Confined Love (2 page)

I had to get back to my quarters and tell Mandy everything
that I could, which, thanks to that little skin-cell signature, wouldn’t be a
whole hell of a lot. I knew about Emma now and how, through her, I now had a
similar opportunity. The only thing that bothered me was that with Emma still
gone as well, Mandy would be alone. It was only because we forced her that she
ever left her books and gadgets behind. I had a feeling she would rarely ever
leave our quarters with no one to urge her. I loved Mandy like a sister but my
excitement didn’t dim with that knowledge. It just meant that I would have to
find time for one more stop before I reported. It was my job to make sure Mandy
would be okay with both Emma and me away.

Two hours. I had to keep reminding myself of that little
fact. So much to do and not nearly enough time. But then this was what I’d been
waiting and hoping for my entire life.

“Enforcer Burrelis.” Amanda interrupted my thoughts as I
left the lieutenant’s office and stepped back into his secretary’s domain.

“Jr. Enforcer,” I corrected her with a smile. Not for much
longer though.

“You didn’t sign the agreement then?” I wondered just how
much she knew about something that I had to sign a confidentiality agreement
for.

“Yes, I signed,” I said and was startled by Amanda’s happy
laughter.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for you three.” Amanda had been
at the desk in this office for as long as I remembered. She’d known Emma, Mandy
and me since we were born, more or less. I watched her reach beneath her desk
then hand a package to me. “Your new uniform shirt,” she told me, grinning.

I placed the folder on the edge of her desk and ripped the
package open immediately. Five beautiful black t-shirts spilled out into my
hands. They were the most beautiful shirts I’d ever seen. There, just above
where my heart would be, sat the tiger. I could feel tears pooling in my eyes
but I refused to shed them. I’d worked my whole life for this moment. Trained
until I was black and blue and bloody. And every day I’d reported to a desk.

My tears burned away as anger took over. I grabbed my file,
mumbled thanks and took off as quickly as I could. I deserved to be an Enforcer.
Yet, now that I had finally reached it, I didn’t feel validated. The shirts
were mine, the title was mine, but for some damn reason I couldn’t get rid of
the thought that I was earning both of them on my back or my knees or any other
position my Alphas came up with. Suddenly my happiness was gone and I knew why
Lt. Certze had looked so weary. He knew how much this meant to me.

I took a deep breath. They’d all underestimated me though. I
knew I was a damn good fighter. Plus I’d picked up a thing or two from Mandy
along the way. I might not be at her level but I was smart. They might all feel
like they were doing me a favor. So it was up to me to show them just how
fucking prepared I was.

“Two hours!” Mandy exclaimed.

I glanced at the digital readout on the wall unit. “Closer
to an hour now.”

My one stop had turned into several and eaten up way too
much time.

“I’m so excited for you, Soph! Enforcer! I just wish Emma
was here to see this.”

“I know.” But I knew Emma had known from the moment she gave
my name to the Liege Commander that I would say yes. Mandy and Emma sometimes
knew me better than I knew myself.

“Are you packed? What do you need? Where are you being sent?
How long?”

“I have no idea when I’ll be back or where exactly I’ll be
going. I just heard Enforcer.” Not the truth but good enough for Mandy to buy
and let it drop.

“Oh, Soph.” Her laugh filled the air of our commons and had
me a little teary eyed again.

I was going to miss her. I thought we’d always be together.
Then Emma left. Now me. It felt scary and exciting all at once.

I turned and pulled Mandy in for a hug. I squeezed her
tightly and a few of the tears spilled over as emotion choked me.

“I’m going to miss you,” I whispered.

“I’m going to miss you too.”

When we finally pulled apart both of us had wet cheeks. In
that moment I wanted to forget the confidentiality papers and spill it all to
Mandy. What was expected from me, the quad squad and how the brass hoped this
would lead to more such units. I wanted to tell her what I’d found out about
Emma. I had little doubt she’d have exactly the words of wisdom I needed to
hear.

“Promise me you’ll go out. Don’t keep holed up in this room.
Go dancing. Take in a show. Do something. Anything.”

Mandy nodded, but I knew her well. Left to her own devices,
she would stay there with her devices—namely the hand-held she used to decipher
and work with code. Unless she gave me her word.

“Promise me. Say the words, Mandy.”

“I promise. I won’t just stay in our quarters.”

“Good. Now help me throw some stuff together. I’m down to
forty minutes.”

“First thing is to take off that Jr. Enforcer shirt and put
on one of these nice new ones.” Mandy held up one of my new Enforcer shirts.

I couldn’t get my shirt off fast enough. As soon as it hit
the floor, Mandy dropped my new one over my head. It fit like a glove, as if it
had been made just for me. It probably had since most Enforcers weren’t my size
or didn’t have my bust line.

“You did it, Soph,” Mandy whispered.

I bit my lip to hold back all the doubts and fears that
filled my mind. I hadn’t made it yet. I was expected to bond with three Alpha
males and form a unit with them. What if we failed? I was sure they would keep
their Alpha Enforcer status, but what about me? Would I be stripped back down
to Jr. Enforcer? Or would I get the boot from the entire program? I still
hadn’t looked at the papers Lt. Certze had given me.

One glance at the clock and I shoved it all deep inside.
There was no time for those emotions now. I had to hurry.

“Sit down. Talk while I pack for you.” Mandy could always
see what I tried to hide.

“I’m just nervous, you know.” I let what I could tumble out.
“What if I screw this up? What if they decide they made a mistake with me?”

“Soph, you’ve trained for this almost your entire life. I’ve
seen you in the training room. None of the guys here want to spar with you.
You’re tough. If anything, your shorter stature leads others to misjudge you.
You’ve always been able to use that against them.”

I nodded. But there was so much more to this. What if there
was no sexual chemistry between me and the three Alphas? I’m all about sex, but
there has to be a mutual desire in play.

“Soph, what’s going on?” Mandy closed my bag and set it
beside me on the bed. I had no idea what she’d packed in there, but it didn’t
matter.

I shook my head. The truth wanted to tumble out, so I just
kept my mouth shut.

“You had to sign a confidentiality agreement didn’t you?”

I nodded.

“Is this about the new program the Liege Commander is
starting up?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know what programs Mandy might know
about.

She leaned in and whispered her next question in my ear.
“The Alpha Program?”

I jerked back. “How do you know about it?”

“Please.” She shrugged, holding her hand up and blowing on
her nails. “I break codes for a living. I know all about this program. I’ve
been working on some of the finer points of it for the Liege Commander.”

Something must have shown on my face.

“My goddess. Emma is in the first group, isn’t she?”

I just nodded.

“And you’re the female for the next phase?”

More nodding on my part.

“It pisses me off that they’re taking advantage of your
dream to get volunteers for this program but if Emma was in the first one then
she probably gave them your name.”

Did I mention Mandy was the smart one?

“Don’t let them rock your confidence, Soph. You can kick ass
with the best of them. No matter what this requires, you didn’t earn Enforcer
status with sex. If that were the case, any number of women would have been in
the running. I know for a fact that there were only two being considered. I
didn’t know names. I should have guessed you were one.” She glanced at the
clock. “You have to go. If I had known I could have told you so much more. As
it is, just know this. You are exactly what this program needs. Remember who
you are. Don’t take any shit from these guys just because they have an ‘A’ with
their tigers.”

She grinned, grabbed my hand and pulled me up for another
quick hug. “I’ll walk with you to the end bay. I think your best choice is to
take your time. Make sure the Alphas respect you as an Enforcer before you jump
in. If they don’t, well, make them. You’re one of the toughest women I know.
Don’t let your confidence lag now.” She was right and those were the words of
wisdom I’d needed from my friend.

I stood alone at the south bay doors, bag in hand, as Mandy
disappeared behind me. My heart was beating as if it were trying to pull free
of my chest. My stomach had taken residence in my throat. I let my eyes close
and took a deep breath. I could do this. I would do this.

“Heading in?”

The deep voice made my eyes flash open. He was gorgeous. I spied
the Enforcer shirt first—a tiger marking him as an active Enforcer and an “A”
following it to proclaim his Alpha status. Please, goddess, let him be one of
my guys!

“Yes.” My voice might have been a little huskier than normal
but at least it didn’t squeak.

“I’m Xanthus.” His name suited him. He was all golden from
what skin I could see to the shade of blond hair on his head. “Are you Enforcer
Burrelis by any chance?”

“I am.”

His smile was breathtaking as he moved even closer. He
dwarfed my five-four frame but I was used to that. I’d purposely worn shoes
that wouldn’t add inches to my height.

“In that case, we’ll be getting to know each other fairly
well over the next few weeks.”

I wanted to lean in, to lick his neck and see if he tasted
as good as he smelled. Mandy’s plan stopped me.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I held my hand up toward his chest,
keeping space between us.

He took it slowly then bent and kissed the backs of my
fingers. I could have sworn I felt the quick flick of his tongue there.

“It’s nice to meet you too…” He let it trail off as he met
my gaze.

“Sophia.”

“Sophia.” He nodded as if he enjoyed my name. “May I take
your bag?”

“I’ve got it. Thanks.”

He just nodded again and together we entered south bay. He
didn’t seem to resent my being there. But he was attracted to me. I could tell
that easily by the bulge in his black pants. He wanted me. I’d be lying if I
didn’t admit that I wanted him too. But I needed to follow Mandy’s advice and
make sure we were all on the same page first.

I walked quietly beside him. He seemed content with the
silence and didn’t try to engage me in more conversation. We came to a set of
doors. He opened them and waved me in, following so fast that I felt the brush
of his body against me before he moved once more to my side.

“We’re in the last shuttle on the left.”

I followed him in the direction he’d indicated. It was a
large shuttle. I reminded myself to show no fear. Confidence. That was me.

He opened the door and I stepped inside. Two men immediately
rose to their feet and turned toward me. Holy mother! My pussy was wet and
ready just looking at them. What was it Mandy had said?

“I’d like you to meet Enforcer Sophia Burrelis, gentlemen.
She’ll be working with us from now on.”

“Radek.” The shortest of the three stepped forward first. He
had brown hair and dark-green eyes. “We’ve been looking forward to meeting
you.”

Okay…that wasn’t what I expected. Where were the comments
about my freshly minted Enforcer status?

“I’m Kain.” His voice was as deep and dark as the rest of
him. Hair, skin, even his eyes seemed to be ebony. He stepped into me. I was
surrounded by his heat and scent. It made my mouth water and my pussy clench
with desire.

“Kain.”

It was Xanthus who spoke. Kain moved back. I met their gazes,
holding each a moment while I waited. But they just watched me. No questions.
No anger unless they were far better at hiding it than most. They seemed
excited and ready to start getting to know each other.

“Where should I put my bag?” I broke the silence first.

They all looked at each other but once again it was Xanthus
who spoke. It seemed he was the leader of this trio.

“There’s only one sleeping quarter on board.”

Well, wasn’t that interesting? Did they think by forcing the
issue they could also force us to bond?

“Maybe one of you could show me around the shuttle?” I’d
been on Emma’s shuttle a time or two but hers was much smaller than this one.

“I’ll show you.” They all spoke at once, making me smile. My
smile seemed to ease them a bit and I realized they were looking at me to
decide how to proceed.

“Thank you.”

Radek led the way while Xanthus walked beside me and Kain
stayed tight on my rear. I was surrounded by them and it made me visualize what
it could be like when we were all sexually engaged. It made me long for that
moment. I have mentioned how much I love sex. These three had me more than
willing to drop Mandy’s plan and jump to it. But pride kept me on course.

“How much did they brief you on?” Xanthus asked.

I looked at him but before I could answer Radek spoke.

“Please tell us they told you about the quad unit and what
is expected of us!”

They just looked at me. It dawned on me that their biggest
concern right now was how much I knew about this quad squad we were pioneering.
I wished I’d taken the time to at least scan through the papers I’d been given.

“I know about the quad squad and what they are hoping will
occur between the four of us.”

“But?” Kain asked. “I sense a ‘but’ at the end of that.”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Stick with the plan
or go with the flow? The chemistry was there. For all of us, it seemed. So what
should I do? Well, I’ve always been more of a go-with-the-flow type.

“No buts.”

“Are you sure?” Kain asked the question but I could see it
reflected on the faces of Xanthus and Radek as well. One word from me and we
would see just how well we all meshed sexually. One word that would change
everything. I took a deep breath, nodded and said it.

“Yes.” Needless to say, we headed straight to the sleeping
quarters. My bag was dropped just inside the door. Kain moved in toward me but
I held up a hand.

“Maybe we should know more than each other’s names?”

“But we do know about you.” Kain all but purred the words to
me.

“We’ve been watching vids of you since we were recruited for
this trial,” Radek offered.

“You’ve got some serious skills, Soph.” Xanthus shortened my
name to what my friends called me. Had that been part of their briefing? Wait.
They’d been given vids of me?

“How long have you known about this?”

They shared another of those looks and Kain answered.

“A few weeks, give or take.”

“Since the triad unit was created,” Xanthus added. “They
were already looking for volunteers for the next one.”

“We were the lucky ones chosen.” Radek spoke while his gaze
ran up and down my body. “Very lucky indeed.”

“I was just asked to take part a few hours ago. I know
virtually nothing about any of you. You’ve seen me fight?” Where had those vids
come from? I hadn’t been aware of any being made. What exactly did they show?

“They only asked you a few hours ago?”

I nodded at Kain’s question. “So what exactly could they
have told you about me when they hadn’t even spoken to me yet?”

Xanthus laughed. “It seems you were a sure bet as far as
they were concerned.”

“Well, there aren’t that many women who are Enforcers, and
I’ve seen none who are as skilled a fighter as Soph here.” There was pride in
Radek’s voice, as if we were already bonded.

They’d been told I was already an active Enforcer? Why was
it I always seemed to be the last to know things?

“What would you like to know about us?” Kain asked.

I didn’t know. Xanthus was removing his shirt and the sight
of all that bronzed flesh made me feel a little warm myself. He caught my gaze
and lifted his brow. He ran one hand over his chest and down to his rippling
abs, stopping just above the waist of his pants. My eyes followed that hand
just as I’m sure he’d planned. There was no missing the bulging cock behind his
zipper.

“Or we could talk after we get to know each other better.”

Xanthus’ words washed over me like an erotic shower,
painting vivid pictures in my mind. I reached for the button on my pants and
popped it free before tugging my shirt loose.