by Anna Hackett
By the Creators, she was so pretty. He reached out and touched her plump lips, then he dragged his hand down to where his seed marked her. He dragged his fingers through it, rubbing it over her pale skin.
He saw something firing in her eyes. She liked it.
Thorin felt a desperate need to take care of her. He pushed off the bed and went into the bathroom and grabbed a warm cloth. When he returned, she was quiet, watching him as he started to wipe her clean.
“I’m not sweet and innocent.”
He smiled at her. “Yes, you are. But not all the time.”
She moved, getting up on her knees. Her torn nightgown fluttered around her body. “I’m a woman who knows what she wants.”
He went still.
Her chin lifted. “A woman who wants you.”
Gods help them both. He reached for her, fingers brushing her skin, when a knock thundered on his door, rattling it on its hinges.
“Thorin, out of bed. You and your axe are needed.” It was Raiden’s deep voice. “Some crud-spawn have decided to use the storm as an excuse to cause a riot and loot houses in the area where the workers live. Some of our workers live down there and Galen wants us to check it out.”
Check it out was a polite way of saying Galen wanted them to knock heads together and ensure none of their people got hurt.
Thorin’s hands tightened on Regan. “I have to—”
“Go.” She pulled the tattered nightgown around her. “I understand.”
She was so beautiful. He cupped her jaw, pleased when she pushed into his palm. “I’ll see you later.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Chapter Ten
Regan stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in one of the drying cloths.
After Thorin and the others had left to subdue the riot, she’d snuck back to her room. She’d been surprised to find she was tired, and had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Thorin and the others had been out the rest of the night. She’d heard them return about an hour ago.
She couldn’t wait to see Thorin. What they’d done in his room… God, what they’d done.
She pushed her damp hair back and looked at herself in the round mirror above the sink in her bathroom. Across her breasts, her skin was unblemished now, but she touched it. Remembering the way he’d marked her. She smiled. She felt…happy. She tucked her hair back behind her ears. She was completely crazy over the man.
Excited to see him, she finished getting dressed, pulling on some simple slacks and a shirt from the pile of clothes Harper had given her. Now that she had money, she might do some clothes shopping in the market for some things of her own.
She headed out into the living area. Harper and a few of the house staff were busy arranging food on some plates.
Her friend looked up and smiled. She held up a plate. “Breakfast?”
Regan nodded and sat down at the table. “Where is everyone?”
“They got back late. All asleep.” Harper sat down beside Regan and started eating. “But as soon as they smell food, they’ll appear. Most of them seem to need a lot less sleep than we do.”
“Are they all okay?” Was Thorin all right?
“Yep. They got the riot stamped out and the storm’s dissipated.”
Harper eyed her and Regan tried not to fidget.
“You look different,” Harper said.
“I slept well.” Regan fought to keep from blushing.
“I would have thought with the storm and what happened yesterday, you might have had trouble.”
Regan dug into what looked like eggs, and freshly baked bread. “Guess I was tired.” She paused a second to wonder what alien creature the eggs came from, but they were delicious, so she kept eating.
A few minutes later, Raiden appeared. The big gladiator was wearing tight, black trousers and a loose, white shirt that was undone.
He headed straight over to Harper, leaned down, and dropped a deep kiss on her lips.
Regan let out a small sigh. She wanted that. More than anything. The way Raiden cupped Harper’s cheek. The way her tough-as-nails friend leaned into the man like she knew she belonged.
A door opened and Kace entered. He looked his usual neat self, and if he was tired, he wasn’t showing it.
Then Thorin strode in, and her heart clenched. He looked tired. He mumbled something and headed over to get a drink from the kitchen area.
She watched him, looking at the way his trousers hugged his firm ass. She couldn’t believe he’d been standing over her, naked, just a few hours ago.
“The next time some idiots get the idea to go rioting, I suggest we leave them to it.” Saff stomped in. She had dark circles under her eyes. “I need a hot cup of rica with a shot of stimulant in it.”
Thorin came over and dropped down into the seat beside Regan. She was so blazingly aware of him. She wanted to say something or touch him.
“Sleep well?”
“I did.”
He seemed focused on drinking the coffee-like drink the others called rica. But then she felt a touch on her hair and realized he was stroking the back of her head. Something in her chest bloomed.
Everyone sat down, talking and diving into eating plates of food filled mountain high. Regan sat there, surrounded by all this muscle and toughness, and for the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged.
The door opened and Galen strode in. She noticed all the others pause and look up.
Galen dropped into a chair at the head of the table. Lore sauntered over from the kitchen area and set a mug of rica down in front of the imperator.
“I’m guessing this isn’t just a friendly morning visit,” Raiden said.
Galen shook his head. “My informant got back to me with the list of people at the Thraxians’ private sale. That information, combined with the attempt to snatch Regan yesterday, has given us enough to pinpoint where Rory is being held.”
Regan clenched her hands together, remembering those terrible moments when Kace had been hurt and she’d been snatched. Thorin’s big hand closed over both of hers.
“It is the Vorn,” Galen said.
“Damn,” Thorin said. There were grumbles from the rest of the gladiators.
Regan’s skin turned icy with dread. “Who are they?”
“They are wild and…crazy. In the arena, it is hard to predict a Vorn’s fighting techniques. And their imperator…”
She gripped his arm. “Yes?”
“The Vorn like to collect rare things,” Thorin said.
Galen nodded. “Their imperator is known far and wide for collecting unique specimens of plants, animals, and people.”
“Why would he try to take me?”
“I suspect he wants a matching set,” Galen said darkly. “I met with him this morning.”
Already? Regan straightened. “Will they trade her, or let you fight for her?”
A muscle in Galen’s jaw ticked. “They won’t even admit they have her.”
Regan’s shoulders fell.
“I had to make sure that they saw this didn’t bother me.” Galen’s cool blue eye looked at Regan. “If they knew—”
She nodded. “I know. They’d make things more difficult.”
“The Vorn will have her in their collection room.” Raiden rested his elbows on the table. “I’ve never seen it, but I’ve heard whispers about the place. It’s meant to be something, with amazing plant life and animals.”
“It’s just another prison,” Regan whispered.
Under the table, Thorin gripped her thigh. That strong touch was enough to anchor her.
“Can we break in?” Harper asked.
Regan suspected that due to their secret rescue missions, they all knew the strengths and weaknesses of every house in the arena.
Galen shook his head. “Security at the House of Vorn is top-of-the-line. They like to protect their collection. They have sensors, laser systems, alarms. And those are the things that
I know about.”
Lore gave a thoughtful nod. “I’ve heard it can only be shut down from the inside.”
Regan pressed back into her chair. How the hell would they get Rory out of there?
Around her, the gladiators erupted into discussion, making suggestions and discarding ideas. Regan turned the dilemma over in her head, analyzing it like a science problem.
“What we need is to lure them out,” Regan blurted out.
Silence fell around the table. Everyone’s gazes turned toward her.
She tried not to fidget. “We need to lure them out by offering them something they really want. And then get them to take that something back into their house. Something that can shut down their security from the inside.”
“A Trojan Horse,” Harper murmured.
“A what?” Thorin demanded.
Regan swallowed. “An old Earth legend. About a horse filled with enemy soldiers that was taken back inside a fortified city.”
Galen stared at her, his fingers drumming on the table. “Lure them out with what?”
Regan was careful not to look at Thorin. “Something—or rather, someone—they can’t resist.”
Thorin’s fingers tightened on her thigh. “No.”
Regan lifted her chin. “Lure them out with me.”
***
Anger. Gut-churning anger.
Thorin had felt the hot edge of fury before, but what he felt now was a hundred times stronger.
Added to his tiredness, his barely sated desire, and the sting of his torn knuckles from knocking heads together in the riot, he wasn’t finding much patience.
He saw his friends looking at him, and he shook his head.
“No. We will not use her as bait and let them take her.”
He stared into her pretty eyes, but in his mind, he saw her spread out before him, his cock pressed to her lips. It was burned on his brain.
He stood, conscious that the room was silent.
Regan stood, setting her shoulders back. “I want Rory back. I want her out of captivity. This is the only way. I go in, disable the security from the inside, and you come and get us.”
The anger surged, like a wild beast. She wanted to walk into danger. He swept his arm across the table. Plates and glasses hit the stone floor, smashing into tiny pieces. He saw Regan wince, but she stood her ground.
Thorin heard Raiden sigh.
“Been a while since he lost it so much he broke plates,” Lore said lazily.
“Shush,” Saff said. “Or he’ll break your nose.”
Thorin ignored them and rounded on Regan. “You will not risk yourself like that.”
“I have to do this,” she said calmly.
“So, you want us to sell you? You want to end up back in the cage?”
He saw her flinch, shadows moving through her eyes, and Thorin hated himself for hurting her. He reached out and grabbed her shoulders. “I forbid it.”
The shadows fled. “You forbid it? I’ve had lots of people in my life demanding I do this or that. Things that suit them, not me.” She poked the center of his chest. “I won’t let you do the same.”
“Regan—”
“I need your support, Thorin. I need you at my back.”
Drak. He turned away, putting his hands behind his head. It went against everything in him to let her put herself in danger. He felt like the terrible tension in his body was going to break him.
“We’ll all be there for you, Regan,” Harper said.
“We’ll all be there to ensure she stays safe,” Raiden added.
Thorin stared at the wall, trying to find another way to do this. He wanted to pull her into his arms, carry her away and keep her safe. But that would condemn her cousin to a terrible fate, and Regan would never forgive him.
“Please, Thorin.”
Her quiet words cut through him. Damn these Earth women for being so damned courageous.
Finally, he dropped his arms and turned, his anger going cold. “You will have a tracker implanted. I won’t lose you if something goes wrong.”
Regan opened her mouth to object, but Galen nodded. “Absolutely.”
“And after they purchase her, we go in straightaway. She won’t be in a cage for more than an hour.”
Again, Galen nodded.
Regan moved over to Thorin, pressing her fingers lightly against his chest. “Thank you.”
He reached out and yanked her into his chest. He couldn’t get her close enough.
“So what happens next?” Harper asked.
Galen stood. “We need to organize a private party to auction Regan at. Something flashy.” His gaze turned inward. “I think I’ll touch base with Rillian at the Dark Nebula Casino.”
Thorin knew that the Dark Nebula was the classiest and wealthiest of all the casinos in Kor Magna. And its owner was a very scary, very wealthy man.
“Who’s this Rillian?” Regan asked.
“A powerful man,” Galen said. “He appeared from nowhere fifteen years ago and turned a small casino into the wealthiest enterprise on the planet. He has his fingers in a lot of things, and he owes me a marker.”
“Rillian will be able to arrange a party that the Vorn won’t be able to turn down,” Raiden said.
Regan nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Galen’s gaze swept the room. “Consider it done. But for now, you all have a private exhibition match against the House of Nalax to prepare for. The son of a wealthy finance lord from Maton II has a birthday.”
There were groans from the gladiators.
Galen’s face remained impassive. “He’s paying a lot of money to see you guys beat the House of Nalax. Don’t disappoint him.”
As Galen left, Thorin held Regan tight. So small, and delicate—but he knew looks could be very deceiving.
The anger in him wasn’t gone. Instead, it was just waiting for its chance to pounce. And he’d be happy to pound out his frustration on some gladiators in the arena.
Chapter Eleven
Regan watched Thorin land another bone-jarring blow to the gladiator he was fighting. She winced.
The private exhibition fight was in full swing.
Tonight, Thorin had forgone his axe and was wearing heavy, metal knuckledusters on his hands. Clearly, he was determined to work off his anger at her decision in the arena.
He got in another hit before he charged forward, knocking over several opposing gladiators.
This exhibition fight was scaled down, and in a small private arena. She glanced over at the sponsor box that protruded out over the sand floor, and studied the wealthy-looking man and his entourage, all of them dressed in gaudy colors and drinking and laughing as the fight raged beneath them.
The House of Nalax had a mix of tough gladiators, but Regan noticed one who seemed to be smaller and less experienced than the others. He’d fumbled his sword numerous times.
She wasn’t surprised that the House of Galen gladiators weren’t engaging him.
Thorin swung at some more gladiators, flesh hitting flesh. Then he spun around to face another Nalax gladiator, only to discover the undersized gladiator cowering before him. Thorin eyed him for a second, before he pushed the man aside and went after another gladiator.
He was angry, but he was still a badass protector. Her chest felt as tight as a rock. He was upset at her, hurting, and she was to blame.
“So…you and Thorin worked things out.”
Regan glanced at Harper, who sat beside her, munching on some mahiz.
Regan shrugged. “It’s complicated.”
Harper snorted. “It always is when men are involved.”
Regan fought back a smile. “You’d think the fact that we’ve been dragged halfway across the galaxy might have made things a bit different.”
“Right. You think that meeting an alpha-male, alien gladiator on the outer rim of the galaxy would equal no complications.”
Well, when Harper put it like that… “It’s just that life seems simpler in the a
rena. Train, fight, win. Once you have your freedom, do as you please.”
Harper’s gaze was on the fight. “They’re heroes, Regan. Loved by the crowd.” Her gaze now moved to the shouting spectators. “But the face they show the fans, it’s a façade. They rarely show anyone who they really are. All of them ended up here for different reasons—hard, dark reasons. They are tough, relentless fighters…but it’s just one side of them. And they only let the people they care about see their true selves.”
Once again, Regan watched Thorin slamming hard punches into an opponent. “He’s holding a lot of darkness inside him. A lot of hurt.”
Harper squeezed Regan’s shoulder. “Raiden is, too. Just because we’ve fallen in love doesn’t make that magically disappear. But I’ve seen that…his load’s lightened a little.” She smiled, her gaze finding her man. “I like to think that I did that.”
Regan’s throat tightened. “I think I’ve just added to Thorin’s load.” She watched him, as he fought like a man possessed. “And he refuses to show me his hurt. I feel like he’s hiding something.”
“He’s afraid for you. I am, too.”
“Harper, I—”
Her friend nodded. “Have to do this. I know. I understand. I want Rory back safe, too. I just wish you didn’t have to risk yourself to do it.”
“You think she’s okay?”
“I’ve never met a tougher woman than Rory. That woman takes crap from no one.”
Regan nodded. She always admired her confident cousin, but Regan knew what captivity could do to you. How it could slowly break you down.
“Galen’s making the arrangements for the party,” Harper said.
Regan took a deep breath. “Good.” She wouldn’t lie. She was terrified.
“You have all of us there for you. Including Thorin, even if he’s pissed off.”
Suddenly, the crowd gasped.
Regan swiveled and saw Thorin was fighting with a gladiator almost as tall as he was. The rival gladiator was holding long knives. He slashed out and opened a cut across Thorin’s chest. A cry tangled in Regan’s throat. Move faster, Thorin. She watched as the gladiator sliced him again.
