Page 20 of Her Alien Spy

The Paraxian kept his greedy gaze on her, nodding. Andethor wrapped a hand around her upper arm and tugged her toward the bar, the Paraxian moving to her other side as they walked. Andethor chatted with him, slowly rubbing gentle, soothing circles on her skin with his thumb. It was shocking, honestly, seeing him in action like this. He slipped into the Savis persona like it was a second skin. If she hadn’t just been talking to him about wanting to get off of this planet, she’d think he was having the time of his life. The two males chatted like they were the best of friends, mostly about how fantastic the planet was.

They got to the bar, and Andethor gave her arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze as they stepped into the dark interior.A glance around showed that, like many of the public places here, there was a large open area, and, off to the sides, arch-shaped doorways that led to private rooms. The Paraxian gestured toward one of those, and Andethor/Savis nodded enthusiastically. They made their way into the dark room. There were a few wall sconces with violet, gauzy fabric, and Julia knew it was intended to give the room a sultry feel, but it just felt menacing, somehow. They got settled at the small table with its gleaming stone top, ordered drinks, and, once they were served, the server closed the heavy drapes over the doorway behind her.

Oh, Andethor was smart. She had no doubt he’d known about these rooms when he’d suggested getting a drink here.

“Why don’t you come sit on my lap, sweet thing. Stars, I love human girls,” the Paraxian said, throwing a grin Andethor’s way. Andethor met her gaze, and it was clear he was giving her space to decide. She raised her gaze to his, and whatever he saw there drew a grin from him.

“Go ahead, toy. Make our new friend feel welcome,” Andethor/Savis said, and Julia stood up, giving Andethor a look she hoped he’d read as well as the last one, and she settled on the Paraxian’s lap, straddling him. He laughed, a slimy, self-satisfied sound, resting his hands on her hips. She kept her gaze down while she got into position.

From what Andethor had told her about this particular politician, he liked to bolt when he felt cornered.

So, he wouldn’t be able to bolt.

Julia hooked her legs around the sturdy legs of the chair he was sitting in and gripped the back of his chair with her hands, making it seem like she was wrapping her arms around him. The back of the chair was metal, solid bars.. perfect for holding onto.

Once she had her hands and legs secure, she looked up at him and smiled, and he seemed taken aback by it, his hands pausing as he fondled her hips.

“And, there we go. Stop touching her, or I’ll break every bone in your hands,” Andethor said, in his own voice, not the Savis persona. The Paraxian froze, going still under Julia as he dropped his hands. Andethor stood up, and she felt the Paraxian tensing beneath her. She tightened her grip, just as he tried to stand up, ready to bolt just as she’d guessed.

Andethor clamped a hand down on his shoulder, helping Julia keep him in his seat.

“You’re a hard person to reach, CouncilmemberXiaron,” Andethor said, keeping his hand clamped firmly on the Paraxian’s shoulder. “Almost like you’re trying to avoid something.”

“This is illegal. You have no rights here, Bellarian!” Xiaron hissed, and Andethor smiled. Not his usual smile, and not the slimy, self-satisfied smile of Savis Eletath. No, this smile was pure, cold confidence, with more than a touch of menace to it.

“Neither do you,” Andethor said quietly. “Places like this? Outside of the jurisdiction of any planetary government?Anything could happen to you, and no one would blink an eye.” The Paraxian was still now, but Julia didn’t ease her grip on the chair. If he got scared enough, he still might try to bolt.

“You have no power over me,” Xiaron snarled.

“Don’t I?” Andethor asked in a purposefully innocent voice.

“Nothing illegal about pleasure planets. You know that,” Xiaron said.

“Nothing at all. Good thing that isn’t what I have on you. I do think there are a few deals you’ve made that you wouldn’t want your fellow councilmembers to hear about. Including the one behind why you’re holding up approval for joining the Alliance.”

Xiaron tried to play it off, rolling his eyes, but Julia didn’t miss the way he swallowed. Something similar between this alien species and humans, she guessed. Nervous, hard swallows, as if he might be sick.

“I have all the evidence I need. It would be enough to remove you through the proper channels. But we both know that takes time, and your people need to be in the Alliance now. You’ve made enemies.”

“Thanks to you and the fucking Altarians,”

Xiaron muttered.

Andethor shook his head. “We both know that’s not why, but it’s okay. I know you can’t stop yourself from lying.” He paused, just looking at the Paraxian. The silence in the room turned from uncomfortable, to awkward, to downright oppressive, and Andethor just continued to stand there, cold, calm gaze on his prey. Julia was just thinking she could probably relax her grip, and maybe even get off of the Paraxian’s lap, when she felt him tense, and then he was trying to push his way out of his chair, doing his best to dislodge her from his lap. She held fast, grateful she kept up her strength training even after going into retirement.

Andethor exchanged a glance with her, and she caught a hint of humor in his gaze.

The sexy bastard was enjoying this. She practically laughed, but it didn’t seem like the right time.

Andethor clamped a hand on the Paraxian’s shoulder again, then added a hand on his other shoulder, holding him down.“Stronger than she looks, isn’t she?” he said quietly. “I’d behave if I were you. It’s been a long couple of days and you really don’t want to irritate us any more than you already have.”

“What do you want?” Xiaron finally growled, giving up, glaring at her as if she’d personally landed him in this predicament. She smiled, and he looked away in disgust.

“You’re singlehandedly holding up your people’s entry into the Alliance. The Paraxian people overwhelmingly want the protection the Alliance offers. The Alliance wants Paraxia’s technological talent. And we know you’re only holding out because you’ve been paid to stall, by an entity who doesn’t want you to join.”

“I don’t know—”

“Don’t play dumb. And don’t worry. We already know who your contact is. All you need to worry about right now is yourself, and what your next step is.”

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