Zandian Pet (Zandian Masters 7)

She hooked her hand around his elbow. “Good. Come on—let’s gather the others.”

The others. Right.

Spanking could wait.

At least another few minutes.

~.~

Mina worried her lower lip between her teeth. She hadn’t told any being but Mierna her plan, but she had told everyone she hoped to involve that she’d need their input on a matter when Erick arrived.

“Is it time for the meeting?” Cambry asked, jogging up to them.

“Yes. Will you get Lundric and Rok? We’ll meet in Rok’s office.”

Erick’s gaze didn’t waver from her face, and it held something she couldn’t decipher. “What?” she asked when they headed down the corridor.

“You’re more like yourself here.”

Surprise popped like a bubble in her chest. “Am I? How would you know?”

She might have missed the flash of hurt on Erick’s face before he masked it, if she hadn’t fallen into his violet gaze. She pulled him to a stop. “I just mean… I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

Stubbornness streaked across his expression. “This is you. The female giving orders. Getting thrown to the floor and bouncing back up with a smile. The one so full of life she’s bursting. I’m half-fascinated, half-jealous.”

“Jealous of what?”

“Jealous of your time here. Disappointed that I had nothing to do with your new happiness.”

Stars. Something fluttered loose in her chest. Did he really say that? “But you did. You brought me here. And argued with my dad to let me stay. He’s not here, by the way. He left for the palatial pod just before you arrived.”

Which had been a hu

ge relief, because her plan would never execute if her father knew. She was still more than a little worried about Erick’s reaction.

She squeezed into Rok’s small office along with Rok’s original crew: his two foster brothers, Jano and Jaso, Guardo, Depri, and Mierna. Lily and Rok, Lundric and Cambry, and Cambry’s brother, Tal, all joined them as well.

“So?” Rok said. “What’s the big mystery about?”

“First, let me say what I’m about to reveal is private information. No matter what we decide to do, none of this can leave this office. Not even to my father, understood?”

Only Lundric shifted uncomfortably, which didn’t surprise her. His loyalties were with her father, his master.

“Lundric?”

“Zandians don’t lie,” he muttered.

“So don’t lie,” she snapped back. “Just don’t tell him.”

Lundric tightened his lip, but nodded.

She dared a glance at Erick, but he only appeared encouraging. Apparently, as dominant as he was, he didn’t mind a female taking charge of a meeting room. Another point in his favor. “Yesterday, Mierna sent this communication to a trader named Neo Lin, the being who stole the galactacarriers meant for Master Erick.”

She waited until the jerks of surprise and inquisitive looks at Erick had passed before nodding to Mierna, who launched the short communique showing Mina naked and on her knees behind the wizened Venusian.

Erick gave a strangled growl of anger.

Damn her face for heating. She was a warrior. She’d done what she had to do. Even so, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him.