Page 84 of Kissed By the Alien
“You bought him,” Lexi says.
“Bought?” I ask her. “Slavery is illegal on Earth.”
“I mean my dad paid him to do whatever he wanted.”
“He had orders to report back to me on any future interactions with you. Which included your kidnapping. He didn’t give the orders to take you, but he was in a position to protect you.”
“Where is he now?” she asks.
Barrington hesitates. “Dead.”
“You killed him?” Lexi pales.
“He did not kill Moses,” I speak up. “Virtue did, in a fight.”
Her father narrows his eyes. “Lexi, put on proper clothing while I speak with Warrior Tannis.”
She looks from her father to me. Instead of objecting, as I fully expect, she approaches me, the confusion on her face clear. Her father made a good case, but he’s hidden much from her, as she’s hidden much from him. My sholani needs time to process.
“It’s fine, Lexi. You can go, if you feel safe doing so. I will speak with your father and tell you all that I learn.”
“Maybe I do need a break. Time to think about everything.” She leans in to my ear and whispers, “And for as much as I love wearing your shirt, I feel rather naked here without, um… panties on. I’d like to change. If you’re sure you’ll be okay.”
I lay my hand on her and squeeze gently. No words required. I love how she worries about me, even though it’s not necessary.
Once she leaves, her father moves to a sidebar with drinks and pours an amber liquid in a short glass. He offers me one, but I decline.
“Are you involved with my daughter, Warrior?”
“I’m here to discover who’s behind her kidnapping so I may end the threat to her.”
“From what my people tell me, you already did that. Killed the man who took her.”
“I eliminated several males yesterday, but not the one behind the kidnapping.”
“And you believe that’s me.” He raises a brow as he pours himself a glass. “A word of advice, Warrior. Stay away from my daughter.”
I don’t tell him Lexi is my heartmate. That will wait until she’s by my side. Right now, my insides knot from the distance between us. I do not feel she’s safe here.
* * *
LEXI
Confusion fillsmy brain and my heart as I leave my dad’s office. He sounded so genuine but Lutan was on edge. I trust Lutan completely, but there was a time I trusted my father, too. Part of me still does.
Hopefully, I’ll calm down while I find some clothing so I can figure out what I do from here. I should pack a bag, too. I have too many questions and I need to feel safe. That means being with Lutan.
After I throw on a pair of jeans, a basic white t-shirt, my pink knit sweater, and hiking boots, I yank open my dresser drawers and start shoving underwear and clothing into a duffle bag as fast as possible without paying attention to what I’m packing. The ticking of the clock drowns out the birds outside.
Tick tock, tick tock.
I throw myself down on my knees, lift the bed skirt, and grab for a pair of sneakers.
Tick tock, tick tock
What feels like a thousand spiders crawls up my spine.
Too slow.
