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16

Penulis: Aurelia Skye
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2022-12-15 23:50:27

Chapter 16

Tiernan had returned to the suite for a folder he’d forgotten before his breakfast meeting with Tex. He opened the door a couple of inches and froze when he realized Madison was entertaining Pru. He started to go on in, but froze again when he heard the other girl ask about little Archers. His heart stuttered as they discussed babies, and he found himself holding his breath when Pru asked her fateful question. Madison’s vague answer filled him with disappointment and another emotion he couldn’t identify.

Easing backward, he made sure to step forcefully, so they would hear him coming. This time when he opened the suite door, they were talking about the goods available at Pike Place Market, particularly baby items. He smiled and greeted them both before retrieving his folder, never letting his neutral expression falter. It wasn’t until he was out of the room and making his way back to the dining room where Tex waited that he allowed his thoughts to return to the overhead conv
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  • Reluctant Companion: Futuristic Dark Romance   42 & Epilogue

    Chapter 42They didn’t have much more of a chance to talk until several hours later, back in their suite. She was curled against him on the spacious bed, providing what comfort she could. While she had stood by his side during the ordeal of removing Aidan’s body and explaining to his troops what had happened—and the need to ferret out all those loyal to his dead brother—she could only imagine how soul-wrenching it had been for Tiernan.It had been draining for her too, and she knew killing Aidan would haunt her nightmares for years to come, but now was not the time to have a cathartic release of emotion by discussing her role in his execution. That time would come after Tiernan had healed a bit first.At least she was sure he harbored no resentment toward her for killing Aidan. Tiernan had held her hand or kept her within touching distance throughout the time they had dealt with the aftermath. She’d had to bite her tongue not to counter him when he’d claimed responsibility for Aidan’s

  • Reluctant Companion: Futuristic Dark Romance   41

    Chapter 41They stared at each other for a moment, hurt and confusion—along with a strong undercurrent of anger—in Tiernan’s eyes. “How could you do all this, Aidan?”Aidan shrugged. “I’ve already explained all that to Madison. Perhaps she can enlighten you, if you both survive.”Madison bit her fist as the men surged together, trading punches and kicks. They grunted in their exertion, and she honestly couldn’t tell who was winning for several minutes. It wasn’t until Tiernan managed to shove Aidan’s head up, his arm against his throat, that she saw a chance to help. Without hesitation, she grasped the pitcher on the dresser and slammed the pottery down on Aidan’s head. He slumped atop Tiernan a second later.Tiernan pushed him off, wincing as he got to his feet. He cradled his middle. “I think he broke a rib.”“Are you okay?”He nodded, though grimaced. “I’m glad you didn’t call out.”She frowned. “I didn’t? I just stood there frozen?” Shaking her head, Madison let some of her self-d

  • Reluctant Companion: Futuristic Dark Romance   40

    Chapter 40“It used to be a bathroom,” said Aidan conversationally. “Joseph Archer was a bit eccentric and had a lot of unused rooms bricked off. He claimed it would reduce heating costs. There’s a shared bathroom down the hall.”Swallowing thickly, she turned slowly, not sure how to reply or even begin to justify her reasons for being here. “Uh…”He smiled, and it was full of gentleness. “It’s okay. I know why you’re here.”Madison couldn’t look away from the crossbow at his side. “Uh…”Aidan glanced down at it before setting it on the nightstand. “I’m not going to shoot you, Madison.”Relief surged through her. She had been wrong. Not about him being the missing twin, she was sure, but he clearly wasn’t the one who had killed Joan.Shaking his head, he said, “No, then they’d know it was me. It has to look like rebels.”Ice water coursed through her veins at his words, and she took a step back without thinking, running right into the brick wall. Her mind searched for a way out, but a

  • Reluctant Companion: Futuristic Dark Romance   39

    Chapter 39She had reached no conclusion by the time Tiernan came back a little while later. Getting to her feet, she went to him to lean against her lover. “Do you have any idea who did this?”Tiernan hugged her tightly against him. “No, but I’ve asked Aidan to investigate. The shocking randomness of the crime makes no sense.”“Maybe it wasn’t so random,” said Madison, convinced of at least one thing. Joan’s secret had been the reason for her death. Drawing Tiernan over to a loveseat away from Catherine’s cold gaze, she put her arm around his shoulder and told him what she had learned as gently as possible.He sat in stunned silence for several minutes, before shaking his head. “No, that can’t be.”Madison understood his reluctance to accept it. “I’m sure she was telling the truth, Tiernan. Somewhere, you have a twin brother.” And someone willing to kill to protect his location. She didn’t voice that thought, not wanting to upset him further.His lips compressed. “How could she do it

  • Reluctant Companion: Futuristic Dark Romance   38

    Chapter 38Her heart skipped a beat. “So he did die.”She shook her head. “No. Commander Archer was a good leader, but cold.”Madison nodded her agreement, having reached that conclusion just by what Tiernan had revealed about his childhood. “I can imagine.”“She didn’t want the Federation torn apart by two heirs, and she said there was no room for co-leaders. A commander had to make the final decision with no one having the authority to question him.”Madison grimaced. “She was thinking all this as she held her babies?”Joan scowled. “No, dear. She found out in her second trimester she was having twins, so she had time to think and plan. When the babies were born, she never held the younger one. Instead, she had me take him to his father, and troops escorted them from Seattle-Archer, along with instructions never to return.” Looking disgusted, she shook her head. “The woman just sent away her infant without looking back, as though he was no concern to her at all.”Madison’s heart stu

  • Reluctant Companion: Futuristic Dark Romance   37

    Chapter 37Madison had expected to have some morning-after regrets, to second guess her decision to put the betrayal behind her and move on. To her relief, she had nary a flicker of doubt as she woke up beside her lover. Her only moderate regret was perhaps a lack of sleep. She was exhausted from their marathon lovemaking and couldn’t stifle a yawn.He grinned. “I wore you out.”To her amusement, he also yawned. “It looks mutual, my love.” Trailing her hand up his chest, she rested her palm between his pecs. “I had planned to go to the clinic today.”He frowned, but didn’t issue a dictate. She gave him points for diplomacy when he said, “Maybe you should take a nap this morning and go in the afternoon.”Madison nodded, having already reached that conclusion. “I think you should join me.”Tiernan lifted a corner of his mouth. “We both know there won’t be any sleeping if I stay.”Sticking out her lower lip, she said, “I need you more than sleep.”He shook his head, softening the rejecti

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