Chapter Four

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Busy in the galley making a meal for their guest, Malik turned when he heard footsteps. His brother’s hair was damp from a shower, and though he should be relaxed after accomplishing their mission so efficiently, he read tension and anger on his face.

“How is she?”

“Rattled, as any young woman would be after being subjected to Cobb and Nestor’s company for three long days. I tried to set her at ease. She’ll need your attention after she gets cleaned up. I saw bruises on her hips, wrists, and several ugly ones over her ribs. The bastards were damn rough. I would have had you see to her first thing, except she seemed more desperate for a shower, than in pain. And she hasn’t eaten or slept.”

“I figured she’d be hungry. It’s almost ready. After she eats, if she can’t sleep, restless with bad memories, I can give her something to help.”

“That might be a good idea, regardless.”

Malik asked the yet-unspoken question. “Was she harmed more than outwardly, do you think? Nestor is a devout rapist, or he used to be until I scattered his atoms across the galaxy.”

“She’s skittish, so I didn’t press her on that yet.” A muscle ticked in Jaylin’s cheek. “They had her stripped bare when I found her, with her hands bound behind her back.”

“Creators damn them to hell,” he growled.

“If there is justice, they are burning there now. I’ll regret their end came so hastily if they violated her. Inquire when you examine her, Mal, but go easy.”

He nodded, another dismal thought occurring to him. “If the deed is done, what becomes of her?”

“I don’t know. Alltryp seemed concerned only about her bride price and the credits he’d earn in his alliance with Elzor.” Jaylin’s troubled gaze bored into him when he stated, “I can’t fathom how a father can be so cold. She’s beautiful, Malik. More so than her pictures. Young, wide-eyed, and so helpless when I found her. What could she have done to earn his hatred?”

“Be careful, brother, your protective nature and kind heart are showing.”

Jaylin snorted. “Both have been buried so long, I’d forgotten I had either one.”

“This is what I was afraid of. Remember what we discussed. We can’t. I can’t. Not again.”

“Am I interrupting?” Husky as though strained, her soft voice cut through his increasing anxiety. When he glanced at her, he understood why his brother had been taken with her so quickly. He’d seen her picture, but it in no way did her justice.

“Dani, you look—” Jaylin paused. “I had thought to say better. That isn’t true, you just look different.”

“I have clothes on and my hair isn’t going in a million directions.”

He noticed his brother’s eyes run over her long, dark-red hair. And they didn’t stop there, moving on to the clingy tunic and form-fitting tights accentuating her ample curves. Fully covered from her neck to the ankle-high boots on her small feet, a lace nightgown wouldn’t have been more alluring. This didn’t escape Jaylin’s notice, either.

“The new clothes,” he murmured. “They fit very well.”

The girl flushed, already falling under the spell of his dominant brother’s allure. And, he, in turn, was far from immune to her. What man wouldn’t be? With her vibrant red hair, rosy lips, and creamy skin, she’d be considered exotic on their home planet. Where the women of Trilor tended to be tall, with long lines and a more athletic build, by contrast Daniella was small boned, softer, and seemed more vulnerable. Her fragile state, and what she must have endured at the pirates’ hands, stirred his protective instincts.

Considering those same instincts came as natural as breathing to his dominant twin, he knew they coursed fiercely through his veins at this very moment.

Shit! He predicted this would happen.

“This is Malik.” Jaylin’s introduction pulled him out of his study of their guest. Her big green eyes framed with fans of thick black lashes shifted their focus to him. “He cooked for you and will tend to your injuries when you have eaten.”

“You can trust I know what I’m doing, Daniella. I’m the ship’s medic.”

“Among other talents so I hear, like blasting dangerous pirates to the far corners of the galaxy. I must express my thanks for the opportune rescue. They were about to...” She looked down at her hands, the fingers laced so tight her knuckles had blanched. “Since the ransom didn’t come through, they intended to sell me at auction and needed pictures, naked ones.” Retelling the events obviously rekindled the terror and brought a tremor to her voice.

Moving toward her, Jaylin took her into his arms.

She accepted his embrace without hesitation, trusting him after such a short time. Dread made Malik go cold. Dammit to eternal hell!

“Did they harm you more than the bruises show?” his brother asked gently. “I know it’s hard to speak of, but to treat you, Malik will need to know the full extent of your injuries.”

“I wasn’t raped—” Her voice broke on the awful word. “Although Nestor meant to do so. If Cobb hadn’t stopped him...” She trailed off into a whisper. “He didn’t do so to be kind. They were cruel, all of them; I had no idea such evil existed.”

Jaylin’s lips pressed to her temple. “I’m grateful we arrived in time.”

“Not more so than I.” She glanced up at him, face bright, eyes gleaming, clearly smitten by the gallant hero who had saved her. And his brother delighted in her adoring expression, especially when she caught her bottom lip between her teeth and shyly glanced away.

Malik knew in his bones this mission was doomed and their beautiful passenger would be their undoing. Her guileless innocence and womanly curves a challenge to any man’s fortitude. And her mouth, he imagined it became more tempting when turned down in a pretty pout. If she belonged to him, he’d never get enough of it, whether nibbling on its softness at his leisure, or watching as it wrapped greedily around his cock.

When the erotic picture popped into his head, that part of him stirred to life, semi-hard by the time sanity jolted him back to the here and now.

What was wrong with him? The girl had been through a trauma. And hadn’t he been the one who warned Jaylin about keeping his cock under control and in his pants?

Malik shifted, and faced the counter, his back to them both, hiding the uncontrollable reaction of his body, something he hadn’t had to battle in years, not since Mahlia.

“Your meal is hot. You should eat now.” His words came out sharper than intended. He addressed Dani, nodding his head toward the table. “If you’ll sit, I’ll keep you company while the captain lays in our course for Earth. We should have you home in five days, no more.”

He looked pointedly at his twin while Dani moved to the table in the open galley.

Don’t be an ass to her, brother, Jaylin’s warning rang inside his head. She’s had it rough and doesn’t need your crap piled on top of it.

She also doesn’t need to be seduced by you after what she endured, not to mention after surviving nearly twenty-five years as a virgin.

I’ve got it under control.

Ha! If I wasn’t standing here, you’d be carrying her to your bed right now.

When his eyes narrowed and he moved into his space, Malik knew he had gone a step too far. Although he was taller by an inch, Jaylin outweighed him due to his greater muscle mass. Broader, stronger, a more skilled fighter, his brother could take him, not readily, though if they came to blows, Jaylin would win. His twin had a long fuse, but when riled, a dangerous, even lethal temper. Malik didn’t fear him, although regretted piquing his ire with his taunts.

Caution, little brother. Test me at your peril.

Not prepared to fight him over a woman he had no intention of sharing, he backed down, dipping his head slightly. I’m just doing my duty and reminding you of our mission.

One I negotiated. I’m unlikely to forget it.

I know.

Then don’t bring it up again. The biting command sounded as crisply in his head as if he had spoken it.

Malik nodded.

After holding his steady stare for another moment, Jaylin stepped back, glancing at Dani, although he addressed him when he spoke. “I’ll be on the bridge.” Some of the tensile strength had abated from his demeanor when he looked at him again. “Call me if you or Daniella need me.”

***

With both fear and fascination, Dani had observed the intense stare down between Captain Jaylin and his crew of one. Although neither spoke a word, it seemed as if they knew what the other was thinking. The air around them crackled with electricity, making the fine hairs on her arms stand on end. She feared they would come to blows, and if that happened, she had no idea what she would do except move out of their way and hope she didn’t get caught up in the melee.

She assumed the captain won the standoff when Malik backed off. An expected outcome, she supposed, since Jaylin commanded the ship, but the entire interlude, though fascinating, left her feeling awkward, and like she’d witnessed something she shouldn’t have.

Afterward, when the sparks had abated, and she could breathe again, the golden-haired Adonis who had handled her so gently, protected her with his body, and held her in his strong, supportive arms just moments ago excused himself, leaving her alone with Malik.

Also, strikingly handsome, he was much different from Jaylin. Where his leader had thick, bulky muscles, Malik was whipcord lean. He had dark-chocolate hair, and his eyes, which had appeared gold from a distance, up close were a deep brown with golden flecks—gorgeous. He seemed brooding and much more serious than the captain who had a warm, teasing manner about him.

She worried the issue between them involved her and couldn’t keep from asking him about it. “Is my presence here a problem?”

“No.” He didn’t elaborate beyond his succinct reply. A bit leery of this large man, she moved back, giving him a wide berth to pass.

He noticed, and his frown intensified. “Please, don’t shy away. I mean you no harm. Like Jaylin, my goal is to see you safely home.” He motioned to the small table and waited until she took a seat before moving to the food prep area. When he removed a steaming, fragrant plate of food from the unit, her stomach rumbled, and she almost got distracted from her next questions.

“What if that isn’t my goal?”

His head came up, smooth brows quirked in surprise. “You don’t want to go home?”

“Things aren’t good there,” she admitted. “What if...?”

Her hesitation came from not knowing him. Could he be worse than what she faced if she returned to her father? These men worked for him, it they disclosed her idea and he found out it might make matters worse—if that was possible.  Still, she had to try.

“This isn’t something ethical, by any means, but I’m desperate.” Her teeth worried her bottom lip for only a second before she blurted out, “What if I hire you for a different mission? I can double my father’s offer.”

He said nothing for a moment. “Our fee is one hundred thousand credits. Do you have twice as much?”

Her jaw dropped open. It was almost a quarter of her entire inheritance. “I, uh, don’t have it yet, although I will very soon. In twelve days, in fact.”

“What happens then?”

“I turn twenty-five. It’s the age of legal majority on Earth, and I will come into my trust fund and inheritance from my late grandmother.”

He set the plate down and took the chair across from her. She could tell from the tightness of his expression, he was skeptical.

“I can pay, I promise.”

“Dani...”

Tears sprung up, stinging her eyes. “I’ll triple your fee if that’s what it takes.”

“Your father also held the deed to the Renegade which was an advance payment. It is worth ten times our fee in credits. The last time we worked for him, we fulfilled the contract, and on a technicality, he cheated us out of our ship. I can’t image his reaction if we don’t follow through on this deal.”

One million credits—her entire small fortune. Holy crap!

Stunned, she stared at him in silence. She could live comfortably for years on the money. Hiring them would free her from her father’s control, but she’d be left without a credit to her name.

She didn’t know what to do.

Struggling to hold back her tears, she bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering. She knew she wasn’t successful when his gaze dropped to her mouth and his frown intensified.

“Did you speak to Jaylin about this?”

“No. The idea just came to me.”

“Hasty decisions rarely end well, Dani.”

She pushed to her feet. “I’ll go talk to the captain now.”

“He’s busy, and you need to eat. Sit down.” Although he ordered this firmly, he didn’t raise his voice. She hesitated, considering testing him. “I may not be in charge of the ship, but you are a guest which means I outrank you.” He pushed out her chair with his foot and tipped his head toward it. “Sit. While you eat, you can explain ‘things aren’t good.’”

She bit her lip, chewing on it in indecision.

“Dani...” Her name, though said softly, held a clear warning. He intended to get his way. Instead of quivering, her bottom lip curved into a pout as she did what she was told and sat. He waited, watching, until she picked up her fork and took a small bite.

She expected bland-tasting ship-board food, not the mix of bold flavors and a zing of spice exploding on her tongue. Her appetite kicked in, and she scooped up more.

“This is really good,” she said around the next forkful.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Mid-chew, she caught a hint of a smile and the amusement lacing his tone. It was a small break in his somber demeanor. She would have pushed for more if she knew him better, and, if she wasn’t so darn hungry. Unconcerned about manners, she began shoveling it in.

Without another word, she ate every morsel then reached for her glass of sparkling water and drained it. After she folded the cloth napkin he’d supplied and set it beside her now-empty plate, she looked up at him for the first time in several minutes. “Sorry. Three days of the brown stuff they called food left me starved.”

“I could tell, but you don’t have to apologize for doing what I asked you to do. Do you want more?”

“Oh, no.” She patted her belly and shook her head. “If I take another bite, I might pop.”

“We can’t have that.”

Dani didn’t miss the not-so-subtle twitch of his lips. “You’re not what you seem.”

Appearing startled by her comment, his dark brows inched upward. “What do you mean?”

“Outwardly, you’re cool, with an air of aloofness, although I suspect underneath, you are full of...well, more. I’m betting there is fire in you, but it’s buried deep.” All signs of animation fled, and his face reverted to its previous impassivity. “Oh, I didn’t mean to insult you,” she rushed to explain. “Me and my big mouth.”

“It’s fine, Dani.”

“Is it? I mean, I saw the silent exchange with the captain. You seemed ticked, then you shut it down, conceding the argument. I do the same with my father, who is overbearing and dictatorial. Most times it’s easier to give in than fight a battle I can’t win, but it gets old.”

“Jaylin is nothing like Daniel Alltryp.”

She stiffened at the sharpness of his tone, afraid she’d offended him again. “I didn’t mean that he was.” This discussion wasn’t going at all well. “You’ve met my father?”

“I regret to say I have, and it’s no reflection on you.”

The brief flash of anger vanished so fast she questioned if she’d misread him, which, with Malik, who was turning out to be an enigma, wasn’t easy. She was more convinced there was a depth to him he didn’t let on. Having just met him, and already insulted him twice, she decided she’d keep further observations to herself.

“Maybe we should change the subject.”

“If you wish, except I want to make something clear. Jaylin is my superior, Dani. I trust and respect him, and he holds the same regard for me. We are both ex-military, and despite this being a private vessel, we follow a hierarchy because it’s how we were trained, and it makes sense. He outranked me then, too. I’m used to following his orders. It doesn’t mean I do so blindly and don’t question them on occasion.”

She arched a brow, recalling how he’d pushed out the chair and commanded her to sit. “You seem to have no problem giving orders, yourself.”

“To a slip of a girl who wants to argue instead of filling her empty belly of three days? I’ll take charge of that situation every time.”

“God forbid this happens again. If it does, I’m going to remember your bossy streak and snap to.” While she teased him, she managed to suppress her smile. She couldn’t do anything about the heat creeping into her cheeks when he winked at her, however.

“Are you finished eating, Dani?” This came from Jaylin who exited the lift on the far side of the circular space.

“Yes. It was delicious.”

“Good. Then it’s time for Malik to have a look at those bruises over your ribs.”

“I’m okay, really.”

“A kick from a boot can do serious damage.” He glanced down at his own large booted feet then met her gaze. A hard shot from one of those would cave in half her chest. None of the pirates had been close to his size, but they had all worn similar boots, pretty much standard-issue for space flight these days in case of a zero-gravity event. The trick was the electromagnets inlaid in the soles. When switched on during weightlessness, rather than floating free, they allowed for easier maneuverability around the ship. The hard, sturdy boots also came in handy in a fight, or when dealing with an uncooperative captive. Rondo and Nestor had taught this lesson well.

“I suppose I am a bit tender.”

“You’re more than tender,” Malik observed. “You are guarding your right side. I noticed you ate with your left hand although I can tell it isn’t your dominant one. I’d like to examine your bones and run a few internal checks.”

She didn’t like the sound of anything internal. “What do you mean, exactly?”

“He’ll use a scanner, sweetness.”

That was encouraging, as was Jaylin coming to stand beside her. He slipped his hand beneath her hair, curving it around the nape of her neck. His presence reassured her, especially when his fingers flexed and he lightly squeezed.

“Malik is very good at his job, Dani, and has a gentle touch. He also has some magical equipment which works without him having to lay a finger on you.”

“The exam will only take a few minutes,” their medic added, which she figured meant doctor in their world.

When her gaze shifted to him, and she took in his concerned, yet professional expression, the same as any other doctor she’d been to, she calmed somewhat. He seemed knowledgeable. Besides, if the examination was noninvasive what harm could it do?

Decision made, she nodded and let Jaylin help her up from her chair. The hot shower had done wonders for her stiff joints and tender places, but the temporary effects had worn off long ago.

In the medical room, she didn’t need any help hopping up, the table doing everything for her. With a few swipes on the wall-mounted control screen, Malik adjusted the table into an upright position. She only had to place her feet on the two pedals near the floor, and, with a low hum and a slight shimmy, it moved, tilting horizontally with her on it. When it stopped, she lay face up on the elevated surface waist-high to her doctor. He ran a blinking wand over her body from her chin to her toes. As Jaylin had promised, it didn’t touch her, hovering about two inches above her while Malik watched the readings on the screen. He paused at her chest, gaze narrowing, as his jaw clenched, before he grunted and moved on.

“Did you find something wrong?”

“You have several severe contusions and hairline cracks in two ribs on your right side, but your lungs are intact.”

“So, what do you do about it, tape them or something?”

“Tape?” He looked perplexed by her suggestion.

“Yes, bind my ribs to ease the pain while I wait for them to heal? Isn’t that the usual treatment for broken ribs?”

His grunt this time sounded more like a scoff. “Earth is woefully behind on medical advancements. There is no waiting to heal with us. I’ll have the cracks mended in seconds, and the bruises will be gone.”

“You can do that?”

“Yes, and have been able to for years. Jaylin, if you’ll assist her, I’ll program in the settings.”

Moving to her side, the captain complied, ready to assist in whatever capacity. Malik went to a metal cupboard with double doors and opened them. Clearly, this was his domain, and his captain understood it. Curious as to how he’d work this healing magic, she strained to see inside the cupboard. Around the doctor’s broad back, she saw several shelves holding different-sized towels and folded blankets.

“Sit up, baby. The treatment is applied to bare skin.”

“What?”

“Your tunic needs to come off so Malik can make you better,” he said patiently.

“But, I’m not...um, I don’t have anything on underneath.”

“Good. Less to remove and sooner for the healing to begin.” His arm beneath her shoulder lifted her to a seated position. He grasped the hem of her top and eased it up. She grabbed his wrists.

“Turn around.”

“I’ve seen you naked. No more delays.” He pulled it up a few more inches before she jerked away. The sudden jarring movement had her hissing in pain. Jaylin frowned, quite ferociously. “You’re shy, I understand that, but I won’t have you injuring yourself further. Off with this now, and no more fussing.”

When she lifted her arms as high as she could without causing more discomfort, he had her tunic over her head and off in a blink.

Malik came back holding one of the larger blankets. “Help her lie flat.”

Now she had both men standing over her near-naked body. “Can I cover up with the blanket first?”

He looked down, understanding dawning. “This isn’t a blanket, Dani. It’s a healing accelerator. For it to work effectively, I need you to lie on your back, be very still, and you must be completely unclothed.” He looked at his captain and told him, “The leggings need to go, too.”

“Why?” she squealed. “You’re healing my ribs.”

“Jaylin said you have bruises on your hips, too.”

She shot her silver-eyed rescuer an accusing glare. Apparently, he’d been talking to Malik about the extended eyeful he’d gotten.

“You’re being silly, Dani,” Jaylin muttered while he eased her back. “I’ve seen you, and, as a medic, Malik has treated hundreds of naked women. We aren’t going to think anything of this. You’re hurt, our priority is to see you better.” His fingers curled into her waistband, next. Carefully, he lowered her leggings, pulling them over her hips and down to her ankles. “Lay it on her, doc.”

Dani’s eyes cut to Jaylin, who winked. It did nothing to calm her nerves.

“Hands by your sides,” was the next humiliation.

Closing her eyes, she put her arms down, feeling cool air blow lightly across her breasts. Her nipples hardened, and she almost leaped from the table. Malik moved swiftly before she could, and spread the device on top of her, covering her from her neck to her knees. Beneath its weight she relaxed a bit, not only because it concealed her nudity, but from being toasty warm against her skin.

“There now,” he said, while leaning over her, his dark wavy hair falling forward and framing his face. The remote and distant man had disappeared, replaced by a healer with a comforting bedside manner. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No,” she admitted, embarrassed for making such a fuss. “Will this mending, hurt?”

“Most patients find the experience relaxing. You’ll experience a tingling in a moment, which means it’s working. There should be no pain. Lying still will help us achieve the best result, all right?”

She nodded, wanting to get it over with.

As he moved away, Jaylin took his place at the head of the table, except on the opposite side. Smiling down at her, his big hand smoothed her hair away from her face. “I know a lot of this is new to you, but you have to trust us.”

“I’m sorry, this is my first time away from home, and it’s been one awful experience after another. I keep waiting for the next shoe to drop.”

“Which is understandable,” he murmured, bending to touch his lips to her forehead in a light kiss. “You don’t need to apologize for being afraid, but neither will I when I step in for your own good.”

She gave him a small smile. What was one more time being naked in front of him? And they had both been acting out of concern, nothing else.

“No more talking,” Malik said. “I’m starting the healing cycle.”

Dani held her breath, waiting for the tingling he spoke of. The blanket began vibrating. It started out slow.  After a few seconds, the pace quickened. It tickled in spots, yet felt good in others, like her nipples, which contracted into hard buds. And the buzzing made the place between her thighs come alive. She pressed her legs together to keep from getting too turned on and embarrassing herself further.

“Lie very still, Dani,” Malik urged.

“Sorry,” she whispered. Attempting to change her focus to anything else, she concentrated on her sore ribs, which had started to prickle, not painfully so, but more intense. And it seemed to be increasing. “How strong will this get?” she asked, a little alarmed.

“Are you hurting somewhere?” He leaned in, his face over hers and alongside Jaylin’s. Both handsome men gazed down at her with twin looks of concern.

“It’s my sore ribs. The tingles seem focused there. Not hurting, exactly. It’s more like hundreds of tiny hammers tapping against my skin. Though if it becomes any more intense it will become uncomfortable.”

“It’s more concentrated there because of your injury. Breathe and relax. Being tense can amplify the prickling sensation.”

“Deep breaths, Dani,” Jaylin murmured, and bent closer, his hand coming to rest on the top of her head. “Close your eyes and concentrate on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pursing your lips will help. I’ll do it with you,” he said. “Breathe in, one, two, three, and blow out three, two, one. Try it with me.” The warmth of his breath caressed her cheek while he counted and did the exercise along with her. “Concentrate and breathe in...and relax when you blow out... Good girl,” he praised. “And again.”

Malik was right. Her focus on something else made the hammering decrease, and, thanks to Jaylin’s guidance, the focused breathing dialed it back to a not-unpleasant tingle once again.

“It’s better,” she whispered.

“A few more minutes to make sure,” Malik urged as he moved to the foot of the exam table. When he removed her shoes, and pulled off her leggings the rest of the way, her eyes popped open. He was quick to explain. “I’m going to wrap your ankle. The shackle abraded your skin, in addition to leaving a ring of bruises.”

“They used iron,” Jaylin muttered under his breath. “Fucking bastards had her chained to the wall. I’d gladly kill them all again if I could.”

“If I had to do it over, I’d toy with them longer before I blew them to bits,” Malik growled with equal intensity.

His touch was gentle, as he used long strips of the same material draping her body on her ankle. It tingled just like the larger accelerator, thankfully, not reaching close to the intensity of her ribs. Soon, the discomfort disappeared, and the sensation penetrated further, like a deep tissue full-body massage. Her eyes drifted shut again while she continued to breathe slowly in and out in the rhythm Jaylin had taught her. Soon, she didn’t even need that because she was floating, completely relaxed, and pain-free.

“Dani,” a low voice nudged, trying to rouse her. She ignored it, not ready to wake yet.

“We’re all finished, sweetheart.” Malik’s announcement coincided with a waft of cool air as the warm blanket disappeared. Her lashes fluttered open. Jaylin was there, and without missing a beat, wrapped her up in something soft.

“I fell asleep,” she stated, coming more fully awake.

“You did. Not surprising after three days without any.” His strong arms slid beneath her thighs and upper back, and he lifted her from the medical table. “Let’s get you into your bed.”

This sounded like a fine idea to her, so she didn’t object. “I’m all better?” Her voice came out muffled where she lay curled into Jaylin’s chest, her face pressed to his shirt.

“Malik says you’re good as new.”

“Thank you, Malik,” she called in a sleepy voice.

“You are more than welcome, Dani. Get some rest.”

She moved, or at least the captain did, carrying her swiftly. In wasn’t long until he stopped and lowered her, his warm, safe arms releasing her body. She almost asked him to stay, but the softness of a bed beneath her and the blankets being pulled up to her chin drew her back into a drowsy lethargy.

“You’re a very nice man,” she murmured as he tucked the comforter snug around her shoulders.

“I have my moments.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “It’s easy to be nice to a down on her luck girl who’s had a rough go of it lately. Sweet dreams, beautiful.”

Those lovely words were the last she heard as sleep overtook her.