Born of Ice

Alix pulled the panel closed. Devyn held it in place as she tightened the screws. “May I pry as to what happened with the Rits?”


Devyn started to tell her to mind her own business, but what difference did it make? If she did even a modest search on his parents, she’d find it all out, anyway. “My parents brought down their ruling house a few years before I was born. As a result, the Rits are holding a grudge against any Dagan or Syn they can find. Being their only child, I’m a special nubby treat for the Rits.”

“But your last name’s Kell.”

His grin was even more charming. “And now you know why. My parents were paranoid that one of the Rits would take revenge on me for what they did, so I’ve never had their names. Hell, their real names aren’t even listed on my birth certificate.”

She gaped at that. In this day and age when IDs ruled everything, how had he gone to school or even owned anything? “Then how—”

“They had fake IDs they used whenever I had to register for something as a kid. Keeping me safe and alive has always been their primary objective.”

She couldn’t fathom that kind of love. Her father would have gladly thrown her to the worst predators to keep himself safe.

And it went a long way in explaining why Merjack was so gung-ho to get him. He was in a grudge match with the ones who’d taken down his family. “Have you ever done anything to the Rits?”

“No. As I said, we stay out of their territory. While I’m pissed off over what they did to my dad when he was a kid, the ones who tortured him are long dead by his hands. I’m not one to take my anger out on the innocent.”

He was a better man than Merjack, and it sent a wave of guilt through her. But she refused to listen to her conscience. That same conscience would be screaming even louder if something happened to her family because she failed them.

Which reminded her . . .

“You have a son?”

A proud smile curled his lips. “I do. He’s a great kid, in spite of having been around me.”

“But he doesn’t travel with you?”

“Normally he does—he’s actually my co-pilot. He’s been off with some friends for a couple of weeks and he’s the most important thing we’ll be picking up on Nera when we get there.”

She loved the way his face lit up while he talked about seeing his son. It warmed her in a way she would never have thought possible. “Ah, gotcha.”

“You’ll like Omari. He’s a lot like me, only much better-looking.”

That she couldn’t imagine. “I’m sure I’ll adore him.”

Devyn didn’t know why those words seared him, but they did. More than that, they caused an image of her holding a baby to flash through his mind. That would probably scare most men, but having partially raised Omari, he wanted more children. He’d thoroughly enjoyed watching Omari grow up and learn things while becoming one hell of a man. If he could ever find the right woman, he’d love to have a house full of kids.

And that thought turned his mind to what it took to create a baby . . .

Which brought him back to an image of Alix naked.

I have so got to get laid . . .

This was getting ridiculous. “I’m heading back to my office. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks.”

Alix watched as Devyn walked away from her. Damn, he had the best backside she’d ever seen. She could stare at that man all day long.

It was getting harder and harder to reconcile his ruthless reputation with a man who loved his son so much. One who was so easy to talk to and who looked after her.

Sighing, she headed back to her room to get ready to de-ship and buy the part they needed.



As soon as they docked on Miremba, Alix met Sway and Devyn at the ramp. Sway was dressed in dark gray while Devyn, freshly showered, was delectable in black. The mere scent of him was enough to make her hot.

Sway smirked at Devyn, who refused to even look at her. “Happy hunting, buddy. May the gods be with you.”

“Fuck you, Sway,” he snarled. He shot down the ramp as soon as it finished extending.

Alix passed a puzzled frown to Sway. “What was that about?”

Sway laughed evilly. “Devyn’s got a bad case of blue balls, which, while common for me, is an extremely rare condition for him. He’s hoping to find some relief from them while you and Vik get the part and repair the ship. I’m staying behind to make sure no one here screws with the Talia.”

“Ooookay,” she said, emphasizing the word. “More than I needed to know about the captain.”

“Not really. You’re the one who gave them to him.” Sway laughed again as he walked off.

Alix could only gape as Vik joined her. Her face exploded with heat.

“You should be flattered.”

She arched a brow at Vik. “How so?”

“One, that Devyn wants you that badly and two, that he thinks enough of you not to come on to you—another thing that is rare for him. Usually when he wants a woman he’s lusting after, he gets her pretty easily.”