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Prologue

Taken: Year Two

 

Jessica Moore studied her once perfectly manicured nails in disgust. Just like her life, her nails were broken, splintered and dirty.

Her father Arthello let out a hoarse chuckle from beside her. In a raspy voice, he said, “You do know that staring at your nails won’t make them grow back any quicker?”

Unruly curls bounced on her shoulders as she shook her head. “Dad, I’m not worried about my nails.” Her nails were the least of her worries.

She tore her eyes away from her now calloused hands and scanned her surroundings.

The area was about one hundred square feet wide and fifty feet tall, with metallic walls, floor and ceiling. Lights encased in the ceiling shone bright continuously. For all she knew, it could have been the middle of the night or just as likely midday. Her circadian rhythms were long gone.

Rudimentary objects had been used to section off the space for various purposes—sleeping, dining, medical ward and meeting areas. For over two years she, like everyone here, had come to accept this place as home, but in reality they had no other choice.

We are trapped.

She along with over three thousand other people were crammed in what she assumed was the belly of a spaceship.

None of them had stood a chance after the Loconuist invaded Earth. Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, poor or rich, it hadn’t mattered—the Loconuist didn’t discriminate as they hunted humans down, herding everyone to this place with no chance to escape.

Escape where? had been her question—everyone’s question.

Did she dare try to slip through the cargo doors to where the large scaly lizards were? No, she would stay as far away from the Loconuist as possible.

Besides, there was no going back home.

Life on Earth as she knew it had been destroyed. She’d been caught too early to see the destruction firsthand. But others who came after her described

the devastation in graphic details.

Jess turned to study her father. Once proud and strong, he now lay side by side with the other sick people in the small makeshift medical ward. It wasn’t a real medical ward. That would imply there was medicine, medical supplies or even medical equipment, which wasn’t the case.

Still, he was better off here with the handful of doctors and nurses than with her in the tent city on the other side of the makeshift wall.

Since he began coughing up blood, she hadn’t really had a choice but to move him here. He was now bedridden and a mere shell of the powerful man he had been on Earth. The sun-kissed California coloring she was used to was now pale and pasty. His hair, the same chestnut brown as hers, had long since lost its luster and turned white. The wrinkles in his face were far too many to count and made hard, deep lines in his skin.

“I was thinking about how much our lives have changed.” She nodded toward the massive doors. She didn’t know where those alien bastards were but as long as they weren’t around, everyone was safe, for now. “They’ve taken us from everything. Home and the company you worked so hard to build are gone.”

His cold, bony hand closed around hers. She held on tight, sandwiching it and rubbing. She hoped to generate enough friction to return some of its warmth.

He shrugged. “Eh, it’s gone. Not the way I envisioned my retirement, but…” Her father glanced around as if he’d just noticed his meager and dire straits and then smiled up at her. “I’m not worried about any of that, honey.”

The middle-aged man on the pallet next to them rolled to his side as painful cries racked his body. He had been visiting Santa Monica, California on a business trip when he got captured. Unfortunately his family, including his wife and three small children, were in Michigan when the Loconuist invaded. He was alone, and not knowing what happened to his family was too much for him to bear.

Her father gave her hand a light squeeze. “What matters most—”

“Is that we’re together and we have each other,” she said, repeating what he had spoken over and over again for the past two years. Art nodded as if affirming her words.

She stared at their hands, trying not to turn his way. She didn’t want to look into his eyes. To do so would only make her face the hard facts.

Her dad was dying.

His health had declined ever since being captured. It was very apparent that without medical care he wasn’t going to get better.

“I love you,” he said.

She raised her chin, trying to force back the tears. “I know. You don’t need to tell me.” He’d always been a good, doting father, teaching her how to be self-sufficient and independent.

He shook his head. The small amount of movement made him cough violently. Acting fast, she pulled him to his side and held the cloth up to his mouth. He coughed more and spit out blood-tinged sputum.

Finally catching his breath, he pushed the dirty cloth away. “My only regret is that I never told you enough.” He rolled onto his back, laboring as he did.

“That was my mistake. I should have told you every day.”

She fidgeted with his blanket, tucking it in around his frail body and smoothing out the wrinkles. “I didn’t need for you to tell me every day, Dad.”

He reached for her hand and stilled it underneath his. “Your mother, she would have told you every day.” He chuckled softly and rubbed a thumb over her knuckles. “She would have told you every morning. She would have kissed you every minute of every day.”

The tears she’d tried to hide now spilled liberally down her cheeks. In all her twenty-seven years, she could count on both hands the number of times he had talked about her deceased mother, who had chosen to give birth to her over chemotherapy.

Art began to cough again. When she brought the soiled cloth up to his mouth, he brushed her away. “I’m fine.”

“No, you aren’t.” She pushed his hand away and cleaned the blood trickling down the side of his mouth.

The first sign that something was off was when he began to wheeze and couldn’t catch his breath, and then the coughing had begun. Now, a year later, the blood had come. Even without an MRI or CT scan, they both knew what it was.

Lung cancer.

“You remind me so much of her.” Laugh lines etched into his face.

“Especially your brown eyes. They spark with so much energy when you get angry.”

He was right. Her temper had gotten her into trouble more times than she could count. She sighed. “You’ve been on the receiving end of my anger more

than you’ve deserved.”

His eyes twinkled with humor. “Ah, who’s to say I didn’t provoke you just so I could be reminded of her?”

“Then you got what you deserved,” she joked.

Inadvertently she stared at her legs. They had always reminded her of stork legs, long and skinny. Her anger wasn’t the only thing she had inherited. She’d seen enough pictures of her mother to know where she had gotten her height from as well.

“I wish I could have known her,” she said after a couple minutes of silence, voicing a thought that when she was younger kept her up at night until she cried herself to sleep.

“I wish so too.” His face fell. The laugh lines faded as he stared up toward the ceiling, his eyes far and distant. “I’ll be with my love again. I can feel her waiting for me, just as she promised.”

Jess’ heart beat with nervous energy. “Daddy, don’t say those things.”

“I’ve done as she asked. She wanted you so bad. She said you would be the best of both of us. You and your children would carry our love for generations to come.” He held her hand tighter. “I’ve done that. She would have been so proud of you.”

Her throat tightened around the lump that had formed there. “Daddy—”

“Jessica, we both know I’m dying.”

She caught her breath. Yes, she knew it but neither of them had actually said the words out loud. To say them would only acknowledge it.

“You have never been the type to ignore the facts,” he continued in a voice stronger than it had been in a long time.

“I…I need you. I can’t do this by myself,” she whispered, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

Taking care of him had been the only thing keeping her sane. It was the only thing that made her want to wake up every day. It was the only thing that made her ignore this nightmare that had become their life.

“I remember your first day of kindergarten. There were kids crying, hanging on to their mothers’ legs. I thought for sure you would cry as well. But you didn’t. Do you remember what you told me?”

She didn’t actually remember that day but he had told the story so often she knew it by heart. “I turned to you and said, ‘Go, Daddy, you can’t stand over my shoulder forever ’.”

He laughed softly. “That’s right. Always my independent big girl, even at five.” He wiggled a finger in the air. “I knew, a father knows. You would grow up and run my company someday and you proved me right.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t get to run your company.” All the years she had devoted to someday taking over his company were now wasted. Those were years she could have devoted to a marriage…maybe even children.

“Oh, but given another two to three years, you would have put me out to pasture, made me retire.”

“You’re being silly.”

“No, you wouldn’t have made me. I would have left on my own. I was actually looking forward to retiring.”

“I never pictured you retired. I thought you would work until the day you…” She stopped and snapped her mouth shut. She wouldn’t say the word.

“Oh, I dreamed of retiring with nothing to do but spoil grandchildren.” He stopped to sigh. “I always wanted grandchildren. So many that I’d trip over them.”

“Fight this. I’ll give you plenty of them. I promise.” She hiccupped as she cried. The tears streamed faster than she could wipe them away.

“Daddy… please. Hang on. Maybe…maybe once we get to wherever they’re taking us, we can get you medicine or help.”

“Listen, I don’t know what these things have planned for us. But I don’t think they’ve gone through all this trouble of invading Earth and taking us away just to kill us.”

“I don’t know either but I know I’m not going on without you.”

“I hate to leave you all alone, sweetie,” he whispered. “I really do.”

She shook her head. “Then don’t.” He couldn’t leave her alone. Not here…

not now.

She expected him to say something, anything, but instead the air around her became still. Her breathing was the only sound she could hear over her thumping heart. She grasped her father ’s still hand, feeling for any sign of life.

No movement.

She brought his lifeless hand up and clenched it to her chest. “Daddy,” she pleaded.

The man from the pallet next to his rolled over. He placed a finger on her father ’s neck, feeling for a pulse. After a few seconds he pulled away. “I’m sorry, Jessica,” he said. “You’re alone like me.”

Her body shook as she rocked frantically.

This couldn’t be possible.

“Please don’t leave me here alone, please, Daddy. I was wrong. I’ll always need you to watch over my shoulder.”

Chapter One

Taken: Year Five

 

Jess stepped off the transporter and right into the bustle of alien activity around her.

What kind of fresh holy hell did I come to?

Alien races, some of which she recognized, others she didn’t, streamed up and down the walkways, coming and going. Transporters of various sizes occupied every available space of the four long rows of docking stations. She and JB had waited half the day just to get a spot in line for landing. From what she could see, the Sonis palace had a slew of visitors.

She could have easily retreated back into the confines of secured safety. But to do so would be an open admission of fear and weakness. The days of being scared of every alien who came her way were long over.

Jess took a long breath, filling her lungs with so much air her chest puffed out. It burned as she held it there while a group of Zarcarians, blue aliens with small, seemingly vacant slits for eyes, meandered by her, deep in conversation.

Their white hair was cropped just above where their ears should have been.

Silver robes covered their tall, lanky frames and brushed the ground as they walked.

Although she couldn’t make out the hushed whispers that came from mouths devoid of lips, she still stood rigid, prepared to fight if needed. She didn’t relax even after they finally moved past her and away.

Stay calm. Deep breaths. In, out, in, out.

JB rustled from behind her at the transporter ’s door. She didn’t startle as he held on to her waist and pushed her gently to the right, out of his way. He exited and stood by her side. Neither concern nor apprehension showed on his face as he raised his arms in the air and stretched. Standing six feet two, he was only two inches taller than her.

“Whew, sweet Jesus. Look at all these people.”

“They’re not people.” She scanned the transport bay. “They’re aliens and…

things.” She cringed as she caught a pair of Rasdons emerging from a transporter.

Their species resembled snarling dogs. They were taller than her and JB

with black, coarse hair covering most of their bodies. Long snouts sat just above yellow fangs that hung out of their mouths. Their beastly black eyes darted from side to side, taking in everything around them.

Their sexual tastes…ran to the obscene. She’d been the subject of their

“affection” at the brothel more times than she could remember. To her, next to the Loconuist, Rasdons were what nightmares were made of.

One of the Rasdons turned her way and ran a tongue over the tips of his fangs. At her hiss, JB followed her gaze.

He straightened, prepared for a confrontation. “You know them?”

She shook her head. “No.” She didn’t need to know them. She knew of them and it was all the same.

“Don’t pay them any mind then,” JB said, relaxing.

Right. Ignore the dogs.

“What about them?” Jess nodded in the direction of two males who were golden in appearance and with more muscles than should be allowed on aliens.

Each towered above eight feet tall. “They’ll be too hard to ignore.”

The tribal tattoos covering one side of their faces, necks and exposed torsos indicated they were members of the Sonis Royal Guards. The jangos strapped to their backs and blasters clipped to their hips indicated they were dangerous. Their pants were so tight every muscle was visible in their legs as they walked.

She grabbed hold of her own blaster, which she kept strapped tightly to her thigh. Her heart sped up. The erratic beat sent blood rushing through her veins, drowning out the other sounds of the room. Against her will, she took a step back, almost falling into the transporter.

JB gripped her arm firmly, stabilizing her. “Whoa, take it easy. They’re not coming this way. You’re safe.”

She closed her eyes and took the breath that had begun to burn in her chest.

Safe.

She shook off his arm. Nothing against JB but everyone would have seen her stumble back. They didn’t need to see her requiring help as well. “Give me a sec.”

She stood in place and listened as the commotion continued around her.

Nearby there was an argument regarding decorations and a conversation about the royal transporter. There wasn’t talk about slaves, brothels or whores.

Sonis was supposed to be her new home. She couldn’t panic every time she

came near aliens, especially royal guards. Hell, Sonis was littered with them.

Her main goal had been to avoid as many aliens as possible. Even while working on The Vengeance II, she’d chosen not to leave the vessel when they docked on alien worlds. Here, it looked like a freakin’ Alien United Nations.

She had to get herself together and quickly. Otherwise she wouldn’t last out the week and going back to Laconia was not an option right now.

She opened her eyes on the next breath. “Okay, I’m ready.”

JB slapped her hard on the back, knocking her off balance. She found her footing and cut her eyes at him as he bit back a laugh.

He shrugged nonchalantly. “See? Nothing to worry about. They probably thought you were a guy anyway.” He ran a playful hand across her short, spiky hair as she tried to duck out of his way. “But I guess you’re still going for that look, huh?”

He of course was referring to her days as a runaway slave. The Loconuist had sold her to a brothel. In order to escape, she had cut off her curly locks and donned male clothing. Her height, chopped hair and the dirt she smeared across her face had gotten her waved through security. Once free, she hid on the first vessel she could break into— The Vengeance.

That vessel happened to belong to a crew of wanted human pirates—JB, Ryan, Kyle, Eli and their captain Kane. She thanked God every night for guiding her to the five men who would become her only family. But right now her closest friend was getting on her nerves and was one breath away from getting gut-punched.

She snarled and pushed JB’s hand out of the way.

He chuckled. His boyish dimples were set deep in his cheeks. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

It didn’t matter that he teased her about her appearance. Hell, everyone did.

She wasn’t dainty like other women, nor did she want to be. The only reason she survived what she’d been through was because she was unbreakable. She had to be. There was no other choice.

She straightened her shoulders. “When aliens look at me, I want them to see someone strong.”

“Well if you ask me, the look you’re projecting is…” He scanned her from top to bottom. “Penis repellant.”

She narrowed her eyes and took a step closer to him so only he could hear her words. “Don’t make me fuck you up right here in the transport bay,” she threatened.

JB feigned surprise by opening his eyes wide and inhaling sharply.

Exaggerating his efforts, he placed a hand on his chest. “Really, Jess? You’re going to pick a fight with me and on your first day on Sonis? Tsk, you’ll never keep a job at this rate.”

“Whatever,” she mumbled. “Stop fucking with me.” She scanned the area again. “I want to make a good impression.”

JB quirked a brow. “Let me get this straight. You are worried about a good first impression?”

Jess frowned. “Of course.”

“Since when?” he asked in disbelief.

She cocked her head in thought. She had been stealing from Kane when she first met him. She had threatened to kill the guys when she first met them. She tried to strangle Sa’Mya when she met her… Oh yeah, she hadn’t been worried about making a good first impression in a while.

JB laughed. “C’mon, let’s get going.”

She shook her head. “No, Eva said she would meet us here.”

Jess adjusted the knapsack on her back and held her other bag tight in her hand. All her belongings could fit into two small bags. A far cry from the condo filled with high-end clothes and shoes she’d had back on Earth.

JB looked around the large docking area again. “I don’t see her here.”

She shifted from one booted foot to the other. “Yeah, but—”

JB swung his medium-sized duffle bag over his shoulder. “I’m going exploring. She’ll find us when she’s ready for us.” Without waiting for her response, he set out.

She had two choices. She could stay in the transport bay by herself or she could leave with JB.

He took two more long strides away from her before she rushed to his side.

She grunted under her breath as she stepped in time with him, just as he’d expected her to.

Asshole.

She followed as he led the way through the exit. She made certain not to brush against any of the aliens they passed. “What if we get lost?”

He turned, only to give her a wink. His blue eyes were alive with mischief.

She figured that was the reason many females swooned around him, human and alien. “Then Eva will send someone to find us.”

She couldn’t help but grunt. JB didn’t give a damn about anything. She

would’ve thought being abducted from Earth, sold as a slave to a mining colony and then spending a year on the run would be enough to sober anyone’s attitude, but not his. If she didn’t know any better, she would think he didn’t have a care in the world. That’s if she didn’t know better. But as with the rest of their small band of misfits, JB had lost family and loved ones as well.

“What’s the plan now?” she asked when they reached a large communal area.

JB scanned the room of females and whistled low. “Trouble. The plan is to get into as much trouble as humanly possible.”

Chapter Two

 

Rasha sprawled across his bed. His skin, naked as the day he was born, was misted with perspiration. His pillows now lay scattered across the floor. The calming melody he preferred played softly in the background. The erotic scents he had gotten from Aldori wafted through the air.

Even with the lights dimmed in his room, he could make out what the two females were doing a mere arm’s length away. Marcie, his lover, was on her hands and knees. Her ample breasts swung pendulously under her as she lapped at his pre-cum. She kept her heavy-lidded gaze on him. Her tongue darted in and out and up and down his slit.

Aisha, the caramel-skinned beauty, was on her knees behind Marcie, holding tight to Marcie’s creamy ass, holding her cheeks apart. Aisha’s face was hidden with only her eyes visible above Marcie’s round globes.

Aisha flicked her gaze to him, slowly lifting away from Marcie’s pussy, trailing her tongue. “When are you going to fuck her, Rasha?” she purred.

Marcie grunted and pushed her ass back to Aisha. “Yes, Rasha. When am I getting fucked?” She swiped her tongue across his heavy sac.

“Soon enough,” he forced out.

He flexed the muscles in his legs as Marcie pulled one side of his sac into her mouth and rolled it around with her tongue.

“Just like that,” he growled.

Aisha smacked Marcie’s ass hard enough for the sound to bounce off the wall. “You are such a horny bitch.”

Marcie released his sac. “Only for Rasha.” She pulled the other side into her mouth and hummed as she played with it. He bit his lower lip and clenched his fist in her hair.

Aisha pouted, making her full lips appear that much more inviting. “What about me? Am I getting fucked too?”

Marcie looked back to Aisha and wiggled her ass in her face. “You’re only here to please me and Rasha.”

“Now, now, Marcie. There’s no reason we can’t all please each other,” he said.

Marcie’s eyes flashed with fury before she caught her reaction and half-smiled. “You’re right. We can all,” she leaned down, placing kisses up the length of his cock, “please each other.”

Satisfied that she wouldn’t get left out, Aisha dipped her head between Marcie’s cheeks again. The sounds of licking filled the room. Marcie’s lashes fluttered down as she engulfed his head.

Rasha enjoyed both females but usually preferred to have them separately.

When they were all together Marcie became more possessive than normal.

Sometimes their threesomes ended up with him breaking up a fight.

With the small spat diverted, he concentrated on what Marcie was doing with her tongue, lips and teeth. She was busy licking, kissing and lightly nipping his sensitive skin.

His head rolled back. He arched. Craving to feel more of her sweet mouth on his shaft, he held Marcie’s head in place with a shaky hand. Marcie’s nails bit into the skin of his thigh. Her other hand gripped his thick base, squeezing.

Spit pooled and dripped down the insides of his thighs.

“Marcie,” he groaned. That only encouraged her to work faster, suck voraciously.

Aisha scooped her arms under Marcie’s thighs, cradling her higher. She claimed Marcie’s pussy with furor.

While Aisha lapped and moaned, her face pressed into Marcie’s ass, Marcie worked her way down his cock in pulsating movements. Every time Marcie brought her mouth up to his head, she squeezed her lips around his sensitive ridge, sending flashes of pleasure up his spine.

“Aisha.”

Aisha brought her head up, glistening from Marcie’s juices. “Yes, Rasha?”

“It’s your turn,” he commanded.

Marcie paused briefly. Her teeth dug into his flesh. With a hand, he pushed her mouth down to cover his cock.

Aisha trailed her tongue from Marcie’s pussy to her ass one last time.

Before Marcie could stop her, Aisha rounded her and crawled up the bed to his face. Within his grasp, Aisha slipped her hand between her legs. She parted her feminine lips and patted her fingers on her clit.

“Is this what you want?” Aisha asked.

Rasha instinctively licked his lips. “Come here,” he growled.

Two of her fingers disappeared deep within her. “I’m making sure it’s wet

for you.”

“That’s my job.”

Aisha cocked the side of her mouth. “To make me wet or to lick my pussy?” She stroked her pussy and then brought her wet fingers out and slid them across his lips.

“Both,” he said. He let her fingers dip between his lips and licked them clean.

“Do you want more?” Aisha asked.

He responded with a light slap on her toned thigh. She didn’t waste time throwing a leg over his face. As she did, Marcie snapped at him again.

He could only take so much.

He grabbed her hair, stilling Marcie in place. “You don’t want to hurt it.

Doing so would make the fun end before it begins,” he warned.

Marcie ran her nails painfully across his thighs. “No worries. I have something that will calm and soothe all the hurt away.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” he asked.

As Marcie sank to her knees and positioned herself over his cock, Aisha lowered her pussy over his face. Aisha’s sensual aroma filled his senses. Her coarse hairs prickled his nose.

“Umm.” Rasha grabbed Aisha by her tight ass and pulled her closer.

Without hesitation, his tongue lapped at the liquid that gathered at her feminine lips. Her pussy pumped across his mouth.

Aisha moaned loudly. Her legs squeezed around his face, quivering. She leaned over and grabbed the headrest for support. Rasha probed, using his tongue deep and hard, smothering himself in her pussy.

Marcie lowered onto his cock. His sac tightened as her pussy clenched him.

She couldn’t take him down to the hilt but she lowered enough to cover him with her slick juices. Her pussy grabbed and released his shaft.

He kicked his legs out, fully enjoying his favorite thing—pussy, one covering his face and one on his cock.

“I love pussy,” he said, sure his words came out muffled.

Marcie slapped Aisha’s ass, causing it to wobble on his chin. “Make her come, Rasha.”

“Oh yes!” Aisha cried. She entangled her hands through his hair and bucked sporadically against his face.

With one hand, he gripped Marcie’s waist. He tightened his hold and

pumped, impaling her with his cock. She needed release, he could feel it building. He wrapped the other arm around Aisha’s thigh, holding her close as she fucked his tongue, bringing herself over the edge.

“Rasha!” Aisha convulsed and shuddered. Her pussy erupted and covered his tongue…his lips…his chin.

Aisha contracted and writhed as the last wave crashed around her. Rasha pulled her tighter to him, drinking the last of her feminine juice, not wanting to waste a drop.

Marcie plucked his hand off Aisha. Once Aisha was free from his hold, Marcie pushed her to the side. “You’ve had your fun.” Although Marcie’s voice remained sultry, her expression promised Aisha harm.

Aisha grunted and, not ready for a fight, rolled off him.

Marcie leaned forward and spread herself possessively across his chest.

She cradled his head between her arms. “Did you like that, baby?” She kissed and licked his lips.

He closed his eyes. He despised when she called him baby. He’d told her more than once. Warriors were not babies.

“We can do this as much as you want.” Marcie rotated her pussy on him.

“I know.”

She narrowed her eyes.

He didn’t feel guilty for stating the truth. He could have as many females as he wanted. He wasn’t bonded to Marcie or anyone else.

Marcie covered his mouth with hers. Her tongue delved deep, tangling with his. He palmed her ass and thrusts his hips up. Marcie threw back her head and groaned.

Aisha lay on her side, rubbing her slickened pussy. “I think she likes it like that, Rasha.”

“Do you want more?” he asked Marcie.

“Yes.”

He rolled her over to her back. She splayed her legs wide. Aisha moved to her side. There, Aisha held Marcie’s legs back as he hovered over her.

Marcie scratched down his torso. “Rasha, don’t make me wait any longer.

You know this drives me crazy.”

There was one thing Marcie wasn’t—patient. After all, she had been waiting to bed him since the rising suns. Impatiently, she’d followed him around for most of the morning. He’d teased her by whispering in her ear what he would

do to her. How he would use her body whenever he got the chance.

Before leaving for the training field, he had pressed her against the wall and told her to bring a friend. He’d promised to make them both come all over his cock. When he returned home, he wasn’t surprised to find Marcie and Aisha eagerly waiting by his door.

“You’ve been waiting for me to take you, haven’t you?” he teased.

Her fingernails grazed across his cock. “Oh yes,” she whimpered.

He smirked at her response.

His throbbing head pressed against her hot, wet opening, where he lingered.

She palmed her breasts. “Don’t make me wait any longer,” she begged.

He sucked in a breath, biting back the urge to plunge. “Some things are worth the wait.” He used all the willpower he had and pressed forward just enough to breach her opening.

Her eyes rolled up and her eyelids fluttered closed. “Ahh! Yes!”

Her head rolled from side to side and her mouth opened wide in a soundless plea. Her tight sheath clutched his swollen head in a moistened grasp.

Aisha pulled Marcie’s nipple into her mouth. She licked and nipped at the erect bud.

Marcie grabbed Aisha’s head and held it in place. “Oh Aisha.”

Unable to resist the urge anymore, he plunged full force. Marcie’s scream echoed through his bedroom. There was nothing better than having her slick walls grip and massage him.

She couldn’t take him all but he pressed farther than he’d ever gone before.

Her nails dug into his back as he pulled out slowly. He guessed by the small tickle of liquid trickling that she’d pierced his skin again.

With a thunderous groan he thrust harder, rocking her ass off the bed.

Her face contorted. “Yes! Harder!” Her legs shook within Aisha’s grasp.

And he was about to give it to her.

He stilled within her, enjoying the way her pussy tightened and convulsed around his thickened cock. As her walls adjusted to his size, he rocked against her. Her cries of pleasure filled his room like the sweetest song ever played.

He plunged into her again, pushing her body deep into the bed. He thrust harder, grinding against her hips.

“Rasha, yes! Make me feel it, every fucking inch.”

“Do you think you can take all of me?” he teased.

“Make me! Please make me, baby.”

Would she ever be able to take all of him? No, but he loved trying.

Beep, beep.

He ignored his intercom and plunged again. Marcie’s legs quivered and began to slip from his waist. He cupped her breasts and squeezed. The sounds of slick flesh against flesh reverberated throughout his room. Fat beads of sweat formed on his forehead and dripped from his face.

Marcie grabbed his forearms, holding on to him as she yelled at the top of her lungs. Aisha struggled to hold Marcie’s quivering thighs. He resisted the urge to spill his seed before she came. He continued to fuck her just like she craved it. His bed creaked and groaned under his assault. More sweat rolled off his back and down his butt.

Beep, beep.

Finally, Marcie’s walls contracted around him. Slick heat coated his cock.

Her sheath gripped and milked him to no end. His sac was so heavy and full he knew it was just a matter of time before he erupted.

“Claim my pussy. It’s just for you, baby,” she moaned.

Before it was too late, he pulled out and fisted his wet cock.

Marcie reached out to him. “Please, Rasha,” she begged. “Come inside me.”

Despite her plea, he erupted on her stomach. Spent, he dropped to his back between the women.

“Maybe next time,” he said, breathing heavy. He closed his eyes and threw a hand over his face.

“Am I invited to the next round?” Aisha asked, running a playful finger around his nipples.

He turned to her. “I’d love for you to—”

Marcie rolled over him and squeezed between him and Aisha. “Thank you, Aisha, for coming through in a pinch,” Marcie said. “But you can leave now.”

Aisha chuckled. “Sure thing, Mar, holler at me if you need a third again.”

Aisha left the bed to retrieve her clothes. Rasha watched her as she bent to pick up her belongings from the floor. Her waist was perfectly trim, leading to a round ass. Catching his stare on her, Aisha mouthed, “Call me.”

Watching the exchange, Marcie curled up to his side possessively. “Bye, Aisha,” Marcie said as Aisha headed for the door.

Aisha winked at him, ignoring Marcie. “Anytime, Rasha.”

Marcie growled as Aisha left.

“I thought you enjoyed threesomes.”

Marcie ran a lazy finger from his stomach to his chest, where she began circling though his hairs. “I’m sorry. I’m just upset that you didn’t come inside me.”

Beep, beep.

He kissed the top of her head. “I know.”

He didn’t know why he didn’t spill his seed within her. The human females were more than willing and able to bear Sonian children and Marcie was no different.

She had arrived three lunar rotations prior and had immediately taken to him. But after witnessing his mother and father ’s loveless bond, he envisioned something different for himself or nothing at all.

“I’d make a perfect mother.”

“I have no doubts about that.”

“I’d also make a perfect mate.”

Beep, beep.

“I need to answer my line,” he said, not wanting to revisit a conversation they had on a daily basis.

“I thought you were off duty for the rest of the day.”

He grunted.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “You don’t have to go to work to get away from me.

Don’t answer it. I won’t bring up babies or bonding anymore.”

“What will we do if we’re not talking about those things?” he asked with a smirk.

With a smile across her lips, she straddled him. Her hair fell over her shoulders to the peaks of her breasts. “If it means I can have you to myself, we won’t talk at all.”

He grasped her breast and massaged the heavy weight. “Then I’m all yours until the new rising suns.”

“Good.” She leaned down and licked his nipple. “Because I plan to do wicked things to this beautiful body.”

His cock twitched underneath her, anticipating what Marcie could do. Would do.

“Communication systems override. ”

His head popped up when he heard his computer system’s voice.

Only he and the royals had the ability to override a do not disturb signal on a personal intercom system. Taio, the King of Sonis, was currently off-world and Josanis, his son, was too young to talk. That left Eva, Taio’s human wife.

He let his head hit the pillow and closed his eyes.

“Rasha, I know you’re in there. Sorry to bother you but I need a favor.”

Eva.

Rasha groaned and rose to his elbows.

Marcie gripped his arms and locked her knees around his waist. “No, no, no,” she pleaded.

“This’ll be quick,” he assured her.

Pouting, she released him.

“Intercom on,” he said louder for the computer system that controlled his apartment. “Eva, I’m in the middle of something. Ankon is on duty right now.

Call him, I’m sure he’d be happy to take care of anything pressing.”

“I wouldn’t interrupt you for regular palace business, Rasha. Please, this is really important to me. You’re the only person I trust to handle it.”

“Really? Where is Ship?” he asked, referring to the invisible entity that lived within electricity and was old as time. Ship served as Eva’s friend, confidant and father figure.

“This is something Ship can’t do.”

If Ship couldn’t do it then it must be a physical task. Everyone knew she relied on Ship just as much as she relied on Taio.

He let out a painful breath and fought against the urge to drive his cock fast and hard in the sheath dripping over him. Sensing his need, Marcie rotated against him. Her slickness covered him. He bit his lower lip.

“Rasha? You still there?” Eva asked.

He cleared his throat. “I have a guest in my apartment. If this is a sensitive matter I will need to clear her out.”

Marcie mouthed no and put her hands on her ears.

“It’s nothing top secret. Your new personal assistant is here.”

He sighed loudly. He’d fired the three personal assistants Eva paired him with. They just hadn’t worked out for him. He’d already told Eva and Taio he didn’t want or need another but Eva insisted this new human would work out

perfectly.

“Please. Remember you said you would give this a chance. At least try it out for me,” she said.

“Fine,” he ground out. Marcie let go of her ears and played with his hardening cock. “New assistant, here now. Got it. Call me when it’s time to fire her. Intercom off.” He grasped Marcie’s waist to lower her on his shaft once again.

“Rasha! I’m not done,” Eva yelled.

“Great Ancients!” he bit out.

He paused and Marcie whimpered. “Just ignore her,” Marcie whispered.

“I can’t, she’s our queen,” he chastised. “Intercom on. Yes?”

“I’m in the infirmary and I can’t get away right now. Honestly, I thought it would take them longer to get clearance to land since incoming traffic is backed up with the arrival of decorations for Saia’s engagement party. I need you to meet them in the transport bay. Can you do that for me, please?”

“Yes.” Them? “Wait. Who are they? You didn’t get me two assistants, did you?”

“No. Jess and JB. Jess is your new assistant and JB is her companion who’s dropping her off.”

“Fine.” He didn’t see any way around this.

“Oh and Rasha?”

“Yes, Eva?”

“Don’t let her know she’s going to be working for you. I’m going to let her get settled in first. Okay?”

“She doesn’t know she’ll be my new assistant?”

“Umm, she knows, but it’s, umm…complicated. I want her to get used to life here before she goes to work. I want to give her a vacation first.”

Vacation. Eva and her funny human ways. He’d never get used to them.

Who needed time off from what they loved to do most?

“Sure, vacation. Intercom off,” he said, dismissing the thought.

Marcie growled and rolled off him. “Be quick, we have unfinished business.”

Chapter Three

 

Sonis females were dotted among human females. Just as the males, the Sonian females were golden toned with dark hair and various colored highlights. They were humanoid in appearance. Their facial features were exotic and dainty. Their eye color ranged from green to purple. In a word, they were beautiful.

Of course they all look like exotic models. Jess inwardly groaned.

She couldn’t compete against the human females on Sonis, let alone the native ones.

She caught the thought before it could develop into something else.

I’m not here for a boyfriend, family or kids, she thought, reminding herself of her purpose on Sonis.

Her real purpose.

She needed a fresh start, just like all the other humans here. A new job and new surroundings were the first steps to regaining some of the normalcy she’d lost during the invasion.

“Do you see Eva anywhere?” she asked.

JB gazed around the room. “Nuh uh.”

While she and JB weren’t the only humans in the communal area, everything about them screamed “new humans”. Even though they wore the insignia of the largest transport company in the charted galaxy, Mercanis Shipping and Hauling, Jess still thought they looked out of place. JB was the only human male in the room and she was the only female not wearing a long, flowing gown.

“Excuse me.” They both moved out the way as a human woman walked past them.

“Pardon us, ma’am,” JB replied, nodding.

With JB’s grin larger than normal, Jess had the urge to punch him in his chest. Hard.

The redheaded woman licked her lips seductively, slowing her steps. When JB gave her a playful wink, she giggled.

Jess punched him in the arm. “Snap out of it, playboy. I didn’t follow you to

watch you flirt.”

Finally peeling his gaze away, JB rocked back on his heels. “I think I might stay here awhile.” He whistled low. “Yep, just might stay here.” He locked on to another woman gathering two small boxes of supplies.

Jess released her bag, letting it hit the ground in a heavy thump. “I can’t believe this shit. I knew I should’ve asked Ryan to bring me here instead of you.”

“Ryan’s got six more hauls before he makes his way back to this sector,” JB

said as a matter of fact.

The thought of staying any longer than necessary under Sa’Mya’s roof made Jess growl. “Fuck that.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m escorting you,” JB reminded her.

It wasn’t news to anyone that Jess didn’t get along with the bitch queen also known as Sa’Mya. They tolerated one another at best.

Jess only tolerated Sa’Mya because Kane loved her. As space pirates, Kane, JB, Jess and the rest of the crew had not only liberated the unsuspecting of their goods, but had taken hostages as well.

Their last group of hostages had been Sa’Mya and her small crew. Kane had intended to ransom them back to Laconia, their home planet. But somewhere along the way, Kane and Sa’Mya fell in love. Also somewhere along the way, Jess voted to kill Sa’Mya and her crew and had tried to complete the task herself. Their relationship had never recovered from that.

But the same way Jess felt about Sa’Mya, she was sure Sa’Mya felt tenfold about her. Sa’Mya had tolerated her because whether he was admitting it today or not, Kane considered Jess a part of his crew and therefore a part of his family. He’d even forgiven her for being insubordinate and contacting Sa’Mya’s uncle to ransom her home. Since he’d forgiven her for that, Jess was sure he was a friend for life. She still didn’t want to test their bond and especially not with anything that had to do with Sa’Mya.

“You know you didn’t have to leave Laconia, don’t you?” JB asked, interrupting her thoughts.

True. When Sa’Mya invited the crew to settle on Laconia, Jess had been surprised to find the invitation also extended to her.

Jess shrugged. “I know. I just wanted to try something new and Eva’s offer seemed like a good idea.”

Jess hadn’t taken much convincing. Eva had promised her a new home

where she could feel safe and protected. Jess didn’t know why she had taken Eva up on her offer. Truth be told, she had been safe and protected on Laconia.

It might have been the out-of-place feeling she had on Laconia. Even though Sa’Mya and Kane had given her a home, she feared her presence put a strain on their relationship. She had chosen to spend as much time as she could off-world and on board The Vengeance II with Ryan and the rest of the crew.

But lately even that was wearing thin on her nerves.

“Kane didn’t want you to leave. He thought you needed more time with the healers.”

“They’ve cured me!” she said jokingly. “Look at me now, surrounded by aliens and I’m not flipping out. It’s a miracle, Pa!”

Although she joked, she had made progress with the healers, hence the only reason she was able to stand in a roomful of aliens without having a full-on panic attack. Especially since a group of Sonis Royal Guards entered the room, seeming to search for something…or someone.

The guards turned their way and pointed. There was no mistaking it this time. The guards were coming for them and didn’t appear too happy about it either.

Jess tensed, locked her jaw and balled her fists. JB moved to her side, partially blocking her view.

The group of three overly large males stopped in front of them. “JB and Jess?” The bass tones of the speaker ’s voice resonated in her chest.

JB hooked his thumbs in his pants. “Depends on who’s asking.”

The guards exchanged surprised glances and the speaker widened his stance. “Rasha, Captain of the Sonis Royal Guard.” He folded his thick arms across his chest and stared down at JB.

The way he stood, his movements, his speech, all spoke of leadership. He was big, bigger than the others. His muscles bulged and glistened. All the hours he must have spent perfecting that body…

A moan escaped her lips.

Shit. Did I just moan out loud? Her heart skipped a beat as eyes of pure amber locked on hers.

“It is you.”

A nerve ticked in her jaw. She squinted. I don’t remember him from the brothel. “Asshole,” she said under her breath. He was probably one of them just the same.

“Do you have something to say?” the giant asked.

Of course she had something to say. She cocked her head to the side. “Lay off the free weights, Gigantor.” JB nudged her but she couldn’t stop there. “Or stop the prison-themed workouts.”

Why couldn’t she stop? Insults spilled from her mouth at will, especially when she felt threatened, which was now.

Before the giant could respond, JB interjected. “Please excuse my ward.

What can we do for you?”

Jess snorted at JB’s use of the word “ward”. As if he actually had some control over her actions. Hell, she couldn’t even control them.

The giant continued to watch her as he said, “I was sent to retrieve you both from the transport bay.”

“Oh.” JB ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry about that. Eva didn’t meet us there so we tried to make our own way.”

The giant broke eye contact with her and studied JB. “I am sure Eva gave you clear instructions to wait.”

As if we’re in the habit of following directions.

Jess rolled her eyes. “Pft. ”

The giant glared at her again. “Female, if I want to hear you talk I will ask you a question.”

She straightened her back. Well now, this might get interesting.

JB grabbed her arm, tightening his grip. “Jess, cool it before you get us jumped,” he warned.

Yeah, she would cool it all right. It wasn’t her fault Gigantor hadn’t met them sooner.

The giant nodded in her direction. “I advise you to keep your female in her place,” he said, addressing JB.

Really. “Keep me in place?” Jess sidestepped around JB. “What makes you think he can?” She thumbed toward JB. “Or that I’m even his to keep in place?”

“I swear your mouth is going to get us killed one day.” JB moved in front of her and pressed his back against her chest. “Jess, I can maybe survive a fight with one, but not three,” he whispered over his shoulder.

She should have been afraid. If she were a rational woman she would have cowered behind JB.

But she wasn’t.

Instead, a raging river of blood rushed through her ears. She’d dealt with many alien males before. But she’d never had to go up against the famous Sonis Royal Guards.

Until now.

All reason aside, she stretched her neck from left to right, cracking the bones. “I’m sure they bleed just the same,” she assured JB.

As Gigantor chuckled, she snapped to glare at him. She and JB would have to work together to take that one down. Pretty eyes and all.

She shook head. What the hell?

He appeared older than the other males flanking him. His black hair was pulled off his face, revealing a tribal tattoo that showed the tip of a light-blue-and-indigo wing covering his cheek and extending down his neck and chest, where, displayed proudly, was a vivid bird of prey in flight with outstretched talons.

“God, please let us survive this,” JB prayed.

One of the guards stepped forward. Gigantor put out a hand, stopping him from advancing any farther. “The female is mine.”

So he likes to beat up on women? She reached for her blaster. Her hand circled around the hilt, ready to use it in the blink of an eye.

“It seems Gigantor wants to wrestle,” she said loud enough for the guards to hear.

Gigantor raised a lazy brow. “Wrestle? Is that what you call it?”

“Cool it. Stop provoking them,” JB said.

Jess clenched her jaw. “I’m not provoking them.”

No. Provoking him would be telling him he reminded her of a living and breathing Jolly Green Giant. The same one that used to be pictured on canned vegetables back on Earth. Except he was golden instead of green and a lot less jolly.

“Ho, ho, ho, green giant,” she mumbled.

JB elbowed her in her side.

“How curious,” Gigantor said. “You are in no position to win a fight yet you will not stand down.”

“Hey, look.” JB put up his hands. “We didn’t come here for a fight. I think we might have jumped the gun.”

“Eva invited you to Sonis as guests. No matter how curious I find you, if you pose a threat it is I who will make you leave.”

“We understand. You won’t have any trouble out of us,” JB said.

“Any more trouble,” Gigantor added.

JB nodded. “Sorry for any inconvenience we might have caused. We wanted to explore a bit.” JB advanced forward and offered his hand. “Please accept our apology.”

The giant briefly looked at JB’s hand and gave him what appeared to be an awkward handshake.

JB released his hand and motioned in her direction. “This lovely lady is Jessica. She came here to work.”

“JB, you motherfucker.” She quickly, stepped around JB. “Call me Jess.”

She didn’t offer Gigantor her hand, nor did he request it. Instead he stared at her intently and nodded.

“If either of you are to remain, you will never provoke a guard again. Is that understood?”

JB nodded while she remained still. When Rasha locked eyes with her and JB elbowed her again, she finally relented and nodded.

Rasha turned on his heels. “You are to follow me,” he said over his shoulder.

“Sure,” JB said.

“Call me Jessica again and I’ll break your arms,” she said to JB.

He snorted as they followed the retreating pack. She didn’t find anything funny. Jessica Moore was somebody who had died a long time ago. Jess was just a shell of the woman she had once been.

They followed in silence. It wasn’t long before she spotted Eva rushing toward them. Eva stood just above five feet tall and probably didn’t weigh much more than a hundred pounds, which made her and Taio an odd-looking pair. Taio was about the same size as the giant escorting them.

Eva’s long jet-black hair was in a braid down her back. She was the first female they’d encountered wearing pants but Jess hadn’t expected anything else on Eva.

Josanis, her chunky son, dangled on her hip. He had his parents’ black hair but had one blue eye, inherited from Eva, and the other was lavender, which he had inherited from his father.

“Thank you, Rasha, I’ll take it from here,” Eva said after reaching them.

Rasha glanced from Eva to Jess. “I think I’ll claim my—”

“Rasha…” Eva said through clenched teeth.

Chapter Four

 

Rasha stood his ground. “I want to stay.”

Eva shook her head and repositioned Josanis on her hip. “Um…no, we already talked about this, remember?”

Rasha glanced from Eva to Jess. “But…”

Eva waited for Rasha to continue. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Eva said, “Thank you but I’ve got this.”

“They were posturing to fight us,” Rasha blurted. “It might not be safe for you and Josanis to stay with them alone.”

And he had to bring that up.

Jess pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. Rasha saying it out loud and in front of Eva seemed so…so bad.

Eva cocked her head at Jess and JB. Both she and JB cowered slightly.

“Really? Trying to go up against royal guards? Neither of you has any sense of self-preservation, do you?”

“I assure you it was a small misunderstanding,” JB said. “We did apologize.”

Eva rolled her eyes. “Jesus. Not even a full day,” she said to herself.

“I want—” Rasha said.

Eva put up a hand. “Rasha, I’ve told you I’ve got it from here. If they get testy again I’ll fuck them up myself.”

Jess shrank under Eva’s piercing stare. How could Eva assume she was the culprit? After all, JB did start it. Plus, didn’t Rasha know the cardinal rule of snitching?

Snitches get stitches.

She narrowed her gaze on Rasha. She’d have to teach him that saying.

Maybe while they were alone. She could catch him in a darkened corridor…

from behind…with a rock.

“Then when?” Rasha asked.

Then when what? Punish them? Throw them in the dungeon?

Jess watched the exchange warily. The hairs on the back of her neck stood

on end.

That motherfucker.

Jess moved to JB’s side and grabbed the back of his shirt, holding on to it with a firm grip.

“It’s all good,” he said, trying to put her at ease.

Eva stepped between Jess and Rasha. Her short stature did nothing to block Jess’ view of him. “Leave, Rasha. After I show them to their apartments, I’ll take them to the security center for registration.”

“For registration?” Rasha asked, confused.

“Yes,” Eva said, stretching her lips into what looked like a painful smile.

“If that is a command then it will have to suffice.”

“It’s a command,” Eva said through clenched teeth.

Rasha hesitated before he nodded and turned on his heels. It seemed Jess was the only one to notice that he glanced back twice before finally rounding a corner.

Eva let out a heavy breath. “You’ll have to excuse Rasha. He does take his duties very seriously. Everyone who visits Sonis for the first time has to be registered with security.”

JB pried Jess’ fingers from the back of his pants. “That’s totally understandable,” he said.

“But getting back to your actions. Tsk, I can’t believe you two,” Eva said warmly.

Eva extended a bronzed arm to JB. While the inhabitants of Sonis were golden in appearance, Eva had the perfect tan. No doubt attributed to the amount of time she spent training outdoors under Sonis’ two suns.

JB opened his arms to receive her embrace. “I’m sorry, Eva. I’ll take the blame. Jess wanted to wait for you but I got antsy and wanted to take a peek around.”

Jess cleared her throat. “No, it was me too. I guess my temper…”

Eva released JB and smiled her way. “Apologies accepted. I’m happy you came, Jess, temper and all.”

As Eva held out an arm, Jess instantly stiffened. For being so little, Eva sure was strong. She grabbed Jess and hugged her tight. It wasn’t long before Jess finally relaxed in Eva’s hold.

Eva pulled back and grinned up at her. She was beautiful. No wonder Taio had made her his queen. “Despite that little mishap, you’ll love it here, I

promise.”

I sure hope so. “Thank you for inviting me.” Jess shifted on her feet. “I guess we screwed things up.”

Eva waved a hand through the air. “Oh, don’t worry about Rasha or the other guards. Sonis guards are always looking for a fight.” Eva winked at her.

“You should fit right in.”

“They weren’t at fault. If we would have waited as instructed, none of this would have happened,” JB said.

“No worries. I’m just sorry I couldn’t meet you. I was working in the infirmary and couldn’t get away until now.”

“Infirmary? Sonis has a high-tech medical center, doesn’t it?” JB asked.

“Yeah, but once a nurse always a nurse.” Eva turned to Jess. “Come on, let’s go see your new home.”

New home.

She put a hand on her stomach to help control the acrobatic movements that had begun there. Could she call Sonis her home?

Eva led the away. The child on her hip wrapped a hand around her braid.

“Did Rasha give you a tour?” she asked.

“No,” Jess replied.

Eva shook her head. “Figures.”

They made their way through a palace that rivaled Sa’Mya’s. Eva pointed out various rooms and introduced them to everyone they passed, human and alien alike.

After spotting a group of women, Eva stopped abruptly. “Mecca!” Eva said, calling to an African-American woman who was talking to three other women.

“Here, hold Josanis.” She turned to Jess and before she could be stopped, held the baby to her.

Jess took a giant step back and shook her head. “I don’t do babies.”

Eva continued to dangle the baby in front of her. As he grinned, drool dripped from his mouth. Eva laughed. “He doesn’t bite,” she said, still dangling the baby, not accepting no as an answer.

“Anything that has teeth bites,” Jess replied, disgusted.

Eva pushed the baby into her hands. “Here, he won’t break. I’ll be right back.”

Jess found out why Eva had placed Josanis on her hip. He weighed a ton.

She jutted out a hip and set the baby there, mimicking how she had seen Eva

hold him.

“If you drop him, you can expect Eva to renege on her offer to let you live here,” JB said.

Jess rolled her eyes and motioned forward, pretending she would give the hefty child to him. “You take him then.”

JB maneuvered out of the way, flailing his hands in front of him. “No.

Way.” He laughed heartily. “Man, what I wouldn’t give for a camera right now.

The guys won’t believe this in a million years.”

Jess peered at him. “Don’t give me a reason to kill you.” She turned her attention to Eva speaking animatedly to the small group of women. “Besides, it’ll only piss Kane off. He’s quite fond of you.”

As promised, after speaking with the women, Eva returned. “I’m sorry.

Mecca was a wedding planner back on Earth. She’s helping us get ready for the engagement party.”

Eva retrieved her baby and motioned for them to follow her as they continued their tour. Jess’ arms and hip immediately felt relieved.

“Engagement party?” Jess asked.

“For Taio’s little…well, she isn’t exactly little. But for Taio’s younger sister Saia.”

“Oh,” Jess said.

She followed Eva as she chatted about the decorations and plans for the party. JB pretty much ignored them both but flirted at every female they passed.

Eva lifted a curious brow at JB. “JB, you do know the human females are here to bond with the Sonis males, don’t you?”

“Um…it might have been mentioned before.”

“Didn’t you rescue them from slavers and brothels?” Jess asked.

“Mostly slavers. We only have a handful of women from the brothels. Many of them have been sterilized and Taio didn’t deem them as suitable mates.”

Sterilized.

Not suitable mates.

The memory of the brothel owner ’s cackling laughter assaulted her. He couldn’t even wait for the drugs to wear out of her system before he gleefully told her she could no longer have children.

Jess stumbled over her footing.

Eva stopped and rushed to her side. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean…”

Jess’ legs shook and wobbled with each step she tried to take. “It’s okay.”

Her lips quivered as she spoke. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t put me there.”

“Jess, I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have said that…”

It wasn’t a secret that most of the females in the brothels were sterilized, if they were lucky. Brothel owners didn’t want to take care of offspring or lose profits from females dying trying to give birth to hybrid species.

Her head throbbed out of control. “Really, I’m fine,” she mumbled, ignoring the whispers between Eva and JB. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“Understood,” Eva replied.

JB grabbed for her hand, holding it as Eva continued on. Eva kept looking over her shoulder with guilt and concern written across her face.

“The people of Drazlan have a pretty low birthrate,” Eva said.

“Drazlan?” JB asked.

“Drazlan is the home planet. You can see it on the horizon. Almost everyone on Sonis originally came from there. They’ve only settled on Sonis in the past thirty cycles.” Eva rounded a corner and led them down an empty corridor. “Not only were they having a hard time breeding amongst each other, but they’ve never had a successful pairing that produced offspring with any other species. Until now. We’re hoping to see a jump in the birthrate. Everyone is excited about it.”

“Great. At least humans are in high demand somewhere for something other than slavery,” JB said.

“And that’s exactly why you need to keep your hands to yourself and your dick in your pants while you’re here,” Eva replied.

Every woman here was a potential baby mama. Because of an unknown problem, the birthrate for Sonians had decreased steadily for generations.

Coupled with the fact they had been unsuccessful with interspecies breeding, the Sonians had a real problem on their hands.

Enter human females. Only after Taio had gotten Eva pregnant, the first human female the Sonians had come across, had they finally found a solution.

Humans and Sonians were compatible. Every human woman on Sonis was considered a prime prize.

“You might be asking for too much,” Jess interjected.

“I’m not asking him to give up his flirting ways. He just has to keep his hands off.” Eva stopped in front of a plain white, nondescript door. “We’re

here.” She beamed from ear to ear. “This is your apartment, Jess.”

Jess stared at the door, not knowing what to do next. Eva stood by her side and talked her through the process of scanning her hand for security. After the door slid open, Eva entered first and motioned for Jess to follow her. Jess couldn’t budge. This was why she was on Sonis, right? New start. JB nudged her forward.

He tried to suppress a smile as he leaned in to whisper, “Aren’t scared of a new start, are you?”

Her lip curled up in disgust. The mere thought of admitting she was afraid of anything made her want to fight. “I’m not scared of shit.”

JB chuckled and pushed her over the threshold. “That’s my girl.”

After two steps in, Jess stumbled over her feet as she took in her surroundings. They were in…well…a regular-looking apartment. There was a small closet to the right and to the left was a full kitchen, including a breakfast nook. In front of them was a living room with a separate dining room off to the side.

JB came from behind her. “What’s wro—”

He stopped midsentence as he caught the same image as she had.

Eva stood in front of them. One arm cradled Josanis while the other rested on her chest. A light sheen of mist formed in her eyes. “Do you like it?” Her voice was no more than a soft whisper.

Jess’ gaze jumped from one object to another. Coffee table, couches, vases, flowers, dinette set… Raising her arms, she wrapped them around herself. JB

placed a hand on her back and began to gently rub.

Her sparse cabin on The Vengeance hadn’t held any personal belongings.

Everything in it had been tacked down to the floor. Even on Laconia, her room had been filled with furnishings that had been foreign and alien to her.

Finally, in a voice no louder than Eva’s, Jess said, “It reminds me of a regular apartment.”

JB turned in a circle. “It’s remarkable, Eva. If I didn’t know any better I’d think we were in an apartment back on Earth.”

“Thank you. That’s what I was hoping for. We have fifteen apartments in the palace that have more of an ‘Earth feel’. It’s been one of my pet projects with the architects. Well, apartments and houses.” Eva took a sweeping glance around the area. “I wanted everyone from Earth to feel comfortable here.”

“You have regular houses too?” Jess asked.

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Document Outline

• Ebookstoreal.pdf
  • Title Page
  • Copyright Notice
  • Dedication
  • Epigraph
  • I
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • Omissions
  • II
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Marlena
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Copyright

 

Imprint

Publication Date: 07-29-2017

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
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