’t hurt someone except by accident or through no fault of his own since Tanin recruited him. His captain made him that promise that he’d never need to fight again, and Sway had stuck to it. He’d been tempted. Sure. Sometimes, they’d been faced with situations wherein violence would solve a problem much faster than any other options.
