Now that she was forced to look at him, she didn't back down. Straightening her back, she looked directly into his eyes. "Seems like you enjoyed it."

56.

"I haven't been intimate with a female since my mate died seventeen cycles ago. Do you honestly think some random woman interests me?"

Releasing her chin, he walked down the hall toward where the commander was being held. The outer door slid shut once he made his way inside. The brig was relatively small compared to the one on Eurus. A total of four cells with solid doors lined the room. In the center there was a simple table and two chairs, the primary area for interrogation.

Taber walked over to the first cell on his left and waited for Jenny to open the door.

When she finally did, it revealed a man lying on his back, his arm draped over his eyes, on a narrow cot along one side of the cell.

"It's about f.u.c.king time someone showed up."

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Bruce sat up, dropping his arm to his side and putting his feet flat on the floor in one smooth motion. He didn't say anything for a moment, getting a good look at Taber.

He knew he would do the same in a similar situation. Size up your interrogator, see how painful this was about to be.

Which all depended on Taber's mood.

"Commander Bruce." He nodded. "I'm Taber."

"You're Briel?"

"From the Eurus colony."

"Captain asked for help from the colony?"

"You seem surprised."

Bruce shrugged. "Zane isn't one for letting outsiders into his little world. He must feel this is bigger than a dead body in a bar."

Taber stepped aside, holding his hand out wide, inviting Bruce to step outside.

When the other man didn't react at first, Taber moved out to the interrogation table and stood by one of the chairs. It took a few minutes, but Bruce eventually stepped out of the cell, scanning the area carefully before he emerged fully.

"I'm surprised Tony isn't here. He's been strutting by my cell every few hours since he arrested me. Aren't you going to sit?"

Raising an eyebrow, Taber c.o.c.ked his head and gestured toward the chair. "I prefer to stand. Why did they arrest you after the death of Nate Keaton?"

Bruce ran a hand through his hair and down his face before leaning back in his chair. "Nate and I didn't get along some days. Difference in management styles if you'd like. But I swear, while his arrogant a.s.s drove me nuts most days, I wouldn't kill him."

"Tell me what you know."

"I was doing my rounds. Things were pretty quiet as we were between planetary sectors, not a lot of visitors on board. I got an emergency signal come in from B deck, engineering. By the time I made it up there to check, whoever it was had gone."

57.

"And when you got back?"

"Nate was dead and they were saying I was the one who killed him."

Something was definitely wrong with the whole scenario. "Did you?"

"No! Look I had nothing to gain from his death. This is a small community. If anything happened to Nate, I'd be their first suspect. Why the h.e.l.l would I open myself up like that?"

"Murder is hardly rational."

"I didn't do it!"

Bruce slammed his hand down on the table, jumping to his feet and leaned over the table. The man was panting as he had his eyes locked on Taber.

"Commander, I've checked the records. There wasn't a distress call on the logs for that night. Nor is there any computer sensor readings indicating you were anywhere but on the main level of the ship that night."

"f.u.c.k." Bruce dropped his head to his chest and let out a frustrated hiss. "I don't know what to tell you. I'm being set up."

"Who would want to do that?"

"I could rattle off a list half a f.u.c.king page long if you'd like. In case you haven't noticed, I've got a bit of a temper."

"I want that list of names and make sure you haven't missed any. Then we'll see about getting you out of here."

Taber turned to leave as Bruce straightened. "Wait, you believe me?"

"There was another murder tonight."

"Are they connected? If so-"

"I'm well aware that it would a.s.sist in proving your innocence. For the moment, you'll stay here. I suggest you get back into your cell, Commander."

"Hey, thank you."

Not bothering to respond, Taber waited for the outer security door to open, and marched outside. Fallon was waiting for him, standing with her back to the wall opposite Jenny's desk. The two women weren't speaking, weren't looking at each other, but both looked at him as he emerged.

"Where is the evidence against the Commander being kept?"

Jenny stood but kept her eyes averted as she typed something into the computer.

"We have everything in the vault and a holo of all physical evidence in the computer. I can get it for you."

Taber nodded. He tried to keep his gaze away from Fallon, knowing he wouldn't be able to hide from her emotions. When Jenny handed him the chip with the holo information, Taber nodded once.

"Thank you. I will let you know if I require further information."

"Yes, sir."

58.

Fallon turned and walked out the door before he'd barely turned around. As he left, he heard Jenny mutter b.i.t.c.h under her breath. It took him a minute to catch up with Fallon's determined strides. She wasn't heading toward the crew quarters but rather in the direction of her bar.

"Where are you going?" he asked once he fell into step behind her.

"I need a drink."

"I thought you weren't allowed to consume alcohol while on duty."

She glared over at him but said nothing.

"You do realize your bar is still a crime scene?"

"Well since I don't think you're going to leave me alone anytime soon, I'm not worried about touching something you don't want me to."

Taber looked around the corridor quickly, but there were too many people around to do what he wanted to her. The privacy of the bar would give them an opportunity to talk uninterrupted. He needed that time alone with her, needed it to figure out what he was feeling. He hated confusion.

Once they finally reached their destination, Fallon stood and waited for Taber to release the security code. He could feel her anger and frustration coming off her as waves. He wished there was something he could do to make things right between them, but anything he thought of seemed insufficient. While entering the bar went against every investigation principle he knew, he also needed to help Fallon, had to keep her safe. Taber pressed the lock, which released the door, allowing them to enter.

He didn't say anything, watching her walk around the tables and make her way straight to the bar. She took the longer way around though, avoided the storage room where they'd found Nate. He knew the pain of losing her friend was still sharp, that it would be with her a long time. He'd give anything to take that burden from her, save her heart that hard, painful ache.

"So do Briel drink socially, or is that another one of those things you can't do?"

There was something about her tone that set the warning alerts off in his mind.

"We can drink. Though I don't find your human beverages very strong."

Fallon snorted and reached behind the bar. "The Afterburner didn't do it for you, huh? I can fix that."

Taber made his way over to her slowly as she pulled out four bottles of varying size, shape and color. Her hands began to fly as she flipped bottles in the air, twirled them around in her hands, all while pouring various amounts of liquid into the large metal shaker she'd set in front of her. He was in silent awe of her grace and speed. Once everything was inside, she began to shake, flip and toss the mixing container into the air.

"Impressive."

"Thanks. My uncle owned a bar on Earth. He made me practice for hours on end when I'd hang out with him."

59.

With one final flip, she poured the cherry-red liquid into two gla.s.ses before tossing the mixer into a sink. The gentle thunk of the gla.s.s on the bar echoed in the quiet room.

"Bottoms up," she said, picking up the gla.s.s and downing the contents in a single swallow.

Taber picked up his gla.s.s, eyeing the contents for a moment before mimicking Fallon. The rich red color had fooled him into thinking it was a sweet drink. Instead the harsh burn of alcohol seared his throat on its way to his stomach.

"Well?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

He looked up at her and grinned. "Enjoyable."

She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. "I think that's the first time I've really seen you smile like that."

"Your drink must be more powerful than I thought."

Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he couldn't hold himself back any longer and made his way around the bar. Fallon didn't move, instead pressing her back against the bar when he reached her side.

"No customers back here."

"Is that a ship rule?"

"Fallon's rule."

"What other rules do you have? I would hate to create a galactic incident due to ignorance."

He put his hands against the bar on either side of her, pinning her to the spot. Her heat and her scent made him dizzy, a pleasant aphrodisiac that mixed well with the alcohol. She had to tip her head back to be able to look him in the eye, her smile replaced with a look of intense curiosity.

"Rule one, never upset your bartender."

"And how do I keep her happy?" Please tell me how to make you happy.

Fallon breathed in deep, her gaze shifting from his eyes to his lips.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" he asked, his gaze searching hers for some silent answer.

He purposely kept his voice low but dipped his head closer, allowing him to inhale her scent more. Because of either the drink or his proximity to her, Taber's head began to buzz, and shivers of arousal washed over his body.

"Do you, Fallon?"

When she sighed and tipped her head back, he took that as a sign. He brushed his lips against hers without opening his mouth. The light kiss of skin against skin made him shiver. Coming back for a second pa.s.s, this time he made sure to increase the contact, pressing his lips hard against her. Their voices mingled together in a moan of pleasure, eliciting a reaction from his body. His c.o.c.k grew, as he pressed his hips against her stomach.