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“I don’t even want him to lay eyes on her. Ever. The bastard doesn’t deserve to see her beauty,” Taraik growled and I nodded in agreement. The memo we’d received said that Nix was due to arrive the next morning, rather than days so we had to decide how to handle it now. We couldn’t disappear into the woods, although that was my favorite option, because Nix would come looking for us. Whenever he got the chance to rub his power and wealth in our faces, he took it and I knew this time would be no different. He always did.
“The best option would be to hide her here and make sure she stays here. Limit any and handle the information involving Nix or should we keep her naïve to the danger?” Roan finally said and we all nodded. I’d always respected him as a leader and now would be no different. Hiding her was probably the safest option, for her sake, rather than forcing her out in public where he’d likely recognize her and want her for himself.
“Her intelligence is clear and she’s progressing very well. If she’s aware of the dangers of Nix’s presence, she’ll be more apt to listen and obey us in this,” Taraik replied. Out of the four of us, it was as if he could tell what she was thinking as she thought it. He knew when she needed our attention likely before she realized it too. It was really rather remarkable. If he thought she could handle it, I trusted his word.
Danika emerged from the bath then, her hair lustrous and wet as it hung down her back. She was wrapped in a baby blue towel that brought out the color of her eyes. Her beauty was something that I knew I would never tire of. She was our woman and that fact made me proud.
Taraik patted his thigh and she grinned, before pouncing over to sit on it. She looked around at all, taking note of our serious expression before her smile fell.
“Is something wrong?” she asked as she chewed her lip.
“There’s a man from the Vakarran military coming here soon, Danika. This man knows of your sister Kira and her reputation. He doesn’t like her,” I began.
“He knows your family name, little dove and that’s dangerous for you,” Taraik said next.
“Does he know about me?” she asked, her lips dropping into a frown. Her eyes grew glassy for a moment before Taraik squeezed her hip.
“No, he doesn’t know about you,” Roan responded and the sigh of relief out of her mouth was clearly audible.
“But we’re going to have to hide you, which means you’re going to have to remain in our tent while he’s here,” I replied.
“You could stay in the bath all day if you want,” Zac grinned and she smiled softly. “I hear pruned skin is sexy skin,” he added, and she giggled. Zac could always lift her mood and she adored him for it.
“I’d look like an old woman, I’d be so wrinkled,” she laughed quietly.
“Then apparently I’m into older human ladies,” he said with a wink and she laughed harder, leaving Zac looking rather pleased with himself.
Taraik smoothed her hair off her shoulder with a sad smile.
“Running into him would be exceedingly dangerous, little dove,” Taraik said and she nodded with understanding. “Can we trust you to remain here and not leave the tent? Or try to escape?” he asked, while taking her chin in his fingers, lifting her face so that he could meet her eyes.
“You can trust me,” she said.
“If you disobey, you will feel my belt for a good long time. I won’t allow you to come for hours. It’ll be a real punishment. Do you understand?” Taraik asked, not releasing her chin.
“I understand, sir,” she said, her voice quiet, but sincere.
“Good girl,” he replied, and her lips tipped up in a small smile.
I got up, got her brush, and handed it to Taraik. I took a moment then to squeeze her shoulder, letting her know I was there for her too, just without words. Taraik began to brush her hair, slowly working any tangles out of her long locks. She sat there quietly for a few long moments, just letting herself be taken care of.
After a while, she lifted her head and asked about the military man who was coming.
“What’s he like? I can tell by your expressions that none of you like him very much,” she murmured, and Zac chuckled.
“Perceptive,” I smirked.
I sat down next to her and began to tell her about him, about his cocky arrogance and what I’d experienced with him. She listened attentively, her expression growing more curious by the second.
“It’s known he’s remarkably cruel to human women. He treats them like objects. He’s damaged a number of females, just because he wanted to fuck them, and they weren’t as willing as he likes. Sometimes I think he just hurts them to send a message. I’ve needed to treat many of them afterward and their injuries were far more extensive than any I’ve ever seen here,” I added.
I wasn’t exaggerating either. The girls always came in screaming with terror from his cruelty and when we’d finally been stationed on Earth rather than by his side, I had been relieved that another doctor would have to clean up after him. I was still incredibly angry over his brutal treatment of those beneath him and there was no way I was going to allow him anywhere near her.
I’d kill him myself if he even looked at her.
The thought surprised me. I hadn’t quite known where it had come from, but I knew it was true. Danika was ours and there was nothing we wouldn’t do to keep her safe. Nothing.
Chapter Eight
