Page 34 of The Rebel and the Rogue

“No. Tell him if you wish.” Astra’s gaze narrowed, and she tilted her head in an angle meant to mock the other leader. “Hive tech will not be enough to help him rule Rogue 5.”

Cerberus laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “I am not so ambitious, Astra.”

“Liar.” The word slipped from me before I thought to sensor it, but I did not care whether I insulted the evil male before me. Everyone looked to me but remained silent. Cerberus could have struck out for the insolence, but what I spoke was the truth and he knew it. He had a bargaining piece on his knees, but he was not the one in control. Ivy was.

Ivy looked from Astra, who nodded, to Barek, who stood without expression, to me. Her gaze locked with mine. Lingered. She wanted something from me, but I could not fathom what that might be. When she released me from her gaze to face Cerberus again, I nearly growled aloud in frustration.

Females. I did not understand them. I protected her. I held her. I made her scream with pleasure and cared for her as she slept. I had fought beside her and killed for her. I let her run wild among the deadliest members of Cerberus Legion. And yet in that moment, I knew that somehow I had failed her.

“His name is Levenagen. You’ll find him at a trading outpost on a planet called Xerima.”

Cerberus grinned, clearly pleased with himself. He’d gotten what he wanted at no expense to him. Gerian Eozara meant nothing more to him than a mere pawn to trade.

“I have heard of this place, the people there are as wild as pure Hyperions.”

“So I’ve heard,” Ivy said.

“The trade is complete.” Cerberus tipped his chin to the prisoner. “He is yours.”

She looked down at Gerian, where he remained on his knees, looking like a beaten animal. “Astra, may I ask a favor?”

“Another?”

Ivy grinned. “Yes. Can you please have that piece of shit dragged to some kind of holding cell while I make transport arrangements? I have a bounty to collect.”

“Of course.” Astra rose. “Rhord. Nev. See our guests to the exit.”

Guests was used so courteously yet meant anything but. While a deal had been made, peacefully, Cerberus was still the enemy.

“Yes, Astra.” Nev stepped forward, Rhord on his heels, but Cerberus still stared at my female. He wanted her. Sexually, I had no doubt, which made me want to rip his head off, but she also intrigued him. She was the most ruthless tool he knew. She was alive, breathing… here. He wanted her as his own.

Over my fucking dead body. “You need to leave.” I glared at the male, eager for an excuse to hurt him. Kill him.

Cerberus looked my way, then to Ivy. “Turning in Gerian will not change a thing, Lieutenant Ivy Birkeland of Earth.” Cerberus lifted his chin to signal Jillela, and she moved toward the exit, to where Nev and Rhord stood waiting to take them back through the tunnels.

Ivy’s back went ramrod straight. “It will stop him from selling more Quell.”

Cerberus laughed. The bastard laughed in Ivy’s face. “I have dozens more where he came from. This changes nothing. You came all the way out here to stop the flow of Quell?” His laughter turned mocking. “You are a fool after all. So disappointing. I had high hopes for you, Ivy. I even entertained the idea of recruiting you, my dear. You are an excellent killer.”

I hated his words, the taunt behind them, but I remained silent. He was leaving, and that was what I wanted more than anything.

Cerberus followed Jillela out of the room. The moment the door slid closed behind him, Astra came around the table. Barek grabbed Gerian and pulled the prisoner to his feet as my leader approached Ivy. “You have what you came for, Ivy. You kept your end of the bargain, and I have kept mine.?

?

Ivy bowed in respect. “Agreed. Thank you.”

Astra nodded. “Good. Now, you have twenty-four hours to get out of my territory. If you aren’t mine, you can’t stay. Understand?”

“Yes. I’ll be gone long before that. I’ll be out of here in twelve.”

“Excellent.” Astra turned to Gerian, eyed him like he was a scum. “Learned your lesson too late, didn’t you?”

“What lesson is that?” he snarled. In Barek’s tight hold, that was all he could do. “That Cerberus is a backstabbing bastard?”

Astra laughed. “No. Everyone knows that. If you didn’t, you’re more a fool than I thought.” Her gaze flitted to Ivy, then back to Gerian. “You never turn your back on a powerful woman, especially after you kill her family.”

“I didn’t—”

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