Page 39 of Errik

“Errik!” she cried, rushing after him. She grabbed the handle and pulled, but the door wouldn’t budge. “Please, come back!”

She pounded on the door, her cries echoing in the room, but as she peeked through the small window in the door, she realized he was already gone.

Holly sank against the door, trembling. Somewhere beyond these walls, Errik was headed toward a cloaked vessel carrying Rumhuxxian mercenaries hired by her own brother. She had no idea what would happen when his unit tried to intercept them, or whether Arnold would listen to reason before someone got hurt.

She’d spent two years fearing she’d lost her brother forever. Now she’d found him, only to discover that he wanted to destroy the happy life she’d finally begun to build.

And the male she loved was heading straight into danger because of it.

Chapter 14

Errik approached the cloaked vessel, watching its position on his radar screen. The other warriors in his unit were in their own Vaxxlian cruisers, maintaining a formation around his ship. Though Draevan was the commander of the fleet, he’d given Errik permission to lead the initial negotiations with the mercenaries since they were a threat to his mate. His jaw tightened as the Rumhuxxian ship suddenly became visible. Ah. Draevan had finally managed to disable the cloak as promised.

The vessel looked familiar.

Errik squinted at it as recognition washed through him.

He immediately hailed the ship, and a purple-skinned male appeared on the comm screen. Errik stared at him. He knew that face. Several moon cycles ago, while visiting a seedy outpost, he’d helped the male repair a damaged propulsion system on his vessel. The male had been transporting cargo at the time, and after making a few trades, they’d parted on amicable terms. How interesting that this same male appeared to be the leader of this Rumhuxxian mercenary force.

“Errik?” the male said, lifting his eyebrows.

“Hello, Gorrson. Yes, it’s me. Errik. I am surprised to see you in this sector. I had no idea you were a mercenary. Last we spoke, you were on a trading mission.”

Gorrson eyed him warily. “I usually travel under the guise of a trading mission, and I often keep a stock of valuables on my ship to maintain the pretense. But I am a mercenary by trade, and I was offered a lucrative sum to bypass Vaxxlian security measures and collect a human female from New Vaxx.”

“Yes, I know why you were hired,” Errik said sharply. “A misguided human male named Arnold hired you to retrieve his sister from this planet.”

“Yes, a female named Holly.” Gorrson scratched his stomach. “If you surrender this human female to us, we will depart this sector peacefully and take the female to her brother. He’s waiting for us at a nearby outpost.”

“I’m afraid I can’t surrender this female to you, Gorrson.” Errik narrowed his eyes at the mercenary. “Holly is my mate.”

Gorrson’s eyes widened. “That is… unfortunate.”

“When we last met, we parted as friends,” Errik reminded the male. “You even taught me the Rumhuxxian handshake.”

“Yes, I remember.” Gorrson released a long sigh.

“How about a deal?” Errik said. “One that will allow you to complete a profitable transaction without risking the lives of your crew.”

“As the humans like to say,” Gorrson said with a hearty laugh, “you have my full, undivided attention.”

“I know Arnold already paid you, but if you don’t complete the mission, he’ll be entitled to a full refund. I am willing to match his payment in full. I will transmit the money to you as soon as you agree to take your vessel and depart this sector peacefully. You will not attempt to breach the planetary shield or go anywhere near my mate.” Errik paused for a moment. “If you refuse, however, I will have no choice but to treat your continued approach as a hostile act. My fleet is prepared to defend this planet, and I strongly suggest you consider your options carefully.”

Gorrson stared at him. Then the male glanced around the bridge at the males under his command. All stood at various consoles, monitoring the ship’s systems and awaiting further orders.

“Well,” Gorrson finally said, “in the spirit of our friendship, I will accept your offer—as long as you add an additional ten thousand galactic credits to the payout.” The purple alien displayed a wide grin, revealing white pointed teeth.

Errik almost smiled. Apparently, Gorrson possessed a talent for negotiating. “It’s a deal. Tell me the full sum you require, as I don’t yet know how much Arnold paid you, and I will transmit the money immediately.”

The males exchanged the information needed for the transfer, and within moments, the transfer was completed and the entire situation was diffused. Though Errik had approached the Rumhuxxian vessel with bloodlust humming in his veins, the instant he’d glimpsed the familiar face of an alien he’d been friendly with before, he’d quickly decided on another tactic.

And it had worked.

After the fleet of Vaxxlian cruisers escorted the Rumhuxxian vessel to the edge of the sector, they returned to New Vaxx. During the flight back home, Draevan and Feral sent Errik messages of congratulations for his clever thinking.

As they approached Starzzia, most of the cruisers headed for the main hangar in the center of the city, but Errik flew straight toward his home. Straight toward Holly. He was so eager to have her in his arms again, he was shaking with need for her. He longed to reassure her and promise her that all would be well.

Arnold’s plan to take her away from him had failed. Not only that, but the situation had been resolved without any bloodshed, an outcome that he suspected his mate would approve of. He only hoped that she could one day heal the rift with her brother. She’d spoken fondly of him and had never given up hope that he was still alive.