Page 31 of Pyne

“Give me a moment, Shadow,” Pyne scolds. “Things happened faster than a shooting star.”

“Sure. I get it. When we get back in our cabin, my mate Petra will probably make me pay for making our new guest uncomfortable. That’s okay. There are certain times a male doesn’t argue about being tied up.”

My face is probably flaming at that blatantly sexual remark, as I realize living with a bunch of straight-talking gladiators is going to be like living in a whole new world.

“Welcome aboard, Becca. Any friend of Pyne’s is a friend of ours.” A petite human woman with long blond hair slips her arm around Shadow as she smiles at me. “I’m Petra, and after years together, I’m still trying to tame this handsome male and that uncensored mouth of his.”

A tall, regal-looking feline humanoid steps forward, his golden eyes warm and assessing, his mane groomed so beautifully you’d think he just stepped out of a barber’s chair. “Indeed. Welcome, Becca. I’m Captain Zar-Rynn, and it’s an honor to have you join our crew.”

“Thank you, Captain.” I incline my head respectfully, awed by his commanding presence. “I’m grateful for the chance to start a new life here, with all of you.” My heart is hammering. What if I do something wrong? What if I don’t pull my weight? What if I accidentally offend someone? Will they kick me off the ship?

Zar-Rynn smiles, the expression softening his fierce features. “We’re not just a crew, Becca. We’re a family. And family looks out for each other, no matter what.”

His sincere gaze not only banishes all my fears but warms me from the inside out. Earlier today I was near tears out of hopelessness. Now I’m close to crying because I’m being welcomed by a new family.

Beside him, a pretty human woman with brown curls grins at me. “Damn straight! You’re one of us now. I’m Anya, Zar’s mate.”

He interrupts her to say, “My beloved,” and my insides melt at how much this pair loves each other.

“You came on the right day. We’re celebrating Blessed Peace Day.”

“Oh?”

“Yep. There are over a dozen species represented on this ship, and even more religions. We rolled them all up into a neat package, call it Blessed Peace Day, and everyone is welcome to bring their own customs to the mix.”

“That sounds amazing!”

“Yep. While we were waiting for you, we decorated the dining room. Follow me.”

Our footsteps echo as we walk down metal hallways.

Anya continues, “We’ve been singing carols, although I don’t know why Dax insists that ‘Lay Her Down and Roll Her Over’ is a holiday song.”

She elbows Pyne out of the way and leans close to stage whisper, “It may take you a while to get used to living with a bunch of heathen gladiators. Between the nudity, the fart jokes, and the way some of them still don’t believe there will be enough food sothey elbow each other out of the way for second helpings, you’ll see why these guys need a firm and loving woman at their side.”

“I assume you’ll show me the ropes.”

“Happily.” She tosses me a vibrant smile, making me feel right at home.

Pyne leans close and whispers, “By the way you ordered me around in the shower, I don’t think you’ll need any pointers on having a firm hand.”

I’m sure my face is flaming as I enter the dining room, which is decorated in an eclectic mishmash of ornaments and tree branches and candles and stars—clearly giving a nod to a dozen religions.

My eyes tear up as I realize this is what I landed in—a group of wildly distinctive people from all around the galaxy who embrace each other’s differences. I squeeze Pyne’s hand and make sure he’s looking at me when I mouth,I’m going to be fine here.

“Hey, is anyone else starving, or is it just me?” A shaggy-haired gladiator who seems about seven feet tall booms, his deep voice echoing off the metal walls. “I heard Maddie was whipping up a feast fit for kings!”

“You’re always starving, Dax,” Stryker snorts. “But for once, I agree. My mate Maddie’s cooking could make a grown male weep.”

As if summoned, a curvy human woman with a wild mane of curls pops her head out from a doorway, brandishing a spoon. “Did someone say feast? Because I’ve got a spread that’ll make your taste buds sing!” She points her spoon at me and commands, “And for the next holiday feast, I expect you two to make the desserts. We’ve been watching the Cosmic Confections Bake Off on vid.”

Pyne chuckles, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “That’s Maddie, Stryker’s mate and our resident chef extraordinaire. She used to work for some big-shot restaurant back on Earth before she got abducted.”

Maddie's eyes sparkle with mischief as she continues, "Oh, you should have seen us all glued to the vidscreen! We were on our way to rescue you, thinking you'd been kidnapped or something, when suddenly there you were, covered in flour and wielding a whisk like it was your gladius!"

Stryker chimes in, his scarred face split in a grin. "Never thought I'd see the day when our fierce gladiator would be fretting over the perfect consistency of frosting. Gotta say, though, you've got some hidden talents, my friend."

"Hidden talents?" Dax booms, slapping Pyne on the back. "More like hidden muscles! Who knew baking could be such a workout? I swear I saw biceps I didn't even know existed when you were kneading that dough!"

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