by Stormie Kent
He looked down at her outstretched hand.
“She wants you to shake her hand, babe. It’s a custom from home,” Camryn said.
He engulfed her hand with his larger one and pumped it up and down before releasing her. “Hello, Niki. I’m glad you arrived safely. I hope you will stay.”
She had a funny feeling he was trying to tell her something. “Oh you’re gonna have to throw me out to get rid of me.” I’m watching you, big guy.
“I don’t get what’s going on here. Venn, you be nice to my sister,” Camryn said.
Niki recognized that tone. Somebody was getting ready to get chewed out and it wasn’t her.
He looked down at his wife and his entire expression changed. Even his posture softened. He pulled Camryn toward him and Niki reluctantly let go of her hand.
“What have I done wrong?” he asked.
Camryn sighed. “I’ll tell you later.” She turned to the Alta crew. “Thank you for bringing my sister to me. I’m sorry you were detained by beast people. Everybody go rest. I have an awesome late dinner planned. Niki, I have a room for you near mine.”
“No,” Rhine said.
Camryn frowned up at him. “No?”
“She stays with me,” he said calmly.
Oh no he didn’t.
Camryn squared her shoulders and Niki prepared to step in and head off the verbal smackdown Cam was getting ready to give Rhine. Then Cam cocked her head and smiled.
“Ooh,” Cam said. She looked back and forth between Rhine and Niki. “Have you two been shackin’?”
“Cam,” Niki said plaintively.
“What is shackin’?” Venn asked.
“If it has anything to do with having sexual relations, they’ve been doing it a lot,” Bronwyn said.
Camryn howled with laughter.
“What do you know about sexual relations, Bronwyn?” Venn said.
“Nothing. At this rate I never will.”
“Bronwyn,” Rhine and Venn said together.
It hit her then that they were a family and she didn’t really belong. She headed for the door, quietly. She didn’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, but she didn’t feel like laughing.
“Don’t leave, Niki. I’m sorry,” Camryn said softly.
That Cam felt she had to apologize for making a joke cut her a little. She’d sent her husband’s family across galaxies to look for her and Niki should be able to spend a little time with her. But she couldn’t right then. She’d reached her max and she just needed a break.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got her and I’ll bring her back for dinner.” Rhine took her arm and led her from the room.
She allowed it because she was about to make a semi-clean getaway. He led her up a set of winding stairs and down a corridor. She watched each turn, determined not to be lost or dependent on someone else to get around.
“So, I guess you’re going to tell me what I did wrong,” she said.
“No, I think you feel bad enough. I am going to ask you why you were so antagonistic toward Venn.”
“I was nice.”
“Your body language was aggressive. You challenged him with your words as well. Why?”
He paused in front of a door and laid his palm against the key pad. The door was designed the same as the ones on the ship. It slid open and he guided her a little more roughly than normal into the room. She jerked her arm away, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Okay, I understand you mean business. You can let me go.”
She watched as his jaw tightened and a vein on his forehead pulsed. His hand squeezed her upper arm a little harder before he released her, a finger at a time.
“What were you thinking?” he asked.
“I was thinking that the sweetest woman I know is married to a damn predator. You know what’s worse? She probably thinks he’s just misunderstood.”
“Venn would never hurt Camryn. He loves her,” Rhine said.
She pointed her finger at his chest. “Look me in my eyes and tell me he’s not capable of extreme unremorseful violence.”
Suddenly a chime sounded. She looked around for the origin of the noise.
“It’s the door,” he said. “Enter.”
The door opened and Venn stepped into the room. Niki stepped back on the ball of one foot, and held her leg loosely in case she needed to kick out quickly. They both looked at her with narrowed eyes.
“You’re a spitfire, aren’t you?” Venn smiled, but it never touched his eyes.
Rhine moved closer to her and she realized he’d placed himself slightly in front of her.
“You’re my wife’s one weakness. We both know it. She wants you here. I want her to be happy. I won’t let anything interfere with her happiness. Or anyone.”
“Don’t threaten her, Venn,” Rhine said.
“I can speak for myself. I won’t believe a man has Cam’s best interest at heart until I see it for myself. If you know so much about us, then you know a man tried to get between us before.” She looked around. “I don’t see him anywhere, do you? When and if I discover you’re who’s best for her and you truly love her, I’ll back off. Until then, expect to find me questioning every move you make regarding her. I am her last family member. I may not be as big as you or as strong, but I will protect her with my last breath.”
It was a big speech she made and very likely a stupid one. He needed to know her sister wasn’t alone. If anything happened to Cam, she would make sure he paid for it.
“I see. I didn’t realize you cared for her. She doesn’t think you do,” he said softly.
It felt as though he punched her. She wasn’t quick enough to hide it. He watched her so closely he had to have caught the pain which lanced through her belly. Rhine reached back for her and she tried to evade his grasp, but as usual, he was too quick.
She held her free hand up to hold him off. If he tried to hold her, she was unsure what she would do.
She faced Venn again. “Screw you. You just keep her safe and treat her right and we won’t have any problems.”
“Niki,” Rhine began.
“No. I don’t need your sympathy.” When she pulled her arm away, he let her. She turned and walked away from them.
She heard arguing behind her, but didn’t turn. There was a bedroom at the rear of the chamber. She sat on the side of the bed and kicked off her shoes.
The chime sounded again and the men fell silent for a moment.
“Enter,” Rhine said.
She listened to the swish of the door, but didn’t look up.
“Venn, what are you doing here?” Camryn said. “Rhine. What’s going on between you two?”
“Everything is fine, sweet,” Venn said.
“Uh hmm. What’s wrong with Niki?”
“I’m fine, Cam. It’s the shoes. You know I feel more comfortable in boots or sneakers. My feet hurt.” She looked up and smiled.
Camryn held a red dress and a strawberry blonde woman behind her held a purple one. Camryn walked toward her.
“That’s okay. We’ll get the cobbler to make you some boots at least. We’ve brought you two choices for dinner tonight. They’re made for you, so if the last things fit, these should too,” Camryn said.
Niki focused behind her for a moment. The men were obviously tense. They whispered now, but it was a safe bet they still argued about her. Niki didn’t want Rhine to be at odds with the cousin who was kind to him when he was an abused little boy. She was going to have to be more careful how she showed her distrust of Venn.
She turned back to Camryn, who was watching her closely. “Who’s this?” She nodded at the other woman.
“This is Awya. She is my personal assistant and my friend,” Camryn said.
“I’m her lady’s maid, Mistress Niki.”
Niki could see the ease between the two women and admitted her jealousy to herself. She and Camryn had been close once.
“Will everyone be calling me Mistress Niki now?”
“Yes, don’t fi
ght it. Ordanians are very strict about certain things. You will just make them nervous and they will ignore you anyway,” Cam said. She didn’t seem bothered by it.
She watched the women hang the dresses in the closet.
Camryn moved back to her and leaned close. “I know I didn’t send any bras. Awya can measure you for them later. She doesn’t like to create them without the correct measurements,” she whispered.
“That’s fine.”
Camryn hugged her and Niki hugged her back a little tighter than necessary.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Camryn whispered. “Urge Rhine not to be late, will you.”
Niki nodded. Camryn walked over to the now silent men. She watched Camryn push and prod her husband out of the room. Awya followed.
She tensed as she waited for Rhine to come in and chastise her for being too aggressive. She’d ignore him, of course. She’d already promised herself she wouldn’t make waves for him with his cousin. If Venn wasn’t psychotic, one day she would be gone and he would still need to have a good relationship with the man.
She looked up when he stopped next to her. She couldn’t read his expression at all. He walked around her and sat closer to the headboard. Then he pulled her onto his lap and held her until she stopped struggling. She sighed. She thought she’d told him she didn’t need sympathy.
He adjusted so his back was against the headboard and he could stretch his legs out on the bed. He stroked her hair and kissed her hairline. Apparently he was a dirty fighter.
She was in no position to defend herself against comfort and patience. So she gave in. She allowed her body to relax into him. She tucked her legs between his powerful thighs and she used his scent to calm her nerves. He was better than lavender on a pillow.
It was times like these when she could almost forget he was capable of single-handedly killing an opponent in hand-to-hand combat. It was almost as if he was two people. Cold and unfeeling with others and warm and caring with her.
She was a different person with him as well. She’d never allowed anyone to hold her. When she’d had sexual relationships in the past, she’d had more of a grab your gratification and run mentality.
Rhine wanted to have conversations and lie around holding her. She bet if she let him, he’d hold her hand in public. She had to draw the line somewhere. Maybe hand holding in public would be the one thing she wouldn’t let him do to her. That certainly left a lot of room for mischief.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
She shrugged.
“We need to get dressed,” he said.
“Do you all really change your clothes for dinner?”
He nodded. She rolled her eyes and climbed off him.
He pulled her back. “If you need me tonight, just ask.”
She couldn’t be angry he thought she needed him. So far she hadn’t been very pulled together. It was nice to know he was there to help, though.
“I won’t need any help. Thank you for defending me to your cousin.”
“Anytime.”
Chapter Eight
He’d missed being home. They were all different at Huntu Keep. They laughed more and weren’t as careful about keeping their countenance neutral. They’d made light of their experiences on Tuetvon as they recounted events for Venn, Camryn and Hans. He couldn’t relax fully. He was too busy monitoring Niki.
She smiled and laughed, but there were moments when she would completely fall silent and tense up. And she watched her sister. Every interaction was analyzed. If Camryn frowned, Niki looked ready to pounce until she smiled again. While this made Rhine nervous, it calmed Venn considerably.
After dinner, Camryn led them into the Blue Room. He gave Niki a little more freedom by standing with Venn across the room from where she sat on a settee with Camryn, holding her hands.
“Relax, Rhine,” Venn said softly.
Rhine looked at him. “She’s not always predictable.”
“I’m just returning advice you offered me,” Venn replied.
“She hits and kicks when provoked,” he said.
“Will she hit Camryn?” Venn’s posture stiffened.
“Not likely. Bronwyn either. But you or I are possible targets.”
Venn smiled and relaxed. “She’s just one small woman.”
“Never underestimate her. She’s good. If she’d been born with the strength of an Ordanian woman, she would be a serious threat. I’d put my money on her against a non-hyper male or female.” His voice dripped with pride.
“Camryn also uses this tone when she speaks about her sister.” Venn replied.
Rhine watched as Camryn dragged Niki across the room to them.
“Dr. Falk can be here tomorrow to remove the brand after you fill out Niki’s emancipation papers,” Camryn said.
“I’m not freeing your sister, Camryn,” Rhine replied.
He stared at Niki, but kept part of his attention on her sister. Niki crossed her hands over her chest, but looked quite bored as she stared at him. Her sister, on the other hand, squeezed her eyebrows together until a line appeared between them and tightened her mouth.
“I don’t find that funny. I don’t believe it either. Especially not coming from you,” Camryn said.
Venn glared at him, but Rhine just raised his eyebrows. Surely, the man wasn’t going to be a hypocrite.
“Don’t worry about it, Cam. I don’t acknowledge his ownership, so why are you worried?” Niki said.
“I’m worried because if you try to go anywhere on your own, someone is just going to catch you and return you to him. And that’s if they’re nice. If they aren’t, they’ll take you and keep you for themselves or sell you. Did you enjoy the slave camp and hanging out naked, being gawked at by anyone who happened to pass by?” She whispered the words fiercely.
“Of course I didn’t enjoy it, Cam.”
“Venn, do something,” Camryn said. She held her hands clasped in front of her as she beseeched her husband.
“I could break his legs, but he would still own her and there isn’t anything I could do about it,” Venn told her.
“Break his legs?” Niki asked. She seemed a little shocked.
Camryn nodded. “While I don’t normally condone violence, on this occasion—”
“Cam!” Niki said.
“You’re not staying a slave and that’s final,” Camryn said.
“I’m afraid she is. Even broken legs won’t sway me,” Rhine said.
Camryn launched herself at him. Niki stepped in front of him, but Venn caught Camryn before she could wrap her hands around his throat. Niki immediately turned to him.
“Why are you making her angry on purpose? What are you doing?” she asked.
He shrugged and watched her closely. He didn’t even smile smugly because she’d stepped in front of him to save him from being assaulted by her sister.
Venn called his name to get his attention. “I’ll give you time, but get this worked out.” Then he tugged his wife from the room.
He could feel the eyes of the rest of his family on them, but he concentrated on Niki.
“Fine,” she said finally. “But let’s talk about this in private.
He led her back to his room and allowed her to precede him inside. She walked to the sitting area and perched on the edge of a cushioned armchair. He sat opposite her on the sofa and relaxed against the back.
“You want something in return for signing the emancipation papers. You know I don’t care how many deeds you hold because you aren’t my master. I do care that Camryn does and it hurts her. I do care that her husband is going to get pissed in direct proportion to how stressed she becomes about this situation. He would be the same guy who has the eyes of a killer and just matter-of-factly stated your limbs were optional. So let’s deal. What do you want?”
He didn’t say anything. After a few minutes, she raised her middle finger at him in what he assumed was a rude gesture and then she stood.
“I want your promise you wi
ll stay with me for the next year. We sleep in the same bed each night. If I have to travel and you can’t go, you stay with your sister until my return. At the end of the year, we reevaluate.” He hoped a year would be enough time for her to see she could be happy with him.
She sat back down. “You want me to commit to having sex with you for a year?”
“No, the commitment is living with me and sleeping in the same bed with me. If I can’t get you to want me, I don’t deserve to sink into your pussy.”
“There is something wrong with you,” she said.
“Do we have a deal?”
“What about A’Di?” she asked.
“I don’t want to sink into A’Di’s pussy.”
“Rhine.”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “That’s good to know. I meant, what will happen to her? Will you let her go free too?”
“She may not be as thrilled about it as you think,” he warned.
“I don’t care if she’s thrilled. Free her and let her make her own decisions about her life. Hell, maybe she would like to go back to her planet,” she said.
“Her planet is gone. A sun close to Rary went supernova.”
“Wow.”
“Even if I free her, I will still be responsible for her until she’s settled.”
“No, you think you will still be responsible for her, but I like that about you,” she said.
“What will you give me if I undertake the troublesome task of getting the Rarian settled?”
“I won’t try to crack the back of your thick skull in.”
She was a keeper. “I can keep you from doing so on my own.”
“What do you want?”
“More time.”
“How much more?” she asked.
“Seven months, and you must figure out what she wants to do once freed.”
“Man.” She sounded a bit plaintive. He tried not to take it personally.
“Do we have an agreement?” He stood.
“This isn’t one of those relationships where I have to be faithful and you get to bang anything with a hole, is it?”
She said some really alarming things sometimes. “Bang?”
“Sex. Fuck. Screw,” she said.
