Page 37 of Kissed By the Alien
“Go ahead, female. Tell me it was an accident. That you stumbled on that hangar without knowing precisely where you were and what you were doing. Is this some petty revenge because I said I didn’t want you? Maybe if I’d never told you we were heartmates, you’d have had the sense to stay away from me.”
That hurts. I don’t believe in heartmates, but I feel a connection to him. Or I did.
Apparently, any feelings he had for me were in my head. Nothing more than the fantasy of a woman who believed someday she’d meet a guy who liked her for her, inside and out. A guy who’d respect her desire to be free to make her own decisions in life.
I try to shove the pain and confusion away so I can stand up to him and not be the inconsiderate, vindictive, inconsequential girl he thinks I am. Except I can’t turn my emotions off with Lutan like I do with my father. I learned to get around his rules and do what I needed to do. With Lutan… damn, I want him to respect me.
With my chin held high, I push away from the wall. My legs and hands shake as I bend down and pick up my gun. Busted or not, it’s coming with me and I’m damn well not apologizing for trying to help Lutan find those blasters. What I did today is no different than what I do any other day. I just never came that close to getting killed.
“You said you never wanted to see me again, but you never asked what I wanted, or even if I cared, Lutan. I may have screwed up your investigation, and for that I’m sorry. I only wanted to help you. I thought if I had information you needed, you’d meet with me. I guess I was wrong, about a lot. Especially what you felt for me. Clearly, nothing more than contempt.”
“Lexi—”
“Only my friends get to call me that. Not you.”
His horns shoot straight up. “I told you to stay out of my investigation because of the danger.”
“Danger? What the hell did you think I got this gun for? Because I live in a mansion with people waiting on me all day?” Technically, I do, or would, if I didn’t sneak out so much.
“That gun nearly got you killed.” He grabs it from me.
“Hey! That’s mine!”
“Not anymore.”
“Give it back,” I demand as the other zyanthan joins us.
“Female, I’m Warrior Kovel. I will escort you home.”
“No, Hunzu,” Lutan says, his voice foreboding. “She’s under arrest.”
“Arrest?” My voice squeaks in shock as Lutan pulls my hands behind me and snaps a pair of mag cuffs on.
“Lutan?” Hunzu questions, one bushy brow rising. “You cannot charge interference when technically she was on the scene before us.”
“I’m charging her with co-conspiracy in the theft of five dozen blasters from Galactic Intelligence, distribution of illegal weapons on Earth, and interference with an intelligence operation. She got here before us, and now the shipment is gone. She warned them, Hunzu, and now she’ll be prosecuted for her crimes.”
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
LEXI
With my arms folded over my chest, I glare at Lutan as he stands outside my cell while a guard delivers a pile of bedding. Thick, cream-colored blankets and a fluffy white pillow. They don’t look like standard prison issue, not that I’m in a sanctioned prison. I’m in the dungeonesque basement of the Zyanthan Embassy with a row of six cells and crappy lighting.
“You will talk eventually,” Lutan says, his back straight as a board and his hands clasped behind his back.
“Not to you, I won’t.” I’m pissed. Beyond pissed, and yet I’m not sure why. Because he arrested me or because I fucked up?
He steps into my cell and sets a datapad down on the table. “Books, to occupy your mind while you’re down here.”
How long does he plan to keep me here? I won’t give him the satisfaction of asking and letting him think I’m worried. Or affected by his cavalier attitude.
Instead, I tap the datapad and look at what he’s loaded onto it.Impatience and Impudence. I flip to the description and read. Impulsive and headstrong Emma Birchwood defies societal norms…
“HardlyPride and Prejudice,” I say as I flip back to the list. “When People Endanger Themselves,The Woman Who Didn’t Know When To Stop, andA Detective’s Guide to Handling Difficult Suspects.” I slam the datapad on the table. “Get out,” I snap, only to realize he and the guards are gone.
I can’t even have the satisfaction of yelling at him.
“Hey, look who’s here. Little miss slut who betrayed me to fucking aliens,” Moses yells at me from a cell at the other end of the dungeon. The asshole finally woke up.
