Page 21 of A Mate for Vasek (Tallean Mercenaries #11)

Vasek

Despite the fact that the human male had come up with an ingenious plan to get his shuttle safely out of the trees, Vasek still wanted to punch him in the face. He hadn’t missed the way Dex had looked at Dawn. They might be different species, but Vasek knew interest when he saw it.

“Ignore the male,” Ulrek said when they were alone in his office. “He tries his hand with every pretty female he sees. Calls it a numbers game. If you ask me, he’s just like any other young Tallean male.”

Dex, Berus, and Vhast were out putting the brainy human’s plan into action.

Vasek had wanted to help since it was his shuttle, but was told he’d just get in the way, which had made him want to maim the mouthy human even more.

But he didn’t for Ulrek’s sake. The captain had come to his rescue, offering the use of his ship and his crew, even though it had been a favor asked of Berus.

Vasek didn’t want to cause any trouble for the infamous captain.

Vasek had never worked on Ulrek himself, but he’d known him from back when he’d been with the Dominion. He hadn’t been particularly close with him, but the captain had worked with his father for a while.

Ulrek had been one of the few people who’d known where Vasek had disappeared to after he’d called it quits and disappeared.

The two shared one interesting thing in common: they both had a robotic arm, on the same side too.

But Ulrek had only lost his real arm recently and was still getting used to the new one.

Currently, the captain was mindlessly doing the exercises suggested to help connect the nerves and brain to the enhanced limb, touching his thumb from fingertip to fingertip.

Vasek wondered who’d done the work. He couldn’t see the joining on his forearm so whoever had done it must’ve been well-trained.

But that could be part of Ulrek’s disguise.

He’d gone on screen earlier as Uzzar, which Vasek had taken to mean that he wanted to keep his secret a little while longer in front of Dawn.

And sure enough, Dex had introduced him as Uzzar and his mate as Lana, instead of as Ulrek and Delaney.

Vasek already knew, so it had to be because they weren’t sure of Dawn.

If Dawn decided to stay with him or with Kean, she’d figure it out eventually anyway.

Most important people out here knew, and the rest were so certain that Uzzar was who he said he was they didn’t question it. His disguise was very convincing.

Ulrek opened a cabinet and took out some good Rhean spirits and two heavy glass tumblers, set them onto the table, and poured them each a drink.

“It’s been a while, Vasek. I can’t believe you’re still doing what you do.” The captain held up his glass.

Vasek frowned at the strange motion, and Ulrek chuckled, putting his drink down.

“I’ve been around humans for too long. They have a tradition of clinking glasses together as a sign of respect and solidarity.”

Seeing all the humans on board had been a bit startling. He’d known Ulrek had taken on a half-human crew, but he’d never actually met them, aside from Cami.

“I am surprised you are so protective over a female, especially with the new development with your brother.”

Vasek froze with his tumbler halfway to his mouth. New development?

“Have you not heard then.” Ulrek’s words were a statement, rather than a question.

“I have been out in the jungles, evading capture. And before that, I had my news tuned in elsewhere.”

“On New Rhea, and what was happening with Kotch and Bakum, I wager. And then on Morad.” Ulrek didn’t miss much.

“I thought the female looked familiar. I purchased a small shipment of armaments from him for the ship recently. Dawn does not recognize me, but I went with only the Talleans on my crew to avoid too much attention.”

And if she had, she hadn’t shown it.

“I suppose she sees many people working for Kotch, and wouldn’t recognize yet another captain.” Not one to play games with hints and double speak, Vasek got straight to the point. “What is this about my brother?”

“Ranek escaped lock-up. They tried to recapture him but lost him two days ago and have not found him since. With your sire gone, there isn’t enough reason to put any more credits into his recapture.”

Vasek immediately knew the implication. His brother was probably coming to the outer planets. And if he was anything like the last time the two had met, he was dangerous.

It was so long ago, years, almost a decade ago. Stars! How time flies.

Would he still be blaming Vasek for the death of his mate?

Technically, she hadn’t been his mate yet, since she was bonded to someone else.

But Ranek’s bond had already been fully formed, so her death had hit him hard even though the female had never accepted him.

And Vasek hadn’t truly been at fault for her death; he’d tried everything to save her.

But her handiwork had been thorough, and death had claimed her, just like she’d wanted.

What a horrible joke the Goddess had played, giving Ranek a mate who’d already loved another. Then, when her family had ordered her to form a partnership of convenience with Ranek instead because they disapproved of the other male, the two lovers had taken their lives.

It had been tragic. It was after this incident that people started referring to his family’s inability to find happy matings as a curse.

Fuck! What the hell had he been thinking?

How could he be considering offering Dawn the option to stay with him?

It would only end tragically. And what would happen when Ranek arrived in the outer planets?

Would his brother still want his blood for failing to save Channa’s life?

If Dawn were with him, Ranek would target her for sure.

These past few days with her had been magical, a small taste of what life could be if Vasek wasn’t cursed to be alone forever, but that was all it could ever be.

“Thank you for the warning,” Vasek said, the vision of what he had to do now clearing in his mind.

“Berus said we are dropping you off at Kean’s compound. It surprised me, but now that I see you have a female, I can see why you might consider taking the offer to work for him.”

Vasek grunted. “Dawn is not my female.” Just saying the words felt wrong, but he had to get used to it.

“No? You seemed rather protective of her.”

“Bakum left her with me. I promised to bring her to Kean’s stronghold. So I will. I will not let some human male lure her away before I can fulfill my promise.” That sounded like a cop-out even to Vasek’s own ears. “Kean is also expecting me. I am joining the festivities this year.”

“I see.” Ulrek downed the rest of his drink in one go.

“It’s for the best you stay at Kean’s for a while anyway. He has good, reliable mechanics who can get your shuttle back in perfect working order. My mechanic isn’t in right now. Neither is my medic.”

“I did notice that Tahra isn’t here.”

“She’s taken up with my mechanic. The whole ship knows it, but they’re still trying to be discreet.

It’s some strange human hang-up Gavin has about ‘banging Tuhror’s sister.

’” Ulrek shook his head. “They are so similar to us, sometimes I forget they are another species until one of them says something like that.”

That reminded Vasek. “Congratulations on finding a mate. May the…” he paused, trying to figure out if the captain preferred the Stars or the Goddess; Ulrek had been Dominion for much of his life.

“The Stars. I have left the Goddess’s arms long ago, much the same as you.”

Vasek understood. The captain had done more than enough in the name of a false goddess; it was time he made his own way in the universe. Vasek had done that himself, just much earlier. Losing an arm and a brother in one go did that to someone.

“Then, may the Stars look kindly on your mating.” Vasek put his fist to his chest, with the smaller finger facing outward.

Ulrek did the same, returning the gesture.

The captain’s comm unit buzzed, and he picked it up to read the screen. “Ah, your shuttle is safely on board.”

That was quick.

Ulrek stood, and Vasek finished his drink. “Let’s go see the damage.”