Page 71 of Savage Union

“Can’t. He’s eatin’. Won’t leave until he’s finished,” she said sullenly.

“I need his body to take back to his family!” Turk protested.

“Too bad. He’s hungry. Ain’t nobody can stop Fluffers from eatin’ once he starts. Less maybe you want to try?” she demanded.

“No.” Turk sounded frustrated. “Jessina, listen to me,” he said. “I want you to back away—slowly. Stay on your hands and knees and don’t make any sudden moves.”

“I…I’ll try,” I breathed. “But what if…if he goes after me?” I was still staring into the bright orange eyes of the huge spiker and my heart felt like a lump of ice in my chest. My hands were cold and sweaty too. I was right on the edge of death and I knew it.

“I have my blaster on him. If he comes for you, I’ll shoot him,” Turk promised. “But try not to give him a reason to come for you—move slow!”

I did as he said. Still looking into those orange eyes, I began to back slowly away. Fluffers growled menacingly at me but he didn’t move to pounce. Instead, he looked down and took another bite of Jerx—crunching into the dead man’s shoulder with his long incisors.

I felt my stomach do a slow forward roll and wondered if I was going to be sick. But I couldn’t afford any sudden moves and puking would definitely involve said moves. Grimly, I swallowed to keep down my gorge and continued backing away.

At last I felt Turk’s hand on my elbow, helping me to stand. Never taking my eyes from the spiker, I rose with his help.

“Good,” he murmured. “Now we’re both going to just back awayslowly.”

We did as he said, stumbling a little on the road since we couldn’t see where we were going. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that sight. The dead, headless body with the enormous cat-like spiker sitting on it, ripping off chunks in the bloody light of the setting sun. And standing beside it, the half-naked sex worker, glaring at us defiantly as she stood over the gory scene with absolutely no regrets.

It was burned into my memory forever. But what came next was worse.

41

JESSINA

Finally we were far enough to turn our backs and start walking normally. I expected that now that we were out of danger, Turk would start asking me questions. But my Fated Mate was silent. There was a grim look on his face as he held me by the elbow and hurried me towards the spaceport in the dying light. He didn’t say a word as he guided me through the crowded place, filled with aliens and strange smells and sounds.

“Turk?” I said tentatively, as we finally came in view of The Illyrian which was docked in a wide berth near the end of the port.

“Not a word,” he ground out, glaring down at me briefly. “Not one…fucking…word until I get you back to my quarters!”

“But, I—” I began but another glare from him shut me up. I began to realize that he wasn’t just angry—he wasfurious.I felt my heart wilting inside me. Goddess, what was he going to do with me? Had I ruined everything between us? Would he ever forgive me?

It certainly didn’t seem so. Turk practically pushed me through the ship and up into his bedroom. Then he pointed a finger at me.

“Clean up and get dressed.”

He started to go but I called for him.

“Turk, wait! Where are you going? Can’t we just talk?” I pleaded.

His bronze eyes flashed.

“I don’t have time to fucking talk right now. I have to make sure the rest of the crew is on board so we can get the fuck out of here! Since you offended our trading partners, they’re talking about taking legal action and grounding The Illyrian.”

“Oh, no!” I put a hand to my mouth. “I…I’m so sorry! But how could I know they would smell me out?”

“How could you come on board my ship in the first place?” he growled.

“I just—” I started to explain but he put up a hand to stop me.

“No. Not right now. First we have to get the fuck off this planet.” He poked a finger at me again. “Clean up and stay in here.Don’tcome out on the Bridge.”

“All right,” I said humbly, but he was already out the door and slamming it behind him.

It was clear I was in trouble.Deeptrouble and I didn’t think there was anything I could do to get out of it.

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