Operation: Marauder
Chapter 23

Zoey stayed holed up in the cockpit for the remainder of the trip, while Mave slept. Jack visited her the most with food and smiles, but everyone took turns to ask her nosey questions about her and Rowan without the threat of him dragging them away by the ear. As much as she enjoyed and appreciated--it definitely made the ride pass by faster instead of being locked away in the cockpit as she had on the way to SMX-332--everyone’s company, she liked Rowan’s visits the most, and not just because they ended up making out. He had a certain presence about him that eased the nerves she had when Mave had first asked her to take over for him. Even when she had to adjust the course to avoid debris and Rowan watched her intently, it wasn’t awkward; she actually found it flattering that he wasn’t worried she would fly them into an asteroid.

As they came up to Earth, Rowan left to wake Mave up--better he than anyone else--then Mave took over the radio, talking to the base, while Zoey landed the ship. She looked out the window at the line up of soldiers outside then shrank back in her seat and swore.

Mave gripped her shoulder comfortingly. “I’ll take the blame. Don’t say anything.”

She had other plans, but she nodded because there was no point in arguing with him over it. Besides, there was no time. As soon as they touched ground, they were rapping on the ramp, demanding entry.

“Zoey!” Jack called from the main deck.

“Yeah, yeah.” She jumped down from the cockpit. “Let you do all the talking.”

Rowan came to her side, feeling more like a bodyguard than a lover, a hand resting on the sidearm at his hip. She bumped him in warning. The last thing she wanted was for him to start something over her and lose the base’s trust. They were already in enough trouble because of her. Best not to add onto it.

Glancing down at her, he offered a small smile, a promise he wouldn’t let them hurt her. She wanted to believe him, but she knew how these people worked and doubted he could do much. Nevertheless, she returned the gesture to comfort him.

The ramp lowered, revealing Colonel Shaw and a few other big wigs. Aaron Somner included.

"Dad?” What the hell was he doing here? It had been years since she had seen him. He had much more gray in his hair than black, but she was certain it was him.

Aaron Somner’s eyes focused on Zoey, despite Jack’s best attempt to conceal her, then tightened into a glare she was very familiar with. It was the only look he could give her. “Zoey? Ja-Captain Somner, what is the meaning of this?”

Before Jack or Mave moved to take the blame, she rushed forward, sidestepped Rowan’s hand, and stood in front of the Arthonians. “I snuck on the ship. I was bored out of my fucking mind, so I wandered and found myself in the hangar. I was in the engine room when I heard them board and hid until we were too far away from Earth to turn around.”

Her father’s face grew redder by the second then he gestured to two of the soldiers on the side. “Take her into custody. Don’t let her out of your sight. I’ll talk with her later.”

The soldiers were none too kind, griping her arms tighter than necessary considering she wasn’t resisting. Or maybe it was because Rowan’s claws had come out and he looked like he was going to cut Aaron’s head off.

They dragged her out of the hangar. Zoey only hoped Rowan didn’t put up much of a fuss. She did it to protect him, his crew, her brother. No matter what happened to her, she wouldn’t regret it, not if it meant the Arthonians could go home and Jack could live his dream.

Rowan saw red. He wasn’t sure who he wanted to kill more, Zoey, the man who had given the order for her arrest--supposedly her father--or the men who had dragged his mate away.

He should have known Zoey was going to pull something like this; she had been talking like her life was over the entire trip back. He couldn’t believe her own flesh and blood would be the one to see her behind bars. Blood ran deep for Arthonians; they grew up with honour and would do anything for their family, protect them from anything, no matter what they did.

“Rowan,” Cas hissed, pulling him back when he stepped for the Colonel. “Don’t make things worse for Zoey.”

All he wanted was to shove everyone out of his way, hold Zoey close and never let her go. Not if this was how her own people, her own blood, were going to treat her. Even Maliki and Knox, who by rights should be annoyed by Zoey and Mave’s actions, were ready to fight with him.

But Cas was right. If he fought the humans, they may punish Zoey further because there was little they could do to Rowan and his men.

“If you hurt her, you can kiss your research on my craft goodbye,” he warned Shaw. He knew the humans were far from done studying the Marauder and valued its contents more than anything else they could offer them. If he could do nothing else, he would make sure Zoey was unharmed.

Colonel Shaw straightened out his jacket, curling his lip up in a sneer at him. “Miss Somner will not be harmed.”

“Dad--Colonel Somner,” Jack corrected, removing himself from the group. “What are you doing here?”

Aaron turned his gaze away from the door Zoey had gone through; there was no emotion in his eyes, no anger, no concern. “I was informed Zoey was brought to the base for protection--then she went missing. I came as soon as I could, but apparently it was a wasted trip. She hasn’t changed. Always causing trouble, making selfish choices, a complete disregard for the people around her.” He sighed, shaking his head in frustration. “Always a disappointment.”

Rowan clenched his fists, claws digging into his palms. Cas tapped his foot in a silent warning to stay quiet if all he was going to do was cuss them out.

“Can we talk privately, sir?” Jack demanded through gritted teeth.

Colonel Somner nodded then left, Jack hot on his heels.

“You’re a day late,” Colonel Shaw addressed Rowan. “I want a debriefing in one hour.” The Colonel left with the rest of the board, leaving Rowan with a cold pit in his chest.

Knox punched Mave’s shoulder. “What the fuck, man? You let Zoey take the fall.”

Mave grunted, rubbing his arm.

Maliki stood between them. “Never mind who took the blame, what matters is what we do now.” He turned to Rowan. “Just say the word, brother.”

Rowan met the gaze of each of his crew members, seeing the determination in their eyes. They were willing to risk their relationship with the humans to take Zoey back. Cas was the only one who knew she was his mate, but they respected her as one of their own, as a member of this team. His hearts swelled with pride that his mate had such an impact on his crew and he couldn’t have been prouder to be her partner.

But then what? If they busted Zoey out, the infinite resources given to them will be cut off. Considering how many Wraythe they thought there were, they wouldn’t last longer than a week without the humans’ protection, resources, and intel. It would be suicide to act rashly against them, for not only for his men, but Zoey as well. He couldn’t bring her into any more danger than she was already. He had to trust that she would take care of herself.

He wouldn’t forget their offer, though.

He squeezed Maliki’s shoulder. “Thank you, brother, but for now we play by the humans’ rules. Zoey’s not in any immediate danger.”

Knox shook his head at the absurdity of it all. “This is bullshit.”

“It is,” Rowan agreed, “but I need you to be on good behavior. She’s leverage now and I don’t want them to use it.” It was his worst fear; it’s why he hadn’t planned on looking for his mate until he had moved on from this line of work. The humans didn’t realise what Zoey was to him and it was better if they never found out. “For now, let’s process the Terbium. I’m going to replace a way to explain everything without getting Zoey in more trouble.”

Rowan found Jack in the hallway on his way to his debriefing; he looked ready to punch a hole in the wall as he marched for their quarters. He seemed to lighten up when he saw Rowan. A tad.

Rowan cocked an eyebrow in a silent question.

Blowing out a big chunk of air, Jack fell into step beside him. “I have good news and bad news.”

“Lay it on me.” Rowan needed to know everything he could before stepping into the briefing room. He had no idea what to expect this time and it made the hairs on his markings stand on end.

“I’m still your liaison.”

Rowan had to look at him to see if he was being serious. They had been positive Jack was going to be reassigned for this. “How did you manage that?”

He shook his head, and Rowan knew the bad news was coming up. “My dad convinced the board it was all Zoey’s fault, that the only person who needs to be punished is her. I think this is just his way for getting back at her for not following in his footsteps. He can be harsh sometimes, but this. . . it’s going too far.”

“What can we do?”

“Down play it. Only problem is: they’re meeting with Zoey while we’re giving the debrief. If our stories don’t line up. . .”

Rowan didn’t think it was physically possible for an Arthonian to want to kill his mate, but he didn’t know how else to describe the rage boiling in his veins. He knew their stories wouldn’t add up. He saw it in her eyes in the hangar; she was going to take all the blame, forfeit her life so Rowan and his crew could stay on Earth safely until the Marauder was fixed.

Fucking selfless woman. He loved her even more. Couldn’t have asked for a more generous mate. Except for the fact it was going to get in the way of their future.

Zoey drummed her fingers on the table. They had dragged her from the hangar to this interrogation room. The lights were too bright, straining her eyes; the wall of mirror didn’t help either. Looking back at herself, of the worry in her eyes, only reminded her how much trouble she was in. The chair was metal and dug into her back; she couldn’t do anything about it because her hands were handcuffed to the table.

There was no way to tell how long she had been cooped up in the room for. It felt like hours. If letting her sweat with nothing but her reflection for company was an intimidation tactic, it was working. There was something about being left alone in a bright room to think about what she had done that made her stomach wrench.

She wasn’t afraid. Just nervous. Once she knew what they wanted to do with her, she could deal with it and move on. Hopefully. Prison life didn’t sit well with her.

The door finally opened, making Zoey jump in her seat.

Her stomach roiled when her father entered the room, a manila file in hand. His dark eyes flitted down to her chained wrists, his mouth hardening into a flat line. “I see they handcuffed you. Good.” He slid into the chair opposite her, sitting neatly, shoulders square, elbows resting on the cold table. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?”

That was how he chose to greet her after six years. Zoey didn’t know why she expected anything else from him. She didn’t want anything to do with the man who made her mother feel worthless and an inconvenience. The past six years without him had been the highlight of her life. She was allowed to explore who she was without judgment, could finally do what she loved.

Aaron sneered, adding a pair of crows feet to his eyes. “The silent treatment? Really, Zoey?”

“What do you want me to say?” she snapped. She couldn’t help it. She had idolized this man when she was little, thought he could lift the world on his shoulders. Then she grew up and discovered the truth. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t care what I have to say. You never have.”

A cold edge fell over his eyes. He slid the manila folder across the table to her. “I don’t care? You have no idea what I’ve done for you, Zoey. What I would do for you.”

She wasn’t expecting him to drop his gaze. He always met her head on. Never backed down from anything.

She didn’t know how to react to the sudden vulnerability in his features, so she opened the file. “What’s this?”

“Your freedom.”

Ice filled her chest. There was no way they’d let her off without conditions. She was afraid of the catch.

Warily, she turned the contract over and read.

And there it was, at the very end.

She dropped the contact and looked at him. “You’re cutting me off from Jack?”

That was only the tip of the iceberg. She wouldn’t be allowed to step foot on the base, see Rowan or his crew again. If she spoke a word to anyone of the past few weeks events, she would be sentenced for life.

“It’s for the best,” he told her coldly. “Jack has a promising career and he’ll be better off if you don’t get in the way.”

It wasn’t even because he was the Arthonian liaison. Aaron wanted to keep her away from him so she didn’t bring him down with her.

Tears sprang in her eyes. “I can’t sign this.” How could he ask her to stay away from her big brother? She suspected they wouldn’t let her near Rowan, and having it confirmed hurt so much she could barely breathe, but to take her brother away too? “You might as well lock me up.”

“Don’t be dramatic. This way you can live your life as you’ve wanted.”

“How can I when you take the most important people of my life away from me?” Damn him. She wasn’t being dramatic. Jack was her big brother, for fuck’s sake. The Arthonians believed in her, encouraged her to put her skills to the test. She felt a connection with Rowan she doubted she’d feel with any other man.

And he wanted her to forget it all?

“Sign or go to prison, Zoey. You think you’re tough? Just wait until you’re cellmates with a criminal.”

She flinched at his cruelty. “Can you at least pretend you aren’t enjoying this?”

He tossed her an angry sneer. “You think I take pleasure in watching my daughter ruin her life? Zoey, sign the fucking contract. It’s the best you’re going to get.”

In his ire, he took her hand and forced a pen into her grasp. There was something about his tone that made her tear her gaze away from the vile contract and look into his eyes. For a split second, she saw how desperate he was for her to take the offer. He didn’t want to see her in prison. But he was too damn stubborn to admit it and quickly returned to the callous father she was used to seeing.

She didn’t want to go to prison either.

You won’t be seeing them either way.

By God she hated this, but she had no choice.

She held the pen more firmly.

Flashing red lights blinded her before an alarm went off.

Already on edge, the alarms scared her stiff and the pen went flying out of her hand. She would have jumped to her feet if she wasn’t chained down to the table.

Aaron was on his feet in between obnoxious flashes, drawing his sidearm.

“What’s going on?” Zoey asked, shielding her eyes. That damn flash would be the end of her retinas.

“Stay here,” he ordered, then peeked out the door. When it was clear, he left, shutting the door softly behind him.

“Like I have a choice!” she snapped, pissed that was all he had to say to her. Not a single word of comfort. Though, why she expected to be comforted by him was beyond her.

Then it sank in. If it wasn’t a drill, something was threatening the base.

“Rowan.” He hadn’t done anything stupid, like trying to rescue her, had he?

She needed to get out of here.

If only she wasn’t chained to the bloody table!

Growling, she yanked on the chains. Sadly, the only thing that did for her was bruise her wrists.

“Dad! Let me out of here! I have to-” She stopped herself short when she heard gunfire. Six pops rang through the corridor outside then a blood-curdling cry.

Silence hung in the air like heavy fog.

She was so afraid she was going to be sick.

Except the door handle jiggled and Zoey’s instincts kicked in.

You will not throw up in front of whoever is on the other side of that door.

She stood as straight as she could given the fact she was stuck to a table and faced them head on.