Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135784 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 679(@200wpm)___ 543(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
"It's needed," Kivian says flatly. Gone is his normal flamboyant attitude. His clothing is somber and functional today, reflecting his mood.
"I hope for their sake all that's needed is a ransom." Sentorr shakes his head. "It's going to tear my mate apart if something bad has happened to them." He glances over at me. "Generous of the female to offer up her pet. We'll try not to use that tactic, but until we know what we're up against, it's good to have options."
I just nod. I don't like the thought of it either, and if I have to clean out my savings and my arsenal to make Sophie smile, I will. "Do you think they're dead or just in hiding?
"Not dead," Kivian says immediately. "There'd be blood everywhere. A murder on-ship just makes a damnable mess. Bio-waste in all of the sockets and the moldings and just…ugh." He shakes his head. "And the smell."
Sentorr just stares at him.
"What?" Kivian says defensively. "It's true. If you're going to kill them, you don't bring them aboard your ship and do the deed. You leave the mess behind. This wasn't about money, though, or else the ship would be claimed instead of floating free in space and picked up by shipping lane patrols. This is something else."
He's probably right. You don't kill a pirate right away, not when there's a potential for ransom or bounties. "They'll turn up," I say. "We just have to be ready for whatever kind of trouble they bring with them."
"Extra crew will come in handy," Kivian says. "Can your female fire a blaster? Does she need training?"
"She can take care of herself," I say proudly, thinking of how she defended me.
"You keeping her?" Sentorr asks in a quiet voice. "Zoey's going to want to hold onto her if not. She already thinks of Sophie as family because of her connection to the brothers."
My jealousy surges, just a bit. "She's not anyone's to keep. Sophie belongs to herself. And she said she wants to stay with me, but I'll let her know about Zoey's offer."
Kivian gives me a cocky grin. "She might say she belongs to herself, but they still like it when you try to stake a claim."
I think of Sophie in my bed, still sticky with my seed, and my chest hurts from all the emotions pouring through it. "She knows how I feel."
The corsair nods. "Good. I like to see you happy, friend." His smile widens. "A scrapper in a good mood means a discount for all."
I snort. "Don't get your hopes up about that." I get to my feet, my need for Sophie raging through me. "When do we leave?"
Kivian checks his wrist-comm, tied in with the Jabberwock's systems. "Three standard hours from now, give or take." He gives us a wry grin. "Baby sleeps best on a quiet ship."
I wave a hand at them. "I'll be ready. You'll have a room for me and Sophie? She needs privacy."
"I'll make sure something's ready," Sentorr replies. "Let me know if you need help with the weapons."
I nod, but I'm not thinking about weapons right now. I'm thinking about Sophie, warm in my bed, her hair spilling on my blankets. I want to rejoin her there, and three hours gives me plenty of time to pleasure her before we have to join the others. So I head off, trying not to seem too eager. I pass Sleipnir in the hall, and the big carinoux yawns hugely, showing me his teeth. I hesitate for a moment and then pull a piece of scrap out of the closet we have designated for “treats.” "Don't tell Sophie I'm spoiling you," I say to the creature. "Go sharpen your teeth on this for a bit while I wake your mistress up."
The carinoux takes the metal hunk with an almost greedy eagerness, padding away to go gnaw on the carcass. I have no idea how his teeth aren't shredded after all the metal he chews, but he seems to enjoy all of it. With the pet occupied, I head for my quarters and let the door slide shut behind me with a gentle hiss.
Sophie's still in bed. She's a heavy sleeper, my good girl, and I remember what she said about sleeping being her escape for so long. No doubt she trained herself to sleep deeply and easily. That's all right. I know just how to wake her up. I move to the bed and ease my body down on the corner of the mattress, hating that my limbs creak more than the bed does. Sophie yawns and rolls over onto her back, flinging an arm over her eyes.
Perfection. I peel the blankets back, admiring her beautiful body for a moment before I put my face between her legs and wake her up in her favorite way. It doesn't take long before her hands are in my hair, and her legs wrap around me, and Sophie breathes my name out with a sigh of pure bliss.