Page 33 of My Alien Angel (Supernova Casanovas #6)

“Never,” I shoot back without hesitation.

I have nothing back on Earth to return to.

I want Omni and I’m getting him back. Eldri said there were no legal ways to free Omni?

Well, then I guess it’s time for an illegal one.

I don’t have the slightest clue how to break someone out of prison but, a thought suddenly hits me, I know of people who do.

Omni’s crew. They’re more than just his crew, they’re his friends, and since they’re all former special ops, surely, they’d be able to rescue him from wherever this stupidly unfair legal system lands him.

But how do I find them without getting killed or kidnapped myself?

“It’s a good thing Omni’s captain isn’t around,” Eldri suddenly says.

Confused, I stare at him. Can he read my mind?

Or is he just thinking the same thing I am?

Trying to warn me off contacting a bunch of people who, in his eyes, are criminals?

“Zarkan and I go way back,” he continues fondly.

“He would do anything to free a member of his crew, and we can’t have that now, can we? ”

I blink. Then blink again as my mind recalibrates with the new revelation.

Eldri isn’t warning me off. He’s…helping me?

“Yes,” I agree slowly, “it’s a good thing Omni’s crew isn’t around.

They sound like dangerous criminals, best to be avoided.

You wouldn’t happen to know their whereabouts, would you?

Just so I don’t accidentally run into them,” I throw out the bait, praying to all gods in existence that I read the admiral’s intentions correctly.

Eldri grins, relieved I caught up. “Yes, they are very dangerous,” he agrees, ostentatiously looking behind me.

Turning, I follow his gaze to an inconspicuous segment of the wall, unsure what it means.

Is there surveillance in this room? Is that why he has to talk in circles, so as not to implicate himself?

With a shrug, I decide it doesn’t really matter.

As long as he’s helping, he can be as weird as he wants.

“Last reports claim the Supernova was at the Schloppe station. A seedy place outside of the UGC’s sphere of influence.

It’s a good thing you won’t be traveling there because it’s extremely dangerous for a lone human.

They’re more likely to be captured by slavers than enjoy the sights. ”

“Right.” Panic surges. I’m not a particularly brave person and I’m way out of my depth here, but that doesn’t mean I won’t keep searching for a way to help Omni. I just have to be smart about it. “How would a human who just wants to admire the sights safely visit this station?”

My question gains me an appreciative nod. “They would have to hire someone to accompany them. Someone strong enough to protect them and reliable enough not to double-cross them.”

My hopes fall upon hearing the word “hire”.

I was never wealthy on Earth and out here, I literally have only the clothes on my back.

There’s no way I could hire a bodyguard, not to mention I have no way of determining who is trustworthy.

“That sounds like an expensive venture,” I say. Perhaps Eldri will toss in some funds?

“It can be. Alternatively, someone might be willing to trade for safe passage and an opportunity to see the sights of Schloppe station. Maybe there could be a mutually beneficial deal made.” I’m about to argue that I absolutely will not not fuck some random alien in exchange for help because, somehow, that is the first thought that crosses my mind, when Eldri continues, “I would definitely not recommend approaching someone like the opportunistic scoundrel mercenary currently being held prisoner aboard this ship. He might be known to never engage in the slave trade and has a reputation for upholding any deals he makes, but he is still a ruthlessly uncouth smuggler who deserves to be locked up.”

Upholds his deals and never engages in the slave trade.

That sounds exactly like the person I need.

A real life alien Han Solo. He doesn’t even have to be handsome, since I already have a sexy alien I’m committed to, and I’m definitely not doing conjugal visits in an alien prison.

“Such a dangerous criminal,” I go along with the act.

“I’m sure there’s no way he can escape and endanger people aboard this ship, right? ”

“Absolutely not. Unlike Omni, this male’s being held in the low-security cells, but only a security officer can open his cell. Unless he gets his hands on an all-access key card, but only a few people on board this ship have one of those, and there’s no way a locked-up mercenary could get one.”

But someone who isn’t locked up might. “That’s a relief.” Actual relief floods me when Eldri subtly places an inconspicuous card on his desk.

“Indeed,” he agrees. “If Null broke free, he could reclaim his ship from hangar 3 and fly practically anywhere.”

Null? What an odd name, though I suspect it might just be a glitch in the translation program.

“As I said, it’s a good thing he’s locked up. You must be tired, Miss Young,” Eldri says, standing up. “I will tell your case officer you wish to rest before they discuss your options with you.”

Swiping the card from the desk, I surge to my feet, a fresh wave of adrenaline urging me into instant action.

There’s just one issue. I have no clue how to get to the cells.

“Yes, I’m very tired. I will just head to my room and get some sleep.

Could you give me directions to make sure I find the place where I need to be? ”

White teeth gleam in Eldri’s face as he grins widely. Leaning down, he taps a claw on a device resembling a super thin tablet before handing it to me. “Just follow these instructions, Miss Young. They will guide you to the right place. Good luck with whichever choice you end up making.”

My choice is already made. I choose Omni.