Page 47 of Kameer's Mate
“What kind of trap?” Hope rises within me.
Kameer smirks.We transmitted a video compilation to Captain Warren that shows him and members of his command team in multiple compromising situations. Well, I suppose it’s more blackmail than a trap. Because if he doesn’t free your father by tomorrow morning, the video will be released on every info screen on theJansonna.
I’m about to ask what kind of compromising situations, but then I catch glimpses of the video from Kameer’s mind, and I gasp. It would seem several members of the command team have engaged in fornication, taken illegal drugs, and committed a number of other crimes. Commander Hampton’s deeds appear to be the worst, but Captain Warren comes in as a close second.
I wrap my arms around Kameer’s center, then stand on my toes and pull him down so I might place a kiss on his cheek.Thank you. Thank you thank you thankyou. Tears burn in my eyes, and I blink fast as I’m overcome with emotion. Gratitude swells within me, and for a brief moment, I consider that perhaps a lifetime as Kameer’s mate might not be so terrible.
Unfortunately, the huge Darrvason hears this thought, and a deep frown mars his visage. He grasps my shoulders and glares down at me. At first, I think he’s angry, but then I sense his predominant emotion. Frustration.
You still have doubts?His voice rumbles in my head.We can hear one another’s thoughts—the heartbond is impending—yet you still doubt our compatibility? Darrvasons mate for life. You’re mine, Mandy, youfluxxingbelong to me and I will never let you go. How many times must I remind you of this fact?
Though I’m not a Darrvason, I somehow manage to growl like one as I settle a glare of my own on Kameer.
How dare he? How dare he scold me for my private thoughts?
You bought me,I tell him.You made a despicable man wealthy just so you could have me. You made a deal with the fucking devil.
Then it happens. I think about the message that appeared on the info screen the morning after he first claimed me, the message I still haven’t confided in him about. The message that once brought me hope that I would escape him.
You will soon be free of Chief Kameer.
Before I take my next breath, I sense his betrayal through the bond, as well as his suspicion. He’s worried that perhaps I’m in cahoots with the person or persons who want him dead. My stomach flips at the thought.
No, no, no, I send down the bond in a panic.It’s not what you think.
Why didn’t I tell him about the message?
Why did I continue keeping the secret?
Guilt presses down on me from all directions. The thought of any harm coming to him rips me apart. Maybe if I’d told him about the message, he could’ve tracked the sender and prevented the most recent attempt on his life.
“Just one message?” He grasps my upper arms. Though his hold is firm, he’s not hurting me. “You just saw one message and you truly have no idea who sent it?”
I nod. “Yes. I’m sorry. I-I didn’t realize it was a threat to your life. If I’d known, I would’ve told you immediately. Despite how much I wanted to escape you then, I still would’ve told you.”
But it brought you hope that I would be taken away from you. Hope that you would be released from our mating union.His voice is a deep but calm reverberation in my head.
Yes, I admit.But I won’t apologize for that part. I can’t. You bought me, Kameer. You claimed me as your mate even after I begged you to let me go.There’s no point in lying.
He draws me closer and caresses a hand through my hair. I lean into his touch as a tear cascades down my cheek. He wipes it away with his thumb. His gentleness makes me want to cry harder. I’m not even certain why I’m crying.
Well, perhaps it’s because I’m finally coming to terms with the big scary truth. I cannot imagine life without him, and even if an escape were offered to me at this very second, I don’t believe I would take it.
My upper arms tingle to the point of itchiness. I’m tempted to glance down, but I don’t. Because I can’t look away from Kameer.
I am not angry with you, he says down the tether as he tamps down his initial frustration.I know what I did to you, pretty human. I know that from your perspective, I was the frightening alien male who wanted to steal you away fromyour people and claim you as his forever. I wanted to do forbidden things to you that you didn’t quite understand.His smirk is a playful caress through the bond.I wanted to make you blush and tremble, and I wanted to take your innocence. He growls as his hand tightens in my hair.I wanted to make you mine.
“You did all those things, but still I don’t hate you.” I whimper as his hardness presses to my stomach and a spasm of heat affects my core. “I don’t believe I could part with you now, Kameer. I would…miss you.”
His pleasure ripples through the bond alongside a sense of victory. He leans close, preparing to kiss me, only for his wrist comm to buzz and beep. He emits a low growl, and I don’t need to share a mind connection with him to know he’s annoyed by the interruption.
A slight shudder runs through the ship, and a glance out the viewscreen shows the fleet is no longer traveling in a shared hyperdrive bubble. Kameer follows my gaze, then he glances at his wrist comm and his eyes grow wide.
“What is it?” I ask in a hesitant tone. I suddenly don’t feel quite right, and I hope Kameer doesn’t have to leave so soon after returning to my side. Not only am I hot all over and aching for his touch, but my upper arms feel aflame.
“The hyperdrive’s safety protocols just initiated a shutdown, and the engineers I’ve tasked with maintaining the system are having difficulty troubleshooting the issue.” He gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, pretty human, but I’m needed in engineering. I promise I won’t be gone for long.”
Chapter 24
