Page 29 of Grumpy Alien Billionaire

Bob doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t even smile. He just keeps staring at me, his expression unreadable.

“I’m serious,” he says. “You need to stay away from him.”

I take a step back, my heart pounding. “Who are you?”

He doesn’t answer. Just turns and walks away, his footsteps echoing down the hall. Cindy watches him go, her mouth hanging open.

“What the hell was that?” she asks, turning to me.

I don’t answer. I can’t. My mind’s racing, trying to make sense of what just happened. All I know is that I’ve never been more scared in my life.

CHAPTER 14

LANZ

The plasma bolt sizzles past the car, close enough to make the air crackle with heat. Gordo lets out a whoop, slapping the dashboard like he’s just won the lottery.

“They missed!” he crows, his voice dripping with triumph.

I grip the wheel tighter, my scales itching under my human disguise. “No, they didn’t.”

The plasma round detonates on the road ahead, a fiery explosion that sends chunks of asphalt flying. The shockwave rattles the car, and for a split second, I’m blinded by the glare.

“Hold on,” I bark, yanking the wheel hard to the left and pulling the handbrake. The tires screech, rubber burning as the car fishtails. I’m aiming for the edge of the crater, hoping to drift around it before the Grolgath catch up.

Gordo’s claws dig into the seat. “You’re gonna kill us before they do!”

“Shut up and let me drive.”

The car slides in a perfect half-circle, skirting the edge of the crater. The heat from the blast sears through the windows, sweat dripping down my back. Behind us, the SUVs slow to a crawl, their drivers hesitating at the gaping hole in the road.

Gordo lets out a low whistle, leaning back in his seat. “Nice driving, Vin Diesel.”

I glare at him, my golden eyes narrowing. “If I’m him, then you must be one of my annoying sidekicks.”

He grins, his human disguise flickering for a moment to reveal his natural Fratvoyan form—furry, with a snout that’s way too long for his face. “Annoying? I’m the comic relief. You’d be lost without me.”

“I’d bequieterwithout you,” I mutter, flooring the gas. The engine roars, and we shoot down the road, putting distance between us and the SUVs.

Gordo glances over his shoulder, his grin fading. “They’re not giving up, you know. Those Grolgath are like bad habits—hard to shake.”

“I noticed,” I snap, checking the rearview mirror. The SUVs are gaining again, their headlights cutting through the smoke and debris.

“So, what’s the plan? Or are we just winging it?”

“We’re winging it,” I admit, swerving around a parked car. “But if you’ve got any bright ideas, now’s the time.”

The SUVs are closing in, and I can see the Grolgath leaning out the windows, their plasma launchers glowing.

“Buckle up,” I say. “This is about to get messy.”

Gordo grins, his teeth glinting in the dim light. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Open the glove box,” I bark, my eyes flicking between the road and the rearview mirror. The SUVs are gaining, their headlights like twin suns burning into my retinas. “Hand me the laser pistol inside.”

Gordo fumbles with the latch, his stubby fingers clumsy in his panic. The glove box pops open, and he pulls out the weapon, his eyes widening as he takes in the sleek, alien design. “A Pan Galactic Bargleblaster? It’s a war crime to use one of these!”

I snatch the gun from his fingers, my grip firm. “Only if you use it on a sapient life form.”

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