Glendar (The Mating Games Book 3)

by Catty Diva

  “No, Glendar needed to get to work as early as possible.”

  “I’m glad, I’ll show you how to cook a traditional Mazlan breakfast.” She began to pull supplies out for the meal.

  “I’ve not had much time to learn about your world. You are called Mazlans because that was your planet of origin, but why didn’t you change that when your planet was destroyed?”

  “Sweet Bernie, the young just don’t understand the connection us older folk have to the planet we were born on and that countless generations lived and died on. It is from Mazlan that all our history, our traditions, and our very way of life came from. That way of life is changing and someday the young people my no longer feel such a strong connection to something that is no longer there, but every time I think of Mazlan, her people and her lands, I feel a strong ache from the loss but also a strong love from the memories.”

  “That is absolutely beautiful. On my planet you would be a poet who travels around to inspire the rich and poor alike.”

  “We have something like that ourselves. Most large towns have a place where the citizens gather and singers, dancers, musicians, and even storytellers come and entertain for a free meal and a few coins. There are even locals who do so.”

  They were so deep in their conversation they didn’t hear any odd noises. Even if they had, they would have thought it Lista or Tammie, both were due to arrive any time now. When the door was knocked right off its hinges they turned to glance at each other before they both grabbed up items. Mom grabbed a rolling pin and Bernie grabbed a frying pan then they ran into the living room where a group of large well-muscled men stared at them.

  “What are you doing in my house?” Mom asked them.

  “We are here for her.” He said pointing at Bernie.

  “You can’t have her. She’s my son’s mate.”

  “We have a contract and we must take her back to Earth 2. I’m sorry.” He said as he pulled the top off something he carried and pulled a mask over his face. The rolling pin flew through the air and he moved but it still caught a glancing blow off his shoulder. Damn, that was going to leave a bruise.

  Mom fell before Bernie who threw her frying pan after she saw Mom throw her rolling pin. She nailed one of the guy’s in the head and he dropped. Score! If she was going down, at least someone went with her. For some reason she was down but not completely out. She watched unable to protest as they laid Mom on the couch. Bernie prayed these were professionals and that they didn’t have any evil intent.

  They seemed to be alright because they left Mom unmolested on the couch. Now they turned to her and they stood around her in a circle. One of them rubbed his head.

  “Damn she nailed Brutus.” The guy talking chuckled and the guy rubbing his head swatted at him. “Not my fault you’re slow, old man.” Bernie figured that must be Brutus.

  “An alarm went off, we need to roll. Everyone make sure you’ve got all your gear on you.” The guy who seemed to be in charge was giving out instructions. They all patted themselves down and sounded off an affirmative one at a time.

  The guys looked familiar and when she realized who they were dread filled her stomach. These were the mercenaries her pa hired. They ran some kind of security firm now but in her mind they would always be mercenaries. Never had she met them, her pa never introduced his daughters to anyone. He was too embarrassed that he had daughters and not sons. No, she’d just seen them when they’d talked to her pa at the store or in one of his other businesses where she’d worked.

  She hadn’t expected her pa to come right out and attack the leaders of another planet just to get her back so he could get mere coins for her. None of the men who’d showed interest had any real money. Picking a fight with Glendar and his family was a dumb move for her pa to make. Two of the mercs knelt down to grab her by her shoulders and her ankles. They picked her up swinging her between them like the kill from a hunt. It made her dizzy and she found herself trying to keep the contents of her stomach intact.

  They carried her out to a small space ship. It was a carrier made for a dozen people and their gear. They were used for the things her planet used large vans or caravans of animals for. These mercs were pulling down some big scores to afford all the best of everything. Her pa had done them no favors pulling them into this. Glendar would want blood, Bernie was sure of it. They laid her in the back on a bench seat and strapped her in which turned out to be a good thing when the driver floored it and she started to roll.

  The crew was talking and most of it sounded like the buzzing of insects but she heard the two guys nearest her worrying over the job.

  “Just seems like something is off. That Smith guy isn’t trustworthy. Funny she turned up cooking of all things in one of the nicest houses on the planet.” The blond guy said.

  “I know man, but he’s given us a lot of business and while a few jobs have been iffy, they’ve always checked out.” The guy answering looked like he was a ginger.

  “Just saying I hope Cash checks this one out real careful before he turns the girl over. She don’t look like no criminal.”

  “Cash ain’t nobody’s fool. He’ll check it all out and if it ain’t good, he’ll fix things.”

  Oh God, Bernie sincerely hoped what she was hearing was true.

  Chapter 6

  Got to Find Her

  How could everything go from damn near perfect to lousy in mere hours? He’d answered his com and his mom had been in hysterics screaming that Bernie was gone. Seeing no way to make any sense out of things from at the office, he’d left his assistant in charge and headed to his mom’s house. The ragged edges of the door that had been violently removed from its hinges began the story of what had transpired there.

  Hurrying to his mom he pulled her into his arms and just held her firmly and with all the love he had for her. Thank the goddess at least she hadn’t been harmed. Before they’d even had a chance to talk, Razar and Lista came in with shocked looks on their faces.

  “What happened?” Razar asked.

  “I don’t know yet but Bernie is gone. Come on, Mom, let’s sit down and we can talk.” Glendar pulled her down by him and he gently rubbed her back. “It’s okay Mom. We’ll fix this just you wait and see.”

  His mom took an unsteady breath and began to talk. “We were having a great time and I was teaching her to fix breakfast. She’s such a good girl and was learning so fast. Our attention was on what we were doing and we didn’t know they were here until they broke in the door. I grabbed a rolling pin and she got a frying pan.” Even as disturbed as she was a grin passed over her lips and then it was gone. “They were big, strong guys like you boys are. They were clean, dressed in new clothes, tactical suits and gear that were all black.”

  Glendar and Razar exchanged looks. About that time Travlr and Tammie came in and a brief explanation had to be given again. “It’s her father, isn’t it?” Travlr asked.

  “We think so but proving it will be hard unless we find the men sent after her.” Razar said.

  “I think it’s that security group that landed yesterday.” Razar said. “They didn’t have a clear reason to be here. The leader said he was just looking to drum up possible future business.”

  “If they’re involved in this either they don’t know the truth or they have a death wish.” Glendar said.

  “Where would they be right now?” Travlr questioned.

  “They didn’t give us a specific location. They have a ship at the port that they were planning to stay on. I’ll com our security so they don’t leave without being searched.” Razar assured as he pulled his com out and contacted the necessary officials.

  Glendar’s head ached and his demon wanted out. It was possible his demon might find his mate but he might also tear a swathe through those who had taken her and killing a large group of people wasn’t his first choice in handling the situation. On the other hand he couldn’t allow then to escape with her either. Razar’s com rang and he spoke to his head of security. Glendar’s
excellent hearing made out almost every word. They had a location for the small spaceship the security group was traveling around the area in and would be getting updates if it moved.

  The three brothers hurried to one of the hover cars. The ship was currently parked at a location about an hour away from them. Razar drove and Glendar had claimed the passenger seat leaving a disgruntled Travlr stuck in the back. This was a matter of importance to the whole family and they all wanted to be involved in resolving it. Those men had sedated their mother and stolen Glendar’s mate to send back to her slimy father. Once they proved that, Smith would be forced to make concessions or face galactic law.

  If his mate was harmed in any way, Smith might not survive the confrontation that was headed his way. The bounty hunting security team wouldn’t either. They had come to their planet and fucked with them. He had once thought no one was stupid enough to mess with them or their planet. It was true that no one knew they were demons for sure, but the rumors never died and there was always someone spreading the story. Those people just never had indisputable proof and one or two people’s word just wasn’t enough. Especially when proof of a drug problem or alcohol addiction always seemed to come to light.

  They didn’t talk much as they grew steadily closer to their target. “How do we want to handle this?” Travlr asked leaning forward from the back.

  “We’ll just drop in for a friendly visit and if we don’t scent her, we’ll move on. If we do, we’ll get her back and they won’t stop us.” Razar vowed.

  The targeted location was drawing near and Glendar felt a tightly coiled dread in stomach and knew he felt fear for the first time in his life He loved his little human and he couldn’t lose her. His demon was close to the surface ready to pop out at the slightest provocation. That didn’t enhance the situation and he wasn’t sure he could hold back if they discovered she was there or even had been there.

  Razar pulled up near a spaceship. It was a small planet hopper the farms owned several so they were familiar to him. It could hold up to fifteen passengers but it wasn’t really made for living in. That would explain the tents in back that came into view as they walked closer. Razar held out an arm to stop him. “Follow my lead, Brother. If she’s here, we will get her back but we need them alive.” He nodded, his throat too dry for him to speak.

  They continued closer and the scent of humans and some of mixed blood hit them. Once they sifted through the scents Bernie’s jumped out at him. His mate was here and from her scent thankfully unharmed. There was no controlling his demon. He could feel his skin grow tight and a slight burn rushed through him. His fangs burst out of his gums and his claws popped out on top of his usual nails. Already tall he was now at least a foot taller, much broader, and his skin turned an amethyst that matched his mating mark. He could feel the small nubs on his forehead, they were the remnants of the horns ancient demons had worn with pride. There were many myths about how they had lost them, but no one knew for sure.

  All this took place in a matter of seconds, and once it was done he leaped forward ready to reclaim his special one. A roar, scary and deep, came from his throat. It was instinct not any conscious thought that called it forth. He tore through the camp finally reaching the last tent which was the one that contained his mate.

  Jumping through the open flap, his wild eyes searched for her. She sat calmly in the chair looking at him. “Glendar?” She gasp in recognition.

  How had she recognized him? It must be the mating bond. A merc sat in a chair across from her looking at him warily. “You know him, Bernie?”

  Glendar growled at the familiarity the male showed to his mate. He was considering twisting his head off when Razar came into the tent and squeezed his arm to let him know he was there. “What are you doing here, Cash?” Razar ask the merc.

  “It seems I’m here getting into a lot of trouble because I was lied to. I’m sorry I ever came here, believe me.” Cash vowed as he ran his hands through his hair roughly.

  Glendar recognized it as a sign of agitation. This man was nervous and he expected to be punished. His demon dismissed the man as Razar’s problem and he moved over to his mate. Bernie stood and moved right up to him and stroked his arm in a calming fashion. He made a noise almost like a whimper which embarrassed him because Razar and Cash both looked at him in surprise. What was wrong with responding to his female? Her touch was heavenly. His demon slowly backed off until he turned back into himself.

  “Oh, my God, Glendar! You’re back to your other self.” Bernie said as she threw herself into his arms.

  “It’s time to come clean completely!” Razar said as he stared at Cash.

  Cash sighed. “Yeah, I know. Let’s all sit down and talk this out.”

  Glendar sat next to his mate, Cash sat across from them and Razar was on Glendar’s left. A few of Cash’s men and one woman made it in to sit on the floor around them. They may have been there for moral support, curiosity, or to follow whatever orders Cash might give even if it as suicide. Glendar suppressed the growl that threatened to rise.

  With Razar staring at him expectantly, Cash cleared his throat. “You may or may not be aware that when I and my associates started out, it was on Earth 2.”

  “I had heard but I didn’t know.” Razar admitted.

  “We had a hard time but found a niche doing enforcement for the government. Some of the jobs were questionable, but they never crossed the line this job did. As far as I knew, Smith never lied although he was the king of leaving out information. Our business grew and soon we were on several planets and eventually many. Our old attachments were never left behind completely, loyalty and all that. Smith hadn’t approached us in weeks. He came to us with a strong need. A female had escaped into the mating games program and she was a black widow.”

  “What is that?”

  “It’s a term from a spider of Earth that eats its mate. He meant to imply I was dangerous to whatever male I mated.” Bernie explained. Glendar snorted.

  “Yes, well I had no way of knowing he was lying. He said it needed to be carefully handled so there would be no political fallout. Honestly, I was questioning her and checking up on Smith’s story. She would never have gone to Smith. We have our honor and there are lines we will never cross.”

  “So why wasn’t she on her way home?”

  “Our conversation just wrapped up and I checked on the information she had given me to make sure she was being honest. I’ll admit I was appalled when I found out that he was her father and wanted to sell her to some local male. That was when I came here to her only to find out she was mated into the leading family of Oisin. All I was trying to do at this point was figure out how to get her home to her mate as quickly as possible with as few repercussions. Cash held his hands up palm out. He wasn’t giving up and he wasn’t scared, he just knew he was wrong and willing to admit it.

  This big badass merc was willing to accept his punishment for the fuck up that was this mission. Glendar admired that. He still wanted to twist his head off for what he’d put his mom and mate through not to mention the worst day he and his brothers had had. Of course he knew he couldn’t and if he tried, Razar would stop him. Razar was acquainted with this man and he respected him. Glendar appreciated that he wasn’t a whiner and he stood up like a man taking responsibility for his action.

  “I’m glad to see Bernie is unharmed and my mother was more pissed than harmed. Of course I can’t just let this go without some kind of fine. Soon, I think Glendar may need a big favor and it is in along the line of the work you usually do. It won’t be illegal and it will be on the moral high ground, we would ask nothing less of ourselves or you. Will you agree to do this favor and make it your priority?”

  “I will.” Cash said and Glendar almost laughed at the relief on the big guy’s face. Right now his mind was so befuddled he had no idea what Razar was alluding to. All he wanted to do was go home and bury himself in his mate. He would worry about all the details and deals in the morning.

/>   Glendar picked up his mate and carried her to the car leaving Razar and Travlr to finish up and follow. His female felt wonderful in his arms and her scent tickled his nose. It was slightly different and he wondered if fear over what she’d been through had caused it. Placing her in the back seat of the hover car, he slid in and pressed against her. His body ached to just take her but now wasn’t the time.

  It pained him to wait until they got home but he knew he had to. He cuddled her into his arms and just enjoyed the warm and the sense of belonging he felt there. Almost asleep, he heard the sounds of his brothers approaching. Travlr was glad to claim the front seat and his demeanor was much improved. Glendar just felt surrounded by love as they headed toward his house first.

  “Have you given any thought to what we might need Cash for?” Razar asked.

  “No, I’m too relieved to have my mate back.”

  “Smith has caused us much difficulty but now that we have proof, he can be forced to give us at least a few of Bernie’s siblings. I am almost positive he will deal dirty with us and Cash will have to go in and extricate one or more of them. Bernie’s father is hard to like.” Razar expressed and he had an art for understatement.

  It made him happy Razar was here and able to think clearly about the situation. Bernie would be happy with each sibling she was able to claim and offer a true home. Since he wanted nothing more than to make her happy, he would call in this favor when not if it was needed. The next step would be to force her father to give up some of the children. One of his brothers, probably Stevr would lower the hammer on the foolish human male who didn’t appreciate his daughters as he should. On Oison, they would grow up happy and well loved.

  “Do you think you can really make him give me some of my sisters?” Bernie whispered in his ear and he heard the hope in her voice.

  “I do and we will push for all we can get from him.” He didn’t mention it would also pave the way for their deal to get more mates for their males. She might not like that they were doing that too.