Free Cosmic Sex by Karen Kelley

survive on an inferior planet?
    She shoved against the door, then jumped back when a vehicle crashed into it and the thing went flying. Conveyances skidded to a stop, barely missing each other. There were loud blasts of noises and angry voices.
    If they would make conveyances that could fly, they wouldn’t have these problems. She stepped out of Nick’s vehicle and marched down the walkway to the store that had caught her attention.
    Her sister would want details about Kia’s time on Earth. If she could tell Lara it was a very dull planet, then maybe she would lose her fixation with this barbaric place.
    “Hey, lady, what are ya goin’ to do about my car? You’re parked on the wrong side of the street!” a male voice called out, but she refused to turn around.
    She ignored the stranger who had hit Nick’s door with his conveyance. Better not to be confrontational and thus bring attention to herself. She would let the stranger explain to Nick why he’d ripped off the door. She had a feeling Nick wouldn’t be happy with the man.
     
    The captain looked up from the papers he was shuffling through. His brown hair was liberally streaked with gray, as were his bushy eyebrows, which were lowered in a menacing scowl.
    It was an expression Nick had seen many times over the ten-year span of his career. His gut clenched. The look didn’t bode well for him or Sam. He only hoped Sam didn’t go down, too.
    Beside him, Sam squared his shoulders. Finally, the captain dropped the papers on his desk and leaned back in his chair.
    “Nick, you’re on suspension pending an Internal Affairs investigation. I couldn’t stop it this time.”
    “This is crazy and you know it, Cap’n! Suspension, maybe, but what the hell is IA doing butting their noses into it?”
    Damn it! He couldn’t say he hadn’t seen some kind of reprimand coming. IA, though? What was he supposed to do when that biker started pawing Kia?
    “We need an informant. The Russian mafia is trying to horn in on the drugs coming into the country. They want a piece of the action. When all hell broke loose at the bar, IA found you were the cause—over a woman. What the hell were you thinking, Nick?” He shook his head. “Never mind. I don’t even want to know.”
    “It wasn’t his fault,” Sam jumped in.
    The captain turned his attention to Sam. “The only reason you’re not on suspension is because I talked Candace out of it.”
    “Candy? What the hell is she doing on the case?” Damn it, Nick had known her since she was wet behind the ears. She’d gotten lucky a few times and moved up the ranks. Once she’d made a pass and he’d brushed her off.
    Ah, hell, he was in deep shit.
    “You’ve had a pretty clean record—up until now.” The captain continued speaking to Sam as if Nick hadn’t said a word. “Despite Nick flagrantly throwing away the rule book.”
    “We’re partners,” Sam spoke up. “If Nick goes down, then so do I.”
    “It wasn’t your fault.” Nick intervened. Damn, he didn’t want his friend on suspension with him. “I screwed up. Me. Not you.”
    “I hope she was worth it.” The captain eyed Nick.
    “She was in trouble. What was I supposed to do? I thought we were supposed to protect people.”
    “Around you, someone’s always in trouble.” He sighed long and deep. “You’re a damn good cop, Nick, but you’ve got to learn to follow the rules. This informant was important to the operation. I’d suggest until the investigation is over you keep a low profile.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Sam, give us a minute.”
    Sam hesitated.
    “Don’t worry,” the captain said. “I haven’t shot anyone in all my years on the force.”
    Sam nodded toward Nick. A silent look that said no matter what, Sam had his back. But he’d always known Sam would. As soon as the door shut, Nick turned to the captain.
    “At least I’ve never shot anyone that didn’t need shooting,” the captain finished. His expression said the jury was still