Page 20 of Alien Protector's Mate

While she was window-shopping, a familiar voice reached her ears. Her blood turned to ice as she recognized the harsh tones of the Lathar gang from the market.

Ducking behind an ornate pillar, she peered out. The group strutted down the boardwalk like they owned it, their pockets bulging. Her eyes widened. They weren’t even trying to hide what they’d stolen.

But that wasn’t her problem.

She needed to get out of here before they saw her. She knew bullies like this. If they spotted her, she was in for a world of hurt. But luck wasn’t on her side. As she stepped out of her hiding place, intending to go back the way she’d come, the gang leader stepped in front of her. His face twisted in recognition.

“You!” he growled harshly, a pin on his jacket glowing as it translated. “You were at the market earlier.”

Before she could answer, the gang surrounded her, cutting off her escape. She tensed, automatically falling into a defensive stance.

“I don’t want any trouble,” she said. “Just let me go.”

The leader let out a bark of laughter. “Trouble found you, human. This is our territory. You don’t belong here.”

Her gaze darted from face to face, but she knew she wouldn’t find any sympathy. Hard faces looked back at her.

“I’m just trying to survive,” she tried again. “Like you. This place is big enough for all of us. We don’t have to…”

Her words were cut short as the gang leader lunged, reaching out to wrap a huge hand around her arm. Years of dodging Mr. Morgan’s drunken swings kicked in, and she twisted, using his momentum against him. Caught off guard by her move, he stumbled, and she slammed her fist into his solar plexus. He gasped, and his grip loosened just enough for her to twist free. But the rest of the gang surrounded her, cutting off her bid for freedom.

“You’ll pay for that, human,” the gang leader growled, advancing on her like a predator.

Adrenaline surged through her veins, her heart like a drum against her ribs. She backed away, her expression flat as she watched for the next move.

“I don’t want to fight,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “Can’t we just walk away?”

The gang-leader’s laugh was cold and hard. “Fight? This isn’t a fight, human. This is a lesson.”

He lunged again, and she ducked quickly. She spun away, her smaller size and quick reflexes giving her an advantage in the tight space as she kicked out at the back of his knee. But one of the others grabbed her arm. Pain lanced her shoulder as he jerked her around to face the leader.

“Not so fast now. Are you?” The Lathar sneered, looming over her. “Pathetic human. You’re too weak for even a decent fight.”

Shit. She couldn’t overpower them, couldn’t outrun them. What did she do? His insults sparked an idea. She went limp, letting out a pitiful whimper.

“Please,” she gasped. “I… I can’t breathe. My heart…”

The Lathar holding her hesitated, his grip loosening slightly.

“Reav,” he said, uncertainty clear in his voice. “I think something’s wrong with him.”

Reav frowned, leaning forward to look down into her face. It was all the opening she needed. Driving her knee up, she slammed it into Reav’s groin. He let out a strangled cry, doubling over in pain.

She almost managed to tear herself free, but rough hands grabbed her arms and held her tighter. She found herself held between two of the gang, their faces twisted with anger and the promise of pain.

“You’ll regret that, human.” The leader growled, his voice strained with pain as he straightened up.

She winced, closing her eyes as she prepared herself for the first blow. But instead of pain, a new voice rang through the air, deep and commanding.

“What the hell is going on?”

Her eyes snapped open. The huge Lathar warrior from the market earlier was standing there. His long hair was braided tightly and adorned with beads that screamed “badass” in any language, and scars crisscrossed the skin of his chest and stomach, visible because of his open jacket.

The warrior’s hardened gaze swept over the scene, and his eyes narrowed.

“I asked adraanthingquestion,” he said, his voice deep and threatening. “What the hell is going on?”

Jade blinkedas the gang scattered and disappeared into the throng of the shoppers around them. Breathing ragged in her ears, she looked at the big Lathar, ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. He was huge and looked far more dangerous than he had this morning.

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