Dangerous Lovers

by Becca Vincenza

  “Like I said, get over it Davidson or go home.”

  “When I hit my teleporter I ended up back at the club and I ran here. I didn’t know where else to go. Please let me stay here tonight. Then I won’t bother you anymore. I swear. I don’t want to go back out there. I’m really scared.” She was trembling and had wrapped her arms tightly around her stomach, her eyes staring at the floor.

  The men chuckled at her, and Jurek shook his head.

  “Such a marvelous show of bravado from one who slinks away without so much as a word of thanks.” He raked his eyes over her, trying to discern if she were telling the truth. He could detect the metallic smell of fear radiating off of her and could hear her blood racing through her veins. Satisfied she was being honest with him, he said, “You stay here tonight, you play by my rules, you got it?”

  She nodded.

  “Take that back room with the cot, the one you slept in last night. And Davidson, I don’t give many second chances. Are we clear?”

  ***

  “Tak, Ludo, Marik! In here now!” Jurek bellowed. Turning to Liasare, he growled, “You’ll do as I say. Do you want to die?”

  “No, of course not! But I will not bleach my hair blonde. That’s it. Any color but that. End of discussion.”

  “I think she needs to be a red head,” Tak interjected as he entered the room.

  Liasare rolled her eyes at him.

  “I’ll go red. Black. Purple. Anything but blonde.”

  “Do it then,” Jurek instructed. “And cut it too.”

  “Whoa! Wait a minute. No one ever said anything about cutting my hair. I’m drawing the line at that.”

  “Not up for discussion. If you value your hide, you’ll cut your hair. Now!”

  “What if I refuse?”

  “Davidson, there are no bars on the windows here. You are free to leave at any time and crawl back to your garage in Dillsworth so you can sleep alone in the daytime, waiting for those vile creatures to discover your whereabouts. Just know this: if you leave this time, there is no coming back. I meant what I said last night. No second chances. And when those vile creatures discover your whereabouts, they will tear you apart, limb by limb ... that is after they rape you several dozen times. Enjoy the Xanthian Kiss. It was nice knowing you.”

  Liasare stared at her feet knowing damn well he was right.

  “Okay. You win.”

  “This isn’t a contest Davidson. It’s the way it is. It’s survival of the fittest. If you want to survive, you’ll listen to me and follow orders. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I understand.”

  Chapter Seven

  Liasare went about the business of cutting her hair to shoulder length and dying it black. She refused to be a blonde. The general consensus was that red was also too noticeable. Black was the only other option.

  “That’s not short enough Davidson,” Jurek complained. “It looks too much like it did before.”

  “No, it doesn’t. It’s completely different.”

  “Come with me,” he said, grabbing her arm.

  “Where?”

  Not answering her, he escorted her out of the warehouse toward town. They walked for about fifteen minutes, with Liasare babbling the whole way, trying to find out where he was taking her. They finally stopped in front of a discreet shop, where Liasare noticed the words, “Jaylen’s Escort Service.”

  “Wait a minute! You’re taking me to an escort service?”

  “I have a friend that will help you with your hair. She is the owner of this place.”

  “I will not go in there,” Liasare said disdainfully.

  “Oh yes you will.”

  “I will not.”

  “Why? Because you think you are better than Jaylen? Is that it?”

  “Yes! I wouldn’t stoop to the level she has.”

  Jurek’s lips thinned and his eyes had become hardened orbs of black granite. “Oh, I see. So when your sweet little ass was tucked away safely on Vesturon and everyone back on Earth was praying for a miracle, watching loved ones die, starving to death or getting killed by Xanthians, did you ever stop and think what people like Jaylen were forced to do to survive? What are you? Twelve? Grow up Davidson. Life isn’t black and white. Shades of grey exist in every part, every aspect. It’s not good versus bad, or dark versus light. There are varying degrees of everything in all of us. Get used to it. Your little goody two shoes life is over and if you think it’s not, you better get the hell back to Vesturon. Now change your attitude and fast or you can get out of my sight.”

  Liasare was shocked by his outburst. She had never given much thought to the plight of others, truth be told, and she felt ashamed for that now. She bowed her head and stared at her feet for Jurek was right. Liasare and her family didn’t know what it had been like to go through the pandemic on Earth. Her sister had gotten them out before things deteriorated to the hopeless state it had become. She still had nightmares about that, so she could not begin to imagine what someone like Jaylen had endured to stay alive.

  Jurek, having heard Liasare’s thoughts, decided to enlighten her.

  “Jaylen was fourteen when the pandemic hit. Everyone in her family perished except for her. She lived on the streets to survive. She became a Xanthian whore, her words, not mine. I would never refer to her as that. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever known. She lived among them for seven years, until they tired of her. They released her after that and that’s when she opened her own business. She is good to her employees and doesn’t allow her clients to abuse any of her women. Because of her past relationship with the Xanthians, she has their protection. Make no mistake; she has no love for them. If you treat her with anything other than the respect she deserves, you will pay for it. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, and I feel terrible for what she went through.”

  “Do not tell her you know of this. She wouldn’t be pleased I shared this with you. Come.”

  When Liasare met Jaylen, she knew why Jurek thought so highly of her. She was a slightly built brunette but her personality packed a punch and left you reeling. She was thirty going on a hundred and her eyes betrayed her life’s experiences.

  “Woohoo,” she screamed as she opened the door when she saw who was standing there. “Get in here right now!” She grabbed Jurek by the arm and pulled him through the door. “What in the world do I owe this surprise to?” she asked as Jurek embraced her, lifting her up in the air as he did.

  Liasare felt a tinge of envy, but tried to deny it--as if. She looked at the two of them together, and that envy grew until she had to squash it down.

  “It’s been too long Jaylen,” Jurek lamented as he kissed her cheek.

  “And whose fault is that? My God, a girl has to be dying, or close to it, to get you to come and visit. Now, since I’m neither and I see you’re not alone, what’s going on? And stop being so damn rude and introduce me to your friend here Jurek.” Jaylen looked at Liasare and winked, and then under her breath said, “Men, they have no manners, do they?”

  “Jaylen, this is Liasare Davidson and she is in need of some of your famous beauty tips. We need to alter her identity a bit. She was a brunette with long hair. I think it needs to be shorter so she is less recognizable. Any suggestions?”

  “Well, just cut right to the chase why don’t cha? Gah! Dang, Jurek, why don’t you give the poor girl a break? How about, let’s chitchat a little before you break into all of that? Tell you what, why don’t you leave us alone for a bit and we’ll get this all figured out?” Turning to Liasare, she asked, “How do you feel about chin length?”

  “Perfect!” Jurek decided.

  “No fucking way!” Liasare shouted.

  “Well, I’m glad we are all in agreement here. Jurek, why don’t you get lost for a bit and pick Liasare up in say, three hours.”

  ***

  Jaylen was quite the persuasive one. By the time she was finished with Liasare’s new hairstyle, no one would’ve recognized h
er.

  Liasare now sported a bob that brushed the tops of her shoulders. She was adamant about not going as short as her chin, so Jaylen had compromised. They decided black was the perfect color, but they added some deep burgundy highlights. Under ordinary circumstances, Liasare would have scoffed at putting highlights like these in her hair, but these times were anything but ordinary. Thinking the highlights would be garish and slightly on the goth side, they were both surprised to find how they softened the harsh look of the black against Liasare’s fair skin. They also emphasized the golden flecks in her hazel eyes, giving them a radiance that had gone unnoticed before...well, unnoticed by everyone except for Jurek.

  “Uh oh. I don’t know if Jurek will be pleased or pissed,” Jaylen mused.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Look at you. You were attractive before. You’re downright gorgeous now! Hey, do you need a job?” she laughed.

  They both laughed, but Liasare said something that puzzled Jaylen. “If you hired me, you’d go broke in six weeks. I’d run everyone off in no time flat.”

  “Yeah, right. We never talked about it but what are you doing here?”

  “I’m looking for my brother,” Liasare said as she reached in her shirt for his picture. “By the way, have you seen him?”

  Jaylen took the picture and gasped. “Oh no! This is your brother?”

  “Yeah it is and please tell me everything you know.”

  “He is a Xanthian minion.”

  “I don’t know what that is. And he can’t be anything Xanthian. He hates them.”

  “A Xanthian minion is one who follows and adheres to everything Xanthian. He’s like one of their puppets. It’s like they drug them or something.”

  “What? What do you mean?”

  “Maybe we should wait to discuss this when Jurek gets back,” Jaylen decided.

  “No! I need to know this now. I’ve been looking for him. I have to know!”

  Jaylen shook her head and said, “I’m really sorry. I knew Thomas. He was a customer here. The girls liked him for his kindness and...well, other things too, if you get my drift. He suddenly stopped coming. I didn’t think much about it until I ran into him on the street one day and he acted like he didn’t recognize me. He was with a group of Xanthian leaders. They all knew me and stopped to chat, but he stood there like he was in a daze. That’s when I knew he’d become a minion.”

  ***

  “Is that it?” Jurek demanded.

  “That’s all I know. I didn’t dare act like I knew him and I wouldn’t think of asking the Xanthians about him,” Jaylen added.

  “But I don’t understand,” Liasare protested. “Thomas abhorred the Xanthians for as long as I can remember. He always talked about coming back here to regain control of the planet. He can’t have done this willfully.”

  “How else can it be explained?” Jurek asked.

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. Maybe they kidnapped him and drugged him. I need to find him and confront him,” Liasare insisted.

  “How do you plan to do that? Start asking every Xanthian you see?” Jurek’s voice dripped sarcasm.

  Liasare threw Jurek a disgusted look and retorted, “Am I wearing a shirt that says, ‘Moron?’”

  “No, you’re wearing one that says, ‘Trouble.’”

  “Not funny.”

  “Hey, stop it you two. You’re not accomplishing anything by bickering,” Jaylen interrrupted. “Besides, I have an idea.”

  “Let’s hear it. It has to be better than anything Liasare has to say.”

  That brought a huge grunt from Liasare and a sour look from Jaylen.

  “Okay, there’s this soiree that’s being sponsored by the Xanthian’s and all the Who’s Who will be there. Maybe I could scrounge up a couple of extra tickets for the two of you.”

  “Brilliant idea Jaylen!” Jurek exclaimed.

  “No. I don’t do those things.”

  “Well, make yourself do those things Liasare. If you want to get information about your brother, you’re going to have to suck it up,” Jurek added drily.

  “I don’t have the proper clothing for something like that.”

  “No problem. That’s where I can help,” Jaylen added.

  “What would I have to wear?” Liasare wondered.

  “It’s a fairly dressy event. Not formal mind you, but close. There will be everything from cocktail attire to black tie.”

  “No way. I can’t do that.”

  “Why ever not? You’d look great in a sexy cocktail dress. I’m sure I could find a pretty dress for you to borrow.”

  Liasare felt the panic beginning to consume her. She could never wear anything that would expose her skin. She had to have everything covered. And then there was the issue of her leg so normal shoes were out of the question as well. She felt the beginnings of a full on panic attack approaching. She glanced around uneasily, looking for an escape, as her body began to tremble.

  “Liasare, what is it?” she heard Jaylen ask.

  Jurek cocked his head and stared at her in his odd way.

  She made it as far as the door when she felt his arm snake around her waist. His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, “Tell me what has you so upset.”

  She shook her head, trying to dispel the question, refusing to answer. She felt him release her, but his words stopped her.

  “If finding your brother is important to you, then going to this soiree may be the answer you are seeking. The decision is yours, but I find it odd that you balk at attending a simple party. It’s apparent you are hiding something. Will you make it necessary for me to reach into your mind to find out what it is?”

  She shoved his arm away and ran out the door.

  Chapter Eight

  Liasare wandered through the streets, thinking about Tommy and what happened at Jaylen’s. Maybe she should just tell Jurek why she didn’t want to go to the party. She thought about the day she and Tommy had that stupid accident. It wasn’t like it was a big secret or anything. She simply didn’t like to talk about it because it made her so uncomfortable.

  As she walked, she inspected the people on the streets. She noticed a couple of things that triggered a memory. That day she’d gone to the warehouse where she thought Tommy lived, she’d seen those two men that looked drugged. Maybe that’s what they’d done to Tommy too. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t find him. She dashed back to Jurek’s to share that tidbit of information with him.

  When she ran inside, he was there with Tak discussing the soiree that Jaylen had mentioned.

  “Nice hairdo Brownie. So, why don’t you like parties? Are you that bad of a dancer?” he snorted.

  “This is the last time I’m telling you that my name is not Brownie. If you can’t call me by my real name, then I refuse to answer any of your questions.”

  Both men began laughing at her response.

  “You forget something Brownie. One tiny command from us and we’ll have you spilling all of your secrets in no time,” Tak taunted.

  She looked at them laughing, wishing like hell the knotted mass in her gut would disappear and that she wasn’t so self-conscious about why she couldn’t go to that damn party. Realizing what Tak said was the truth, she thought back to the few times Jurek had used that trick on her. She’d fallen under his spell and was unable to deny any of his requests. Hating the fact that she had to share something so personal and humiliating, she decided to dodge the true answer.

  “The truth is, I don’t know how to dance,” she quietly said as she looked at the floor.

  “Hah, I thought all girls were taught to dance,” Jurek responded.

  “Yeah, well, obviously you thought wrong. My mother taught me very little.”

  “Sounds like a real nice lady,” Tak said.

  “Yeah, I think you two would be besties,” she said sourly.

  Both men cocked their heads at her in those weird angles, indicating they weren’t sure of the meaning of her statement
.

  “My mother’s a bitch. Get it? She’s mean and spiteful and from the time I was thirteen, she didn’t have another nice thing to say to me. Why the hell would she teach me how to dance?”

  “Why thirteen?” Jurek wanted to know.

  “Long story.” She kicked her toe on the floor.

  “Is that the only reason you have an aversion to parties?”

  Damn he’s perceptive.

  “Liasare, come with me.”

  When Jurek spoke in those tones, there was no use in denying him, so she followed him. She was surprised when they entered an area she hadn’t been to before. Passing through a set of double doors, her eyes widened when she realized they had just walked into his private quarters. Having not been to them before, she was quite astonished to see how finely appointed they were. Liasare felt like she had stepped into another world. Her boots immediately sunk into thick carpeting making her itch to take them off. His bed was enormous. It was made up in black silken linens, which didn’t surprise her in the least. The furniture looked to be hand carved, extremely expensive and most likely ancient. The corner was fitted with a black leather couch and chair that looked so comfortable she just wanted to throw herself into it. It was all decadently tasteful right down to the exotic art lining the walls.

  “Have a seat,” he indicated she should sit in the chair.

  She sat on the leather sofa and watched him shrug.

  “You can trust me with whatever it is that upset you back at Jaylen’s.”

  “Why would I ever believe I could trust you? It’s not like you’ve exactly rolled out the welcome mat.”

  Liasare felt the current of power increase in the room as she saw his eyes darken. His mouth pressed into a thin line and he snapped, “I’ve saved your bloody ass more than once and I’ve given you safe haven. What more proof do you need?”

  Wincing at his words, a pained expression crossed over her face. Remorse and regret instantly washed over her, yet she couldn’t bring herself to bare her soul to him. It wasn’t trust that was holding her back. It was pride, shame and embarrassment. She was grotesque looking and the last thing she wanted to do was to share that vulnerable part of herself. Bowing her head, she stared at her feet, trying to decide what to do.