Page 39 of Escape from Nova Nine

His foot turned to touch her knee. “Do you have to be anywhere this afternoon?”

She shook her head. “I took the rest of the day off. The negotiations have been a hell of a ride.”

“I’m worried about your stress levels. I remember what you said about the cityships making you crazy.” He cradled the glass in his hands. “I’m worried you’re staying here longer than you wanted to because of me and the griffin enterprise.”

“I’d have been stuck here for the adjudication, regardless.” She put her glass back on the shelf, then scooted closer to him. “You give me the patience to see it through. I’ve got an idea for what to do with the reparations funds.”

“I love your plans.” He patted her thigh with his slightly chilly hand. “Tell me about this one.”

She took a deep breath. “Buy a bigger, faster ship and convince Benthe to fund a crew. I want a formal commission to repair the damage done by the Kraiiens by rebuilding and solidifying the alliances between the traders and frontier planets that came to our rescue.” She hadn’t said it out loud before, but it felt right when she did. Zade was so easy to talk to.

“I’m in.” His warm smile faded to a more serious expression. “I remember what you said about helping innocent people when the galaxy burns. If I can spend my life doing that with you, I would consider myself truly blessed.” He took a large gulp of his tea, emptying the glass. “I’ve got sales contracts out for the last three griffins. Can we visit Sutrio… damn. She needs help sooner than we can get there.”

Something he’d said earlier bubbled up in her mind. “I wonder if Pim might be available.”

“Pim?” His tone invited her to explain.

“You know him as Berend Okaansson, the translator for your griffin sales contracts. His friends call him Pim. I grew up with him. He’s got a couple of decades of trade experience and his own solo ship, but his family won’t let him use it. They keep him in the back office as a glorified porter.”

Zade nodded. “I remember him. Tall for a Volksstamer. The griffins liked him as much as he liked them.” He rubbed one eye. “What’s the malfunction with his family?”

“They’re living in the past. They adopted a very talented outsider a few generations back, but they tank at business. They’re too proud to admit they can’t afford to operate their crewed ships anymore.” She made a rude sound. “But I’ll bet they’d take a commission from the Robyn family right now. They hate the Kraiiens.”

“Let’s ask him. I’ll help pay that commission.” He turned to her. “How about this? I get my new Volksstam friends who love ships to show me theirs, and ask about likely candidates for sale. I’ll check with Lantham, too. You slice-and-haul every credit you can out of Kraiiens, then convince Benthe we’ve been charged by gods of Chaos for a galactic peace and harmony mission. Our first stop will be the griffin sanctuary to see how Sutrio is doing.”

“You’re good at plans, too.” Until she met him, she’d never realized what a difference a positively adventurous partner made in her life.

“You’ll have to help me with a new identity that’ll pass CGC authentication. They’ve gotten less lazy about checking these days. And maybe a bodyshop visit, too.” He ran a hand over the lightning pattern sculpted into the side of his short, dark hair. “A Volksstam style won’t fool grudge-holding captains who still want me for vengeance.”

“She can’t have you.” Julke pulled him in for a firm, possessive kiss. “You’re mine, and I’m keeping you.”