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The line from Garin’s many monitors that Sazahk had watched for the past several hours finally jumped up and Sazahk’s heart leapt with it. “He’s waking.”
Garin’s family closed in around him and Sazahk froze with his foot poised to step closer. Right. Family first. Awkward scientist with a crush second. If that.
Sazahk faded back into the shadows, mentally clutching at every strand of information that poured out of the medical equipment hooked to Garin’s body. Vital signs stable. Neural processes normal. Sazahk couldn’t see him, but he saw the spike in brain activity that meant he’d opened his eyes.
“Mom?” Garin’s voice was hoarse but strong and Sazahk’s stomach flipped to hear it.
“Hi, sweetie.” Margaret bent over and kissed his forehead.
“How did you—Beaty?”
“Hey, Kev.”
“And us.” Lucas leaned over his sister to force himself into Garin’s field of view.
“But we all know she’s your favorite.” Ethan leaned on him and shoved Beaty down onto the bed.
“Hey!”
Garin laughed, the sound rich and solid, and Sazahk tangled his fingers together. He sounded good. Sazahk wished he could catch just a glimpse of him. “What the hell are you all doing here?”
“Waiting for you to wake up.” Ethan reached down and poked him.
Lucas nodded. “And hoping that you don’t die.”
“Mostly making sure you had someone to wake up to.” Beaty elbowed Ethan off her, then leaned to the side, and Sazahk finally had a clear view of Garin. “Turns out, you didn’t need us for that, though.”
Garin’s green eyes widened, and his lips parted when he saw Sazahk.
Sazahk felt the flush of gray and brown run up his throat and into his cheeks. “Hi.”
Garin blinked and licked his lips. “Hi.”
Margaret glanced at Sazahk, then at her son with an encouraging smile. “We came as soon as we docked, and he was already here.”
“As soon as you…” Garin shook his head and tore his eyes from Sazahk. “Mom, how did you even get here?”
“I brought her here.” Alistair Turner strode into the room, eye-catching in his silver suit trimmed in platinum, his gray hair slicked back, his deep voice dominating the space. “As well as your young siblings. Bringing your family to you during your recovery was the least I could do after everything you sacrificed for mine.”
“Mr. Turner.” Garin struggled to push himself to sitting and Sazahk wanted to shove him down at the wince that crossed his features.
“Easy there.” Alistair placed a hand on Garin’s back and helped him sit up. “I don’t want to disturb your rest. I only want to convey my extreme gratitude for the loyalty you showed my son.”
Alistair’s hand on Garin’s body made Sazahk’s skin crawl, but despite his misgivings, he had to admit that the older man’s tone sounded genuine.
“You were steadfast, dependable, adaptable, and you kept him alive in a situation that he frankly should not have left in one piece.” Alistair took out his tablet, tapped it a few times, and Garin’s on the table beside him dinged. “The Insects have assumed all responsibility for Dominic’s security, thus he no longer has need of your services. But men like you, Mr. Garin, are hard to find. I want you to know that the Turner Corporation values you highly and we are interested in compensating you accordingly.” He nodded to Garin’s tablet. “There is an updated job offer waiting for you there.”
Panic seized Sazahk’s throat. No, that wasn’t supposed to happen. That wasn’t what Sazahk had expected. A wave of guilt drowned the panic out. This was a good thing. It was a good thing for Garin and his family, and that meant it was a good thing for Sazahk.
Garin pulled his shoulders back and nodded. “That’s very kind and generous of you, Mr. Turner, and it’s appreciated. With Dominic under the care of the Insects, may I ask what the job is?”
Alistair smiled and when he spoke, it was clear he considered himself to be delivering incredible news. “Head of my personal security detail.”
Garin’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yes. I don’t need to tell you I am a very high-risk target,” Alistair chuckled. “The job is demanding and dangerous. You will accompany me on all my business trips, and I make a lot of them. Many of them to less than secure locations.” He lifted the left corner of his lips in a smirk. “But I assure you the pay is commensurate with the difficulty.”
Garin’s eyes shone with hope and Sazahk felt guilty anew for the pit in his stomach. “That’s an incredible opportunity, sir.”
