Page 46 of Alien's Love Child

"Nowhere to run." I draw my stunner, keeping it low but visible. "Come quietly."

"Please." Her voice breaks. "He's just a child."

The boy buries his face in her neck, silver hair exactly like mine catching the light. Something tugs at my mind, but I push it away.

"Then don't make me use this. You're coming with me, one way or another."

She backs away, shielding the boy with her body. "I'll scream."

"And security will find a known smuggler trying to flee. How well do you think that'll work out?" I take a step closer. "Your son doesn't need to see his mother stunned and dragged away. Make this easy."

Her shoulders slump. Defeat crosses her face as she sets the boy down.

"Leo, baby, stay right here. Mommy needs to talk to this man."

She approaches slowly, hands raised. When she's within reach, I grab her bare arm to secure her - and the world stops.

Electric shock races up my arm. My skin burns where we touch. I know this feeling; something that's been etched in my blood since birth. A warning of what's to come passed down from generation to generation.

This criminal smuggler is my Jalshagar. My fated mate.

CHAPTER 17

JESSE

Leo clings to my leg as we walk up the ramp to Davin's ship. No, not Davin - Tyren, as he calls himself. My heart pounds against my ribs with each step.

"Please, you have to remember something," I say, keeping my voice low so Leo won't pick up on my fear. "The day we met at that pit stop? The stories you told me about your crew?"

"Move." He pushes me forward with the barrel of his gun.

"Mommy?" Leo's tiny fingers dig into my thigh. "I'm scared."

I run my hand through his silver-blue hair - so much like his father's. "It's okay, baby. We're just going on a little trip."

"I told you to stop talking." The familiar rumble of his voice sends shivers down my spine, but there's none of the warmth I remember.

"The explosion at the warehouse - what happened to you?" The words tumble out despite his warning. "We thought you were dead. I mourned you."

He yanks me around to face him, those piercing eyes searching mine. For a moment, something flickers across his face - confusion, maybe recognition. But it's gone as quickly as it comes.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not this Davin person."

"Then how do you explain this?" I reach out, my fingers hovering over the scar on his chest - visible through his partially open shirt. "You got this fighting those pirates near Exodus Station. You told me that story on my ship."

He jerks away from my touch. "My first job with the family. Knife fight went wrong."

"No, it wasn't. You have to remember we-"

"Enough!" The word echoes through the cargo hold. Leo whimpers, and I pull him closer. "One more word and I'll separate you two for the journey."

My mouth snaps shut. The threat in his voice is real, even if the memories aren't. I guide Leo to a bench along the wall, fighting back tears as I watch the man I loved secure the cargo bay door.

Leo's warmth against my side anchors me as I study the man at the controls. The way he moves, the set of his shoulders - it's all Davin. Even that slight hesitation before he hits the nav controls, like he's double-checking his coordinates.

"What's wrong with that man, Mommy?" Leo whispers, his breath tickling my ear.

I stroke his hair, buying time to choose my words carefully. "I'm not sure, baby."

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