Page 33 of Retribution
“If the Kall Custom of Retribution wasn’t a thing,” she said, choosing her words carefully, “I would still be on Earth, and while my life on Earth might be a mess right now, at least I would have the freedom to make my own choices and strive for a better life. At least I would have the freedom to go wherever I wanted and see whoever I wanted. But no matter how kindly you treat me, General, I’ll always be locked in a cage.”
He released her with a jerk and narrowed his eyes at her. “What would you have me do, Layla? Take you back to Earth? Set you free? It’s unheard of, and I’ve no doubt Kall forces would capture you and make you pay.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I took you back to Earth and freed you, even if I’m not technically breaking Kall law, I would be going against tradition. A Kall court charged you with your husband’s crimes and if they see I haven’t punished you—by taking your life, as is expected of me—they will quickly arrest you, toss false charges at you, and you’ll either be sentenced to life in prison or, more likely, death.”
She felt all the blood drain from her face. Her stomach twisted. What he said made sense. The unfairness of the whole situation settled over her, a heaviness that made it difficult to breathe. And fuck if the hurt in General Zamek’s eyes didn’t make her feel like an ungrateful asshole. He was showing her more leniency than any Kall warrior might. Most of his kind would’ve already seen her dead.
“I won’t let any harm come to you, human,” he said, piercing her with an intense look. His eyes shone with emotion. “That is why I will never consider freeing you, but it’s not the only reason why.”
“What’s the other reason?” She held her breath, awaiting his response.
He stood taller and his muscles tensed. “Because I simply do not want to let you go.”
Layla didn’t know how to respond to that. She peered around the room for a moment, then brought her gaze back to him. There was a vulnerability to his demeanor, but he also appeared agitated. Whether he was agitated with her or himself, she didn’t know. Perhaps it was both.
“You will remain in my quarters, human,” he said, his voice resounding with authority. “Try to escape, and I’ll redden your bottom. Do you understand?”
She thought of the light spanking he’d given her during sex and flushed all over. But he didn’t sound like he was playing around now, and a quiver raced across her bottom cheeks. Once more, she recalled his exact promise regarding the strap and implements in general—he’d specifically promised never to use an implement on her again, but he hadn’t promised never to punish her. Kall males expected obedience from their wives, mistresses, and slaves, and she had no doubt he would follow through with his threat.
He closed the space between them and grasped her chin. “Defy me in this, Layla, and you’ll receive a spanking. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand,” she whispered, barely able to get the words out.
His nostrils flared and shame washed through her.Oh God. Oh no. The threat of a spanking had caused heat to surge straight to her core. Everything between her thighs felt achy, and General Zamek with his damned heightened Kall senses could detect her sudden arousal.
“Naughty human,” he said, a smirk taking over his features. “If you enjoy being spanked so much, you need only ask. I confess I enjoyed smacking your little bottom. I also liked watching how wet you became while I disciplined you.”
Her breaths grew faint, and her excitement only increased. She’d almost forgotten how good he was with the dirty talk. As his grip on her chin tightened, she felt like a quivering mass of need, aching and throbbing for his touch.
He started leaning closer, and she shut her eyes and lifted her face, realizing he meant to kiss her. But just as his lips brushed against hers, a low buzzing noise made him stiffen.
Chapter 16
Fluxx.With great reluctance, Zamek pulled away from Layla and glanced down at his wrist comm. He gave her a look of regret.
“I’m afraid I’m needed on the bridge.” He smoothed a hand through her hair, then pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Stay here, human, and behave.”
“You’re locking me in, aren’t you?” she asked. “I don’t expect I have a choice then.”
This argument again. He was growing weary of it. He gave her a stern look. “Do you have any idea how lucky you are, Layla?” He backed her up toward the wall. Releasing her chin, he placed his hands on either side of her and gave her a sharp look. “Yes, you’ll always belocked in a cage, as you put it, but you’ll also have my protection.”
She drew in a quick breath and opened her mouth, appearing as though she were about to argue, only to press her lips together in the next instant, looking rather chastened.
“Now, I must go, though I hope to return soon. There is food in the kitchen area over there,” he said with a flourish of his hand, “in case you get hungry, and I will see that a servant brings your belongings from the brig here soon.”
He departed his quarters and made haste for the bridge, though he suspected this argument with Layla was far from over. She was a stubborn but lovely creature, and pride swelled in his chest knowing that such a strong female belonged to him.
As he hurried to the bridge, he used his wrist comm to order his personal servant, Drias, to gather Layla’s meager belongings from her cell and bring them to his quarters. She didn’t possess much—just some clothing, the electronic library, and a few hardback books he’d given her, but he didn’t wish for her to become bored in his quarters and having reading material would certainly help.
Once they reached his home in Sumlin District, she would have the freedom to wander his vast property. He would do everything in his power to ensure that hercagedidn’t feel so restricting.
As he went about his duties on the bridge, overseeing the extraction of valuable technology from the Bexxanian warbird, his crew discovered that the alien vessel had run out of reactor fuel and that’s why it had been stuck in one place. A distress signal had also been sent to the Bexxanian Empire, requesting assistance, but thus far, theTammusha’ssensors showed no sign of approaching enemy vessels.
After conferring with the other Kall warships, General Zamek ordered the vessels to spread out and sweep the sector for any sign of the Bexxanians.
On his return to his quarters, Amorrga approached him in the corridor, his purple eyes lit with post-battle excitement.
