Page 30 of Through Uncharted Space

“So, my friend, what brings you to Sulla?” Vero smiled. “Apart from our obvious pleasures.” He stroked a hand down the arm of the woman in his lap.

Dare pressed a hand to Dakota’s shoulder. “Two things. First, we need a part for my ship. My engineer tells me we have a problem with our power distributor, and word is, you have one available here.”

“I think that can be arranged.” Vero nodded. “I’ll have my man take care of it.” He waved one of the security guards from the door over.

Just then, another woman walked in, her head bowed over the tray she was carrying. It held two long-stemmed glasses filled with an orange drink that was letting off a small waft of steam.

She handed Dare the drink, never lifting her eyes to meet his. He sipped the sweet liquid. It wasn’t to his taste, but he knew it was a traditional welcome drink made from some delicious fruit that grew on Sulla. The Sullans loved their rituals. It would be rude not to drink.

He reached down and tipped Dakota’s head back. He pressed the glass to her lips. Her gaze locked with his and she took a sip of the drink.

Vero laughed, and when Dare looked over, he saw the man was watching them.

“You’re in luck, Dare. We have the part you need.” His smile widened and he swirled the last of the drink in his glass. “But it will cost you.”

“Of course.” Dare hadn’t expected any different.

“How about you share your pretty Dakota with me this evening?”

Dare felt Dakota go stiff. He squeezed her shoulder. “No.”

“Oh?” Vero leaned back into his couch, idly stroking the curvy woman’s ear. “There are always more beautiful flowers, Dare. You should never get attached.”

Dare slid his hand into Dakota’s hair. It was a sentiment he’d always agreed with…that there were always more pretty women, more willing bed partners. But somehow, that view didn’t seem quite as attractive with Dakota beside him and Vero grinning at him from across the room.

“How much for the part?” Dare asked.

Vero’s eyes lit. “Very well.” He named a staggeringly large number of e-creds. Dare smiled, and they started negotiating.

“Agreed,” Vero finally said.

Dare nodded. They’d agreed to an exosuit—Ry wouldn’t be happy about that—and a reasonable number of e-creds. Sulla might be out in uncharted space, but they understood the value of having a substantial amount of the galaxy’s preferred currency.

Vero sipped his drink again, and then he idly slid his hand under his woman’s gauzy shirt. As he started to play with her breasts, color filled her cheeks, and the woman valiantly tried to control her response.

“We should make use of my playroom,” Vero said. “I’m sure your Dakota would look lovely with her bottom red from your smacks.”

Dakota jerked a little, and Dare squeezed her shoulder again. “Maybe later. I have another question for you. We are following the trail of a traveler from Earth. He passed this way hundreds of years ago and in his records described a beautiful planet very similar to yours.”

Vero leaned back. He lowered his hand, circling the woman’s belly. “That’s a long time ago.”

“His name was Caleb Stock. Any mention of that name in your history?”

“Hmm, we have several stories in our history that talk of travelers who have stopped here, but I’ve no recollection of that particular name. If there is a record, it would be in the Great Library.”

Now, Dakota straightened.

“May we see the library?” Dare asked.

The tiniest flash of a smile. “Possibly.” His hand slid down under the woman’s skirt, delving between her legs. “We don’t usually let outsiders into the Great Library. It contains some of our greatest treasures and, of course, the original copies of our most sacred works. What our entire life is based on. The works of Hugo, the original master, who decreed that women must always obey a man’s command.”

The woman let out a small cry, her face flushed. She was writhing on Vero’s lap.

Dare looked down and saw that Dakota was staring at the woman through her eyelashes. Her breathing had increased.

Vero pulled his hand away from the woman and she made a small mewling sound of discontent.

“I can arrange a visit. But I want payment.”