Page 16 of Stealing Jia

“Do we have a deal?” Loki asked.

“We do.” I gave CeeCee a grim smile.“No, but I know someone who does.”

“Who?” Curiosity filled CeeCee’s eyes.

A glittering blue light formed around me. “Bjarke mercenaries.”

Pepe clung to me. “No like the glitters. No like.”

The icky sensation of having my cells rearranged rolled over me and poof! I was standing on a platform.

A growl rumbled deep in Pepe’s chest.

Chapter Four

The first thing I noticed was the cold. The room felt like a meat locker. The next was the enormous humanoid male with long purple braids standing behind the control console. A massive bruise marred his bronzed cheek. Give him a horned helmet and he could pass as a Viking. His body armor also looked like it was from 790 AD and had been pieced together from left over scrap metal. “You’re Loki?”

“I am.”He surveyed me from head-to-toe.

The possessive look in Loki’s eyes made me think I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.

Pepe bared his teeth. “Him stink.”

Loki did smell like stale cigarettes and booze. Who knew aliens smoked? I stroked Pepe’s head. “Sssh.”

Loki raised an eyebrow.“What is that?”

“This is my friend Pepe.”

“You should have left it behind,”Loki grumbled.

“Where I go, Pepe goes and he’s not an it. He’s an intelligent lifeform.”I stepped off the platform.“Were you able to track the Rodan ship?”

“We are pursuing it now.”Loki held out his hand. “Come.”

Pepe snapped at him. “No touch Momma.”

Muttering a curse, Loki snatched his hand back. “Keep him under control or I will discipline him.”

“You harm one hair on Pepe’s head, and you’ll regret it,”I shot back testily.

Loki sneered.“The Coletti do not allow their females to have pets. Neither do we.”

“Pepe’s not a pet, he’s my friend. And for your information Zarek wasn’t giving me to a Coletti warrior. The bastard was turning me over to an Askole by the name of Trayon,”I corrected.

Loki stiffened. “Are you sure he said Trayon?”

“I’m positive.”I flashed the image of the sheep petting Askole to Loki.“Do you know him?”

“Yes.”Loki stepped backed as if I had suddenly become radioactive. “We are acquainted. He is the Askole High Commander’s youngest son.”

“High Commander as in the head honcho?”

A calculating expression filled Loki’s eyes.“I am sure they will offer a reward for your return.”

And the idiot would jump at the chance to collect it. “You promised you would help me free Adam. Were you lying?”

“We do not have a formal contract.”

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