The Power of Persuasion by Kate Pearce Page A

her inability to have a child.”
    “Then you should definitely speak to her.” Neeve leaned in closer. “Could you make it soon? I’m worried about what’s going to happen to these telepaths.”
    “I’ll confirm as soon as I can.” He raised his eyebrows. “It’s really that important to you?”
    “It might be. By the way, these are all military personnel. I’ll be asking the authorities here if I can use them as security for the trip home. If it all works as planned, I’ll need you to back me up on this.”
    “I’ll do that.” He smiled. “It will be good to have you home, Neeve.”
    She sighed. “That depends.”
    “On what?”
    “What do you think?”
    “You can’t run away from your destiny, forever.”
    She signed off and spoke into the silence. “Yes, I bloody well can.”
    “This is most unusual, Dr. Neeve, most unusual.”
    Neeve smiled sympathetically at the Commander-in-Chief of Earth’s military. “My family is rather protective of me, General Schaeffer. There isn’t much I can do about that. I’m sorry for all the inconvenience. It’s just that once they realized there were a few telepaths on Earth who could help secure my return to Pavlovan, they wouldn’t settle for anyone else bringing me home.”
    “One wonders how they found out about them in the first place.”
    She opened her eyes wide. “I didn’t realize it was a secret. When my family asked if my mating needs were being met, I was happy to share that you had exceeded my expectations by providing me with telepaths. My planet is very grateful, and very amenable to continuing to share our telepathic skills with your emerging youth.”
    Of course, all he cared about was the military applications of telepathy, like the Etruscans. But she wanted to give him the opportunity to at least pretend to respond positively to the Pavlovan assembly’s demands.
    “I’ve been instructed by my government to release the required personnel to you for this mission. They will meet you at the space port when you depart tomorrow morning.”
    Neeve smiled. “Thank you, General. I appreciate your support.” She shook his hand and waited for him to leave, accompanied by his large entourage. She could only hope he’d take the obnoxious Professor Dean with him.
    “Well?”
    Neeve smiled at Mac who was sitting on her bed, his hands clasped between his knees. He wore his usual black military uniform and had just had his hair cut so short it looked like bristles.
    “Well what?”
    “Are we leaving or not?”
    She leaned back against the door and considered him. “Yes, we are. Ash has arranged it all just as I asked him.”
    “Who’s Ash?”
    “He’s the head of the Pavlovan Assembly.”
    “A useful man to know.”
    She debated mentioning her mother but decided it was far too early in their relationship to dump that on him. “He is. I’m also very fond of him.” She noted the slight tensing of his shoulders. “He’s one of the most powerful telepaths I’ve ever known. He’s gorgeous to look at too, long silver hair and a body to die for.”
    He looked up at her. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
    She moved closer until she was standing between his knees.
    “He can’t wait to meet you either.”
    “Did you tell him we were lovers?”
    She cupped his chin. “No. I’d rather wait and share that in person.”
    “Will he object?”
    “It depends whether he likes you or not.” His jaw flexed beneath her fingers and she fought a smile. “He is a very powerful man. His good will is important to cultivate.”
    “Understood,” he murmured, and turned his face until his mouth brushed her thumb. He kissed her knuckle and then licked it. “When are we leaving?”
    “Tomorrow morning.”
    “And the other telepaths?”
    “Are definitely coming with us.”
    He let out his breath. “I still can’t believe this is going to happen the way we planned. Are you sure Professor Dean can’t interfere?”
    “Mac, I just spoke to General