The doctor CAT Command had assigned came as a pleasant surprise. Gwen Mitchell was ex-military. She had, in fact, trained under his stepmother, Marie. The doctor had joined CAT after marrying a biologist already with the teams. In her forties, she’d had excellent reviews for her entire career and Dr. Mitchell wouldn’t be useless if the situation deteriorated and she was forced to pick up a weapon.
His communications specialist was another story. Stacey Johnson from Podunk, Iowa. She was Ravyn’s best friend and his sister had talked about her constantly, but he’d only met her once at comm school graduation. Although she had six years on his sister, Ravyn had seemed more assured, more confident. Stacey hadn’t even been able to look him in the eye for more than a couple of seconds at a time.
Alex ran a hand over the top of his head. With no training, no experience handling hot situations and no knowledge of military comm procedures, she’d be a liability. He’d have to watch over her every minute to keep her from getting herself or someone else killed. Unless he could convince her to withdraw from the team. He’d found a comm spec on the CAT roster who had military time in. Granted, his record hadn’t been stellar, but at least the man would be able to pull his own weight.
He mulled over what he knew about her, which was a lot thanks to Ravyn, then pushed himself to his feet. Stacey Johnson was the type who was fifteen minutes early for everything. The rest of the team wouldn’t appear until briefing time. If he hustled down to the room, he’d have a good ten minutes to convince her it was in everyone’s best interest to withdraw.
Alex barely slowed long enough to return salutes on his trek to the meeting room. Sure enough, there was one woman sitting alone in the room when he arrived. He had only a vague recollection of his sister’s friend, but he would never forget that striking shade of strawberry blond hair.
He hesitated for a moment trying to think of the best way to accomplish his goal. Before he could formulate a plan, she turned and caught him staring. Alex moved into the room with a casualness he did not feel.
“Hello, Stacey Johnson. I’m Alex Sullivan. I don’t know if you remember, but we met at Ravyn’s graduation.” He held out his hand. Her hesitation was brief, but he caught it. When her hand met his, it was ice cold and damp. Talking her off the mission would be a piece of cake. She was already nervous and they hadn’t left Earth. Hell, they hadn’t even had the briefing yet.
“It was my graduation too,” she pointed out.
The assertion had Alex mentally stumbling for a second before he said, “Yes, of course.” He wasn’t used to being off balance, but with one, declarative sentence this woman had managed it.
Alex decided on the direct approach. Something in her clear, hazel eyes led him to believe she had a low tolerance for manipulation. He leaned his hips against the table across the aisle from her and crossed his arms over his chest. “Stacey, let me be frank with you. The situation on Jarved Nine is not good.”
“I understand that. I’ve seen General Bouchard almost continually on the news for the last twenty-four hours.”
Her guarded tone made Alex wonder what she thought. He studied her, trying to put the pieces together. She’d fastened her shoulder-length hair back with a clip. She wore no makeup and kept her nails short and unpolished. He’d describe her clothes as functional, although it took Alex a second to suppress the desire to smile. With all the khaki she wore, she looked prepared to go out on safari. All she needed was a pith helmet.
“This mission,” he said seriously and leaned forward to add emphasis to his words, “isn’t an adventure or a lark. The emergency beacon on J Nine was activated five days ago. It didn’t remain on long before being deactivated, but there has been no communication between Earth and the CAT team. Even more alarming, there has been no contact with the Spec Ops team training on the planet when this incident occurred.”
“That’s why you need me. I’m as good as Ravyn when it comes to communications. I’ll be able to fix any problem with the equipment on Jarved Nine,” she said, her determination obvious and Alex readjusted his thinking. So much for easy, he thought.
“If you’re as good as Ravyn, then it follows she would have fixed any problem that cropped up. No, something much more dangerous has happened than an electronics glitch. I need someone who doesn’t require a babysitter.” Alex straightened away from the table. “I’m going to have you pulled from the team.”
Stacey was out of her chair before he took a step. “If you try to have me pulled, I’ll talk to General Bouchard. How long do you think you’ll be assigned to lead the rescue once he finds out your stepsister is on Jarved Nine?”
“Blackmail?” Alex asked coldly. He couldn’t quite reconcile this threat with what he knew about the woman.
“Whatever works,” she asserted. Her mouth trembled slightly, but she firmed it and stared resolutely up at him.
Alex didn’t have to manufacture his most intimidating look. He was furious. She swallowed hard, but didn’t back down even when he took a step closer so he could tower over her. Stacey raised her chin defiantly, and her eyes didn’t waver from his.
Since she held all the cards, he conceded the battle to her and moved to the front of the room. If Blowhard found out about Ravyn, he would waste no time pulling him from the mission. And there was no way Alex was leaving Ravyn’s fate in someone else’s hands.
*** *** ***
The ship vibrated almost violently and the acceleration pushed her body against the high-backed chair. It wouldn’t get any better until the pilots switched from maneuvering speed to full velocity. Stacey held on to the arms of her seat with more strength than necessary. The idea of traveling in space didn’t leave her white knuckled, but Alex Sullivan sitting next to her made her nerves tap-dance.
He’d remained coldly furious with her since she’d issued her ultimatum, but he had also made himself her partner. Or babysitter, she corrected with a frown. Alex definitely did not consider her an equal, let alone a valuable, member of his team. Still, he hadn’t left her side since they’d gathered this morning. He’d even sat beside her on the transport off Earth to the full-sized ship docked at one of the space stations.
Well, she’d dreamed someday Ravyn’s brother would notice her, but she’d always imagined it in a positive way. This definitely fell under the heading “be careful what you wish for.” Right now, she wished he would go away, but until the ship hit open space, they had to remain strapped in their seats.
“Relax,” he told her, “or you’ll burst a blood vessel.”
“You wish,” she said.
Oh, good comeback, Stace.
She should have ignored him, but Alex had been poking at her for more than twenty-four hours and she was sick of it.
“It’s too late to get a replacement,” he said laconically. Since they were nearly out of controlled space, she guessed it was. Why couldn’t he accept she was part of the team?
Stacey didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until he looked at her and said, “I’ve had no choice but to accept you, but by forcing yourself along, you’re siphoning off manpower. Instead of focusing on the J Nine situation, I’m going to have to keep an eye on you.”
They’d been over this before, Stacey thought and sighed. She’d love to tell Alex he was sexist, but it wasn’t true. He had no problem with Dr. Mitchell or the two female members of the flight crew. Just her. Her lack of military training didn’t mean she’d be a detriment. He assumed something catastrophic had happened. General Bouchard had said onscreen there had never been a serious incident at any CAT base. Stacey refused to believe anything had changed that safety record.
Alex was overreacting because Ravyn was there.
The ride smoothed out and Alex released his safety harness just before the chime signaled they were out of Earth’s control sector. Evidently, he couldn’t wait to get out of her vicinity. Stacey watched him walk away. The man was too everything. Too tall, too intense, too intimidating, too arrogant, too sexy. Too gorgeous. She had taken one look at him when Ravyn had introduced them six years ago and fallen in love. She doubted the experience had been as memorable for him. When he hadn’t been doting on Ravyn, his focus had been on the beautiful ice blonde that had accompanied him. He’d barely noticed his sister’s best friend.
Not that she blamed him. She was average in every way. Nothing made her stand out from the crowd. She didn’t want to be flashy, but she didn’t want to be ignored either. Stacey slumped back in her seat and closed her eyes. She had been too excited to sleep last night and now tiredness caught up with her. She’d almost drifted off when the feeling of being watched made her slowly open her eyes. Alex stood towering over her, his muscular thighs spread so he had a foot on either side of her extended legs.
Stacey didn’t say a word, just drank him in. His light brown hair was liberally kissed by the sun and cut ruthlessly short. That particular military requirement was a shame, she thought dreamily. Alex would look good with longer hair. His face and hands were darkly tanned and she wondered how much of the rest of him was the same shade. Her eyes trailed over heavily muscled flesh, admiring the fit of his camouflage fatigues. He had big hands, she noticed, wondering if it was true what that implied. Her lips curved at the thought.
The sound of a throat being cleared had her glancing up in question. She didn’t miss the humor on his too handsome face or the fact that his brown eyes glittered with amusement. “If you’re done ogling my body, I want to go over this with you.”
Stacey colored in mortification. How could she have forgotten, even for a moment, that this was the real Alex Sullivan and not some fantasy? She couldn’t hide the fierce blush that burned her face, but she was able to ask normally enough, “Go over what?”
He waved the paper he held and Stacey felt her blush deepen. She hadn’t even noticed he had something in his hand. The mission had barely begun and she’d already blown her appearance of disregard. Darn it. “What is that?” she asked.
“This is a schedule. You may have forced yourself on this mission, but I don’t have to accept your incompetence.”
Stacey furiously tried to push herself to her feet, only to be stopped short. She’d never unsnapped her safety harness. He managed to laugh at her without emitting a sound or changing his facial expression. Which only incited her anger further.
Deliberately, she opened the catch and stood. Alex didn’t move, which left her standing too close for her peace of mind. “I am not incompetent,” she got out between gritted teeth. She had a strong urge to give him a hard shove, but she knew better.
He ignored her assertion, and after folding the paper, slipped it in one of her pockets. “This is your training schedule. I have fifteen days to get you whipped into shape.” His eyes ran down her body, then up again. “Don’t be late. We’ll need every minute.”
He left Stacey sputtering.
*** *** ***
“How can you say the curse hasn’t been lifted?” Carmichael demanded. “The Cubs played in the World Series.”
Alex didn’t stop. He kept walking past the members of the team gathered in the lounge.
“They lost, man! Up three games to none and they dropped four straight.” Baxter sounded every bit as vehement.
Voices rose and ran over each other until he couldn’t tell who said what. The sides seemed to be equally divided on whether or not the jinx was over. The idea that a hex existed was never questioned, he noted, shaking his head in disbelief. The group did finally manage to agree, however, that there was no telling how long it would take the Cubs to make it to the Series again.
Alex settled himself in a chair off in the corner and tuned them out. He didn’t believe in bad luck or voodoo and he didn’t want to get pulled into a discussion about it.
He had other things to consider.
Like the fact that a certain wasp-tongued little hick wanted in his pants. Given the look of complete lust in her eyes, he figured she’d fantasized about that very thing a time or two before. He didn’t have to think hard on how he felt about it.
The twitch in his shorts said it all.
It didn’t matter how much that particular part of him throbbed; it wasn’t getting relief anytime soon. Even if the timing didn’t stink, even if he weren’t leading the team, he still wouldn’t act on it. Everything he knew about her indicated Stacey didn’t have sex; she made love. And Alex didn’t invest that much of himself in relationships with women. Not anymore.
“Alex, may I sit down?” Dr. Mitchell asked, interrupting his thoughts.
“Of course.” Alex stood until the older woman was seated and then took his chair again.
“I know Ravyn is on Jarved Nine. Are you okay?”
“Sure.”
She didn’t say another word, just lifted one brow.
Alex held his silence for a few seconds. Gwen Mitchell had been a frequent visitor to the Sullivan household when he’d been a teenager and he knew there was no stonewalling her. “Okay, so I’m worried. I’ve got a bad feeling about what’s going on.”
“So do I,” Dr. Mitchell said solemnly. “Ravyn isn’t the only person I’m concerned about. I don’t know if you realize how close CAT team members are to each other. We become like family even before going off world.”
“Ravyn’s mentioned something to that effect,” Alex said.
Dr. Mitchell stared at him, taking his measure. Fifteen years ago he might have squirmed under her steady regard, but not now. Alex knew who he was, knew his abilities and his weaknesses and he was comfortable in his skin.
After a moment she nodded. “One of the theories, probably your lead theory, is a member of the team lost it up on J Nine. That the isolation and seeing the same faces day after day made them snap. Maybe this person destroyed the comm equipment; maybe he even hurt some of the other team members.”
“It’s the most logical supposition.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Closeness doesn’t guarantee someone wouldn’t hurt the other team members. Look at how many murders are committed by family members,” Alex argued quietly.
“I know. I won’t bring up the battery of psychological tests each person went through before being accepted into CAT,” the doctor said, “although you know how extensive it is.”