Sex, Love, and Aliens 2 (11 page)

She wasn’t going to die without a fight. Pulling her small gun out of her boot, she checked to make sure it was fully charged. The thing wasn’t good for more than temporarily paralyzing an attacker, but it was better than nothing. Besides, she didn’t have the will to kill another sentient being.

More alarms and the flashing yellow lights overhead told her that someone had opened her airlock. Shit just got real. She’d never been boarded. Sure, her dad and Xev had told her tales of some wild times delivering to fringe groups on moons before colonizing was made illegal, but she’d never imagined a raid happening to her, especially in such a populated area of space.

Pulling back on the charger, she listened for the hum as the stun gun came online. The metal warmed and vibrated in her hand.

She wasn’t near the helm and the heat was back on, overly warm now because she’d left the settings turned all the way up. Sweat trickled down her forehead and caught in the wisps of hair at her temples, tickling her cheeks. Her eyes stung, and she blinked sweat out of them. Briz used the back of her hand to rub at the discomfort and clear her vision.

She pressed her back against the wall, her eyes now dry because she was afraid to blink as she gazed at the door. They’d come, and she’d have to fight or die. There was no hiding on a small ship like this. She had to hope she wasn’t too badly outnumbered. If she used the element of surprise, she might be able to stun the intruders before they murdered her.

Chapter 4

Matek followed the others through the small ship. Nothing was out of the ordinary. The lonely walkways were eerie. Normally a ship this size would have a full crew of six. If he didn’t know there was a pilot on board, he’d think this was a ghost ship.

Lights flickered overhead, and their steps echoed on the outdated metal grate flooring as they clanked toward the control room. On these older vessels there was no sneaking up on anyone.

The tension in the way his comrades held their bodies made him aware he wasn’t the only one feeling anxious. Paavo stood next to him. Okthu pointed his weapon at the closed door of the bridge. He powered up the gun, but Tanna pressed the
open
button and the door slid open, unlocked. Okthu stepped inside, but a small sound groaned out of him and he fell back. The smell of urine fouled the air.

Tanna shouted an expletive as he joined Okthu down on the ground. Paavo raised his gun.

Matek grabbed the barrel. “They’re only stunned, you moron.” He pushed Paavo back just in time to save him from Okthu and Tanna’s plight. “Blood said to take her alive if we can.”

“He’s not the one she’s shooting at,” Paavo countered.

“A stun might hurt like hell, but thirty minutes and you’d be fine. You’d survive.”

“Fuck the little bitch. She’s not what Blood really wants. He’ll understand.” Paavo pulled back on the charge and the sound of his gun warming up said the pilot was going to die.

“I lay claim!” Matek said, unsure as to what prompted him. His heart hammered in his chest.

Paavo’s eyes widened before they narrowed. His lips thinned and he sneered with malicious distrust, but he lowered his arm slightly. “Great, then you subdue your prize. When she stuns your ass I’m killing her.”

This wasn’t what he needed, but he couldn’t let a woman die because she was delivering medicine.

“I don’t want any trouble,” he shouted loud enough for her to hear. “Let’s talk.”

“Nothing to talk about. I’m not dying or giving up my cargo,” she replied. Her voice sounded husky, and he wondered if that was fear or if she just had a sexy voice.

“I don’t want anyone to die today, but if you don’t put down your weapon, you will. This is your last warning. I’m trying to help you.”

She made a disbelieving sound. He guessed she was a lefty from the angle of her shots. Matek stepped out and dropped down as the light glowed. She released a shot in his direction. He aimed and let out a slow breath as he pulled the trigger. She cried out, and he heard the sound of metal clanking on the steel floor by her feet.

When she looked up her bright blue eyes were wide with terror. The woman had long, dark brown hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Her petite features and tan skin were beautiful. He’d never seen such a breathtaking female. She belonged someplace soft, not on a cargo vessel.

His musing ended as she stumbled back farther in the room and slapped at the wall controls. He managed to get his body wedged into the doorway before the door shut. She cried out as he grabbed her shoulders and struggled onto the bridge. The woman fought like a vicious animal, and when she bit him he did his best to resist the urge to give her a shake.

“Calm yourself. I’m not going to hurt you,” Matek said.

She still struggled. He noticed her little stun gun by the doorway at the same instant she saw it. Their gazes locked.

“Don’t try it, pretty lady.”

She frowned, and then her struggles renewed more vigorously. She wasn’t going to give him a choice, and he hated himself a little as the struggle landed them both on the floor, very close to the gun. He’d have to use it on her.

He felt her breath on his neck, and her soft body was pressed against him. Matek’s cock stirred of its own accord. She strained for the weapon. Her breasts pressed against his chest. He was stronger, bigger. His arm was longer, and when he reached the weapon she scrambled back. He saw the defeat in her expression as he pointed it at her.

“I’m sorry. If I can’t subdue you, Paavo will. This is for your protection,” he explained as he aimed for her stomach.

The pain would be minimal from a hit to the abdomen, but the stun would be long lasting. He squeezed the trigger. The flash seemed to bounce, and he realized her bulky, out-of-date flight suit had deflected the blow.

She smiled, then turned and started toward the controls.

“Stop now, or I aim for your head,” he threatened.

A stun to the brain was fatal. She stopped dead in her tracks.

“Strip.” Matek’s mouth went dry. He’d just ordered the beauty to take off her clothing. He wasn’t that kind of monster.

She didn’t move. For a moment, he thought she was going to refuse. He charged the weapon, so she’d hear that his threat was legitimate. And then her arms moved and she began removing the thick, antique flight suit.

Under that bulky material a lithe figure appeared. She wore cotton panties that covered her feminine curves just enough to make him wish he were the kind of man that would demand to see more. A thin strip of cotton told him she was wearing a very unflattering bra, but her back was sculpted so well he had the urge to run his finger down her shoulder blade. If he touched her, would she protest? He realized he was actually reaching for her, but put his arm down before he could complete the action.

“Turn around,” he ordered.

She did. Bold and proud, she glared at him. Only the slightest trembling gave away her fear. It was far too warm on the ship for her to feel cold, even mostly naked.

“I’m not doing this to hurt you. Forgive me,” he said, hearing how lame and insignificant the apology was as he fired into her flat stomach.

She started to fall back, but he lunged forward and caught her. She gazed up at him with unblinking eyes, completely paralyzed and fully conscious.

“I will protect you,” he promised before gently closing her eyes with his fingers. He gazed at her face. Her features were so peaceful that if he didn’t know she’d been stunned, he’d think she was sleeping. “You’re brave, you fought well.”

He picked her up and opened the door. Paavo stood outside, aiming at the door.

“Put it down. She’s not a threat.”

“It has been too long since you took a woman. At least wait until we’re back before you have your way with her,” he said, grinning.

Matek growled at him. “Where is Tanna?” He noticed only Okthu. The man’s eyes were closed and he’d been moved.

“While you were enjoying the woman I took him back to the ship. I’ll need help with Okthu. Too many sausages, my friend,” he said, kicking the man lightly with the toe of his boot. If Paavo wasn’t Blood’s cousin, he’d be a dead man when the effect of the blast wore off Okthu.

“Scan the cargo and find the medicine. I’ll take the girl back to the ship. Then we’ll move Okthu and secure the medicine,” Matek said.

“I don’t take orders from you.” Paavo spoke with so much vehemence that spittle flew from his lips.

“How would you suggest we do this? I’m taking the woman to the ship.”

Matek carried her without a backward glance at Paavo. He noticed the sleeping cabin and peeked inside. There was a blanket and a bag. He grabbed both, wrapping the woman in the blanket.

A short time later he had her secured, and he checked to make sure Tanna appeared comfortable before heading back down to where Okthu lay. Paavo was gone.

“Come in, Paavo. Over,” Matek spoke into his wrist comm.

“I found it, not well hidden, and it’s lighter than I thought it would be. Over.”

“Do you need help? I’m with Okthu. Over.”

The door panel to his right slid open, and Paavo walked in with a large case. “This is all there is. I expect the glory when we give this to Blood.”

Matek shrugged. He didn’t care who got the credit as long as the girl survived. She’d be angry when she woke, but he was pleased he’d upheld his people’s creed to protect the innocent, even if he had to break several other rules of virtue to do it.

Paavo managed to hold the case while he helped Matek drag the large Okthu through the ship.

“You need to go on a diet, friend,” Paavo quipped.

“You know he can hear everything you’re saying. He’s stunned, not unconscious.”

Paavo paled several shades. Matek grinned. The man deserved the beating he’d get.

* * * *

Blood laughed, hard. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he gasped for air.

“Her?” Blood asked when he’d gained control of himself again. “This little thing took out two of my best? I should bring her onto the crew. She’s your responsibility now. If she causes trouble, you’ll be the one to end her.” He gazed at Matek with unwavering focus.

“I think she should be shared. It’s not right for Matek to take the woman for himself,” Paavo protested.

Blood frowned. “She is a beauty.”

The girl chose that moment to come out of her paralysis. She struggled and her blanket came free, displaying her curvy, feminine body. Blood made an appreciative noise.

“As much as I’d like to pass her about, I do know her father. He’s a good man. Give her a choice,” Blood said. “She can be yours, or we can turn her in.”

“I want to deliver the medicine. It’s worthless, except to the people who are sick. Why are you doing this?” she asked in a groggy tone.

“Brizette Julius,” Blood said.

The girl flinched. Her eyes widened a bit. “How do you know my name?” She pulled the blanket securely around her. Matek found himself moving closer to her, as if he could somehow shield her with his body.

“Your father saved me once. I owe him, but this is business. There are people who would pay a lot of money to see that this medicine doesn’t arrive. I have several willing buyers waiting. The Talorians should have just given up and moved on. They made their choice to stay.”

“They’re all that’s left of their race!”

“Then, sweet Brizette, they should have been cautious about where they chose to settle,” Blood said without any hint of remorse.

“Briz, my name is just Briz. I know you think the money is what you want, but can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me the deaths of little children won’t haunt your nightmares? You have the chance to save an entire race.”

Blood threw his head back and laughed hysterically. His wide smile made him appear ten years younger. When he abruptly stopped laughing and sneered at Briz, she took a step back, bumping into Matek. He put a single hand on her bare shoulder. She didn’t shrug his touch away.

“Money is the only thing that matters to me, little girl. Grow up. Men like me and my crew would burn the world for a handful of coins. I’ll give you a choice—Matek’s claim or I’ll turn you over to Indra. Your father’s company would never be free to transport here again, but you’ll be spared a pirate’s touch. When he tires of you he’ll cast you off to be our plaything. What fate do you choose, Briz Julius? We all make choices for our beliefs. What do you value more, your honor or your father’s company?”

The girl bit her lip. To her credit she didn’t flinch or look away from Blood’s hateful stare. She didn’t beg or cry.

“I choose to protect my father. Who in the name of the gods is Matek?”

“He’s the man with his hand on your shoulder.”

Briz jerked out of his touch and spun around. Her lips compressed and her brow wrinkled. The others laughed, but he kept his expression neutral, and he didn’t look away until she did.

“Take her and tame her. I like mine docile,” Blood said before he began a renewed session of laughter.

Matek scooped Briz up in a smooth motion. Her initial stillness spoke of her surprise, but then she began kicking and screaming. He turned and carried her down the corridor. Tanna and Okthu stomped past him and gave the girl dark looks. They’d hurt her as payback if he wasn’t cautious.

Matek’s throat tightened. When his people claimed a mate it was for life. There was no changing your mind once you made a public declaration of intent. The pirate code was much different, but a claim had still been made. She was his.

“Calm down,” he said as soon as they were out of the others’ hearing range. “You need to think about your options. You’re still in danger, but not from me.”

Her struggling ebbed just a bit, but he could tell she wasn’t completely ready to trust him, and he didn’t blame her.

It didn’t take him long to arrive at his door. He had the smallest cabin, but at least he didn’t have to share like some of the others. No one else wanted this area, because it was very warm and the sound of the engine was an annoyance, but Matek didn’t mind. The soft hum reminded him of the night bugs from his home world. The heat was the same in the desert.

His tribe was gone, and he’d never truly feel at home anywhere again, because without family there was no home for a nomad. Blood had stolen everything from him, and he was risking his revenge by saving this girl. As he gazed down at her expressive face he wasn’t sure what to say to her.