Bargain With the Enemy by S E Gilchrist Page A

return to Ivo’s quarters in record time. She stumbled inside as soon as the door slid open and hid her face in Mia’s hair. He’s getting married. And what a perfect match. She’s like an ice cube to his frozen tundra. I hope he has a life of absolute misery, the bastard.
    â€˜Don’t worry, sweetie. I won’t let Miss Prim and Perfect get her hands on you,’ she whispered, fearing that at any moment she would burst into tears.
    Stephanie collapsed onto the sofa. Supporting Mia’s back, Stephanie propped the baby into a sitting position in her lap, and stared into her sweet face for several minutes.
    â€˜Oh, Mia, what am I going to do? I’ve been a fool, beginning to believe in my silly fantasy.’ Her mouth trembled as her anger fled leaving her feeling as if someone had snatched her lifeline and left her floundering in an ocean far from land.
    Oblivious to Stephanie’s distress, Mia pursed her lips and blew a raspberry.
    â€˜That’s a clever girl.’ Stephanie smiled then woefully muttered, ‘I have only myself to blame. No one forced me into his bed. Or the cleansing tube.’
    She sighed. ‘Or over the back of the sofa. If only his stupid words didn’t hurt so much. But at least it’s made me see exactly where I fit into his future plans. Nowhere. Let him marry that inhuman witch. See if I care. And there is no way you are going to live with them either.’
    Mia waved a chubby fist in the air.
    â€˜Yes, I agree. Girl power is definitely called for in this situation. And we are starting right here and now. First off?’ Steph directed a mock frown at the baby. ‘No more down and dirty with Ice Man. Next, we are so out of here.’
    After giving a decisive nod, she gathered Mia close and rose from the sofa. Fired with a furious determination not to reveal how much Ivo’s treatment had hurt, Stephanie hurried into the other room, where after laying the baby onto the bed, she raced around stuffing Mia’s clothes and a few soft toys into a holdall. ‘Just as well we didn’t get too comfortable here,’ she said ramming her sleep tunic inside her backpack and snapping shut the zipper with a fierce yank.
    Whirling round to grab her hairbrush from the counter, she cannoned into a solid wall of chest.
    â€˜Oomph!’ Air left her lungs momentarily.
    Hard hands gripped her upper arms, giving her a little shake.
    Stephanie glared up through her now tangled hair into Ivo’s grim face.
    â€˜What is all this mess?’ he said.
    â€˜What does it looks like?’ She tossed her head to emphasise her words. ‘Mia and I are moving back into my cabin.’
    â€˜Unacceptable.’ He made it sound as if he’d squeezed the word out through gritted teeth.
    â€˜That’s just too bad.’ She pulled away and punched her finger on a panel on the wall. The robe door slid open. Reaching inside she grabbed her insulated flight jacket then noticed the tiny cyno armour suit hanging next to it. The jacket fell from her slack hands onto the floor.
    â€˜Oh man,’ she said, her chest tightening on a rush of emotion. ‘What is this?’
    Behind her, Ivo cleared his throat. ‘It is for Mia.’
    Stephanie released the suit from its clips and held it up. ‘It’s wonderful. When did you order this suit to be made?’ Turning round, she stared at him.
    â€˜It matters not.’
    â€˜You’re wrong, it matters a lot. She’ll grow out of it fast though.’
    He reached out a long arm and opened the next robe. Wordless, Stephanie stared at the row of three cyno suits, each one a size bigger than the last. Her eyes stung.
    â€˜Why do you weep?’ Frowning, he tilted his head and considered her. ‘Are you unwell?’ He took Mia’s protective suit from her and tossed it onto the bed. His hands closed around her wrists and he tugged her closer. ‘Remain still, while I