Page 8 of Trusting Warik (Hissa Warrior #9)

Chapter 8

Nisha

“I need to know all the station laws about violence and fighting,” Nisha said. Now wasn’t the time to worry about confusing Warik.

“It’s a little late for that,” Warik said. “When I charge them, you run. You need to evade the station authorities and get time on an interstellar com. Our only chance is for you to contact Steadfast or Ardent. They can negotiate our release.”

I’m analyzing now, Shift said. I think I see a few things that will help you. But you’re going to need to be ready to bribe everyone, including your attackers. I’ll find out what a good bribe price is.

“That’ll suck,” Nisha muttered.

“Nisha, I need you to focus,” Warik whispered. “When they’re close enough, I’ll attack. The moment you see me move; you need to be ready to sprint. Head to the most crowded area you can find.”

Here is the first thing you need to do, Shift said. Her voice was monotone, indicating she was working hard on a new problem. Demand to speak to Station Supervisor Nilf. I’m already shutting down her situation room so she’s blind right now, hopefully that will make her more inclined to come down here.

“Contact Station Supervisor Nilf. She’ll want to talk to me,” Nisha said with a confidence she didn’t feel. She tried to step around Warik, but he moved sideways to keep her shielded.

“What are you doing?” Warik asked, voice tight with tension.

“Trust me,” she said. “Oh, and you’re an idiot if you’d think I’d run off and leave you to face this alone. Stand down and let me handle this.”

Station security were all carrying deadly weapons. If Warik attacked them, there was a high chance he wouldn’t survive.

He started to grumble something when the head of security pointed at Nisha. “I’m not bothering Station Supervisor Nilf for you.”

His name is Dalic, and he’s got gambling debt owed to a guy named Higil. Say you’ve bought his debt. I’m transferring it now to be under your name.

“Don’t speak to me like that, Dalic,” Nisha spat out. “Not with how much credit you owe me.”

Dalic jerked back. “I owe you nothing.”

Nisha forced out a harsh, mocking laugh. “You don’t think Higil would sell it to me? He thought you might do something stupid like go to Nilf, so he was happy to let me buy it at a reduced rate. If you don’t make me happy, I’ll call the debt in right now.”

Oh, good one! Shift praised. Even if he didn’t ask Nilf for help, it’s something he might think of doing.

“No,” Dalic said, with a shake of his head so violent, it sent his big bat ears flopping around. “Higil would’ve told me if he sold my debt.”

“Why is that?” Nisha asked, making a guess that station security and the largest gaming house on the station probably didn’t always get along. “Because you’ve treated him so honorably in the past?”

“I—he—” Dalic didn’t know how to respond so she pressed her advantage, repeating the information Shift was whispering to her.

“If you don’t want your family to know how much you owe, then you best contact Nilf and get her down here. Your second husband and third wife are from influential clans. Do you really want them to find out what you've done?”

Dalic’s eyes went wide, and he brought his data bracelet up to his face so fast he almost knocked himself in the nose. He whispered into the device with quiet desperation, all the time keeping his eyes on Nisha as if she was going to attack him.

“Nilf is on her way,” Dalic said. “I’m sure she’ll help resolve all of this satisfactorily."

By now, their attackers were starting to get to their feet and glaring at Nisha and Warik.

“Why aren’t they in shackles?” her original assailant demanded. Nisha felt a deep sense of satisfaction at the burned area all around his crotch. It was too bad all the wounds looked superficial; he deserved to have his junk burned entirely off!

“We’re waiting on Station Director Nilf,” Dalic said, taking his eyes off Nisha to glance at her attacker. “If I were you, Diklin, I’d leave now.”

“No!” Diklin yelled, his fur standing up on end displaying his anger. “As the victim of their attack, I’m owed half their wealth.”

“I don’t—” Dalic’s words were interrupted when Station Director Nilf showed up followed by a large entourage.

“Who are you that you dare to summon me as if I’m a lowly worker?” the impressively tall and powerful station director demanded.

“I really need you to step behind me,” Nisha whispered to Warik. “I need to look like I’m in charge.”

“Aren’t you?” he asked. With obvious reluctance, he let her move in front of him. He was going to have a lot of questions for her to answer later, but that was a future problem.

“Greetings, Station Director Nilf,” Nisha said and followed Shift’s direction on how to give a formal greeting to a Hakmin by flattening her hands against her collarbones, then dipping her head at the same time she bent her knees. The gesture felt weird, but her effort was rewarded when Nilf looked startled, then returned the gesture.

“I’m sorry to have bothered someone of your high stature,” Nisha continued. “Normally, I’d never do something so gauche, but as you can see, my situation is absolutely intolerable. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s an honor to finally meet you!”

Nilf remained silent as Nisha complimented her large family, naming each one as if they were old friends, and finally remarking on Nilf's esteemed status as Family Matriarch.

She and Shift had been doing this so long, it was easy to integrate all the information the AI fed her as if it was all something she already knew. Finally, she talked about looking for new investments and Nilf’s fourth wife’s importation business might be an excellent place for investment.

It was a long, roundabout way to bribe Nilf, but it was the type of bribe she wouldn’t have to hide. By the time Nisha was done, Nilf had stepped close and was loosely clasping all four hands in front of her. It was the body language of someone relaxed and interested.

“I’m also glad we’re finally able to meet, esteemed Nisha Rue. You must join me for a meal so my fourth wife can tell you about her business,” Nilf demanded. Nisha had to fight to keep from looking over at Warik with a triumphant grin.

“Thank you, I’d greatly enjoy that,” Nisha responded with a solemn tone and expression. “My bodyguard will of course accompany me. I go nowhere without him.”

“Obviously,” Nilf agreed. “We women of prestige need to be diligent with our safety.”

“Speaking of safety,” Nisha said, and pointed to Diklin and the men who’d attacked her and Warik. “I’m not sure I feel comfortable on this station while rabble like this are allowed to move around freely.”

Nilf waved a hand at Dalic. “Arrest these troublemakers. Charge them with standard laws for unprovoked attacks. Distribute whatever we get for selling them at the slave market between the station and our kind guest here.”

The men all protested loudly as station security hauled them away, and Nilf turned to one of her attendants.

“I’d ask that my portion of their wealth is donated to the station to pay for all the damage they did,” she said loudly, enjoying the baleful look from Diklin as he was marched away with the rest of his gang.

Nilf’s expression turned pleased. “That is most generous of you. I’ll see that it’s done.” Nilf eyed Warik. “And I’ll have someone from the medical suite see to your bodyguard while we talk.”

“That would be most welcome,” Nisha said, then pointed to the bags scattered around the area. “Those are all my purchases. I’d like them returned.”

“I’ll have your things gathered and put in your room.” She didn’t even need to order anyone as several attendants started gathering Nisha’s bags. Nilf gave instructions to the other attendees. “See that the eating room is prepared and contact my fourth wife to join us. Also have the medical suite send someone who understands that one’s biology."

“He’s Hissa,” Nisha said, and the attendant cast her a quick, thankful glance before going back to tapping quickly on a data pad.

Warik leaned over to whisper in her ear. “What just happened?”

Nisha grinned up at him. “I rescued you back. Now be a good bodyguard and walk behind me while we’re around Nilf.”

The expression on Warik’s face was half surprised and half amused before falling back into the familiar blank mask.

“Yes, boss,” he agreed, and Nilf called out for them to follow her. “As you wish, boss.”

She walked as regally as she could and made sure to take a route around a giant puddle so she could grab Shift’s relay out from the port without anyone noticing.

Good one! Shift commended. I don’t think Warik even saw that.

Retrieving Shift’s relay was one challenge down, now she had to face the delicate world of “business opportunities.”

***

Nisha was still full from her earlier meal with Warik, but managed to force down a few bites of everything Nilf and her fourth wife offered her. Thankfully, either they didn’t notice or didn’t care that she ate so little. While they ate and talked, Warik was off to the side, first being treated and then simply standing and waiting. It made her feel secure to know he was close at hand and ready to help if anything went wrong.

It took over an hour, but they finally agreed on a reasonable amount Nisha would “invest” in the fourth wife’s business.

It was a good thing Shift was in the station's system, otherwise, the credit transfer would’ve been a nightmare. The moment the fourth wife looked down at her data pad and nodded with satisfaction, Nilf ended the meal and invited them to visit the station at any time. It was a clear dismissal, and Nisha was more than happy to stand and leave the room with Warik right behind her.

Four of Nilf’s entourage escorted them to their room. It was only after the door slid shut that Nisha was able to take a full breath.

“That was stress—”

Warik was on her before she got a chance to finish her sentence. He grabbed her waist and pressed her against a wall.

“When I tell you to run, you need to run,” he growled. “You could’ve died!

Woah, someone needs to calm down!

Nisha ignored Shift and focused on Warik. He wasn’t scaring her but that didn’t mean she was prepared to be flippant in the face of his rage. He’d been so calm throughout her discussion with Dalic and then later while she navigated negotiations with Nilf. All this rage and fear must’ve been boiling away under the surface waiting to get out.

“But I didn’t die,” she said, stroking one of his arms. “I made the right choice because we’re both here.”

His scale pattern shifted between black, purple, and blue, as if he was experiencing a lot of strong emotions all at once.

His pale lavender eyes didn't lose their intensity. “I can’t keep you safe if you don’t do as I tell you.”

“You did keep me safe,” she insisted. “After the fighting was done, it was my turn to keep you safe. We make a good team.”

Her response must have surprised him because he blinked a few times. His expression morphed into one that was a combination of fear and longing.

He put his face close to hers. “I can’t lose you.”

“Shhh,” she comforted, still petting his arms. “You didn’t.”

With a shudder, he put his lips to hers. She’d expected him to kiss her, but not in this passionate, forceful way. She parted her lips, opening for him. He thrust his tongue in her mouth, and she heard a moan.

It was her. She was moaning!

Oh, wow! Shift said. That’s, uh, great, but also ew! I’m out of here. Have fun, tell me all about it later.

With that, she felt the empty sensation she got when Shift shut down their link. It would only take a “push” to get Shift's attention, but for now, she and Warik were alone.

The hand she’d been petting him with grabbed on tight. She felt overwhelmed by the taste of him. Kissing him was like nothing she’d experienced before. She felt light headed and heat pooled in her belly, like she’d drank down an entire faklin cocktail in one go.

Could someone get drunk from kissing?

When he pulled away, she followed and he let the kiss continue. She didn’t want the kiss to end. She could spend all night just kissing. She’d made out a few times with some of the Lorkin she’d grown up with and one visiting human. They’d been nothing like this!

“Open your eyes, Nisha,” he demanded, his voice still harsh. “Open those beautiful eyes and look at me.”

Feeling dazed, she forced her lids up. “You stopped.”

She sounded whiny. If Shift could hear her now, the AI would be snickering.

His expression gentled. “We need to talk.”

“No,” she pouted. A strange, childish stubbornness took over, and she embraced it. No one wanted to be a responsible adult all the time! “I want more kissing, not talking.”

“I want to fuck you, Nisha. I want to do it hard and fast,” he said, his voice bordering on harsh. “I can make it slow and gentle later, but this one time, I need it to be raw. I want to cover you with my scent. Make your skin turn red from my bite. Before I’m done, you’ll scream my name.”

Nothing he said was turning her off. If anything, his primal words were making her panties wet. She didn’t need time to think about it or consider all her options. The answer was clear.

“Yes,” she said.