Galactic Gladiators Box Set 3

by Anna Hackett

  Spotting a bowl of tiny, bright-purple fruit, she snatched one up and took a bite. Mmm, braxha were tart and delicious.

  “I don’t tolerate thieves in my kitchen.”

  The grumpy, high-pitched voice made her spin and swallow a smile.

  Chef Derol stood nearby, glaring at her. He held himself like the master of his domain, chin lifted. Despite his silver-gray skin, bald head, and long, painfully thin body, he wouldn’t have been out of place in a posh French restaurant with his attitude.

  “Derol, a pleasure to see you.”

  “Chef Derol, Dayna Caplan.”

  She smiled. “Having a good day?”

  “I have several hundred mouths to feed, most who will mindlessly shove my creations in their mouths as they gamble.” He held up an imperious hand. “They will not appreciate the skill, the talent, and the mastery of the delicacies that they are eating.”

  “You’re such a humble guy, Chef. It was the first thing I noticed about you.”

  His eyes narrowed. “And you are a respectful, reserved woman. It was the first thing I noticed about you.”

  She almost laughed. She wasn’t sure how this daily exchange of barbs had started, but it was one of the highlights of her existence right now. “Ooh, good one.” She leaned against one of the benches. “How long have you been saving that one?”

  “A few days.” He snatched the fruit from her hand.

  “Hey!”

  “That braxha isn’t ripe.” He sniffed and handed over a larger green fruit that had been partially hollowed out and filled with…something yellow. “Try this.”

  When in Rome. She prayed the man wasn’t trying to poison her. She took a bite and her eyes widened. She chewed and swallowed. Oh, God, it was the most delicious thing she’d ever eaten. Derol was watching her expectantly.

  She took another bite. “It’s okay.”

  Derol’s eyes narrowed and his lips twitched. She was pretty sure the man was trying not to laugh. “You are an unrefined pain.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Rillian requested I make it for you.”

  Oh? She took another bite of the luscious fruit, her mind once again turning to the man she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about.

  Suddenly, the chef looked past her and straightened. She heard the chatter in the kitchen decrease. She sensed him coming, so didn’t need to look.

  “Rillian.” Derol sketched a small bow.

  Dayna fought not to roll her eyes, and took another bite of the deliciousness in her hand.

  A female chef stepped forward. “What can we get for you, sir?”

  Rillian held up a hand. “I’m fine, thank you.” His silver-threaded gaze landed on Dayna. “I’m here for Dayna.”

  Damn her stupid heart for going pitty-pat in her chest. That was one stupid reaction she was happy to blame on her symbiont.

  Rillian led Dayna out of the kitchen, watching several chefs wave goodbye. He frowned. He was pretty sure Chef Derol was smiling. Derol might be the best chef on all of Carthago, but the man never smiled.

  Dayna had that effect on people. When people talked, she listened. They liked talking with her.

  He’d just stepped through the door when a young server grabbed Dayna’s arm.

  “Hi, Dayna. Wanted to thank you for that advice you gave me.”

  Rillian scowled at the enthusiastic young man holding Dayna’s arm and grinning at her.

  “Robi. How did it go?” Dayna smiled back.

  “It was amazing. I did everything you suggested—” The young man stepped closer and spotted Rillian.

  The man’s face froze. He swallowed slowly. “Uh, sorry to interrupt, sir.”

  Rillian’s gaze fell to the man’s hand. Robi took the hint, releasing Dayna and stepping back.

  “I…uh, I have…things.” Robi waved a nervous hand in the air.

  “Don’t mind him,” Dayna said. “Did she say yes?”

  Robi didn’t take his eyes off Rillian. “Who?”

  “Your girlfriend. When you told her you were in love with her?”

  Robi’s attention finally turned back to Dayna. His face was glowing. “Yes. She loved the flowers and the meal. She’s moving in.” A wary glance at Rillian. “I’d better get back to work.”

  Dayna fell into step beside Rillian as they continued on their way.

  “Do you make friends with everyone?” he asked.

  “Do you intimidate everyone?”

  “Not you.” He bypassed the main casino area, heading for a bank of private staff elevators. The shiny metal doors opened and he waved her inside.

  She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “I’m not easily intimidated.”

  They moved upward. “So I’ve learned.”

  “And I’m still pissed at you.”

  “I sensed that.” He leaned over, watching as she went still. He might not intimidate her, but she noticed him. He swiped his thumb beside her lips.

  “What are you doing?” Her voice had lowered.

  “You have some Tnarrian cream there.” He wiped it off her skin, wondering for about the hundredth time what she tasted like. His gaze locked with hers, he lifted his thumb to his mouth and sucked it clean.

  He tasted her through the rich flavor, a hint of something bold and spicy. “Intimidated?”

  She cleared her throat. “You’ll have to do better than that. Where are we going?”

  Fascinating, tempting woman. He straightened. “Back to the penthouse.” He didn’t want to admit that he’d seen her on his screens and had felt the sudden urge for her company. “I didn’t want you to overdo it.”

  She spun, her eyes glinting. “I decide how I’m feeling, Rillian, not you. I’ve been an adult a very long time.” She poked him in the chest. “And you do not go around zapping me to sleep.”

  “You needed the rest.”

  “I know that, but it’s my choice, not yours to take from me. I’ve had the Thraxians and then that fucking desert witch take all my choices away, I won’t let you do it too.”

  Rillian froze. “You’re comparing my wanting to look after you to them?”

  She sighed. “I know you mean well—”

  “I promised Galen I’d take care of you.”

  Her lips flattened. “I know you took me on as a favor to him.” She looked at the wall.

  Rillian gripped her chin and forced her gaze to his. “That might be how it started, but I feel a very strong need to see to your wellbeing.”

  The air in the elevator turned charged.

  Then he felt something inside him stir, something else with primal, vicious needs. He let her go and stepped back abruptly. Something about Dayna Caplan stirred up things best left dormant.

  The elevator slowed. “How’s your work on the search for Zaabha going?”

  “Not good.” They exited the elevator. “The map appears useless and so far, there are no solid leads to where Zaabha is.”

  He watched her fingers flex. “Give it time.”

  She burst into the office. “Ever and Sam haven’t got time, Rillian. You know the Thraxians and what they’re capable of.” She thrust her hands into her hair. “God, those poor women might not even be alive.”

  He felt the emotions pumping off her. Far too strong to be sympathy for two strangers. “This is more than a human looking out for a fellow human.”

  “I was a homicide detective. It was my job to—”

  “It’s more than just a job driving you.”

  She spun to face him. “My sister was kidnapped when she was five and I was eight. Right out of our front yard.” The words burst out of her.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “My parents…” she shook her head. “It was the worst time in the world. We had no idea where she was, or what was happening to her.” Her voice hitched. “I know what it is to pray, wonder, hope, despair, and drown in the pain when someone is missing.”

  And then she’d been through that nightmare herself. “Did you
get her back?”

  Dayna’s gaze met his, and it was filled with pain and sorrow. “Her body was found a week later.” She dropped the printed images, the light from the projection playing over her face. “She’d been tortured and killed.”

  Rillian had seen terrible things, but the death of a child was always the worst. “I’m very sorry.”

  A muscle ticked in Dayna’s jaw. “I was supposed to be watching her.”

  “Dayna—”

  She shook her head. “My parents fell apart and that day, I decided I would help stop other monsters who took the lives of the innocent.” Suddenly a grimace crossed her face. She pressed a hand to her chest.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She made a choked noise, panic in her eyes. Drak. Her emotions had stirred up her hungry symbiont. “You need to feed.” He stepped closer.

  She held out a hand. “No.”

  “You’re being stubborn.”

  “I’m not an animal or a damn vampire. I will control this.” Lines bracketed her mouth.

  “The longer you starve your symbiont, the more dangerous it gets.”

  She gritted her teeth and he saw misery in her eyes.

  “I won’t let you lose control.” He took another step toward her.

  There was a knock at the door and Rillian bit back his frustration. He’d told his assistant to only interrupt him if it was vitally important. Dayna turned away from him.

  He let out a harsh breath. “Come in.”

  Tannon Gi stepped inside. Rillian’s head of security had brown hair cut short, a rugged face, and colorless eyes that sparkled brightly, like Friskan diamonds. The man looked like he should be out on a battlefield somewhere.

  “Rillian, there’s been a disturbance in the casino.”

  “Can’t you handle it?” Rillian knew Tannon wouldn’t miss the tension in the room.

  “No. You need to see this.”

  The man’s tone made Rillian straighten. He saw Dayna do the same thing. If there was one thing Tannon wasn’t known for, it was exaggeration.

  “What’s happened?” Dayna asked.

  “Someone’s been murdered,” Tannon answered. “On the main casino floor.”

  Chapter Four

  When Rillian, Tannon, and several security guards stepped into the glass-encased elevator, Dayna followed. She shot Rillian a look, daring him to stop her.

  He just lifted one dark brow, and that elegant, controlled move made her want to mess him up. To get a reaction.

  Control, Dayna. As the fancy elevator zoomed downward, she rubbed the stone between her breasts. The hunger was still there, banked for now. Not for the first time, she wondered what feeding off Rillian would feel like.

  She’d been so close to feeding off him the night before. She stared at the back of his head. His hard body had been pressed against hers, all that lethal strength and the pulse of power. Desire curled hot and hard in her belly.

  The elevator opened and the mass of noise hit her. They stepped out onto the main floor of the casino.

  Yep, it didn’t matter how many times she walked the casino floor, the sensory overload packed a punch. Just like its owner.

  Rillian strode at the front of their small group. The crowd parted for him with ease. He sure caused a stir. Nearly every head turned to watch him—men with envy, and women with…well, most of them were watching him for a very different reason. The desire she saw made her stomach sour.

  A singer was up on a nearby stage. She was long and lean, and dressed in a slick, red catsuit that looked painted onto her body. Her dark, curly hair was piled up in a complicated design. Her voice was a high warble, and the music sounded discordant to Dayna’s ears, but many in the crowd were watching with rapt expressions. The woman’s hungry gaze followed Rillian across the room.

  Get in line, lady. What, did every woman on Carthago fall at the man’s feet?

  They moved toward a gaming table in the center of the room. It was comprised of two sections, with a narrow bit in the middle, and a blood-red top. Unlike the other tables in the room, however, there were no eager players standing by it. It had been cordoned off by the security guards.

  And draped backward on one chair was a woman in a bright-blue dress.

  Dayna didn’t need her former detective skills to know that the woman was dead.

  “No one saw anything?” Rillian asked.

  Tannon shook his head.

  “Security footage?” Dayna asked.

  The big man glanced at her and she wondered if he ever smiled. “We’re analyzing it now.”

  Dayna took in the victim. Most of her face was covered by pale-blonde hair. From what Dayna could see, her features were beautifully made-up, and the victim had faint scales on her blue-tinted skin.

  But Dayna made herself look past the makeup and the long, blue dress. She stepped closer, and saw one of the woman’s hands dangling down by her side. As the others talked, Rillian barking out questions, Dayna crouched.

  The woman had callused hands. Her nails were quite short, even though they were painted fire-engine red. For a moment, Dayna felt like she was back on the force. This felt familiar and she felt in control. She didn’t feel like that wild, scared woman she’d been last night.

  She grabbed a pen from her pocket and touched the woman’s fancy, heeled shoe. They were strapped to her ankles, but when Dayna pushed the shoe down, she could see that the material had left raw, red marks on the woman’s foot. They were new. She wasn’t used to wearing them.

  “Dayna?” Rillian’s voice came from close behind her.

  “Sorry.” She stood. “Force of habit.” She shoved her hands in the pockets of her trousers.

  He studied her steadily. “Come with me to the security room. We can watch the camera footage.”

  Excitement winged through her. She nodded, glad to be involved. She followed the small group out of the main casino.

  The second trip in the elevator was much shorter. When they stepped out into the high-tech security room, she gasped. There were screens everywhere, and more black-uniformed security members sitting at computers. In the center of the room was a holographic projection of the entire casino. It was covered in a scramble of red, orange, blue and green dots and lines. Damn, she wanted to know what they all represented.

  She wasn’t too proud to admit she was a little bit turned on.

  Rillian stopped beside her, his shoulder brushing hers. “I’ve seen women look at the rarest jewels the same way you’re looking at my security room right now.” His voice was ripe with amusement.

  “I’m not impressed by jewelry.”

  He was silent for a beat. “I’m not surprised.”

  Someone pushed out chairs for them at a comp screen, but neither of them sat. They stood and watched the footage replay on a screen. The woman had arrived, flanked by two big men. She moved over to the table, placing her bet. The camera angles weren’t great and there wasn’t a good view of her face. Then, Dayna watched as one of the men moved, and their view of the woman was completely blocked. Then both men stepped away and left. The woman was slumped in her chair, looking like she was resting.

  “Nothing unusual, sir,” one of the security team said. “Maybe her lovers wanted to get rid of her?”

  Dayna cleared her throat. “The man on her right purposely blocked the camera. The other did something to her, you can just see his arm move, and whatever it was presumably killed her.”

  Everyone in the room turned to look at Dayna. But she’d worked NYPD for over ten years and survived the Thraxians. It would take more than an alien security team to rattle her.

  “Neither man gave us a clear view of their faces. They knew where your cameras were.”

  Rillian’s dark gaze narrowed, silver sparking in his eyes like lightning. “Go on.”

  “She’s not a glitzy party girl. She’s got calluses on her hands, and it didn’t look like she was used to wearing the fancy shoes she had on. And she didn’t seem particularly happ
y coming in with them.”

  A female security team member cleared her throat. “She came willingly. She didn’t look scared.”

  Dayna nodded. “Yes, but you never get a full view of her face. However, if you look, you’ll see her shoulders are tense, her hand is clenched in a fist.”

  “She was under stress.” Rillian glanced back at the screen. “Tannon, keep analyzing the footage and inform me on the results of the autopsy. I want to know who she was, and why she was killed in my casino in such a deliberate fashion.”

  Dayna straightened. “I’d like to help.”

  Those silver eyes met hers. “Okay.”

  She relaxed. “Thank you.”

  “Your observation skills are impressive.”

  That faint praise made her want to flush. “It used to be my job.”

  “Sir?” a female security member called out. “Facial recognition came back with the match. The victim was a casino waitress here at the Dark Nebula. She’s listed as a single mother who started work here about two months ago.”

  Dayna’s stomach sank. The woman had been a mother?

  “Dayna was correct.” Tannon tapped on a screen. “Yana Dray wasn’t a party girl or mistress. She was a waitress at the Dark Star restaurant here in the casino.”

  God. For a second, Dayna was eight years old again, watching the big detective with the balding head and tired eyes telling her and her parents that Gwendolyn was dead. Some child was out there, about to get the same news.

  A muscle ticked in Rillian’s jaw. “She was one of ours.”

  Everyone in the security room went quiet.

  “Wait.” Tannon tapped again. “A message from the team removing the body. They found a note beneath her.”

  “A note?” Dayna stepped forward, and watched as an image flashed up on the screen.

  It was covered in alien text Dayna couldn’t read. She had an implant that allowed her to speak and understand various languages, but she couldn’t read them.

  “What does it say?” she asked.