by S. K. Yule
He snorted. “I do, do I? And I suppose the computer said how upstanding the Enforcers are too, huh?”
Something deep inside her screamed in denial. This man had been kind to her. The others had been kind to her. Yes, he was rough, crude at times, fierce, but he’d taken care of her and Molly and never asked for anything in return.
She didn’t know what to think. He came toward her, and she scooted farther onto the cushions. The anger that crossed his face scared her, but the pain that filled his eyes made her heart ache.
“Don’t worry. I won’t touch you again,” he said through gritted teeth before he picked his shirt up and yanked it over his head with agitated jerks of his fingers. He turned and started for the door.
Instantly, she knew she’d made a mistake. She’d hurt the one man who’d been responsible for rescuing her and Molly, the man who’d made sure Molly had been saved. The man who’d shown her kindness. The man who made her burn. He’d probably never forgive her for it, and she wouldn’t blame him.
“Bayden.” She scrambled after him. When he plucked his hand back from the key pad and straightened, she held her breath.
He kept his back to her but turned his head. A small muscle ticced in his jaw. “Forget it.”
“But—”
“Don’t!” He turned on her so quickly she nearly fell backward. “I thought you were different. My entire life, everyone’s judged me because of who my parents were, or who I was working for, or how I looked at them. No one’s ever once looked at me and seen me. I’m tired, and I was right. You’re too good for me.”
He walked out the door before she could say another word to him, and tears streaked her cheeks in hot rivulets of sorrow. He’d opened up to her, tried to show her his true self, and she’d thrown it in his face. How could I have hurt him like that? The hollow resolve on his face as he’d spoken made her realize he’d just shut her out. He might still want her, but he’d never open himself up again. Unless she could find a way to prove to him that she could be trusted with his feelings…with him.
I’ll find a way to make you trust me, Bayden.
If she couldn’t? Then she’d give him the kindness and trust he deserved and craved.
* * * *
He kicked the punching bag until his legs ached. You’re such a fucked-up bastard. Against his instincts, he’d opened his heart to Ellie, and she’d trampled it. How could she think that he’d done the things that damn computer accused him of? Hadn’t he taken care of her and Molly as he’d promised? Hadn’t he given them a safe place to live? Was that the act of a rapist? A murderer? He punched the bag several times.
It didn’t matter what he did. He could save a whole family. They’d act kind, humble, grateful, but if one word was whispered about him being a Reaper, the tides would change in an instant. First, he’d been a bastard not good enough to have a loving family, not good enough to deserve basic, decent treatment. He’d been beaten simply for being born. He wondered if Ellie had noticed any of the scars that lay under the tattoo on his back.
Probably not. She’d been too focused on labeling him someone he wasn’t. When he’d run away at fifteen to become an Enforcer, he’d thought his life couldn’t get any worse. He’d been wrong about that too.
When he and Conlan finally fled Koryan, they’d barely escaped with their lives. Shortly after, they met Stryder and formed the Reapers. All of them had vowed to restore peace among the planets. Every mission they carried out aided those in need or helped strengthen their forces against Koryan.
Mykal had eventually found out about the Reapers and what they were doing. He’d used his network of loyal followers to spread poisonous rumors about the Reapers. Fortunately, the king didn’t know who the members of their group were or the location of their compound. Even as brazen as Mykal was, not many would risk pissing off Ryonians.
His muscles ached, and sweat poured down his chest and dripped from his hair. He’d shut himself off from everyone so he’d never be hurt again…until Ellie. He’d been an idiot.
See, boy. I told you you were going to get screwed again. When she’d accused him of being a murderer, a rapist, his heart had shattered. He’d never be stupid enough to allow someone to hurt him like that again. But her hands had been magical on him. Even now, while his anger burned, the mere thought of her fingers running along his skin, her mouth on his…
Stop it! She’s just like the rest.
He sighed. This was the first time in his life since he’d been a boy that he wanted to give in and have a good cry. He wouldn’t, but the misery that slithered through him was almost crippling. Fuck this. I don’t need her. With an unbreakable resolve, he went to his room to take a shower.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, a persistent tapping on the door woke Ellie. She padded by the couch and a dozing Molly who’d fallen asleep on it last night. When she answered the door, she was surprised to see Sarek on the other side. “I’m happy to see you.” She gave him a quick hug. “What’s wrong?”
This was the first she’d seen of him since the day she’d been attacked. While she hadn’t been worried anything dire had happened to Sarek, she’d begun to wonder if he’d been sent packing.
He shrugged. “I’m okay. Don’t worry. Just got a good ass kicking. A verbal one, I mean.”
“Oh. Sarek, I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
“It’s done and over. My irresponsibility nearly got you killed, could’ve gotten Molly killed. Actually, I deserved more. I got off lucky.”
“Molly’s been bugging me to go back to the lab and help you, but…”
“She’s a good kid. I enjoy her helping out. She’s smart. She’s interested in science and nature.”
“I’m glad she found a hobby that she not only enjoys but can learn from,” Ellie said. “Thank you for teaching her.”
“It’s no problem. Anyway, I came to ask if you were going to Earth with us.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Earth?” She furrowed her brows. “I didn’t know you were going again.”
“Damn it.” He frowned. “The first thing I do after getting in trouble is get myself in more trouble.” He started to leave, but she caught him by the arm, and he turned to her again.
“Why are you going back?”
His face turned a shade of deep purple, which she assumed was a blush for him. “We’re going back to get samples from the meteorite. I tracked it for a long time before it hit Earth. I believe part of its makeup is a mineral called satersine. Satersine can be used as a fuel source. I think if I can get enough samples, I might be able to duplicate it.”
“What does this mineral look like?”
“Dark blue, sparkly, kind of like what you know as a sapphire.”
“Is this stuff only found on meteors?”
“It’s found in space debris containing the right properties. It has to be a perfect mix of rock and metal. The only way to completely explain it to you would take hours and get very technical. Let’s just say that it’s kind of similar to how diamonds are made. Only in space. And—”
“I get it.” She laughed. “So you’re going to the crater?”
“Close to. There should be plenty of debris all around it. Hell, there is probably debris scattered for miles and miles. Once that baby started burning through the atmosphere, it was debris city. It’ll be easiest to go to the source, though. Anyway, I’ve calculated a somewhat safe spot to land. We’ll have to do some walking, but it’ll be worth it.”
“A somewhat safe place?”
“Yeah. The earthquakes are finally starting to let up. It was a shame the fault lines were affected that way. The damage to your country would’ve been much less severe. It was quite a rare occurrence. That’s why we had to wait so long to go get samples. We couldn’t risk our ship or us being swallowed by the ground.”
A shiver of anxiety slithered through her spine. She needed to go back, needed to see if there was a chance for her and Molly to return. She
crossed her arms over her chest. “I want to go with you.”
“Um, I don’t know. I can’t make that decision. You’re going to have to talk to Bayden.”
“Fine. Tell him I need to talk to him.”
Sarek inclined his head. “I’ll tell him.”
“I’ll send Molly to see you as soon as she wakes.”
His smile returned. “Thanks! I’m so happy she’s well now.”
“Me too.”
* * * *
Ellie had cooked Molly a late breakfast, which she barely touched after she found out she was going to get to go back to the lab and work with Sarek. Ellie’d just seen her off and finished cleaning up the dishes when a soft tapping came at her door.
She pushed the buttons, and it slid open. Bayden stood on the other side, and her breath lodged in her throat. His face was impassive, and his lavender eyes stared straight through her. He looked tired, but even that couldn’t detract from his sexiness.
“We need to talk.” His deep, low voice washed through her as if she’d been submerged in a hot spring.
“Come in.” She watched the indecision play across his features before he finally stepped inside. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No. You know what I want.”
Heat flooded her body with need. “I do?”
“Sarek told me you wanted to come to Earth with us.”
Of course! He didn’t come here to throw you down and ravish you. “Yes.”
He inclined his head. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I don’t care. I need to go back.”
“Why?”
“I can’t explain it. I just need to.”
“Do you realize how important this mission is?” He leveled a stare at her that made her shiver.
“I understand only what Sarek told me, but no, I can’t pretend to comprehend the full importance of it since I don’t know any details.”
“This could mean the difference of life and death for thousands.”
“Bayden, I need to go. Please.”
“No. It’s too dangerous.”
“You’re not my mother. I thought we agreed to treat one another like adults? I can make my own decisions.”
“What about Molly?”
Damn it. He has a point. Ellie wouldn’t allow Molly to go back unless it was safe. “Is everyone going on this mission?”
He waited several second and finally answered. “No.”
“You were thinking about lying, weren’t you?”
“Maybe, but I didn’t.”
“Who’s staying behind?”
“Rohoman.”
She’d only met Stryder’s brother once. He kept to himself and wasn’t quite as scary as his sibling. “Can he be trusted with Molly?”
“You can trust any of my team to protect Molly with their lives.”
“Then it’s settled.”
He took a step closer. “I really don’t want you to go.” His voice deepened.
“But you’ll still let me?”
His face flushed. “If you insist.”
“Oh I do. Now, please tell me about the Reapers.”
“Why? You seem to know all about us.” His gaze raked her as though he was disgusted with the conversation…or her.
“No. I don’t. I only know what little I read. When I saw the tattoo on your back… It caught me off guard. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“Don’t worry about it. After all, we all know everything from the media is the truth.”
“Bayden, please talk to me.” She swore she saw regret sparkle in his eyes. She’d hurt him, and he wasn’t going to give in without a fight…if at all.
“What do you want me to tell you, Ellie? That we’re murderers? Rapists? How about that we eat women and children for dinner?”
She shook her head. “Stop it. I know you don’t do any of those things.”
He grunted. “You could’ve fooled me.”
“I made a mistake. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“To hurt me, you’d have to mean something to me. You don’t.”
His harsh words unleashed the tears, and she swiped at them. Her heart squeezed, causing a dull ache in her chest. “Oh.”
“We’re leaving in an hour.”
She watched him leave before sagging to the sofa. What had she done? More importantly, what had been done to him to make him react that harshly to her? Yes, she’d made a horrible mistake, but why couldn’t he forgive her? She was going to find out. She’d figure out a way to get through to him…somehow.
* * * *
He was such an ass. He’d nearly cracked when he’d seen the tears spill down Ellie’s cheeks. He’d made her cry, and while he’d never forgive himself for doing so, he’d do it again if it kept her away from him. He’d meant it when he said she was too good for the likes of him. She was the kindest, most giving, unselfish person he’d ever met. Bayden knew she was also the one person in existence who had the ability to destroy him.
Yet, he still wanted her. If he gave in and believed in something like love, took a chance and grasped it, it’d eventually bite him in the ass. One day, Ellie would realize that she deserved more, and by then, he’d never want to give her up. He couldn’t do that to her or himself. Hardening his resolve, he went to prepare for the trip to Earth.
* * * *
An hour later she stood with Sarek. He had a small lab on the ship, and she’d chosen to spend time with him rather than be stuck alone in her room. It was her first time flying without sedation, and she was nervous. She stared at him. By the look of his pale face, she didn’t think she was the only one. “You don’t like to fly?”
“No. I usually get sick. I know how to fly the ship, but I haven’t had much practice. All of the members of our team have to be able to pilot the ship.”
“Why?”
“If we go out on a mission, and only one of us comes back physically able to fly… It wouldn’t help anyone if that person couldn’t operate the ship.”
“I guess I can see the logic in that.” When his hands began to shake, she figured she should change the subject. “Tell me about Bayden.”
He cocked his head. “Tell you what about him exactly?”
“How did you meet him?”
“He rescued me from the streets. My parents died when I was young. When I was sent to an orphanage, everyone there decided I was to be used as a punching bag, among other things.” He shrugged his shoulders. “As I didn’t have anywhere else to go, I found ways to cope. When I turned seventeen, they threw me out. It wasn’t long after that when Bayden found me. He brushed me off, gave me a much-needed kick in the pants, and brought me to the compound.”
“What about the others?”
“What about them?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but they all seem—”
“Scary? On edge? Wound tight?” Sarek laughed. “That’s what happens when you’ve lived a completely fucked-up life.” He caught his breath. “Oh sorry for the language.”
She smiled. “Thank you but don’t worry about it. Was Bayden an orphan too?”
“He could’ve only been so lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“Bayden was bastard born to a Koryan father and an Algorian mother. Breeding with other races is forbidden on Koryan.”
“Why?”
“Didn’t your Earth have discrimination?”
A knot formed in her throat, making it hard for her to swallow. “Yes, unfortunately.”
“I suspect it’s a bit of that and possibly partly due to the king’s thinking that everyone else is inferior to Koryanians.”
She was beginning to imagine Mykal as Hitler reborn. “Oh.”
“After Bayden’s birth, his father was imprisoned, where he eventually died, and his mother was deported back to Algorian. That’s the reason he has all the features of a Koryanian, but the eyes of an Algorian.”
“He never met his mother?”
“No. His fost
er family abused him, and he finally ran away and joined the Enforcers. They treated him worse than the foster home. When Bayden worked his way up the ranks so quickly, the king was impressed. Bayden became one of Mykal’s best soldiers, and they soon became friends. Unfortunately, something changed Mykal, and he became corrupt and greedy. Bayden found out that his team had been carrying out missions against innocent people. From then on, he and Conlan—who’s a childhood friend and ex-Enforcer too—helped anyone they could.”
The sting of bile burned a path through the middle of her chest. She couldn’t imagine the level of grief and guilt Bayden must’ve endured when he found out he’d killed innocent people.
“Once Mykal became suspicious, he tried to remove the threat. The king passed some bogus laws and tried to have Bayden executed on charges of treason. He and Conlan fled. One by one, we found each other and formed the Reapers. We help those in need. We’re dropping off a shipment of supplies to Cerbys on our way to Earth.”
A dull ache made her temple throb. She’d grossly misjudged Bayden, and the others for that matter. The Reapers weren’t the villains. The “upstanding” Enforcers were. “Are you all from different planets?”
“Conlan’s Koryanian. I’m Meconian. Thad’s Cerbyan, and Stryder and Rohoman are Ryonian. So, yeah. I guess we’ve got them all covered.”
“Has Bayden ever had a woman in his life?”
Sarek looked at her as though she’d sprouted horns. “Like a relationship?”
“Well, I’m not asking you if he’s had sex partners. Of course, like a relationship.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Why?”
“He’s had a past flooded with dishonesty and deception. So have the rest of the Reapers. Pretty much every time any of them have cared for someone, they’ve been betrayed. Trust doesn’t come easy. And no matter how good a man may be, once scars from the past go too deep, he has trouble seeing that he’s good.”
“You don’t seem like that.”
“I was pulled out of my situation a lot sooner than the rest of the guys. I’ve learned, but don’t think I come without any hang-ups. Bayden and the others though…” He shook his head. “I mean imagine if your whole life everyone had stabbed you in the back. Everyone told you that you were worthless. Everyone judged you by your looks or reputation without getting to know you. You’d get pretty defensive and cranky too, wouldn’t you?
