“Wait!”
Drak ignored Clark’s demand, closing the doors. The lift began to move.
Roth eyed him. “We’ve removed our weapons and have no details of what is taking place.”
Drak had already torn open his shirt, and he bent, yanking off his footwear. “I am a weapon. She’s my mate!”
Roth and his grouping began to strip, leaving their pants on. They all rushed out of the lift when the doors parted on level six. Loud alarms blared, red lights flashing. Drak didn’t know what they meant. Maybe there was breach in the hull. He didn’t care. He was going to find Abby, even if he died searching for her. He rushed down the hall, letting his claws slide out of his fingertips and the end of his toes to get better traction to run faster. He cleared the first corner in the corridor and almost ran over two humans in security uniforms.
He grabbed one, forgetting his claws were out. Blood welled on the human’s arms. “Where is storage three?”
The man was clearly terrified, too much to speak, so the other human answered. “This way. Follow me.” He took off running.
“Turn off that alarm,” Roth yelled at the human.
Drak snarled, releasing the human he held and hating how slow they moved as he was forced to hold back his speed. They reached the second corner and the male threw his body against the wall, pointing. “In there.”
That was all Drak needed to hear. He entered, the sound echoing in the cavernous room, deafening to his sensitive ears. The alarm was much louder here than in the corridor. It was tempting to cover his ears but he didn’t. Abby was all that mattered.
He roared, the sound drowned in the alarms. His female was in there somewhere; he’d picked up her scent. Abby was afraid. It enraged him even more, forcing his shift. Someone was going to die.
He inhaled, using his nose since his ears were useless. His keen eyes saw a human male hiding behind a crate with a blaster in his hand. He hadn’t seen them enter. Drak couldn’t see his face but the male fired, aiming toward the back corner.
Kill.
Drak attacked, but even as he leapt at the male, claws out, he took note of the security outfit.
He curled his claws, hitting the male with his weight instead. He was slammed into the crate and immediately went motionless when they both landed on the floor. Drak batted the weapon away from the unconscious male’s hand.
He spotted yet another male firing toward the corner. That one also wore a security outfit—but the male glanced back, looking right at him.
Rage had Drak roaring again. He knew that human. It was Milts. The male who’d pushed Abby into the Cadia den.
He rushed at the male.
Milts paled, his mouth opening wide as he swung around to fire his blaster at Drak.
Shifted Veslors were faster.
Drak leapt, claws lethally extended, and hit the male’s body.
The alarms cut out, but the screams of the human under him, being crushed and shredded, took their place. It quickly stopped. Drak yanked his paw free of the male’s flesh and swiped his throat with his claws to make certain he no longer lived.
A sharp, painful jolt hit his back leg. He released Milts and turned his head.
He knew that human, too. Bradley Rogers. The male had shot him. It was just a graze, something that would heal quickly, but it pissed him off.
Drak opened his mouth, roaring at him and flashing him deadly fangs. He poised to attack him but Gnaw beat him to it. Rogers never even saw him coming.
One second he was standing there, preparing to fire at Drak again, the next, he was screaming and dying under Gnaw’s four-legged fury.
Roth trotted up to him and motioned with his head toward the back of the room. Then he leapt high, going to the top of a stack of crates. Drak ignored the pain in his back leg and took to high ground as well, landing on a crate. It was easy work for them to jump from crate to crate.
Laser fire sounded again, just a single shot. He made it the next crate, preparing to pounce on the enemy—but when he peered down, it was his Abby huddled behind it. She was curled in a tight ball, leaning against the crate, and as he watched, she shoved the hand holding a blaster around the corner, firing blindly.
Drak lifted his head, spotting Roth on the other crate. His leader could easily see Abby, too, from that angle. Drak jumped, landing between the wall and the crate. He missed Abby by inches and retracted his claws.
She gasped, blaster swinging toward him. He used a paw to gently pin the weapon against the crate.
Abby’s eyes widened as she stared into his—then she surprised him by throwing herself against him. Her free arm wrapped around his thick neck.
“Drak! I’m so glad to see you!”
He gently released the blaster with his paw. Abby dropped it and hugged him with her other arm, plastering herself to his body. He tried to back off, remembering that he’d killed Milts. He had blood all over the front of him. Abby refused to let him ease away, clinging to him tighter.
A heavy body landed near them. Drak turned his head, watching Roth transform. His grouping leader crouched.
“You must let him go, Abby. He needs to calm himself before he can shift back, and he’s getting blood on you. All the males who were in here with you are either dead or unconscious. You are safe.”
“I don’t care.” She shook her head wildly against his throat. “I thought I was going to die! I love you, Drak. I don’t want to go back to the life I had before I met you.”
He nuzzled her head, purring. Drak attempted to shift but he couldn’t. Roth was correct. He was too worked up. He stared at his grouping leader.
“I’ll handle the humans and find us clothing. You comfort your female.” Roth rose, walking out of sight around the crate.
Drak kept purring, hoping it was helping Abby to calm. She stroked the back of his neck, finally lifting her face away from him. He met her gaze as she studied him.
“Wow, I wanted to see you shift…and you are totally badass.”
He flashed her his fangs.
Abby laughed. “Dangerous.” Then she released his neck and reached up, gently cupping his face. “I accept all of you. It’s going to take more time before I’m ready to do super-kinky things with you, though.”
He understood, giving a slight nod.
“Thank you for coming to rescue me.”
He wished he could speak, and Drak attempted to transform again. That time he was able, feeling his skin tingling. Then bones popped.
Abby released him, inching back. He ended up on his hands and knees before her. “You stayed alive long enough for me to reach you. You’re very brave.”
“Desperate.” She looked at her hands. “Please tell me this blood belongs to those assholes.”
“Milts.”
“You brought me the blood of my enemy…” She choked up. “There’s a joke in there somewhere, and later I’m going to laugh about this. Right after we shower and maybe get a little drunk. Maybe a lot drunk. There were three of them. Rogers, Milts, and Peters. Did you get them all?”
“I knocked one out, thinking he might be here to help but not willing to risk leaving him conscious in case he wanted to harm you. I killed Milts, and Gnaw handled Rogers. He didn’t survive.”
Abby nodded.
“You’re in shock.”
Maith came around the crate. He had tied a tarp around his naked waist and held out another one. “Best we could find. Humans seem uncomfortable seeing our big rods.”
“Well, if all of you are anything like Drak here in the size department, it’s called ‘envy’. Not uncomfortable.” Abby suddenly laughed. “I think I’m a little hysterical.”
Drak rose, taking the tarp from Maith. The male showed him how to secure it with small ties attached to part of the top. He then reached down, scooping Abby into his arms. “I’m getting you clean and checking over every inch of your body. Are you hurt anywhere?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m good. Promise. I’ll let
you carry me because you’re super strong and my legs feel like rubber.”
Drak carried her around the corner and through the aisles of crates toward the exit. A lot of humans waited there, along with Roth and Gnaw. The first human he’d taken down was in handcuffs, held securely by guards.
Clark Yenna was in the male’s face, yelling at him.
“I’d send you out an airlock if it were up to me, you asshole!” Clark jerked his thumb. “Take that garbage to a cell. You’re a disgrace, Peters!”
Drak really liked their new team leader and pilot.
Commander Bills rushed into the room, wearing sleeping clothing. The older human spotted them. “Abby!”
“I’m fine, Howard. I have my own fighting Veslor grouping who saved the day.” Abby rested her head against Drak’s shoulder. “Drak is only carrying me because I want to hold him.”
The commander stormed toward them. Drak paused, watching the male approach, but knew he posed no threat to his female.
Commander Bills glared at the security officers he passed. “How in the hell did this happen?”
One of them opened his mouth.
“Shut up! Investigate this, and don’t let it happen again!” Commander Bills faced them. “Abby, I―”
“Don’t even start if your next words have anything to do with me leaving Defcon Red. My mate is working for you, which means I’m staying.”
Drak grinned, feeling pride.
“You’ve mated?” Commander Bills gasped.
“Not yet, technically, but we’re a done deal,” Abby stated calmly. “I’m so happy that you didn’t have a stroke, but I just want to go home. By that, I mean Drak’s bedroom. We’ll meet up tomorrow for lunch, okay?”
The commander opened his mouth, closed it, then sighed. “Fine. You’re so bossy. Just like your mother.”
“That’s why my father loves her so much.”
The commander laughed. “She’s the only one who can put up with him.”
“That too.” Abby smiled at Drak. “Let’s go home.”
“Give them an escort,” the commander yelled. “Make sure nothing else happens. I want the remainder of Team One brought in for interviews, find out if they knew what these three idiots were planning. Also, they’re to be confined around the clock to their cabins.”
Drak exited the room, ignoring the three humans who followed. His grouping stayed in front of him. They’d take down any threat, if one presented.
“You have the best timing,” Abby whispered. “I didn’t know how much longer I could hold them off. The damn blaster was running out of charge.”
Drak felt anger again, and his fingertips throbbed, his claws wanting to extend. He resisted since he held Abby. “How did they get you in there?”
“Me…half asleep and not thinking,” she admitted. “A ‘doctor’ called, but after hearing their voices again, I realized it had to have been Peters. At least I think it was. Not that it matters. They set a trap, and I fell for it.”
“I don’t want you going anywhere without one of us from now on.”
She sighed, rubbing her cheek against his skin. “I doubt anyone is going to mess with me once they hear about how you guys tore open Milts and Rogers. I glanced at those bodies as you were carrying me past them.”
He grimaced. “You shouldn’t have seen that.”
“Better them than me. I’m a firm believer in karma, and I feel zero sorrow that they’re torn up on the floor.”
They entered the lift. It was crowded with the extra humans staying close to them. Drak made certain he kept his grouping between them and his female. He had almost lost Abby. That wasn’t acceptable. He would do anything it took to keep her safe.
“You called me your mate,” he said quietly.
Abby lifted her chin and their gazes met. “I want that. I talked to Vivian. Her brother-in-law was there. He’s the medic for the trading Veslors. I asked him a few questions.”
Maith turned, frowning. “I’m a medic. You should ask me if you have questions.”
Drak shot him a warning look. “She’s known them longer. Don’t take that tone with my mate.”
Maith sighed. “No tone. I’m in her grouping, now that she’s yours. Ask me anything.”
Abby pointed toward the humans in front. “Later.”
They all went quiet. The lift doors opened and Drak carried her to their suite. Roth refused to allow the human males inside. They’d done their job and escorted the grouping to their living space. Even that much wasn’t needed.
Drak carried Abby all the way into the bathroom, gently setting her on her feet. He tore off the tarp, letting it drop, and turned on the shower. Abby stripped naked, getting in with him. Water washed off the blood on both of them. He pulled her into his arms, holding her.
“You’re shaking.”
“It’s been a traumatic night. Speaking of, you’re home earlier than I thought you’d be. I’m so glad about that.”
He lifted her, just wanting her closer, and held her tight. “I want to mate you. Please say yes.”
“I’m not ready to do the kinky sex, Drak…but have you heard about how a male scent a woman if they want to wait to get pregnant?”
He nodded.
“Vivian said she got pregnant while mating to Brassi. I don’t want to have a cub right now. What do you think? I’m already your mate in my heart, Drak.” She peered into his eyes. “I’m yours. Can we do the scent thing? Won’t that also make Roth happy?”
He thought about it. “He’ll be relieved if we wait to have a cub.”
Abby cupped his face. “How about you?”
“I would be good with it, as long as you’re mine.”
“I’m all yours. One hundred percent. I’ll wear musk of mate.”
He felt confused.
“Joke. Ignore me. I get a bit silly after extreme stress. Shootouts with idiots fall under that category. I’ll wear your scent, even if that means smearing your seed on my skin like it’s lotion. It does seem to lubricate well.”
Humans confused him, but he smiled. “It won’t be much. I’ll mostly rub up against you after we shower.”
“So, sweat on me. Great. I hope it’s after sex. I can totally deal with that.”
He released her waist and shut off the water, lowering her. “I want to hold you right now.”
“I want that, too.”
“You’re my heart, Abby. I belong to you.”
“You’re my heart…and this bod is all yours.” She smiled. “For life.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later
“What did I tell you? Isn’t Klad the cutest baby ever?” Abby lowered the data pad illustrating a picture of her godson.
Her mother smiled on the screen. “He is.”
Her father sat beside her mom on the couch, at their home on Earth. He wasn’t smiling. Instead, concern filled his green eyes.
“Come on, Dad. Drak brought me the blood of my enemy, remember? He ripped open that asshole’s chest for trying to kill me. If that doesn’t say Thomas-worthy, what does?”
Small lines appeared next to his eyes, and he cracked a small smile. “You have a point.”
“I know. Drak also has no clue how much we’re worth. And do you want to hear cute? He and his grouping constantly swear they’ll take enough jobs to always ensure I have anything I need. They get free land from their Veslor king to build a home on when they want to retire, but they have to earn money to live on.”
Her mother chuckled. “That is so sweet.”
“I know, right?” Abby beamed.
Her father rolled his eyes. “I guess you haven’t mentioned you own a space yacht? We also have three vacation homes on other planets, and two luxury apartments on space stations.”
“No.” Abby shrugged. “It will be a nice surprise when this job is over, and we leave Defcon Red. I’ll have Arrow pick us up to fly us to their next job. I better tell the crew to stock more meat. Veslors can really put it away.”
> “We’re happy for you,” her mother promised. “We’d just like to meet this Drak and his grouping.”
“Well, you just bought a new space yacht. Take it for ride. You know where we are. Howard would love to see you both, too.”
Her father leaned forward. “Drak treats you well?”
“You have no idea.” Abby grinned. “He’s protective and gentle. I know he wants to have a cub, but he told me he’s willing to wait until I’m ready.”
“When will that be?” Her mother arched her eyebrows. “We’re not getting any younger, and now we’ll be chasing an energetic cub instead of a human baby.”
Her parents looked at each other. “More workouts at the gym,” they said in unison.
Abby loved them both. “We’re thinking next year. We’re going to be on Defcon Red for a few more months at least. Right now, we’re just enjoying spending some adult time together. Trust me, that man is going to get me pregnant in the future. I showed you pictures of him, didn’t I?”
Her mother grinned. “Yes, you did.”
Her father bumped her mom’s shoulder. “Hey. I used to look that good. I had just as many muscles.”
“Sure you did, honey.” Her mother leaned back and swiftly shook her head no.
Abby laughed. Her father quickly turned his head, right as her mother began to nod.
“Okay, you two. I need to go. Drak will be home soon, and I have messages from some of our picky clients to answer.”
Her father grew serious. “Are you sure you still want to work for us? We didn’t start this company to make you feel burdened with it.”
“I’m perfectly happy working at D Corp. I found Howard a great assistant, who will arrive here on a shuttle next week. Then I’ll be bored if I didn’t have something to do. Mel has really stepped up, though. She’s been amazing. She can deal with anything that needs handling on Earth.”
“If you’re sure.” Her mother studied her closely.
“I’m sure.”
“What happened to that other man who tried to hurt you?” Her father’s temper flared a bit; she could hear it in his voice.
Mission: Guardian Angel (Veslor Mates Book 2) Page 17