Page 68 of Courting Mayhem

“All the better to keep their attention on us, while Zarek and Sariel infiltrate the barge.” I had been expecting his outrage, but the feral glint in his eyes was a bit unexpected.

Derek’s gaze roved over me. “I don’t like it, but your fathers are right. Every eye will be fixed on you.”

Baelish stalked in followed by Qa’a.

My eyebrows rose. Baelish was wearing that awful red robe and fluffy slippers. “What’s with the get-up?”

“Canute was quite mad, and he always wore this robe and slippers to each auction,” Baelish snapped.

I turned to Qa’a. “What’s your disguise?”

He transformed into a red feather boa, slithered up Baelish’s body and wrapped around his neck. “The scanners will not pick up my life signs in this form and I am a reminder for the Askole to behave.”

Baelish’s tentacles squirmed wildly around his head.“You gave me your word you would find Ina.”

“And we will. After we retrieve the Shebu, and arrest Mallox,” I replied.

Baelish’s fists clenched. “Is she still on Gliese or has he shipped her to another lab?”

“You can ask Mallox that after we capture him.”Derek yanked wildly at his G-string as it crawled up his butt.

A snicker broke from Papi Sten.

Derek shot him a threatening look.

Baelish’s tentacles stood straight up.“You find this amusing? If you betray me…”

“You’ll kill us all,”I finished for him.

“You have been warned.”

Qa’a’s boa tightened around Baelish’s neck. “I can quite easily snap your neck. Focus on the mission and finding your sister, Baelish.”

Baelish pulled frantically at the boa. “As you command.” He quickly stepped up on the transporter platform.“I am ready.”

“Behave and Zosia won’t eat you again.” I hooked my sequined harem mask over my ears and stood next to him.

The War Commander took his place next to me. “There are forty-eight hostiles on the barge.”

“Keeping that many males entertained won’t be easy,”I said.

Papi Sten added, “The bidders have access to as much liquor as they can drink.”

“Forty-eight drunk, horny males all armed to the teeth is a recipe for disaster. Who’s the mastermind that planned the auction?” I wanted to know.

“I am,” Baelish admitted.

I stared at him disbelief.“Were you dropped on your head as a child?”

The transporter doors swooshed open, and a large mosquito-like insect flew in and landed on my shoulder. “I will not be left behind,”Zosia declared ten seconds before I could wig out.

I blew out a relieved breath. I hated creepy crawlies.

The boa swished back and forth like the tail on a pissed-off cat. “You have not completely recovered from your injuries and who is watching over the children,”Qa’a snapped.

“I demand vengeance. It is my right,” Zosia buzzed angrily.“Jacob has agreed to stay behind and guard our children.”

“My father won’t let anything happen to them,”I assured Qa’a.

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