Possessing Providence [Warriors Of Kelon Book 6] (12 page)

Her heart sank and her smile fell. She focused on the road. She knew this day would have to come, but he deserved everything she could give him.

“I think I know someone who can help us. He’s a good friend.”

“He?”

“Yes, he.” Is that jealousy she heard in Zelron’s tone?
Naah, I’m imagining things after such a big adrenaline spike due to our big escape.
“I do electrical work for him and he helps with my accounting software. We’re just friends.”

He sighed and moved to a more comfortable position, his head resting on the back seat.

“Are you alright?” Worry for him made her shift in her seat.

“The drug in my body, I fought hard against it, but I need to rest. Can you navigate to our destination?”

“Yes. Rest, Z man. Trust me to get us there safely.”

“Trust you I do, but awaken me if there is trouble.”

She was already in big trouble. Her heart hurt more than she wanted to admit. Their freedom would come at a high price. Once he was with his people, she would be left, once again alone, and with a broken heart. She could no longer deny the fact she loved him, but he deserved so much more, so much better than what she could give him.

“I will, I promise.”

He closed his eyes, his breathing evened out. Providence tore her gaze from him to stare at the road ahead. She swallowed down the lump in her throat and blinked back the tears threating to spill.

Suck it up woman; remember it’s not over yet.

* * * *

“If they reach the wrong people, it’s all over. Even if they do, then we have to silence them and fast.” ordered Mario Vatelli, owner of M.A.R.C Cosmetics, through Frankie’s bluetooth headset.

“This is a royal cluster fuck. I’ve already got teams heading to the factory to do a clean-up. I need the runaways sorted, no matter what it takes.”

With apt, nimble hands, he screwed the silencer onto his nine millimetre. “A little faith, Mario. When have I ever let you down?” It wasn’t a question but a clear statement.

Silence from the other end of the line greeted him. Frankie smiled.

“Well, I pay you enough.”

“I’ll call you when it’s done.” He hit the off button and pulled out his smart phone. All employees’ cars underwent regular inspection, which included the more trusted security teams placing tracers on each one, unbeknown to their owners.

The fugitives took the accountant’s black Jeep Wrangler. Frankie accessed the information with a few touches on his phone, and then tapped into the satellite tracer.

He sighed when the signal beeped onto his screen. Gone were the days of a good old-fashioned hunt. Modern technology took the challenge out of the game, but still, it was a hunt, and as they were so few, he would relish it while it lasted.

Chapter 12

Most of Providence’s friends were a bit like her—different. Her skills as an electrician brought her to homes like Win and Marg’s. The big, plastic, Star Trek symbol bolted to the front of the house clued any passer-by what they were ‘into.’

Sci-fi fans, but warm, friendly and always welcoming to anyone who wanted to drop by, watch DVDs or play on the myriad of computers they kept out in the back.

Win was a big guy, standing at six-foot-five. Once a rugby player, he gave it up after injuring his knees. Now overweight, he spent most of his time at his computer, designing game software. Providence helped set up all the power circuits for the back shed, computer room.

Darkness fell and Zelron slept the whole three hour drive. With the car off, she unbuckled her belt and leaned over him. In the faint lamp lights outside the Wrangler, she brushed the hair from his face, gently tracking his rugged jawline, stopping at his scar.

The masculine beauty floored her every time. His hand moved to cover hers, his eyes opening. She loved his eyes; it was like staring into the universe itself
—so
full of depth and mystery.

“We’re here.” Her voice was but a whisper.

She felt his hand creep from her hand to around her neck and with one small tug, she went sprawling over his large body, his other arm banding around her waist.

“You are mine.”

She frowned, why would he say that now? “I see it in your eyes, little one. You doubt my words.”

She swallowed. “I think we need to get you home to your people. You’ve suffered so much and I…I want to believe you.”

“I have suffered, but finding you eases all my burdens. I cannot lose you. I would suffer more without you.”

Damn him, being all sweet and possessive. “Say you are mine.”

She sighed. There was nothing she could do but surrender. “I am yours.”

He tugged her head closer, pressing his lips over hers in a deep possessive kiss. She melted against him, her hands curling into his bare shoulders. No doubt remained, he owned her—body, heart and soul, so why couldn’t she bring herself to tell him of her love?

He pulled back. “I must stop or I will take you in this transport.”

She blinked and opened her eyes, trying to clear her muddled brain. “Yes, okay. Come meet Win and Marg. I know they’re going to love meeting you. And Win can help with what to do.”

* * * *

Trusting his little Providence was not a problem, it was the other human male he did not trust.

“Un-frikken-believable! I have a Kelon in my home!” Win, Providence’s male friend, gaped at Zelron. The human was a little shorter than him, but had far more weight. He also had facial hair growing from his chin and his hazel eyes were wide while he stared at Zelron.

“Duh, Win, he’s standing right here. Believe it.” Providence shook her head, but a smile played on her lips.

The other human female listened to Providence tell their story and went off to find them something to wear.

“I got clothes. I pulled out your largest ones, as he’s taller than you, but you may want to shower first.” Marg barged back into the room, dumping the clothes on the centre table of the computer room.

“Here, love.” The heavy-set female handed Providence a smaller bundle of clothing.

“I’m going to leave you two here to talk. I know the Kelons have a space station near our moon, so there has to be a way to contact them. I’m going to have a shower, I’m all icky from what they…well I need a shower.”

He watched Providence’s skin turn red. What had she not told him? He gripped her arm. “Did they hurt you? You said…”

“No, no, I’m fine. They did something else. I need to go wash it off.”

Damn it, why could she not tell him?
“Little one, tell me, now.” He was going to go back to the lab and rip their heads off. He should have never let them live.

“Damn it, Z, they put shaving cream down there, okay? They were going to shave off my hair.”

She folded her arms and her skin flushed a deeper red. Guilt assaulted him for making her say it in front of her friends. He foolishly stood stock still and made no effort to comfort or apologise. It was his responsibility to make sure she was unharmed.

“Oh, honey.” Marg put her arms around Providence in comfort, and glared at Zelron. “I don’t care if you’re an alien, sit down and chill.” Marg pointed to the large chair. Zelron obediently sat. “Everyone is safe here. Go wash, hun. Win and I will keep your friend busy.”

“Thank you.” She walked out the door. Zelron moved to get up and follow.

“Mr. Zelron, I’ve been trying to follow your station’s progress, but it’s hard with the military lockdown.”

He turned his attention to Providence’s friend. She slipped out the door, out of his sight. It was hard to deny his instincts and not follow her, to make sure she was safe. She was his responsibility to protect.

He turned his eyes to the screen, easily recognizing Kelon technology
—a
space station. From the angle and focus, it must have been taken via distant lenses.

“I had no idea we had a station here, near Earth.”

“It’s been there for about eight months, now. It was built not long after the big firefight in the sky. Earth and Kelon have a peace treaty. They protect us from your enemies, and we…” Win smiled. “I hear Kelon guys are fond of human women, so there is an agency in Sydney, I think, where willing ladies can sign up.”

He was only fond of one little human female. “She is mine.” He growled.

“Gee, you are grumpy. We get you like Providence. She’s a sweet girl and has wasted way too much of her life trying to make her father happy. It was a weight off her back when he finally died,” Marg spoke up as she put her heavy-set bottom in a chair. “What she needs now is someone who can make her happy and not treat her as a possession.”

Zelron did not take offence, but understood her meaning. “I understand. I will take care of her, always.”

“Now, I think there are a few ways to contact your people without Kelon technology to help.” Win said. “Military, of course, has the frequency bands to contact the station. There is the news station not too far from here; their transmitter is powerful enough to get out into space, or you could go to the agency in Sydney.”

“How far is this Sydney?”

With a button’s push, Win brought up a map on his computer of the continent.

“It’s an eight to nine hour drive, by car.”

Zelron pondered this. He doubted they had much time. Without doubt, the company would be after them.

“There is also the matter of contacting your law. The humans, who took me and the others, must be brought to justice.”

“M.A.R.C. Cosmetics have a lot to answer for, but I doubt you can to go to the normal police—this needs detectives or something. Let me look it up.”

Win turned back to his computer, typing away at his board. Zelron glanced to the door, itching to get up and find his little mate.

“Federal police, with abduction, abuse, medical experimentation. I have a phone number here.”

Zelron turned back to Win. “These Federal police will...”

“Think we’re crackpots.”

Zelron bolted to his feet at the sound of Providence’s voice. She looked refreshed, clothed in baggy shirt and pants. She rubbed at her damp hair with a towel.

“We need to make our voice heard, so the police take notice. M.A.R.C. Cosmetics can’t keep getting away with this crap. I mean, Zelron’s blood has literally gone into that shit.”

Unable to help himself, he reached for her, pulling her into his arms and holding her tight, simply breathing in her freshly washed, floral scent.

“Easy, big Z, it’ll be okay.” She glanced up at him. Her arms hooked around his waist, a small smile on her lovely, pink lips.

“As you see, I’m still safe and sound. I think it’s your turn for a shower. I don’t even want to know where the blood came from.”

She had such a tender heart and was not accustomed to violence. He wanted to wrap her up and hide her from everything, keeping her in his arms and close to his heart. A day or even a moment without her was unbearable.

“So, what’s the plan if we can’t go directly to the cops? We have to move quickly, however, god knows what they’ll do to the lab, most likely destroy the evidence.”

“You two are the evidence. I’d say go directly to a reporter, one who’ll bend over backwards to help you out, and I may know who.” Win turned back to his computers. “Natasha Strickland, big time investigative journalist, and guess what, she’s right here in Melbourne. I happen to have her address.”

“Uh, why do you have her address?” Providence turned in Zelron’s arms to cast a worried glance at Win.

Win shrugged, scratching the hair on his chin. “I’m kind of a big fan. I can’t hack military databases, but I can hack other things.”

“Uh, huh.”

“Well, anyway, I’ve got it. Go there as soon as you’re ready. With your big guy here, she’ll believe you. More importantly, she’ll help you, especially as she gets an exclusive story on how she had a hand in bringing down the corrupt M.A.R.C.”

“You’re creepy, sometimes, Win, but you’re right, this is what we need.” She turned to look up at Zelron. “I think this would be our best bet.”

“I trust you.”

“Thank you. We’ll leave once you have a shower. C’mon, I’ll show you where it is.”

He took the offered clothes from the table and followed her out, knowing he would follow her anywhere.

* * * *

Oh, wow, her big alien sure knew how to fill out jeans and a t-shirt. Win’s old rugby jersey stretched over Zelron’s chest. Yes, she loved watching him naked, but seeing him like that flipped every darn switch in her brain into overdrive. Now that he was clothed, why did she get the sudden urge to tackle him to the ground and wrestle him out of those clothes?

“They are a bit tight.” He tugged at the fabric of the shirt. She gripped the steering wheel, glancing at the prominent bulge in his crotch.

His hair, freshly washed, hung again down his back in a long braid.

“You look, uh…”
edible, scrumptious, badass sexy
. “…just fine.”