The Nanny and the Alien Warrior

by Honey Phillips, Bex McLynn

  “She might be if you untied her,” he said dryly.

  “I suppose you’re right.” Merios pulled out his knife, and the female immediately renewed her efforts. “Stop that, you foolish female.”

  The captain bent down and cut the ankle bindings, and she kicked him, her foot hitting his thigh with an audible thud. He glared at her, then at Craxan. “Can you hold her while I cut the others? We are trying not to attract attention, remember?”

  He was tempted to let her wreak whatever damage she could on the arrogant male, but Merios was right, they did not want anyone to investigate. He gripped her arms, gently but firmly, as Merios first released her hands, then removed her gag.

  “Let me go,” she hissed.

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Merios scowled at her. “Someone would have you back in captivity within minutes.”

  She glared at the other male, then her body went completely limp and she slid towards the ground. Craxan tried to adjust his grip, and she suddenly twisted free, racing away from them. She was fast, but he was faster, and he grabbed her again before she reached the end of the alley.

  “What are you doing?” He realized she had been heading back towards the house they had just left. “You wish to return to him?”

  “Never,” she spat. “But I’m not leaving without my son.”

  “He has your child?” The knowledge horrified him.

  “That’s what he meant when he said he had what he wanted.” Merios gave him a grim look as he joined them and heard her words.

  “And why he was so insistent that you take her off the planet.”

  “Yeah. He’s trying to get rid of me. As soon as I got pregnant, he lost interest. He just wanted a son. But Adam is mine,” she said fiercely. “That bastard can’t have him.”

  They exchanged looks over her head, then Merios sighed.

  “We have to go back.”

  “I know.” He knew what he needed to do, even though the words wanted to stick in his throat. By Granthar, Merios had better deserve his trust. “Take her back to the ship. I will get the child.”

  “By yourself?”

  “Infiltration is my specialty.” He turned to the girl. “Can you tell me where your son is kept?”

  “He has a suite on the top floor. I was taken there at first, to feed him, but then they decided he didn’t need me anymore.” She crossed her arms over her breasts, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “But he does! Can you really get him out?”

  “Yes.”

  “I… I can’t pay you. Not in credits. But I could…” Her hand shook, but she reached for the fastening on his pants.

  “No!” He jerked back so quickly that his back hit the wall. “I have a mate. But even if I did not, I would not accept such a payment.”

  “I almost believe you mean that,” she said, studying his face. “But please, please bring me my son.”

  “I will,” he promised, then took a step closer to Merios, looming over him as his voice turned deadly. “I am putting my trust in you. If you allow any harm to come to my family, I will not rest until I destroy you and everything you care about.”

  Merios met his eyes, the mockery completely absent for once. “You have my word.”

  “Then I will meet you at the ship.”

  Craxan turned and strode quickly through the dark streets. Thoughts of Joanna and Sultavi kept dancing through his mind, and he finally had to stop and force himself to take some deep, calming breaths. He had made the decision to trust Merios. No matter how difficult, he had to put his faith in the other male and concentrate on his job.

  An approach from the front of the building was out of the question - the tunnel was too well guarded. In his experience, the entrances used by the staff were much less protected. The wealthy were far less concerned about the members of their household and assumed, with some justification, that an intruder would be deterred by a barracks full of guards.

  Craxan was not so easily discouraged.

  The alley that ran behind the back of the row of wealthy houses was not difficult to find. Even at this hour it bustled with activity—men returning from an evening’s entertainment, vendors delivering products for the next day, even a few pleasure companions looking for some last credits. He pulled his cloak over his head and kept to the shadows, but he knew he wouldn’t look out of place amongst the guards.

  The back of Lord Rulmat’s house was just as he had hoped. Not one, but two doors led out into the alley. Both were open, light spilling out onto the pavement. In one, a guard bargained with a pleasure companion. The other appeared unoccupied.

  As the guard at the first door began unfastening his pants, Craxan slipped through the unguarded entrance. Off to one side, he caught sight of the guard who should have been watching the doorway taking a piss. He shook his head as he slipped silently along the corridor. Incompetence made his job so much easier.

  He could hear voices from many of the rooms as he found the stairs and began to climb, but the staff was settling down for the night and he was able to avoid the other inhabitants. Until he came to the stairs that led to the roof and found an all too awake guard.

  The guard’s eyes widened at the sight of Craxan and his mouth opened, but the moment of surprise was enough. His tail lashed out, throwing the male off balance, and he had his arm around the male’s throat before he could cry out. He was tempted to break the guard’s neck, but despite the male’s presence in such an unsavory household, he had no real proof that he had caused harm to others. He settled for rendering him unconscious, then slid his body into a nearby storage closet.

  Reaching the roof took only seconds, but the next part would be more difficult. He would need to make his way across one of the side walls and over to the main house. He should be beneath the protective shield, but he would be exposed if anyone chose to look up. Fortunately, very few people ever raised their eyes.

  His dark, close-fitting uniform would be less conspicuous than his cloak, so he let it slip free, then took the first step out onto the wall. Despite the steep drop, he strode quickly along the wall, his footsteps sure and his tail providing additional balance. Just as he reached the main building, he heard shouts from below. Had he been seen?

  He slipped into the shadow of a window, his heart pounding. He had done this type of thing many times before, and he had never succumbed to nerves. But this time Joanna and Sultavi were waiting for him, and he had so much more to lose. His hands were actually shaking as he risked a glance down below.

  A small group of guards was crouched over a dice game, and one of them was clearly a big winner. His companions jeered and shook their heads as he grinned triumphantly. Someone came out onto the veranda below and yelled at them to keep quiet, and the noise faded away immediately.

  Craxan’s heart slowed to its normal rhythm, but as he searched for the stairs leading up to the top floor, he thought about his reaction. He had never been reckless, but neither had he been overly concerned about the risks he took. Yet another sign that he needed a different profession.

  The upper floor lay in hushed stillness. A long corridor led the length of the house, ending in a pair of ornate doors. He was willing to bet that Rulmat slept behind those doors. Four other doors opened onto the corridor, and he swore silently that he had not asked the female for more information. Yet another sign that his edge had slipped.

  He considered the options, then decided that Rulmat was not the type who would enjoy being disturbed by a crying child. He chose the door farthest from the bedroom and slipped quietly inside.

  He found a large room, filled with elaborate toys, and couldn’t help thinking how much Sultavi would have enjoyed them. She deserved to be in such luxurious surroundings. But not at the cost of such a parent, he reminded himself.

  Another set of doors opened into an inner room. A small night light burned next to a heavily gilded crib, while an elderly Skaal female slept in a chair by the window, snoring quietly. He crept across the room and looked down at t
he child. Pale blue scales shimmered in the dim light, but his features were human, and he had a tuft of fine, dark hair on his head.

  He reached down and carefully gathered the sleeping child into his arms, so tiny and fragile. As he turned back towards the door, he saw the female was awake. Tension filled the room as they stared at each other. He should silence her before she could call for help, but he could not bring himself to do so.

  “I am returning the child to his mother,” he said softly.

  She studied him, then nodded. “Good.”

  “You will not raise the alarm?”

  “No.”

  He believed her. He took a step towards the door, then turned back. “Will you be harmed when they discover he is gone?”

  “My daughter was his mate, but when she could not give him a child, he made her suffer until she just… faded away. Now he will be the one to suffer.” Her lips twisted, but it was not a smile. “I will enjoy that, no matter what he does to me.”

  “You could accompany me.” He knew it was a risky offer, but he hated the thought of leaving her here with a male like Rulmat.

  This time she did smile. “You’re a foolish male. We both know I would only increase the chance that you would be caught, and I would rather know that the child is free. He is a sweet boy.”

  She put her head against the back of the chair and closed her eyes.

  “You are sure?”

  “Go,” she said without opening her eyes.

  He went.

  The trip back across the wall went even more quickly this time. He was painfully aware of the slight weight against his chest, praying that the infant would not wake and cry out. On the other side, he picked up his still undisturbed cloak, then considered his options. A burst of raucous laughter from below made the child twitch, but he did not come fully awake. Nonetheless, that confirmed his decision not to try and return through the building.

  He had spotted another possibility earlier, and now he hurried to the window overlooking the alley. An old-fashioned pulley system, intended to lift large objects to the upper floors, hung in a shaft to his left. That would work.

  He climbed out of the window, bracing himself against the sill for a moment before leaping for the chain. His free hand caught it, slipped, and then his tail grabbed hold. Deep shadows concealed the shaft, but once again, he trusted that no one would look up as he made his way swiftly and silently down the chain. It ended a considerable distance above the ground. Knowing that he would have to jump, he hung there, his arm aching, until more laughter erupted and he dropped silently to the ground.

  Between the shadows and the distraction, no one had noticed him. He glanced down at his precious burden, and saw the child looking silently up at him. His eyes were human, the same rich brown as his mate’s, but there was a watchfulness there that seemed wrong on an infant. Had he already learned not to cry out?

  “You are safe now,” he whispered, his tail curling protectively around the small figure.

  The infant blinked, then his eyes closed and his body relaxed. Still holding him securely with his tail, he pulled his cloak closed and set off down the alley. He wanted to hurry, but he forced himself to nothing more than the brisk pace of a male about his business. No one paid any attention to him, although an inebriated guard gave him a startled look when he stumbled into him.

  “Thorry,” the male mumbled, looking confused. “Say, aren’t you that Thire?”

  “No,” he said curtly, and kept moving.

  Fuck. Hopefully the idiot was too drunk to remember him.

  As soon as he was clear of the alley, he increased his pace. He still could not run, but his strides were rapid enough that he reached the ship just as Merios and the female were about to board.

  “Why are you here already?” she demanded, panic covering her face. “You promised—”

  “Here.” He opened his cloak and passed her the infant.

  “Adam,” she whispered, snatching him away from Craxan. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and he saw her legs start to buckle.

  With a resigned sigh, he caught her before she fell, and then started up the landing ramp. “We need to leave.”

  “Agreed.” Merios was right behind him, pausing only long enough to close the ramp.

  As soon as they were on board, he put the female and the child down, but she clung to his arm, still sobbing, even though he tried to remove her hand.

  “I can’t believe you got him back. I can’t ever thank you enough. I’ll do anything you want, anything.”

  “Oh, really?” Joanna’s voice dropped the temperature in the cargo hold at least ten degrees. “Just what do you want her to do, Craxan?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jealousy raged through Joanna as she saw the half-naked girl clinging to Craxan. He’d left her here at the ship to worry her brains out so he could bring another woman on board? A dirty but undeniably attractive girl, her breasts spilling out of her torn dress as she cradled a child—a child?

  Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt as logic finally overcame her jealousy. The girl clinging to Craxan was human. She even looked vaguely familiar…

  “Suzanna?”

  “Professor Wilder?” The girl stared at her in shock, then flinched and looked away. “They took you too?”

  She had been the one struggling under the trees, Joanna realized.

  “Yes. What hap—” She stopped mid-sentence. From the girl’s condition and the half alien child in her arms, what had happened was all too clear.

  Instead, she turned to Merios. “This is why we stopped here?”

  “They bought me,” Suzanna said softly.

  “They did what?” Outrage filled her, and she stalked over and put a protective arm around the girl and her child.

  Craxan opened his mouth, but Merios beat him to it.

  “It was the only way to get her out of there. And unless you want her forced to return, we need to leave. Immediately.”

  “Why?” She glared at him suspiciously. “You said you bought her.”

  “We didn’t buy the child.”

  “He went back for him.” Suzanna gave Craxan another worshipful look. “He saved my son.”

  “He did, did he?”

  She was glad the child had been freed, but she didn’t appreciate the way the girl was looking at Craxan. To his credit, he looked uncomfortable, almost pained, and his tail was still trying to circle her wrist.

  Meanwhile, Merios had slapped the communication panel and was issuing orders. Jed came hurrying into the cargo bay. Suzanna gave a muffled scream and tried to grab Craxan again.

  “You’re safe now,” Joanna said, her voice tart, then felt ashamed of herself. She looked at Jed, then at the baby, and realized why the girl had panicked. She would be willing to bet that the father of the child had been of the same species.

  Jed had frozen at the sight of Suzanna, his eyes also going from her to the baby. Then his shoulders straightened as he took a step forward.

  “You have nothing to fear from me. I will never allow any harm to come to you or your child.”

  “And what in the world makes you think I’d take your word for that?” Suzanna glared at him, but she no longer looked as scared. She let go of Craxan, who immediately moved to Joanna’s side.

  “We’re leaving,” Merios ordered. “Is the ship ready?”

  “Yes. Sayla is already in the engine room.”

  “Then take this female to the second guest cabin.” Suzanna looked on the verge of panic again, and Merios sighed. “And show her how to lock the door.”

  The captain headed for the lift to the upper level, and the four of them looked at each other.

  “Where is Sultavi?” Craxan asked.

  “She’s with Rissta. We should go and get her.”

  “In a minute. I need… to speak with you first.”

  He didn’t sound like his usual self. His voice was strained and his face hard. Had something happened that he wasn’t telling her ab
out?

  Despite her concern, she couldn’t leave Suzanna with Jed when she was obviously uncomfortable in his presence.

  “Why don’t we all go up together?” she suggested.

  The tension didn’t ease as they made their way to the cabins. The one next to theirs had an identical layout, and she quickly showed Suzanna how to find all the hidden facilities. Craxan was pacing back and forth outside the door, his tail lashing furiously, while Jed stood silently nearby.

  “I’ll come back in a little while and we can figure out what else you need,” she promised. “But I need to talk to Craxan first. Will you be all right?”

  “As long as everyone leaves me alone,” the girl said, glaring suspiciously at Jed.

  “I will make sure you are undisturbed.”

  Suzanna looked skeptical, but she didn’t argue. As soon as Joanna left, she heard the lock click behind her.

  “I will—” Jed began, but she didn’t hear the rest. Craxan’s tail was around her waist and pulling her into their own cabin.

  “What is it?” she asked anxiously. “What do you need to tell me?”

  “I don’t need to talk to you.”

  “But—”

  “I just need you.”

  He stripped off his shirt, then sent his pants flying. Her mouth went dry at the sight of all those glorious muscles as he stalked towards her. He made short work of her clothes, and then her bare skin was pressed against his, the rough texture setting her nerves aflame.

  He dipped his head to her neck, then growled and stepped back.

  Her heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have to remove her scent. It is wrong.”

  “You could take a shower,” she suggested reluctantly. She didn’t want to let him out of her sight.

  “An excellent idea.” He scooped her up and carried her with him, then sent the shower liquid pouring down over both of them.

  The bathroom was impossibly small with the two of them crowded in together, but she didn’t care. Her whole body was on fire with longing.

  “I need you.” His voice was strained, his hands frantic as they roamed her body.