by Marie Harte
Rafe answered, “A stubborn bastard who barely listens to anyone but you?”
“That’s one way of putting it.” Sernal sighed.
Temis wanted to help, to show she was a part of the team. “I could slip him the files and pass messages back and forth from you to him.”
“How do you intend to sneak him the case file when Rorn’s guards are right outside the cell? Even if you bring him the data chip and a device to play it on, Rorn’s monitoring cell activity,” Rafe said slowly, but she knew he was giving careful consideration to her idea.
“I stole into Gren’s room on Aflera.” She refused to meet Rafe’s eyes and tried to stifle the blush she could feel. “A harmless distraction in front of Rorn’s men and Rafe could be the one to pass Gren anything he needs.”
Rafe chuckled.
Sernal frowned. “Exactly how did you sneak past Rafe?”
“Trust me, Sernal, you had to be there.” Rafe grinned. “Let’s not waste too much time. If I know Gren, he’s already mending from his beating yesterday and frothing at the mouth to return said beating to Rorn’s peacemakers.”
Sernal nodded. “Good point. I’ll distract Rorn and call off our men watching Rorn’s guards. Rafe, you’ll have to tap into the vid feed for at least a full standard day. No, make it two. And make sure he gets not only the file, but an explanation for what happened yesterday.”
“Right.”
“Good luck. You’re going to need it.” Sernal scowled and left, ostensibly to find Rorn.
Rafe turned to her. “We don’t want Rorn to see Gren at all, especially not downloading files he shouldn’t have. Give me a few minutes to find the doctored vid I created yesterday.” He smiled with satisfaction.
“Had this planned all along, eh?”
“Sure, but it’s good to let big brother think he runs the show.”
She laughed.
“The vid should show Gren sleeping, with some generalised movements, spliced in with his annoying pacing from yesterday. I actually cut the feed last night. But don’t tell Sernal. With any luck Rorn’s men won’t suspect the vid’s been tampered with.”
“Last night?”
He cleared his throat, as if embarrassed. Then he gave her a strange look. “It’s better for all of us if Gren remains a mystery. Especially if you two end up sticking to the original plan and have to mingle with peacemakers who know your faces.” He tapped the data drive and the palm sized device next to him on the bed. “Now let’s coordinate our strategy, and fast. Sernal won’t have Rorn’s attention for too much longer before that drun demands access to Gren.”
She nodded. “I’m familiar with Rorn’s methods. He won’t be happy until he beats Gren to within an inch of his life, regardless of any knowledge Gren may or may not have.”
“Obviously you know him well,” Rafe muttered. “Now here’s what I think we should do…”
* * * *
Temis walked in front of Rafe, her hair in a loose braid that allowed wisps to frame her face, which, according to Rafe, made her look ‘sexy as all get out’. She wore a low-cut blouse and tight training pants, and had spritzed a small amount of Mardu pheromone before leaving her room. Rafe approved. He followed her with a tray of food concealing the data device he held underneath.
The guards stood in the hallway of Gren’s cell, arguing about the best Mardu brawlers sport team. Neither man had his weapon within easy reach, nor did they stand ready by Gren’s door. Instead they leaned lazily against the corridor bulkhead, their backs to her approach.
Temis was almost upon them when they finally glanced over to see her. Their eyes widened as they took in her appearance, and she wanted to smack them for falling for the oldest trick in the book.
“So, Temis,” the taller of the two said as he licked his lips. “It’s been a while.”
She squared her shoulders and subtly thrust her chest out, catching both men’s attention. “I haven’t seen any of you for months and thought we could catch up on the precinct news while my partner serves the prisoner his morning meal.”
They glanced at Rafe, saw the steaming food tray, and nodded.
“If you wanted to take a short break, you three could use the small conference room right next door,” Rafe offered. “That way if there’s any trouble, I can yell and you’ll hear me.”
The men looked doubtful, probably dreading the idea of Rorn finding them gone from their post. At least they had that much going for them. Temis took both guards by their arms and led them towards the room.
“Isn’t Rafe the greatest?” she fairly purred. “He knows just when a woman needs to catch up with old friends. So tell me how Gemma’s doing?”
She endured at least ten minutes of their clumsy attempts to make a date. Figuring Rafe had had enough time to speak to Gren, she gave her ‘friends’ a bright smile and stood.
“Jehn, Marn, it was great catching up with you. I’d love to stay longer.” She licked her lips, pretending a nervousness she didn’t feel. She hadn’t missed their reaction to her appeal, no doubt aided by the pheromone. “But I just remembered I’m supposed to report to Lead Sernal for the morning’s duty roster. I’m already late. Maybe later we can talk more, hmm?”
They readily agreed and escorted her from the room just in time to see Rafe leaving with an empty food tray.
He shook his head, his eyes burning with anger. “The idiot won’t say a word about the Melan rebellion. It’s going to take more of yesterday’s efforts to persuade him.”
Temis shrugged, her breasts tight against her too-small uniform shirt. “I told you he wouldn’t respond to a hot meal.”
Rafe nodded. ”I think you should talk to him.”
“Me?” She wondered why he’d changed the plan. What the hell had he and Gren spent the last ten minutes doing?
Marn surprised her by agreeing. “I bet he’d tell you anything you asked.” His gaze lingered on her chest. “We’ll wait out here while you interrogate him. Then when you have your answers, we’ll take them to Lead Rorn.”
“And Sernal,” Rafe reminded them.
“Sure, sure,” Jehn said.
“He’s bound and confined to the bed,” Rafe told her. “We’ve got him on vid in the control room, so if you have any problems at all, they’ll see it right away. And we’ll be right here for backup, in the event you need us.”
Temis wondered how Rafe intended to add her image to the false vid, especially since the timing of her visit wouldn’t mesh with reality. But he encouraged her to meet with Gren, so he couldn’t be too concerned with the control monitor.
“Okay, if you think it’ll help.” She took a deep breath and entered the cell, aware of Rafe and Rorn’s men eagerly awaiting her return. The metal door slid shut behind her, and she immediately sought Gren.
“Well, well,” Gren murmured. “Temis Freya.” His gaze roamed over her with an intensity that flustered her, and she had to work to remain still. “I like the outfit.”
She frowned. Rafe had said Gren was bound to the bed. But Gren only sat on the bed, his wrists chained to the floor by long, steel bonds. A small ‘x’ on the floor dictated the reach of said chains, and she positioned a nearby chair just beyond the mark.
He smiled but said nothing.
She noted his vitality, in sharp contrast with the heavy beating he’d sustained the day before. “Are you alright?”
“I look the picture of health, don’t I?” he asked in a flat voice as he held his arms up for her inspection. She saw no bruising on his face or the part of his chest exposed by his gaping shirt.
“Yes, you do.” Such power, such strength. She cleared her throat, annoyed she needed to before she spoke. “I trust Rafe explained everything?”
“He did.”
She lowered her voice. “You have the file.”
He patted his hip. “I do.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because my plan is much more solid than the one you peacemakers concocted.” He stood and
broke through both chains holding his wrists. The manacles slid along his thick forearms to the ground.
She blinked in amazement. “Gren?”
Had he really broken through Mardu steel? Rafe must have done something to his bonds. She tried to steady her racing heart.
He neared, towering over her with amusement lighting his eyes.
“Sura, it’s time to go.”
* * * *
Her eyes widened. Gren wondered if the endearment beckoned forth memories of last night. Then he wondered why he hoped it had.
“Sura?” Temis scowled. “What do you mean it’s time to go?”
He crossed his arms, aware of the surge of energy spiking his frame. The longer he stared at her, the more he recalled the feel of her silken skin, her taste, the experience of her spirit entwined with his. He could feel his erection growing and growled low in his throat.
Sexual attraction he understood. But his desire for this woman went beyond lust. His energy felt in tune with hers, a connection that was most unexpected and extremely unwelcome.
“Get up and follow my lead.”
Her eyes frosted over. He found her coolness as enticing as her sensuality. “I asked you a question, prisoner Gren. Kindly remember who’s in charge of this operation.”
He smiled, showing a lot of teeth. He watched her assume a position of readiness and wondered if she thought to fight with him in his cell. The thought stirred him more than it should. “You really are lovely under that arrogant cloak of warrior.”
She glared and clenched her fists.
“Relax, sura. Don’t fight me. I don’t have time to explain.” He grabbed her by the shirt collar and yanked her to his chest. One hand wrapped around her slim waist while the other tangled in her golden braid. He played until the braid unravelled, leaving silken tresses in his hand.
“Nice.” He knew he had little time for this.
She sputtered and squirmed to be free, her eyes now more violet than grey and filled with rage, and he couldn’t help himself.
He ravaged her mouth, taking her scream of protest away with a breath of desire. Her lips parted in a moan, of surprise or desire, it didn’t matter. He explored her soft lips, unable to resist plunging into the moist cavern, teasing her tongue with stroking motions.
After a short pause she melted against him, reacting to each sweep of his tongue with drugging passion. She moved closer to him of her own accord, her full breasts heavy with desire as she strained against his chest. Losing himself in her, it took all the strength he possessed to break from her mouth. Panting, he stared down at her eyes closed in surrender, at her mouth glistening with his taste.
Space and stars above, he shouldn’t have started this, but he couldn’t stop himself.
“On your knees, sura.”
She knelt, and he reminded himself he had to leave.
“What would you like most right now?”
He imaging her asking him to bring her to orgasm and prepared to do just that. He could get her off quickly and then they’d—
“I want to taste you.”
He shuddered but couldn’t deny her request, not when he wanted it with his every breath. Unfastening his trousers, he released his turgid length. “Go head. But hurry.”
She took him in her mouth, her eagerness at odds with her inexperience. The contrast drove him wild.
He gripped her head and began shoving between her lips with short, uneven jerks. Not enough to get the penetration he needed, but enough to use the sensation of her mouth for that ease he craved.
“So good,” he whispered as she sucked and licked him. “Your first taste of things to come,” he promised and tensed, feeling his end draw near all too soon. “Now open wider and get ready to swallow. That’s it. Good girl,” he moaned as he jetted into her mouth.
She swallowed and he encouraged her with a surge of power. The extent of energy flowing between them increased his influence.
“Enough. Come, sweet, we have to go,” he rasped, his voice echoing oddly in the small room. He withdrew from her mouth and tucked himself back into his trousers while she rose to her feet and licked her lips. To his shock, he realised he’d assumed complete control over her mind and body without trying, his Thesha skills taking charge of his rampant hormones.
When active, his Theshan powers controlled the female psyche. Gren normally worked to keep his abilities under control. Despite their power, or maybe because of it, most Thesha strove to allow those around them free will. Only when absolutely necessary did Gren manipulate minds. But with Temis, he’d inadvertently let go of his energy. As if his essence knew the woman was vital to his well-being, he sought to bend her to his will.
Even free of the powerful lust riding him, something within Gren refused to let go of her. With time running short, he decided the easiest course of action would be to take her with him in such a state—helpless to refuse and possibly hinder his movements.
“Open the door, as if nothing is wrong. I’ll be right behind you.” He couldn’t help studying the telltale arousal in her body. The tight nipples pressing her shirt, the scent of her need, a sultry perfume that enticed him to sample more. Her eyes were hazy with lust, a dark violet that seemed to glow when she looked at him.
Fuck, he wanted to take her right now, and to hell with the mission.
The door slid open under her nimble fingers, and he followed her into the corridor, startling Rafe and two guards out of a conversation.
Before one of the men could warn the others, Gren silenced him with a chop to the throat. In a blur of speed, he quickly set upon the other guard, paralyzing his vocal cords and movements with an exact strike to the neck.
“Sorry, Rafe, but it’s best this way,” Gren gruffly apologised before he attacked.
Stunned but too quick to take down easily, Rafe spun out of reach. “What the hell are you doing? You’re going to get killed.”
“No.” Gren lunged at Rafe again, this time bringing the man to his knees with a blow to his chest. “I’m escaping with a hostage in tow.” He turned to Temis. “Sura? Take care of him.”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed on Gren’s ‘hostage’. “When Sernal hears about this, you’re in big tr—” He stopped talking as his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
Temis released the pressure point on his arm and watched dispassionately as Rafe crumpled to the ground.
“Very nice, my fierce warrior.” Knowing he had little time before they were found, Gren prepared for exposure to more peacemakers. He patted the data chip in a side pocket, relieved to find it still there. Then he tore a few pieces of fabric from Temis’ blouse and bound her hands behind her. All the while, she remained docile under his touch.
He grabbed a phaser from one of the downed guards and set it to high stun, then placed Temis over his shoulder and made his way towards freedom. He stunned more than half a dozen peacemakers on his way to the shuttle docks, not surprised when the alarm sounded just as he reached the bay.
Thankfully, two shuttles sat unused at the dock. “Unlock it, sura.” He turned so she could reach the access panel and waited while she punched in the codes. Once inside, he settled Temis down and belted her into a seat. Adrenaline flowed through his system, the challenge, the near victory over the peacemakers like a drug stirring him into overdrive.
Activating the controls and opening Lady Justice’s outer doors, he manoeuvred around the shuttle in front of him and had just reached the ship’s outer hull when Sernal’s voice leeched through the voice communicator.
“Halt before I’m forced to shoot,” Sernal growled.
Gren couldn’t tell if Sernal’s anger benefited the men around him or if he truly was furious over Gren’s escape.
Knowing he’d be better off without further peacemaker interference, Gren ignored the command. “Shoot if you have to, but know you’ll be killing Peacemaker Temis Freya in the process.” He heard muttered cursing and grinned, knowing he’d put a major obstacle in his pursuers’ path.
Without further word he sped towards the hull, narrowly escaping as the outer doors to Lady Justice closed behind him.
He set course for Nebe6, knowing he’d never reach the planet but certain once he neared the system’s central asteroid cluster, he could lose the peacemakers sure to dog his trail.
Sure enough, not one third of the way towards the cluster he noted four fighters speeding after him. He didn’t worry about Sernal’s peacemakers overtaking him. But if the pilots belonged to Rorn, they might not care so much about Temis’ welfare.
For the next few hours he dodged and wove past several cargo ships and Ragga’s smallest moon before he made it to the most dangerous part of his route—the system’s central asteroid band. Having used such an escape route before, Gren managed to lose his pursuers halfway through the static maze. He hoped, for Sernal’s sake, that any decent lawmen escaped harm in the lethal labyrinth of asteroids that were home to many of the system’s most dangerous criminals.
Nonetheless, he allowed himself a breath of relief once he lost those following him and landed in a cavern on one of the smaller asteroids, an excellent hiding spot he’d used before.
Once the shuttle stabilised on the surface, he left the controls to check on Temis.
“You fregnali bastard,” Temis swore through clenched teeth, her hands still bound behind her back as she struggled for freedom. “When I get out of these bonds you’re going straight back to Lady Justice!”
Gren stared at her in bemusement. She should still have been under his influence, but apparently the warrior within her refused to be quelled for too long. Little did she know her contrary nature and inner strength made her that much more enticing.
Her shirt, ripped in places and tattered, bared more of her breasts than it covered, and his cock hardened at the sight of her nipples. Oblivious, she continued to curse him as she fought her confinement.
“Temis.” Gren cleared his throat and frowned at his lack of control. “Have you not thought how opportune this is to the mission?”
Her struggles slowed.
