by Lily Thomas
“How was the race?”
“Like you don’t know.” Nayli strode up to her brother and embraced him in a bear hug before playfully punching him on the arm.
“Second place isn’t too bad, Nay Nay.”
She frowned. “You know I hate that stupid nickname you gave me.”
“Oh please, you love my nickname for you, Nay Nay.” His grin spread across his ridiculously chiseled face.
“It’s not even shorter than my name! Aren’t nicknames supposed to be shorter versions of someone’s name?” Nayli threw a hand onto her waist and dared him to disagree.
“It’s cute, just like you. Our little Nay Nay.” He scrunched up his face as he reached out a hand and ruffled her hair.
She shoved his hand away. “Just because you’re older doesn’t mean I can’t kick your ass.”
“Like to see you try.” He beamed with playfulness.
“As much as I want to, we have bigger problems. Like the fact that you’re my mechanic, but you aren’t doing anything useful. I want to win the next race, Liam.” She cast a glare across the shuttle bay at the Daen’su’s ship. “Second place just won’t do.”
“Okay, okay.” Liam held up his hands in surrender as his chocolate brown eyes took on a more serious note. “What do you want?”
“I want to be able to corner better.” Nayli turned to take a look at her ship’s wings. “I also wouldn’t mind some more power, so I can get away easier in the straightaways. The Daen’su overtook me during a straightaway. If we can fix that problem, I think everything else will fall into place perfectly.”
She glanced over to find her brother running a hand through his brunette hair as he took in what she was saying.
“Give me some time to think and research what we can do, and then I’ll bring my ideas back to you.”
“Sounds good.” She nodded her head firmly.
“And hey, don’t feel bad about second place. You’re still raking in the money.” Liam rubbed his fingers together.
“It’s not all about the money.” Because it wasn’t. Not for her at least. “I want the recognition as the best female pilot.” More like she needed it, and she wasn’t going to retire until she had it, assuming she ever wanted to retire. She loved the thrill of the race… and being the best.
“You’re on track for snatching that title,” Liam reassured her.
Nayli knew he was right, but she couldn’t help but push herself. The title was just there within reach, and she was going to be damned if she’d let anyone else take it from her. She’d worked all her life to be the best pilot, male or female. First, she wanted the title of best female pilot, and then she wanted to take the best pilot title.
This had been her dream since she was a child, despite her mother’s best intentions to get her to do something else, like marrying well or getting an office job if she insisted on working. Her family was made of money, and her mother had never understood her interest in ships or working.
Thankfully, her father and brother had been behind her one hundred percent of the way. Her brother helped by being her trusty mechanic, and her father funded it all. She’d so far been successful, and her father had been paid back in full.
“Oh hey!” Liam called out. “We almost forgot about the party that’s being held by the Daen’su for this race series.”
Nayli glanced down at her pilot’s suit. The suit was skin tight, dark blue with black trimming. She thought it went well with her dyed purple hair. “I don’t have enough time to change. You think this will be fine?” She motioned to the suit.
“That will be fine. They’re hosting a party for pilots. They probably expect you guys to wear your suits.”
“You plan on escorting me, right?” Nayli tossed him a smile.
“Of course!” Liam stepped forward and offered her an arm. “I can research modifications later.”
“Thanks.” She threaded her arm through his. “I might gripe and complain about not getting first, but I’m still very thankful for everything you’ve done.”
He winked at her. “I’m not just doing it because I love you but because you’re paying my bills.”
Nayli laughed as she playfully smacked his arm with her free hand. “It’s a valid reason!”
They walked out of the shuttle bay and through the many corridors which were crowded with people. Not everyone here on the Daen’su station were here for the space race. There were plenty of people just going about their daily lives as the Daen’su sold their black-market items to the highest bidders. She could find anything here on the station, and if she couldn’t find it, the Daen’su would find it for her.
It was a reason to hate them and love them all at the same time.
They entered a large room filled to the brim with aliens, humans, and tables of food and drink. Her eyes immediately sought out all the other pilots she knew. She was one of the few female pilots here. This race was for the best of the best, and she was proud to say she was one of the few women here who had a good chance of taking a trophy home.
“Please remember to play nice with the other kids.” Her brother pleaded with her.
Nayli scoffed. “I can’t help it if others take fault with what I say.”
Liam sighed. “Just make sure you don’t start a riot.”
“Hey!” She turned and glared up at him since he stood a full head higher than her. “That was only once, and that woman just didn’t like the fact I was better than her.”
Her brother shrugged. “All I know is I won’t be coming to your rescue if you pick a fight with someone stronger than a woman, like a Vrak’rir or a Kellian.” He raised his hands, “You’ll be on your own if you piss off one of those.”
Nayli removed her arm from his and punched him. “Yeah right. Dad would have your head if you didn’t at least try to help me.”
Liam cringed. “I’m still more afraid of a Vrak’rir than our father.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intentions of starting any fights. I’m just here to meet my opponents and find their weaknesses.”
“I’ll leave you to it then because I see a woman I need to go speak with.” Liam left her, and she watched as he approached another woman who she knew was a fellow mechanic. They’d have a lot to talk about, and she couldn’t help the smile that grew across her face. Her brother was a handsome man, and she wondered when he would finally meet his match in a woman.
Turning her attention back to the crowd that surrounded her, she surveyed them all. She felt slightly out of place among all the people here. It wasn’t like she ever tried to get to know other pilots. They were just people she wanted to squash. She didn’t want to be their friends.
But she forced herself to sidle up beside a group. If she wanted to defeat these people, she had to get to know them.
“You were pretty good out there.” A Daen’su pilot addressed her the moment she stepped up to the group.
Nayli sent him her most charming smile. “But you still slid past me.” She was amazed she was able to say it without growling.
“That we did, but it was definitely close.” His silver eyes studied her.
She smiled, but inside she felt a bit of a rage burning in her chest. She felt as though she should have received first place. She knew the Daen’su were using black market items on their ship. She just had to prove it, and they would be knocked out of the race, placing her back in first place.
“It definitely was, but don’t think it will be so easy next time.”
The Daen’su smiled. “We’ll always be ready.”
Her eyes narrowed on him, but he turned to speak with another Daen’su standing next to him.
As the group around her continued to discuss today’s race, her eyes skimmed over the crowd again. Then her eyes landed on a Krocosian across the room. She hadn’t seen too many before but oh boy was he handsome!
Massive grey horns swept around his head framing his chiseled jawline. He stood at least a head taller than anyone else in the room, and he was wearing
a pilot uniform. Just her kind of man.
Nayli bit her bottom lip as she contemplated walking over there and introducing herself. Although it could be for nothing since Krocosians had mates. It was a long shot to hope that she might be his mate.
She focused back in on the conversation her group was having.
“Black holes are the more dangerous phenomena during the races.” One Daen’su argued.
“I’d much rather face a black hole compared to a wormhole. You never know where it leads and what’s on the other side. Or how far it will take you.” The other Daen’su argued back.
Nayli felt her eyes drift back over to the Krocosian across the room, and she bit her bottom lip again. Her brain was screaming at her to walk over there and start a conversation. Maybe she’d get lucky, and he’d sleep with her despite the fact that she wasn’t his mate. Then again did she really want to get involved with another pilot?
She tried to keep her eyes off him. She had more important things to focus on, like a trophy and the knowledge that she was the best pilot to ever fly. There was no room in her life for some unnecessary hanky panky.
“Excuse me,” Nayli said absently as she disengaged herself from the group and began to move around the room.
Her eyes continued to skim over the competition.
“So, what’s the verdict?”
Nayli spun around to find Liam standing right next to her.
“No one here concerns me overly much, but we’ll want to keep our eyes on the Daen’su. I never expect them to fight fairly, and after talking to them, I think we might need to do something about them. I’m sure they’re using black market equipment.”
“When do they ever fight fairly?” Liam agreed as he surveyed the room with her. “Wouldn’t have expected a Krocosian to be participating in a space race.”
“Why?” Nayli glanced over to where the Krocosian was still standing with a large group of people.
Liam shrugged. “They seem more like a species that would do better in a hand to hand fight rather than piloting, but I guess anyone can do anything they put their mind to.” He wrapped an arm around her and hugged her into his side. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go resume talking with this woman over here.”
“Haven’t learned her name yet?” Nayli cocked an eyebrow.
“Why would I need to know her name?” Liam’s smile broadened. “I’m just looking for a little fun, nothing serious.”
“Be careful, or you’ll get something serious.”
“Bite your tongue, Nay Nay.”
She stuck out her tongue as he walked away. She loved him dearly, but she was being serious. He couldn’t keep flying around space spreading his love without it coming back to bite him in the ass.
He’d learn his lesson someday. She just hoped it didn’t require a pregnant woman knocking on his door to knock some sense into his hard skull.
Slowly, Nayli made her way around the room her heart thundering inside her chest as she neared the Krocosian. He was so attractive, and she felt like a moth who was powerless to turn away from the flame.
Nayli pulled up behind some people who were already speaking with the Krocosian. Then she realized they were journalists, here to write about the space race being held by the Daen’su.
“How do you feel about your competition?” A woman stepped up a pad at the ready to record him as she batted her long black eyelashes at the Krocosian.
Nayli snorted. The woman was clearly flirting with the Krocosian pilot. Hiding in the crowd, she listened in, interested to hear what the Krocosian had to say.
“Last year, I placed first in the upcoming race, and I’m not worried about winning the trophy the Daen’su are offering. Overall, I’ve done well this year.”
He was the first-place winner last year? She eyed the Krocosian, her eyes skimming over his shoulders which looked like they’d take out any doorway he passed through.
A male journalist stepped forward, “What engine do you have on your ship?”
Nayli’s ears perked up at the question. She was eager to know what last year’s winner had on his ship.
“A Gen-X90.”
A smile spread across her lips. She had the same engine in her ship. It was always a good start.
“What are you most worried about?” Another journalist asked.
“The Daen’su tend to use illegal modifications. I only hope that if they do again, they are found out and wiped out of the race.”
Nayli had heard enough. It was time she moved on to see what other pilots had come to this event and at some point, she would have to check in on Liam and make sure he wasn’t doing something, someone, he shouldn’t be.
Roeq’s head shot up as a scent wafted past him. It was something spicy. He glanced around the room, but all he saw around him were journalists. He shook his head.
He must be losing his mind because for one second, he’d thought he may have scented his mate. His cock agreed as it hardened in his pilot suit. Bloody fantastic. There wasn’t much room in the suit for a hard cock.
Another journalist stepped up beside him. “Why do you race?”
He focused in on the human interviewing him. “To win.” He liked the prestige that came with winning all these races. Everyone wanted his face on their products, and he hoped to continue his winning streak. No one here was going to stand in his way.
“Okay, Roeq’s answered enough questions today!” Orx stepped up beside him, slinging an arm over his shoulders. “This first place winner needs to mingle and mix with the other pilots!”
Roeq glanced over Orx, who was also a Krocosian. His grey horns circled his head of blondish brown hair.
“Did it cross your mind that I enjoyed the attention?” He watched the journalists disperse into the crowd.
“I could see how much it pleased you, but we have more important things to do. We need to scope out the competition, so you have this next race in the bag.” Orx frowned at him. “You did a less than impressive job in today’s practice run.”
“The point of a practice run is to learn the track, not be first. All those people up front were being idiots, pushing their ships before it even matters.” Roeq shook his head.
“Still, we need you getting out there and meeting everyone.” Orx gave him a push in the direction of some Dallaski pilots.
Roeq eyed the Dallaski’s. They were horned like Krocosians, but that was where the similarities ended. Their silver skin reflected the light slightly, or maybe it was just his mind playing tricks with him.
One of them turned its blood red eyes on him. “A Krocosian pilot.” Then his red eyes widened. “You’re the one who won last year.”
Then all the Dallaski eyes turned to him, and his skin crawled to have so many blood red eyes trained on him.
“I am,” Roeq confirmed, not sure what else he should say. He wasn’t the spokesperson, that was Orx’s job. Roeq glanced over his shoulder and found Orx gone. Damn him.
“Any advice for someone just starting out?” The Dallaski asked, his tail twitching back and forth in anticipation.
“Ummm…” Great, he wasn’t even sure what to say. “Always surround yourself with helpful people.” Unlike Orx who’d just abandoned him. “Also, always keep an eye on your ship. Never leave it alone because people have been known to use sabotage in this race.”
The Dallaski’s eyes widened and looked ready to run back to his ship.
“This is why I left a man I trust to guard my ship until I get back down to the shuttle bay, where I will sleep tonight to make sure no one goes near my ship.”
The Dallaski began talking amongst themselves before suddenly leaving nearly tripping over themselves to get back to the shuttle bay so they could guard their ships.
He hadn’t meant to worry them overly much, but it was a genuine fear. People would do anything to win these races, and sometimes they didn’t care how they got you out of the race. Just as long as you were out of the race, and that meant it could get dangerous.<
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Roeq glanced around seeing if there were any other groups he could join.
A human woman skittering the edges of the group caught his attention. How could she not? Her purple hair stood out starkly against the grey metal walls of the space station room. Her blue and black suit fitted to her form nicely, cupping her breasts and butt perfectly. He flexed his hands his black claws digging into the soft flesh of his palm.
She was interesting, and he felt compelled to get closer to her, but as he made his way through the crowded room, she disappeared. He blinked and glanced around. His mind drove him forward until he reached the edge of the room where he strode through a door and into the hallway.
Glancing down both ways, he didn’t spot the human woman. He shook it off and went back to the party. He still had more pilots to size up and try to spook like the Dallaski, although he had been telling them the truth.