Page 14 of Alien's Luck
Wow, that made it worse somehow. First mistaken identity, and now he had the nerve to suggest she should be grateful for this bullshit.
“You bought me!” Carla grabbed the trusty bronze statue and started swinging like it was a Louisville slugger. People who said violence never solved anything obviously weren’t swinging hard enough. Violence seemed to be solving quite a few things.
Hitting the gargoyle felt like whacking a stick against a concrete pillar. The statue would break before making a dent in him. Nonetheless, he retreated until he was out the door.
“Enough,” he said, catching the statue before it could make contact yet again. “You are not the human I’ve been searching for, but I did rescue you from Tavat’s clutches. Be grateful.”
Clutches. Who talks like that?
Carla slammed her hand against the control panel and waved the statue menacingly until the door closed.
It immediately opened. Ari stood at the other side, frowning. “This is my ship. No door is locked to me.”
She folded her arms over her chest, still holding the statue. “If you think I’m your property, think again.”
“I wouldn’t presume.” He then added, “I bribed Tavat’s male to claim he did not find you. My only concern was your well-being. Tavat is not known for his kindness.”
“You mean Darla’s well-being.”
They held each other’s gaze, neither blinking. It was a very angry staring contest.
“I’m not Darla,” she said, breaking the silence.
“I am aware.”
More angry silence.
“This is your fault,” she said.
“I disagree.”
“If you hadn’t been staring at me, Tavat wouldn’t have given a rat’s ass, but you were all—” She waved her hands at her face and made her eyes sarcastically round. And yes, you can do that if you’ve leveled your sarcasm high enough. It’s not a beginner’s move. Level three at least. “Ooh,look at the human…what’s your name…”
“I needed confirmation?—”
“You need to mind your own business,” she snapped.
“You threw a drink at Tavat. He had to make an example of you,” he shot back.
Fine, he had a point, but she’d be damned before she admitted as much. “Now Tavat has Poppy.”
Ari snorted. “That female.”
“That female is my friend.”
“Your friend?” He sounded surprised. “Do you have the Hattera Complex?”
“Is that like a vitamin deficiency?”
“It is when you empathize with your captors. It is not healthy. That female is no longer your owner. You are free of her.”
“You think I have Stockholm Syndrome?” She laughed. This alien got everything wrong about her situation. “Poppy isn’t my owner. She’s my friend.”
“She put a collar on you.” Ari grimaced as he spoke, like the words left a sour taste in his mouth.
“The collar was fake.”
“It was real enough.”
