Page 6 of Tempting Cargo

Not likely.

“I need more tea.” Zerena headed over to the bar, and I cast my eyes around the cantina. Twisting metal vines coiled over the ceiling like steel snakes, and dark-coloured wall hangings hid the stark space station panels beneath—a welcome contrast.

My attention snapped back to Zerena. A shaa male had joined her at the drinks machine, and she held herself stiffly, her body angled away from him.

Sure enough, when she went to leave and he put a hand on her, I was out of my seat and by her side before I knew it. “You okay?”

“This is a private conversation,” the horned male said. “It does not concern you.”

The fuck it didn’t. “Zerena?”

“I’d like to sit down.” Her voice was a mix of frustration and worry. This wasn’t the first time I’d had to protect a couple of the women from unwanted attention, despite their irritation it was necessary.

There were advantages to being built like a brick shithouse, though. I squared up to the alien, a few inches shorter than him but much broader. “My friend and I are going to sit down now, and you’re going to leave us the fuck alone.”

The background hum of the cantina faded, and the off-duty soldiers on the far side of the room sat straighter.

The shaa locked his gaze on mine with a sneer across his imperious features.

Seconds passed as we stared each other down, until Zerena slipped a hand round my arm, tugging gently.

I gave the shaa a cold smile. “We’re going now. I suggest you do the same.”

His eyes narrowed, but I didn’t wait, just turned and walked away with Zerena—slowly, so she didn’t spill her drink.

“Thanks,” she muttered. “Fucking men. The same everywhere, apparently.” She squeezed my arm. “Sorry. Not you.”

“It’s fine. You sure you’re okay?” She nodded and scooted into the booth before me.

She’d talk to me if she wanted to.

I was surprised to see Ellie slide in after me. How she’d got a job already, I didn’t know, but the archon seemed to have taken her under his wing. “How’s it going?”

Her smile cut through some of the gloom at our table. “Good. Though Ithsskar has me studying the history of the Allied Galaxy, and I’m not learning as fast as he’d like.” She caught her lower lip with her teeth. “I don’t want him to change his mind and send me away. I think I’ll like being a diplomat once I get the hang of it.”

He wouldn’t. We all saw the way the reptilian archon looked at her, even if Ellie was oblivious.

Then again, so was I sometimes—like last night. I’d thought I was helping her, same way I’d helped Zerena, only to get hissed at and told to, “fuck off, cockblock,” before she’d given me a mischievous grin.

Even if it wasn’t my style, I liked the way Ellie wasn’t ashamed to throw herself into this new world in all manner of ways, but my gut twinged with a rush of sadness. What hope was there for me in the wider galaxy? I didn’t even know what kind of life we’d be able to make for ourselves, let alone if I’d be able to find a relationship one day.

Alien ‘tea’ was good, at least.

I sipped at my third chrya of the day. It couldn’t wash away the melancholy, but I appreciated its comfort.

As I set my empty mug down and picked up my datapad, I huffed a small laugh. It could be worse. At least this place wasn’t full of kri’ith.

CHAPTER THREE

My curiosity is the patient tsati that waits for prey

Shohari

DRAIM STATION LOOMEDahead, all menacing angles and stark blue lights, a predator insect hanging in space waiting to catch unsuspecting traders.

Or suspecting ones who flew in as though they’d be immune. Skykking Paiata with his unconventional stopovers.

“Relax, Cap. We’re just a boring ship trading in boring cargo heading to a boring destination,” he said.