Page 40 of Solan

His gaze followed hers, and he smirked. “There’s no point in calling for help. By the time they get here, it will be too late. We will already be gone.”

Vegas licked her dry lips, suddenly realizing she was alone with an alien who could crush her. “Where are you going to take me?”

“Have you ever been into deep space?” Boros yanked Vegas along the corridor, his guards leading the way, leaving an unconscious Heather on the ground. “It has an austere beauty to it. Lots of black holes and dust clouds to enjoy.”

Sucking in a breath, Vegas summoned a flash of courage. “I’ve seen enough stars. This ends now.”

Boros turned on her. The back of his hand slammed across her cheek. “Obey me.”

Vegas’s head rocked back from the impact of the blow. Black dots swam in her eyes. Her neck had snapped back so fast it felt as if she had whiplash.

A growl rolled through the air, its depth and anger seeming to make the walls shake.

Vegas felt Boros tense. She whipped her head around, trying to focus as she looked for the source of the growl.

She gave a silent yippee of thanks.

Stalking along the corridor, his hands curled into fists, was Solan. And he looked pissed.

Chapter 11

A dense, concentrated swirl of fury roiled in Solan’s stomach. He’d seen Boros hit Vegas. That was unacceptable. You did not strike such a beautiful, defenseless creature.

He broke into a run. The two guards protecting Boros raised their blades toward him.

Growling at the direct challenge they dared to present him, Solan slammed a fist into one of their throats before kicking the sword from his hand. He ducked as the second guard swung his blade at the back of his neck.

Balancing on his left leg, Solan pivoted and smashed his foot into the guard’s chest, sending him sprawling against the wall, the blade flying from his hand.

Without pausing, he righted himself and raced at Boros. The terrified look in Vegas’s eyes had him growling again, as did the bright red mark on her face where Boros had hit her.

Boros tossed Vegas to one side as if she meant nothing to him and pulled out his blade.

Solan was not carrying his weapon. He didn’t need it. He could take down Boros. The fury pumping through his muscles meant he couldn’t stop fighting even if he wanted to. And he knew Boros had grown slow and lazy since being promoted to brigadier.

Stepping back as Boros’s blade sliced through the air, Solan ducked around the side of the weapon and landed a punch on Boros’s chest.

The grunt of pain Boros made had Solan snarling. “You dare to attack my human?”

Boros spun around. “This one is yours?”

“She will be.”

“All the more reason for me to have her.” Boros sneered as he pointed his blade at Solan’s head. “I am your superior. You have no sway over what I desire or what I take as my own.”

“I have chosen her,” Solan said. “She is not available.”

“That sounds like a challenge.” Boros’s words were as sharp as the blade he so clumsily handled.

“We finish this here and now.” Solan didn’t want the hassle of having a formal Galaxar warrior ceremony. That would be what Boros would prefer, to have the fight in public. He would rig it so he would win. Solan knew Boros had used poison-dipped blades on previous opponents. At least now, just the two of them in this corridor, there was no one else to interfere.

“That is not the appropriate way,” Boros said. “You have laid claim to something I want.”

“What if that thing doesn’t want you?” Vegas stood in the corridor, her hand clamped over her cheek. “Don’t I get a say in this cock fight?”

Boros snorted. “You should be grateful either of us is interested in you.”

“Funnily enough, I’m not,” Vegas said. “You’re not fighting over me. Whoever wins still won’t get to have me. Only I get to decide that.”