Page 79 of Stolen Slave

“What are bounty hunters like?” I said, repeating her first question. “They are a diverse group since any race can become one. They track and capture anyone with a bounty set for breaking a systems’ laws. The amount each bounty is worth and the punishment the bounty receives varies depending on which law was broken.

“Those who break the trade laws, for example—trading banned goods—might only serve a few lunars on a prison work planet. Those who commit more serious crimes or who are deemed dangerous are worth more chit and have more serious sentencing. Some might be sentenced to immediate termination rather than rehabilitation. So they would never see a holding cell to await a transfer.”

Her excitement faded quickly.

“How many women are terminated each year?”

I pressed my mouth to hers, needing to comfort her.

“None. Ever. Females are too precious.”

“But what if one of us kills someone?”

I thought about it and shook my head. “Such a thing has never happened.”

“That was before.” A hint of fear and anger filled her scent. “If I could have killed the things that were making me…” She shook her head. “If I could have, I would have.”

“You would have been found innocent.” I brushed my fingers over her soft cheek. “Know that the one who kept you has already been punished.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And now that you’ve shared your story with your people on the trade station, those involved on Narlin Four will also be punished.”

“Good. What they did was shitty. A handjob wasn’t worth killing all those girls. Was it?”

“No. Never. The tuber who kept you was only interested in the chit he could make off the service you provided.”

“Chit? Money?”

I nodded and stroked her arm, hating that I couldn’t scent mark her to calm her increasing sadness.

“How do you earn money?” she asked.

“I hunt bounties.”

Her eyes grew rounded, but she didn’t pull away in revulsion. Some of her excitement returned.

“Are you serious?”

“I am. Does it displease you?”

“What? No way. I think that’s hot as hell. And it explains why you’re so chiseled.”

Her hands drifted over my chest and down my torso before she tugged them away.

“Sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Touch me however you’d like.”

Her gaze shifted from my chest to my face twice, and I fought not to inhale the scent of her growing arousal.

“It’s better if I don’t.” She set her hands in her lap. “So you weren’t looking for a friend but hunting a bounty when you found me? How much was he worth?”

“Far less than you.”

Her smile melted me from the inside. She’d never looked happier than in that moment.

“Smooth talker,” she said, patting my chest. “Is there another bounty you need to get? I’d love to witness the whole process.”

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