Page 31 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
The longer I stay silent, the more I force myself not to squirm in my seat.
“How long have I known you?” Quinn asks.
“Almost since infancy.”
“Exactly. So you and I both know I’m right when I say you’re full of shit. There’s way more to the story than that. I’m actuallyshocked you think I’ll let you get away with that half-assed telling.”
I sort of half shrug. “A girl can hope.”
Quinn glares and I sigh in defeat.
“Fine.” I tell them everything that happened after Janik took me, including the shitty game he played with Mak that scared me half to death, meeting his mother, getting drunk, how he cleared up my hangover with some magic machine, and how an unknown rebel smuggled me out of the camp.
“Damn, so Janik really has no idea Alik has been trying to meet with him?” Devon asks once I’m finished.
“None. I also really do think he never intended for anyone to be killed during that explosion in the mine.”
Quinn’s still watching me with a speculative gleam in her gaze, like she’s guessing there’s a few things I’m leaving out.
“His mom sounds like a world-class bitch,” Devon adds.
Since I agree, I just nod. She was very clearly not a fan of me.
“And you didn’t recognize the guy who helped you escape or knowwhyhe did so?” This comes from Quinn.
“He just said he didn’t agree with Janik kidnapping me.”
“Hmmm.”
I’m not sure I like that sound, so I fake a yawn even though it really has been a long day. “I’m sorry guys, but I’m exhausted. Between the stress of everything and then all the time spent in the palace answering Alik’s questions, I think I need to get some rest.”
Devon and Lindsey are both quick to apologize.
“God, of course,” Devon says, jumping to her feet. “We’ll let you sleep and see you tomorrow.”
They both hug me goodbye, careful not to move too quickly and spook Mak who eyes them in case they try anything funny. The two of them leave for their own places, leaving Quinn behind.
“I’m going to take Mak outside for the bathroom and swing by the kitchen to get her and myself something to eat. Do you want to grab lunch tomorrow?”
“Sure, sounds good. Maybe then you’ll tell me the truth. Or at least the rest of it.” She hugs me as well and walks me to the door. “I love you Liv, and I’m glad you’re home.”
“I love you, too.”
Mak’s followed us and together she and I head down the walkway to the lift. We quickly go out so she can do her business and then I stop off at the kitchen. It probably doesn’t take as long as it feels like it takes, but we finally get our food and go back up to my apartment to eat.
Once we’ve finished off everything, I crawl into bed, not even bothering to shower or wash my face. Apparently Mak has decided to make herself at home, because she jumps up with me and curls into a giant ball at my feet. Seconds later, she’s snoring softly. Me? I lie there, staring at the ceiling. Quinn’s right. I might have left a couple things out. Like the fact Janik and Alik are brothers. Or that I suspect I might be Janik’s heart’s fire.
Chapter 14
Janik
I’ve always let my instincts guide me, and they tell me to wait. Even though I suspect Horek will come investigate. It was clear he knew exactly what had caught Mak’s attention. So, instead of disappearing without a trace, I wait, because no one has been willing to answer my questions. Perhaps the commander will.
While I sit here I replay every image of Olivia I’ve stored inside my head since the first time I saw her. Spoke to her. Touched her. Phinnek are some of the most intelligent creatures on this planet. They’re also the most loyal. It came as no surprise that Mak obeyed Olivia. I suspect if it came down to it, she would protect Olivia even from me. Not that she would need to.
“Your arrogance will be your undoing. It certainly can’t be stupidity that kept you here,” Horek calls out from only a short distance from my hiding spot.
He scans the area, still unable to identify my exact location. I step out of the shadows and into full view.
