Lindsey's Rescue: A World Beyond Book 3

by Michelle Howard

  The front door of the building exploded sending shards everywhere. Lindsey screamed as smoke filled the place but Smiki holstered his laser and pulled her close. Tucking her into his side, he ran for the window on the opposite side of the room they’d holed up in.

  When they reached it, he gripped her waist and hoisted Lindsey up. “Hurry! Smoke bomb to flush us out.”

  Lindsey trusted him and threw her legs over the edge. Once on the ground, she turned back. “Come on, Smiki.”

  “Right behind you, Earth woman.” But he returned inside and Lindsey cried out.

  She lifted her foot, planning to go and drag him out by his Chamele skin.

  “Jutaks, don’t move!”

  Lindsey froze, her back to the voice.

  “Hands up and turn around.”

  She did so slowly and faced five men in black with what looked like ski mask covering their faces.

  “Shit!” Smiki returned to the window, hands braced on the sill.

  “Come out, Smiki.” One of the Jutaks commanded in a gruff voice.

  “Don’t shoot him.” Lindsey tried to judge which one of them was the leader but their looks were indistinguishable. “He’s harmless.”

  Smiki moaned behind her but he climbed out the window and joined her. “I can explain.”

  ***

  “You’re facing several charges that can land you for life on Dorlo. Do you understand that, Smiki?”

  Being questioned by authorities was nothing new to Smiki. Being questioned by Jutaks changed things a bit. After patting him down and taking his weapons, he and Lindsey were led back to the doctor’s office which was now being used as a holding place. The very office where Lindsey got excited at viewing the growing worm things in her stomach was now his jail room.

  Smiki kept his face blank as the Jutak leaned over the table and stared. “Do you have anything to say?”

  “My warrants should pull twenty to thirty at the most, not life.”

  The man with the razor sharp gaze corrected. “Life for the kidnapping of a Senate Leader’s wife.”

  Smiki jolted in his seat. “I didn’t kidnap her. I saved her.”

  “Saved her?” A derisive chuckle led the way for another Jutak to enter the room.

  Both men wore the distinctive black uniforms of a Jutak warrior. Smiki didn’t fool himself into thinking he’d get out of this easily. The new Jutak leaned against the far wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You think you saved her?” The Jutak smirked.

  “She wouldn’t have survived as a sex slave.” Thinking of the Lindsey he’d come to know, the idea of her being forced to service an owner made Smiki sick.

  “So you stole her from the Tulu Mining colony after they purchased her?”

  Smiki drummed his fingers on the table, pretending boredom. “I don’t know anything about Tulu.”

  And he didn’t. His contact had shoved her in his arms and told him to get out before Arlo, who ran that particular auction, caught him.

  “He’s lying, Arak.” The Jutak with the blond hair and blue eyes said to the dark-haired one leaning against the wall.

  “I agree.”

  Smiki started to protest and realized that’s exactly what they wanted. “Look why don’t you ask Lindsey?”

  “Then you know who she is,” the blond countered, blue eyes narrowing. “You could have sent her home safely.”

  “I know her husband put a bounty on her. I know that’s how she ended up in a Marenian sex auction and I know I’m the one that got her out of there.”

  The two Jutaks stared at one another. “What do you think, Arak?”

  The dark-haired man frowned. “We’ll ask Torkel.”

  “Yes.” Smiki pointed at them. “Ask Torkel. I was supposed to have Faye but got Lindsey. He should be grateful.”

  Arak growled and claws split his fingertips as he leaped across the room and pinned Smiki to his chair with a hand at his throat. “You planned to kidnap Faye?”

  Smiki struggled in his hold, fearful of the deadly claws slipping across his neck. “Yes. I was supposed to save her, except you all raided the auction the same night and I got Lindsey by mistake.”

  “He’s not making sense, Jaron.”

  “I’ll get Torkel.”

  The blond left them alone. Careful to draw in a deep breath, Smiki said, “You could ease up you know.”

  Snick.

  The claws retracted and Arak stepped away. “You better hope you’re not lying.”

  “You better hope her husbands don’t catch up to you. They’re the ones you should go after for starting this.”

  “What is he talking about?”

  Smiki spun in his chair and true fear rattled his heart as the one named Jaron returned with a broad shouldered man. He’d seen enough reports to know this was Torkel Alonson, leader of the Jutak Unit based on Enotia. And a Marenian.

  “Yes, Smiki,” Jaron said with a lazy smile playing about his mouth. “What exactly are you talking about?”

  Smiki adjusted his clothing. “I think I should maintain my silence until you let me check on Lindsey.”

  They’d been separated as soon as the Jutaks hustled them to the office of the very doctor who’d reported their presence on the moon station. If he was honest, Smiki admitted to worrying about Lindsey. The Earth woman had grown on him during their time together.

  “You are not in a position to bargain,” Torkel said, dropping into the seat across from him.

  Smiki tensed but all the dark haired man did was prop his forearms on the table and stretch his legs out.

  “I’m the one who’s kept her safe. Ask Lindsey if she wants to talk.”

  The Jutak Unit leader quirked a brow at him. “Lindsey is speaking with my Chosen via the communicator right now. They formed a relationship before leaving Earth that was solidified during their imprisonment.”

  “Smiki, here, says he meant to grab Faye,” Arak mentioned into the silence.

  Whatever pleasantry existed between them faded the moment Torkel heard those words. A stillness came over him pulsing with a dangerous edge. “Really?”

  Smiki swallowed. “Save her. The key word is save. My contact pushed her into my arms and threatened to disembowel me if I didn’t take the Earth woman he thought of as Faye.”

  Now all three of the men focused on him. Torkel lost his restrained posture and leaned forward. His brown eyes didn’t stray from Smiki’s face. “Who?”

  “W-what?”

  “Who gave you Lindsey? Who sought my Chosen?” Torkel gritted out.

  Smiki’s nerves added a waver to his voice. “Look. I don’t know.” He raised his hands and glanced from the other two men then back to Torkel. “I was told to meet up at that particular Marenian auction. Next thing I know, I have an arm full of a woman who reeks and I’m given a warning to leave right away before Arlo discovered she’s stolen.”

  “Arlo?” Torkel arrowed in on the name. “Arlo was there?”

  Smiki wondered if he could make a deal or some sort. “I really don’t think I should say anything else.”

  A low rumbling growl filled the room. Smiki risked a glance at the man with the sharp fangs who had his claws exposed again.

  “Did Arlo give you the woman?” Torkel persisted.

  “W-what? No, I told you that was between my contact and I.” Smiki ran a nervous hand down his pants leg as the atmosphere in the room took a turn and became darker.

  “Tell me everything. I can’t guarantee your freedom or a reduced sentence but I’ll mention your cooperation with my Commander.”

  Exhaling sharply, Smiki gave in and told them everything he knew. Which wouldn’t help much. If he couldn’t figure out the identity of his mysterious contact, he was for sure the Jutaks wouldn’t dig up anything either.

  “There’s one more thing,” Smiki remembered when the huge man before him started to leave.

  Torkel paused at the door. “What else?”

  “The man was ve
ry specific that Lindsey belonged to his brother and he’d rip out my guts.” Smiki frowned. “No, he’d rip out my spine. He made it clear that I was responsible for her. But I guess that only applied to Faye not Lindsey because when reports came out that your Chosen had been rescued, he declared a mistake had been made and told me to dispose of Lindsey.”

  Torkel pointed at the other Jutaks. “Don’t let him leave yet.”

  Apparently, Smiki still had a purpose. Now if only he could work that in his favor.

  ***

  Lindsey hugged herself tight as she paced the small room of the doctor’s office. Talking to Faye on the communicator was great and it pleased her to no end that Faye had found happiness. Nothing could ease Lindsey’s worry though. It built like a tidal wave and she was certain it would sweep her away beneath the flood.

  Panic surged when the door opened to reveal one of the black clad soldiers who’d taken her and Smiki. “Greetings, Lindsey Laars-Gatar, I’m honored to meet you.”

  Torkel Alonson. Lindsey wished Faye had warned her about her husband’s intimidating size. No wonder she’d never lost faith he’d come for them. “You can call me Lindsey.”

  The small smile he gave her softened his features. Slightly. “Thank you, Lindsey.”

  “Can Smiki and I go?” The longer she stayed here the more her fear of the unknown escalated. Lindsey couldn’t place her finger on why terror rode her.

  “Back to Garulax? Because I assure you, efforts are being made now to contact your husbands with the good news.”

  “No!” Lindsey fell back a step. “I don’t want to go to Garulax.”

  His expression creased in puzzlement. “The Senate Leaders have been quite adamant about your return. In fact, it’s only after we received news of your death that they backed off contacting my Commander for continuous updates.”

  Lies. Lindsey squashed the nugget of hope because those were lies. “Maybe they just wanted to make sure the job was finished.”

  He folded his arms over a muscled chest and tipped his head to the side. “I am not sure I understand but the Earth language confuses me often despite listening and learning from Faye. Are you implying that you don’t want to go back to your husbands?”

  Lindsey braced her hands on her hips and squared her shoulders. “That’s exactly what I’m implying. Smiki and I will do fine on our own.”

  Torkel sighed. “This is not going to go over well.”

  “Can I see Smiki? I’m kinda concerned about him and we look out for each other.” And right now Smiki was the only person Lindsey trusted.

  He tapped a finger to his ear. “Bring the prisoner to Lindsey.”

  “Smiki didn’t do anything! You can’t keep calling him a prisoner.”

  A deep grunt followed. “I could list all of his crimes but we don’t have enough time. As Jutak, my duty is to turn him over to those who filed his warrants of which there are plenty.”

  Lindsey refused to argue and when the Chamele entered moments later looking his same disgruntled self, she ran to him and hugged tight. “I can’t go back, Smiki. I can’t”

  He patted her back awkwardly. “Why not? They’ve searched for weeks, months.”

  “To keep from looking like they didn’t want their wife,” Lindsey countered.

  The Chamele’s skin darkened to polished gold. “If they treat you bad we leave. But we’re going. I can’t keep up with rescuing you. I might die at this rate.”

  Lindsey leaned back in his arms. “You’re going with me?”

  Torkel groaned. “That was not discussed, Chamele.”

  Smiki glanced over his shoulder. “If you want her going back to Garulax, you’ll make it a discussion.”

  Chapter 34

  Standing in front of the doors to her home, Lindsey didn’t know how to feel. Trepidation played at the forefront of her thoughts.

  “Are we standing here or are you going to knock?”

  She’d rather stand but knowing there was no way out of her situation since the Jutaks, Torkel specifically, made it quite clear that she wouldn’t be allowed to do anything until she spoke with her husbands and had this meeting.

  “Alright.” Lindsey took a deep breath and prepared to knock.

  The door flew open before her hand touched the panel. Familiar arms enfolded her in a snug embrace as she was snatched off her feet.

  “Lindsey.” The voice muttered in her hair. “Lindsey.”

  She held herself stiff, mounting tension keeping her rigid.

  “Looks like you were missed,” Smiki mumbled.

  The person holding her jerked backward and eased his arms from around her. Lindsey lifted her face and came eye to eye with Baruk. She tried to keep her emotions in check but tears welled and a sob escaped.

  “Lindsey,” he whispered, stroking her back. His blue eyes gentled. “Everything will be fine now.”

  Sniffling, she pulled away only to bump into another body. Rough hands pressed her face into a firm chest. “It’s really you.”

  Lindsey became frantic and slapped at his arms, chest, anywhere she could reach. “Get off me! How dare you!”

  Zadal released her instantly. Lindsey dodged behind Smiki. “I’m only here to prove a point. I’m not staying.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Baruk snapped.

  “Lindsey?” Zadal held his arms aloft. His attempts to appear harmless failed.

  Smiki chose to interrupt. “I wish I understood your gibberish but I don’t. My translators an older model. Can we come in now?”

  Lindsey realized that she’d fallen back into speaking the language she’d worked so hard to learn. Switching to Chamele, she said, “I’m not staying.”

  “Well, you’re not going yet. Let’s hear what they say. The Jutaks might have been tight lipped but it seems they wouldn’t bring us here if they expected something bad to happen.”

  “Right.” Not.

  Looking at them hurt. How could they pretend to be innocent? Smiki curved an arm around her shoulders. Lindsey lips parted at his voluntary action. He detested her frequent touches and uninvited emotions as he called them. Unwilling to question his change, Lindsey leaned into him for support.

  “I’m not staying.” It bore repeating.

  Baruk’s lips flattened but he waved them in. Zadal stayed at the entrance and Lindsey brushed against him to walk inside. To her dismay, her breast swelled and her nipples drew tight. Damnable pregnancy hormones.

  “I think this conversation can be conducted in my office,” Baruk offered, leading the way.

  Smiki’s gaze took in the sprawling home and the casual elegance. No one could miss the understated wealth of her former home. Using Chamele, he said, “I’m not sure leaving this behind is a good idea.”

  His evident greed as they passed several servants brought Lindsey a brief flare of humor. “You get used to it.”

  Those who recognized her called out greetings and Lindsey didn’t let the past impact her pleasure at seeing them. She waved and spoke though her stride never broke.

  Once inside Baruk’s office, he closed the door and twisted the lock.

  “Where’s Mala?” Lindsey expected the woman to be here and actually looked forward to it.

  “With her husbands. News of your rescue has been kept quiet and she’s working on an official announcement for the public.” Baruk rested one hip on the corner of his desk.

  Zadal took up residence against a wall, the caramel gaze she’d once loved piercing her with unwavering focus.

  Smiki plopped into a seat without waiting for an invitation, leaving Lindsey no choice but to sit as well. No one spoke and the silence became a cauldron of mixed emotions. She wished they’d stop staring at her and plucked absentmindedly at the skirt of the dress she’d selected. The choice to follow the Garulaxan culture in wardrobe had the added benefit of hiding the slight roundness of her tummy.

  “I know there’s a lot we need to share with you but all I want to do is put my arms around you and never le
t go,” Baruk declared in a hoarse voice.

  Lindsey cleared her throat and stuck to English since it was close to their version of Standard and she wanted Smiki to understand. “Torkel Alonson said I need to listen to what you both have to say before leaving.”

  If she kept repeating her desire to leave, it would squash this crazy need to dive into his arms. To bury her face in Baruk’s shoulders and let him hold her as he professed.

  “The Jutak Unit leader warned us. We also agreed that if you didn’t forgive our part in what happened to you then we would provide for you the means to go anywhere of your choosing.”

  Her heart slammed hard against chest. She didn’t expect that.

  “You’ve every right to be angry.” Zadal straightened and slid his hands into black slacks that molded to his thighs. “After the translator incident we promised to protect you. And failed. I didn’t catch Zumei’s growing dislike of you. Nor did I realize he’d go to such levels to get back at me. That is on me. My responsibility.”

  Zadal’s torment reflected on his face. Lindsey pushed her hands under her thighs to keep from reaching for him. “Yeah. Well.”

  Baruk heaved a sigh and reached behind him for his data pad. “The information, if you wish to read it, is all here.” He leaned forward, forcing her to take it.

  “What information am I supposed to see that would make me forgive either of you?”

  They’d abandoned her. No way Zadal could have done what he did without Baruk’s knowledge.

  Baruk dropped to his knees before her, his arms sliding around her hips. “You will never know how sorry I am about what happened. Zadal’s right in that we failed you. The servants disclosed Zumei’s treatment of you. Kimsha and Mala shared a little as well.”

  Lindsey shifted in the chair, unable to break away from the intensity of his stare. With trembling fingers she brushed back the strands of black hair. “I can’t do this.”

  She surged out of the chair and Baruk fell back on his haunches. Smiki caught her arm before she could run. Lindsey tore free and headed for the door but Zadal blocked her path.