by Eve Langlais
“Well, well. Isn’t this cozy?”
* * * *
Tren kept one arm wrapped around Megan as he pulled and aimed a pistol at the only other male in the universe who could hope to sneak up on him. His damned brother who also doubled as his worst enemy.
The cold gaze of his only sibling didn’t flinch even though Tren kept his gun level with his smirk.
“What do you want, Jaro?” Tren’s voice came out low and tight. Megan, for once, said nothing, but she did turn in his grasp, her back plastered to his front. He bit back a grin as he felt her hand move to grip the end of the eating prong. She certainly didn’t lack courage.
“Want? Does a brother need a reason to exchange pleasantries? It’s been a long time, Tren. Forgive me if I find myself curious as to how you’ve been.”
“I am fine. Now leave and get on with your business.” Tren muttered the words through gritted teeth. Jaro just smiled at him coolly.
“Do you always hold family members hostage?” Megan’s voice pierced their impasse and he held back a groan as she drew Jaro’s attention.
“And who might you be?” Jaro asked with a sneer.
“On Earth, I’m called Megan, but according to Tren, I’m probably known as a new pair of shoes. Or maybe a shirt depending on the price he can get for me when he sells me. Apparently, I’m annoying, so I might not fetch a good price.”
Her outspoken declaration, which Jaro unfortunately understood given he also wore a translator, was almost worth the dropped jaw and wide eyes on his brother. But it didn’t last and Jaro’s gaze quickly narrowed. “I didn’t know you’d taken to slave trading, brother.”
Tren would have answered with a scathing remark, but Megan was on a roll.
“Oh, he didn’t intend to. He accidentally abducted me when he was fishing on my planet. See, my boyfriend decided to kill me and tossed me into the ocean. Lucky me, I got kidnapped by a pirate and now I get to look forward to being auctioned off as a sex slave, or an appetizer depending, I guess, on the buyer’s taste.”
“Megan!” Tren growled her name and she turned in his arms to smile up at him with false innocence.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” With a smirk, she turned back to face his nemesis.
“Nothing wrong at all, dear Megan,” Jaro interjected smoothly, drawing her attention. “I apologize for my brother. Personally, had I discovered a gem like yourself in my hold, I would have dressed you in fine fabrics and wooed you as obviously befits someone of your beauty.”
Tren growled. He couldn’t help himself as his brother flirted with Megan, and she seemed to soak it up even though the touch of his kiss surely still lingered on her lips. It angered him, rousing a possessive jealousy he’d never known before.
Megan tittered and Tren gritted his teeth. Surely, she doesn’t fall for his flowery lies?
“What a load of crap,” Megan crowed. Her laughter turned derisive and Tren watched in satisfaction as Jaro’s face tightened in anger. “You didn’t seriously think I’d believe that load of drivel, did you?” She snorted. “I might be considered a barbarian, but even I’m not that gullible.”
“You should watch your tongue, else you might find yourself without it,” Jaro growled.
Tren didn’t like his menacing tone, but apparently Megan liked it even less. In what he was coming to realize was her signature move, she kneed his brother between the legs. As Jaro gasped, she smiled at him sweetly. “That’s for being a dick to your brother. And this-” She kneed Jaro again in the stomach. “Is for being an asshole in general.” Megan turned to face Tren and stood on tiptoe to brush her lips over his. “I’ll see you back on the ship for my punishment,” she announced with a wink. She pulled away from him and made her way back to their vessel, her buttocks wiggling enticingly. Tren tracked her passage while his brother straightened with a wheeze.
“I will kill-”
Jaro never finished his sentence because Tren grabbed him around the throat and slammed him up against a wall. “I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you, else I might just forget the promise made to our mother and end you right now.”
Jaro’s eyes widened, incredulity blatant in his expression. “Don’t tell me you care for that crass, barbaric female?”
“Of course not,” Tren scoffed. “She is a female, and one slated for sale once I find the right market for her.”
“I look forward to bidding on her then. I think she’d look splendid spread eagle on my bed-naked. She won’t be able to say much with my cock stuffed down her throat.”
“Oh no, you won’t.” A jealous rage gripped him. Tren knew it was foolish even as he drew his fist back and knocked his brother out. In that one act, he’d let his sibling know Megan meant more to him than he let on. More than he even wanted to admit to himself.
Looking at his brother’s slumped form, a part of him regretted the past that had brought them both to this point. But, a man could only apologize so many times. It was time Jaro got over it.
Tren banged on the counter of the hiding shopkeeper who peered at him with frightened eyes. “You recognize me I assume?” The peeking head nodded. “Good. I expect you to ensure he comes to no harm, or I’ll come back and show you in violent detail why you don’t piss me off.” Tren turned to walk away, but stopped and pivoted back. “Oh, but feel free to compensate yourself for the trouble by taking anything he has on him.”
Tren chuckled as he imagined Jaro’s reaction when he regained consciousness, nude as the day of his birth. He might have promised his mother he wouldn’t kill his brother, but he’d never said anything about humiliation.
Concerned that Megan might have encountered trouble on her way back to the ship-or caused it-he stepped over Jaro’s prone form and headed in her direction.
He discovered only one miscreant in need of dispatching on his way, his guilt evidenced by the silver prong pinning his hand to the wall beside the opening leading to his ship. He dispatched him quickly and stalked in after her, angry even if he didn’t understand why.
Chapter Nine
Megan paced in front of the opening for the ship, unable to get in not matter how much she whacked the wall, but unwilling to go back out looking for Tren. It didn’t help she’d left her only weapon stuck in some alien who’d grabbed her ass.
What unsettled her wasn’t her sudden propensity for violence, or the odd encounter with his brother, but the scalding kiss. The one he’d given her in public and with that strange look in his eye. Brain muddling, knee melting, panty wetting, he’d embraced her and she forgot everything except how it felt to be in his arms. She wondered if she would have even protested had he decided to take her in full view of everyone. Probably not, given how hot her blood ran. The thought chilled her, but not as much as what she feared it meant.
I don’t even like him. Sure, he’s sexy, but dammit, the guy wants to sell me as some sex toy for some pervert. Yet, knowing this, she enjoyed his presence and craved his touch. Once again, like an idiot, she was allowing herself to trust a man, care for him even though all signs pointed to him eventually hurting her. And she’d only have herself to blame. He’d made his intentions clear from the start. She was the stupid one for allowing her heart to get involved. She blamed it on her body and its insane desire for him. If only she could slake her never ending thirst where he was concerned.
Speaking of the purple devil, he arrived, striding up the gangway, his brows arched and his lips pulled into a taut line. “Why are you standing outside the ship?” he barked.
“Probably because I don’t know how to get in.”
He slapped the panel beside her head and the door slid open. She turned to walk in when he halted her. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
She whirled back and then bit her lip as he handed her back the chopstick she’d left behind. “Thanks.”
His lips quirked. “I’d say no trouble, but I’d say that follows you wherever you go.”
She shrugged. “What can I say?
I’m gifted.” She turned away from him and headed into the ship.
“Megan.” He spoke her name softly, and again she stopped to peer back. She couldn’t read the look in his clear eyes and his brow furrowed. “I will be back shortly. Try and stay out of mischief.” For some reason, she got the impression he’d meant to say something else.
Nodding in reply, she didn’t let her shoulders slump until the door slid shut.
What had she expected? That he would suddenly sweep her into his arms and resume the kiss from earlier? The one that seemed to speak of more than passion, but… No, she wouldn’t even think it. From now on, it was probably best if they stayed away from each other. Far away.
Common sense didn’t stop the disappointment, though.
It took her several slap attempts along the corridor wall, but she finally made it to the command center. She sat in the chair and twirled her hair as she waited for him to return.
“Hey computer, I don’t suppose you’ve got any new videos to watch?” she muttered aloud.
To her surprise, the view screen lit up and she leaned forward with rapt attention as she found herself treated to real time footage of the marketplace she’d just left.
From her position of safety, she studied the various races milling about, all the while waiting to catch sight of her purple marauder. It took a while, during which she watched an almost comical display of violence amongst the various alien species, but Tren finally appeared, stepping forth from a building with a bright red, flashing sign that she couldn’t read. Annoyance made her flush and drum her fingers as she guessed what it said given he had some alien females hanging off each arm. Their numerous breasts pressed against him, and he, the freaking jerk, did nothing to push them away. On the contrary, he smiled and patted the hand of one.
Fuming, she crossed her arms and turned sideways in the chair to avoid seeing him bestowing anything more intimate on the hussies. Irrational jealousy ate at her. She didn’t own him and had no say in whom he spent his time with, and apparently, no matter how many times they’d fucked, the first chance he got, he preferred paying for it, which said a lot about her skill-or lack of.
She didn’t care. He’s a slaving pirate who intends to auction me off and if he thought he’d get any more taste of the goods, he had another thing coming.
When he finally arrived in the command center, she wouldn’t swivel to face him.
“I see you finally managed to figure out some of the ship commands,” he announced.
“With no help from you,” she grumbled.
“I was otherwise occupied,” he retorted.
“Yes, I saw how you were busy,” she drawled with thick sarcasm. She pivoted in the seat and fixed him with a sneer.
“Are we back to acting irrational?” he snapped back.
She arched a brow. “Me? I never realized I’d stopped. And don’t try to change the subject. I’m not the one who can’t make up his mind.”
Tren gaped at her. “What the frukx are you yammering about now?”
“Don’t act so innocent. I saw you with those-those things.”
His gaze flicked to the view screen which still ran the live footage of the market place. His brow cleared in understanding. “I admit, I didn’t know what would please you, hence my difficulty in choosing.”
“Please me?” She jumped up from the chair and stalked toward him. She poked him hard in the chest and then poked him again just because she enjoyed it. “Just because I let you fuck me, doesn’t mean I’m open to your sick sexual fantasies.”
Tren stared at her with incomprehension. “How did we get back to sex? My errand was one of your asking. Or did you change your mind about acquiring a new set of clothing and shoes?”
“Clothing?” Megan’s brow wrinkled. “What’s clothing got to do with those sluts groping you?”
Comprehension dawned on him and he laughed. “You saw me with the seamstresses and thought I spoke of bringing them back for a group orgy?” Megan blushed and he chuckled louder.
Annoyed at her mistake, she slugged him in the groin and then stomped on his foot for good measure. It didn’t stop his laughter or his arms from coming around her frame to tug her into him for a bone crushing hug.
“This isn’t funny,” she muttered, her cheeks hot with embarrassment.
“I find your jealousy highly entertaining.” He rubbed his chin across the top of her head, and his gentle gesture made it hard for her to hold on to her irritation.
“I am not jealous. I’d have to like you for that emotion to work.” But his words slapped her in the face with the truth. Fucking hell, if I’m jealous then I must like him.
“Liar,” he chided.
Yes, she was, and she didn’t like what it implied. Not enjoying where this conversation headed both aloud and in her mind, she changed the subject. “So, what’s up between you and your brother? I see he got both the looks and the charm. Is that why you don’t get along?” Her jibe stifled his humor and he stepped away from her, taking his masculine warmth with him, and, for a moment, she regretted her words.
“My argument with my brother is none of your concern. And in the future, if you should encounter him again, you would do well to watch yourself. I might be renown in the galaxy, but he is the scourge of it.”
“Nice family,” she sassed. “I think I’ll skip the family reunion if you don’t mind. Somehow it doesn’t seem like a safe affair.”
“I have no family, well, other than Jaro, and we don’t run into each other often.”
Megan bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” It would explain why he’d never spoken of his upbringing.
Tren shrugged, his face expressionless. “My father died when my brother and I were still young. A failed mission. My mother succumbed to an injury over ten planetary cycles ago.”
“You still have your brother, though, even if you don’t currently get along.”
“Only because we promised our mother not to kill each other,” he growled, pacing the bridge.
“Maybe you can patch things up.” It bothered her to see him so agitated and to discover he was just as alone in the universe as she was.
“Enough. I will not speak of this further.” He held up a hand to forestall any further commentary on her part.
“Incoming message from the galactic council.” The computer’s voice interrupted them.
Tren’s brows drew together. “What in frukx do they want? They know I am retired.”
“Who’s the galactic council?” Megan asked. “And what did you retire from?”
“None of your affair. You’ll have to leave so I can hear the message. I’ve left the package with your new garments in our quarters.”
Megan knew a brushoff when she heard it. It still annoyed her. She began to walk toward the elevator when he caught her and spun her around. Drawing her up on tiptoe, he kissed her; a hard bruising embrace that stole her breath.
She didn’t say anything when he let her down, just stared at his eyes which glowed with intensity. “I will be along shortly. I expect to see you wearing something new. Or else,” he warned with a wink.
Megan blew him a raspberry in reply which made him chuckle. Smiling herself, she left him, entering the elevator that would take her back to his quarters. As she exited into the corridor, a tremor rocked the ship, and Megan braced her hand against the wall.
What the fuck was that?
An alarm sounded which didn’t reassure her, but not as badly as the frisson of fear that struck her when the lights went out.
Megan froze, surrounded by pitch black. Somehow she doubted this boded well, a belief that tripled when she heard a scuffling sound echoing somewhere in the corridor with her.
“Tren?” She hated the quaver in her voice. However, she forgave herself in this instance. Seriously, the situation warranted it.
Nobody replied, but the skin on her nape prickled, announcing the fact she shared the dark hall with someone-or something else. She reached at her w
aist for her needle only to curse silently as her hand didn’t locate it. She’d left it in the bridge during her wait for Tren.
A whisper of sound from behind made her whirl, not that she could see anything. She punched forward with her fists and was rewarded with contact and a grunt, but her feeble blow didn’t stop the fabric from getting pulled over her head, or the prick in her arm.
“Tren’s going to fucking kill you for touching his merchandise,” she slurred to her unseen attacker before slumping to the floor unconscious.
Chapter Ten
Tren stood for a moment watching the elevator door, wishing he could follow Megan instead of wasting time listening to a message he had no interest in.
But I will not chase after a female. Brave words that made him sigh and his cock sulk. “Play the message from the council,” he ordered aloud to the computer.
He’d no sooner settled into his chair than the screen lit up with the galactic council crest, but the face that appeared immediately after had him jumping from his seat and growling.
“Z’nistakn, what the frukx do you want?”
The green scaled humanoid flicked a forked tongue and chuckled, a gravelly, wet sound. “I want what I always have, your head on a platter, and your entrails on my plate.”
Tren smiled coldly. “Threats? Are you really so stupid? I could use a new pair of boots.”
The councilor hissed and his slitted yellow eyes narrowed. “First, you’d have to find me, filthy mercenary.”
“Don’t tempt me,” he replied not letting on that he already knew the location of the corrupt councilor’s supposed safe base. Tren wondered what Z’nistakn was truly after. Idle chitchat didn’t seem like his usual style.
“I have a job for you.”
And now they got to the true point of the call. “I’m retired.”
“Surely you could make an exception. I would make it worth your while.” The reptile drummed his clawed fingers on his armrest.
Tren wanted to reach through the view screen and throttle the creature. He’d disliked the dishonest galactic councilor for quite some time, a feeling reciprocated, and yet Z’nistakn still called upon his services even though Tren kept declining. “I’m busy.”