Page 64 of Solan

“We do have a deal,” Diadora said.

“There’s no deal.” Vegas poked her head around Solan’s huge bicep. “Diadora, I’m not yours to sell. And Boros, you cannot buy me. I do not want to be with you.”

Diadora snapped her teeth together. “You have no idea how much Boros has paid for you. The money will ensure we can make all repairs required to the space station and triple the marketing budget for My Single Alien.”

“We aren’t getting that money. It’s all gone into your private slush fund.” Vegas didn’t believe a word Diadora said.

Heather nudged her. “If Diadora’s telling the truth, that’s a huge payment Boros has made for you.”

Vegas shook her head. “That’s irrelevant. I’m not property to be sold.”

“You’re the property of My Single Alien,” Diadora said.

“You can’t sell me!” Vegas threw her hands up in exasperation. “And you’re certainly not selling me to him.” She jabbed a finger at Boros.

Diadora took a step closer. Solan stepped forward and glowered down. “Choose your next move carefully, human.”

“No, it’s fine.” Vegas would deal with Diadora. She stepped around Solan. “You’ll have to return the money to Boros. The deal is off.”

“It’s too late for that,” Boros said. “The arrangements have been made. You are my property. We are leaving on the next available departure.”

Solan growled again, his scowl shifting to Boros. “She is not your mate.”

“She is not yours either,” Boros snarled.

“Perhaps you could be on loan to Boros,” Diadora said.

Vegas tried to speak but only made startled noises.

“She’s joking,” Heather whispered.

“Give Boros a few children, let him have what he wants, and then you can come back here,” Diadora said. “You would be away for three years at the most. I can’t keep your job open, of course, but you can return in a junior capacity. You might enjoy some time away. You always say how busy you are. This is an opportunity to have a break.”

“If I went with Boros I would get a break, but it would likely be a broken arm or nose. I am not offering myself to Boros for a single second. And I’m not giving him a few children.”

“You’re a disrespectful female,” Boros said.

“I’m only disrespectful to people who deserve it,” Vegas said.

“How about one child?” Diadora inspected her cybernetic fingers. “You could be in and out in nine months. You’d barely notice the time go by.”

“I’d notice it if I had to be with Boros.”

“You insult me,” Boros growled. “Diadora, I demand what I have paid for. I will take Vegas. And I want Solan dead. He is a Galaxar traitor. I will see that his name is dishonored throughout the star system. Whenever anyone hears of Solan, they will know he is a betrayer of the Galaxar.”

Solan step toward Boros. His guard instantly flanked him, their swords drawn and pointed at Solan.

“You’ll need an army to defeat me,” Solan said. “You’re not Galaxar enough to fight me one on one.”

“Why get my hands dirty with a traitor?” Boros sneered. “You’ve stolen something that belongs to me and I will have it back.”

“I am not yours.” The fury simmering off Boros made Vegas anxious. He was not going to let her go. He would fight to the death for this unwarranted right to claim her.

She looked at Heather and was relieved to see Padam protecting her, inching her closer to the wall.

Vegas turned back to Diadora. “There must be a compromise. This has been a mistake. Give Boros back his money, he can meet his mate as we’d planned, and we’ll forget this ever happened.”

“It’s too late for that,” Boros said. “I do not want the mate chosen for me. It is you I have chosen.”