Rather than pulling away, I stopped walking and looked down at her. “That. And there are areas of the ship that are unsafe.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t tell me where you plan on taking us after we stop at the Javar Outpost?”
Sighing, I scratched my forehead. “It is dangerous for females to be alone out in space. Once our mission at Javar is done, we will discuss the options regarding the other females.”
I refrained from telling her the truth to prevent making things worse. That we could not return them to their star system.
Grace inhaled and stood a little taller before releasing her breath.
With her head reaching my chest, I couldn’t help but imagine how perfect she would be in my arms. I growled. It was not the time to think such thoughts.
She pulled her hand away and stepped aside. “What else aren’t you saying? What do you mean, mission? You can tell me.”
My lips pinched together.
“My job was to find the Drakkari female named Joele. She holds the position of Calti and belongs to the Drakkari ruling family. Our usual patrolling of Alaran space had to take a backseat to that. Now that we’ve rescued her, we’re bringing her back to her people. I have planned nothing beyond that right now.”
Grace’s eyes popped.
“I remember you addressed her as Calti Joele when we arrived here. Is she also some kind of royalty, like a Princess?”
“Not exactly. Their planet is run by a handful of ruling families. They do not have a monarchy there.”
She nodded as if thinking about everything I’d said, then her face changed to one of alarm.
“Hold on. You didn’t actuallyintendto discover us on that planet did you? If it weren’t for Joele’s rescue, you would never have saved the rest of us?” She spoke in a higher pitch, signaling her fear.
I licked my lips before responding, feeling the tension increase in my body from her questions. My sweet human was very intelligent. It would not be wise to lie to her.
“We do not check for slaves on planets that are close to the edge of Alaran space. This ship patrols in a completely different area. When we tracked her to that planet, we did not know who else might be at that location. You may not have been found had we not showed up. But we would never have left you there once we discovered you.”
Grace thrust her hands to her hips. “You mean to tell me if we hadn’t escaped with her, you would have left us there?”
I ran a hand down my face.How is it we have wound up arguing?“You are here. What is the point in discussing this?” I grumbled.
Grace pointed down the corridor. “Take me to the other women. Now!”
I bowed my head and spun on my heel to continue toward the living quarters.
Grace followed. I wasn’t sure what had happened or what I’d said to anger her.
This day had spiraled into a complete disaster, and now there was a chance that she would not want to speak to me again.
13
Grace
WHEN WE WERE IN THEgalley, I asked Trex questions while I did my best to avoid his captivating midnight blue eyes. It was too easy to get lost in their depth.
The energy in the air seemed to amplify whenever I was in his presence.
A mix of embarrassment and desire flooded me as he watched my mouth with a lustful gaze, which gave me the urge to scale this seductive, brawny alien mountain of muscle.
The thought of us being naked together was something I couldn’t afford to entertain.
If it happened, I’d likely spontaneously combust.
I had never encountered a being as exotic as Trex. Swallowing down my lust filled fantasies of him I tried to focus on other things.
