The Rogue Prince (6 page)

“Dev?” Viktor finished, just as perplexed.

Reid took a deep breath. Dev had been in the VR room earlier, but that didn’t’ mean anything. Looking around the cockpit, he demanded, “Computer, where’s Dev?”

* * * *

Jasmine couldn’t take it anymore. Her legs were asleep, she wasn’t sure if she still had feet, and her wrist throbbed uncontrollably. Almost nervous, she pushed open the cargo door. She waited for an alarm to sound. Nothing. Lightly, she waved her hand, seeing if she triggered anything. Nothing again. The cargo hold was silent.

Finally determining it was safe, she sat up. She glanced around the long metal room filled with shipping crates and gasped. A red demonic looking creature sat in a chair. He had it tipped back on two legs, as his crossed ankles rested on a nearby crate. He was facing her, leisurely tapping his long fingers on his trim stomach as if waiting for her to show herself. As she stared, he glanced up from his hands. His eyes were black, matching the color of his hair. He had human features, except for the intense coloring of his skin.

Jasmine’s mouth opened. Nothing came out. Not only was the creature red. He was huge, nothing but muscles.

“I wondered when you’d decide to come out,” the red demon creature said. His black brow arched slightly on his face. “I don’t think it would be comfortable to sleep in there, but who am I to judge?”

“Ah,” Jasmine managed, pretty proud of herself for getting that much out.

“You can call me Devil, if that helps,” the creature said.

“I … I wouldn’t,” Jasmine instantly said. “That would be terribly rude of me to do so.”

“How do you mean?” he asked, tilting his head to the side to better study her.

“Well, just to call you a devil because you’re … well, because you’re red.”

“Or because it’s my name,” he put forth easily.

“Your name is Devil?” Jasmine shook her head. This couldn’t be right. Did she get on the wrong ship? Who was this guy and why was he acting like her presence was no big deal?

“My name is
Salebinaben Johobik en Dehauberkelsain en Thoraxian en Yyrtolzx Devekin
,” he answered, his words so fast she couldn’t even try to repeat it. “Or you could call me Devil, Dev for short.”

“Nice to meet you, Dev,” Jasmine said. “I’m Mrs. Dr.--actually, Jasmine. I’m just Jasmine.”

Not feeling any immediate danger, Jasmine sighed. Just Jasmine. She liked the sound of that. Just Jasmine. Not, Chadwick’s wife. Not, Mrs. Dr. St. Claire. Just Jasmine.

Jasmine.

“I’m sure Captain Jarek would’ve allowed you a bed, had you but asked him,” Dev said, placing his large black boots on the floor. He wore all black. It actually looked stunning next to his red skin.

“Jarek the Var Ambassador?” she repeated. “So I am on the right ship?”

“If it is his ship you were meant to be on,” Dev said.

“You say this is Captain Jarek’s ship, not Ambassador Reid’s?” Jasmine wanted to get out of the cargo hold, but her legs were still cramped.

“Reid is Captain Jarek’s brother,” he answered, standing.

Jasmine knew that. She just assumed since Reid spoke that he was the one in charge. The Var Ambassador didn’t say anything to make her think differently.

“Why don’t you come out of there?” Dev asked. “It can’t be all that comfortable.”

She took a deep breath. He was really tall and obviously strong. However, she read a quiet kindness in his eyes and she wasn’t frightened of him.

“I can’t move,” Jasmine admitted. “I’ve been still for so long my legs hurt.”

Dev crossed over to her and reached to take her hand. “Allow me to help you.”

Jasmine pulled her hand back so he couldn’t take it. Dev frowned as she cringed away from his touch. She held up her wrist to show her bruise. “I smashed it in a door.”

Dev barely glanced at it, before stating, “A door with five fingers?”

“How could you possibly know…? I mean, you barely looked at it.”

“Put your arms around my neck and I’ll lift you out of there.”

Jasmine obeyed, wrapping her arms around the man’s thick neck. He scooped his arm beneath her knees. His skin was hot and she realized how cold her metal bed had been. Just then, the door leading to the main part of the ship lifted.

Jasmine’s wide eyes turned to the entryway. Reid was there. Or was it his brother? She couldn’t see his neck with the way the light fell. His face was shadowed and she couldn’t make out whether he had a tattoo or not.

She saw just enough to know he wore the same style of clothes he’d worn the day before--black pants with the sides of his thighs and butt exposed, and a tightly fitted dark blue shirt with more cross laces beneath his arms. The pants hung low without the aid of a belt, and she saw the toned, flat ridges of his strong abs. Her heart picked up and she glanced at her bag, wanting to get her pill for the day. She’d brought plenty to last her until she could find a new supplier.

Something about the arrogant way the Var Ambassador stood told her that it was Reid. She’d actually thought about him the long night before when she couldn’t sleep. He was so big that if she had the money she’d want to hire him as a bodyguard. Maybe she could hire Dev instead? The big, red, demon-looking giant seemed a whole lot safer.

Reid glanced into the cargo hold, doing his best to control his sudden temper. His eyes easily adjusted to the dim light, as his pupils dilated to those of his cat form. Dev was in front of him holding Jasmine in his arms. Tensing, he tried to calm his raging emotions. His first reaction was to possessively rip her away from Dev’s embrace.

He narrowed his eyes. All he could see was Jasmine. She looked so much different than before. No longer in an expensive gown and jewels, she wore a pair of black slacks and a tight crimson shirt that hugged her perfectly proportioned breasts--breasts that were not too large and not too small. Her long hair was tied at the nape of her neck, completely bound back. She still looked beautiful, would undoubtedly look beautiful no matter what she was wearing. Reid became aroused, the potent force of
his desire flaming his blood.

“What’s going on here?” Reid eyed Dev with jealousy. Dev was bigger than him and a trained fighter, but he didn’t care. Reid had trained for over half a century in combat. He balled his hands into fists, ready to challenge the man if he didn’t hand Jasmine over.

“We have a stowaway,” Dev answered easily, obviously unconcerned with Reid’s anger. “She needs medical attention.”

Everything but concern drained from him as he stepped forward. His eyes roamed over her form. He was about to grab her when her pale face stopped him. She was eyeing him strangely. It was then he realized what he was doing. He had no right to be possessive of her. She was a stranger and beyond that, just a woman. He was attracted to her, but wanted no claim on her. The fact that he’d been about to fight Dev for touching her amazed and horrified him. He hardened himself, forcing a calmness to his insides.

“What are you doing here, Jasmine?” he asked, his voice purposefully hard. “I thought I told you no.”

“Ah.” Jasmine squirmed against Dev who instantly set her down. “Ambassador Reid. It is my hope you’ll reconsider your decision now that I’m here.”

“We’ll turn around and take you back.” Reid didn’t like the effect she was having on his senses. He was aroused, sure, but he also wanted to possess her. He didn’t like the feeling one bit. Such things would take him down a path he was unwilling to travel.

“Please, Ambassador, I’m not asking for much, just safe passage. You can keep the new medical booth and I … I’ll sleep in here with the rest of the cargo if you don’t have any other place for me. I can also pay you.” Jasmine turned and grabbed her bag. Hugging it to her chest, she said, “I have jewels.”

“Are you insane or merely careless? To come on a ship with strange men carrying jewels? What’s to stop us from robbing you blind, ravishing your body and throwing you out into deep space?” Reid’s chest heaved with deepened breaths.

She made a soft noise. He was instantly sorry, but didn’t take the words back. Harsh or not, they were true. Only an imbecile would put herself in the position Jasmine was in. She didn’t know him or the crew.

“Honor,” she said after a long pause. Her eyes dipped down to the floor. “Your honor will stop you from doing those things. You do have honor, don’t you, Ambassador? Or is your kind too primitive for such a concept?”

Reid’s gut tightened.

“The answer is no. We won’t be responsible for your safety. We’re very busy men.” Reid scowled. At that, Dev actually snorted with repressed laughter.

“I’m not asking you to take responsibility for me. I can take care of myself. All I ask is for safe passage to whatever your next port happens to be. I can find my way from there.” Jasmine hugged the bag tighter. Reid’s eyes narrowed as he saw her wrist. She moved her fingers to cover the bruise.

“Why?” he suddenly asked, the question not occurring to him before that moment. He’d assumed she wanted to come because of her attraction to him. Maybe he’d been wrong. There had to be more to Jasmine than he was seeing.

“I just need a ride,” she said, lifting her head. “Actually, Ambassador, I believe I’m talking to the wrong person. I need to speak with Captain Jarek. This is his vessel and … Dev, would you be so kind as to escort me to the Captain?”

“Yes, my--” Dev began.

“No,” Reid interrupted coldly. “I’ve already spoken on it.”

“Sorry, sir, but it’s the law of the sky. When in flight, the Captain’s in charge, unless there is a higher ranking nobleman,” Jasmine stated. She didn’t smile, but she looked irritatingly triumphant. Reid noticed that the woman never really smiled. It was a shame. She had the mouth for it. “I’m afraid that ambassadors are not higher ranking.”

“Reid!” Jarek’s voice bellowed over the intercom. “Get up here to the cockpit now. We’ve got trouble. We’re about to get boarded!”

Jasmine paled. Reid wondered at the expression. He reached for her, careful to drag her by her good arm as he ran toward the cockpit. He didn’t want her out of his sight.

“Hey!” Jasmine protested as she jogged behind him. “You have to be the rudest brute I’ve ever met. Let go of me this instant!”

“Sorry, your royal highness,” Reid spat, growling the mock title at her. “But, you said you wanted to meet with the Captain. Here’s your chance.”

Bars of artificial light glowed intermediately to light the long steel corridor. Reid sped past them so fast that they were only flashes of color. He barely heard Jasmine’s feet tripping on the metal floor behind him.

“Let go!” she cried, the irritation evident in her voice.

Reid came to a sudden stop at the cockpit, thrusting her ahead of him. Jarek glanced at her and lifted a brow in question. Reid merely explained, “Found our stowaway.”

“A ship hails us. They claim to be Federation Military,” Jarek said.

“Tell them we do not recognize Federation law,” Reid answered. Rick, in the pilot’s seat, chuckled and said nothing.

Evan, who was acting as copilot, said, “They’re waiting for our answer. We need to tell them something. If we don’t let them board, they’ve threatened to quarantine the ship.”

“What do you mean you’re not part of the Federation? Everyone’s part of the Federation treaties except for a few primitive planets and,” Jasmine’s words cut off as they all looked at her, only to finish weakly, “outlaws.”

“She’s a real treasure,” Jarek said sarcastically to Reid. Rick laughed harder.

Reid shrugged at the comment. “What are they looking for?”

Jarek, Rick, and Evan slowly turned to look at Jasmine. Her face paled. She eyed the four men in turn, stopping to stare at Reid. Tears entered her eyes. She began to shake. It was the most emotion he’d yet to see from her.

“No, please,” she whispered. “You can’t.”

“What did you do?” Reid demanded. “Why are you running?”

“Reid,” Evan said quietly. Reid turned to him. Evan’s brow was furrowed in concentration. He stared at Jasmine for a few seconds, before saying, “I think we should help her.”

“Argh,” Reid growled. He met Jarek’s expression. His brother nodded in silent understanding. Turning to grab Jasmine, he pulled her arm. “Come on. Hurry.”

Jasmine watched the men in terror. When Reid again grabbed her she flinched. Her eyes flew to Jarek, pleading with him not to give her up. He didn’t seem to care--none of them did. Reid pulled her back down the long corridor.

“Please,” Jasmine whispered. “I’ll do anything. Just don’t tell them I’m here. Don’t let them find me.”

“Why?” Reid demanded. He stopped, turning to face her.

“I can’t go back,” she answered. Lowering her tone, she said, “I’ll do anything.”

“Sleep with me,” Reid stated, his words a challenge.

Jasmine gasped, but quickly nodded. “Done.”

“Any
way I want,” Reid said. He took an aggressive step toward her. She watched as his eyes flickered with yellow. This man wasn’t all human. She should’ve realized it sooner.

Jasmine bit her lip, making a small noise as she hit the metal wall. Not as readily as before, she nodded again. She fought her fear, saying, “Fine.”

“I could see your interest when we first met,” Reid said, his words low. “I only ask for what we both want. But, I enjoy your game.”

Reid’s hand lifted and she flinched. He frowned. To her surprise, his touch was soft, gentle. He stroked her cheek, before skimming the backs of his fingers over her hair. He seemed to hesitate, his dark eyes locking on hers. Her heart fluttered and she drew deeper breaths. Swallowing, her eyes dropped to his lips, curious as to the texture of them.

She expected cold dispassion when he kissed her, expected stiff lips, a quick peck. Instead, his kiss was soft, warm, tender. He didn’t rush, didn’t demand, as his fingers lightly stroked her cheek. She didn’t know what to do so she just stood still, her lips parted as she let him move. Her heart skipped around in her chest, but other than that, his kiss did nothing to her but warm her lips in a very pleasant way.

He pulled back, looking deeply into her eyes. She wanted to feel joy, wanted to give him some sort of emotion to answer his fierce look of desire. She couldn’t, not even to pretend. She knew her face was blank when she looked at him with only the slight pooling of tears in her eyes giving away any hint that she felt at all.