by ML Guida
“I don’t know. Last time I saw him, he seemed pretty happy being Skye’s personal bodyguard. I can’t imagine Skye being happy except on the stage. She’s a born star. By the way, I always wondered are all security bears polar bears?”
He shook his head. “No, but most of them are.”
“Interesting.”
Once again, the corridor was sleek with no doors, but that meant nothing. By now, she knew when approached or voice activated, a door would mysteriously open. Crewmen and women walked by them and acknowledged Vaughn and gazed at Sandra curiously. Why wouldn’t they? She was at least a foot shorter than Vaughn and at least six inches smaller than the women. She felt like a child among giants.
Sandra’s stomach let out another roar.
Vaughn gestured with his arm. “The cafeteria is just around the corner.”
Heat swelled over her cheeks and she looked down at the tiled floor that reminded her of white marble.
They rounded the corner.
“Mess hall.”
This time, two double doors slid open to a long cafeteria. The smells of roasting meat and vegetables made her mouth water.
“Unlike some of the other ships in the Confederation, we have personal cooks that hold great honor here. We don’t have a computer that immediately produces whatever food you desire. Arians prefer the hands-on touch of a personal cook.”
“Well, it smells delicious, but I doubt the roasting meat is from a cow or venison or buffalo from Earth, is it?”
He grinned. “No. We only have meat from Aria. However, the merops is very similar to your cattle. Except it’s green with six legs and has two heads. It’s raised on ranches like your cattle.”
“Green? That’s so strange. What does it taste like?”
He winked. “What’s that Earth saying? Tastes like chicken?”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “Stop.”
He laughed as they headed toward the front of the line. “Seriously, though, you can get the merops anyway you like. You can have it roasted, barbecued, fried, or baked. The cooks usually have a special and it’s always delicious.”
The smell of roasting meat was getting stronger and Sandra’s stomach jumped up and down with delight. “Is that what you’re going to get?”
“Probably. Cooks haven’t gone wrong yet. Merops has a stronger game taste than beef. You might want to get it fried just so the taste doesn’t overpower you. Merops and chips might be a better bit. Because I think today’s special is steak, cooked medium rare.”
“Sounds great to me.”
A tall woman was behind a glass partition just like Sandra would find on Earth, handing out plates that looked more like platters, but the kitchen was way different. An army of cooks bustled in a kitchen that had to be at least as big as a small football field. Large fireplaces had roasting meat. Fryers were crackling with what looked like French fries and dipped fat. Leafy greens and white and yellow vegetables–– or at least she thought they were vegetables––were stir fried in huge pans, sputtering with oil.
“This is incredible,” she said.
Vaughn gestured for her to move ahead of him. “We take our food seriously.”
Warmth glowed in her chest. Vaughn was always the gentleman. Chivalry definitely hadn’t died with him, and Sandra was finding herself falling more and more under his charms.
He stood behind her and his spicy breath brushed over the back of her neck. Chills swooshed down her spine, but it wasn’t cold. He was opening a door that she’d had long kept closed.
A tall round woman smiled at Sandra. Her silver hair was pulled back into a bun and she had wrinkles around her eyes. She could easily pass for anyone’s sweet old grandma. “Hi, I’m Helda. You’re the Earthling, aren’t you dear?” She had a friendly tone that made Sandra feel welcomed.
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m sure Vaughn has told you about our merops. Unfortunately, we don’t have any meat from Earth. However, I think you would enjoy fried merops and chips.” She puffed out her chest. “It’s one of our signature dishes.”
She glanced up at Vaughn. “Vaughn said it was very good.”
He smiled, a smile that would have sent any girls swooning, especially a shy scientist.
“I’ll fix you up a nice plate.” Helda looked at Vaughn. “You’ll want the special as always.”
“You guys haven’t gone wrong yet.”
“Helda, I’ll have the special too,” Ivona said. “If you don’t mind, Vaughn and Sandra, I just saw my friends eating, and I’d like to join them for lunch.”
“Sure, go right ahead,” Sandra said.
Greum’s eyes lit up and desire flickered in them. “My mate just walked in.”
Sandra followed his gaze. A red-headed woman smiled at him.
“So, I take it you want to eat with her rather than us.” Vaughn winked at Sandra. “I’m crushed.”
Within minutes, Helda returned with a plate that really did look like fish and chips, but the chips were thicker and reminded Sandra of chicken nuggets.
“Careful dears,” Helda said. “The plates are hot. Make sure to take the warming gloves so you don’t burn your fingers.”
Not only was the silverware in a bin, but gloves as well. Sandra did as Helda instructed and put on white gloves that immediately formed to the size of her hand as if they were alive. She picked up a fork and knife and her plate. She was starving and couldn’t wait to indulge. Hopefully, she liked the merops and it didn’t upset her insides. She’d too much to do to be stuck in the bathroom, emptying her stomach.
“This way.” Vaughn led her to a small table, just for two, that was in the corner.
They put the trays down on the table. Vaughn immediately pulled her chair out for her, his fingers brushed over her back, sending tingles down her spine, making her shiver.
Another plus for him.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“I’ll get us some drinks.”
“What do you have?”
“Let me surprise you.” He left.
Sandra picked up her fork and cut into the fried merop. The meat was red, but definitely cooked. She sniffed. It smelled like game, reminding her more of elk than anything else. Definitely not beef or chicken or pork.
“Afraid to try it?” Vaughn sit opposite her and put a glass in front of her. Dark brown liquid fizzled.
“No.” She picked up the glass and twirled it around. “That smells and looks like a coke.”
He clasped her hand gently from across the table. “That’s because it is.”
Sandra’s eyes widened. “It is?”
“I thought maybe you’d like something from your home. We discovered your fizzing soft drinks and we loved them. It was easy to decipher their composition. We have all different types of flavors from sweet to sour to spicy, but I just got you the basic flavor. I wasn’t sure what you would like.”
“I’m just not used to this.” Her voice turned low and her heart fluttered.
“I know. It’s not the food you’re used to, but maybe you’ll get used to merops. Try it.”
She laughed softly. “No, it’s not the food. It’s you.”
He frowned. “What? What did I do?”
“You’ve been such a gentleman to me. You’ve defended me when no one else would.” She looked up, trying not to cry, but tears blurred her vision. She tried to talk, but her throat strangled the words.
“Sandra? Talk to me.” He squeezed her hand gently.
She took several deep calming breaths. “Men…have never been exactly kind to me. I seem to draw the…evilness out of men.” Her voice choked. “I always thought there was something wrong with me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Sandra. Some people are just evil. It has nothing to do with you. You drew me.” Vaughn caressed the top of her hand with his thumb. Tingling sensations rushed up her arm, leaving goosebumps, and she couldn’t do anything but indulge in his gentleness.
She stared into his gr
een eyes that were filled with warmth and comfort, making her think of home. “I want to believe you, but my past says otherwise.”
“What happened with Hector Savage wasn’t your fault. He was twisted.”
Sandra bit her lip and the fear and self-disgust gripped her throat. “He wasn’t the only one that was twisted.”
Vaughn swept her hair over her ear. “You’re talking about your stepfather, aren’t you?”
She blinked her eyes and looked away from him. “He always made me feel so dirty.” Her voice was so small, and the room seemed so much bigger.
Vaughn moved next to her and put his arm around her, pulling her to his shoulder. His hand moved up and down her arm. Her heart beat slowed and the guilt gripping her gut faded away. Normally, she would have fought and pushed him away. But she was tired of being alone, of always feeling scared, of always feeling unclean.
“I don’t know why I’m telling you this here.” She sniffed and wiped her tears. “Especially here in this crowded cafeteria.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Take your time. No one can hear you.”
His steady heart beat tapped the truth out of her.
“My stepfather started molesting me when I was four.” Her tiny voice matched the rhythm of his heart, his breath.
She closed her eyes shut and trembled. There she said it. In a crowded cafeteria. In the arms of a man where she couldn’t see his face. Didn’t want to see the disgust in his eyes.
“How long did it last?” She wasn’t sure, but she thought his shaking voice was devoid of judgment, and instead, filled with concern, concern for her.
“Until I was thirteen.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I finally told my grandpappy.”
“That’s when he reported it?”
She nodded, still keeping her eyes closed. “Yes. I still remember how angry Grandpappy was when I wouldn’t substantiate the charges. But my mother was powerful, powerful enough to keep me from not seeing him. He was my world. I couldn’t lose him.” Her voice cracked and faded.
He pressed her closer to his side. “I swear I’ll help you find a cure to help save your grandpappy.”
She wanted to say thank you, but she was one step away from bawling. It took everything she had to push the tears back into the dam, threatening to break.
Vaughn shifted and the warmth that had cocooned her turned ice cold, cooling off her breath. The smell of the fried merops was too much, and nausea swirled her gut.
“Sandra.” Vaughn clasped her shoulders. “Look at me…Please.” The last word was like a soft breeze, a spell that lured her to do what he asked.
His eyes were full of something that she couldn’t tell exactly what––anger, hate, possessiveness––but his touch was gentle.
“Listen to me. Your stepfather will not escape judgment. I promise you that.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“In my culture, my people, we do not tolerate such monstrosity. Our women, our children are valued upon all else.” He got on one knee and stared up at her. His eyes glowed and he grew in stature.
She sucked in her breath and her heart pounded, her eyes widened. Any response, any scream, dried up on her trembling lips.
“Give me the honor of seeking my revenge on this filth. He does not deserve to live.”
“You want to kill Oscar?”
“By the Shades, he’ll not see another day when I’m through with him.”
She’d dreamed of someone killing Oscar, of watching him be ripped down, making him suffer as he’d made her suffer.
But then where would that leave her? A victim. A damsel in distress.
“No.”
His brows drew into a deep scowl. “Why?” His strained voice was an angry growl.
She put her trembling hands on his cheeks. “Last night you said you would teach me to fight. I want to confront Oscar and my mother without my legs shaking and my voice quivering. Will you do this for me?”
He kissed her palm. “Your wish is my command. Every chance we get, I’ll teach you, and then we’ll confront them together.”
Her chest expanded, and her heart was full of hope, hope that she’d never experienced before. For the first time, Sandra thought there was a chance she could face her stepfather and her mother without fear.
Chapter 9
Vaughn slid back into his chair still visibly shaken of Sandra’s revelation. Hate burned in his gullet, his muscles thickened, and his tongue rolled over his incisors. He was one step away from shifting. His bear roared for blood, to tear the bastard’s flesh off his bones.
She hung her head and wiped the tears away from her cheeks. She shoved the plate of food away.
“Sandra, you need to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.”
He smiled gently. “I can still hear your stomach growling.”
“I said I wasn’t hungry.”
“If you don’t eat, you’ll pass out, and we need you.” He gestured with his hand. “Please, eat.”
She looked up and he thought she would defy him, but Sandra was logical and took a small bite of the fried merops. She chewed it slowly as if she weren’t sure whether she should spit it out or swallow.
“Do you like it?”
Her glistening eyes brightened. “Actually, this is really good.”
She gobbled four more bites. “Aren’t you eating?”
His stomach rumbled with hate, anger, and frustration. The last thing he wanted to do was eat. Thinking about what his mate had endured as a child nearly drove him mad. What had he been doing when she was being molested?
He forced a smile on his tight face. “I just like watching you eat.”
“Well, I don’t. I get self-conscious when I’m the only one eating.” She motioned with her fork. “Now, eat.”
He saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.”
She grinned. Some of the terror edged away from her eyes, but it was still there. Shades, she still worked for the man. He needed to get in touch with Agent Malloy. He doubted molesting little girls wasn’t the only thing the bastard had done. It was time to make Oscar squirm like a worm on a hook.
He cut up his grilled meat and forced it down his throat.
“Is it good?”
“Yes. Would you like to try a piece?” He didn’t want her to think he’d lost his appetite, because of what she’d told him. He had, but she didn’t need to know. He swore for the rest of his days he’d do whatever it took to make her smile and brush away her nightmares.
“Yes, I would.” She stabbed her fork into one of the pieces that was dripping with gravy and nibbled on it. “Tastes like elk. More wild than domesticated.”
“And?”
“It’s good.” She returned to paying attention to her plate.
Neither of them spoke for the rest of the meal as they devoured their food.
His telicator beeped.
“Vaughn, here.”
“Security. You and Sandra are ordered to report to station three.”
“We’ll be there. Vaughn, out.”
Sandra put down her silverware. “It’s our turn to be questioned.”
“Apparently so.”
She dabbed her mouth with a napkin then stood. “Let’s go.”
Vaughn wiped his lips as well then put out his arm. “This way. It won’t take long. We’ll be able to return to our testing.”
She smiled, but didn’t question him. He led her out of the crowded cafeteria and down the corridor. Station three was located near the cafeteria. Several men came out of the station. One of them was Rye.
“So, brother, it’s your turn to go under the Telsa Sifter.”
Vaughn’s brother Ryruc grinned at him. He looked at Sandra with curiosity in his eyes.
Sandra raised her eyebrow.
Vaughn cleared his throat. “Sandra Rotella, let me introduce you to my younger brother, Ryruc. Ryruc, this is my mate.”
He held his breath, waiting to see Sandra’s reaction to h
im calling her his mate, but she didn’t glare, she didn’t flinch. Instead, she held out her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ryruc.”
Rye took her hand and brought it to his lips. “It’s Rye. You’re very pretty.” He kissed her palm.
Possessiveness flared in Vaughn’s heart. A warning growl escaped from his pressed lips.
Sandra gave Rye one of her enchanting smiles. “You’re quite the charmer.”
Rye shrugged. “Sometimes. But most of the time I’m angry. Especially when it comes to the Intrepid.”
Sandra’s smile faded to her scientist curiosity gaze. “Really?”
“She’s mine,” Vaughn grumbled and gently took her hand out of Rye’s. His brother tossed his head back and laughed.
Vaughn glared at his teasing brother. “Yes, Rye doesn’t like it when the ship is threatened.”
Rye’s eyes darkened. “Very true. I don’t like traitors.” His voice was tainted with the memory of the horrors of the past.
“Good thing I’m not a traitor then,” Sandra said quietly.
Rye flashed his gaze over her. “She’s got a fire in her belly, Vaughn. A good mate.”
Sandra’s cheeks blushed a lovely shade of pink and she turned away.
Vaughn put his hand on Sandra’s lower back. “If you’ll excuse us, brother.”
Confusion flared in Rye’s eyes as if he didn’t understand what he’d said that would be insulting. But how could he? He knew nothing of his mate’s past.
He escorted Sandra into station three. The Telsa Sifter was in the middle of the room. Guards were on either side of it and a programmer sat in a chair operating the controls.
The programmer was checking some results and hadn’t acknowledged them yet.
Sandra looked on curiously. “Is that the Telsa Sifter? It looks like an old fashioned phone booth with a silver recliner in the center of it.”
“It’s a little bit more sophisticated than that.”
“But it’s so simple looking.”
“Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s not effective.”
The programmer turned around. He was a tall Arian with salt and pepper in his hair and a slender build for a bear. “I’m Beasly. Vaughn and Sandra?”