“He knew I would ignore any messages he sent via server, so he does this. A folder full of eligible women, like they were pretty cattle and I a bull for stud! He says he’s happy to see I’ve found a concubine for my physical needs, a Walker should have a concubine and a wife as well. He’s alarmed though that I’m sharing a woman with you when I should have my own.”

  Brandt chuckled. “Well, it’s not as if I’d imagined myself in this place either.”

  “Does it bother you?” Ash sent over the link.

  Both men were painfully aware of just how much they couldn’t say out loud.

  “Surprisingly, no. I’ve thought a lot about it. Three is the only way to proceed here. Or nothing at all and I don’t think any of us wants that. Now that I’ve had her, known her, I can’t pretend not to want more. I do.”

  Ash paused. “You formed the bridge back to her and I love you for that. Gods know I love being with her again. I’ve missed her so much, more than I could admit to myself and still get through every day. Missed her cries and moans, missed the way she felt with her mouth on my cock, her taste.” Even just the way she filled the room with light whenever she entered it. Sera Ayers made living just that much better for existing.

  Ash knew it’d be a slow road to something with her. Not back to what it was before, too much damage had come between them for that. But they could build something together. With Brandt.

  Ash could see enough to understand his friend felt deeply for Sera and she for him. The extra person took the pressure off them in a sense. There was a kind of refuge in Brandt that Sera could take from him. Ash appreciated that. That extra angle in the relationship enhanced it, rather than harmed it. Helped them forge a new future. And he’d still have his best friend and his woman back again.

  Brandt nodded, speaking out loud again. “My family will hear the news soon enough, I’d wager. Now that your father has sent this missive, mine will hear. He’s already on me to marry and have children. I’m not the oldest or even the second oldest so it’s not as bad for me but still.”

  Brandt didn’t care because he meant to share his future with Sera Ayers. In whatever way he could. One of them would have to marry her, to give her status. He certainly wouldn’t leave her as a woman he only had sex with. He wanted to protect her and yes, it would bind her to him as well. He didn’t have any problem admitting that to himself.

  “Well, it’s a good thing I’m just an unranked concubine then, isn’t it?” Sera walked into the room, pain clear on her face. Her link hadn’t been open to them. He and Ash had been a team long enough to have it open most of the time in situations like this but it was new for her. Damn.

  The bitterness in her voice cut through the casual air she tried to give off. She waved them away. “Oh tell your father not to worry! You’ll find yourself a wife. Gods know that you’re both handsome, intelligent and rich—qualities women do so adore. It’s not as if we’re setting up house, for goodness sake! Now, we had some dinner to attend to?”

  Brandt got up and stalked to her. “Sela.” His voice held a warning. He would not brook her holding herself away from him for whatever happened between her and Ash. “Don’t be jealous, sweet.” He teased but he looked deep into her eyes and shook his head, hard. Her gaze slid away and she kept her link closed. He could push though it but he knew she’d hate that invasion.

  When she wouldn’t meet his eyes he took her chin in his hand and moved her head. Ash came up behind him and put his arms around them both. “Freka, don’t pout, you’re too lovely to mar that face. I’m a bad boy to make you look so forlorn. I must make it up to you.”

  “Don’t be silly. Darlings, a woman of my status knows several things. First among them is that she must accentuate her talents to hold onto that status as long as she can. I did not imagine you would marry me. That would be silly. Now come on, get rid of those long faces! Truly, I know what my role is, neither of you has anything to worry over. When my time is up, it’s up.” She said it in her best Sela purr and it made him angry. She’d used it to hit at them because they’d hurt her.

  Brandt narrowed his eyes at her, hampered by his inability to speak freely.

  “I think it’s rather late for a walking tour, though. Tomorrow perhaps I’ll find some of the other concubines and go exploring a bit. But I will expire of starvation if you two do not feed me soon. I cannot live on your bodies alone.”

  She tried to move away but Ash pulled her tight against him and spoke against her ear. Her hair blocked his face from view. “Open up, Sela.”

  She sighed, slumping a bit and opened to them.

  “You didn’t hear the whole conversation, Freka. Don’t think the worst of me. I’m not walking away, I don’t want to. Brandt isn’t walking away. You’re not just anything to either of us.” His voice was so low even through the link, laced with so much emotion Brandt felt it as much as he heard it.

  Ash kissed down her neck and let her go, letting her get away with not replying for the time being. “Before you lure me back into bed, Freka, we have dinner plans. Brandt accepted an invitation and you look perfect. Shall we go then?” He held out his arm and she put her hand on it.

  Brandt saw her hesitation and kicked himself. She’d obviously misread what was being said and it only played against her experience. They’d have to walk carefully and prove to her she was first with them regardless of Family issues.

  Her link was still open at least. “You need to keep the link open tonight. If something happens, you’ll need instant contact.”

  She nodded at him and looked back to Ash. “Where are you two dragging me off to then? Somewhere nearby I hope?”

  “Tobin Fisk’s home. He’s one of Nondal’s leaders. A close friend of my family’s.” Ash raised a brow for a moment and Sera understood.

  “Oh, let me go and get my bag, I’ve forgotten it in the bedroom.” She needed to be sure she had some of her tools in her bag, tools that looked quite innocuous. A small signal jammer made to look like a brooch and a pretty hair comb that had a data miner in it.

  The men might be searched for such items but as a woman they’d leave her alone. That gave her satisfaction. Using their own stupid attitudes about women against them held a lovely irony.

  Putting her hair back with the comb holding it in place, she tried not to think about the conversation she’d overheard between Brandt and Ash. She’d been stupid to let herself even imagine a future with them. They were important men and of course they’d need to marry. According to status. No matter what Ash said, she more than most, understood the realities of the situation.

  So she had to hold herself back. Take refuge in Sela because she could not afford to let herself care for these men knowing that they’d still be on a team when they both had wives. There was no way she’d be a mistress or concubine while anyone else held the honored title of wife.

  She brushed down the front of the burgundy gown and smiled at her reflection and hoped like hell she didn’t look as bitter and fake as she felt.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “I see the room with the network. I’ll need you to just keep people’s attention for a bit. I’m going to let this gentleman show me his technology and get that miner into play.” Sera sent over the link.

  “I just love your home.” She put her hand on the arm of the man who’d ogled her breasts all evening long. She wanted in that room and he was her ticket.

  “Would you like a tour?” He placed a hand over hers on his arm.

  It was an obvious enough game. He’d flirt, she’d flirt. He’d try it on, not seriously enough he couldn’t talk his way out of it should he be discovered by her men. But some concubines would take him up on the offer for the thrill and possible presents. His money was the only thing he had going for him. He lacked the manners to stare at her discreetly so she didn’t feel too very bad about turning that around on him and using it to her advantage.

  “Oh absolutely.” She fluttered her lashes and tried to appear helpless. Certainly not the kind of woman who’d maneuver him into that data room and mine his network for any information she could to toss him to the Federation authorities if he was helping the Imperialists.

  She pretended to be fascinated as he walked her through the house, pointing out the art on the walls. She also pretended not to be annoyed at the women who kept throwing themselves at Ash and Brandt the moment she got three steps away.

  They weren’t hers anyway. She had to keep remembering that.

  “Oh, what’s that?” She turned to the room with the electronics. “It seems so dark and isolated.” Blech. The last thing she wanted was to be in the dark with this man, but it would serve her purposes and she’d take an extra hot bath when she got back to their cottage.

  “Ah, come in and see, Sela. I’m sure you’ve seen more modern gadgetry back near the Center and all, but I’m quite proud of this.”

  He led her into the room and she reached into her hair to let it fall, as he backed her against, what was conveniently, the data hub.

  One handed, she managed to place the data miner and set it to copy as many files as it could grab. He ground his erection into her thigh as he babbled on about the specs. Specs he had at best a weak grasp on.

  “Can you get away from your escorts for a while?” he asked her, his mouth very close to her neck.

  She swallowed her revulsion as she grabbed the miner and palmed it.

  “I don’t think so. I do appreciate the invitation to what I’m sure would be a satisfying interlude. But my men are quite perceptive and I’m quite happy where I am.” She brushed past him on the way out.

  * * *

  Ash watched Sera out of the corner of his eye as she glided back into the room. He was relieved she’d been able to get out of that network room without any problems. He and Brandt had hoped to get near that room themselves but she was far better suited for it. Clever. Still, an unsettled feeling had remained around her.

  Outwardly, there was no real change in her behavior. But since they’d left the cottage earlier, he’d sensed a careful drawing away just beneath the surface. It made his skin itch. He needed her to know he was true. Needed her to believe he’d risk anything to be with her. Especially now that she’d allowed him back into her life.

  She charmed the men at the dinner party carefully and well within her role. The party was absent wives. They’d be off somewhere safe from the likes of mistresses and concubines. The women in attendance bore the same coquettish manner. Sera stood out like a golden light. The others’ eyes held a calculating gleam. He understood it. He knew it was a matter of survival for them to keep from those lower levels. At the same time, he was glad Sera had other choices.

  Sera had a wit about her and a mischief that drew people. None of the other women appeared to be threatened as soon as they knew she was with him and Brandt. After all, she had no need to trade down to one of their protectors. Still, Ash had had to tactfully turn aside several pointed invitations from women looking to escape Nondal.

  One such woman rubbed herself over him shamelessly as she repeatedly tried to grab his crotch. Brandt hid a smirk of amusement as he glanced back now and again, never taking his eyes from Sera for more than a few moments.

  Sera looked up from the knot of men who’d surrounded her and saw him, raising a brow at the woman’s behavior. He sent her a pitiful look and she patted several arms and made her way over to him.

  “Excuse me,” Sera purred, waiting for the other woman to notice she was standing there. She did with a slight jump away from Ash, guilt on her face.

  “Oh hello, Sela.” The other woman kept her eyes down and Sera sighed.

  “Branwen is it? Yes, that’s it. I’m going to pretend this behavior isn’t beneath us both. If you want out of here, you must use subtlety. Especially if you wish to bump another concubine or mistress out of the way. That’s not going to happen with me.” Sera fluttered her lashes at the other woman. “Now I believe your escort is in need of a drink and the yellow haired girl is trying to take care of that.”

  Branwen’s anger at Sera’s speech died when she heard the last bit and she jumped up and ran off.

  “Thank you, Freka. Come and sit with me to protect my honor, please.” Ash patted the couch next to him and she rolled her eyes before sitting, curling into his side.

  “You’re going to have to be a big boy and protect yourself. Whatever will you do when I’m gone?” Her tone was teasing but Ash’s brow furrowed.

  “It’s a good thing we have no plans whatsoever to get rid of you, then, Freka.”

  She waved his comment away and Brandt sat on her other side, taking her hand and kissing each finger.

  Ash felt her brush up against the link and opened to her. She leaned into him, her lips against his ear, making it look as if she were propositioning him. Instead she spoke through the link to fill them in.

  “I was able to attach the miner but I’m not sure what I was able to procure. I did hear Stander will be here first thing in the morning and he’s bringing a male guest. Someone no one here seems to know. Stander has referred to him as a business partner and there will be meetings of some sort with the guest and Nondalese officials.”

  It was hard to think with her so close but the details sent his brain into analytical mode. “We’ll need to keep an eye on who this partner is. I think you’re right when you say he can’t be doing all this alone. The data they were able to procure to set up this last attack was so sensitive it had well connected Family all over it.”

  She sucked on his earlobe a moment, making it difficult for him to hold that train of thought. “I agree. The dinner tomorrow night will have this guest attending.”

  He grabbed her hand and nibbled on her fingers before moving to kiss her neck and then up to her ear. “All this you got tonight?”

  Her laugh was velvet seduction, rendering him harder than stone. “Never underestimate the power of breasts, even small ones.”

  Brandt looked lovingly at the body parts in question and stifled a groan. “When you’re attached to them, I have no doubt.”

  “Flatterer.” She spoke aloud, fluttering her lashes at him and suddenly need for her worked through his body, leaving him flushed.

  “I think we should be making our good-nights don’t you?” Brandt stood, holding out his hand for her to take.

  “I don’t want you two to end your time before you’re ready. I was just fine over there with my admirers.”

  He pulled her up and against his body. “We’re the only admirers who matter, sweet.”

  “Indeed.” One of her eyebrows rose as she shot him a flirtatious smile.

  Ash stood behind her, pressing her tight between them both. Well, no time like the present to be out as a threesome. “I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work.” His murmur was delivered against the flesh just below her ear and sent shivers down her spine.

  She planted a palm in the middle of Brandt’s chest vainly attempting to push away from him and distance herself from Ash, trying not to drown in them.

  “I’m not letting you go this time, Freka. You’re mine.”

  She pushed back a bit and laughed, a bit shaky. “Shall we go or are you two planning on staying here?”

  “When this is over we’re having a long talk.” Brandt kissed her softly, reaching around her shoulders to put her wrap on. They made their goodbyes, and Sera ignored the smarmy smiles the men wore. It was more than just two men sharing one woman. Two men sharing with each other was acceptable and even seen as a novelty in some quarters. Ash and Brandt had become even more desirable with the discovery of their relationship.

  “I think we should enjoy the evening. Let’s take a walk.” Brandt bowed and she laughed.

  Strolling down the wide plaza lined with trees and flowers, they headed back to their quarters. Each man had one of her hands and it made her feel cherished and imprisoned all at once. She wanted to believe her feelings, wanted it to be an expression of how they truly felt but she knew the danger in that and tried to remember reality. She’d locked up the link, needing the mental space from them but she knew they’d only be patient so long.

  “It’s lovely here. There seem to be quite a lot of outlanders here right now, though, I notice.” Ash spoke casually as his eyes flicked around the area, taking it all in.

  “Apparently now is the height of the year for the lights. It’s sort of a mini-tourism season for them and the visitors then move onto Ceres.”

  Brandt looked at her, surprised. “That’s interesting. I didn’t know that.”

  She laughed. “People tell beautiful women things all the time. One of my admirers tonight was a sort of tourism minister. He’d love to create a resort apparently, just for outlanders to come and watch the lights. He wanted to sell packages for connections to Ceres as well. Isn’t that clever?” The minister seemed very unconcerned about their proximity to the frontier. She’d faked a bit of nervousness about the Imperialists but he’d waved it off far too comfortably.

  “Yes. But I’m surprised they’d think so, this close to frontier and all.” Ash’s eyes flicked over her quickly and then away once she’d nodded nonchalantly, answering his inferred question.

  “Yes, darling. It’s so awfully close to the Imperialists. I’d be frightened if you two weren’t with me. But he assured me it wasn’t a problem. He said he’s got the support of powerful friends near the Center. I suppose that’s very clever.” She looked up at Brandt, wide eyed.

  “Brandt? Is that you? Ash?”

  Both men froze at the sound of the female voice and slowly turned, bringing Sera around with them.

  “Kira, what are you doing here?” Brandt let go of Sera’s hand and went to embrace the beautiful, ebony haired woman. The woman who was once Ash’s wife. The woman he’d left Sera for.

  Nausea swamped Sera but she had to keep her damned cover in place. She tried to let go of Ash’s hand but he wouldn’t release her. Both men repeatedly pinged her through the link but she left it slammed closed. As if she wanted to have an argument in her head with them right then. Men!