I’d deny her nothing. “They’re daggers, but yes.” I pulled one free I thought would fit her hand best and held the hilt out to her.
“Thank you.” A wicked smile tugged her lips at the corners. “I know just what to do with it.”
Heading for the capo’s platform, I followed as Jane walked up to the Mangox harem. “Hello there.” She inclined her head in greeting, while I kept watch around us. The Mangox females removed the sashes from their eyes. “I have a gift for you, Parla.” She raised her chin to stare into the eyes of the slave female Mulo had spoken of by name—the one who had an affair with one of his guards. “If you’d like, you can keep this, and perhaps,” holding my dagger between her and Parla, she angled her body, so the weapon was hidden from view by any onlookers, “put it to good use.”
Parla’s coal eyes widened, her long, thin snout rising toward her forehead. “Your Master allows such a present?”
“I’ll confess to you, friend.” Jane leaned conspiratorially to whisper in the Mangox’s ear. “He’s not my master. He’s my,” she glanced over her shoulder at me, “my partner.”
I was far more than that, but it was not the time to reveal such things.
“You are lucky, then.” Claiming the dagger in her paw, she used the orange sash to conceal it around her waist. The neutral expression on her face revealed little, but a deep hatred burned in her eyes as she glared across the room at the capo. When her gaze returned to Jane, it softened. “I thank you for this gift. It is well received.” Motioning behind the platform, she added, “If you place your hand on the wall over there, you’ll find it opens to a stairwell that runs to the base of the outpost.” The capo’s tantrum grew louder, and people began to shuffle toward the glass door exit. “You should leave that way.”
“Thank you!” Jane grasped Parla’s paw and shook it twice.
The Mangox female startled at first, but then a small genuine smile, the first I’d seen from her, stretched over her mouth. “You are welcome…”
“Jane.” My ljona supplied. “I hope we meet again.”
“The universe is a mysterious place.” Parla sat on the edge of the platform, the two other females flanking her. “It may be so. Now go, my new friend Jane, and may the stars be with you.”
The trio of Mango helped hide our retreat as we circled around them toward the back as Parla had instructed. I put my hand to the wall. Light traced around my fingers, palm, and then split off to create a rectangular shape. Within beats, a doorway appeared.
“Whoa.” Jane inched forward to peer inside. “That was cool. And Parla was right. It’s a stairwell. Let’s go.”
“Wait.” I held her back with a hand on her shoulder. I grabbed another two daggers from my vest, placing one in her palm. “Let me go first.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine, cocky commander, lead on.”
I bent down to ensure she saw the desire in my eyes, the same heat that flicked across my skin. “I’m starting to like when you call me that, Jane.”
“Yeah, well.” A hint of her arousal perfumed the air. I licked my lips. She waved me onward. “Just go, okay?”
I laughed, but soon my mirth receded. The stairs through this hidden chamber did not have the same illumination as the main one. I could see well enough in the dark to determine the edge of the stairs and the rounded center column, but I knew humans lacked such ability. “Give me your hand.”
“Thanks,” she gasped. Her stride was measured behind me. “It’s so creepy in here. Our footsteps echo too loud, and I can’t see a thing.”
“We’ll be fine, my Truxoria. Just hold on to me.” Every step brought us closer to leaving this draving place and getting on with our mission.
Silence reined for a click between us, before she said, “Why do you call me that?” She sucked in a breath, the air hissing through her teeth. “It’s a new word, not your ljona creature, or your silly little captain nickname.” Her hands dug into my sides as we walked. “It’s more reverent too, when you say it.”
I tensed under her touch.Crex it.I had to tell her the truth, admit she was my mate. But how in the void did I cross that space between us?Do I deserve to?Doubt lingered in me. We hadn’t completed the mission. I desired Jane, but I had my duty. Would it be wrong to claim her now? If we failed.That’s not an option.
“Tor,” her fingers stroked my back as if soothing a skittering beast. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything.” She stepped around me as we came to the final landing. Light filtered in from beyond the doorway. She stood on tiptoe and cupped my cheek. “Tell me when you’re ready.”
“I will, Jane.” I claimed her hand and kissed the back. “I promise you.”
“Good.” She chuckled, tugging her fingers free of my hold. “Now, let’s get out of here. And finish our mission, huh?’
“Yes,” I agreed wholeheartedly and handed her a sheath. “Hide your dagger for now. We don’t want to bring unnecessary attention to ourselves.”
“Right,” she said, attaching the sheath to her thigh garter and placing the dagger inside. Jane was beyond mere words of beauty to me. Her courage, dedication to her people, and strength as a leader all drew me to her. Yet, I had to admit, my dagger strapped to her leg was hot as crex. She smirked as if knowing my thoughts.
I took a beat to collect my wayward mind and plan our exit across the outpost. Stalking through the doorway, I noted the same mix of aliens from earlier. Every thief, swindler, and pirate in the sector congregated in this place. I had to get us to our ship and through the energy dome barrier with as much stealth as possible. The Mangox were currently occupied, but they were not the only bastards we had to worry about on this accursed station.
Jane kept her head down and gaze on the floor as we zigzagged over the outpost floor. But I could tell she was alert. Tension radiated from her as we progressed. Our space fighter rested on the far side of the landing bay, away from the trading ships.
“Not much further.” I pitched my voice low to avoid any overhearing ears. Most of the station visitors were busy bartering for whatever contraband they’d brought to trade. But Jane would be a prize to any slaver. We had to stay vigilant.
