The rhythmic sound of the sonic hammer hitting metal echoed through the maintenance bay, mixing with the deep beat of the music.

Ry leaned over the ripped-apart guts of the Pathfinder’s starboard engine, almost wanting to tap his foot to the music Elana had given him. She’d made a playlist for him and he had to admit, he liked the music she’d picked for him.

He lifted his head, looking over the wreckage of his cuttership. He had a few ideas for upgrades he wanted to do, and was busy making them happen. There was no pain or sorrow, because he knew that by the time he was finished, she would be better than she was before.

It was a bit like his relationship with Elana.

It had been good before, but now it was amazing. He grinned to himself. He felt good. He was doing his job, he was no longer suffering any memory blanks, and every night, he had Elana pressed up against him in his bunk.

Their bunk.

They’d discovered that she liked to sleep on top of him, her head tucked under his chin. Ry wasn’t complaining.

Dare had married them two days after their rescue from the ice world, making her Elana Phoenix, his wife. Now, three weeks of married bliss had passed. His grin widened. He was married to the most gorgeous, competent, sexiest woman he’d ever known.

Yep, life was good.

A chime echoed through the space and the maintenance bay doors opened. His brothers strode in.

Justyn whistled. “It’s looking good.”

“Coming along,” Ry said. “And she’ll be faster and more powerful than before.”

Dare’s gaze wasn’t on the ship, it was on Ry. “You look good, too.”

“Alive, married, in love.” Ry shook his head. “I didn’t know what I had, and it was right under my nose.”

Justyn crossed his arms over his chest. “We knew what you had, we were just waiting for you to notice.”

Ry’s smile faded. “I almost lost her. More than once.”

Dare gripped his shoulder. “I know you’ll never let that happen.”

Justyn laughed. “The three of us in love and hitched. Who the hell would have guessed?” He slid a hand into his battered leather coat and pulled out a flask. “I think that deserves a drink.”

Ry took a sip and felt the hot burn of Oola whiskey. He enjoyed the mouthful, knowing a bottle of the damn stuff cost almost as much as his cuttership.

“When are we handing the hoard over?” Ry asked.

“We rendezvous with Nik and the Magellan when we finish the convoy run,” Dare said. “And he agreed to an exhibition in Goldie’s name.”

“Good.” It was a fitting tribute to the woman. “Elana will be happy to hear that.”

As if he’d summoned her, the doors opened again. Elana walked in, flanked by Dakota and Nissa. The women were all so different, but gorgeous in their own ways.

“Stars, we are lucky bastards.” Ry grabbed Justyn’s flask again for another sip.

As the other women claimed their men for kisses, Elana leaned into Ry.

“Look at you, all hot and sweaty,” she murmured.

“I’ll show you hot and sweaty.” His cock was already responding to her sweet scent and the teasing glint in her eyes.

She smiled. “I take it you forgot about dinner.”

Dinner. Damn, he had forgotten. “We have a security shift—”

“Not for another couple of hours. You aren’t getting out of Dakota’s Christmas dinner with the Markarians. It’s their last night aboard ship and Dakota is determined we test out some old Earth traditions.”

“Fine,” he muttered. His sister-in-law was growing on him…a bit. “But after that, we have our security shift. You don’t want to piss the boss off by being late.”

She swiveled, glancing at him over her shoulder. “I know a few ways to get around him.” She sauntered off.

By the time Ry had washed up and changed, and made it to the dining room, dinner was in full swing. If there was one thing the Markarians did well—apart from fighting—it was eating and drinking.

The dinner room was covered in an array of decorations. Ry frowned at the strings of stars, balls, and things he didn’t recognize, all in shades of red and green. Dinner was a raucous affair with old Earth dishes that included what Dakota told him was a roasted turkey. Ry eyed the huge bird with distrust.

He sat beside Elana, toying with her hair and watching his sister, Aurina, bouncing a gorgeous baby girl—who was the spitting image of her auburn-haired mother—on her knee. For the moment, her belly was flat, and not showing any signs of her second pregnancy.

Kavon sat beside them, and every now and then, Kalla reached for her muscular daddy. It was pretty fun to watch the huge barbarian warlord dote on his daughter, and the gazes he shot his mate. He clearly adored Aurina.

As Ry watched, Kavon touched his fingers to Aurina’s shoulder, and she turned to look at her husband. They shared a meaningful look over their child’s head.

In time, Ry knew that he and Elana would settle into that kind of relationship. Hell, she already read his mind half the time, and finished his sentences. She’d given him a Christmas present—a brand new set of tools for him to use on the Pathfinder repairs and when he fiddled with his inventions.

He slid his arm around her shoulders, and when she turned his way and smiled, he smiled back. Ry had everything he wanted, and some things he’d never thought he wanted, but would fight to keep.

He had the life he’d made for himself—with Elana, his brothers, and the women they claimed as theirs.

He really was a lucky bastard.

* * *

Oh, God. Her belly churning like it was filled with Moskan dustflies, Elana made her way down to the maintenance bay. Ry was off shift and working on the Pathfinder.

They’d returned from their convoy a few days ago, and made a quick stop at Galaxy’s Edge to restock. They were about to rendezvous with Nik’s Institute ship any minute now.

She glanced out one of the windows lining the corridor, and saw the looming shape of the Magellan on approach. She closed her eyes for a second, and pulled in a deep breath.

Stars, she was tired. It was normal to feel that way at the end of a convoy run, not to mention that she had a demanding new husband who kept her up at night with wild, fierce loving. Some days, she didn’t recognize the hungry, uninhibited woman she’d become in the private confines of their cabin.

Husband. Elana held up her hand, looking at the ring he’d designed for her and he’d had made on a trade world they’d stopped at. Rynan was her husband. Warmth filled her chest. She loved him more every day.

Then a cold shiver worked up her spine.

Their very new marriage was about to be tested.

Trying to relax, she entered through the maintenance bay doors. Instantly, she spotted him up on the side of the ship, shirtless and swinging some tool.

God. She let her gaze trace over those muscles.

He paused and smiled down at her. “Hey, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Hi. I finished up early, and oh-so-eager Milo was happy to start his shift early.” She cleared her throat. “We’ll be docking with the Magellan soon.”

He leaped down to the ground with a bend of his knees. Elana’s mouth watered. She was completely in lust with her husband.

“I guess that means Nera will be onboard soon.” His voice took on a grumpy edge.

Elana shook her head. “She’s on our side, remember?”

Another mutter. Then his perceptive gaze zeroed in on Elana’s face. “What’s wrong?”

She was certain nothing showed in her expression. The fact he could read her so well both made her want to smile and pout. “I need to talk to you.”

He moved closer. “Tell me what’s wrong. You look pale. I know you’ve been feeling tired.” He reached out, stroking her jaw, his calluses rubbing over her skin. “I’m a selfish bastard, keeping you up at night.” A wry smile. “I just can’t seem to keep my hands off my wife.”

“And your wife appreciates it.” She cleared her dry throat again. “Sit down, Ry.”

“Fuck, it’s serious.” He dropped onto some nearby equipment crates, tangling his fingers with hers. “It’s the Praxta, isn’t it? You’re sick—”

“Ry, it’s not the Praxta. I’m not sick.”

He closed his mouth, watching her intently.

“But it’s something to do with the syndrome.” She tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear, the flutters returning in her belly. “Or at least, to do with the cure.”

“The nanami? Are they hurting you—?”

She shook her head and blew out a breath. “No, Ry…I’m pregnant.”

He went still and blinked. “Pregnant? With a baby?”

“Well, I hope it isn’t something else.” She managed a shaky smile. She still hadn’t fully processed all this, herself. “I’m pregnant with your baby. God, Ry, we made a baby.”

Gray eyes widened, then dropped to her flat stomach. “You said you’d—”

“Yes. Apparently, when the nanami healed me, they healed everything. Including my sterilization. I’m so sorry, Ry. I know you said you never wanted to have children—”

He moved suddenly and dropped to his knees. He pressed his face to her belly. “A baby?”

She saw wonder cross his face, and she felt an echoing emotion ignite inside her. The confusion and panic she’d been feeling cleared a little.

For the first time, she actually thought about a baby. Their baby. Made in love.

Elana knew that their child would be protected, sheltered, given exciting opportunities, and most importantly, loved. It would never be put to work or bartered or abused.

Ry looked up at her, his face troubled. “I know you didn’t want children. I…we can talk about options—”

She smiled. He was such a good man. “I want this baby, Ry. I think…I think you’ll make a wonderful daddy.” Then she frowned. “Although, if it’s a girl…”

“I’ll protect her with my life.” His tone was fierce. “No man, boy, or any gendered being is getting close to her. Ever.”

Elana’s lips twitched. “And if it’s a boy?”

Ry tilted his head, thinking. “Then the same applies.”

She laughed. Her Rynan would protect their child with everything he was. “I love you, Rynan.”

He stood, scooping her into his arms. “I love you, too, Elana. You made me come alive. I’m forever grateful you walked into my life, and stayed with me when I was being an ignorant fool. And I’m even more grateful you crashed with me on an ice planet, and made me realize how much I needed you.”

She leaned into him. “Let’s avoid future crashes, though, please.”

Rynan rubbed his nose against hers and pulled her closer. She pressed her face to his chest, and heard the strong, steady beat of his heart. Then he pressed a palm to her belly, over their growing child.

“It’s a deal, Mrs. Phoenix.”