My Chameleon Loves [Galactic Nuptials 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (6 page)

“The prisoner wasn’t transported in a luxury cabin.” Rich smirked. “We had a portable security cell placed in the hold. She was housed there.”

Zin stiffened, his arm tightening around Jeni. Kernz’s hand landed on her thigh under the table while Rmantk, Tenik, and Quenk surrounded the guards from Earth.

“You locked our Laan Asawa in the hold of a cargo ship?” Zin looked down at Jeni. “Did they provide heat, and water and food?”

Jeni swallowed hard. She didn’t want to answer because she didn’t want to be the cause of trouble between the men. For at least the next two weeks, they still had the authority to return her to Earth.

Danny scowled and pushed away from the table, a pinched look falling over his face. “I tried to make sure she stayed safe. Rich provided her one meal a day and plenty of water. She had a cot and one blanket in her cell. I’m sorry, but there was nothing I could do.”

Rich pushed against Danny’s chest. “Shut up, Effridge. We didn’t do anything wrong. These people seem to forget she’s a convicted felon. Nothing more than a criminal. She got better than she deserved.”

Zin stood, pulling Jeni to her feet. “We’ll be heading out now, my friends. The meal was wonderful, and we’re so thankful you welcomed our mate this way.”

Jeni smiled. “Yes, everything was great. Maybe after I’m rested we can have all of you over for a meal.”

Freya came around the table and hugged Jeni briefly. “We’d be honored to visit you, but please wait until you’ve recovered from the long trip. The atmosphere is different here, and it’ll take you a while to get used to the changes.”

“They gave me a couple of pills to take. They said it would make the transition easier. I had to take them once we left Earth’s atmosphere. So far I’m only tired like I haven’t slept well in a few days. I imagine a good night’s sleep will do wonders.”

Rmantk moved forward and touched Zin’s arm. “Prin…I mean, Zin. We really need to get moving. I’d rather not make the trip to your home after dark.”

“Right.” Zin tightened his arm around Jeni. “Are you ready to see your new home, flower?”

She nodded and allowed herself to be led outside. Jeni took a deep breath as they walked across the meadow toward Zin’s home. Rmantk kept the guards from Earth walking with him and his two companions, a good distance behind her and her men. The heat from the suns felt warm on her face as the breeze ruffled her clothes, tangling the hairs on her head. She spied a butterfly hovering over a cluster of pink flowers. Its wings shimmered like coins in the sun. Strands of warm air raked through the plush meadow grasses stirring up the scent of wildflowers.

Zin threaded his fingers with hers. “Do you like what you see of this world so far?”

Jeni looked around at the tall trees laden with leaves. A small creature resembling a squirrel leapt from branch to branch along the tree line, leaves twirling and drifting to the ground. “It’s a lot like Earth from what I can see. It’s very beautiful and peaceful.” A loud laugh from Rich had her glancing back at the men. “At least it could be peaceful.”

“Do not let them worry you, flower.” Zin ran his thumb back and forth over her palm. “We’ll make sure they stay away from you. I give you my solemn promise.”

Jeni stopped and looked up as a cooler wave of air slid across her skin. Large billowy clouds passed over the fading suns. “Does the temperature really drop to near freezing at night?”

Kernz kissed her wrist. “Yes, but it’s gradual, and the coldest is just about dawn. It’s perfectly safe to be outside after dark.”

“Look, Jeni.” Zin pointed across the field. “You can see our home from here.”

She could see a traditional ranch house in the fading light. A large barn rose majestically against the night sky while white fences enclosed empty pastures. “Where are all the animals and the crops?”

Kernz shrugged. “We’ve only just begun living here. We haven’t had time to import any animals or plant anything. It’s rather late in the season so we’re probably just going to get settled in this year and plan out everything in detail for next season.”

“But I thought your friends came from Arridia to help with your harvest.”

Kernz looked over at Zin and then back at Jeni. He licked his lips and then smiled. “They are going to help with the harvest, the same as us. We’re going to help Andon, Tarik, and Caleigh bring in their paladda. That way they’ll be willing to help us next year.”

“Huh.” Jeni frowned and then shrugged.
They don’t seem to be too worried, so I guess I won’t worry either.
She followed them across the field. As they neared the house, she could hear birds fluttering in the trees and the howl of something that sounded like a wolf. The air near the barn was musty, heavy with the smell of rotting compost.

Zin urged her toward the house. “There will be plenty of time for a tour of the place tomorrow. Why don’t I show you to your room and you can take a nice, long soak in the tub and have an early night?”

Jeni groaned and stretched. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in over a week.”

Zin rubbed the back of her neck and turned to Kernz. “Show the others to the guest cottage out back. They can share it since it has multiple bedrooms. Remind Rmantk that the couch also makes a full bed.”

Kernz nodded and gave Jeni a kiss on the cheek. “Sleep well, love. I’ll see you in the morning when you wake.”

Jeni watched him walk away and then followed Zin into the house. He rushed her through a darkened living room, down a narrow hall and into a bedroom. He moved away and touched the base of a lamp on the table by the bed. “These will turn on or off with the touch of your hand.” He glanced around the room. “Is this okay for you?”

Jeni studied the room. A large bed took up the biggest area of the floor. The suns had set outside, leaving the small table lamp to cast eerie shadows over the heavy furniture. A pale-green, fuzzy blanket covered the large bed while dozens of colorful decorative pillows were placed near the top against the wall. There was no headboard or footboard. Lace curtains covered the small windows letting in the soft glow of the early moonlight. The smell of clean linens was strong but pleasant. “It’s lovely.”

Zin opened one of the two closed doors on the far wall. “This is your bathroom.”

She walked over and glanced inside. A large mirror was the first thing she saw, surrounded by a sparkling, shiny chrome frame. Bright yellow fluffy rugs lay scattered around the floor. On one side of the room was a large walk-in shower, colorful bath towels hanging on a rod outside the door. Across, on the other side, the largest, deepest tub she’d ever seen.

He walked over and turned on the water and then pointed to a collection of small spouts on the wall beside the tub. “Here are some different scented soaps for you to use. Nothing is harmful so just indulge yourself. The towels are on this heated rack.” He bent and opened the cabinet under the sink. Grinning, he pulled out a fat, pink plastic pillow. “Use this and just relax for a while. It’ll be easier for you to sleep if you soak for a while.” He gave her a tender smile. “Is there anything else you need?”

Jeni felt her pulse race as a tingling sensation washed over her skin. She wanted to walk into his arms and find the comfort she knew would be there. She felt safe with him and Kernz, and that’s something she’d never really experienced before. She cleared her throat and lowered her eyes. “Yes, as a matter of fact I’m going to need some clothes and maybe something to sleep in.”

Zin’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, no. We forgot to get your luggage at the station.”

Jeni shook her head and crossed her arms across her chest. “There isn’t any luggage.”

“You didn’t bring your things with you?”

She shrugged. “No. Rich said that prisoners don’t pack their suitcases when they go to jail. They depend on the prison to furnish what clothes they’re allowed to have. He said I’d have to make do with whatever you could give me here.”

Zin’s eyebrows lowered, drawing together. His fists clenched, his nostrils flaring. “I’ll lay a shirt on the bed that will do for sleepwear, and we’ll find something for you to wear tomorrow. I think we can borrow some things from Freya until we can send off-world to get some new things for you.”

Jeni nodded and blinked back tears. “Thank you, Zin. I’m sorry to be such a bother.”

“You’re not a bother, flower. But I’m definitely going to have words with Rich before this night is over.”

She grabbed his arm as he walked toward the door. “Be careful of him, Zin. He doesn’t seem quite right to me. I’d be wary of him. I don’t wanna see you get hurt.”

“Don’t worry, love. I’ll be careful, I promise. You don’t worry about them. There’s no way I’ll allow them to take you away now that we finally have you. If you need us for anything, just come looking. My room is the last door down the hall, and Kernz is right next door to you.” He paused and took a step closer. “May I kiss you good night?”

Jeni licked her lips and nodded. Zin moved closer and took her in his arms. For a moment he stared into her eyes and then he bent, closing his lips over hers. At first, Jeni held herself stiffly. When he began to nibble the corners of her mouth, she melted, her body almost fusing with his. They were pressed tightly together, her breasts against his chest, his erection tight against her abdomen. When his tongue tickled the seam of her lips, she opened to let him inside. The warm wet glide of his tongue against hers had her moaning harshly. Her hands snaked up his arms to clench in the silky strands of hair on the back of his head while his closed over her ass, hauling her up against his chest. Slowly she let her hands slide down his chest to the fastenings of his shirt. She’d just begun to pull the material apart when he ended the kiss and set her on her feet. He seemed to be having as much trouble catching his breath as she was. She could see his nostrils flare as he took in her scent, his hand coming up to tenderly trace the contours of her face. “Sleep well, flower.” He turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

* * * *

Zin sat down at the kitchen table and ran his fingers through his hair, his hand slightly trembling. He looked up when the door opened and Kernz and Rmantk walked in. “What’s wrong?” Rmantk had a troubled look on his face.

“We need to talk, my prince.”

Zin sighed. “I told you to cut that nonsense out. Here, I’m just Zin.”

“Fine! Zin it is. I think we may have trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

Kernz pulled a chair out and sat down. “We think the men from Earth may be hiding something.”

Rmantk sank into a chair and rubbed the back of his head. “They’re guards, but I sense that one or both of them is something more. They’re very adept at hiding their thoughts, but I’ve definitely picked up they’re trying to hide something from you.”

Kernz nodded. “I’ve sensed it as well. What do you think they want?”

Zin shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’m willing to bet it has something to do with what our mate is hiding.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Rmantk.

Kernz got up and pulled three bottles of Sajja from their cooler unit. “We sat through her trial back on Earth. At first she insisted she was innocent. Then, near the end of the trial, she changed her plea to guilty.”

Rmantk took the bottle he offered and frowned. “She admitted to committing a crime?”

Zin took a long drink and set the bottle on the table. “She didn’t admit to anything. She changed her plea to guilty for some unknown reason. We know she had a closed-door meeting with her attorney the day before her plea changed. What we don’t know is what was said during that meeting.”

“Do you know for a fact she wasn’t guilty?” Rmantk leaned back when Zin cursed.

Zin understood the question. Only a true mate can read the inner emotions of their Laan Asawa. “It’s a difficult question to answer.”

Rmantk scoffed. “What’s so difficult? Either she is innocent or guilty.”

“She didn’t steal the money for herself, but I’m convinced she knows where the money is. There’s something to the story we don’t know.” Zin frowned and looked at Kernz. “Do you agree?”

“Yes. She’s filled with sorrow and fear about something.”

Rmantk absently peeled the label on his bottle. “You said she was headed for prison without your offer. Wouldn’t that be enough to instill fear in her?”

Zin shrugged. “Maybe, but in this case I think there’s something else she’s afraid of. Something that’s consuming her, all powerful that she can’t control.”

“Does she know what you are?” asked Rmantk.

“No, not yet.” Zin stood and placed his bottle in the sink. “I wanted to wait until we got her here before we showed her what we can do. I know I don’t want to show her in front of her so-called guards.”

Rmantk stood and crossed to the door. “What are you going to do?”

Zin looked at Kernz and smiled. “Whatever we have to do to protect our mate.”

* * * *

Jeni squeezed the sponge over her shoulder and groaned with the warm sluice of water down her back. Sighing, she leaned back and rested her head on the soft bath pillow. The constant whirr of the overhead fan had her struggling to stay awake. If things had been different, she could have been totally all over Zin and Kernz. They were sexy as hell, but it was hard to get excited when the long arm of the law watched her every move. Something about Rich made her uncomfortable. He watched her every move on the shuttle, never giving her a moment of privacy. She shuddered to think what might have happened if Danny hadn’t been traveling with them. Rich acted like he knew nothing he did would have any consequences.
He’s probably on Carl’s payroll. I’ve just got to stay clear of him for the next two weeks. Zin promised he wouldn’t let them take me back, and I trust him and Kernz.