Page 16 of Protected By the Alien Bodyguard

“What happened?” I croak, kneeling before my knees give out. Guilt lances through me. I failed to protect one of the two people I would gladly die for.

I’ve failed them both.

“Justice,” Kayla shrugs, then winces in pain.

“Whoever did this to you, I promise I will kill them,” I vow. I’ll find a way out of any prison and track them down, even if she’s long moved on. For Kayla, I’d become a lifelong criminal to ensure her safety and happiness.

I don’t care that I’m making threats in front of a Peacekeeper. He let my mate get hurt —he’s damned either way.

My gaze flicks to the green-scaled Khamerian leaning against the door Kayla entered, his long tail coiled beneath him. Is he following her as a bodyguard? My blood boils at the thought—I’m the only one who should be guarding Kayla. I used to be a Royal Guard; she deserves the best.

“Why don’t you explain the situation, Kayla?” The male lifts a scaled brow at me before directing my attention towards my mate.

“Yes, thank you, Radboud. I was just about to,” Kayla responds. “The guy who hurt me is going to jail. Actually, a prison planet. Apparently, that’s a thing.”

Kayla smiles. A real one. In that moment, I see the relief on her face. A weight has lifted from her shoulders. Her eyes sparkle. She’s stunning.

My heart sinks at the thought that I’ll never see that smile again once she leaves this room. I soak in her presence, grateful for this last chance to see her.

“I… I know what you did,” Kayla tells me, her gaze piercing into my own. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I tell her. My chest is tight, and in this moment I get the distinct impression that Kayla sees me more than anyone ever has.

“You sacrificed yourself. For me,” she says, swallowing. Her eyes scrunch up, and she has to take a deep breath to compose herself, before continuing, “Thank you, Jaraz.”

I shrug, feeling a bit awkward. No one has ever thanked me for doing my job. “It was my duty. I made a promise to protect you.”

Kayla snorts. “What you did was above and beyond duty, and we both know it. I just need you to know how much your action means to me. No one’s ever cared that much about me.”

“I do,” I tell her. “You are worth protecting.”

I want to tell her that she’s worth loving, but fear holds my tongue. I lied to her. I left her unprotected, and she still got hurt. Do I even deserve her?

“Here’s the thing,” Kayla starts, stepping towards me.

Commander Alder’s hand snatches out, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her back from the force-shield. Part of me hates him for touching her, but a tiny logical part is thankful he stopped her from getting shocked. My thick skin can handle it; hers can’t.

“Oh right, the shield thing. Sorry,” Kayla flashes an apologetic smile. “Forgot you guys think killer lasers make more sense than, you know, a door and lock.”

I breathe easier once she’s several steps back, although my gaze keeps shifting to the golden-scaled male watching her every move with longing, as though he were her mate instead.

“Here’s the thing,” Kayla tries again. “Grum’s going away for a long time. But he’s got associates. Some guy called Drakoon.”

“He is a drakoon. That’s his species, not his name,” Alder interrupts. “I’m a drakoon too. Though if you ask me, Grum makes a pretty poor drakoon.”

“Shush,” Radboud chastises from the doorway. “I want to hear what she has to say. It’s just about to get interesting!”

“Accuracy is important!” Alder exclaims, spinning to face the mystery male.

“Says the male who doesn’t even bother remembering the law codes,” Radboud replies without missing a beat. He sasses the Commander without hesitation. “Besides, accuracy is boring. Who cares! Let the female talk.”

“Are you seriously telling me what to do? Maybe I should lock you up with him for insubordination,” the Commander snaps.

“Ha! First, you’d have to actually open his cell. Good luck dealing with an enraged Volscian alone. Second, I’m the one with the cell codes, remember?”

“Remind me—why did I make you my security officer? I’m seriously considering throwing you out the airlock!” Alder demands, exasperated. I hiss when a small trail of smoke slips from his nostrils.

“I have the codes to those too,” Radboud shrugs, uncaring of the danger of an irritated Drakoon. Fire on a spaceship is no joke.

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