“Are we all gonna stare at them like freaks?”
Eva gasped and turned in Vee’s arms to face the tall lean red head with her hands propped on her hips. “They were seriously hurt!”
Joni tossed a long length of red gold curls over her shoulder and eyed Eva. Her heeled boots clicked on the tile flooring as she approached. Vee tensed and straightened his lax pose. He checked to see Kyele’s reaction, but his teammate didn’t even glance their way.
Joni whipped out one of the two knives she always wore and began flipping one end over the other in her hand. Not quite the finger twirl Kyele perfected, but enough to impress anyone who didn’t know her better. “Who are you?”
Eva pushed her hands against his chest and Vee let his hands fall slowly from her hips, but remained watchful.
“My name is Eva Blake and I’m from Earth. I was kidnapped after I joined a special program to help the women on my world find men.”
Joni’s demeanor changed. In the blink of an eye, she sheathed the knife in a holster strapped to her upper thigh. The black skirt she wore swirled as she grabbed both of Eva’s shoulders. “The bullshit Singles Program. Damn it, were you sold as a sex slave too?”
Eva’s mouth fell open. “Are you from Earth?”
Sylvie snickered and curled against her Chosen, Arak. The half-shifter kissed the top of her head and tangled his fingers in her long hair, Raze cuddled between them. “Joni, Faye and I are all from Earth. Went looking for love about four years ago and ended up here.”
Joni snorted and cocked a hip as she stepped back from Eva. The distance relieved Vee. He trusted Joni, but she had a tendency to react in violence if she thought anyone she cared about was threatened. He couldn’t allow her to strike out against Eva.
“Might have to claim the Marenians are a love match service, the way we keep collecting women from Earth because of their actions.”
Kyele’s head whipped around as he glared at his Chosen. “You almost died because of a Marenian slave ring. I don’t consider that a positive.”
Joni shrugged. “I didn’t and now I have you and Viktor.”
If she hoped to soften Kyele, it didn’t work. He turned back toward the window and propped a foot behind him on a snarl. Joni smirked and winked at Eva before walking to Kyele’s side with a hip swaying stride. She leaned her weight onto his front and his hands caught at her hips. Joni nuzzled his scarred cheek and Kyele rolled his eyes, but placed an absent kiss on her forehead.
“Team Three, meeting room. I want to know what went wrong when the last message from Rydak before everything blew up was confirmation on mission completion.” Torkel ran a hand down Faye’s back then faced them.
Shifting his attention to Eva, Vee lowered his voice so the others wouldn’t hear. “I have to speak with my Unit Leader. I can take you to my rooms to get settled.”
Her fingers twisted together, but she nodded. “You and I have a lot to cover. Don’t think you’re getting out of telling me everything.”
Vee only hoped she’d understand when he revealed his whole truth.
Chapter 17
Eva wasn’t sure what to expect. It wasn’t a business complex converted into a multi-unit living space that was for sure. There were at least four floors in the large building according to the display on the automated shaft they rode to this level. Earth had advanced a lot, but the things she’d seen here so far were beyond what she was accustomed. Not even Mannid’s luxurious residence was as nice.
Then again part of that may have had to do with the décor. Mannid splurged on tacky bright colors and ostentatious furnishings to impress his guests. As she gazed around the apartment where Vee deposited her before racing out, she couldn’t help marveling. This place was nothing like the rental he’d lived in on Trios. For one it was clean.
And spacious.
This was a home. A crisp clean counter where a cooking device rested. Muted lighting above and a soft covering on the floor so thick she could squeeze it between her toes. Warm cocoa colored walls and green accents in the form of plants were every where. They bunched in corners, hung from hooks in the ceiling and took up available table space. Long drooping fronds, short swaying leaves and gathered skinny stems.
It was like being in an outdoor oasis. A soothing nice scented one. If she had to imagine Vee’s home after the experience on Trios, she wouldn’t have come anywhere close to this comfortable vision. But it fit. She could imagine him relaxing here at the end of his day.
Eva sighed heavily then threw herself on the dark colored sofa and stretched her legs out. Being free of Mannid felt strange. His death didn’t sadden her, but never had she expected events to occur the way they had.
Glancing around, Eva once more took stock. It was clear all of the men and women here knew him, but she had no idea where here was. Enotia. But where or what was Enotia. She pursed her lips. Not that she blamed him. His friend was battling for his life because of her while she sat here letting internal thoughts plague her.
Jerking upright, Eva shook off the negativity. Enough. Move forward. Vee would explain things and she’d ask him to recommend a place for her to get settled. And maybe try the husband thing again. Inwardly she cringed. She didn’t want a husband. Her heart thumped. She wanted Vee.
Knocking at the door startled her from her thoughts. Jumping at the excuse to take her mind off of Vee, Eva went to answer. Upon opening it, she was surprised to see the red head, the blonde and the brunette from earlier. It was like the set up for a bad joke. All three entered without waiting for an invitation, forcing her to step aside or be run over.
“Our men have the kids,” announced the red head as she held something aloft in her hands. “I’ve brought soku.”
“I’m sor—” Eva didn’t get to finish.
The brunette patted her shoulder and closed the door. Her grin was sheepish. “Don’t apologize. I’m Faye. That’s Joni and she forced us to come get to know the new girl. Though I said you needed time to feel settled first.”
“We’re from Earth. It’s the right thing to do.” Joni shrugged, not a glimmer of remorse present. “Anyway, my best friend, Sylvie, is the quiet one.”
Which gave Eva a name for the last lady with them. “Well, I guess...welcome.”
Smiles all around and in a way, it relaxed Eva. “Can one of you at least tell me what is this place?”
Laughter. But friendly not mocking. This time it was shy Sylvie who spoke up. “You are at an Enotian military compound of sorts. The men, our Chosens, are a part of the military force here.”
Eva’s mouth dropped. “Vee’s a soldier?”
They all exchanged glances. Joni answered on a half-chuckle “What did you think he was?”
“A fighter.” An illegal one working for Mannid. She’d seen him kill in The Pit. Were soldiers allowed to do that?
Joni rolled her eyes and plopped onto the sofa. “He’s a fighter for sure. All the men on Team Three are. Well, the whole unit, but Rydak’s team is the one I’d send in if I wanted something done quietly and without a whisper of remorse.”
Eva settled down on the arm of the chair, deep in thought. “I knew he wasn’t sharing everything. There were lies involved.”
She’d guessed it, but how much was the question.
“Since we don’t know your story, I can’t say if he lied or not, but if he did, I’d bet it was for a good reason.” As she spoke, Faye joined them on the sofa.
Eva tucked her hands under her armpits. “I was on a ship from Earth to be with the husband I’d selected. The ship was attacked. I was the last passenger left from the Singles Program outside of the crew.”
“We have a similar story. Go on,” Sylvie chimed in, her blue eyes gentle.
Eva cleared her throat. “I was bought, sold or whatever to an alien who ran an illegal fighting arena called The Pit.”
Joni flinched then recovered with a fierce scowl. “Tell me Vee took care of the scum.”
“You could say that.” Eva rel
eased a humorless chuckle. “Actually, he killed him as we made our escape. At the time, I thought Vee was a fighter too. He...he participated in some brutal matches.”
Faye was nodding. “They sometimes go undercover to break up criminal enterprises.”
“Mannid was definitely running a bunch of illegal things.” Eva shrugged. “I guess with his death that’s all at an end. Maybe. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone stepped into Mannid’s place and kept The Pit running.”
Too much money or their version of credits on the line for the arena to close up.
“So your paths crossed with Vee when he was posing as this fighter persona?” Joni sat the large bottle she’d brought on the low table to withdraw an impressive knife from one of the two sheaths strapped to her thigh and began flicking her nail across the blade.
Eva looked around, but couldn’t recall where she’d lost the knife Vee had given her or his laser for that matter. Everything from their hectic escape to Bane’s shooting and the frantic race to the shuttle was a blur in her mind. “Yes. Vanquish was one of the topped ranked fighters there.”
“Vanquish?” Both Sylvie and Faye said at the same time while Joni arched a brow.
“Yes.” Seeing their confusion confirmed one of the few details Eva hadn’t truly questioned. “Let me guess—his name’s not really Vanquish?”
Sympathy creased the corners of Faye’s eyes. “It’s V’hor, but we call him Vee.”
V’hor. She gave it the same two syllable pronunciation as the other woman. Eva searched her feelings for anger at the deception. None. Vee said he’d explain and she would have to count on the truth coming out when he returned. “So he’s a soldier in the military. That makes me happy.”
“They are really good men, Eva. You can trust them. Trust Vee,” Sylvie said.
Eva trusted Vee when she had far less reason to. Now it was time to figure out what the future held in store for her. She clapped her hands together. “So tell me your stories. I take it they are as wild as mine?”
Wild didn’t describe it. Eva listened wide eyed as all three women shared their own experiences and how they’d ended up finding love despite the failure of the safety involving the Singles Program. They had Chosens, the Enotian equivalent of a husband, and children.
Faye had a mischievous daughter who was four named Shiloh, Sylvie had a son named Raze and the outrageous Joni had a son named Viktor.
“Geile and Gregir recently became Chosen to Enotian women and though no one has said anything officially yet, I believe Uri plans to enter the next presentation.”
Presentation. Their version of a marriage ceremony where the women did the choosing. It was a lot to take in. Eva mulled over all the information Faye gave her. She knew Uri since he’d been on the shuttle, but the other names meant nothing.
Sensing her confusion, Joni waved a hand. “Don’t worry about learning everyone’s name. There are fifteen guys, five per team for a total of three teams all under Torkel’s command.”
“Torkel?” Eva frowned at one more name she couldn’t place.
“Vee’s boss,” Joni laughed then pointed at Faye. “Her Chosen. The dark haired big guy shouting orders that had everyone jumping.”
Eva vaguely recalled him. He was huge. Really huge. Probably the same size as Bane. She looked at Faye with new respect. “Wow.”
Sylvie and Joni fell back on the sofa laughing. Joni sat up and reclaimed the bottle from the table. “I officially welcome you with the Enotian version of alcohol.”
Joni jumped to her feet before Eva could question her and calmly went through Vee’s cabinets coming back with cups for all of them. “I’d invite Lissi, but she’s worried about Rydak understandably and won’t leave him until he’s fully recovered.”
Rydak with the long pony tail who’d suffered some sort of injury by helping Bane. “What happened to him? He seemed fine until the ride here.”
“Rydak’s an empath. Physical skin to skin contact is painful for him except with his Chosen, but he touched Bane to use his magic woo woo to help save him. I don’t fully understand, but I’ve seen and experienced things that I no longer question.”
Joni was full of answers. Sylvie and Faye seemed much quieter.
“Do you think Bane will be okay?” It was something at the back of Eva’s mind and she wasn’t sure she could forget how he’d jumped in front of her and saved her life.
Three sober gazes eyed her. From her seat on the floor, Joni sat her cup between her legs and answered, “I think it’s really bad. Kyele refused to leave the medic area. He’s closest to Arak, but they’re all like one big family here. We all are.”
Faye nodded. “When I first came here, there were no other women. Just me and while it took a bit to get comfortable with the guys on Team Three, all of them have been protective and caring of me from day one.”
“Same,” Joni and Sylvie chimed in.
Silence pulsed and if by consensus, they all raised their cups and took healthy gulps. When she lifted her head, it was to meet three set of eyes watching her intently. “What?”
Faye took another drink. “This is soku. A fruity juice to Enotians. How do you feel?”
Bubbly in her tummy. A little fizz on the end. Eva sipped more, almost emptying her cup. Joni was on her feet and topping Eva off.
“It has an alcoholic effect on us.” Joni sank to the floor and crossed her legs on a giggle. “Trust me it’s one of the many things I enjoy about living here.”
The rest of the night was spent sharing stories and discussing their former lives on Earth.
“Do you miss not being able to go home?” Eva asked at one point.
They were all seated on the floor and the bottle was empty. Eva had a nice buzz going. Not drunk, but not quite sober in a good way.
“My dad and brother come to visit. Torkel worked out an arrangement that got approval,” Joni answered from her slouched position against the bottom of the sofa. “I’m really close to them so it would have been a hardship foregoing any contact with them for the rest of my life.”
Faye shrugged. “Wasn’t much for me to leave behind. Sylvie too.”
“Are their more Earth women that you know?”
Joni rolled to her stomach and crossed her arms under her chin. “Faye’s friend, Lindsey, lives on another planet and has a ménage like marriage. Her husbands are seriously hot Senators and they have triplet girls who are absolutely adorable.”
Faye smiled. “Lindsey and I were kidnapped together. Things got really scary before they got really better.”
“I’m not aware of any other Earth women. None on Enotia for sure or we’d know,” Sylvie added.
Her eyes were lowered to half-mast and Eva thought the sweet blonde was close to falling asleep. Come to think of it, sleep would be nice.
It was Eva’s last thought before her head tilted to the side and slumped on the sofa cushion seat.
***
Uri, Khane and Vee sat at the long, round table Torkel used for team meetings. He questioned every aspect of the mission and they gave him the details. In the end, his Unit Leader swiveled in his seat to face Vee on his left. “The Earth woman means something to you?”
It was more question than statement. Vee didn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“Am I to conclude you would like her to stay here?”
Torkel didn’t let anyone stay in the building where his Chosen and daughter lived. Too many dark moments in the past left him wary of bringing danger to their home. Vee unclenched his jaw to speak. “She was stolen from the world she planned to journey to. I promised to take care of her.”
Another stare. Uri and Khane remained silent. Torkel shoved a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “This is highly unusual and you know my feelings regarding having a stranger on the premises, Vee.”
Eva wasn’t a stranger. She was his intended nestmate. But how did he explain without going into detail? There was much he needed to rectify with Niya and then Peshla before he cou
ld lay claim to Eva officially. Keeping it simple, Vee said, “I need time to settle personal matters.”
Torkel turned to Khane and Uri. “Is there any more to report on the assignment?”
It was Uri who answered. “With Mannid’s death, The Pit will be in disarray. Grutak was taken into custody and revealed the location of the distribution base. We are in the clear since the authorities will take over from here.”
The room grew quiet. It wasn’t hard to discern Torkel’s frustration. “What happened out there? How does a seemingly smooth mission go fucks up? Rydak is in a deep sleep and Bane...Dr. Maku isn’t sure he’ll regain mobility in his legs.”
Vee flinched.
“What no one has said, what no one has explained is why he was there in the first place when he should have only been providing surveillance on Vee from a distance!” Torkel slammed his fist on the table on the last word.
“It’s my fault.” Vee refused to let anyone take blame for his actions. “I asked Bane to watch over Eva during my final match in the arena. Mannid’s behavior led me to suspect he would attempt to recapture her.”
Torkel’s dark look would have had a weaker man fleeing. Vee maintained eye contact, unwilling to shirk his responsibilities regarding the injuries his friends and teammates sustained during the mission. “I see. Uri and Khane, leave us. I’d like to continue with Vee alone.”
To their credit, the two men hesitated and glanced at Vee. Surprisingly, it was Khane who dared speak. “Vee was concerned for the Earth woman. She was stolen from their program and sold as a sex slave. Faye would have been upset if she’d discovered he had the chance to help one of her people and shirked the duty.”
Torkel narrowed his gaze, brows forming a dip between his forehead. “Don’t presume to speak for my Chosen, Khane.”
Uri stood, smoothing his hands down his blood stained pants. Bane’s blood. They all were marked in some way from trying to save their friend. “I think Vee did the right thing for what it’s worth.”
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