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you tell me about it?”
    “About what?”
    “What happened on Devil’s?”
    He froze at those words and pushed back the memories so close to the surface. He was ashamed of what happened. He didn’t want to remember or taint the new beginning he might be able to forge with Kain .
    “I’m not talking about it. Not now. Maybe never,” Rave made himself force out.
    “I understand.” Kain’s hushed tone washed over him.
    Rave didn’t think Kain really understood, but it wasn’t Rave’s problem. He changed the topic. “I’m going to go pick up Mel. We can drop her off on a planet en route to Seid II.”
    “Want me to come with you?”
    “No, you’re supposed to be the victim of a kidnapping. We can’t have you running around.”
    “What about you and me?”
    “What about us? There is no us. Not right now. There can’t be. Let’s finish this mission and go from there.”
    Kain bowed his head and looked defeated. Rave couldn’t help himself. He crawled over the bed until he reached Kain’s side. He placed his hands on the side of Kain’s face and forced him to look up then he caressed Kain’s lip with a thumb. When the tip of Kain’s tongue snaked out, Rave pulled him closer. He had to have a taste.
    Their lips clashed. Kain tasted good. Better than Rave remembered. He couldn’t get enough. He pulled Kain closer, but it still wasn’t enough. Rave needed more.
    “Rave, this is your friendly wake up call.” Sela’s voice filtered through the room.
    The two broke apart, panting.
    “Goddamn it.”
    “What was that, Rave?” Se’s laughter made its way through the coms .
    “Nothing, Se. I’ll be out shortly.”
    The men looked at each other. The lust in Kain’s eyes echoed what he felt. It had been too long.
    “We aren’t finished.” Kain’s husky voice raised goose bumps along Rave’s arms.
    “No, we aren’t,” he agreed.
    “We can start planning once Mel is safely onboard.”
    “Let’s just hope I can get her here.”
    Kain chuckled. “She does have your stubborn streak.”
    Rave found no humour in the comment because it was the truth. He didn’t relish the fight he knew he had on his hands. His sister was stubborn, and he knew she wouldn’t want to leave her home just because he said so. “Maybe I should send you. She always liked you better, anyway.”
    “Not me. Maybe you should send Se.”
    It was Rave’s turn to laugh. “You might be right.”
    He got off the bed to dress, but not before running his hands through Kain’s hair. He’d missed this easy camaraderie they’d always shared. He wondered if they would ever truly get back to where they’d been or if he even wanted to be back there. Too much had changed. He had changed. Rave would never be the man he once was. Kain had changed, too.
    Rave finished dressing and turned to Kain . “We aren’t the same men we once were.”
    “No, we aren’t. We’re both stronger.”
    “Are we really?” Sometimes he wondered how strong he really was. Most of the time he tried to bury the past. It was easier, but did that make him stronger? He sure didn’t think so.
    “I think we are. Now, go get your sister, and let’s finish this.”
    Kain’s smile lit up his face. Rave really wanted to crawl back into that bed and taste the smile, but he had to protect his family. The possibility that Kain could be a part of that family again put a smile on his face. He left Kain in his room and headed to the bridge.
    “What’s with the sappy grin?” Se inquired.
    Leave it to Se to break the mood.
    “Not a thing. Is it all clear to get on planet?” Rave looked out at New Moon.
    “We’ve got the go ahead. You bringing Mel here?”
    “That’s the plan, but you know how she can be,” he said with a ruthful grin.
    “Yes, I do. Good luck with that,” Se managed to say as she keyed a sequence into the ships computers.
    “Maybe you should go.” Rave bumped shoulders with Se.
    “I never took you for a chicken.”
    “Don’t start