Bargain With the Enemy by S E Gilchrist

stinks like intrigue. What was going on?
    Whether it was the rigid posture of the other woman or her companions’ obvious dislike, Steph couldn’t say, but some inner imp prodded her into perching on the sofa next to Ivo and shimmering over until she was snug against his side. He sent her a hunted look. He looks like a rabbit caught in headlights.
    Steph stifled her laughter and instead, uttered a long sigh, fluttered her lashes and cooed, ‘How lovely, guests. Why don’t you introduce us, Ivo darling.’
    His body became as rigid as reinforced steel and in a voice artic cold, Ivo said, ‘They are not your guests but mine. Ensign Ronal will escort you back to your cabin.’
    â€˜Oh, I don’t think so, not until I’ve said hello.’ The Ensign who until that moment had been seated some distance away with several other officers rose and bounded forward.
    But Steph didn’t move. Instead she wriggled Mia round so the baby was positioned in her lap and facing the strangers. With her right arm anchoring Mia in place, this left her other arm free. Steph promptly placed her hand on Ivo’s thigh.
    His muscles bunched under her palm. Tension pulsed like lightning strikes from him.
    This’ll teach him to treat me like I’m not good enough for his present company. Bunch of stuck up snobs anyway.
    â€˜I’m Stephanie Roberts and this is Ivo’s niece, Mia.’ She quirked her brows at the startled faces staring back at her.
    â€˜Who is this…this creature?’ The oldest Darkon heaved to his feet and stabbed a bejewelled finger at her.
    Ensign Ronal hovered near the sofa, obviously unsure of how hard to press the issue of Stephanie refusing to leave.
    â€˜You need not concern yourself with her,’ clipped Ivo in terse tones.
    Undeterred, the Darkon blustered on. ‘I see. You, like your brother, have succumbed to the weakness of the flesh. I trust this is a momentary aberration on your part, El Boeka. The alignment of our two families must be conducted under strict Traditionalist law.’
    â€˜Alignment! What! You’re getting married?’ Steph gaped at the woman who allowed herself the tiniest curve of smugness to mar her perfectly sculptured lips.
    Her gaze shot back to Ivo who refused to meet her eyes.
    Coward.
    â€˜Ensign, remove this creature. Use force if you have to,’ barked the older Darkon.
    â€˜Ronal, stay where you are,’ ordered Ivo in a quiet flat voice that sent shivers down Stephanie’s spine. ‘You have forgotten, Gordo, this is my ship and my crew.’
    â€˜I will not have the family of Gordo contaminated by filth such as these,’ spat the other.
    â€˜Filth! Mia is worth a hundred of all of you.’
    â€˜Stephanie, be quiet and take Mia back to our compartment.’
    The Darkon woman said sharply, ‘Our compartment? Then it is true, you have taken an outworlder as your mate?’
    Fuelled by anger and disappointment, Stephanie put her two creds worth in. ‘I don’t mind sharing, if it doesn’t bother you. Let me give you a little bit of advice first though. He likes his sex hot, hard and lots of it.’
    The older male Darkon called Gordo gasped, fell back into his chair, his hand pressed theatrically against his chest.
    Mouth grim and tight, Ivo plucked Mia from Stephanie’s hold and stalked to the door. He snarled as his gaze snared hers, ‘Out.’
    â€˜I’ll see you all at dinner.’ Giving them a cheerful smile, and desperately hiding the pain tearing her glimmer of hope into shreds, she strolled to Ivo’s side.
    Without saying another word, he handed Mia over and ushered Stephanie through the door.
    With Ensign Ronal hot on her heels, Steph fled down the passageway to the chute where she choked out, ‘No need to follow me any further, I can find my way from here. Thanks.’
    Busy fuming and plotting dire retributions, Stephanie accomplished the