Page 27

Even though I’m not working in the booth today, I’ve got the uniform on and am half curled in one of the plush chairs in the waiting room, listening to Cherry tell me about the time she had to explain to her best friend that animals on Earth don’t talk.

“To be fair, I had just shown her one of the animated movies Phantom has on file.” She giggles and scrubs at her face with her hands. “When a warthog and meerkat are singing at you, the last question you ask is ‘can the real life version of these things actually sing?’ She just took that as fact and rolled with it.”

We all laugh and I idly wonder what it would be like to live here full time like she does.

But my sister just announced she’s pregnant and I can’t imagine not being around while my nibling is growing up… And I can’t really see myself here for long periods of time if Lochdon isn’t here with me.

No… no matter what happens with him, or with this job, I’m not giving up Earth entirely.

“Hey Peachy pie?” A Bliteen woman leans in through the door, smiling at all of us before she turns her black and gold eyes to me.

“There’s a hunky Glantanian waiting for you in the public room.”

“Oh!” He’s early. “Thanks!”

“We’re tossed aside so quickly,” Cherry laments with a faked pout. “It’s like you were just using us for entertainment while you waited.”

“The aliens in the booth use us for entertainment. I was enjoying your company. It’s not my fault that you’re entertaining without even trying.”

She sticks her tongue out at me.

I say goodbye to the others and hurry out, wondering why the bot didn’t let me know he had arrived. I’ll have to check the settings.

The main room of the club is pretty full today, but Lochdon isn’t where I expect him to be, and when I do a slow turn around the room, there’s only one Glantanian.

Terjen.

Lochdon’s clansman smiles at me like he expects he’ll get something and I want to crawl out of my skin when his gaze trails over me, lingering on the places I know Lochdon’s marks are visible to him.

I keep looking, hoping I’m wrong, but… I’d be willing to bet he’s the reason that it was another employee who collected me, instead of the bot.

How could she know?

Lochdon might not have a problem with me fucking other people at work, but I have a big problem with the idea of even letting Terjen touch me.

So I turn on my heel and head back for the employees-only area. I’d rather not deal with him at all.

Except, I don’t get out of the room before two hands wrap around my arm and drag me back.

Terjen says something, but all I understand is “Hello,” and “want”.

I’m not about to kiss him to find out the rest.

“Let go of me.” I say, pulling my arm back so he’ll get the hint.

His eyes narrow and I know he can’t understand me.

He takes a step forward and I say one of the first words I’d learned in their language.

“Ket.” No.

And he does stop, but when I pull my arm back, he still doesn’t let go.

I am done with this interaction, so I say two words I never thought I’d need to: “Protocol violation.”

They’re two words no one on Phantom’s payroll would say on accident.

He doesn’t remove his hands from my arm. They’re just gone.

Everyone who was close enough to hear the words turns and I manage not to flinch when Phantom is by my side between one blink and the next.

I don’t have to tell Phantom what happened, they already know.

It’s why Terjen’s arms are gone, disappeared into holes like the ones in the booth. Though, I doubt they’re as much fun.

Terjen starts to speak and I don’t need to know the words to guess that he’s trying to talk his way out of any punishment.

Phantom only lets him speak for a moment before yet another hole appears. This one over his mouth… leaving his next words unheard.

“He’s banned, of course,” Phantom says, turning to me. “Would you like me to do anything… special to make an example of him?”

I don’t know what “special” might entail, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to find out.

“All he did was grab me… a ban is enough.”

“He also lied to me. He claimed you are friends and it was all a misunderstanding. As if I don’t know everything that goes on in my club.”

“If you know everything, why was he able to grab me in the first place?” I ask.

The shadow of Phantom’s head tips to the side. “I know what happens, not what you want.”

I guess that’s fair.

“Just get rid of him.” Maybe there’s some kind of galactic restraining order so I never have to worry about him again. Maybe I’m overreacting.

Still… I’ll ask about it later.

A hole forms in the floor and Terjen drops through it, screaming.

“Where did he go?” I have a feeling Phantom could have sent him anywhere.

“The corridor in front of his temporary apartment.” Their head moves, like they’re looking over me. “I’ll let you explain.”

“Explain what?”

Phantom goes transparent and I see Lochdon… I don’t know how long he’s been there, but I go to him, leaping up to wrap my arms around his neck and when he catches me, hands holding me to him, I kiss him.

There are a few chuckles and jeers from nearby, but I ignore them.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” The relief makes me a little dizzy.

“What happened?”

“How much did you see?”

His brows pinch. “I saw Terjen disappear… and I can see where he touched you.”

There is a disgust in his voice that makes me want to recoil, but he holds me too tightly.

“He had one of the other women who work here make me think you were here and when I saw him and tried to leave…

He lets me down and I slide along him, hating the set of his jaw. “Wait here.”

His gaze is hard as he goes to where Phantom waits in the corner. I don’t hear what they say. I don’t know what happens, just that Lochdon leaves without looking at me again.

Taking a deep breath, I try not to let my mind go to ugly places.

Marching to Phantom, I point to the marks I can’t see, but know are there. “How do I get rid of this?”