Page 5 of A Mate for Vasek
He grunted. “I cannot keep you. But I will drop you off somewhere safe.” He must’ve seen the look of doubt on her face, because he chuckled and said, “We will discuss where such a location is later. Stay here.” Vasek eyed Bakum. “Do not let him leave if he wakes. He has not paid.”
Then the medic stepped outside, probably to deal with Kotch’s crew. Dawn didn’t know if that was stupidity or a calculated risk. Whatever it was, the medic was awfully calm for someone faced with this complication.
Kotch’s ex-pirate crew would not honor any deal that didn’t immediately benefit them, and right now, the two keys required to open Kotch’s safe were their prime objective.
The first key was with Bakum. The idiot thought it was the only key and had no idea that he’d also need a code. And the only person alive right now who knew the code was Kotch’s favorite slave. Morad was sure that was Dawn. But he was wrong. Dawn had no clue what the code was. And Bakum had no idea about the code at all.
But it didn’t matter if Dawn knew the code or not; her life would be basically over if those monsters got their hands on her.
But this medic hadn’t hurt her yet. And his hands were so gentle when he touched her, so unlike any other Tallean she’d met. And of course he’d offered to heal her without promise of payment. Of all the rocks and hard places she had to choose from, he was her best bet if she wanted to survive and see Earth again one day.
Earth. That was her ultimate goal. All she wanted to do was go home. And sticking with Vasek might get her closer to that goal. That was, if Vasek didn’t get himself killed right the fuck now.
If she were in better shape, she might have run, but currently, it was difficult to even stand. And while whatever medicine Vasek had given her was already working, making her feel less feverish and reducing the full-body ache that had made it so hard to even breathe, she knew she was far from strong.
Still, maybe it was best if she weighed her options, just in case it was one of the thugs who opened the door instead of Vasek.
She heaved herself up and made her way to the door to the balcony.
Yup, walking still took way more effort than it should.
They were on the second floor, and technically, she might make it if she tried to climb. Dying from a fall was better than ending up in those pirates’ hands.
“What are you doing, female?”
The angry-sounding words had Dawn whipping around to see Bakum already behind her. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her away from the door.
“Trying to escape?” Bakum surveyed the room. “Where is the medic?”
Just then, the door opened and Vasek stomped in. Seeing Bakum with his hands still in Dawn’s hair, his face turned red. He wasn’t just angry, he was furious. The tender medic who’d carefully treated her was gone, and in his place was something altogether much more terrifying.
Chapter 3
Vasek
It wasn’t the knowledge that Bakum had lied, but rather the sight of the other male holding the human female by the hair that sent Vasek half into bloodlust. His cheek creases had already unfolded, and his fangs started to elongate before he stopped himself.
This was not his usual calm self, and he didn’t understand the sudden protectiveness that surged through him at the sight of her in danger. But now was not the time to worry about that, not when he still had Bakum to deal with.
The male cowered back, and Dawn scrambled aside the moment Bakum released her. The sharp tang of fear emanated from her.
“You lied,” Vasek gritted, the words distorted since his fangs were still long. “I asked if you were being followed, and you said you were not.”
“I wasn’t.” Bakum had recovered and was now standing his ground.
“Then why is there a band of pirates waiting to get their hands on you?”
Bakum’s eyes went wide. “They’re here already!”
“You knew they were coming.”
“I thought I lost them. I swear.”
“Lies. They followed you to this port, and you knew. You are lucky I am a patient male, and that I have a history with Morad. Or else you would have died in your sleep. Morad will not attack me, but you are another matter. You are fair game one galactic hour after you leave this establishment.”
“What? The rule is half a day!”
“My clients follow my rules out of respect and fear of being left to bleed out in the future. I do not guarantee safety. Andyou lied,so the rules are forfeit. You’re lucky I am not handing you over for some extra credits. You still owe me for my services.”
