Silver Tongued Devils

by Dawn Montgomery

  SILVER TONGUED DEVILS

  By Dawn Montgomery

  Copyright © March 2014 by Dawn Montgomery

  Ship thief and notorious escape artist, Raesa Daw was the best in the business until a routine DNA test proves that she’s one of the last Earthen purebloods in existence. Desperate to escape sexual slavery and breeding for a royal house, she flees the station on the Crimson Star, landing in the arms of a deadly half-breed, Brom Raine.

  One kiss burns away her fear, but opens a world more dangerous than she’d ever known.

  Captain Anderson Na’varr of the Mercenary frigate Crimson Star shows no mercy to those who stow away on his vessel. He will take the thief and show her exactly how erotically ruthless he and his Executive Officer, Brom, can be.

  Seduced by the dark lust and hidden strength of both men, she vows to do everything in her power to corrupt her DNA before the slavers find her.

  Na’varr realizes Raesa holds the key to survival, and losing her to the Republic would destroy the fragile peace he and Brom had found in her arms. Her courage would lead them out of the depths of hell but only their love could keep her alive.

  Dedication

  Madeline Pryce, Thank you. So much.

  To my husband, SuperChef…you are my rock. Thank you for supporting me through the crazies of deadlines. I love you, always.

  Renee George, you came through when I was on the ledge. Thank you for talking me down!

  Dear Readers,

  This story began as a part of the Tall, Dark and Alpha boxed set. When I wrote it, I had no idea how many people would fall in love with these characters. As thanks for all the loving support (and request for more stories involving this trio), I’ve added two additional short stories for your enjoyment in this collection.

  If you’ve never met Brom, Raesa, and Na’varr…welcome. Their adventures are here for your enjoyment.

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the copyright holder. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then purchase your own copy from appropriate distributor. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement from the author of this work.

  Copyright © Dawn Montgomery 2014 All Right Reserved

  Cover Art: Renee George

  First Electronic Printing May 2014

  Table of Contents

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  EPILOGUE

  Brom’s Birthday (Short Story EXTRA)

  THE SLOW GRIND (SHORT STORY EXTRA)

  ABOUT AUTHOR DAWN MONTGOMERY

  BOOKS BY DAWN MONTGOMERY

  Chapter One

  Breaking into a ship was easier than breaking out of one. Raesa curled into herself, willing the shadows to wrap her in safety. Her shoulder ached and the stench of her own burned flesh overrode the calm she prided herself in. She’d been shot in the arm with a riot blaster. Who the hell used riot blasters on a mercenary ship?

  The sound of weapons discharging behind her kicked Raesa into gear. If she made it out of this in one piece, she’d jump on the first ship out of the sector she could find.

  She brushed her fingertips against the Isis collar around her throat. It looked delicate but experience told her the only way to unlock it was the key. And that was an eternity away from here.

  If the Imperials found her, she was as good as dead. Runaway slaves were put down.

  Raesa did a visual sweep of the Crimson Star’s cargo bay and found it strangely empty of personnel.

  A wave of dizziness crashed over her and she stumbled.

  Frustration and a smidge more fear than she wanted to admit dug into her chest. It felt like her brain was miles ahead of her legs. The dizzy spells were getting worse with every passing minute. Was it the drugs she’d been given or the hunger gnawing at her insides that was causing it?

  She dug her fingers into the shimmery material of the trashy dress she’d been shoved into. It had been one nightmare after another since they’d raided her father’s shop. They’d taken everything from her, including her freedom. Just another perk of being out in the dredges of space. No one would miss a girl from a trade station.

  A shudder racked her body but she ran along the supply bay wall, ducking under the industrial braces. She needed to make it back to the maintenance hatch. All other exits to the room led up stairways. Too open. If she could make into the interstitials, her hacking skills would come into play and she could figure out a way off this blasted ship.

  Heavy boots clanked on the metal floor and the sound urged her forward. She sucked in a breath, holding the stale air inside her lungs to not make a sound.

  “Find her. She ran into the cargo bay,” a gruff voice commanded from the bay door in Arnek, mercenary speak. He wasn’t Imperial then.

  I guess slaves would come in handy for space pirates. She kicked that thought back before her imagination went insane with worst case scenarios.

  “You saw the image. She’s tiny.”

  Raesa smirked. The hatch was within her reach.

  Thieves or Imperials, they all underestimated her. She was almost free. Raesa raced toward it.

  A heavy weight slammed into her side, and she crashed into a shipping crate.

  Pain exploded across her ribs while time slowed in her head. She had the quick impression of gleaming eyes and a face half covered with a cloth mask. Raesa struck his hands with the heel of her palm blocking his attempts to hold her down.

  He countered every block with a new attack.

  Raesa’s heart hammered with the thrill of a good fight. The edge of fear raking her nerves gave her the extra burst of speed she needed. She caught his knee with a lucky kick.

  His eyes widened with surprise. She spun out of his reach and ducked between two crates. Don’t stop. Keep running. Instinctively she knew he could take her down. His movements were too efficient. The strength in his body couldn’t be faked.

  A dark laugh followed her into the narrow passage. She heard the creak of movement on the crates and realized he could be above her.

  The sound of gunfire grew louder and mercenary commands blended with Imperial jargon. Why were they on the Crimson Star in the first place? The ship couldn’t take off with them on board.

  She listened intently at the edge of the crates. He could be above her, but if she waited, he could surround her with others. She’d been yards ahead of her pursuers.

  Raesa placed her palm against the wall of supplies and took in a slow breath. She waited a heartbeat and then sprinted.

  She caught the shadow launching at her, but her body’s full motion couldn’t alter enough. He grappled with her, taking them both down in a tangle of limbs. Her breath crushed out of her when he dropped his full weight on her body. Overwhelming strength and quick work had her arms and legs trapped by a fully armed man whose face was half covered in a cloth mask.

  Despite the pain of her position, she glared at him.

  “You’ve got fire. I like that.” He had a voice built for erotic audio roman
ces.

  A fine sweat pearled over her body and a ravenous hunger for sex clenched within her. She cried out in surprise and instantly wished to drag it back. Never show weakness.

  “This scent.” He rubbed his lower face against her chest and she jerked in response.

  Pain echoed from where he held her arms. What the hell was he doing? The cloth lowered and she could make out two things. One, he was stunning. An Adonis carved by the gods themselves. Forbidding, dangerous. It was as though he walked right out of her darkest fantasies. Two, he had stripes. A hybrid? Half feline, half human, if the stories were to be believed. Her stomach twisted in excitement. As far as she knew, there was only one hybrid on the Crimson Star, and he was the last person she wanted to see at the moment.

  “You’re in heat.”

  She blinked. “Excuse me?” Heat? What the hell was he talking about?

  “You were given drugs.” His pupils dilated and she could make out the distinct feline slits in his amber-colored eyes. “A sex-slave.”

  The speculative gleam in his eyes drove her anxiety up. She licked suddenly dry lips. “I managed to escape during the transfer. They gave me the drugs and left me alone so my first—” she bit off her reply, refusing to say master or owner.

  He inhaled slowly and flashed a smile that stunned her to silence. “You’re not lying. So you’re the reason our ship has been land-locked.” His smile widened and she noticed the distinct gleam of fangs.

  Raesa jerked her body to a position which made breathing much easier. The hybrid was built like a cyborg war machine, all bulk and heavy as hell.

  “It’s an illegal search. You can stun them, drop them outside the ship, and then get the hell out of here.”

  “Run from Imperials? Who do you think we are?”

  She realized the sound of fighting grew louder. They were running out of time. “You’re Brom Raine. Second in command to Anderson Na’varr of the Crimson Star.”

  “You forgot hybrid.” The statement ended with a feline growl and he nuzzled her throat. “I’m part animal.” His teeth nipped lightly at her skin.

  Raesa’s pulse leapt, and not from fear. “What are you doing?”

  “Deciding if I’m going to keep you.”

  Other parts of her body were definitely up to that challenge. “I’m housebroken.” She didn’t stop the smirk from twitching her lips.

  “Can you cook as well?” His tongue swiped at her pulse point. It was rough and delicious against her too-hot skin.

  “No, but I can hack my way off this planet and into free space. Word has it you’re in need of a reputable information specialist.”

  Brom pushed himself up on his forearms and stared down at Raesa. The golden gleam of his eyes narrowed to slits while he considered her offer.

  “No one can be that good.”

  She grinned. “I’m the best, baby. That’s why I’m here.”

  A loud rumble erupted from his chest. Was he purring or growling? Her eyes widened and the reverberation filtered through his clothes to the scrap of cloth she wore. His teeth pressed against her throat for a split second and she stopped breathing.

  Was he going to bite her?

  Before he pulled away, he licked her. “Did you plan on getting caught by me, kitten?”

  Raesa’s cheeks burned hot. “Not exactly.”

  “Ending up under me wasn’t on your agenda?” He gently nudged her thighs further apart.

  Raesa put her palm against his chest. She needed to get away. “You were ridiculously fast.”

  “So were you. It’s been a long time since I was taken by surprise. Maybe I should keep you, after all.” He took her hand and pressed it down above her head.

  This wasn’t what she’d planned at all.

  Brom grew still above her. He tilted his head as though listening to something far away before his eyes refocused on her.

  “Looks like the only marauder left on our ship is you.” His grin was far from comforting.

  “Take me with you.”

  His expression tightened before settling back into the predatory smile. “You want me to keep you?”

  Brom’s fingers brushed the Isis collar. “It would be interesting to have my own body slave.”

  Raesa shivered and the need to be touched, to kiss Brom, nearly overwhelmed her senses. The words permeated her lust-soaked brain. Body slave? What did that mean?

  “No.”

  “Do you think you could stop me from taking what I want?”

  She saw the coldness, then. The chill of isolation and lethal rage Brom was known for. Raesa swallowed back her fear. “No, but I can get us off this rock and back into space.” She could also escape the moment they landed somewhere else. Raesa decided at that moment that the Crimson Star was too dangerous for her mission or her peace of mind.

  “Let’s see what you can do.” He backed off her slowly and held out his hand.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Offering you a chance to prove your worth.”

  She eyed his outstretched hand. With grim resolve she placed her palm against his.

  He gripped her hand and hauled them both up to their feet. Muscles groaned and ached. “Where are we going?”

  Brom pulled her close. “The captain wants to have a word with his stowaway.”

  “Right.” Facing down the notorious Captain Na’varr would be worth it if it meant getting away from here.

  He set a brisk pace and she had to double her steps to keep up. Brom’s grip on her hand never let up, but she could see the smirk on his face at her efforts.

  She never expected this playful side to the man.

  They reached a solid door with no markings. Brom glanced down at her and then tapped his knuckles on the pseudo wood.

  “Enter,” the abrupt command hitched her breath.

  Brom palmed the door open and strode in. She tried to smooth down the tacky dress.

  They arrived and found a broad shouldered man standing across the room, watching them through a mirror. Brom stood between them. Was he blocking her view or protecting his captain from an assassin? Either way she could appreciate his caution.

  She glanced around Brom’s arm and let her gaze roam down the other man’s back. Anderson Na’varr. She noticed the strength there and the regal bearing of the man her father had described so often it was ingrained in her psyche. Through the mirror she could see the hint of chest hair peeking out from where he’d left the shirt unbuttoned. What would it be like to run her fingers through that?

  “Like what you see?”

  Her gaze snapped back up to his face and heat rushed to her cheeks. She tried for honesty. “Of course. You and your second in command are both incredibly attractive men.”

  He laughed then and her cheeks flushed hotter. From embarrassment or pleasure, she wasn’t sure. Brom dropped her hand and she glanced at his profile. Was he angry with her?

  “That’s a refreshing answer.”

  “Did you hear our conversation?” Brom held his arm out to prevent her from moving forward.

  “Aye.” Captain Na’varr narrowed his eyes at her through the mirror. “You’ve caused me a helluva headache. Who are you, and how did you get on my ship?”

  Raesa blinked and gripped Brom’s arm. “My name is Raesa. I can break into any phoenix class ship.” There wasn’t a ship she’d come across that she couldn’t hack, but there was no point in telling him that. He might be her father’s hero, but he was still a pirate. She wasn’t an idiot.

  “How did they come onto my ship, then?”

  Hot shame burned into her. “Your men came back before I could secure the entrance. By the time I could have done anything, they had already boarded.”

  Na’varr glanced away from her. “Brom?”

  “She’s telling the truth.”

  Raesa’s nails dug into Brom’s skin. “That’s annoying as hell,” she muttered beneath her breath.

  He inclined his head toward her. “I’m going to love having you
as my body slave.”

  “Not going to happen.” She ground her teeth together and dropped his arm.

  “Step out where I can see you.”

  “I’d rather not.” She tugged at her dress.

  “Don’t be shy, hellcat, those clothes didn’t keep you from kicking the shit out of me earlier.”

  “You deserved it.”

  With a sigh she moved away from Brom. She stiffened her shoulders and stood quiet beneath his examination.

  His expression hardened and a trill of fear snaked down her spine. “Brom, step away from her.”

  “What? Why?” Brom’s body went rigid beside her.

  “Don’t question me.” The captain’s voice snapped with irritation and Raesa realized his anger was probably directed at her.

  “They shoved me in these clothes for the auction. I was supposed to be put on display but a buyer took me before I made it there. This isn’t what I normally wear or anything.” She tugged at her dress.

  Brom moved slowly and Captain Na’varr stalked toward her.

  “Captain, what are you—” Brom’s bellow shook Raesa to the core. Or maybe it was the business end of a lazblade hovering less than six inches from her throat.

  “Stay away from her. Now.”

  Raesa stared down the blade at the frigid glare of Captain Anderson Na’varr, black hearted pirate and dangerous mercenary. The only man her father had ever called a friend.

  “You will tell me where you got that choker.”

  Her palms stayed up where the captain could see them, but her fingers itched to touch the collar on her throat. “It was given to me by my father.”

  He moved. She lunged back, slamming against a solid surface. The door? Too late! Trapped!

  The noise of his palm slapping the wall rang out and she flinched, waiting for the pain of being stabbed to rob her of breath.

  Her heart slammed in her chest and blood roared in her ears. It took a moment to realize he’d let his sword fall away.

  This close she could see fine lines at the creases of his vivid green eyes. An ancient scar hooked along his cheekbone and added to the rugged attraction of the rogue pirate.