V'hor's Nestmate

by Michelle Howard

  Khane nodded and together they finally left. Silence wasn’t allowed as Torkel launched into his inquiry the moment the door shut. “You should not have reassigned Bane without speaking with your Team Leader.”

  “Agreed.” Rydak had probably guessed the change without Vee saying something, but Vee had no intentions of mentioning that. He fisted his hands under the table on his lap. “She had no one else and it seemed the right thing to do at the time.”

  Torkel shook his head and sighed. He leaned forward and braced his forearms on the table. “I don’t have a problem with you helping someone in that situation, Vee. It’s the other risks you took which could have been disastrous to the team. Rydak said you seemed overly attached, but he couldn’t get you to tell him much.”

  “I shared as much as I could.”

  “You admitted yourself you felt compromised in your decision making due to feelings for her. There is no changing what happened, but Vee, I’m disappointed that you didn’t talk with your Team Leader about everything in order for him to adequately assess the situation. Rydak had no knowledge you’d sent Bane to watch over the Earth woman instead of covering you as he was supposed to.”

  “Eva. Her name is Eva Blake.” Not just the Earth woman.

  Torkel shook his head. “She’s more than a name. She’s someone you care for, don’t think I don’t understand that. Either way, if you had talked it out with the team, they could have proposed alternative solutions which would have protected her and still maintained the security of the operation. Specifically sending her to the shuttle with Rydak and the others to remove her from The Pit all together.”

  His questioning gaze dared Vee to say different. He couldn’t. Vee swallowed, sweat forming on the back of his neck. Very rarely was he at odds with Torkel. The Jutak Unit Leader led with compassion and honor.

  “I care for Eva,” he finally acknowledged. He’d wanted her close and under his protective watch. A selfish miscalculation. One which had cost a lot.

  “Truth is key to a cohesive team. You should have been completely truthful.” The corner of Torkel’s lips quirked up. “Matters of the heart have a way of throwing disorder into the smoothest plan.”

  Torkel would know as years ago his Chosen had been caught in a compromising position and used in an attempt to bring about his demise.

  “I’m sorry I misjudged the situation.” Vee never expected Mannid to put forth such aggressive efforts in retrieving Eva and he should have. Mannid tricked Vee and he’d set Jolox up as well. Anyone who’d do what he’d done in the name of pride was a wild element.

  Torkel came slowly to his feet. “I take it you will need to go home soon?”

  Vee rose as well, grateful for the mild warning, yet ashamed his actions played a part in Bane’s severe injuries. “Yes. Soon as Dr. Maku gives us a conclusive assessment on Bane.”

  He’d never leave when his friend’s condition hung in the balance.

  “Get some rest. Don’t forget to change back. It’s hard hearing and seeing Vanquish in front of me when you talk.”

  Vee chuckled, relaxing as they left the meeting room shoulder to shoulder. He would be glad to be himself again. “I’ll do that after I check on Eva.”

  Arak walked down the hall toward them, his son sleep on his shoulder. “Have you seen Sylvie?”

  “She was with Joni.” Torkel smoothed a hand down Raze’s back, gaze gentle. “He makes me miss Shiloh. My maman and papan kept her overnight to give Faye and I time together.

  Raze twitched in his sleep and Arak let out a low purr which settled him back down. “Kyele hasn’t seen Joni either and he can’t leave Viktor alone.”

  Kyele and Joni’s son required supervision because he was constantly in trouble. Usually with Raze and Shiloh.

  “I’ll have Jaron run a scan.”

  All of the women now wore trackers in the form of jewelry. The devices were similar to the ones the Jutaks had imbedded in the collar of their uniforms and with the same level of accuracy. None of them wanted to take the chance on the ones they loved being taken away again.

  Arak patted his son’s back. “Thanks. Raze has a hard time settling when she’s not around. As soon as I put him in bed, he’ll get back up searching for his maman.”

  ***

  Vee entered his suite and came to a stop. He took in the women sprawled on the floor and crossed the room to his communicator. “Let Torkel and the others know, I’ve found their Chosens.”

  Jaron’s voice filtered back with amusement. “I gather they made your Earth female welcome and are at your place.”

  “Yes.” Vee crept closer and squatted next to Eva’s prone form. She smelled of soku. His heart tugged. Keeping his voice low as not to disturb them, he added, “I believe they are what the Earthlings call drunk.”

  Jaron laughed. “Sending Torkel, Kyele and Arak your way.”

  Chapter 18

  Eva woke up in the most comfortable bed she’d ever slept in, a warm blanket of heat at her back. She twisted about carefully only to be confronted nose to nose with a stranger. Eva screamed for all she was worth as she jumped from the bed and promptly tripped over the sheets, falling to the floor.

  The blond man in bed sat up instantly, a laser in his hand and aimed in her direction. He lowered it with a puzzled frown and scanned the room. “Eva? What’s wrong?”

  Eva patted her torso and came in contact with bare skin. She was naked. Not a stitch of clothing on. “Who are you? What are you dong in here?”

  She grabbed the trailing end of the sheet from the bed and backed away, looping it about her body. Had one of Vee’s friends wandered in here?

  “Eva, it’s me.”

  The rough rasp of the voice speaking was in no way familiar nor was the high forehead, sharp cheekbones and square jaw.

  “You need to get out of here before...” What had the other ladies called him? “V’hor. Before V’hor returns.”

  His hair stood on end as if he’d run his fingers through it. Confusion glimmered then the green-gold gaze widened in enlightenment. Green-gold ? The beautiful color was the only thing remotely related to her Vee. A smirk curled his full lips, the brief flash of fangs. “Sorry. I forgot we have a lot to discuss today.”

  Holding the sheet around her body, Eva continued to move toward the door and escape. She was pretty sure if she screamed loud enough someone would come to her defense. “I’m not sure who you are, but you are mistaken. I don’t know you.”

  “It’s me. Vee. Last night Dr. Maku removed the face mask which enabled me to look like Vanquish as well as an implanted vocalizer to change my voice.” He slid to the side of the bed and stood.

  Sculpted, lean, muscles flashed before he grabbed the remaining blanket to cover his lower half.

  Another truth set in. He’d been in the bed with her while she was asleep, completely vulnerable to attack. Eva screamed and dashed through the doorway of the bedroom and into the outer room. She was halfway to the main door when an arm caught her about the waist and hoisted her off her feet. “Chupaja, this is me. This is how I really look.”

  The low croon worked where his words didn’t. Eva peered over her shoulders. His familiar gaze sent shivers of heat through her core. “Vee?”

  “Yes.”

  She studied the long lashes flickering over diamond pupils, the messy hair. That’s where the resemblance ended. This man was gorgeous. Beautiful, tanned, masculine perfection. Not that she hadn’t found his bullish features attractive with his broken nose, and large forehead. This was just different. Unexpected.

  Turning fully in his arms, Eva reached up and ran her fingers over his face. “Amazing.”

  He looked nothing like Vanquish. The weight of his hands burned through the cloth of the sheet dangling about her hips. One quick glance down and Eva gasped. Her breasts were out in full glory. She fumbled with the extra material and yanked the sheet higher. Humor danced in Vee’s gaze. She’d never seen him this lighthearted.

  On a sniff,
Eva demanded, “Start talking. I feel like I’m missing a lot more.”

  He nodded and stepped away, one hand stroking her arm, the other grasping the blanket at his hips. “You promise not to run?”

  Eva snorted and rolled her eyes. “I’m not making any promises yet.”

  Kicking at the sheet about her feet, she made her way carefully to the sofa and sank into the cushions. Vee gave her another lingering look. “Give me a minute.”

  He disappeared into the bedroom, but was back in exactly a minute, this time wearing low slung black drawstring pants. Eva had enough wits to keep her eyes on him then shrugged it off as he sat beside her.

  “In case you haven’t realized, I’m a member of an elite military unit,” he started.

  She couldn’t help staring at his face, but chose to speak to his comment. “I got that from Joni and the others last night.”

  Vee reached for her hand and despite his very different looks, Eva relaxed. She remembered his touch. “I went undercover a few weeks ago, assuming the identity of a fighter at The Pit by the name of Vanquish.”

  “So he’s real, I take it,” Eva interrupted, entwining their fingers.

  Vee nodded. “Very real and a more calculating, vengeful fighter you’ve never seen. When it was discovered Vanquish was Serpine, it made sense I’d be the one who was sent in.”

  It was all mind-boggling. “The videos of the killing, torn heads and eyeballs ripped from skulls. Not you?”

  Vee shoved his free hand through his hair, making the waves more tousled if possible. “Not me.”

  As odd as it was, that was a relief. Thinking he could brutalize living beings to that extent hadn’t set well with her. Of course, there was the whole tearing apart Jolox and Eva was sure he’d done other things under the persona in order to survive. She couldn’t fault him for actions he did for a greater good.

  “There is much I want to tell you and I’m trying to figure out where to start.”

  Eva relaxed even more and grinned. “Easy. Start at the beginning. As much as you can that is.”

  Vee sighed and leaned back on the sofa, taking her hand with him. To keep from losing a limb she stretched her arm out and twisted her knees beneath her hips on the cushions. Their clasped palms rested between them. “Mannid was involved in the start up of a hub...what we call a distribution and manufacturing center for a very deadly drug called bliss.”

  Sounded very typical of Mannid. Eva wasn’t the least bit surprised he’d tried his hand at the drug trade.

  “I can’t give you a lot of details without my Unit Leader’s approval, but needless to say we stopped the shipment and obviously Mannid is no longer a threat.”

  Eva mulled over what he’d told her. Honestly, it was enough to know she didn’t harbor feelings for a criminal. “Your name is V’hor and you’re a soldier.”

  “Yes, but everyone here tends to call me Vee.”

  He seemed confused by that. Eva didn’t linger on the small details. She studied the face of the man sitting next to her. The cadence of his speech was the same, but the register was lower, deeper and with a rasp she wasn’t used to, though it was sexy since his words slid against her skin each time he spoke.

  The face was the biggest change. He looked nothing like the way he had before. Her gaze roamed over his features. Distinct, aristocratic almost. The eyes, now those, she’d recognize on any given day. “A face mask made you look like Vanquish?”

  “It’s synthetic skin designed from a program stored image to be a match and surgically sealed over my own face. No one could have told the difference.”

  The idea seemed incomprehensible, but she had no doubt he was telling the truth.

  “Is it so very terrible?” he asked, showing a glimpse of concern.

  “Way better. Trust me.”

  He chuckled and released her fingers to run his hand up her arm, over her shoulder and to lightly clasp her neck. His fingers stroked slowly up and down her throat as he made the low vibrating noise she’d come to associate with him.

  Eyes on her, he shifted his hand to cup her jaw and Eva pressed her face against his palm, kissing the center lightly. “Where does that leave us?”

  It was the big question of the day.

  To Eva’s surprise, his cheeks flushed. “I crave you. I want to explore every inch of your body. I want to make you mine in a way no one will miss.”

  Jerking upright, Eva gaped. “That’s pretty specific.”

  Sadness creased his features. “What you went through was horrific. I know it’s probably too soon to discuss such matters, but from the moment I saw you kneeling at Mannid’s side, I was drawn to you.”

  The feeling was mutual. Eva’s attraction for him had only grown during their short time together. “What do you want to do about it?”

  Vee dropped his hand and leaned away. His gaze grew somber and Eva trembled at what she saw there. “You were in the Singles Program. You stated your goal was to find a life partner.”

  Eva could only nod, breath suspended. She waited, nerves tingling though she had an idea already where he was going.

  “Would you consider staying here on Enotia with me, Eva Blake? Forgive my deception and give me a chance to be the one you share your life with.”

  Holy shit! Eva was on her feet again. The sheet dipped and she made a desperate grab for it. He’d been very formal in his request, leaving no doubt to his sincerity. “You’re to the point.”

  “Lying is not something I enjoy. Not with you. It is my desire to be as honest as possible going forward unless it is related to my assignments or any missions I’m sent on.” Vee stood and closed the distance between them. He stroked Eva’s hair then used both hands to tip her chin up. “You have no idea how I long for you, chupaja.”

  That damn endearment. Eva blinked away the moisture gathering in her eyes. “You think I’m strong.”

  There was a slight softening of his features as he nodded.

  “Even though you saw me kneeling as a sex slave? Saw me crying.” She sniffed on the last, determined to hold back on the emotions threatening to overwhelm her in this moment.

  The corners of his lips kicked up. “Your fighter spirit shined in a way Mannid could never dim.”

  Eva choked before throwing herself forward. Vee caught her in his arms and hugged her tight.

  ***

  Vee closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet aroma of Eva. Holding her against his chest, he exhaled in relief. She’d listened to what he had to say. She was willing to forgive him his secrets. “Is this a yes?”

  A ragged breath then her head bobbed up and down on his chest, drawing a smile from Vee. Earth women were far different from Serpine, but he’d been around them enough to understand the tears soaking his chest were from joy and not sadness. Females on his home world would never reveal their vulnerability in such a way.

  Perhaps that was why he’d never been drawn to them. Or any other. He’d been waiting for someone with the right combination of spirit, bravery and openness. Someone who he could share his darkest secret yet.

  A shiver of foreboding rolled over him. He wouldn’t focus on what could go wrong. Only on what he could make right. Easing back slightly to gaze into her upturned face, he traced the evidence of her tears with his thumbs, back and forth, admiring her hidden strength. “Would you like to eat?”

  Eva chuckled and settled her hands on his shoulders, fingers caressing and leaving visible bumps in their wake. “What is it with you and feeding me?”

  “It’s a privilege,” he murmured absently as he marveled at how carefree she was in her physical affection. In return, he wanted to be the one giving her tenderness, care and devotion.

  “Can I shower and get dressed? I don’t know where the clothes are you got for me.”

  She attempted to pull away and Vee resisted, not yet ready to let her go. “I have your things in the bedroom. I spoke with Joni and the others. They are willing to show you how to order more things.”

 
Shopping. Vee mentally grimaced although Eva’s eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful.”

  She tugged again and he had no choice but to let her move away. Kicking at the sheet with every step, Eva made her way back to the bedroom. “If I haven’t said it yet—thank you, Vee.”

  “No thanks are needed.” She didn’t understand now, but he’d explain later. She was going to be his nestmate. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for her.

  Vee followed her and pointed at the pack he’d brought to the room last night. Eva dug inside and pulled out what she needed. When she disappeared inside the cleansing room, he stood outside and listened as the water turned on. “I was hoping to check on Bane as well. He made it through the night and his maman arrived to sit at his bedside.”

  Because of his discomfort with his body, Vee had had the glass to the stall frosted. Regret teased his mind with what he could have seen if he hadn’t done that. Still, he could just make out the outline of Eva’s body. His cock predictably responded and thrust against the cloth of his bottoms.

  “I’m pleased to hear that. You don’t know how responsible I feel for what happened to him.” Her breath hitched on the end.

  Vee stepped across the threshold, wanting to offer comfort then forced himself to stop. “It is not your fault. Mannid is to blame and he has already paid the price for his actions.”

  Eva hummed under her breath. Vee turned to the side, giving her a semblance of privacy when she shut the water off and came out in a white drying cloth. Her hair was a cascade of midnight slicked back from her face. Water drops glistened on her shoulders inviting Vee to lick each one. Eva did a double take when their eyes met in the mirror.

  Vee immediately spun toward the door, giving her his back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come in here with you.”

  “It’s not that. You’ll have to allow me some time for the shock of how you look to wear off.” Eva came around to his front and her mouth twisted in a rueful smile. “I’m still getting used to you looking like this. I think the voice change is easier to take because while your voice sounds different, it’s not. If that makes sense.”