by Ivy Barrett
“Let’s drag them back into the house,” Rentar suggested. “We promised your brother we wouldn’t leave any evidence of Ventori involvement.”
Each Ventori grabbed one of the humans under the arms and dragged his body back to the tunnel’s entrance. They had to work together to heave the bodies up the stairs, but soon all three lay on the kitchen floor.
“Should we scorch the tunnel or collapse it?” Rentar mused out loud. “Either will destroy the evidence of what happened there. Which will seem less suspicious?”
“I’m for starting fires as often as possible,” Tarlon admitted with a roughish smile.
“Scorching it is too obvious. The human investigators will know something was covered up.” Loax looked at Tarlon as he wiped his sweaty brow with his uniform sleeve. “If you’ll trust me with the ship’s weapons for a few minutes, I’ll destroy the house and collapse enough of the tunnel to make it impractical to excavate.”
“Works for me.” Tarlon shrugged and headed for the door.
Loax hesitated a moment, doing one last walkthrough to make sure they weren’t leaving anything incriminating behind. He looked at the three humans slowly covering the kitchen floor with blood. All indications pointed toward one of them being Asesino de Tormenta. The DNA tests would simply erase all possible doubt. And he wanted that for Amanda. He wanted her to snuggle between him and Rentar each night content and happy, knowing she was safe in their arms.
Satisfied that the mission was nearly complete, Loax returned to the ship and slipped into the seat beside Tarlon. Rentar was already on board, so Tarlon closed the hatch and took off.
Tarlon released weapons control to Loax. He slipped his hands into the holo-matrix and experimented for a moment to identify each function. Once he’d found what he needed, he triggered six well-placed blasts from the ion cannon and obliterated the house and collapsed a good portion of the tunnel.
“That’s how it’s done!” Rentar pumped his fist in the air as the explosion rocked the ship. “That will teach any human to threaten a Ventori mate.”
“Nice shooting,” Tarlon conceded, then set the ship in motion. “Thank you for flying Orellian Airlines. Please return your tray tables to the upright and locked position as we prepare for our return to civilization.”
Loax laughed, unable to resist Tarlon’s silliness. “I’m sure that meant something, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Tarlon shook his head and tsked. “How can we integrate with a culture when most of us know so little about them? It’s shameful, just shameful.”
“We seem to have done all right,” Rentar argued.
“Really?” After checking their course, Tarlon turned his seat around so he could see both brothers. “You stumbled upon a genetically compatible carnal companion. You are clearly doing something right in bed because she allowed you to claim her, but how much do you know about her life before the Skarilians attacked Earth? Do you know where she was born or who her favorite band was in high school? These things are important to humans.”
“This mission had everything to do with her past and anything that happened before the Skarilians attacked is irrelevant. We were all irreversibly changed by their coming. It is much more important that we know the woman she is now.”
“There is some truth in that.” Tarlon shrugged and turned back around. “But my point is still valid. We need to know more about humans if the high command is serious about colonization.”
Loax didn’t argue with him. There was truth in what he said too.
The return voyage went smoothly, but the explosion and mysterious death of the drug lord had made the news feeds by the time they reached Shadow Mountain. Orellian was pacing beside the fireplace when the three walked in to the common room of the lodge.
“You call that discreet?” His tone snapped with irritation and his hostile gaze fixed on his younger brother. “Every single time I let you off your leash, I regret it. I’ve just about had it with your recklessness. Luckily for you, the newscasters are blaming it on a rival drug lord. No one has even hinted at Ventori involvement.”
Feeling partially responsible for Orellian’s animosity, Loax moved to stand beside Tarlon. “Which is the reason we blew up the house.”
Orellian glanced at him, then shifted his focus back to his brother.
“Pulse pistols leave very distinct impact wounds,” Tarlon pointed out. “We had no choice but to destroy the bodies. Unfortunately, they had already ditched the car.”
“Enough said. If everyone is unharmed and my ship is still operational, I’ll consider this matter closed.”
Tarlon muttered something under his breath, then turned to Loax. “I’m headed back to the Elizian first thing in the morning. Would you like me to have the samples processed?”
“That would be wonderful. Then we won’t have to cut our leave short.” He handed Tarlon the bags filled with gory samples. “Let us know what you find out.”
“Of course,” he said and headed for the main staircase.
Orellian watched the exchange in silence, then shook his head. “Do I even want to know?”
“I want to make absolutely certain Storm Killer is dead.”
He nodded. “A wise precaution.”
“Where is Amanda?” Loax asked, suddenly realizing Orellian was supposed to be guarding her.
“She fell asleep on my couch, so I carried her to your suite. One of my guards is stationed outside your door. Simply dismiss him and Amanda is back under your protection.”
“Thank you for all the assistance,” Rentar said.
“It’s been my pleasure. I hope my brother wasn’t too much trouble. Your mate is very good company.”
Loax tensed. If he laid so much as a finger on her, I’ll—
Relax. Minister Orellian is an honorable man. He has been nothing but helpful.
Rentar was right, but it didn’t keep Loax’s hands from clenching.
Loax offered his thanks as well, and then the brothers returned to their suite and their slumbering mate. They dismissed the guard and slipped inside, not wanting to disturb Amanda.
“Loax, Rentar, is that you?” she called from inside the bedroom.
“Yes, love, we’re back,” Rentar responded.
She emerged from the bedroom fully dressed and Loax smiled. Orellian hadn’t even taken off her sandals.
“How did it go?” She looked adorably sleepy, her hair a tousled mess.
“The situation is resolved permanently, just as we promised,” Rentar assured her.
Loax crossed his arms over his chest and summoned his fiercest scowl. “You know what that means, don’t you?”
“I agreed to accept your claim if you secured our future.” She sounded breathless, but love shone in her eyes.
“Say it.” Authority snapped through the words. “Accept our claim. Willingly become our mate.”
“I will speak the words, Sir. But you made a promise too.”
He tensed for a moment then let it go with a long cleansing breath. It was time. No, it was past time that he focused on the future. “I will cut my hair as soon as we return to the ship.”
“Why wait?” She ran back into the bedroom and returned with a pair of sharp-looking scissors.
“Where in creation did you find those?” He was amazed by her persistence.
“I asked Minister Orellian if I could borrow a pair of scissors. He didn’t have any, but made one of his guards go find a pair.” She laughed. “That man has turned delegation into an art form.”
Loax started to sit in the nearest armchair, then changed his mind. Instead, he knelt in front of her and took both her hands in his. “I willingly release my past because my future belongs to you.”
Frantically blinking back tears, she took a deep breath then moved behind him and carefully severed his long, thick hair at the nape of his neck. When it was finished, Loax shook his head and sent the short strands whipping
around his face. She quickly tossed the severed hair in the recycler and set aside the scissors.
She tucked the loose strands behind his ears and kissed him, deeply and tenderly.
When she finally pulled back, he stood and placed his hands on her hips. “Your turn, hellcat. Say the words.”
“I accept you as my master and my mate.” His heart swelled with love and pride as she rolled to her toes and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. Her lips were warm, her mouth sweetly evocative, and his cock bucked in demand. Then she turned to Rentar without leaving the circle of Loax’s arms. “And I accept you as my master and my mate.” She kissed him just as thoroughly. When the kiss ended, she grinned and a sly gleam appeared in her eyes. “I was having the naughtiest dream when you two arrived.” She stepped back and quickly kicked off her sandals.
“Were you now?” Loax caught her wrist before she could wander too far away. “Were we in it?”
“I’m not sure.” She arched her brows dramatically. “There were two men, of course. But I couldn’t really see their faces, just their enormous cocks.”
“And what were these faceless men doing with their enormous cocks?” Rentar asked as he pressed in close to her.
“I’ll never know, now will I?” She sounded affronted, but mischief sparkled in her sky-blue eyes. “You woke me up just as it was getting good.”
“You’re sounding rather mouthy, mate,” Loax cautioned. “It’s been three days since your last spanking. Are you in need of discipline?”
“No,” she cried and tugged against his hold. “I was just telling you about my dream. Are naughty dreams not allowed?”
“Dreams are allowed. Sass, however, is not.”
“I wasn’t sassing. You’re just looking for a reason to spank me.”
He arched his brows and sat down on one of the armchairs. Rentar followed like a shadow, clearly understanding the game. “You’re sassing me right now.” She barely even struggled as Loax bent her over his legs and flipped up the back of her dress, revealing her bare behind. “What happens when you argue with your mate?”
“He licks my pussy until I come.”
Fighting hard not to laugh, he brought his hand down firmly on her delectable ass. “Wrong answer. Try again.”
“He uses his fingers to drive me crazy?” Now she sounded hopeful.
He smacked the other side, loving the way her flesh quaked and her skin reddened. “Keep it up, mate, and we’ll do a lot more than spank you.”
She wiggled her butt and winked at Rentar. “You sure as hell better, mate. I need your cock even more than your discipline.”
Epilogue
St. Louis, three months later
Amanda crossed her arms over her chest, hoping to disguise how badly her hands were trembling. She stood with her mates in front of the courthouse, one of only a few municipal buildings unscathed by the Skarilian raids. The first of six trials, in which her father was a key witness, had just concluded with guilty verdicts on all charges. Ironically, most of the defendants in the upcoming trials were not members of the Mexican drug cartel. They were police officers.
The DNA tests had confirmed that Asesino de Tormenta was dead, along with two of his lieutenants. Multiple raids on his known associates followed and soon what was left of the once powerful organization imploded. Everyone was thrilled with the progress.
Her father, however, had remained focused on his ultimate goal of ensuring that all those involved in the crime spree were held accountable for their actions. So he had offered his assistance to the federal investigators and internal affairs officers. The massacre at the second safe house would not have been possible without information from an insider. The investigation had been long and intensive, but everyone involved was satisfied that the pivotal players had been revealed.
“You don’t have to do this.” Loax slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to his side.
“I need to do this. I need to look my father in the eyes and let him know how badly he hurt me, and how horribly wrong the situation could have gone.”
The front doors of the courthouse were thrown open. The journalists, who had been milling about, sprung back to life, swarming the people attempting to exit the building. Her father’s defense team skillfully drew the media’s attention, allowing her father to slip away.
Amanda followed him silently until they reached the shuttle lot. “Congratulations, Mr. Powell,” she called and her father looked over his shoulder.
Seeing her striding toward him, he stopped and turned around. “Mandy!” He smiled broadly, blue eyes twinkling in the late afternoon sun. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
She’d endured two awkward phone calls with him in the weeks following Asesino de Tormenta’s death, but this was the first time they’d been face to face. He hugged her and kissed her cheek, then she immediately stepped back.
He looked beyond her and spotted the two Ventori Defenders. She’d asked that they hang back and let her talk this out with her father. His gaze narrowed and his hands folded into fists. “Are they your… are those two the ones who contracted you as their companion?”
He’d skipped over the word ‘carnal,’ as if that made the arrangement less objectionable. “They are.” She’d already assured him that she was unharmed and safe aboard the Aganista. He didn’t deserve to know how well her rash plan had turned out. In truth, she’d spent more time at Camp Accord than on her mates’ ship. The rapidly growing Ventori colony was located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and they were one of six pods attempting to establish a charter by which all the colonists would abide. By Ventori standards, the settlement was primitive, but the mountainous setting was spectacular. It also offered the females a level of freedom impossible on the warships and outposts.
“How much longer are you obligated to stay with them?”
The regret in her father’s tone and his dejected expression brought pity bubbling to the surface of her being.
Don’t you dare let him off the hook. Loax shoved the thought into her mind. That bastard deserves a much harsher punishment than believing you are miserable. You will not tell him the truth, at least not yet.
Yes, Sir. Her mate was right. Her father had gotten off easy after all the chaos—and lost lives—resulting from his selfish choices. “The contract was for two years, so that leaves one year and nine months to go.”
“Do they treat you well?” His gaze darted away, and he rubbed one hand with the other.
“They’re Ventori Defenders. What more do you need to know.”
“I’m so sorry. I never meant for you to get caught up in any of this.” He stepped forward, obviously meaning to pull her into his arms.
She moved back and warded him off with an upraised hand. “Have you finally learned your lesson? Actions have consequences, even if you’re not the one to pay the price.”
He blinked furiously, but a tear still escaped the corner of one of his eyes. “Is there something I can do to free you from the contract? Maybe I could buy out the rest of—”
“You don’t have that sort of money and we both know it. Don’t you think I exhausted every possibility before I agreed to this? I had nothing and no one! You created a hurricane, pointed it toward me, then deserted me to the storm.”
“I know, and I’m so horribly sorry.” He raised both hands in a helpless gesture. “How can I make this up to you?”
She would forgive him eventually, but today was not that day.
“Amanda.” Loax’s voice was deep and commanding. “There is nothing more to say. It’s time to go.”
It was another not-so-subtle warning. No matter how repentant her father seemed, her mates were not yet satisfied with his level of suffering. “Coming, Sir.” She looked at her father and sighed. He might be horribly flawed, but he was the only family she had left. No, that was no longer true. Loax and Rentar were her family now, and they loved her without reservation.
“Take care of yourself,” she told her father. He’d always been good at that.
He started to say something. She just shook her head and turned away.
Loax wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Rentar wrapped his around her waist as they guided her toward their shuttle.
“Do you feel better, my love?” Rentar asked.
“I do. I needed closure, and this allowed me to see how pathetic he really is.”
Loax triggered the hatch with a voice command, then motioned her onto the small ship. “Your future is with us now. That man has no power over you.”
She climbed onto the first step, which brought her face level with his. “My future is with you and Rentar.” She touched his face, then pressed a tender kiss onto his black lips. When she turned her head, she found Rentar waiting for a similar kiss. “I’m more than ready to move beyond this, Sirs. Please, take me home.”
The End
Stormy Night Publications would like to thank you for your interest in our books.
If you liked this book (or even if you didn’t), we would really appreciate you leaving a review on the site where you purchased it. Reviews provide useful feedback for us and our authors, and this feedback (both positive comments and constructive criticism) allows us to work even harder to make sure we provide the content our customers want to read.
If you would like to check out more books from Stormy Night Publications, if you want to learn more about our company, or if you would like to join our mailing list, please visit our website at:
http://www.stormynightpublications.com
More Stormy Night Books by Ivy Barrett
Their Defiant Human
After she defies the leaders of a warlike alien species, beautiful human scientist Andrea Raynier is taken captive by a bold, handsome Stilox warrior named Mal Ton. Fearing that her knowledge could be used to design weapons, Andrea vows never to cooperate, but she quickly discovers that Mal Ton is more than ready to do whatever is needed to compel her obedience.
