Page 4 of A Mate for Vasek (Tallean Mercenaries #11)

Vasek

It wasn’t the knowledge that Bakum had lied, but rather the sight of the other male holding the human female by the hair that sent Vasek half into bloodlust. His cheek creases had already unfolded, and his fangs started to elongate before he stopped himself.

This was not his usual calm self, and he didn’t understand the sudden protectiveness that surged through him at the sight of her in danger. But now was not the time to worry about that, not when he still had Bakum to deal with.

The male cowered back, and Dawn scrambled aside the moment Bakum released her. The sharp tang of fear emanated from her.

“You lied,” Vasek gritted, the words distorted since his fangs were still long. “I asked if you were being followed, and you said you were not.”

“I wasn’t.” Bakum had recovered and was now standing his ground.

“Then why is there a band of pirates waiting to get their hands on you?”

Bakum’s eyes went wide. “They’re here already!”

“You knew they were coming.”

“I thought I lost them. I swear.”

“Lies. They followed you to this port, and you knew. You are lucky I am a patient male, and that I have a history with Morad. Or else you would have died in your sleep. Morad will not attack me, but you are another matter. You are fair game one galactic hour after you leave this establishment.”

“What? The rule is half a day!”

“My clients follow my rules out of respect and fear of being left to bleed out in the future. I do not guarantee safety. And you lied, so the rules are forfeit. You’re lucky I am not handing you over for some extra credits. You still owe me for my services.”

The male reached for his bag, but instead of taking out his credit chip, he simply tossed the bag over his back.

Then he grabbed Dawn roughly and turned her before ripping off one of the large gems from the back of her dress.

He tossed it to Vasek, then grabbed Dawn by the arm and started toward the door.

Vasek moved to block him. “Credits, Bakum. The agreement was in credits.”

Instead of replying, Bakum grabbed a chair and threw it at Vasek, then upended the table over him.

Vasek had expected deceit and ducked to avoid it, even as the table crashed to the ground next to him, the brittle wood shattering. Morad had warned him that Bakum would backstab him like he had Kotch.

There was a feminine gasp followed by the sounds of many tiny gems that had been clinging onto the dress by sheer determination scattering across the floor.

“Fuck!” Bakum swore.

By the time Vasek made his way out from under the broken table, the male had already flung the door to the balcony wide open. Seeing Vasek, he shoved a very naked Dawn at him as hard as he could.

Vasek had two choices: go for Bakum and let Dawn smash into the sharp and splintered remains of the table, or catch Dawn and let Bakum get away.

The choice was easy. Bakum would be hunted down by Morad and his pirates before the day was up.

He was no longer Vasek’s concern. He caught Dawn’s slight form in his arms.

He couldn’t help but think how well she fit there, a perfect armful. She was shaking from adrenaline and shock, but her temperature was much better than the last time he’d felt her. The medication was working. Good.

He placed her protectively behind him and turned to Bakum.

“Take the gems and the female. They are more than worth your work.” Then with an angry growl, Bakum leaped down into the street below, the bejeweled dress tucked under his arm.

Vasek turned to Dawn, who stood there with her arms wrapped around her body, eyes wide. This had not turned out the way he’d wanted. Gems required buyers, or else they were simply useless rocks. It was one more thing added to his never-ending list of things to do.

And what the hell was he going to do with a human female? As someone who would never buy or sell an intelligent being, he had no use for her as a slave. And he wasn’t looking for female companionship either.

He sighed. “What am I going to do with a female?”

“I can be useful. Please don’t give me to Morad.

I helped Kotch balance his books and organize his business.

I’m good with stuff like that. You can keep me, and I can help you.

I’ll be really good, I promise.” She was tripping over her words now.

“I don’t eat much. And I’ll stay quiet. Please just give me a chance.

I’ll never survive Morad and those pirates. ”

A sharp pain stabbed at Vasek’s chest. She was probably right. And the thought of those pirates abusing her was enough to make red streak across Vasek’s vision.

But he couldn’t keep her. And it wasn’t just because his job was too dangerous, though he often used that as an excuse whenever other males spoke of finding females.

Sometimes he claimed he wasn’t interested in a mate, but that was a lie.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want one, but rather that he couldn’t have one.

His family was cursed. Well, at least the males in his family were.

Not a single male on his father's side had experienced a successful mating since his great-grandfather. And it wasn’t for lack of trying.

He was the only sane surviving male of his line and Vasek wasn’t cocky enough to believe it could be any different for him.

But he couldn’t leave her to the pirates either.

“I will keep you for a while,” he decided.

Vasek removed his top, handing it over to her.

“Get yourself cleaned up,” he said, gesturing to the facilities.

“And put this on when you’re done. I need to settle my payments with the inn.

” And give the guards and workers some extra credits for the hassle.

He was generous with his credits where it counted, especially in locations where he operated out of often. “We are leaving after.”

“Yes, sir … er … what do you wish to be called?”

“Just Vasek.” He’d need to explain to her that he was against the owning of intelligent life.

Then Vasek stepped out of the room to face Morad and his pirates.

Dawn

Dawn closed her eyes and sighed at the feel of the water sluicing down her body. And this place even had a water-based cleansing unit! The shower was already helping her feel better. Much better. Or was that the medication starting to work?

Yeah, that must be it.

Everything had worked out after all. At least for now.

Eventually, Dawn would have to tell Vasek that Morad was after her too, and not just Bakum, and why. And she’d need to tell him before Morad came knocking.

The cleansing cycle changed to rinse. With it no longer scented and soapy, she took some into her mouth to gargle and rinse.

She knew better than to do that when the water still had the cleansers, especially at a place like this that probably used the cheap stuff.

She couldn’t believe it, but she was actually missing Kotch’s deluxe cleansing unit with its massage jets and customizable settings.

She tried to remember how her shower had felt back home on Earth and the shower gel she used to use, but couldn’t. All that came to mind were Tallean scents, which over the years had become too familiar.

She sighed. She really had to make it back to Earth soon before she forgot everything.

Then who would she be? No one. She was nothing without her memories.

She’d seen it happen with her grandfather as dementia took everything from him.

Sure, she was young now, but she wouldn’t stay that way forever.

The cleansing unit beeped, signaling the end of the rinse cycle and her last chance to select a longer duration. Not knowing the next time she’d have the opportunity, she selected the option to extend her rinse. The water was marvelous, soothing all her aching muscles.

By the time she stepped out of the cleansing unit, Vasek was back and already dressed in another top that hid his deceptively muscled shoulders and arms. Dawn had caught a glimpse of them when he’d passed her his top.

She had to admit that he was easy on the eyes, and his face had a kind look to it when he wasn’t angry.

There was that moment when he’d come back from his talk with Morad, where he’d been furious.

Dawn had seen Talleans in bloodlust before when Kotch had taken her as a companion to a party.

There’d been a fight arranged as part of the entertainment, and the two Tallean fighters had gone into bloodlust. One of them had torn out the other’s throat, winning his freedom.

Then there was Morad, who would let his cheek creases and fangs out whenever he was drunk.

It had terrified her, and Kotch had threatened to give her to Morad if she ever misbehaved.

Morad was notoriously rough with his toys.

Kotch, more the businessman than the fighter, had never gone into bloodlust, not even when fighting for his life at the end.

Vasek was meticulously picking all the gems off the floor.

Dawn saw that he’d packed everything he’d taken out to use with her and Bakum, and had it all stacked onto a wheeled luggage cart for easy travel. She quickly threw the top over her still slightly damp hair; the air from the cleansing unit’s vent was never enough to dry it thoroughly.

The top fit her like a loose dress. It also smelled like Vasek, masculine and musky, with a hint of spice.

Then she started helping him, crawling under the table and beds to reach for the valuable gems. It seemed Vasek had come out the winner in this transaction, though she wouldn’t have known from the scowl on his face when she handed him the jewels.

“Come, let’s get out of here.”

But despite his scowl, his voice was soft, and the hand that landed on her arm was firm but tender as he guided her out the door. She’d expected them to go out the front, but instead they continued through the back into a transport lot.

Dawn was soon inside a comfortable and spacious transport and on her way.