Page 4 of Secretly Mated To My Monster Alien Boss
On Deruzia, questions were asked after–immediately or once that particular Deruzian’s jaw had healed after neutralizing them.
On Earth, the procedure was more complicated. Nazyn called it more logical. But back at the academy, Nazyn got his highest marks in the lab, not on the fighting grounds. That was Deryg’s domain. His to impress on, his to dominate.
Deryg knew how to handle a threat with no bodily harm. Sometimes, his stare did most of the work. He had to be even more careful now, though.
Yakirian, the implacable CEO of Alien Inc., had made it very clear they shouldn’t sow panic among the staff. They didn’t knowif a human attackwouldtake place. They’d take the necessary precautions against it, yes. B there was no need for everyone to be scared, the elders had said.
Deryg had trained his security team well. No humans were attacking them tonight.
And no contraband was getting into that party.
Deryg’s long, strong legs carried him fast toward thede-li-ve-ryman, down the atrium’s imposing steps. He didn’t take his eyes off him for a second. The crowd of servers parted as he passed, scurrying away as if guided by some unseen force. They probably didn’t even know they were avoiding him, acting on pure instinct. Deryg admired that about humans–theirhuncheswere highly developed. Their brains told them when danger was coming, even before they could register it consciously. At least according to the studies he’d read. Couldn’t protect Alien Inc.’s human employees if he didn’t know how humans worked.
Humans sensed power. They sensed he was on a mission.
Kiara struggled to catch up to him. “Where are you going?”
Right behind the wiry man. The stranger. The crate barely reached his knees, yet the wheels on the cart he used to carry it around squeaked. Heavy load. And if Deryg’s senses were right–which they always were–there was a sinister reason why the package was much heavier than it looked.
Deryg tapped the comm device strapped behind his right ear, alerting his team to be on standby. He had to neutralize the threat as quietly as possible. Yakirian had been clear–no causing a panic.
The stranger froze as Deryg’s shadow loomed over him. His shoulders bunched so much, his thin neck almost disappeared. By the time he turned around and stared up at Deryg with his bright eyes, he was already shaking.
“Hi,” he stammered.
“Hello,” Deryg said, struggling hard not to grit his teeth. This dance of politeness was wasting valuable time. “I need to see the papers for this order.”
“Why?” The man gulped. “I mean, yeah, sure.”
With a shaky hand, he handed Deryg a stack of papers he barely bothered to glance at. Kiara finally caught up to him and was watching the entire exchange by his side.
The papers were forged. Of course.
“I don’t remember this order formalt scotch, Mr…Stuart Delaney,” Deryg said.
“My name’s Kevin, I’m subbing in for Stuart. Got notified about half an hour ago.”
An obvious lie, judging from the beads of sweat gathering above his brows. But a smart one. He could later pretend this fictitious Stuart was behind everything and he was just helping out a friend. Deryg had seen it before.
“I didn’t order any scotch. The Xirians dislike the smell,” Kiara said.
“Look, all I know is I had to deliver this box today. Might want to call your vendors and sort it out with them,” Kevin said with a bit more courage. Probably rehearsed. The question was whether someone had trained him to say that or if he’d practiced on his own.
Deryg hummed.
“And I have some others waiting outside,” Kevin went on, already turning. “So if you don’t mind, I’m on a schedule.”
Kevin bolted.
Without taking his eyes off the forged papers, Deryg extended his hand and grabbed Kevin’s shoulder. The recoil sent him stumbling back.
“That’s not the exit,” Deryg said with as much calm as his fury allowed. He draped his arm across Kevin’s shoulders, ashe’d seen humans do. He guided Kevin toward the hallway in the back. “Allow me. We’re on a tight schedule, too.”
“Thanks, man, but there’s really no need. I really have to get–”
“I can help with the boxes, you seemed to be struggling with that one,” Deryg went on, voice even, so that everyone around didn’t suspect anything more than a mix-up.
Except Kiara.
