Alien Read online

  “Welcome to my humble home,” she forced in a mocking tone of pleasantry.

  The big man stumbled on the stairs but didn’t fall with Dio’s help. Shia took a chance and grabbed at the baton. Even hurt, he was quick. His thumb pressed the controls, sending a shockwave through her system that set her hair on end. It rippled from the band around her neck and sizzled along every nerve root. The low setting was enough of a warning—for now. She met his hardened gaze as she shivered internally from the shock.

  “Don’t be stupid, Paoni,” he growled and she sensed his tone was more from the pain he suffered than anger over her attempt to grasp the controller. It seemed he expected it.

  Shia decided to try a different approach and turned her attention to the big man’s assistant. “Dio, is it?”

  When he nodded, she issued a polite command and acted as if she wanted to help. “Switch sides since he obviously won’t relinquish the controls and would probably prefer you were on the side with the hand that holds it.”

  Dio did as she stated and slid around to Kal’s right. She, in turn, worked her way under Kal’s left arm. Snaking an arm around his waist alongside Dio’s, she gave him much needed support. The thick arm across her shoulders bunched and she sensed he did his best not to lean on her as heavily as he leaned on Dio. Heat skimmed her side when they touched, making her aware of his increased body temperature. Was he feverish or did his type run hot? From her angle she noted sweat beaded his brow and upper lip and she felt him tense and swore he vibrated slightly. Was he having a seizure?

  “I don’t need your help.”

  She noted a hint of weakness in his tone. “Correction.” She tried not to sound too smug. “You may not want my help, but in your condition you need it whether you like it or not.”

  “I wouldn’t be in this condition if it wasn’t for you.”

  His shoulders sagged and she knew he hated the fact she was right. Together, she and Dio managed to escort him inside. The door led into a mudroom. They shoved through the swinging door on the opposite side of the small area and entered the kitchen. She hit the switch on the wall, illuminating the room, but they didn’t stop there.

  “Let’s get him where he can lie down.” Shia did her best to guide their progress without appearing to be in charge. She figured that wouldn’t bode well with the big man. His ego wouldn’t allow being directed in any format.

  As they exited the kitchen through another swinging door, they entered the main room of the house. This was Shia’s favorite besides her bedroom. When she had bought the house and the surrounding acreage, she spent a great deal of time remodeling it to conform to what she needed. She had reconfigured the main floor by combining the living room and family room into one large open space filled with every electronic comfort a techno guru might desire. So even though Dio was a criminal, his sharp whistle in awe of the room made her smile internally.

  “Wow. Is there anything you don’t have?”

  Shia glanced around at the huge big-screen TV complete with surround sound on the main wall, a massive computer system on the opposite wall, an assortment of gaming systems, not to mention the intricate security system for the property located on the far wall, then shot the younger man a sideways smile. “Someone who can beat me in a video game.”

  “Oh man, if this were any other time, I’d take you on,” Dio proclaimed excitedly.

  “But it’s not,” Kal weakly interjected, causing them both to return their attention to him.

  “This way.” Shia nodded toward the hallway.

  She led them to the doorway at the end of the hall. It was her bedroom. She knew the bed in the other bedroom would not be able to accommodate his size. Even though she hated giving him her king-size bed, she did. She jerked back the covers and helped him sit on the edge. With every movement, she noted he fought the demons ripping him apart from the inside out. She knew he had to be hurting.

  Kettlemine poison alone was known for its ability to inflict severe pain at various increasing stages until the victim succumbed. His system had to be fried, or at least short-circuiting from the KO-2 blast and the residual shockwaves of the Pulsar dart. She’d never seen anyone absorb a KO-2 blast and still remain capable of movement, as he had been at the escape port.

  The escape port! She never sealed it. For a split second panic thrashed through her as the need to know attempted to take precedence. Hopefully another Paoni completed the task she so miserably had failed to accomplish. Shia stepped back. The big man seemed to sway but refused to bow to the exhaustion that hovered on the outskirts of his determination to remain in control.

  She turned, took a step, but froze the moment a tiny shockwave slithered from the collar and shot down her spine to pool in the tips of her fingers and toes. Damn, that was annoying.

  “Don’t even think about running.”

  Shia looked over her shoulder at him and something speared her heart. The big man struggled to stay conscious. His eyes showed depths of pain she prayed she’d never know. Blood trickled from the makeshift bandage around his thigh, while miniature spasms made him appear helpless, though she doubted he’d ever be rendered completely helpless and would remain alive.

  “I’m not running. I’m getting the medical kit from the bathroom.” She lightly touched the unwanted necklace. “Besides, you hold the key to my every move.”

  His thumb stroked the baton, causing her gaze to fall upon that one thick digit. If she got her hands on that controller, she’d be free and he’d be toast, but for now she was trapped. Shia’s gaze slid up his arm to the berth of his chest then lifted to his face. Those emerald eyes were darkened by pain, yet hinted of an inner strength she was just seeing a sliver of its magnitude. It was the only reason she fathomed as to how he remained upright.

  “Very well,” he stated on a heavy sigh. His eyebrow hitched as he questioned, though she doubted he thought she didn’t know the answer. “You are aware of the limited range on this?”

  “Yes.”

  The band kept a prisoner within one hundred feet of the baton. Anything past that and the prisoner instantly sizzled from the inside out, leaving nothing behind but a charred, unrecognizable carcass. These were normally used on criminals convicted of lesser charges and appointed to work details on whatever planet the Kiengir chose as punishment. She’d once seen the deadly results of being too far from the baton and hoped never to see it again. Especially not on her. Shia swallowed hard against the thick band.

  “Good, don’t wander outside of its range. I’d hate to have to clean up your ashes.”

  Shia sneered then walked across the room into the master bath. Not knowing his identity was really getting under her skin. She slammed the door behind her. The band vibrated around her neck and she yelled, “Dammit, that’s not necessary.”

  “Just checking.” His retort seemed laced with a hint of laughter, which elevated her agitation another notch. This was not funny.

  “Think we can trust her?” Dio inquired as he helped Kal get situated on the bed.

  “Not like we have much of a choice right now, kid.” Kal eased onto the pile of pillows at the headboard. “I’m not exactly in prime condition at the moment.”

  “At least you’re finally admitting it.” Dio gently worked the boots from Kal’s feet.

  The bathroom door opened and he paused mid-breath. She somehow managed to remove the breastplate and battle suit without messing with the band. Wearing a plush white cotton robe, she crossed the room carrying a medical kit and a basin of steamy water. He couldn’t help but peruse the length of her.

  The occasional peak of upper thigh from between the robe’s folds teased his senses. Through heavy lids, he allowed himself a moment of enjoyment as his gaze did a slow scouting exhibition from her red-painted toenails to the angry golden-brown eyes that stared directly at him. A few ringlets of deep golden-colored hair had escaped the thick braid down her back and hung loosely, framing her face.

  The bulky robe gave nothing away.