Page 3 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

Muscle for hire can be an exhausting job. Especially the way we choose our jobs. My crew and I like to consider ourselves the ‘good guys’ and only take work that reflects that.

I know far too many Kaleidians that I grew up with that have gone down an easier but much darker path. Being an enforcer for a drug kingpin or a hired gun for a pirate pays really well. But these jobs eat away at your soul and often end with you in a body bag. I’ve lost a lot of friends to those jobs in one way or another.

My crew and I want a different life for ourselves. Unfortunately, that means a lot of hard work to make ends meet. But wealwaysget the job done. Then, when we’re done, some debauchery at the closest bar or casino is the only cure.

“Come on, slow asses!” I yell back at my crew as I pull ahead from the crowd. No way in hell am I paying for the first round. An Odex man wearing a suit dives out of my way, narrowly avoiding me plowing through him.

I’m shocked the Odex wasn’t paralyzed by fear. A dozen giant burly Kaleidians racing towards you? Most wouldn’t know what to do. Luckily, we’re able to use that a lot on the job.

Being the ‘good guys’ of hirable Kaleidians means intimidation is often our greatest and most useful weapon. Our clients typically hire us for security work. Concerts, music festivals, public events. Anywhere that some dumbass might get the idea to stir up trouble. One look at us is typically enough to put an end to that before it can even begin.

This two-week job we just got off was the same deal. We were hired to be the personal security of some politician as he traveled around the neighborhoods, schmoozing for votes. Two weeks of listening to the same boring speech, same boring talking points, over and over again. We’ve earned these few days of fun.

I’m pretty sure we’ve actually worked at this casino before. A few years back, the crew got hired for extra security during some big convention. All I really remember is that the owner was a real dick, and they have Kalei Hold’em, so I know where I’ll be most of the night.

The whole hotel must be shaking as we charge closer and closer to the casino. They better be ready for us when we arrive. I don’t see any of us stepping off the game floor for quite a while.

I burst through the doors first. My crew quickly follows. Dramp, the newest and slowest member, hobbles in last. We all look at him with huge grins.

“Come on guys… please… Ijustgot my first paycheck. I–” he starts to say.

“A Vakutan ale for the lot of us!” I declare as the rest of the crew cheers. Dramp sulks away towards the bar.

“This was the perfect idea,” Idrax says, clasping a hand on my shoulder. The others in our crew murmur in agreement.

A moment later, Dramp returns with the drinks with the help of a waitress. We all grab our mugs of ale. I hold mine up for a toast, and everyone follows suit.

“Let’s have some fucking fun!” We all lift our mugs and chug them. From there, everyone splits off, moving to their preferred methods of gambling.

For the first hour or so, I watch my crew, making sure they stay out of trouble. Join Idrax in a game of liar’s dice. Watch Dramp lose alotof money in a single game of trip squares. Witness just about every member of the crew attempt to flirt with the bartenders, waitresses, and game dealers, only for them all to strike out.

We all gamble, drink, smoke, and laugh well into the night. This is just what we all needed. Some time to cut loose.

After about the fourth shot, I stumble away from the rest of the crew towards my favorite game in any casino. Kalei Hold ‘em.

“Deal me in,” I command as I sit down at the table and toss down a casino chip.

“Yes, sir,” responds a female voice. The voice gives me pause. In an instant, I’m certain it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. There's a perfect softness and cadence to it.

I look up at the dealer, only to find that she has a face to match the voice. Immediately my hired muscle brain goes into overdrive analyzing every bit of her face.

She has a pair of soft blue eyes. In them, I can see kindness but also a hardened soul. She’s seen a lot, but that can be expected working in a place like this. She keeps her brown hair tied back into a tight bun.

I’d place her at about five feet and four inches. She’s short, even by human standards. But I can tell by the confidence she radiates as she deals the cards that she doesn’t let that slow her down at all.

Even in her uniform, her curvy body is on full display. I’m shocked more men aren’t flocking to her table. After a moment, I realize I’ve just been staring at her. I need to think of something, then my eyes fall on her name tag.

“Meera?” I say. “Am I saying that right? Mira?”

“Myra, it’s pronounced Myra. Do you call?” My attention is the furthest away it could be from the game right now. Without even looking at my cards, I toss down a few more chips, calling.

“I’m Zair.”

“Hello, Zair.” Myra checks my cards. I lost. But I don’t care. I’m going to keep talking to her. I toss some more chips down as she deals me another hand.

“Tell me, how does a pretty girl start working in a place like this?”

“Oh, you’re too kind.”

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