Need Me Read online

  And right now, it was a welcome reunion.

  Chapter 22

  Brendon fastened himself into the pod and dialed in the coordinates for the planet Multron.

  The door began to close when a blur of movement caught his eye. He slapped his palm up to catch the descent of the pod door and frowned, watching as Molly rushed toward him.

  “Brendon!” she yelled. “Please, one moment!”

  Sighing, he sat back against his seat and pushed aside his irritation. It was still a bit difficult to look at Molly and not feel a bit of anger. After all, she and Talia had been the ones who set out to free Nika, thus leading to her capture by that savage.

  Molly arrived at the edge of the pod, out of breath and pushing her blond hair off her face.

  Other pods whizzed by around them, some launching into the universe every few minutes.

  “Thank you,” she said, giving him a wary glance. “Hello, Brendon.”

  He gave a slight nod. “Molly.”

  “I don’t have much time. Emmett would not be pleased to know I slipped out from under his thumb…again.” She swallowed hard and looked away.

  He nodded. The question of how she’d managed to get past his friend had crossed his mind.

  “Brendon…I really must apologize for what I have done.” Her eyes flooded with tears. “And what has now happened to Nika because of my foolish interference.”

  After a moment, he gave a slight nod. “Apology accepted, Molly. Now really, I must leave for Multron—”

  “Please, wait. That is not all.” Folding her arms across her chest Molly bit her lip, her gaze slipping away. “Perhaps I should not say this, for there is no proof. But…”

  “What is it?” he prodded, something in his gut warning him the news would be upsetting. Again.

  “I feel it is…quite possible…though Nika swears it is not…though Talia thinks she could be—”

  “Molly,” he growled, impatient to be on his way to retrieve Nika.

  “We feel Nika may be pregnant.”

  The noise of the pods around them disappeared, drowned out by the sudden roar in his ears and the pounding of his heart.

  Pregnant. Hot and cold washed over him, making his hands clammy and his head spin.

  Nika pregnant. Could it even be possible? Nika had sworn it was not…but what if it had just been another lie? She had told him her planet sought the specimens to procreate. What if she’d simply bypassed that step and sought to become pregnant through him?

  His head moved back and forth in wonder, even as a tiny spark of pleasure lit in his belly at the thought of Nika carrying his child.

  The pleasure didn’t last long and was quickly snuffed out at the reminder of her circumstances. That right now Nika fought for her own life. And maybe, if Molly’s suspicions were confirmed, the life of his baby.

  He gripped the edge of his seat, drawing in an unsteady breath.

  “Brendon…Brendon!”

  He blinked, the sounds and vision of the city around him swarming back into focus.

  “Forgive me,” he mumbled and shook his head. “Thank you for the warning, but it’s highly unlikely she is with child.”

  Molly sighed, but did not look convinced. “That is what she said as well.”

  “I must go now.” He had been determined to leave the planet moments ago, and now he was almost frantic.

  “You will go after her still?” Molly asked hopefully.

  Brendon gave her a hard look of disbelief. “I would have gone after her with or without the possibility of a child. But now…I’m quite a bit more enraged.”

  “With me?” Molly gulped.

  “No. With a fat loathsome blood drinker who, if I have my way, will never see another nightfall.” He pressed the button to close the door again, calling out a quick, “Return to Emmett with a clear conscience.”

  Molly stepped away from the pod as it began to lift from the ground. Brendon shifted his attention from her and to the mission ahead.

  Gods. It was almost surely suicide. But he now had one thing working in his favor. A rage that was growing by the moment. A thirst for the blood drinker’s demise. And he would have it.

  * * * *

  Several hours later, and after a tiresome but rapid galactic travel, Brendon climbed from his pod out onto the dark surface of Multron.

  The smell of sulfur lingered in the air and his lungs tightened in protest at the atmosphere of this unfamiliar planet.

  Any building was only half standing, with most reduced to nothing more than a pile of rubble. The streets appeared empty, but he could sense himself being watched. He could almost feel the curious gazes of hidden eyes following his every move.

  Moving his hand to his side, Brendon stroked his palm over the hilt of his electro-mace.

  “Show yourselves,” he called out in a calm voice, his words echoing down the street. “I seek your help in locating a bounty hunter.”

  There was no response, but a rock tumbled down from one of the crumpled buildings and into the road. Yes. There were those who hid.

  “I mean you no harm, but if you attempt to harm me, you will not live long.” He paused. “I offer a reward for any information regarding a bounty hunter by the name of Leo. Come forward and we shall speak.”

  Nothing. No more falling rocks or sounds of movement.

  And then, just as he was about to lose hope, a man stepped out of the shadows.

  * * * *

  The feeling slowly returned to Nika’s body. It had begun as a slow tingling, warning her the drug had begun to wear off. But she didn’t dare move, she would do nothing to alert the two that she was gaining back her strength.

  Even now, still forced to watch their coupling, she could barely keep her lips from curling in disgust. They were tireless.

  “Yes!” Bernadette screamed, gripping Leo’s head as his mouth moved between her legs. “Now. Please. Bite me.”

  His head moved away from her pussy and he hissed. A moment later Bernadette let out a long wail that sounded like a mix of pain and pleasure.

  When Leo lifted his head a moment later, blood dripped from his fangs and two burgundy spots glistened on the woman’s inner thigh.

  A shudder of horror ripped through Nika and she started to close her eyes, but knew they would notice all too soon.

  “Oh Leo,” the woman purred. “When? When will you turn me? I’ve been so patient.”

  Turn her? Nika drew in a swift breath at the realization. The woman was not a blood drinker? She was human?

  “Not tonight, my pet,” Leo murmured and stood licking his lips. “Although I’m afraid you’ve only just heightened my hunger to feast.”

  Bernadette’s smile was entirely too smug as she stood and pulled her skirt back down over her hips.

  “So feast from your prisoner. Surely a little missing blood will not be noticed when you return her to Belton for the reward?”

  Leo did not respond. Instead, he approached Nika where she lay motionless, watching him with a steady gaze. Did he realize she could move now?

  “When do you plan to return her?” Bernadette asked. “Or perhaps I should ask how long will we enjoy her before seeking the reward.”

  Leo kneeled beside Nika and touched her throat, his mouth curving slightly. “Do not trouble yourself with my business.”

  “Your business?” Bernadette’s tone sharpened. “Do you not mean ours?”

  Leo did not look at his woman, but his mouth tightened. “No. I mean mine. I no longer seek the reward. I intend to keep her indefinitely.”

  There was a moment of silence. And then, “Gods! Are you insane? You fool!”

  “Watch yourself,” Leo warned.

  Nika held her breath, all too aware this conversation was in dangerous waters.

  “I hardly think I am the one needing watching,” Bernadette scoffed, folding her arms across her breasts. “You are fuzzy in the head over a nice pair of legs and untainted blood. She is not worth the money we would r
eceive.”

  “That is for me to decide.”

  “Why should you even want her? You have me. You have become quite mad, Leo, and I must say I am not pleased with your behavior lately.”

  Leo’s gaze began to glow red. “Perhaps I no longer want you.”

  “No longer want me?” Bernadette choked out in dismay. “After I have proven myself for years? This is bullshit. How could you say such—”

  Leo leapt up with a hiss and grabbed the petite woman, jerking her forward. Her startled gasp ended on a scream of pain as his fangs slid into the side of her neck.

  “No,” she whispered, her gaze wide with horror as she attempted to push him away. “You promised…to turn me.”

  Nika could not tear her gaze away. No longer paralyzed from the drug, but with shock.

  Bernadette made feeble attempts to push him away as he drank from her neck, but her eyes grew more glossy by the second. Her cries became a soft gurgling sound.

  Leo growled as his jaws opened around her neck, and a moment later he ripped her throat out.

  Nika squeezed her eyes shut, but it was too late. Her body shook with horror and bile rose to burn her throat.

  The vision she’d just witnessed would leave her scarred for the rest of her life—no matter if that were only a handful of days.

  Footsteps sounded and she knew he approached her.

  “I apologize if that was upsetting,” he murmured, as if it had been nothing more than having it rain during a picnic. “I can become quite volatile when hungry and…nagged. Bernadette was quite pleasant when she used her mouth for certain purposes. For speaking, not quite as much.”

  Nika had no desire to open her eyes and stare at the thing she had no training to fight. The blood drinker who would ultimately destroy her. But not before playing with her long enough that she would wish for her own death.

  “Please, Donika, stand for me. I know that the drug has lost its effect.”

  The breath locked in her throat and her heart slammed against her rib cage. He knew. If she ignored him, he would likely grow angry. And after what she’d just witnessed…

  With her hands still tied behind her back, she scooted to a sitting position and then slid up the wall until she could stand.

  Her cheeks flushed with humiliation as his gaze slid over her. Gods, how she wished she wore more than Brendon’s shirt. Something that at least covered her past her thighs. And yet having it on her—with the scent of his body surrounding her—gave her some sense of peace.

  “You are rather lovely, aren’t you?” he murmured and stepped closer to her, fingering one of the buttons on the shirt. “Perhaps it’s because I just feasted, but I cannot see myself killing you anytime soon. You will be an excellent pet.”

  Her stomach churned with dread and it became all too clear. She did not want to live for days or perhaps weeks on end as his little sexual toy. A death immediately, no matter how painful and violent it may be, could only be preferable.

  Which meant that provoking him into killing her early was the only way.

  Leo’s finger slipped beneath her shirt and brushed against the swell of one breast. He sighed, an expression of wonder and desire slipping over his face.

  “Such soft skin you have, my dear.”

  It was time to act. Now.

  With a growl deep in her chest, Nika threw her weight forward and slammed the crown of her head into his nose.

  There was a loud crunch and Leo fell backward with a scream, clutching his nose. Blood seeped through his fingers.

  Not giving him time to recover completely, Nika lunged forward and lifted her right leg, driving it into his side.

  He stumbled back and hit the stone wall of the cave with a gasp.

  “Bitch!” His eyes were wild and blazed red as he pulled himself back to his feet.

  Everything inside her shut down. There was no fear. No sense of desolation as he charged her. It was her time. And she knew this. She did not run. And even if she’d had use of her hands, she would not have tried to defend herself.

  Leo wrapped an arm around her neck, winding her hair in his fist and wrenching her head back so her throat was exposed. His mouth opened and the small light in the room gleamed on his deadly fangs as his head descended toward her neck.

  “Hey, bounty hunter.” A voice rang out in the cave. “How about a fair fight with me instead?”

  Brendon’s voice finally registered in Nika’s head. And it was not just something her imagination was producing. Her mind whirled back to life and her body trembled with immediate horror. Brendon was here.

  The man she had fallen in love with had come after her, and would likely die with her because of it. Gods. Why did fate have to be so merciless?

  Leo blinked in confusion, and the wildness faded from his gaze as realization set in. In a heartbeat, he was once again in control, his expression cunning and pleased.

  She let out a small whimper, praying for a miracle as Leo spun them both around so he could face his opponent.

  * * * *

  Brendon breathed evenly, keeping his stance relaxed as he stared at the blood drinker who held Nika hostage.

  Though he knew he appeared calm, inside, rage boiled through his blood adding to his incentive to slaughter the bastard. He had almost been too late. Had arrived within mere seconds of witnessing Nika’s death.

  “You should not have come!” Her gaze sought his. It was bright with fear, but he knew it was not for herself.

  His chest tightened with relief and he forced away the vulnerable emotion. He could not afford the distraction of reassuring himself that she still had the breath of life within her. For the moment.

  “So you came?” the bounty hunter asked in amusement. “Not like I had ever doubted you would, as the bitch is carrying your child.”

  Brendon stilled, the air stranded in his lungs. He glanced at Nika, who looked equally staggered. How could the blood drinker possibly know?

  Leo threw back his head and laughed. “Do not look so surprised. I knew the moment I took her that she was with child. Breeding women have a certain smell about them.” He shrugged and then inspected his thumbnail. “No matter, though. She will not have the brat inside her much longer as I can’t tolerate my newest pet growing fatter by the day.”

  Brendon’s vision blurred red and he could not stop the primal growl that erupted from his throat.

  “And you do realize, soldier,” Leo continued conversationally, “that you are on my planet now and that I am held by no laws to not kill humans.”

  “I am well aware,” he snarled.

  “Good. I shall enjoy killing you.” Leo laughed and jerked Nika’s head toward him, forcing a hard kiss to her lips. “And then, soldier, I will enjoy fucking your woman.”

  Gods, this blood drinker was going to die painfully. And not a moment too soon. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Ah, but human, you cannot stop me if you’re dead.”

  “No.” Nika pounded a fist into the blood drinker’s chest, while her foot connected with his shin.

  “Easy, you wild little bitch.” Leo’s hand tightened around her throat as he moved forward, still holding her in front of him as a shield. He grabbed her breast and squeezed. “We’ll have our fun soon enough.”

  Brendon flexed his jaw, trying to silently convey to Nika to stop fighting. He needed the blood drinker to put her aside before he could take out the bastard. It was too much of a risk with her beside him.

  “Leave him be, Leo,” Nika begged. “Please, do whatever you want with me, but leave Brendon be.”

  “I don’t need permission to destroy, Donika,” Leo replied with a harsh laugh. “Especially your lover. Let us fight, you pathetic human soldier.”

  The blood drinker bared his fangs and then shoved Nika away from him. She stumbled several feet away before landing on the ground on her hands and knees.

  Now! Brendon did not wait another second, but pulled the gun from beneath his jacket and fired one s
hot into the blood drinker’s chest.

  Leo looked down at his chest, mouth parted in surprise. “Whatever happened to our fair fight?”

  “I lied.”

  “You realize I am immortal and bullets don’t kill blood drinkers?”

  Brendon’s mouth curved into a humorless smile. “Potassium chloride bullets do.”

  And he fired another four rounds into the blood drinker’s chest.

  Leo’s face distorted into a mask of pain as he crumpled to the ground, choking.

  Brendon walked over to him and knelt beside him. “Right about now, bounty hunter, those bullets are traveling through your bloodstream. Once they hit what passes for a heart in your kind…it’s all over.”

  Leo’s mouth flapped as he attempted to speak, but no words came out. Then his gaze glassed over and his body went rigid on the ground as the life left his body.

  Brendon stood up and muttered, “Not so immortal now, are you, motherfucker?”

  A choking noise came from his right. He turned just as Nika launched herself awkwardly at him, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

  “You fool! How easily you could have been killed!”

  Brendon caught her forearms, jerked her against him, and closed his mouth over hers. He needed not her fury, but her passion. His tongue teased past her lips to find hers.

  She responded with a soft moan and leaned into him, tilting her head and giving him better depths to explore. Her tongue wrapped around his, sucking with an urgency that conveyed the relief they both felt from being alive.

  He lifted his head a moment later and sighed.

  “I would not have been killed. Have you no faith in me?” he chided softly, sliding his hands down her arms behind her back to unfasten the cord that bound her. “How do you feel?”

  “Angry,” she said, though less crossly this time as she rubbed her wrists. “You risked your life for me.”

  “And I would do it again without hesitation. Give me one moment.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out his communication mobile, typing in a quick code to Emmett, before putting it away again.

  Nika shuddered. “I hate blood drinkers. Despise them worse than my former owners on Zortou.”