Several emotions surged throughout Caayn’s body.

First, relief that Smyrna was not harmed. He’d been so worried about her after the medical staff had taken her away and the authorities had put him in cuffs and led him in a different direction.

And no one would tell him anything about her or about the case against him.

Nothing.

And then an hour ago, the governor walked into his cell and told him that he did not want his governorship marred by scandal.

Caayn had merely nodded, mute, and let the man tell him what the visit was about.

Except the governor wouldn’t go into detail. He wanted to talk to him and Smyrna together.

So, they’d ridden separately. The governor in the back of his luxury coach, and Caayn smuggled into a nondescript vehicle, with a cloak wrapped about him.

The second emotion that surged through Caayn’s body was a fierce form of jealousy. Who the hell was this large dark man that seemed to have some sort of claim to Smyrna.

Caayn didn’t pride himself on being the smartest man around, but he wasn’t a fool either. It was evident that whatever Baldwin Porter had been to Smyrna, he was not her man. So, was this huge guy her man? And who was the other giant with the light eyes that stood next to the dark-skinned man that Smyrna had no secrets from?

Caayn bristled. And that was putting it lightly. Suddenly he found himself eager to be anywhere but here.

The governor waved Caayn forward. “Come.”

Caayn reluctantly stepped closer to the hospital bed, trying hard not to drink in the sight of Smyrna.

Even pale and in a hospital-issued gown, with her bedhead hair and her confused gaze, she was stunningly beautiful.

And he wanted her so much, it made his heart ache.

He couldn’t read the expression in her eyes, and that killed him. He couldn’t tell if she hated him, was angry with him, or what the storm in those dark depths was about.

Suddenly, he felt like the very things he’d dared to hope during a few brief moments had been constructed of fantasy and cobwebs, easily blown away by the desert winds of Janus.

The governor was pacing back and forth, and finally he turned toward the two of them.

“This program, the Operation Outreach is very important to our governments. That makes it very important to me. I don’t intend to be on this forsaken planet forever. I have my sights set on one of the provinces on Zama. That will never happen if there is scandal surrounding a joint venture in Operation Outreach.”

He paused, rubbed his hands together, adjusted his tie, and glanced at the mirror on the wall, over the sink. Running a practiced hand through his already perfect hair, he released a smile that was no less rehearsed than his other movements.

“So, here’s the situation. That man attacked you. He was taken out by our law authorities, but not before he struck you in the head, Smyrna, and not before he scuffled with Caayn.”

Caayn was watching Smyrna.

Her mouth dropped open. “But…”

The dark man put a hand on her shoulder. “She understands.”

And now he speaks for her?

Anger seared through Caayn.

The governor looked at Caayn and cleared his throat. “Well?”

Caayn glared at the dark man. “Understood.”

“Excellent.” And just like that, the governor exited the room.

Caayn was left alone with the woman he loved but couldn’t have, and the man who was clearly her significant other.

And oddly enough, he didn’t even care to hear what her reason was for wanting to see Baldwin Porter. Didn’t matter anymore.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said through a clenched jaw. He made a 180 and took a stride toward the door.

Except that his way was blocked by the dark man.

“Razor,” Smyrna said.

The dark man—clearly his name was Razor?—glanced at her. “No. There’s a problem here. And I think I’m at the center of it. Or something is.”

“Move, please.” Caayn made his hands into fists, so tight they hurt. And so painful, he burned to plant them into something—preferably this Razor’s face.

“I don’t think so,” Razor said.

The other big man stepped next to Razor.

So now I have to plow through both?

Caayn knew he could hold his own in a fight. But he wondered if he could hold it against these two guys.

Somehow, he wasn’t sure.

“Please, don’t do this.” Smyrna’s voice came from behind him.

Between the wide shoulders of Razor and his companion, her eyes implored them not to wage war.

Caayn nodded, then turned to Razor. “What is it? Why do you seek to block my exit?”

“Because it’s not what she wants.” Razor’s gaze held a contingent of pride while at the same time conveying humility. “And it’s my place in her life to ensure she gets what she wants.”

Behind Razor’s back, Smyrna released a scoffing laugh.

Razor turned to glare at her. “Hush, you.”

Caayn scowled. Why? He wasn’t sure he could answer that honestly himself. Because he was jealous. Because he didn’t care for their familiarity. Because he wanted to be the one that ensured she got what she wanted.

Yes. All of the above.

“What is it you think she wants,” he asked Razor.

The big man next to Razor—equally big—chuckled. “I’m not sure who is more blind here.”

Razor put his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “Branson. I might agree with you, brother.”

They both nodded as they regarded Smyrna and Caayn.

“Care to clear this up?” Caayn was losing patience with their beating around the bush.

“Smyrna is a fool.”

Caayn stiffened at the remark, found himself barely containing his temper, his hands itched to inflict pain on the dark man who spoke about her this way.

“See? Even now, you defend her,” Razor said with a grin. “You can’t hide how it bothers you to see her under the slightest bit of attack.”

“It isn’t wise to bait me,” he warned Razor.

Branson stepped forward. “He’s not baiting you. He’s waiting for you two to go ahead and own it. If you’re not too scared.”

Smyrna leapt out of the bed and stormed toward Branson. Stepping in front of Caayn, she shoved her finger in Branson’s chest. Repeatedly. That chest didn’t give an inch. Her finger didn’t sink into flesh, it bounced off hard muscle.

Caayn coughed.

She glared at him. “He’s attacking me. And you. And—”

Caayn looked at her back pointedly. Then cleared his throat.

Her face turned the shade of skin that had been burnt. She hastily pulled the folds of her hospital gown shut. “Don’t look at my ass,” she snapped at Caayn.

Caayn shook his head in disbelief. “You’re a piece of work.”

Razor laughed. A low, genuine sound that came from deep within. “Ain’t she, though? Just ain’t she?”

“Screw all of you.” Mustering absolutely no dignity, she walked backwards, heels first to the bed.

Caayn looked into Razor’s face and found nothing but friendliness there. He indicated Smyrna with his head. “There’s nothing…”

Caayn didn’t need to finish his sentence.

Razor clearly got his drift. “She’s like a baby sister, man. To both of us.”

“Baby sister, my ass,” Smyrna pouted.

And what a fine ass indeed, Caayn thought.

“May I have a moment with her? We are bound by a hand-fast, after all.”

“Only for a damned year,” Smyrna exclaimed. “After that—”

She never had a chance to finish her thought.

Caayn’s lips claimed hers, drowning out her protests.