I glanced to Quinn. The knuckles of her hands were white on the chair, and I realized she was actually afraid. “That voice belongs to my commander, a Prillon. Dr. Helion. He is head of the IC.” I cocked my head toward the door. “He will not hurt you. He is a friend.”
I used the term friend loosely at the moment because I wanted to bash the doctor’s head in for interrupting that kiss, for denying us the pleasure that was to follow. Quinn, however, appeared to be relieved that I knew our visitor. She rose and came to my side. “Well, I guess you’d better see what he wants.”
“Indeed.” I didn’t bother to hide my irritation from her. She grinned up at me as if the situation were amusing. Out of instinct, I placed her safely behind me and entered the security codes I’d programmed into the lock before sleeping. The door slid open to reveal not only Helion, but Tane and the Elite Hunters Quinn and Rett. I focused on Helion. “Why are you here?”
“May we come in?” Dr. Helion was using his most charming, official-business, convince-everyone-he-was-harmless voice. No doubt for my mate’s benefit. I wasn’t falling for his false act. He hadn’t shown up with the others to be denied. The question wasn’t a question. It was a courtesy at best.
“No.”
“Bahre!” Behind me, Quinn protested. Dr. Helion grinned as my mate’s delicate hand wrapped around my elbow and nudged me out of the way so she could see our visitors. In the years I’d known the head of IC, I’d never once seen him smile.
Never. Why now? Why for my mate? She’d captured me, but had she also ensnared the likes of Helion?
“Of course you may enter,” she continued, looking up at me under her long red lashes while I seethed. “These are your friends. They helped rescue me.” She turned to Dr. Helion. “Thank you, by the way. And yes. Come in. Please.”
I was going to fucking beat Helion until he cried. Rip his balls from his body and listen to him scream for interrupting us. Gods be damned. I couldn’t refuse her. Worse, when I looked into the hallway, I found Tane watching the two of us with a longing so strong it hurt to witness.
He wanted a mate. I knew how he felt. I’d watched Braun and Wulf with their mates with the same ache in my soul. Unfortunately there was nothing to do to help.
“Fuck,” I all but snarled. “Make it fast.” I stepped back, and the males entered our private haven, the door sliding closed behind them. I entered the security code that locked the door, which Helion noted, giving me a slight nod of approval. Old habits died hard. “I already scanned the space for listening devices,” I told him, knowing what he would ask first. “We’re clear.”
There was no fucking way I would claim my mate in quarters that were being monitored. Clearing the room of spying devices was day one Intelligence Core Training.
“Excellent.” He settled himself in a chair. The two Elite Hunters stood behind him like sentries. Tane, however, moved to Quinn, bowed low, and offered her his hand.
“My lady. I am Warlord Tane. It is an honor to officially meet you.”
Quinn looked up to me and waited for my nod before grasping Tane’s hand gently with her own. Her one small act of deference, looking to me for protection, pleased my beast greatly. She was learning to lean on me, to trust me. To accept that I would care for her.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, offering him a small smile. “Thank you, for yesterday.”
“It is my honor to serve you.” He stepped back before I had a chance to become irritated with his skin touching my mate’s. Smart. Tane walked to the seating area and sat at the far end of the couch, leaving the place closest to Helion open for me.
I escorted Quinn to settle between myself and Tane. Intentionally I positioned my bulk between Helion and Quinn. The doctor had to lean quite far to catch the smallest glimpse of her. If he wanted anything from her, he’d have to go through me first. I’d told him that the day before and meant it.
“What do you want, Helion? You shouldn’t be here. You should be finishing your mission and capturing Cerberus.”
He gave a slight nod. “I agree. But we have run into a small obstacle in luring him to the station.”
The name caused Quinn to tense beside me. Before I realized what she intended, she stood and faced the Prillon. I put my arm out in front of her. A shield of sorts, but I would not have her getting near Helion. It wasn’t that I thought he would hurt her, but I didn’t want her getting close to anyone. “Lukabo mentioned Cerberus. Said he was going to sell me to the someone named Cerberus and was going to be paid enough to set himself up on a new planet. I don’t know how much that is, but it must be a lot.”
My beast raged to break free but I shoved him down without mercy. I did not have an enemy before me to tear into pieces. But I would. By the gods, I would.
Quinn ignored me and watched Helion. “I remember the name because I took Greek mythology in high school. Why are you trying to lure him to the station?” Her voice wobbled, and I wished, for the first time in my life, to be a Prillon warrior with a mating collar so I would know what she was feeling. Terror? Rage? Pain? I didn’t know beyond simple fear.
I reached for her hand and ran my thumb along her skin to soothe her. Her shoulders relaxed, and she squeezed my fingers. My touch calmed her, and my beast preened. She was mine. Completely mine. “You are safe, Quinn.”
She looked down at me with a smile that was not bright. It was… sad. “I know. I am safe. Now. But who is Cerberus? Is he some kind of human trafficker?”
Dr. Helion answered. “Upon occasion. They—his legion—prefer to deal in weapons and drugs.”
She swallowed hard, then licked her lips. “Good Lord. It’s just like home. You people are no different. Fancy spaceships and you’re still dealing with drug lords and gun dealers?”
I didn’t like the opinion she was forming of the Coalition. “Cerberus and the legions of Rogue 5 operate outside of the Coalition. Their influence is small compared to the power of Prillon Prime and the Coalition Fleet.”
Dr. Helion nodded, his most charming smile in place. Which, on a Prillon’s face, was not reassuring at all. He looked like he was about to attack her. “Think of Cerberus as—what is a good human phrase—a fly in the ointment? A single bad apple?”
She rolled her eyes at those terms. “So what did he want with me?”
“It’s not you, my lady. It’s human females. Any one of you would do.”
I didn’t like the idea that Quinn was replaceable with any other human, but this was Cerberus. He wasn’t particular.
“What?” Quinn’s jaw dropped in shock. “Why?”
Helion flicked a glance at me. He was careful not to move too much. My beast was riding the edge, and neither my beast nor I liked the direction this conversation was going.
“Intel and past action have proven that Cerberus has become fascinated with females from Earth. Compared to the other populations, the number of human brides is quite insignificant. However, you Earth females have had a significant impact on just about every planet once you arrive. Jessica mated to Prime Nial of Prillon Prime and opened The Colony to brides. Gwendolyn was integrated by the Hive and has become excellent at tracking and killing Hive Nexus units. Rachel is mated to Maxim, the governor of the most powerful base on The Colony. Chloe is one of my best fighter pilots and can sense and communicate with Hive technology. Ivy mated a Forsian hybrid from Astra Legion of Rogue 5. The leader of Styx Legion also mated a human. Fighters from Earth are small, fierce, and fast. They have been instrumental in countless ReCon missions, saving thousands of Coalition fighters from Hive Integration Units. Even coming from such a primitive planet, humans, as a whole, have developed quite a reputation.”
Elite Hunter Quinn interrupted. “My mate, Niobe, is half-human. She is Vice Admiral of the Coalition Fleet and in charge of the Coalition Academy where all new fighters are trained.”
Helion was watching my mate’s face for her reaction.
“So you see, Cerberus has decided that he must have a huma
n female of his own. It is not as if he can be tested and matched. He wants one at any cost. He has already committed murder and kidnapping to that end.”
“Why me?” She set her hand on her chest.
I could remain silent no longer. Cerberus’s interest in her was completely my fault. “Because of me. The comm video where I declared my intentions to you didn’t just circulate on Earth. The comm was widely seen all over the Coalition worlds. Taking a Warlord’s bride, especially mine, would make him appear very powerful.” I sighed. “I am so sorry. I failed you.”
She looked down at me and actually scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not your fault some random creep is obsessed with human women.”
What?
Quinn crossed her arms, and she no longer looked afraid. She looked… furious. “This isn’t my first rodeo with assholes.” I was still trying to process the translation of a rodeo when she continued. “So I assume you have some kind of plan to lure this Cerberus guy to this space station so you can take him out. Take him down. Whatever.”
“Yes,” Helion confirmed. “However, he is not cooperating. So far. You have disappeared, you see. Despite Styx’s and Blade’s attempts to convince him you are still on Zenith, my spies tell me he is not going to risk the trip.”
Styx and Blade. I had completely forgotten about the two hybrids. “Where are they?”
“At this very moment they are in the canteen complaining about the high price Lukabo is demanding for Quinn.”
“But I thought Lukabo was dead.” Quinn frowned and looked to me for confirmation.
Satisfaction coursed through me as I remembered how I’d ripped his head from his body. “He is, mate. I could not allow him to live after what he did to you.”
Quinn squeezed my hand. “Good. I’m glad he’s dead.” She turned to Helion. “So, you thought rumors of me being around would be enough to get him here if he thought this Styx guy was interested in buying me?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s not working, because Lukabo hasn’t been directly in touch with him to demand more money?”
“I assume so,” Helion confirmed. “Cerberus is smart.”
She shrugged her slim shoulders. “Yeah? Well fuck him.” Quinn’s fierce declaration made me proud, until she continued.
“I’m in. If he won’t show up because he can’t reach Lukabo, then maybe he’ll come if he sees me, knows I’m still here. I’ll be what humans call bait. Whatever you need. Let’s get him.”
“No!” My beast bellowed for both of us, but my mate, my brave, courageous, stubborn female didn’t even flinch despite the volume.
Fucking Helion, the bastard, smiled like he’d just been given a prize.
“No,” I said again. “I forbid it. You will not place yourself in danger.”
Quinn held onto my hand but didn’t back down. If anything she stiffened her spine and stood even taller on those fucking high-heeled shoes she loved so much. She looked like what she was, a beautiful, fierce female. “For those of you who didn’t know, I had a stalker on Earth. He’s been obsessed with me for several years. He got away with it because the law couldn’t arrest him. He’s kept me scared and jumping at shadows. I allowed Randall to make my life a living hell. It didn’t stop, except now I’m in space and I doubt he’s following me here. He’ll probably move on to someone else, which is unfortunate. I’m so done. Finished. No more. I know stalkers. This Cerberus guy totally fits the profile. Randall may have been scary, but Cerberus sounds downright dangerous. If he doesn’t get his hands on me, is he going to stop?” She glanced at Helion although she already knew the answer. So did I.
“No.”
“He’ll never stop,” Quinn confirmed. “He’ll keep going. He’ll hurt people. Kill. All because he thinks he should own a woman who wants nothing to do with him. It’s wrong. If I can stop him, I’m going to. I’m tired of being afraid all the time. You’ll keep me safe.” She turned from me to Tane, then looked at Helion and the two Hunters. “You will all keep me safe. I can’t let this guy get away with it. He’ll never stop until we finish him.”
Fuck. She was right. I knew she was right. And I fucking hated the idea of using her as bait, but my female had a mind of her own, and I loved that about her. She would do what she had to do, and I would make sure she was safe.
I looked at Helion. “What’s the plan?”
13
Bahre, Cargo Hold, Sub-Level Four
I scented her. My mate was here. It soothed my beast and riled it in equal measure. How dare someone use her as a pawn? As bait? She was innocent. She was perfect.
We stood inside a large cargo chamber on the lower level of the transport station. Helion’s plan was, as usual, multilayered and complex. He had so many plans in motion I had stopped listening to him once my part with Quinn was outlined.
I didn’t fucking care who ruled Cerberus Legion. I didn’t care about politics, informants, payoffs, who owed whom a favor, or anything other than keeping my mate safe and happy.
Unfortunately for me, happy meant Quinn wanted to help take Cerberus down. I understood her need to reclaim her power over the males who had hurt her in the past. I was proud of her for fighting for herself and for fighting to protect other females, women from her planet she did not know and would never meet. However, getting validation for ending Cerberus didn’t bring justice to the human, Jeff Randall, on Earth. He would still be out there, and as she’d said, most likely move on to another female. Seeing Cerberus dead would empower her, but not completely.
I could see it, but she couldn’t. Not yet. But I could deny her nothing. Grudgingly I had to admit she was right. Cerberus would come for her. I couldn’t deny the success of a solid plan just because I was mated to the bait. I would ensure she was safe and remained that way.
Quinn was beautiful and fragile and fucking fearless. Watching Elite Hunter Rett secure her to a chair made my beast want to rip him to pieces. Her wrists were bound, her ankles restrained. She was helpless. She couldn’t even use those ruthless heels on her shoes as weapons.
Rett wasn’t even the enemy we were after.
“Are you sure about this, mate?” I asked again, looming over her. And Rett.
Her green eyes were bright with fierce determination. Like a warrior going into battle. “Yes. I need to do this.”
I swallowed hard, knowing I’d have to walk away from her side. “Very well.” I leaned down and kissed the top of her head, breathed her in. “No harm will come to you. You have my word.”
“I know.” She smiled up at me. “I love you, my beast. I want you to know that.”
Fuck. My heart literally skipped a beat in my chest. Now? She chose to tell me now? Here?
My beast fought to break free, to rip her from the chair and fuck her against the wall. Right fucking now. She was mine.
I roared. She kept smiling. In fact, she perhaps smiled even bigger.
Everyone else froze, waiting to see what my beast was going to do. It wasn’t every day a mate was included in a mission. It wasn’t every day a mate professed her love for you. During a mission. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure I could control my beast.
Fuck that. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
She loved me. Me. Beast. Scars. I’d killed Lukabo with my bare hands, and while she hadn’t witnessed the act, she knew it. Wasn’t afraid. In fact I believed she was actually pleased I’d done so. She trusted me to protect her, even now, after I’d failed her on Earth.
She loved me. All of me.
I dropped to my knees before her so we were eye level, even though she was sitting. “Quinn. Mine.” My beast’s rumbling voice was loud in the echoing chamber. I cupped her small face and looked into those fathomless eyes. The look on in her eyes screamed love. All for me.
“Gods be damned, female. Are you trying to ruin the op?” Dr. Helion took me by the arm, tugged me to my feet, and dragged me away from my mate. My mate, who loved me enough to declare her feelings in a roomf
ul of other males. Everian Hunters. Prillons. Warlords. Killers.
I moved with him instead of ripping his head off, enough in control to realize Helion was right. If I allowed my beast to take over, toss her and the chair she was tied to over my shoulder, and took her back to our suite, the operation would be ruined. Cerberus would escape. In the end that would make my female unhappy.
Unacceptable. I’d be disappointed as well. I was a warrior and fought for peace. This I could do beside my mate.
Still, she was grinning like she was inordinately pleased with herself. I wasn’t sure why.
Behind me, Elite Hunter Quinn chuckled. “You’ve got your hands full, Warlord. My mate is human. I know that look.”
“Indeed.” Quinn was unpredictable. And mine. So very, very mine.
“Hearing those words… fuck. It is the sweetest sound,” he continued. “Besides her cries of pleasure.”
I grunted a reply, trying to will back my beast. Thinking of what Quinn sounded like as I fucked her to her completion wasn’t helping.
“Focus, Warlord. Use the need for your mate to complete this mission,” Helion advised.
Helion had wisely given me the sole task of guarding my mate, then getting to her and ensuring her safety while the others took care of everything else. One small part of a huge operation. To me, the most important job of all.
The hallway had been cleared. The other doors to all the cargo hold on this level had been locked so no one would get in the way of our mission. Or shout, or do anything to give away our presence before it was time. Only a single door remained unsealed. There was only one way into this room. And one way out.
Cerberus would arrive. He would not leave.
I focused on Helion as he went over planning and positions one last time. Cerberus would arrive soon. And we would end him.
* * *
Quinn
Twisting my wrists to test the bindings the alien called Rett had placed there, I was careful not to look concerned. I had not expected them to actually be confining. Catching Rett’s attention, I made a face at him, trying to get him to understand the bindings were too fucking snug. He shook his head and leaned over so Bahre would not hear him.
Beauty and the Beast: Interstellar Brides® Program: The Beasts - 3 Page 11