Page 22 of Alien Dragon's Bride

Chapter 12

Levx

“What country are you from?” Megan’s father gestured at the empty glass and the picture of water next to it just out of his reach.

Levx poured the water and handed him the cup. “My family moved around a lot but I was born near the West coast of Africa.” Not really, he was hatched thousands of miles from Earth but humans got a bit crazy when it came to aliens and such.

“Call me, Sam. Near the coast?” Sam took a sip of the water. “You born on a boat or plane?”

His birthplace was near the Promexl Sea. “Yes. On a small boat in the ocean.” Partial truth, he was hatched as his mother sailed over the water.

Sam coughed and his breathing became labored. When he’s color returned and his coughing subsided, he nodded for the cup of water again. “Thanks.”

“Any time.” Megan’s father’s condition was more serious than he’d thought. The sickness of his disease tainted the air underneath the pungent smell of alcohol and cleaners. No wonder she’d done everything she could to pay for his care—including considering becoming a surrogate—Levx almost wanted to tell her to forget the contract. Except he was certain she’d return all the money he’d paid her already. He admired her moral fiber and he wasn’t going to be the one to crush her dream of seeing her father taken care of and possibly healed. The thought of her hurt made a funny pain hit his chest.

After her father drank the water, he sat back, catching his breath. Then he glowered. “We are not men to hide the truth. What exactly are your intentions with my daughter?”

“Excuse me?” Levx kept his face neutral. His promise to Megan pressed forward that he would not be the one to reveal to her father her true, potential employment with Renjer Associates.

“I may be old and sick but I’m not a fool. I saw the way you two looked at each other.” He set his water down on the nightstand beside the bed. His IV drip beeped filling the silence.

“Sir, I assure you that I only have your daughter’s health and wellbeing at heart.” Wasn’t like he was going to marry her. Once she had his offspring, he’d whisk the baby away to one of his cousins to raise while he returned to Renjer to destroy their enemies. Megan and her father would have enough funds from his account to keep them both happy for the rest of their lives.

Her father sighed. “Fine, I guess I can’t expect you to tell me the truth when you’re lying to yourself as well. What type of business did you say this company of yours does?”

“Business contracts.” Safe enough.

“Good. My daughter seems happier than I’ve seen her in a long time. Keep that up and you and I’ve got no problems.” He coughed for a few moments but his glare never left Levx. “Hurt her in any way and I will find a way to rip your spine out and feed your organs to wild boars.”

Levx grinned. “And I would give you the blade to do so.”

A knock sounded on the door and Megan peeked her head in. “Is it safe for me to come back in? I left my phone in here.”

Her father waved her in. “I was just getting to know your new boss here.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? Feels more like a pissing contest in here with all the inflated egos and tension in the air.”

“Your father is merely concerned with your welfare, something I cannot begrudge him for.” He winked at her and she fumbled along the along the blankets for her cell. “In fact, I may take your father up on his suggestion to take you out tonight. After all, he’s explained to me about how much you’ve been working and haven’t had a day off in ages. What do you say about taking in a show and dinner?”

Both Megan and her father stared at him with open mouths like he’d grown scales. For a brief moment, he ran his fingertips across the side of his face to ensure he hadn’t.

“Visiting hours will be over in five minutes. Please exit through the main lobby,” a recorded voice sounded over the intercom.

Her father recovered first, clearing his throat. “Yes, I-I told Levx here that you could use a bit of time before you start with his company.” He took her hand in his. “You work too hard and long, Megan. I don’t want you to end up in a bed here beside me, okay? Please take care of yourself.”

“I’m fine, Dad.” She brushed away a tear. “Get better so we can go to the beach again and ride roller coasters until we puke.”

Levx turned toward the door as Megan and her father finished saying their goodbyes. His heart aching with envy and longing of the relationship she and her father had. He’d give up everything for his own father to feel and treat him that way.

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