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SYNGE WATCHED RICKA bend over to pick up her clothes, once again admiring her lovely form. She draped the blanket around her shoulders and headed for the bathroom. Sex with the little hellion had been beyond amazing. He wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed with her, but he had other things he needed to address.
He sighed and headed for the ship’s control room. The alert was a signal letting him know they’d almost reached their destination. There was also the matter of finding Libby. He would need to check incoming messages. No doubt he’d already received a response from headquarters.
Darkness sprinkled with tiny dots of light greeted him through the clear panes of the observation window. A familiar pattern of stars stretched across the vast space surrounding his home world. He plopped down in the pilot’s seat and punched several buttons on the control panel. As he’d suspected, a message asking him to check in had arrived an hour earlier.
He tapped another button, and Dathan Sorak, fellow hunter and his best friend, appeared on the virtucom screen.
The other man grinned. “Hello, my friend. We received your communication. How long before you arrive?”
He noted the data on the controls. “I should be landing in a few hours.”
“Good, your aunt will be glad to hear it.”
Synge cringed inwardly. His aunt and uncle had raised him as their own ever since his parents’ death. Even though he was a grown man, Teah continued to maintain the overprotective motherly role. When he neglected to check in periodically, she turned to Dathan for information on his whereabouts—more like harassed him until she received the news she wanted. “How often has she contacted you?”
“You were overdue for arrival, so she has called me at least once a day for the last week. Be prepared for a lecture.”
“Thank you for the warning. Any news from Rivean? Or the location of Molock’s ship?”
“I spoke with the commander this morning, and according to the colony representative, several women have been reported missing. I am sending you their images now.” His screen filled with four ID pictures, complete with their names and address information. One of the pictures belonged to Ricka and the other to her friend Libby.
Synge pointed to the photo on the upper-right corner of the display. “This woman, Ricka Daniels, is with me.” Synge tapped the screen. “Molock’s crew took this woman. The one called Libby. My guess is they are responsible for the disappearance of the others as well.”
Dathan sounded surprised. “How did the female come to be with you?”
“I intervened when Molock tried to take her.” He omitted telling his friend he’d also invoked the ancient rite. Dathan would want to know why and ask more questions. Questions he wouldn’t be able to answer since he still didn’t understand why he’d done it. One thing was certain—the challenge hadn’t yet seen completion, and he believed it was only a matter of time before Molock came after Ricka again. And when he did, they’d finish what they started, and there’d be only one outcome. One of them would die. He planned to do everything possible to make sure it wasn’t him.
“Then your instincts were right about the Klorthons being involved with the slavers,” Dathan said.
“It appears so.” During their conversation a week ago, Synge had shared his thoughts about Molock’s involvement. People who had witnessed abductions at two separate outposts had given descriptions closely resembling his appearance. Over the years, the warrior’s name had been connected to other unlawful occurrences. The hunters were never able to prove his participation.
“What are you planning to do with the woman? Legally, she is a citizen of the colony, and the human government will demand she be returned.”
What were his plans? He swept an uneasy hand through his hair. He couldn’t afford for anyone at headquarters to talk with Ricka. They may have shared spectacular sex, but he couldn’t risk her speaking with the commander. She would tell him she’d been kidnapped and share the unorthodox method he used to restrain her. “The woman has requested assistance. Please have the commander inform the colony I will provide her with sanctuary and keep her well guarded.” Not entirely a lie. His superiors would assume by his words she’d asked for protection.
He had every intention of fulfilling his promise but not of returning her to the colony. Rational thoughts regarding Ricka were lost on him. Especially when her scent, the feel of her skin, her very essence had imprinted on his being and fevered his blood. The thought of returning her and never seeing her again churned in his gut like acid.
“I will personally return her as soon as Molock and his crew are caught.” Definitely a lie.
“Then you expect the Klorthon to come to you. Are you going to use her as bait?” Dathan asked.
Synge let his friend assume what he wanted. He was certain Molock would search for Ricka, but he had no intention of risking her life to trap him.
When he didn’t respond, Dathan said, “It is a brilliant plan. You can inform the commander personally. He requests your presence shortly after you arrive.” His friend’s tone implied the request was an order and the visit probably wouldn’t be a pleasant one.
He rubbed frustrated fingers against the tight muscles in his neck. “Inform him to expect me once I have the woman secured in my home.”
Dathan nodded. “I will tell him and await your arrival.” The communication ended, and the screen went blank.
Synge leaned back in the chair and stared into the darkness. After ten minutes of deliberating, he headed back to the sleeping chamber, still unclear how to deal with Ricka.
#
RICKA FELT MUCH BETTER after using the bathroom and taking a shower. She’d been surprised at how much room was inside the metal walls. Apparently, it had been designed to accommodate someone of Synge’s six-foot height and large size. He was the first Tarron she’d ever met and wondered if all their males had similar physiques. The compartment was stocked with a decent assortment of shampoos and body cleansers. Unlike the small stall in the living unit she shared with Libby, the water stayed pleasantly warm and enticed her to stay longer than she’d planned.
There wasn’t much she could do with her hair so she toweled as much of the moisture off as she could and ran her fingers through the long strands. Afterward, she finished dressing, replacing her jacket with his clean shirt, and headed back to the sleep chamber. The room was empty, so she went in search of Synge and hopefully something to eat.
She heard voices coming from inside the control room and stopped outside the doorway. He must be speaking to someone on the virtucom. She hadn’t planned to eavesdrop on his conversation, until he’d mentioned her name.
From what she could glean, Libby wasn’t the only woman who’d been abducted. By the time he’d ended the call, she was fuming. Synge had made it sound like she’d begged him for protection, not taken her prisoner.
And he plans to use me as bait. His betrayal hurt, and she almost stormed into the room to tell him he was an asshole and demand he return her to Rivean. Immediately. She discarded the idea, knowing he’d refuse her request and then probably follow through on his threat to use the cuffs or, worse, lock her in a room somewhere until they reached his home.
As quietly as possible, she returned to the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door, leaned against the wall, and slid to the floor. She’d been a fool to think what they shared might actually mean something to him. Taking several deep breaths, she swiped at the tears threatening to fall.
She reminded herself that risking his life to save her was part of his job. He wasn’t a hero from one of her fantasy novels, and she wasn’t a helpless maiden in need of being rescued, at least not anymore.
Unless she’d misunderstood his intentions, he wouldn’t be returning her to the colony anytime soon. How long would it take the hunters to find Molock? Weeks? Months? Her life might not have been great before, but it belonged to her. In one night, all her belongings, her memories, her plans to go to Earth had been stolen from her.
There was no way she was going to stay on a planet with a man she really didn’t know and wait around to hear news about her friend. She was taking her life back even if she had to steal Synge’s ship to do it.
She’d caught a glimpse of the ship’s operating system when they’d first arrived onboard. The controls appeared easy enough to understand. Being raised by an engineer had its benefits. There wasn’t a transport or mechanical device around she couldn’t operate, given a little time and effort.
Ricka knew she couldn’t hide in the bathroom forever, not without Synge getting suspicious. Libby was counting on her. She needed to pull herself together, do a better job of controlling her emotions, and stay focused if she wanted her plan to succeed. She’d have to play along until they arrived on Tarron and she found a way to get away from him.
#
SYNGE RETURNED FROM the ship’s small kitchen and suspiciously studied Ricka. She sat in the copilot’s seat, staring out the observation window, ignoring his presence. They had reached Tarron, the planet filling most of the view.
He turned the chair and crouched in front of her so they were at an equal level. It was the closest he’d gotten to her since he’d detected her scent lingering outside the control room after his conversation with Dathan. Even though the ship was small, she’d managed to keep a distance between them. “I am afraid this is all I have until we arrive.” He handed her a sealed silver pouch. “I did not get a chance to restock any food items before we left.”
“This is fine. Thank you.” She tore it open and poured some of the dehydrated fruits into her hand.
“You have been very quiet. Are you not feeling well? Did I hurt you when we...”
“No, I’m fine.” Smiling, she held his gaze. “I’m worried about Libby.”
“I understand.” He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. Instead, he squeezed her hand. “I have been assured everything possible is being done to find your friend.”
“I believe you.” She pulled her hand away and tossed some granules into her mouth.
Frustrated, he returned to the pilot’s seat. After allowing her more freedom, he’d expected some resistance from her stubborn nature. He hadn’t foreseen a change in her demeanor, to become the docile and distant woman sitting next to him. She hadn’t made any more demands to be returned to the colony, and it troubled him.
Her behavior suggested she was upset. Had she overheard parts of his earlier conversation? He would rather have her angry and arguing with him than deal with the silent tension. It was driving him crazy.
He reached for his safety harness. “Strap in. I am going to take us down now.”
She set the pouch on her lap and did as he instructed.
He tapped the panel, and they began their descent. The ship vibrated until they’d entered the planet’s atmosphere. The late-morning sun lit up the clear skies. Normally, when he returned home, he would land directly on his property. Today, he’d initiated the manual controls so he could fly along the surface and give Ricka the opportunity to see the splendors of his world.
They passed over a dense jungle. “This is my home planet.” He watched attentively, noting the way she straightened in her seat and gazed appreciatively at the panoramic view below them. “It’s breathtaking. Is the whole planet like this?”
Some of his tension eased. He was surprised to discover it mattered what she thought of his world. “Most of the planet yields similar plant life, with several large bodies of water. There are very few areas where it is only rock.” The thick foliage, along with the high-security shielding walls surrounding his property, was another reason he chose to bring Ricka here. If Molock came after her, she would be well guarded.
The trees thinned, revealing a clearing with a large landing pad and a small transport. Synge slowed the ship until it hovered over the level strip, then slowly maneuvered it to the ground. His last mission had kept him away a lot longer than expected, and he yearned for the much-needed downtime. He shared his large home with his aunt and uncle, who ensured the place was well cared for in his absence.
He hadn’t informed Teah they would have a guest and dreaded the argument he knew was forthcoming. His mother’s sister was a bit of an elitist and expected him to find a nice Tarron woman to claim and have a family with. She’d never been happy about his choice of professions and would most likely be upset he’d brought a human female home with him. He had no doubt she would lose her temper once she discovered he’d used the invocation and planned to fulfill his duty to protect and keep Ricka.
#
RICKA FOUND IT HARD to stay angry at Synge and even harder to keep her distance from him. Every time she dared to sneak a glimpse of him, she caught him staring at her as if she were the last drop of water in the universe. It hadn’t helped he was so damned sexy and had walked around without a shirt for what seemed like hours. She couldn’t stop thinking about the night they’d shared together or stop the instant rush of desire building between her legs. Damn traitorous body.
After his shower, Synge hadn’t replaced the bandage on his wound. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d said he could heal quickly. The cut was nothing more than a thin red line.
When they’d finally entered the planet’s atmosphere, she’d done her best to keep her focus on the main observation window. It hadn’t taken long before she relaxed and stared in awe at the beautiful view. Unlike the Rivean landscape with its dry air, heavy rock terrain, and sparse plant life, Tarron was covered with an abundant collection of trees and foliage in the most stunning shades of yellow and turquoise.
Once the ship touched down, she nervously glanced at the landscape and back at him. “You live in the jungle. Aren’t there any houses or buildings?”
He laughed and adjusted several controls to power down the ship. “We are not barbarians, if that is what you are thinking. My home is nearby and requires the use of a transport to reach it from here.”
That was exactly what she’d been thinking. Other than her brief knowledge of the hunters, she didn’t know anything about Tarron, the inhabitants, or what to expect.
He was already standing, holding out his hand. “Come with me.”
She unfastened her harness and allowed him to lead her to the rear of the ship and down the ramp. As soon as they stepped outside, the air changed. It felt heavier, denser and she was forced to take deeper breaths.
Apparently, he noticed her discomfort, because he said, “Do not worry. The atmosphere here is suitable for humans. It has more water content than Rivean, and your breathing will adjust in a day or two.”
Instead of taking her to the transport as she’d expected, he pulled her toward a hedge-like plant covered in dark blossoms. He plucked one of the blossoms and held it next to her cheek. “Your eyes are the same beautiful shade.”
Unbelievably cute and charming. Ricka couldn’t believe this was the same man who had kidnapped her and cuffed her to his bed. She studied his expression, searching for any hint that he was handing her a line of bullshit. She’d gotten enough of them over the years that she’d become an expert at detecting them. All she saw was sincerity.
He handed her the flower, and she smiled despite her lingering reservations, the gesture melting her insides. Was it possible there was a romantic hidden beneath Synge’s badass hunter exterior? She held it up to her nose and sniffed. “They smell like honeysuckles.”
“What is a honeysuckle?”
“It’s an Earth flower. I remember them from when I was a kid. They were my mom’s favorite, and she had plants all over our backyard.”
“Do you miss Earth?”
“Yes. Libby and I were planning to return as soon as we had enough rivets saved up. We were so close, then this happened.”
He cupped her cheek. “We will find your friend. I have already alerted my commander to the situation.”
Ricka wanted to believe his reassuring words. Her father had raised her to be self-reliant, and trusting anyone was extremely difficult, especially when it involved offers of help. In her experience, the aid always came with a price—one she wasn’t willing to pay.
“Come, let me take you to my home.” He took her hand and led her to the transport, a newer, polished blue-gray model, complete with a rear cargo storage area. Once they were on their way, Synge drove along a narrow road barely wide enough for the shuttle to fit. He manipulated it with ease, the trees whisking by so fast, it made her dizzy. Ten minutes later, they reached another clearing, and he parked the vehicle next to a similar conveyor. To her right stood a large two-story dwelling with tall, narrow glass-paned windows and an exterior comprised of smooth black and gray rock panels.
He walked around and helped her out of the vehicle. His normally serious expression transformed into a prideful smile. “This is my home.”
She glanced at the surrounding landscape and only saw more trees, no other houses. “It’s beautiful.” And very isolated. An unforeseen problem to hamper her plans of escape. “Doesn’t Tarron have any cities?” She tried to disguise her disappointment.
He curiously lifted a brow. “Yes. Madradie is the closest. It is too far to walk and can only be reached by transport.”
Not good. Venturing on foot was not an option. She’d have to figure out a way to borrow one of his transports, provided she could get away from him long enough to access one.
A low growl interrupted her thoughts. The branches of a nearby tree rustled and shook. A large catlike creature appeared, sharp claws dug into the mustard-colored trunk as it eased its body to the ground. The thing lifted its head and roared. It jumped over a short hedge and stalked toward them, massive muscles rippling beneath a sleek coat of blue-black fur.
She gasped and jumped backward, digging her fingers into his arm. “You didn’t tell me you had dangerous animals living here.”
Synge smiled, unaffected by the animal’s approach. He placed his hand over hers and chuckled. “He is my pet, Mogran. He is a shiertra, a predatory animal native to this planet. They are very territorial and do not like strangers.”
Great. He brought me all this way so I could be lunch for his cat. “Why would you want one of those for a pet?” she asked.
“I found him on a hunting trip. His parents had been slain by another creature and he was too small to fend for himself.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Do not worry. He will not hurt you, though once he scents you, it might take some time for him to get used to you.” He pulled her hand free. “Stay here.”
Like I have any intention of getting closer.
He walked forward and knelt with his arms extended. “Come here.”
The cat jogged toward Synge, then, at the last minute, shot past him and headed straight for her. “What is he doing?” Afraid she might really end up as the large animal’s next meal, she took several steps backward.
Synge got to his feet and frowned. “Mogran. Stop.”
The animal ignored him and kept moving. He stopped when his head was inches away from her midsection. He plopped his rear on the ground and stared at her expectantly, swiping his long tail back and forth in the dirt. Damn, he’s big. She remembered reading something about animals attacking when they sensed fear. If she turned and ran, would the large cat chase her, pounce, and kill her? Not sure if it was the right thing to do, she held out her hand, hoping she wouldn’t lose it. “Hey there, big boy,” she said, low and soothing.
He sniffed her skin, then nuzzled her palm with his snout. A loud vibrating rumble erupted from his chest. He got to his feet and rubbed the length of his body along her legs, the force of his weight almost knocking her over.
“Mogran, come on. Leave her alone.” Synge gripped the fur on his neck and tried to pull him away. The cat snarled, swiped at him with his paw, then went back to rubbing her leg.
She laughed and ran her fingers through his silky fur. “Aren’t you a handsome guy.”
Synge glared at his pet when he lay on the ground next to her feet. “He has never done that before with anyone.”
“You are home.” A woman’s voice called from the direction of the house.
Ricka turned, surprised to see an older man and woman walking toward them. The couple possessed the same skin tones and defined features as Synge, and Ricka wondered if the woman was the aunt Synge had mentioned.
They both had those interesting markings running along their necks, only the woman’s were a light shade of brown, not black like the men. She wore a sheer cobalt-blue dress that clung to her tall, lithe frame and draped to her ankles. Thin straps crisscrossed her bare shoulders, encircled her neck, and kept the material in place across her chest. Though the man wasn’t as tall as Synge, he was still taller than the woman and possessed a similar powerful physique.
The woman walked up to Synge and clasped his cheeks. “You have been away too long and have been deeply missed.”
He placed a light kiss on her cheek and pulled her into a hug. “I have missed you too.”
“And who is this?” The woman’s condescending tone and the way she glared at Ricka over his shoulder immediately made her feel unwelcome.
Synge took a step back and pressed his hand to Ricka’s back. “This is my aunt Teah and uncle Arno. Ricka will be staying with us for a while.”
Ricka held out her hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”
Teah scowled and waved her hand dismissively. Her scrutinizing gaze studied Ricka from top to bottom, then stopped when it reached Synge’s oversized shirt.
Wearing his clothes hadn’t bothered Ricka earlier. Under the woman’s disapproving glare, Ricka felt uncomfortable and wrapped her arms across her chest, wishing she still had on her jacket.
“You are human.” Teah said the word human as if she were a subspecies Synge had found on the street.
“Yes.” She hadn’t asked to be brought here. And relative or not, she’d be damned if she’d let the other woman’s remark intimidate her. “Is it a problem?”
Teah dismissed her with a snort and turned her attention back to Synge. “Dathan told me what happened. Was your intent to bring the Klorthons right to our doorstep? To endanger all our lives?” Her tone sharpened with fury. “This...this woman cannot stay here. She needs to go immediately.”
Arno patted his wife’s arm. “Teah is right. Maybe our home is not the best place for her to stay.”
It was clear his aunt wasn’t thrilled by her arrival. It was unclear what she’d personally done to deserve her ire. And it didn’t matter. She had no intention of staying and decided to use the argument to her advantage. “I couldn’t agree more, so if you could arrange for a transport to take me to the city, I’ll be on my way.”
Red flecks mottled the darkening green in Synge’s eyes. He clenched his fists against his thighs. “Enough.” He snarled and glared at his aunt. “This is still my home. I have sworn to protect her, and I say she stays.”
Teah flinched but didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded and took a step back to stand next to her husband. Arno pressed his lips into a thin line and placed a supportive arm around her waist.
Synge pressed his fingers against his forehead, and when he spoke to his aunt, his tone was calmer. “I have to leave and meet with the commander. I am concerned about your well-being and will make arrangements for you and Arno to stay in the city until the warriors have been apprehended.”
Ricka might not care for the way Teah treated her, but she refused to be responsible for causing any problems between him and his family. She took a cautious step toward Synge and gently touched his arm. “Please don’t make them leave. Not for me. Take me with you and let me stay in the city. I’ll be fine.”
She was surprised when Teah didn’t give Synge a chance to respond. “That will not be necessary. It is obvious my nephew cares greatly about your welfare. We will all stay here. I am sure the hunters are doing whatever is necessary to track the Klorthons.”
Synge’s tense expression softened. “I appreciate your understanding.”
“Come. I have made some lunch and hope you are hungry. Afterward, we will get you better clothes to wear,” Teah said.
No, no, no. What the heck happened? She was so close to getting out of here and finding a way to help Libby. “That would be nice,” Ricka said, then followed the woman toward the house. She was starving, but she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to eat, not with the nervous knot growing in her belly. Synge took her hand, slowing her pace and putting some distance between them and the older couple.
“Do not mind my aunt. She is not angry with you. It is my job she resents. It interferes with her plans to have me claim a Tarron woman and provide her with many young ones to mother over.”
Ricka wanted to stay angry with him and hated how easily his touch and considerate words warmed her heart. “You mean she wants grandchildren.”
“Yes. I believe it is the term humans use.”
She giggled when Mogran got to his feet and wedged himself between them, pressing his large torso against her leg and forcing Synge to release her hand. “He seems awfully possessive. Does this mean I have a new bodyguard?” she asked teasingly.
“No. You are mine to protect.” He growled and glared at his pet. “Traitorous animal. She does not belong to you.”
The cat snorted, using his weight to push her farther away from Synge. She couldn’t believe he was actually jealous of the animal. Ricka bit her lip and stared at the ground, not sure he would appreciate her amusement.
