Page 24 of Snowed in with my Alien Boss

“Of course, I’ll bring you home.”

“Well, we can’t take her back to the ship,” Josh said. “It’s going to jeopardize our mission.” He pointed to the asshat slumped on the ground. “You know they’re going to come knocking once he sounds the alarm.”

“We’ll keep her at an inn until it’s time to leave. I know a place that prides itself on confidentiality.”

The side door to the bar opened, and two drunken Talleans stepped out. Jenny froze, her heart pounding in her chest, but the two didn’t even notice the guy on the pavement as they stumbled away. Or maybe they did and assumed he’d passed out drunk.

“Let’s get out of here before he wakes.” Josh looked around. “Are there cameras here?”

“No. This alley has no surveillance. I know this place. The owner is crooked, and some of his nefarious dealings happen right here; he would be stupid to record it.” Ckarus took a wobbly step toward the street, bringing Jenny with him.

How he’d managed to move with such grace while he was fighting, yet be drunk enough not to be able to walk straight, was beyond her.

“Oh boy.” Josh rolled his eyes. “Why the fuck am I stuck babysitting you? Come on, you big lug. Let’s get to that inn before you pass out.”

“Wait! She needs a disguise.” The alien took off his jacket and threw it around Jenny’s shoulders. To her surprise, it didn’t smell like booze. In fact, it smelled nice, and it was warm from his body. She pulled it tightly around herself.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t think that’s going to fool anyone, Ckarus,” Josh said as they headed down the street on foot. “She still looks like the human you stole off of that idiot.”

Jenny stayed between the two larger forms, making herself as small as possible. She didn’t know these two, but something told her they were her best bet. Ckarus had mentioned Reka 5, and Josh was human. That didn’t mean anything though; there were tons of nasty people out there, alien and human alike.

It wasn’t like she had another choice. Besides, Ckarus had told her he’d protect her.

The alien kept his hand on her back the entire walk to the inn. She wasn’t sure if it was to calm her or to prevent her from running away. Or maybe he was so drunk he couldn’t walk on his own.

The inn was only a few blocks over. It was laid out like a motel back on Earth, with the doors to each unit outside. She stayed hidden with Josh as Ckarus stepped into the office and got everything set up.

It was only when Josh said goodbye that she realized he planned on leaving her alone with Ckarus.

“Wait! Aren’t you staying with us?

“Oh, I can’t be in a small room with you. Your scent will get all over me, and you’ll have one angry Tallean female to face. My mate is possessive.”

“Your mate?” Jenny was a bit shocked that Josh used the Tallean word.

“Yes. Sala, my Star, is back on the ship. She’s Hullean Vision’s newly hired spokesperson. It’s only natural I come work as a guard.” Josh’s eyes softened. “Ckarus is a good guy. He’ll protect you with his life, even if heisdrunk as a dog right now.” He snorted. “Fighting is probably the only thing he’s going to be good at in this state. You’ll be fine. I’ll check up on you tomorrow.”

And then she was alone in the small room with the giant alien warrior.

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