Saber leaned back in his chair, frowned.“You’ve been vocal in your dislike of our capture scheme.What’s changed?”
“She attracted my attention.I intend to explore the possibilities, and I want privacy to do that.”
“The capture camp is full for the next few days.”
“Fuck.”Leo’s mind worked with computer precision, groping for alternatives.He had to do something now because a week wasn’t long, and two solar days had already passed.
“I might have an alternative,” Saber said after a short silence.“But first you need to tell me why this one.She’s not beautiful, more dignified.I noticed her because of her robe,” Saber added.“She sticks out like a weed in a flower garden.And she doesn’t socialize or take part in any of the resort activities.Her behavior is odd.”Saber maintained an even stare—waiting for his response—and Leo found himself wanting to squirm, to rush in to fill the empty pause.He controlled the impulse with difficulty.
“I met her on Dalcon,” Leo said.“In the city.”
“How?”
“I can’t say.”
Saber scowled.“Can’t or won’t?”
“Won’t.”
Saber scrutinized him then leaned forward to pick up his genic mini-tab.He tapped on several keys.“We don’t have any detailed information about her on file.Just the basic stuff.None of the other men have expressed an interest in her because she is so odd.”
Which worked to his advantage.
“Does she have something to do with your injuries?”
Careful,Leo warned himself.His brother was no dummy.“She hired the droid to pilot me back to Tiraq and got me to the spaceport.”
“I see.So I’m mistaken about the whiff of lies in the air?”Saber’s gaze drilled into him, but this was too important to muck up.Leo remained still and met Saber’s gaze with unconcern.
After a long pause, Saber filled the silence.“You want to keep this woman as your mate?”
“I don’t know yet.”Leo surreptitiously rubbed his scar.For the last couple of days it had felt tight and tender to the touch.Only shifting and lounging around in feline form alleviated the ache.“I feel a stirring of interest.That’s all.If I find we don’t suit, I’ll release her to return to her life on Dalcon.”
Saber snorted, the abrupt sound tinged with humor.“A frisson of interest is where it started with me.With Felix too.”
Leo kept his face impassive.He wouldn’t be keeping Betrys Torin.On that count he was firm, but hewouldgive her a taste of the same vulnerability and fear he’d suffered.He wouldn’t hurt her, but she’d come to understand how it felt to be trapped and used.Spanking her in his dreams was one thing.Not much pleasure there, but in real life…
Yes.He’d tie her up and fuck her.He might spank her.While he’d return her hale and hearty, he could make her feel a little of what he experienced at Iseult’s hands.
“All right,” Saber agreed.“The deserted village I told you about.You can go there.It’s habitable.”He hesitated, traces of a smile lurking in his features.“There’s more to the story than Eva and I told you.It’s nothing bad.More startling.”
“The disappearing shuttle?”Leo asked.Felix, Eva and Saber had told them about the shuttle they’d flown and how once they’d disembarked the vehicle had faded in front of them.
“That and more,” Saber said.“You’ll see.I’ll help you capture Betrys and drop you off at the village.I’ll give you three nights to decide if she’s the one you want before I return for you both.How does that sound?”
Leo found himself smiling, a foreign sensation during the last few months.“That sounds perfect.Thanks, Saber.”
Three nights to give Betrys Torin a taste of the mental agony he’d endured.
Let the games begin.
Betrys lay on the sleep-bed, willed herself to relax, but kept her eyes stubbornly open.Resist.Resist.Resist.
Though physically and mentally exhausted, she couldn’t fight her mind’s desire for sleep.The moment she toppled into slumber, the dreamscape summoned—a shiny enticement to cavort with Leo.With scarce thought, she found her body soaring along a swirly purple and blue path, a flickering jade-green light signaling her direction and final destination.
An instant later, she stood in front of Leo, her dreamscape the same luxurious room as before, full of color.
“Hi,” she whispered as she approached him at the window.He didn’t welcome her, yet he didn’t shy from her touch either.She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face against his back and drew in his scent.Masculine.Clean with a hint of herbs and spices.Just being with him calmed her angst, made thoughts of Iseult and the horrors of her days retreat.
