Del's Pirates [Sequel to G'baena's Pirates] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Rachel Clark Page A

killed Keytark, there was very little hope that they would make it back alive.
    “We will do everything we can to help,” G’ntriel assured him. “If there is even the smallest chance that we can get you back out of there we will find it.”
    “I know you will,” Cooper said quietly. He glanced around the small room and wondered what the hell to do now. Decompiling a data file suddenly seemed far less important than it had ten minutes ago. He stood up from the desk and paced the room. “Can you…” He had to clear his throat before he could continue. “Can you get someone else to take over here? I…um…”
    “Go and spend some time with your loved ones, Coop,” G’ntriel said with tears in her eyes. “I promise you that we will find a way to bring you all home safely.”
    Judge nodded in agreement and Cooper gave them a jerky nod and left the room.
     
    * * * *
     
    Del had no idea how he was going to tell Cooper and Avery what he’d volunteered to do, so he was both relieved and terrified when Cooper’s gruff order came through the ship’s communicator.
    “Del. Home. Now.”
    He glanced at Tee-ani, saw her nod of agreement, and left the medical area quickly. He reached the mess hall entrance just as Avery came rushing out.
    “What’s wrong with Cooper?” she asked as she grabbed Del’s hand and urged him to run to their cabin.
    Del shook his head, but wasn’t able to stop tears from filling his eyes. He couldn’t answer Avery’s question. He just shook his head and ran through the corridors faster. When they stepped into the room, Cooper grabbed them both in a fierce embrace.
    “Coop, what is it? Has something happened?”
    “Yes, we’ve found a way into Keytark’s base.”
    “But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Avery asked with tears filling her eyes. It was obvious that not knowing what was going on was frightening her badly. Unfortunately, explaining it wasn’t going to make things any easier. Del loved Avery and Cooper. He never wanted to leave them, but it was the right thing to do. Keytark had to be stopped. Del was their best chance to do just that.
    “I volunteered to go on a mission to assassinate Keytark. He wants me. I’ll be able to get closer to him than anyone else.” Del was also fairly certain that he’d be punished, abused, and likely tortured to near death over and over as well, but it was worth the chance to try and kill the man who brought cohesion to a criminal organization. Without him in charge, they had a real chance of shutting down the slave trade for many years.
    “I’m coming with you,” Avery said. It wasn’t a request. It was a demand. But he couldn’t let her do it. She and Cooper had a chance to build a happy life together. He had hoped to be a part of it, but it was at least comforting to know that they would be together even after he was gone.
    “I know, Avery-girl,” Cooper said calmly, but he wasn’t able to hide the deep shudder that went through his entire body.
    “You know?” Del asked, stepping out of the embrace. Cooper gave him a sad look and nodded. Del shook his head. “No, you don’t know. She’s not coming with me. She’s staying here and making babies with you.”
    “Don’t you dare go making decisions for me, Del,” Avery said, also pulling out of Cooper’s embrace. “I make up my own mind. I’m coming with you. End of story.”
    “Cooper,” Del said in a pleading tone, “don’t let her do this. Keep her here. Fuck, tie her down if you have to.”
    “Good god,” Avery said. She’d gone way past angry. She now looked deeply hurt. “Do you think so little of me, Del? Would you take away my hard-fought right to choose my own fate?” Tears leaked from her eyes as she faced him. “Do you think my instinct to protect you is any less than your instinct to protect me? I love you, Del. I won’t let you face this alone.” She turned to Cooper, wiped ineffectually at the tears streaming down her face, and gave him a