Master of Her Heart (Sons of Amber Book 2) Read Free Page B

“I’m always glad to help, brother. Truth be told, I’ve been a little restless lately. This kind of assignment ought to be just the thing.”
    “Leah filled you in on the details?”
    Ty noted the odd tone of Michael’s voice and it puzzled him. Mike was usually the steadiest of men. The slight waver when he spoke his XO’s name concerned him.
    “She sent me the pertinent facts. I can infiltrate out in that sector pretty easily. I’ve laid the groundwork. A few of the tamer pirates know me and will vouch for me with the others.”
    “That’s good.” Mike knocked back his drink and leaned his head against the back of the big chair, stretching out.
    “You want to tell me what’s wrong? Does it have something to do with Leah?”
    That got Mike’s attention. His eyes popped open and he glared in Ty’s direction.
    “I’m not even going to ask how you figured that one out.” Mike sighed heavily and his eyes closed again. “It’s nothing. She’s the best damned XO I’ve ever had.”
    “And the most beautiful. Not to mention capable.”
    “She is that,” Mike agreed. “But she’s beside the point.”
    “Maybe.” Ty decided to let the matter of Leah drop. He’d seen them interact. There was more to that story than either one would admit, but he figured they’d sort it out in time.
    “So what’s this restlessness about? Want to change careers?” Mike knew him better than that, but Ty recognized the wry, almost teasing tone. He decided to come clean. Mike knew him well. He was also highly placed. Maybe he knew more about the situation with the Sons who’d found life mates than he’d let on.
    “I think it has to do with those marriages lately. I never thought Zeke would take himself off the market.”
    “Yeah, I was a little surprised at first, but his Angela is one hell of a woman.”
    “You’ve met her then?”
    Mike’s eyes held a knowing gleam Ty recognized immediately. Every once in a while Sons gave each other a hand with a woman. It was rare, but they’d all done it a time or two.
    “Angela is perfect for Zeke. I think they’ll have a happy life together.”
    “I hope you’re right.” Ty leaned forward on the couch. “Mike, do you think there’s a woman for each of us? Lately I’ve been feeling…I don’t know…a little incomplete. I feel something strange when I see some of our brothers partnering up with just one woman. Like maybe that’s what I want.”
    “You got a special woman in mind?” Mike studied him.
    “Maybe.” Ty was reticent. “I don’t really know what love is. But I think I want to find out.”
    “When you figure it out, let me know.” Mike’s eyes were haunted and Ty thought his brother might have a bit more first-hand knowledge than he realized.
    They talked of the mission and set up lines of communication they could use. Leah had prepared a set of ident chips for Ty, and they went through the details of the operation before Ty took his leave an hour or two later. He’d grab some sleep, then head out on the next shuttle. He had a job to do.
     
    *
     
    That evening, Leah wrote out her letter of resignation the old fashioned way, as such things deserved, and left it on Michael’s desk with a pang of regret for what could never be. She would miss him—his rare smiles, his determination, his quick mind…and so much more, but she’d soon have his son to coddle and raise. He’d never know it, of course, but she’d cherish the child for his father’s sake, and for his own. It was her fondest wish to have a baby, and there was no doubt in her mind she wanted Michael Amber to be the father. She’d made her decision.
    The only thing that could possibly have made it better was if she had the guts to actually ask Michael to do the deed himself. She knew she couldn’t keep him, but spending even one night in his embrace would be a memory to last a lifetime.
    But she didn’t have that kind of courage.
    For one thing, she didn’t know how to ask for