Patrolling the Stars

by KD Jones

  She prayed for a miracle. She even prayed that he would knock her unconscious again so that she wouldn’t have to live through whatever evil plan he had in mind for her.

  A tear ran down her face. Carolina had one regret; not telling Drako how much she loved him. She wondered if she would ever get that chance.

  Please God, let him find me so that I can tell him.

  She made her mind up then that she would do whatever it took to survive. Drako would come for her, she knew it in her heart. He hadn’t said the words to her yet, but she could hear the love in his voice each time she spoke with him on the phone. The way he touched her the last night they spent together played over and over in her head. There was no way a man could make love to a woman like he did with her without having strong feelings for her. No, Drako would find her. She just needed to stay alive until then.

  *****

  “Okay, pull up here, Lieutenant," Captain Rena said as she directed the pilot.

  “Why are we stopping?" Drako demanded. The monitor showed the Soto’s ship was about fifty feet from them.

  Rena ignored his outburst. “So far the Soto has not detected our presence. If we get any closer, he could panic and kill your…friend.”

  “My mate. The Soto took my mate on that ship.”

  “Do you want your mate back alive, or dead?" Rena was getting fed up with his attitude. This was her damn ship.

  He paused, taking a deep breath. “Sorry, Captain. I’m just worried about what’s happening to my mate.”

  “This is why you should have waited for the GPP to send someone else to help with the situation. You’re too personally involved.”

  “We don’t have time to spare; I’m taking my ship and going forward." He didn’t wait for her to agree, he just stormed out of the control room.

  “Damn idiot male is going to get himself killed," Rena grumbled. She’d come to admire Drako. It was disappointing when he refused her, but seeing him react to his mate in danger, she understood it. She felt lonelier than ever. She turned her attention back to the monitor.

  “Lieutenant, make sure we keep a safe distance, but I want that Soto’s ship monitored for any quick movements. We’ll disable it if we have to in order to make sure he doesn’t get away.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  Rena wished Drako luck. What he was doing was both stupid and extremely brave. She only hoped it didn’t end with him getting killed.

  *****

  Carolina refused to look at Clen when he entered the small bedroom. Everything on board seemed dusty and smelly. She’d tried yelling for help at first, but Clen hit her and told her that the two of them were the only ones on board. Now, she kept him in her peripheral vision, but refused to make eye contact. Clen had made one huge mistake; he forgot to tie down her legs.

  “You’re a beautiful and healthy female. You will give me many strong sons." He licked his lips as he perused her naked flesh.

  “I’ll never be yours willingly.”

  “All females play hard to get. My father taught me that. He explained when I was younger that even my mother tried to refuse him once. He said to never take no as an answer. He taught me that a male has to take what he wants, then he has to establish his authority. He kept my mother chained for years, until she finally fell into line.”

  “He sounds like an asshole.”

  “Shut up! My father was a great man!" Clen came over to slap her again.

  “A real man doesn’t beat innocent women.”

  He smirked as he pinched her nipple. “You’re not that innocent, Carolina. I watched you with that Quadruped. I put a camera in his bedroom while he was out.”

  She felt all the color drain from her face. He watched them have sex? No, no, no. That was private, just for them.

  “I know you can be naturally submissive. I’ve seen you be that way with him. If you submit to me, I’ll consider releasing your binds.”

  “Never!”

  “I prefer your compliance, but it isn’t necessary." Clen tried to climb on top of her, but Carolina wasn’t going down without a fight. She pulled her legs up to her chest and shoved the Soto hard. He flew across the room and hit the wall. He sat there for a moment, dazed and shocked.

  “How dare you!" He tried coming at her again, but she kicked out with both legs, not letting him get anywhere near her.

  They fought a few minutes like that. Clen got hold of one of her legs and was trying to restrain the other, when lights in the ship started blinking and an alarm went off. He released her abruptly and left the room.

  Carolina was relieved, but also worried. What was happening with the ship? Why was the alarm going off?

  *****

  Drako tried to will his small pod ship to fly faster. He had to get to Carolina. All kinds of images played in his head of what might be happening to her. He snarled, because none of the possibilities were good. He would tear the other male limb from limb and send his pieces off into space.

  He was now in range of the Soto’s ship. Drako knew that the ship’s warning system would alert the Soto of his approach, so he had to act fast. He used his GPP computer to try to override the Soto hanger bay doors. Unfortunately, as an ambassador, the Soto had an extensive security system. The GPP helped set up these systems so they were practically impenetrable. “Fuck!”

  He was running out of options. His ship was being hailed. “You are violating a sanctioned ambassador of the Soto nation. Leave now, or I will be forced to shoot your ship down.”

  “You’re the one in violation for kidnapping. Turn yourself in, and the GPP may be more lenient on you.”

  The Soto laughed. “I have immunity.”

  “Not when it comes to violations against Terrans. Your immunity does not apply.”

  “Screw you, Quadruped.”

  There was only one option left to Drako. It was risky, but it could be done. He was close enough. He stood up and grabbed his space mask and jet pack. He waited for just the right moment, and then he hit the hatch button and propelled himself out of the pod. He used his jetpack to maneuver himself over to the Soto’s ship. He was able to grab onto an outside mechanic’s handle, then leap from that spot to the next handle, slowly making his way over to the bay doors. Once he was there, he grabbed the handle closest to the doors, and nearly lost his grip as the Soto’s ship fired on his pod and blew it up.

  Oh shit!

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You can take that as a no, asshole!" Clen yelled at the last remaining pieces of ship as they floated off into space. He headed back to his bedroom with a smile on his face. He couldn’t wait to tell Carolina all about how her Quad lover was nothing but dust particles. She’d be devastated, which was good, because then she’d be forced to give up this ridiculous notion that she would be rescued.

  Clen opened the door and watched Carolina turn to him in fear. He liked that she was afraid of him. It made him feel powerful, and even more aroused. He walked in filled full of confidence. “Guess who that was.”

  *****

  Carolina looked at his eyes and the smug smile he had on his large face. She felt her pulse race. “Drako." She whispered his name.

  Clen nodded with delight. He began to remove his own clothing. “Yes, the Quadruped did come for you. He was no match for my blasters.”

  “You shot him down?" Carolina struggled even more against the arm restraints.

  “Yes!”

  “No! You’re lying!”

  “Why would I lie? I shot him into tiny little pieces. I could get one for you as a souvenir, if you like.”

  Carolina began to cry. Drako was gone? That couldn’t be right. She hadn’t had a chance to tell him that she loved him yet. He couldn’t be dead. Her mind went blank for a moment, and her hesitation was all the Soto needed.

  Clen used her distraction over Drako’s death to get a hold of her right leg, and quickly applied restraints to it. Carolina tried to kick him with her other leg when she realized what he’d done, but one
leg wasn’t enough to defend her. She was doomed now, completely at his mercy, and the Soto had no mercy in mind for her.

  *****

  Drako used all his Quadruped strength in both his arms and legs to pry open the docking-bay doors. There was a vacuuming effect, so it felt like he was being pushed out through a tiny hole. Finally, he got inside, and the doors closed behind him automatically. He was in, but now he had to find Carolina.

  He made his way down the corridor and opened a door at the end. It was the control room, but no one was there. Where the hell was she? He didn’t know which way to go next. To the right, or back towards the light?

  “Stop!” he heard Carolina scream.

  Drako turned toward the sound of his mate’s screaming. He took off at a fast past, using both his hands and feet to get more speed. There were some truths about Quadrupeds; they could move swiftly on all fours if they wished to. Most didn’t do that, since they often interacted with the aliens who were bipedal.

  Drako pushed open the bedroom door. He froze for a moment as he took in the scene. The Soto was straddling Carolina’s restrained body. They were both completely naked.

  A sort of red haze came over his eyes. He let loose a snarl, which made the Soto leap off of Carolina. He tried for his clothes, but they were too far away.

  “Drako!" Carolina called out to him.

  Clen reached for a laser gun by his bedside. He tried to aim for Drako, but Drako dodged the shot. He panicked for a moment when Drako leapt over the bed and took him down to the floor, but then Clen managed to wriggle out of Drako’s grip. He pointed the laser gun at Carolina and took the safety off.

  “She’ll die if you come any closer.”

  Drako halted his steps. He could reach the Soto, but not before the male fired the weapon. One shot in the wrong place, and Carolina could die instantly. “You can run, Soto, but it won’t be far enough. I will hunt you down and seek justice.”

  Clen snorted. “Who said anything about me running?" He turned the gun towards Drako and fired.

  *****

  “No!" Carolina screamed as she watched Drako’s body fall to the floor. He wasn’t moving at all. Her heart was beating rapidly and painfully. Was he dead? Please, God, don’t let him be dead.

  Clen walked over to Drako’s prone body and kicked him in the side. “Well my dear, that’s the end of this scumbag." He went to kick him again, but his foot was caught in Drako’s strong grip.

  *****

  “No, it’s the end of you, asshole." Drako pulled the Soto’s leg up hard, making the male fall back onto his back. He didn’t waste any time at all as he climbed on top of Clen and delivered one punch after the other. Clen passed out after the first few punches, but Drako couldn’t get himself to stop hitting the male. He wanted to rip the Ambassador’s head off.

  “Drako.”

  Out of the rage in his mind, he heard her soft voice calling him back. He finally let go of the Soto and stood up, reaching for the fallen laser gun. Drako picked it up and pointed it at Ambassador Clen. It would be so easy. One pull of the trigger, and the Soto would be dead.

  “Drako," Carolina called out for him. At first he didn’t hear her, but as he got his breathing under control, her sweet voice came through.

  Drako turned to look at Carolina. She was naked and bruised all over, still strapped down to the bed. He looked back at the Soto, ready to fire the gun.

  *****

  “Don’t, Drako! Please!" She didn’t want him to do this. The GPP would haul Drako into custody, even though he was defending her. Clen was right, even within his sick twisted mind — as an ambassador his death would be treated differently. Drako would be treated like the criminal. Carolina couldn’t bear to have him go through all that.

  “He hurt you." His voice was filled with righteous anger.

  “He did, and he’ll pay for that. I don’t want you to have to answer to the GPP for your behavior." Drako looked at her then, and she tried to give him a reassuring smile, but her face hurt too much. “Let it go, baby.”

  Drako crushed the laser gun in his hand and threw it down on the floor next to the Soto. He rushed over to the bed and quickly undid the straps holding her down. He gently rubbed the red welts on her soft skin where Carolina had clearly struggled.

  “Where do you hurt?" His hands hovered over her, almost afraid to touch.

  Carolina laughed and groaned at the same time. “Everywhere, but you saved me just in time.”

  Drako took his shirt off and helped her put it on. She snuggled into it, enjoying the warmth from his body. It smelled like him, too. How she’d missed his smell. Carolina looked up into his beautiful eyes. “I lov…" She was interrupted by a loud woman, with a group of men trailing behind her.

  “I hope to hell you didn’t kill that Soto," Captain Rena declared, coming into the room.

  *****

  “Did you need another blanket?" Drako was fluffing up her pillows behind her.

  “No." She watched him suspiciously. “Captain Rena is pretty, don’t you think?”

  “I guess. Are you hungry? You didn’t eat much for breakfast.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t hold anything down right now. It might be the meds they put me on or something." Drako began to massage her legs through the blankets. He had been very careful not to touch her skin. That was what she craved, skin-to-skin contact. She needed that after her ordeal.

  They had been on the Galactic Fire for two days now. Captain Rena was taking them back to the Brave Star. The GPP had come and gotten not only Clen, but also the crooks that Drako had arrested earlier. In all that time, he hadn’t truly touched her. His conversations with her were awkward, and he’d been spending a lot of time with Captain Rena.

  Carolina frowned. That woman wanted Drako. It was there in the way Rena watched him, and in her flirtatious laugh. She always found a reason to touch him. It was pissing Carolina off. The woman needed to find her own damn man!

  “Is something wrong?" Drako looked at the angry expression on Carolina’s face.

  “Are you sleeping with Captain Rena?”

  “What?" he sputtered.

  “Are you sleeping with her?”

  “Of course not! Why would you even think that?”

  “Because you’re not fucking me. It’s like you can’t stand to be in the same room with me or something.”

  Drako ran his hand through his hair. “I … almost lost you.”

  She moved to sit on her knees so that she could watch him. “But you didn’t.”

  *****

  Drako finally looked at her, and she saw what he had been hiding. There in his eyes was the fear he had for her. “I wouldn’t have survived losing you. You’re my everything. The things he must have done to you…" He shook his head, unable to speak his fears out loud.

  She reached out for his hands and pulled him onto the bed, straddling him with a leg on either side of his. Carolina cupped his face with both of her hands, and made him look at her.

  “I know I’m still a big walking bruise, but that’s all there is. The bruises will fade. Clen didn’t rape me. He was going to, but you got there before that happened. I’m fine, really fine.”

  “You still have to check in with the doctor.”

  “Yes, and I’ll go do that if it will make you feel better. I survived the beating. My only thought was of you. How I didn’t tell you when I had the chance.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “That I’m one hundred percent in love with you. I can’t live without you. You’re my everything, too. That I …" She was interrupted by Drako’s lips claiming hers.

  *****

  Drako gently pulled her closer, moaning at the exquisite taste of her. Carolina was perfect, so responsive and beautiful, and she was his.

  In between the long deep kisses he whispered, “I’m in love with you. I can’t get enough of you.”

  “Ouch."

  They’d gotten a little carried away with their kissing, and when C
arolina tried to move a little she cried out from discomfort. Drako released her immediately.

  “I’m sorry, baby. Are you okay?”

  Carolina kept her arms wrapped around his neck. “I’m still sore, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.”

  Drako gave her a dazzling smile. “Once we have the all-clear from the doctors, I’ll make you ten times happier.”

  He groaned as she pressed her crotch against his. He hated having to wait. She wanted him right now, and he wanted her just as much, maybe more.

  “I can’t wait.” She nibbled his chin.

  “Me either." He cupped her chin and caressed her back gently.

  “So you didn’t sleep with Captain Rena?”

  “Of course not.”

  “She has a thing for you.”

  “She knows I only want you.”

  “How does she know that?”

  “I told her when she propositioned me.”

  Carolina went stiff in his arms. “She did what?”

  *****

  The next day there was a knock at the door. Carolina was able to move around better, so she answered it. The tall, beautiful, female captain stood on the other side.

  “Hello, Captain Rena.”

  “You requested to speak with me?”

  “Yes, come in please." Carolina moved out of the way so that Rena could come inside.

  “What did you need?" Rena asked.

  “I wanted to talk to you about Drako.”

  Rena frowned. “What about him?”

  “I know that you came on to him earlier while he was conducting his investigation.”

  Rena shrugged. “He’s a very attractive male.”

  “Yes he is. He’s also very taken.”

  Rena laughed. “He most certainly is. He’s been hounding my people trying to find the right flowers to send you.”

  Carolina relaxed a little. “That’s why I love him.”

  “You’re a lucky woman. It’s hard to find a man who’s that devoted, and isn’t threatened by a female with a powerful position.”

  “I’m blessed to have him. Are you dating anyone?”

  “To be honest, I flirted with him to have a little fun… I didn’t realize he was serious about anyone until he told me. I was just looking for a good time. I’m too busy for a real relationship. When would I have the time? I’m always on duty, the job never ends, and my crew and passengers are demanding. How many males would put up with my crazy schedule?”