Page 17 of Protected By the Alien Bodyguard

“Gentlemen! Focus!” Kayla shouts, oblivious to the peril as well. The itch to get her away from the Drakoon burns under my skin.

My mate looks at me and rolls her eyes with a soft smile. Is this a secret message? Does she want me to do something? What is this gesture?

“So here’s the thing,” she says, once again. “Some Drakoons have been going around, abducting human females. It’s how I’ve ended up here in space, apparently. The Peacekeepers are going after them, but until they’re all rounded up, there is a small chance that they might come after me for payback.”

I grit my teeth and nod. It makes sense. If Kayla’s involved or they think she’s the reason they’re being hunted, she could be in danger. Times like this I wish I knew where my friends were. Prince Rist would spare no resource to protect my mate. We’d both ask Sutek to deal with any threats. Being friends with an assassin, even a slightly unhinged one, sometimes has its perks. And that’s not even mentioning how far Volan or Taruk would go to protect one of our own.

“So?” Security Officer Radboud asks.

It takes me a moment to realize everyone’s staring at me.

“So what?” I ask.

“Seriously, Jaraz, were you even listening?” Kayla throws her hands up in the air. “Will you be my bodyguard?”

“I... what?” I stammer. “Of course, I’d happily guard you. But I’m in prison. I don’t think I’ll be getting out any time soon.”

Alder sighs, rubbing the bridge of his eyes. “Didn’t I say that I can’t stick any charges on you. I mean, technically as soon as I figured out that Grum was a ‘bad drakoon’, I chose not to file his claims of physical assault. As far as anyone knows, he never got hurt in the first place. And I’m sure he’s not about to go around saying a female bested him.”

“It means you’re free to go!” Kayla announces, grinning.

“I am?” I ask, hope alighting in my chest as I climb to my feet on shaky knees. I can leave! Better yet, my mate is here asking for me.

“Umm, Radboud, I don’t suppose you can turn off the shield thing now?” Kayla asks. “I’d really like to hug my mate right about now.”

“Oh, right.” Radboud pulls out a tablet, clicking the screen. I’ve never been so impatient, watching his purposely slow movements.

The room’s hum disappears. You barely notice it until it’s gone.

Kayla steps from foot to foot, glancing around, looking at me then back at Radboud, biting her lip without moving towards me.

A chuckle slips out. She hasn’t realized the shield is down. Without hesitation, I sweep her into my arms, planning to hold her close and never let go, but my tiny mate hisses in pain. I gently lower her down.

“I’m so sorry, Kayla, I...” I lower myself to my knees before her, filled with shame over how I hurt her in my eagerness. I have a lot to make up for.

She cups my cheek with her tiny hand, the small gesture impacting my soul. “It’s okay. All of it. I understand.”

“I would do it again,” I tell her. “I’ll gladly spend every moment ensuring your safety and happiness. Nothing means more to me. Please let me spend my days caring for you and making you laugh. I love you.”

Kayla presses her forehead to mine. I hold her as best I can while she clings to me.

“I love you too, Jaraz,” she whispers in a choked voice.

“Awww...” Radboud softly mutters from the doorway.

“Right then,” Commander Alder claps his hands. “Back to work. I’m getting tired of these distractions. I have places to be, you know.”

Kayla tries and fails to stifle a giggle. Me, on the other hand...

I cup my mate’s cheeks and kiss her lips ever so gently, reverently even.

“Will you wait here, my love?” I ask her. “I have one thing I need to do first.”

She frowns at me, confused. “What?”

I look up at Alder, and a vicious smile spreads across my lips. “This male allowed you to be hurt, and the fool just released me.”

Alder’s face turns pale, his golden color bleeding to a pale yellow. He starts backing up, stumbling over his companion’s stretched out tail. “Radboud, close the door. Radboud... Close the door!”

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