Liberating Lacey Read online

  “Why did you stop?” she demanded.

  He almost smiled. For a little thing, she was certainly bossy. “Part your lips,” he ordered. Then he delved back in, sliding past the small opening she’d made, laying claim to the territory. She clung even tighter, wrapping her entire body around him, like a clinging monkey he’d seen once.

  He liked it.

  No, he loved it.

  She was a quick study, mimicking his movements until she got the hang of kissing. Every cell in his body ached to claim her. But it wasn’t safe, and it wasn’t the mission.

  Still, he kept kissing her a while longer, loving the glide of her tongue against hers, the way she licked his lips, as if he was some forbidden indulgence to be devoured.

  No woman had ever treated him this way. Given his size and scars, which he was thankful were hidden beneath his clothing, he’d stayed away from most women, sticking with professionals. Even then, he kept most of his clothes on, only releasing his cock long enough to do the job.

  This was different. Lacey was kissing him because she wanted to.

  Or was she?

  Maybe she was hoping that by kissing him he’d soften toward her and take her when he left.

  That was like being hit in the face with a blast of cold water. Garth pulled back and stared down into her sweet face. “This changes nothing.” He almost winced his voice was so harsh and guttural. But he couldn’t allow himself to deviate from his task, at least not any more than he’d already done.

  “I know.” Her soft whisper was worse than a knife to the ribs.

  He carefully released her, setting her back on her feet. Grabbing the handle of his favorite blaster to steady himself, he forced himself back to the task at hand, which wasn’t easy given his hard-on.

  Lacey looked tousled and well-kissed. He clenched his back teeth together and dug his feet into the ground to keep from grabbing her and running.

  “Have you seen any young women over the past decade with black hair with a lock of white in the front?”

  Chapter Three

  Lacey could barely breathe, let alone think straight. She’d had men occasionally try to steal a kiss from her, but she’d been successful in fending them off, for the most part. Nothing she’d ever experienced had been anything like this.

  Garth was a large man. She’d expected him to grab her and simply take what he wanted. But he’d surprised her. His big, rough hands had been gentle. His lips were surprisingly soft, a vivid contrast to the rest of him.

  He was also very aroused. There was no hiding his erection, not when she’d had her legs wrapped around him. No, his cock had pressed long and hard against her stomach. Either that, or he was hiding another blaster in his pants.

  He’d lifted her off her feet as easily as she’d lift an empty bucket. She hadn’t worried for a second about falling, instinctively knowing Garth wouldn’t let that happen.

  How had she come to trust a virtual stranger so fast?

  Just as quickly everything had changed. She’d been lost in a pleasant haze of sensual pleasure when she’d sensed something different about him. In his rough voice, that was swiftly becoming familiar, he’d killed her final hope when he’d told her their kiss changed nothing.

  She really hadn’t thought it would, and it certainly wasn’t why she’d kissed him. No, that was all for her. She’d never kissed a man she’d wanted to, had never been so attracted to one before. It was just her luck that he was only here for a matter of hours and would soon be gone.

  She shoved down the pain that threatened to overwhelm her and tried to concentrate on what he was saying. It wasn’t easy when she could still taste him on her lips, his flavor dark and masculine, and still feel the imprint of his hands on her body where he’d held her.

  She shook her head to try to clear it. “Let me think.” She turned away to try to get control of herself, while casting her memory back. The shock of white hair had triggered something earlier.

  Garth was watching her like a predator watched prey. Not exactly comfortable and a complete contrast from only moments before.

  “I remember a girl with long black hair with a white steak.” A white streak similar to the one he had. “Her name was Abby or Abigail, I think. Something like that. Your sister?”

  “Yes.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her closer. “Is she still here?”

  Lacey knew she was about to break his heart, but there was nothing else she could do. “No.”

  He emitted a low, almost imperceptible sound, like an animal in extreme pain. Tears pricked her eyes. She wanted to reach out and soothe him but knew that, like any wounded creature, he would only lash out.

  She started to tell him more when a silversong gave a shrill call. The unusual sound was one associated with fear. Grabbing Garth, she shoved him back, or tried to. It was like trying to move a tree that was deeply rooted, impossible.

  “You have to hide. I’ll tell you everything I know later. You’ll have to stay for a meal. To do otherwise would be insulting. You need to get back to your post.” Whoever was out there was getting closer.

  “Don’t betray me.” He raised the blaster slightly, the threat blatant.

  She didn’t take offense, as he didn’t really know her. Still, she couldn’t ignore the pang of hurt. “I won’t,” she promised.

  “I’ll see you later.” It was both a promise and a subtle threat.

  “Yes.” She pushed again, and this time he moved back a step, not because of anything she’d done, but because he decided to. “Now go.”

  He faded into the surrounding wilderness like he’d been born here. She knew he was still out there, but couldn’t see him. He really was the most dangerous predator she’d ever met.

  Lacey straightened her clothing and ran her fingers through her disheveled hair. Then she scrubbed her hands over her face and took a few steps toward the path. Whoever was out there, she didn’t want to get caught alone with them.

  Just as she hit the path the security detail turned the corner. The two men frowned at her.

  “What are you doing here?” Frank demanded. He was an older man, more of her parents’ generation, and totally devoted to Jasper and his lies.

  “Looking for mushrooms for tonight’s dinner. I assumed the cook would want only the best and freshest ingredients for our guests.”

  Frank studied her for a seemingly endless time. “Then why don’t you have any?”

  The man was smarter than his sidekick, who was too busy looking at her breasts, such as they were. “There were none on this side, eaten by wild animals. I’m going to check over there.” She pointed off in the opposite direction to where Garth was hiding.

  “Have you seen anyone?” Frank demanded.

  Tilting her head to one side and plastering what she hoped was a look of confusion on her face, she answered, “You two.”

  Exasperation filled his face as the other guard snickered under his breath. “Anyone else?” Frank asked.

  She shook her head. “Just a silversong in the woods.”

  The older man nodded. “Forget the mushrooms and get back to the fields. One of the members of the landing party is missing.”

  “Lost?” she asked. “Should I look for him?” She hated playing stupid, but it was her best defense against the men she lived with on a daily basis.

  Frank sighed and gently patted her on the shoulder. “No, go back to the fields. We’ll take care of things.”

  “Okay.” She headed off, sensing them watching her. But most of all, she could feel Garth keeping an eye on her, following her from the cover of the surrounding foliage until she hit the open fields. People worked all up and down the long rows, using picks and shovels to dig weeds and loosen the earth.

  Several of them waved. She returned the gesture and got down to work. She didn’t want to raise any suspicion by acting out of character. While she tended her plants, she cast her mind back to ten years ago and the young girl who had been here for three years befo
re she’d disappeared.

  She would see Garth again, but then he’d be leaving. Lacey gazed up at the clear blue sky. Somewhere up there was a spaceship that would take him away from this place. She’d still be here, left to deal with whatever fate handed her. Unless she could come up with some way to stow away on their shuttle. That wasn’t likely because it was so small.

  She looked back down at the green fields that were her life. She’d have to figure out another way.

  ****

  Garth was torn between listening to the guards and following Lacey. In the end, there was no contest. It was no trouble to trail her to the lush gardens that made Eden famous. Several older men and women came up to her and consulted, nodding as Lacey talked. She really was a master gardener, unheard of at her young age.

  He could still feel the imprint of her body. Swearing under his breath, he rubbed his hand over his mouth to try to remove the taste of her, turned his back, and walked away. He still had a hard time believing she hadn’t betrayed him to the security team, especially after he’d told her nothing had changed and he wasn’t taking her with him. But from everything he’d heard, she’d protected him.

  He’d really expected to have to shoot the men, get back to Angelina and Amos, and make a run for it.

  There was an innate integrity, a subtle strength, in Lacey that was unshakable. He had a feeling most people never knew it, seeing only a slightly flighty and dim female that she projected to the world. How could they not see past her charade to the woman beneath? They were obviously idiots.

  And why did she feel the need for to act younger and less intelligent than she was?

  Not his problem, he reminded himself. She’d managed to survive this long. He had to keep his priorities straight.

  His sister had been here, and Lacey was the only link he had to her. He wanted to drop to his knees and howl at the unfairness of it all. He’d finally found where their sister had been taken only to discover he was too late … again.

  He’d failed Abigail when she was a child. It didn’t matter that he’d only been eighteen at the time. By that age, he’d been considered an adult with four years already punched at the mine. His unusual strength had made him a natural. But he hadn’t been there to protect his sister from being kidnapped.

  It didn’t matter that he’d dragged himself home after the blast, his skin melted from his back from the horrific blaze. He’d been too late. With his brothers clinging to life, he’d focused on saving them first. Then they’d all made a pact and set out on their quest, vowing never to stop until they had Abigail back.

  Only in his darkest hours did he consider they might not find her alive.

  He paused and leaned his hands against his legs, breathing deeply. She’d been alive when she’d disappeared from here. He wouldn’t consider anything else. He’d find out what he could from Lacey before setting out again.

  But the thought of leaving Lacey behind burned in his gut like acid. Why did it feel as though he was deserting her? He barely knew her. Yes, he’d kissed her. And yes, she was giving him information, but that was no reason to let guilt make him to do something stupid—like consider taking her with him.

  Their ship already had two women on board. There wasn’t room for another.

  Lacey was only tiny, he reminded himself, and wouldn’t take up much room. She could sleep with him. His bed was more than big enough for two.

  Swearing, he straightening and headed back to his post. He’d come up with an excuse about why he’d gone missing. Then he’d take a look around the main settlement.

  Decided, he made his way easily through the foliage. It was dense and could be confusing for most, but he had some built-in guidance system that allowed him to always know his way. He didn’t question it. It was as much a part of him as his eye color. And it was another reason he’d been so valuable in the mines. His brain automatically charted every tunnel so he always knew where he was. In case of collapse, which had happened far too often, he was able to lead miners out safely.

  He easily avoided another security detail and watched and waited. When an opportunity presented itself, he silently slipped back into place just beyond their shuttle. No one had tampered with it or the alarm would have sounded.

  He didn’t have to wait long before the security detail that had stopped Lacey arrived. The older man, the one who’d questioned her, took the lead.

  “Where have you been?” he demanded.

  Garth sized him up and figured in a fight he’d be the biggest problem. The younger one didn’t look like he knew his way around a blaster, although appearances could be deceiving. “Went to take a piss and then wandered around checking things out. That a problem?” It was always better to take the offensive. He stood tall with his legs spread slightly for maximum balance and the large blaster cradled in his arms. Not only was it his favorite weapon but it also intimidated most folks.

  The younger man snickered, but the older man simply glared at him. “You’re not authorized to wander around the compound.”

  Now that was interesting. He took a step forward. “Why the hell not? What are you hiding? Where is Ms. Astoferus?” He hit the communicator attached to his wrist. It beeped once.

  “Yes?” Amos barked.

  “Is Ms. Astoferus secured?” Both security guards were starting to look mighty uncomfortable. Good. He wanted to look around later and didn’t want his actions restricted.

  “Yes. Is there a problem?”

  Garth looked at the guards. “Is there a problem?” When they hesitated, he spoke into the compact communicator. “I went to take a piss, but security here doesn’t want me moving around. Ms. Astoferus may not be secure here. We should leave.”

  Now the color drained out of the older man’s face. If they left, Ian would blame the officer. In turn, Jasper would blame him. The security officer threw back his shoulders and narrowed his gaze, glaring at Garth.

  Not in the least bit intimidated, Garth shrugged. If the security officer thought for one second, he was the least bit threatening, he had another think coming. Garth had grown up around scary men, his brother Flynn being the scariest of them all.

  A low beep sounded in the older man’s pocket. Still glaring at Garth, he pulled a communicator out of his pocket. “Yes, sir.”

  Garth managed not to smile while the guard got raked over the coals by Ian Reader. The conversation was short, but effective. They were not to impede Garth’s movements. In fact, they were to take him anywhere he wanted to go. But he read the subtext. They were to go with him and keep an eye on him.

  If he were the suspicious type, which he was, he’d be curious about what they were hiding. Maybe it was something as simple as the fact that many of their people didn’t want to be here, were trapped in virtual slavery with no way of escape.

  Once again, he thought about Lacey, working long hours in the fields and going home alone. Or at least he assumed she went alone. What the hell did he know? She might have a boyfriend. Not a husband. She wouldn’t have kissed him with such abandon if she was happily married.

  What about unhappily married?

  Garth wanted to run back to the field and demand answers. He held his ground, locking his legs so they didn’t move without permission.

  The older man ended the call and tucked the communicator away. “Thought you guys didn’t use technology.” Garth couldn’t resist the small dig.

  The older guy didn’t miss a beat. “We use as little as possible, but a security force wouldn’t be effective if they couldn’t communicate with one another.” It was a pat answer. Garth figured they had a lot of those.

  So those in power got to use modern tools and conveniences. Those that labored on the planet didn’t. There was no better way to suppress people and easily squash any rebellion. Jasper Freeman was no fool, and neither were those he put in charge.

  Deciding to take a different tack, he nodded at the men. “Sorry to cause trouble for you, but my job is to protect Ms. Astoferus.”
>
  They hadn’t been expecting the apology. Most men had trouble saying they were sorry, as if that somehow made them weaker. If that’s what they wanted to think of him, all the better. It would put them off their guard.

  The older man nodded. “I understand. I’m Frank, and that’s Clayton.” He motioned to the younger man alongside him.

  “Garth.” He nodded to the area. “Quite the place you have here. I’ve never seen a planet so green. I couldn’t resist looking around.”

  Frank nodded. “We have to be careful. Outsiders sometimes do damage without realizing it. The ecosystem is balanced but fragile. We need to maintain it at optimum levels to produce all the food we do. Other starving civilizations depend on us.” He said that like they were altruistic, but Garth knew better. Still he nodded as though believing every word.

  “I get it. I didn’t touch anything. Just had a look around.” He motioned to the opposite direction to which he’d been.

  “Why don’t you show me the settlement?” Garth wanted to get a better look at whatever defenses they had. Not that Frank would show them to him, but he’d been to every corner of the Alliance galaxies and knew what to look for, even if it was hidden. “I’m curious about the homes.”

  Frank didn’t look comfortable, but he had his orders. “This way.” He motioned toward the main path. Yeah, Garth was going to get the “official” tour. It was up to him to see beyond that to what lay beneath.

  He strode forward, hating having the other men at his back. But his ace in the hole was the battlesuit he was wearing. If they stunned him, it would hurt like a son of a bitch, but wouldn’t incapacitate him, giving him time to take them down. His head was vulnerable, but these weren’t seasoned assassins who would suspect him of wearing a battlesuit. They’d go for his body, a much wider and bigger target.

  When he turned the bend in the path, he released a low whistle. The central building was large and well built. And if he was a betting man, he’d say fortified. Not at all like the smaller huts constructed of local materials that lined the paths around the building. No, Jasper had built his home to withstand a blast. There was probably an escape tunnel in the place, too.