Shadow Cipher

16. Nova

Our time together is nearing its end and my heart feels heavier and heavier. My time with Jake has been the happiest of my life. At least I'm ending my life on a high note, and on my terms. I slipped a note into Jake's pocket as we near the casino. I look up at him. "I'm sorry, but I had no other choice. Thank you and.... I love you." I kiss him on the cheek. He looks perplexed, like he doesn't know what I'm talking about, but that's because he hasn't seen Kevin yet. When he looks around, he finally spots him and he stiffens.

"Nova, what the f**k did you do?!" he shouts at me.

I already have tears in my eyes as Kevin strides up to us confidently. "What I had to. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Thank you for making these last few days the best I've ever had."

Kevin looks between me and Jake. "I must have missed something, because it sounds like a lover's farewell right now. Either way, Nova, it's time to go." I nod. Jake grabs my arm and refuses to let go. He's holding so tight, I'm sure I'll have bruises on my arm from his grasp.

He's pleading now, "Don't go. Please, Nova, don't go. You don't have to! I wasn't going to-"

"I have to. I was going to Bolton either way. This way, I'm protecting those I love." he finally seems to get that there is no talking me out of this, and he lets go of me and I stumble into Kevin. Kevin catches me, grabs my arm and starts dragging me away while I silently cry for a love that never got to fully bloom.

Kevin wastes no time in getting me to his ship. He tosses me at a chair and tells me to strap in. I do, silently crying to myself. I look down at the rings on my left hand, thinking of my husband.

"So you f****d the Red Shadow, did you?" Kevin asks. I should have expected it. He dated my brother for years, I've known him since I was a teenager, he isn't shy about guys when I date them. I just nod and sniffle. "You didn't tell him about your deal with me?" he asks.

I shake my head no. "He wouldn't have understood. He probably would have said there's no proof you would do something to Cyg, so no reason to risk myself." I respond. I pull my legs up under my chin.

"He would be right." Kevin says. I jerk upwards to look at him, a look of betrayal flashes across my face. "Don't look at me like that. I would never hard Cyg. He's special. I love him. I don't know why you were so quick to believe it, but it worked in my favor at least."

I fiddle with my rings, causing Kevin to look at my hand. "Oh s**t! Nova! Did you get married?! You married the man sent to kidnap you and take you to your death?! You're even more f****d up than I thought! Don't you know that Red Shadow is known for his dalliances on every planet? Everybody wants in his pants and he rarely says no. He'll probably have you replaced in his bed by the end of the night." My heart hurts at Kevin's words, but at the same time I hope he's right. The look of hurt on Jake's face nearly destroyed me. If he can replace me and be happy, I hope he does.

"I hope you're right," I say continue to play with my rings.

"Damn, you got it bad. Guess my men will have to wait to see the fun side of you then." He looks at one of his goons. "Bradford, take Nova to her new room. See that she gets something to eat and drink and ensure she gets settled, will you?" The goon that I'm assuming is Bradford smiles at Kevin and grabs my arm, dragging me away from the command room.

Bradford grabs a bottle of tequila, a sandwich and a bottle of water, takes me to my cell, locks me in and hands me the drinks and food. "Get settled, Mrs. Shadow. You're in for a tough time coming up."