by Tana Stone
SEIZED—Tribute Brides of the Drexian Warriors #2
A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance
Tana Stone
Broadmoor Books
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Sneak Peek of EXPOSED—Book 3 in the Tribute Brides of the Drexian Warriors Series
Also by Tana Stone
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
“Yes, big guy. Just like that!”
Bridget leaned against the door and tried not to blush at the noises coming from within. A pair of willowy Vexlings walked past, their light-gray skin mottling as another loud moan came from behind her. She raised her glass of bubbly in salute, and gave them her most charming smile. “Nothing to see here. Nothing to see.”
She took a sip of the fruity, bubbling, pink drink and felt it fizz all the way down her throat. A couple more of those and she wouldn’t even notice the moaning and screaming, she thought, her fingers tingling. As the maid of honor for her new best friend’s wedding, Bridget considered guarding the door while the new couple consummated their marriage to be part of her job. She knew it wasn’t something listed in any bridal manual, but she didn’t want a guest walking in on the happy bride and groom and getting the shock of their life. Especially not the excitable wedding planner, Serge, who was bound to come looking for the couple any second now.
Bridget looked up and down the corridor—all curved, shiny walls, with a window arching up one side and giving a view into space—and tried to focus on the instrumental music being piped in overhead. Unless she was mistaken, it sounded like the theme song to “Three’s Company.” She hummed along while she rocked back on her heels and took another small sip of bubbly.
That would make sense. The space station she stood on had been nicknamed the Boat after “The Love Boat,” and the aliens who’d built it—a badass warrior race known as the Drexians—seemed to have gotten all their information about earth from sitcoms in the 70s and 80s, with a smattering of touches from more modern shows like “The Bachelor.” At first, she’d thought their attempt to build a space station to appeal to earth women was bizarre, but now she found the quirky reminders of home comforting. Even if she hadn’t been alive to watch sitcoms in the 70s and 80s.
“Harder!”
The scream from behind her made her jump and then glance around to see who else had heard it. Luckily for her, most of the wedding guests were already at the reception down the hall, so the sleek corridor was relatively empty. A waist-high robot glided by, hovering several inches off the ground, but Bridget didn’t worry about its reaction. She shifted from one foot to the other, regretting wearing high heels, even though she liked feeling taller, especially since the Drexians all had at least a foot or two on her.
After spending most of her life as a ballet dancer, her feet were a mess. Jamming her toes into pointy heels was a special kind of torture. She slipped one foot out of the glossy, nude pump and let out a sigh of relief as she placed it on the cool, white tile of the floor. She knew it would hurt even more to get it back into the shoe, but right now she didn’t care. Bridget stepped out of the other shoe and emitted a groan almost as loud as the ones coming from the newlyweds.
A broad-shouldered and bronze-skinned Drexian warrior passed without glancing over, the quivering corners of his lips the only clue he’d heard both her and the loud sex taking place in the bride’s dressing room. Bridget’s cheeks burned, but she couldn’t help watching him as he passed and admiring the view. She wondered if the Drexian warrior that had been selected for her had as nice of an ass. She hoped so. He was coming to the station from an assignment in deep space, and was expected in a few days. So far, she hadn’t seen a Drexian warrior that wasn’t smoking hot—all of them were huge and built—but she was impatient to see her fiancé in person.
“Seven days,” Bridget whispered to herself. That was how long it had been since she’d been taken from Earth as a tribute bride. It seemed impossible that it had already been that long, but it also felt like an eternity. So much had happened in the week it almost hurt her head to think about it all.
One minute, she’d been trying to figure out how to make rent after being cut by the Miami City Ballet and the next, she was being offered money to appear on a game show. If she hadn’t been so desperate for cash, she would have been suspicious of the ridiculously tall “talent scout” who’d approached her. She almost laughed as she thought back to the fake, cheesy set of “The Dating Game,” where she’d met two other abducted women and accidentally discovered the game show was a sham. They were actually on a space station behind Saturn—its sole purpose to match up alien warriors with abducted human females. Bridget blew out a breath and sipped her drink. Yep, that had taken a little getting used to.
A Gatazoid walked by briskly, his short legs and spiky hair making her think of Serge again. A squeal from inside the room made the tiny man’s blue hair blush pink from the roots to the tips, and he increased his speed. Getting used to the various alien species living and working on the station was one thing, wrapping her head around the concept of being kidnapped from her home so she could mate with an alien had been quite another.
She knew now she hadn’t exactly been kidnapped, since the governments of Earth were well-aware the Drexians took women from Earth. It was part of the deal they’d made with the technologically superior alien warriors in exchange for protection from the violent and invasive aliens called the Kronock who had tried to invade Earth several decades earlier. Bridget had been shocked to find out that not only were aliens real—lots of different kinds, even—the governments on Earth had known about it for years.
Her first reaction, after shock, had been to tell the Drexians to take a hike. She was no one’s tribute to be auctioned off. That was before she’d seen the gorgeous warriors, and learned that returning to Earth wasn’t an option. Once you were selected as a tribute bride—and the Drexans only took women with few family or friends, aka no one who’d miss them—you had to remain on the Boat, either as a bride for a Drexian, or on the side of the station with the humans who’d decided not to be tributes. Since the aliens couldn’t erase memories, they couldn’t risk returning women to Earth for fear they’d blow the lid off the secret treaty and send the planet into chaos.
The idea of being sent to live with the women who’d rejected the offer hadn’t appealed, especially when Bridget had gotten a look at the holographic environments created for the tribute brides—from blissful Polynesian overwater bungalows, to cozy mountainside chalets, to charming European villages. Her own bungalow was a luxurious chalet with a roaring fireplace, and snowing falling gently out her window, along with a perfect ski slope just outside her door. A far cry from her life in Miami, but something she’d always dreamed about.
“Yes, Dorn, yes!”
“Get it, girl.” Bridget murmured to herself, flicking her gaze to t
he door. The arrangement had worked out for her new friend, Mandy. The former Instagram influencer been even less receptive to the idea, and now she was deliriously happy with her Drexian. She smiled, thinking about the friend she’d only known for a week. Mandy was a tribute bride like her, and although they’d become close friends in a short period of time, they couldn’t have been more different. Even Mandy would admit she’d been a spoiled rich girl on Earth, while Bridget had worked herself to the bone for everything she’d ever gotten in life. She doubted they would have been friends in their former lives, but being thrust into such a strange situation gave them plenty to bond over.
Bridget drained the last drops of her drink and felt it all the way down to her aching toes, which weren’t hurting so much anymore. She looked at the empty glass. These aliens sure knew how to make great cocktails.
Bridget let her eyes close. It wasn’t like she had any family back on Earth. Even her so-called friends in the dance world had dropped her as quickly as the company had. The hurt was a distant ache made even more distant by the potent booze. She knew pain. Nothing could be worse than losing both her parents when she was only a child, and then the grandmother who’d stepped up to take care of her a few years after that. Bridget always told herself if she could survive the foster system, she could do anything. And she hadn’t just survived it; she had thrived, excelling in community center dance classes and catching the eye of a teacher willing to mentor her, then managing to be accepted to the American School of Ballet, before earning a spot at the Miami City Ballet. There were precious few black ballerinas, which meant she’d worked even harder to prove herself. All her determination had paid off, until they’d tossed her out on her ass.
Bridget straightened her shoulders. None of that mattered. She was tougher than her lithe frame would let on, and if anyone could make the most of being abducted by aliens, it was her. She’d never believed in the true love, fairytales, or soul mate crap anyway. She was a survivor, not a romantic.
“Not joining the party?” The deep voice jolted her from her thoughts, and made her eyes fly open.
Kax, Dorn’s older brother and a member of the High Command, strode toward her. He shared his brother’s piercing, green eyes, but wore his honey-brown hair cut close. Bridget sucked in a sharp breath. Any man looked better in a military uniform, and that went double for brawny Drexians. A sash covered with medals crossed his broad chest, and the dark pants and jacket seemed to fit him just right. She caught her eyes drifting below his waist and forced herself to meet his gaze.
“I’m . . .” she jerked a thumb behind her, “waiting for your brother and Mandy.”
He cleared his throat as a roar came from inside the room. “I see. I suppose we don’t want anyone walking in.”
“Especially not Serge,” Bridget said, grinning at Kax and feeling her arms tingle.
He laughed. “I imagine that wouldn’t be fun for anyone.” He glanced back at the door leading into the reception. “How about I keep Serge busy for you?”
She nodded. “That would be great. Thanks.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled, as he smiled at her and turned. Bridget couldn’t help feeling a flutter in her stomach. Get a grip, girl. You’re taken.
“Taken, but not dead,” she murmured as she twisted to watch him walk away from her and disappear into the reception room.
A heavy hand clamped down on her shoulder, and she felt a sharp pain in her neck as she tried to spin around. What the hell? Before she could see who was behind her and why the vise-like grip was biting into her flesh, she heard the sound of glass shattering and everything went black.
Chapter Two
Kax paused at the doorway leading into his brother’s wedding reception and looked back at Bridget. Why did Mandy’s maid-of-honor have to be so, well, so intriguing? Even though spitfire Mandy was the ideal match for his brother, the woman with glossy, black hair and light-brown skin had always appealed to him more.
He watched her standing against the doorway, the long, silky lavender dress hugging her curves and making him imagine the toned legs beneath it. He wasn’t sure if it was her mischievous smile or the steely determination he felt from her, but he couldn’t deny being drawn to Bridget.
It didn’t matter, he reminded himself as he shook his head. She was promised to another.
Kax turned back to the reception and walked across the fake grass and the shiny, white dance floor to the bar. He ordered a Noovian whiskey and took a long swallow, letting the drink burn as it coursed down his throat. That was better. He’d never been one for drinking his problems away, but if you couldn’t toss back a few at a wedding, when could you?
If he’d thought there were a lot of pink flowers at the ceremony, even more blanketed the reception. Chandeliers made entirely of pale-pink roses hung over the dance floor, and each long, rectangular table featured a lush runner of flowers interspersed with tall candles incased in glass. Twinkling lights were suspended in midair and the dance floor sparkled with lights from within every time someone stepped on it.
“What do you think of the firefly effect?” Serge asked, sidling up to him. The Gatazoid reached his chest, but only because he had on a pair of his trademark platform shoes. Even though Kax wouldn’t consider himself one to notice fashion, even he couldn’t miss the fact that Serge wore a deep-rose suit, with wide-lapels in a paler shade of pink. Clearly, the wedding planner liked to coordinate with the wedding colors.
“The firefly effect?” He took another gulp of his green whiskey.
Serge fluttered a hand in the air. “They have these tiny insects on Earth that fly around and light up at night. Apparently, it’s considered charming. Preston replicated the look with our technology just like he created the fake fluttering butterflies for the ceremony.”
Kax nodded. “Well, I’m glad the air isn’t filled with actual light-up insects.”
“That makes two of us.” Serge made a face and touched a hand to his spiky purple hair. “So unsanitary.”
“I believe congratulations are in order,” Kax said. “You managed to pull together an impressive wedding in only a few days.”
“You have no idea.” Serge dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Your brother did not give me much time, and Mandy wasn’t my easiest bride. At least not at first.”
“I can imagine.” Kax remembered his brother’s tales of his difficult mate and couldn’t help grinning. He knew when he’d picked Mandy for his brother that Dorn required someone to challenge him. Luckily the two hadn’t killed each other before they’d realized how perfect they were together.
Serge pivoted and scanned the room. “You haven’t seen the couple lately, have you? It’s almost time for introductions.”
Kax thought of Bridget guarding the dressing room door. “Actually, I did see them and they wanted me to tell you they’re on their way. The bride is freshening up.”
Serge rocked back on his chunky, pink shoes. “Excellent. I’d hate to get off schedule.”
A tall, thin Vexling with a swirl of blue hair making her almost as tall as Kax bustled up, her wide eyes blinking rapidly. “I haven’t seen the bride and groom since the ceremony. Have you?”
Serge took her spindly fingers in his smaller hand and patted them. “The High Commander says they’re on their way, Reina.”
She sagged and gave Kax a grateful smile. “I thought I’d lost them, or they’d snuck away to their suite again. It’s been impossible to keep them out of there.”
Kax grinned as he watched the Vexling flush and then begin to stammer.
“It’s okay,” he said “I know they haven’t been the easiest couple. I’m sure they’re both grateful for all your help, though.”
Both Reina and Serge beamed from the compliment. Reina even sniffled and dabbed at her eyes, while Serge cleared his throat. He’d need to remind his brother to thank the wedding planner and his mate’s personal liaison profusely. After surviving the pair’s tumultuous courtship, the Gata
zoid and Vexling deserved commendations, and perhaps a raise.
“When will I be planning your wedding, High Commander?” Serge said, then Reina sucked in her breath and Serge’s hair flushed at the roots. Kax knew the little man had remembered why there would be no wedding in his future as he stammered out some gibberish. “I mean. . . Not that you. . . I apologize for. . .”
Kax pounded back his remaining Noovian whiskey, grateful as it scorched his throat, then he thumped the stammering Gatazoid on the back. “It’s okay. I’m fine with it.”
Serge gaped at him, his hair now fully pink, and Reina’s large eyes were unblinking as Kax turned and headed across the room.
He wasn’t fine with it. Not really, but what could he do? Exposure to radiation on a mission years earlier had left him unable to procreate, so his people wouldn’t waste a precious tribute bride on him. Not even for a member of the elite ruling class and High Command. The rules governing how many women they could take from Earth were strict, which meant warriors waited to be matched, sometimes for years. It also meant they couldn’t risk pairing a bride with a Drexian who could never produce more Drexians. Not when there had been no Drexian females born in a generation.
Kax pulled himself up to his full height. There was no use dwelling on what he couldn’t change. He had plenty to keep him occupied, including his return to military intelligence. There was nothing like sneaking into enemy territory to keep your mind off women. Even beautiful ones with warm, brown eyes and full, curvy lips.
