Chapter 11
Sweat dripped down Jaron’s face, arms and shoulders burning as he reached the count of two hundred. He needed to maintain his strength if they were to survive.
“This is taking too long. I think we need to come up with an escape plan.”
Jaron stopped in the middle of his work out routine. Body hovering over the rough floor during his push-ups, he cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
Low growls emitting from Sasha’s chest as she paced, her steps erratic. The quiet rumbles always found a way to endear him though he’d never share that.
“We can’t keep waiting for your team to find us.”
Her vehement declaration worried Jaron. He had expected Torkel and the others to find him by now. It left only one conclusion—his tracker was disabled. The fact they hadn’t come yet bothered him, but he didn’t plan to act rashly. He’d done that once already and ended up here. He braced one arm behind his back and continued doing his push ups one handed, but lowered his voice. “Don’t do anything crazy, kitten.”
Black curls bounced about her head as she walked. The loose strands had grown enough to hang about her ears and face obscuring part of her delicate features. Sasha smoothed a section back and tucked it behind her ears. The pointed lobes twitched. “When the guard comes for one of us, we need a distraction. Something to lower their focus.”
He missed the rest of what she mumbled under her breath. Finishing his reps, he rolled over and began doing his sit-ups. The light work out kept his mind clear and allowed him the only physical exertions. If his team did come, Jaron wanted to be in shape enough to keep up. He had no idea where he was or what the terrain would be like.
With his hands cupping the back of his head, he watched Sasha do another lap around her cell. She worked out as well. Perhaps not to the extent he did, but her muscles hadn’t lost much toning.
“I should do it,” she announced suddenly, coming to an abrupt halt at the center.
Jaron paused, abs quivering as he held position in the half-crunch. He didn’t care if she heard the wary note in his voice. “Do what?”
She planted her hands on her hips. “They’ll more than likely come for you. It’s been a while.”
Several days at the least.
Dr. Kirkem hadn’t come for any of them since Jaron’s last visit. Each time the door opened for their morning and evening meal, everyone tensed, but so far no new experiments. That could mean anything. Maybe the doctor wanted to perfect his sex drug or worse maybe he already had and waited to see how to dispose of the rest of them.
Shifting to his haunches, elbows to his knees, Jaron allowed his breathing to regulate. “What’s your plan?”
Mischief lit her gaze. “You’ll need to attack the guard they send for you. Drag him to my cage and do the palm and retina scan, letting me out. I’ll help release the others. We’ll have a limited time to get out of this area before they grow suspicious.”
In terms of spur of the moment plans, it could work. Maybe. His only concern revolved around Sasha’s safety. Coming to his feet on an exhale, Jaron approached her side of their cell. “And then what?”
Her lips drew back in a snarl. “That’s where you come in with your Jutak warrior skills. Top secret training. Elite soldier. Ring a bell?”
Laughter caught him unexpectedly. He slid his arms through the bars. They no longer made an effort to hide how close they’d grown after he’d told her about the vid access The Collector had. “Get over here, kitten.”
Face twisted in annoyance at his humor, she came forward any way. “It’s a good plan.”
“A great plan,” he agreed as soon as she was in reach.
Her palms glided along his arms as she stepped close and leaned in. “I know when I’m being condescended, Jaron.”
“We’ll get out of this.” Even as he pulled her toward him, Jaron understood he was setting himself up for a huge crash holding Sasha like this. Her body nestled into his like the perfect fit except for the bars.
“You realize I’m fully grown, right?” she suddenly asked.
Jaron backtracked to follow the question. Nothing stood out. “What?”
The top of her head bumped his chin. “Kitten. You keep calling me kitten.”
Jaron considered pretending he didn’t recall except it didn’t seem fair to out and out lie when she was in his arms like this, giving of her hard won trust. “Yes.”
“I’m not a harmless child. I’m a fully grown Argoran.”
Jaron didn’t bother explaining. The name fit all the more with her current hissing. But he wouldn’t point that out. He valued his eyes too much.
***
Sasha awoke cradled against Jaron’s chest. During the night, she’d wrapped about him as much as possible due to the bars, the warmth of his body heat pulling her in. This wasn’t her first time finding herself in this position, but he never mentioned it. Carefully she untangled her arms and legs. Once free, she rolled to the side and stood. Stretching unknotted some of the tension she never lost even in sleep. Confinement didn’t sit well with her.
“How are you doing?”
She glanced over her shoulder. Jaron stood as well, bare torso twisting about as he mimicked her earlier action. His cock rose in an impressive early morning display of which he ignored.
If only she could do the same. “Fine.”
He dropped to a prone position and immediately began the fitness regiment they’d both adopted. Only she bet Jaron looked far better doing it then she did.
Push ups. Sasha stared unable to look away. Tendons and muscles torqued, his taut butt cheeks clenching with every rise and fall of his body. Soon a sheen of sweat covered him but he never ceased moving. The blond hair at his nape darkened and curled, the longer sections falling over his forehead into his eyes.
Sasha licked her lips, breath catching. A quick check revealed she wasn’t the only one enthralled. His work out held the other women absorbed too. Every day he subjected them to this display. After he finished his push-ups, he rolled onto his back and launched into a set of sit-ups.
Hands clasped behind his head, he grunted on the up lift and exhaled on the way down. Sasha lost count at fifty as he continued the repetitive back and forth. Arousal swirled at her core despite her attempts to remain unaffected. She scented desire from everyone including Ari. Finally having mercy on all of them, Jaron fell back panting.
Blond tipped lashes fluttered and he suddenly turned toward her. The scruff growing on his jaw drew attention to his mouth. “Did you sleep well?”
Innocent and casual with no idea what his work out routine did to the rest of them. Flushing, she nodded and bluffed past the signs of her embarrassing ogle session. “Yes. Sorry about the…”
She toggled her hand in the direction of where they’d both fallen asleep. It was happening every night now. Sweet and sexy, his smile bloomed like a flower opening petal by petal beneath the sun. “It was all my pleasure.”
Sigh. Sasha shook her head. Misconstruing feelings in a situation like theirs was to be expected. She’d already broken her rule on keeping strangers at a distance by giving him her trust. Pursuing the burn simmering between them was a disaster waiting to happen. Relationship ties were not for her. No way.
Still his intoxicating presence worked on her as the calm aura he exuded released the last of the tension across her shoulders. He stood and cracked his knuckles then hopped up, arms stretched above to catch the bars running across the top of his cell.
Up and down, he pulled and dropped, knees bent as he counted off chin lifts. So many muscles came into play Sasha fought to find a good place on his body to stare. All of it worth not missing an inch.
“Why do you bother working out?” Luna’s tentative question pulled Sasha’s gaze from the work of art that was Jaron’s body.
She hadn’t spoken in forever, but Jaron didn’t displayed surprise at her sudden question. He held himself aloft, arms bulging, but showing no strain. “To be prepared for a chance to get away.”
Minu snorted, but maintained her silence.
“I like his attitude. We should all think that way.” Ari turned in their direction. “I wish I had stayed in better shape. My odds of surviving have narrowed.”
Of all of them, Ari suffered the most. He’d grown thin, shaky and tended to sleep the most. Individual bones in his face stood out in stark relief. In the beginning, he’d mentioned a family but after the no talking directive said no more. Sasha wagered he’d been here the longest taking the brunt of Dr. Kirkem’s madness.
“Don’t think like that, Ari.”
Luna glared at Sasha. “And don’t you encourage him. None of us are making it out of here alive.”
Jaron finished his work out and dropped down to his feet. His skin glistened with a fine sheen of sweat. “Every day is a chance to be rescued.”
Each time he said the words, Sasha heard the resounding conviction behind it. Her heart knocked around in her chest. Jaron wasn’t a man to grow idle. His perseverance worked on her. He believed it and as a result, she believed it.
Still recovering from the resulting heat of his work out, Sasha swallowed. Standing as he was with legs braced apart, the length of his shaft nestled among the blond groin hair, it was hard to ignore him.
A single guard entered, dispelling the rare relaxed mood. This was it, their chance, except they were supposed to come for her or Jaron. Instead, they went straight to Ari’s cage. His blue skin darkened, his scent full of fear, but he complied and followed meekly out the door. Jaron’s gaze narrowed and Sasha swore she saw steam rise from his nostrils.
This wasn’t easy on him. The light-hearted charm, the congenial manner were all a ruse. Beneath the jokester, she witnessed the heart of the Jutak warrior.
As if sensing her stare, he turned and his blue eyes flared in her direction. He’d had enough. “You’re right. We need to act soon.”
“I wish—”
A thunderous boom interrupted her next words. Alarms blared overhead and the women in the opposing cells leaped to their feet.
“Fuck, yes!” Jaron cheered, mood gone.
She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “We’re about to meet our end in a fiery hail of explosions and that’s a good thing?”
He winked at her. “No, kitten. That’s the Jutak warriors announcing their presence and that is a good thing.”
His excitement carried over. Her lips twitched and she popped her claws out. “Hmm, now I guess I get to see these mythical soldiers in action.”
Minu and Luna gripped their cage bars. Their fear was palpable. Minu took the lead. “We can’t hear you whispering. Tell us what’s happening if you know.”
Electrical panels on the wall snapped and crackled, drawing everyone’s attention. Loud buzzing filled the room and the growing confusion kept them staring and waiting. Then another explosion tore through the complex and the doors to their cages banged open all at once.
And so did the door the guards used to come and go.
“Now, Sasha!” Jaron burst through his cage and waited outside hers, palm up. “Everyone out!”
She swallowed then placed her trust in this man she felt as if she knew. Their fingers clasped together and he tugged.
“Go, go!” he yelled, waving at the other women.
As scared as they were, neither hesitated to race out of their cages and follow Jaron as he led them from the sterile prison which had held them for who knows how long.
Outside, lights flickered against the narrow gray halls and ceiling. No guards so far.
“Don’t stop. No matter what.” Jaron tossed over his shoulder, his grip iron clad on Sasha’s hand as he hauled her behind him.
Blood pounding, Sasha inhaled to scent if danger lay ahead. A multitude of odors slammed into her. Too many to separate. Her inner cat pulled back. She jerked to a stop. “Jaron, let me go.”
He came to an abrupt halt. “Sa—”
“I need to shift,” she explained. In her other form, her heightened senses would help.
After a flash of concern, he nodded and squeezed her fingers before releasing her hand. The shift rolled through her in a snap, the freedom undeniable. Sasha landed on all four feet with a loud roar that shook the walls. Inside, she laughed with glee. Her cat was very, very pissed.
Jaron went to one knee and cupped her massive head. His gaze traveled over her large form, the long fangs hanging past her jawbone capable of crushing a humanoid head and the thick muscled body bred for endurance. She butted against his shoulder and chuffed. A familiar grin spread across his face. “Right. Do you want to take the lead?”
It was the best thing he could have ever done, deferring to her judgement. Renewed energy gave Sasha strength. Unable to answer verbally, she blasted past him. Pounding footsteps raced after her as they all let her guide them out.
Up one hall and down another, her paws scrambled on the slick tiled floor. No guards crossed their way until she slid around the next corner. A single armed man faced them.
“Sasha!”
She didn’t need Jaron’s warning shout. The guard took up position and blocked their path. Her feet left the ground in the next instant as she swiped at the vulnerable section of his throat below the helmet. He dropped dead. One of the females, she couldn’t tell which, gagged. Ignoring her, Sasha snarled and checked on Jaron.
No fear or disgust. She wanted to bound with joy. He pointed to the left and she kept going. Two more guards met the same fate, unable to reach for their weapons in time as her cat took out its anger on those who sought to detain her. Endless satisfaction filled her as she fought until sounds of choking broke through her pleasure. Sasha spun around, hind legs skidding.
Another guard held Jaron with an arm locked about his neck. Several blunt blows from Jaron’s elbow took them both to their knees, but the guard’s grip held. Jaron’s face flushed a dark shade of red.
Fear kicked in as Sasha leaped over their heads, forelegs extended. Her attack surprised, claws slashed out and blood spurted. The body hit the floor and Jaron staggered to his feet.
“Keep going,” he ordered, his voice a harsh rasp as he grabbed the fallen weapon from the dead guard.
After confirming he appeared fine, Sasha focused on finding the way out. Adrenaline spurred Sasha and all her senses flared to life. Guard after guard fell beneath her deadly teeth and claws. None of them slowed her down. She wanted out.
“Wait,” Minu called. “What about Ari? We can’t leave him here.”
Luna, the woman from Earth, blinked. “Forget him!”
Sasha wished they could, but it wasn’t fair. They’d survived together. Still she hesitated and Jaron slowed as well. Indecision crossed his face. Then he nodded. “We can check the labs. Most are down this way.”
Door after door, Jaron kicked open to reveal empty rooms, an unused office and finally the main labs. The large white room contained bad memories. Sasha shied away then pushed herself to enter. Vials and machinery covered the pristine counters.
A convertible table she remembered very well dominated the center of the room. Sasha froze, but Jaron hurried forward, ripping away the sheet on Ari’s prone form.
Needing to be useful, Sasha searched for The Collector, but the chemicals in here overlaid his scent. Her cat chuffed, a sneeze escaping as Jaron helped Ari to his feet. His gaze met hers across the room. “Let’s go, Sasha kitten.”
Her nose bunched, but she’d deal with the annoying nickname later. Once more they raced down corridors, Jaron practically carrying Ari, who looked more battered than usual.
Sasha turned the last corner. A huge double door barred them from continuing. At the side of the door, the center of the panel controlling it was smashed in. Sparks flickered and had her fur rising as she backed off snarling.
Jaron held up a hand. “Wait. Let me do this.”
A few careful moves and he propped Ari on the wall next to the stolen laser. Ari didn’t look well at all. Sweat coated his skin in a wet sheen and he struggled to breathe. Tiny cuts marred the right side of his face and one eye swelled shut. He pressed a hand to his side and met her stare. “I…will…make it.”
Sasha hoped so. It would be a huge disappointment to come this far and fail. Jaron’s fingers flew over the key pad, muttering under his breath all the while. The tips of her ears twitched with each beep beep of the alarm.
Minu and Luna huddled together, holding each other about the shoulders. “Hurry, please. We don’t want to go back.”
Sasha paced beside Jaron, shoulders bumping the back of his legs when he kept getting a red light. Tension rolled through her body and her breath grew ragged. Out, out. She wanted out.
Jaron never faltered and the concentration on his features implied he wasn’t concerned. All she could do was keep watch. Alarms weren’t her specialty. Another annoying beep beep had Sasha growling. Nothing deterred her handsome Jutak though, his lips pinched tight as he entered and pressed more buttons.
Blond hair flopped over his brow, yet he never lifted his blue eyes from the digital screen. Every line of his body remained taut. Shoulder to shoulder, muscles flexed and rippled. Deep indentations marked his butt cheeks and further proof of the adrenaline high he rode came in the form of his partial erection. A sliver of sexual attraction eased into her conscious. Sasha pawed at the floor to shake away the misplaced thought.
Shouting came from behind. Minu and Luna muffled fearful cries as Sasha turned to face the threat. Three guards burst from around the corner. They staggered into one another, surprise flashing across their faces. Jaron moved faster than her eyes could track and snatched up the laser rifle. One by one he picked them off and they each fell to the floor with a thud. He laid the weapon down and went back to the door pad, his determination unwavering.
Sasha stared, trying to process it all. His smooth actions and the swift response didn’t seem to faze him. He’d taken them out without hesitation.
Her ears flicked up at the next beep and click which sounded different. The gears grinded and the large double doors retracted section by section. Fresh air blew through the widening crack. Sasha shook her head, belly low to the ground and advanced forward cautiously.
“Keep going, Sasha. Stay close everyone.” Jaron rattled the commands in a low voice, but the confidence radiating from him reminded her of all his stories as a soldier on one of the most elite teams. Seeing him in action made her a believer.
“Minu and Luna, help Ari.”
Doubt scrunched Luna’s brows, but Minu hurried to comply. Each held an arm and placed him in the middle. Jaron stood to the side of the entrance making sure everyone else squeezed through the door behind Sasha. His gaze remained sharp eyed, scanning around while he grabbed the discarded laser.
The door opened onto a paved area. In the distance, hills and valleys swelled around them, indicating they were at the base of this part of land. Guards rushed about, explosions ripping through the night. Smoke riddled the air and the danger of being crushed by flying debris proved all too real as a huge slab came crashing down to the right of their small group.
Sasha flinched and back stepped, haunches quivering.
“Halt!”
“Stop!”
Commands flew around them. Luna, Minu and Ari scattered, taking off together toward the left. In this form, Sasha had no way to call out to them, to warn them to come back. Guard after guard popped from around the corner of the building. She spun around, racing toward Jaron as they attempted to surround him. Too many to count.
Her cat released an enraged scream which echoed around them. Jaron fired until the laser cell jammed and tossed it to the side.
He twisted around, gaze locking on her. “Run, I’m right with you.”
She panted in indecision. The oncoming guards held lasers. They couldn’t outrun them. It would be suicide. Apparently, Jaron had no such concerns. He caught up and swatted her hindquarters. “Move it, Sasha. We can’t fight all of them.”
Growling, she stored the swat for pay back later and tore across the ground in the opposite direction. At maximum speed, shorter distances worked for her. Not sure how long they’d need to run for cover, Sasha worried. At this pace, she’d soon tire. Steely eyed, Jaron pushed them to run over unfamiliar terrain, his pace matching hers much to Sasha’s surprise as she tracked him in case she needed to adjust for his two-legged stride.
Lasers blasted over her head from the two opposing forces and Jaron bent low, naked thighs bulging. The building which housed their temporary prison became smaller and smaller behind them as they entered a dense wooded area. Terror held a choke hold on Sasha, but she kept going. This was more intense than anything else she’d dealt with in her life. As a Bounty Retriever, she wasn’t used to the melee of being caught in the middle of a fire fight.
Through it all, Jaron continued to yell directions. Their positions changed and Sasha watched their rear, trusting Jaron to lead.
“Turn!”
“Head for the ridge!”
She followed every command instinctively, no question in her mind to disobey. This was what he did for a living and if they were to survive, this elite soldier was the answer.
“Right there!”
Sasha turned. She spotted the outcropping. Dirt sprayed in the air about her paws as she slowed her speed abruptly and switched direction. She whined, veering sideways and hesitated.
“Get lower,” Jaron snapped when a nearby rock shattered, sending flying fragments in her face. “Almost there, Sasha, I promise.”
Where was there though?