Adiron (Corsair Brothers 1)

"Did I miss snack time?" I joke as I saunter in. I scan all four females in front of me, saving the best for last. I'm pleased to see that no one looks hurt, at least. I don't like the thought of females—no matter how devious—getting abused by us. Humans are fragile—the qura'aki, doubly so. There's a tall, lean female with long black hair and a wide face. She's got a murderous scowl on her face and I'm guessing she's the one that was so delighted to gas us. Next to her sits the delicate qura'aki, who's very clearly awake. She jerks her hands in her cuffs, frowning as she tries to work her hands free. The little yellow-haired one that sobbed all over Kaspar is still wearing her skimpy outfit, and she lifts her chin defiantly when I look in her direction.

And then I look at Jade. Jade, who I'm thrilled that I haven't forgotten, thanks to the antidote shot in my ass. Jade, who's still wearing my tunic. Jade, whose fluffy hair encircles her head like a dark nimbus, and who blinks those fascinating golden eyes at me. She's unafraid and utterly magnificent, her cuffed hands calmly in her lap.

"If you're expecting an apology, you're not going to get one," Jade says calmly.

"No, seriously," I tease. "I'm here for snacks. Did I miss the cheese tray?" I glance around and pretend to look disappointed as I scratch at my skin. "This is the nicest holding cell I've ever seen. You want me to ask if you guys can watch a vid? I bet we can arrange that."

"Tell them to let us go," the dark-haired one says, defiant. She sits up straight in her chair, glaring at me like Zoey does when I take the last chski pickle. "We won't come along easily."

I scratch at my head, pretending to be confused. "Didn't you guys just try to kill us?"

This time, Jade gives me a look of exasperation. "No one's killing anyone. We were just trying to protect ourselves from invaders on our ship."

The qura'aki looks confused. "I thought we were robbing them—"

The dark-haired one kicks at the qura'aki's chair, and the lilac-haired one goes silent.

I grin, deliberately letting my smile spread wide across my face because the females look infuriated. "I can guess which one of you is gonna be interrogated first, then."

Jade lifts her chin, looking regal and beautiful. "Is that why you're here? To suss out which one of us you're going to rape and torture into telling you everything?"

"Uh, no. Rape and torture?" I shake my head. "I can reassure you that we're not those kinds of pirates. And look around you." I gesture at the holding cell. "Shit, these quarters are better than mine. I might bunk down here with you guys instead of my brother. This is pretty nice." There's a bench along the wall and I sit down on it, stretching out and putting my hands behind my head. "I just came to say hello."

The females shift, and as I pretend to be my lazy, indolent self, I watch as they all glance over at Jade. She's definitely the leader. I like that. She's got a quiet sort of authority to her, a calm presence that indicates she's smart and won't take any shit. Here I always thought I'd fall for someone more like my sister Zoey—a scrappy sort of female that gives as good as she can get.

Instead, I'm obsessed with rounded human curves, defiant amber eyes, and a calm demeanor of control, even as a prisoner. Makes my cock hard as kef, but I don't point that out. Human females are skittish, and these four are probably terrified they're going to be murdered.

Jade studies me with those calm, calculating eyes. I wait for her to address me, to offer a deal of some kind. To bargain. Not that I have the authority to make bargains with prisoners. I'm just along for the ride. But I recognize the look on her face—she's not about to give up, even though she's in chains. She watches me for a moment more and then shifts, sitting up.

Here it comes. The bargain. I lean forward, eager to hear it.

"What happened to your face?" she asks.

"My face?"

"You look like you fought a swarm of bees and lost," says the yellow-haired one.

"Did you get into a fight with someone?" Jade asks. "You're swollen."

I reach up and touch my face. Sure enough, around the nose ridges and brow ridges, my face is puffy and hot. I absently scratch at my skin. "I think I'm allergic to whatever gas you gave us."

A flash of regret crosses Jade's face, and it fills me with glee. I knew she wasn't trying to hurt us. Knew it. But she settles back in her chair. "That's too bad. It was necessary, though."