As ridiculous as the notion sounded, Damon had to give the suggestion a little credibility. Even if he hadn’t considered Alex would be travelling with someone. She’d seemed to be alone and hadn’t mentioned any crew or passengers.
“Did you search her ship?”
Damon shook his head.
“You’re going to be sorry you hit me, again.” Elroy turned around but looked over his shoulder to add, “Don’t think for a moment that this is over. When I’m done with her, you’re both going to wish she’d died when her ship crashed.”
Damon made another move toward him, but Levi stepped up and grabbed a hold of his forearm.
“Just let him go.”
Elroy grinned and continued on his way, once again laying out his plan and intentions without waiting or needing a response.
“Don’t let him wind you up,” Levi said, releasing his flimsy grip. “There’s no way a human could be responsible for such barbaric acts.”
Damon nodded, recalling the shaggy animal he’d seen in Laurie’s memories.
“Have you never heard of people who shift from human to animal?” Elroy had said, but what had prompted him to suggest something so strange? Was it the condition of the corpses, or did he know more than he led on?
If Damon went to the library, he might be able to find something. He doubted Elroy would return to hound Alex again, so if he left now, he’d be able to borrow a book or two and bring them back to read while he watched Alex’s door.
I hate that he’s made me look at this from a different angle, but I’m determined to find out the truth. He still refused to believe Alex was somehow involved, but Elroy’s shifter suggestion could have some credence.
“You’re absolutely right, Levi,” Damon said. “Listen, I need to pop into the library for a while. Can you stay to watch her door?”
“Sure.”
“I need you to stay right here the whole time. Don’t doze or wander off, in case Elroy decides to return.”
Levi nodded. “I’ll stay until you get back. You can count on me.”
“Good, I know I can.” He sighed. “I won’t be long. Levi, how does Elroy know about the necklace?”
He lowered his head. “Milo probably told him. He is part of security and answers directly to Elroy. There’s no way he could lie to him about what we found. Not like I could.”
Even if Levi was again absolutely correct, he couldn’t help but wonder…if Elroy hadn’t known about the necklace, the idiot probably wouldn’t have reason to push so much. His dislike of Alex must be even more intense than Damon first suspected.
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
Damon headed toward the staircase and took the stairs two at a time. He knew a shortcut to just about everywhere. Getting to the library would take minutes.
He hoped researching the beast now lurking in the shadows of their planet would somehow clear Alex of any blame.
He dug his hand into his pocket, rubbing his fingertips along the back of the key, over the inscription of her name.
It doesn’t look like I’ll be getting any rest just yet.
Chapter Fifteen
Warm hands shook her shoulders. “Alex, honey. Wake up.”
Alex rolled over onto her other side, sitting up in the process. Disoriented, she tried to remember when she’d fallen asleep. Being so worried about the next day, she hadn’t realized she’d actually dozed off. “Wha-what happened?”
She hoped it wasn’t time yet. At age fifteen, Alex wasn’t ready to face the horrible future her mother had secured for her.
“I’m so sorry to wake you, but I really need to speak to you. We don’t have much time.”
Alex rubbed her eyes. Her heart sped up as the haze of sleep slid from her mind. “Daddy, is that you?”
He lifted a finger to his lips. “Yes, honey. It’s me,” he whispered. “Not so loud. We don’t want anyone else to hear.”
She threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly and biting down on her bottom lip to keep from crying. Was it really him? “I’ve missed you so much. Where have you been?” Maybe she was dreaming.
Louis Wales pulled back, gently holding onto her arms as he encouraged her out of the hug. “Listen, honey. That’s not important at the moment. Like I said, I don’t have long. She’s probably got guards outside your door.” He looked over his shoulder.
“She has, but I told them that if they come inside, I’ll punch them in the mouth.”
He smiled and ruffled her curls. “That’s my brave girl.”
“Daddy, I’m not a little girl, anymore.” On the inside, she was glowing at his words.
“I know, Alex…but you’ll always be my little girl. No matter how old you are.” He looked at her for a moment, his dark eyes focused on her face in a way that saddened her. It made her feel as if he was trying to memorize her face, because he thought he’d never see her again. “You’ve grown a lot since the last time I saw you.”
He was dressed in rags, and his face was smeared with dirt, but she didn’t care. This was the moment she’d been hoping for since she was forcibly dumped on this planet—her father’s return.
Unable to bear the sadness in his eyes, she decided to change the subject. “Besides, I’ve got my blaster tucked under my pillow,” she said, hoping to make him proud.
“Excellent, that’s good to hear. Never have your weapon too far away. You never know who’s going to sneak up on you or try to jeopardize your situation by stealing it because you weren’t careful.”
She nodded, and several long curls tumbled over her shoulders. Alex hated having long hair. When she’d been in space with her father, he’d let her cut it herself, but her mother insisted she let it grow out. She’d been here under a year, but it had already grown almost halfway down her back.
“Daddy, I miss you. I don’t like it here.” She sucked down the sob trying to tear out of her mouth. “She’s going to make me marry a stranger.”
He fisted the silky sheets into his right hand, as if he was as enraged as her. “I know what she’s doing, and that’s why I’m here.”
“Are you going to take me away from all of this?”
His features darkened. “Well, yeah—”
“I can’t wait for us to leave this place, together. We make a good team. Don’t you think, Daddy?”
“We make the best team, honey…but I can’t go with you.”
“What do you mean?”
Tears blurred his face.
He let go of the sheets and grabbed her left hand. He opened it and dropped something into her palm, before trying to close her fingers around it. “I want you to have this. Promise is yours, now. She’s hidden in the bushes behind the stables. If you get there before daybreak, you should be able to make a swift getaway, but you have to be quick.”
“What? No, I can’t leave without you.” She’d already known what he’d put in her hand before he’d said a word. The edges rubbed her skin, and the long end stuck out between her fingers, because they weren’t long enough to hold it entirely.
“Alex, honey. Listen to me. I wish I could go with you, but I can’t. Your mother likes to play hardball. You know I didn’t want to leave you with her in the first place, but she made sure I got caught in a position that would ensure you were taken from me. She’s just too politically and financially powerful, compared to me. It tore my heart out, but it was no contest.” He paused, once again looking over his shoulder. “I’ve managed to fill the tank, left enough credits onboard, and even sufficient food to last you months. You need to get to Promise and get the hell off this planet, before she manages to ruin your life like she has mine.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. “Daddy, I can’t do this on my own. I need you.”
“You and I both know that you’re strong enough
to make it on your own. I’ve got faith in you. I’ll find you one day. I promise.”
Somehow, she managed a nod and suddenly realized her father had been grooming her for this situation for years. Had he known Lorraine would try something this ruthless one day? He probably had. I have to be strong for him.
She wiped away the tears with her other hand, cleared her throat, and nodded. “Okay, Daddy. I can do it.”
“Good.” He squeezed her hand. “Now, I have to go. I have to make sure that I provide enough of a distraction for you.”
“What about clearance? How am I supposed to get off the planet without it?” Her mother had told her enough times that she’d never get away without detection. Everyone who left and entered Wells needed clearance beforehand.
“Don’t worry. You just need to get to the ship and off this planet by daybreak, and everything else will work out. Okay?” His eyes were shiny, as if he wanted to cry as well, but he was determined to stay strong.
Alex nodded again, hearing commotion outside her door.
“That’s my cue to leave, honey.” Louis stood up. He leaned over, gave her one last hug, and kissed the top of her head, before he stepped away and headed for the window. “I’ve got faith in you, Alex. I know you can do this. Don’t let your mother win. Don’t let her ruin your life and force you on a path you’re not ready to take.”
“I won’t let you down, Daddy.”
“I know you won’t.” He stepped over the windowsill, and she wondered how he was going to get down from the sixth story. “Honey…”
“Yes?”
“I left a photo on the dash for you.”
Her heart fell. Not exactly what she’d expected him to say.
“Also, keep the key with you no matter what. It’ll protect you.” With that final, cryptic comment, he was gone.
Guards charged in through the door, and Alex jumped, but she sneaked her hands under the sheets before any of them noticed. She stuck the key under her thigh and held the sheet in front of her body, as if she were trying to be modest, instead of hiding her ticket out of this hellhole.
“What’s going on? Who said you could charge into my room?”
“I’m sorry, Miss, but where is he?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean. Didn’t I tell you that I’d punch you if you came in here without my permission?”
One of the guards watched her while the other stepped in front of the window and leaned out.
“Can you see anyone?”
“No, there’s no one out there,” one guard said to the other.
The guard watching her lowered his head. “Sorry to interrupt your sleep on such an important night. We just feared for your safety.”
“You two better get out now, before I blast you away.”
They both snickered on their way out. If she was them, she’d be more concerned about how stupid they looked in their uniforms. Who wore feathers on their helmets and thought they looked threatening, anyway? Funny how they didn’t take her seriously, but she wouldn’t hesitate to bust their kneecaps.
Once they were both out of her room, she pulled the key out from under her thigh. She held it in her left palm. It felt warm and tickled her skin. It still smelled faintly of her dad, and oil. She ran her fingertips over the intricate swirls around the bow of the skeleton key and turned it over. There was the inscription her father had made when she’d turned ten—when he told her Promise would one day be hers.
I guess today’s the day. She sighed, traced her fingertip down the barrel, and into the rectangular tooth.
She couldn’t help but smile as it buzzed inside her hand. This old key was the only way to get into her father’s ship, Promise. As well as the only way to get it started. She always teased him about it being old-fashioned and rusty, but he insisted it was perfect. He also said it was rustic, not rusty.
Alex untied the knot on the end of the leather cord, wrapped it around her neck, and retied it. The key hung down to her stomach, so she stuck it under her shirt.
Daddy, I promise. I’ll never take this off.
She jumped off the bed, grabbed a bag from under it, and started filling it as quickly and quietly as she could manage.
Chapter Sixteen
Ulric leaned into his back legs and leaped onto the window sill. He landed with a huff before scrambling inside. The last thing he wanted now was for someone to spot him. He’d been watching this room for a while, and he knew Alex was finally alone.
As soon as he stepped into the room, his animalistic features receded into his pores, and he became a man. With the last caress of the moon against his spine, he was able to suck in a deep breath of the early morning air and welcome the man he’d always believed himself to be.
He stumbled, doubling over as the pain of becoming himself rushed through him. It took a moment for it to subside, before he could straighten.
None of what had happened to him since reaching this planet made any sense, but he didn’t see what he could do to change it. He was at the mercy of the bright orb in the sky. With a new day dawning, maybe he’d be able to use the time to show Alex he was here. If she knew he’d hidden in her ship, because he couldn’t stand to be away from her, surely she’d change her mind about everything. She would realize how much he cared about her and would admit she felt the same way about him. They could get out of this strange place with concrete walls, buildings, and endless garden paths, and run to Promise. Then, get the hell off this planet and head back to Anteris.
This planet—or at least its moon—was turning him into a crazed animal.
His stomach was finally sated, but the rage still buzzed beneath his skin.
He stepped farther into the room, enough to be engulfed by shadows.
Alex’s familiar scent teased his nose. Even before he laid eyes on her, he licked his lips. Now that I’ve found her, a new hunger’s rising.
There she was, sprawled out on her back. A flimsy sheet covered the lower half of her body but her top had risen over her abdomen. His gaze shifted higher, focusing on the dark outline of her nipples against the fabric. His gut clenched with desire. His erection twitched, ready for action.
What would she do if I climbed into bed beside her and started to make love to her? Would she shun me away, ask me what I’m doing here, or just go along for the ride?
He was about to find out when something caught the corner of his eye. Alex’s bag sat on an armchair, and tucked into the pocket was a paper photo. He’d never seen it before. Curious, he headed for it. When he lifted and tilted it toward the light, he saw a much younger version of Alex, and a man with close-cropped, black hair had an arm wrapped around her. They were both caught in mid-laugh, as if one of them had said something funny to the other, and they both couldn’t help but laugh out loud. They looked so happy.
Ulric couldn’t help but envy a man who could make her this happy. The sparkle in her eyes made them widen with innocence. He couldn’t help but wonder who this man with dark skin was.
Alex didn’t share her innermost secrets with Ulric. She just gave him reports of where she’d ventured during her last courier delivery or what she’d delivered. She only shared generic things she could talk to any random stranger about, instead of sharing personal details with the man who loved her.
He tucked the photo back where he’d found it and tiptoed over to the side of the bed. For several minutes, he just watched her sleep. Watched as she rubbed the tip of her nose and snored, before licking her lips.
What was she dreaming about? At least she was sleeping alone, and not with the man who seemed to shadow her every move on this planet. As soon as Ulric saw the prick leave the building, he was tempted to follow him, so he could tear him to pieces. Instead, he decided the lure of Alex trumped everything else. Though, he’d had to wait several minut
es while someone else rummaged around inside her room. As soon as whoever it was left, Ulric hadn’t been able to wait a moment longer.
“Alex,” he whispered, exhaling. Maybe, he hoped, his voice would wake her, awaken a realization within her. Or maybe he just liked to say her name.
Ulric noticed her key necklace wasn’t around her neck. When he inspected the bedside table, all he found was her blaster holster. Where the hell is it? He’d seen the two male lovers find Ulric’s latest mess, as well as Alex’s lucky charm. Then, each had run in a different direction so quickly, he didn’t know which one had taken it.
Yet, it wasn’t in this room. She was supposed to see it and put the pieces together. Remember where she’d left it and work out the only way it could’ve reached this planet. She needs to know I’m here!
He licked his lips and still tasted blood in his mouth. His torso was stained with it, too. The blood, dirt, and leaves in his hair probably made him look like a feral native, but none of it mattered right now. He wanted to be close to her so badly, he didn’t give a shit about how he looked.
I’m going to surprise her. After all, she’s never denied me pleasure before.
Ulric pressed a knee onto the bed, and then another, recalling how she’d done something similar the last time she was in his quarters. How he wished she had just accepted his offer. He’d rather be with her—naked in bed, eating and drinking to their heart’s content—than lost in a foreign place. Separated, while he feasted on the flesh of humans, and she got to know another man.
It just didn’t seem fair.
When he got close enough, he leaned over and ran the back of his fingers over her cheek. She squirmed and moved her face to the other side.
“Alex,” he whispered near her lips. “Are you awake?” He knew she wasn’t. How many times had he roused her from sleep by rubbing his cock along her back or belly?
The thought made him harden. His erection was so hard, it hurt.
He ran his fingertips down the side of her neck and the middle of her chest, before moving them over her left nipple. He circled his fingers over the hard flesh peeking through the fabric of her top.
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