Page 21 of Stolen By Her Alien Mate

And, yeah, I know I’m an asshole—for taking the shuttle to retrieve Joey Kincaid and for not appreciating Radford’s leadership.

But damn it, the guy gets on my nerves when he pulls this shit.

Instead of sending my reply as a viz, I type it out on the keysphere.

It’s slower, but a written message means Radford won’t hear my irritation. It’s a lot easier to pull off polite insubordination if he doesn’t hear my voice or see me roll my eyes.

I type out a quick message.

Sorry my message via the Adjunct and Cass didn’t reach you before I left. I had assumed you would want me to head to the planet first to test the Pyruhonic Drive. The good news is it works, and I’ll be returning with Joey Kincaid soon.

I don’t mention that Joey Kincaid doesn’t know she is a princess of Perse or that she’s… resistant to the idea. The last thing I need is Radford meddling.

Instead, I type out another message, this time to Draeden.

I reached the planet. Things aren’t exactly what I expected. Has Cass decoded any additional files about Joey Kincaid? If there’s any intel about her or her guardian, I could use it. Thanks.

Messaging Draeden is risky, since technically he’s the head of Radford’s honor guard. But he’s a warrior of Perse first and foremost. He’ll put his loyalty to the cause above his loyalty to Radford. And it’s not like I can ask Aislynn for help. She’d made that clear.

After sending the message, I pull up information on Earth resources. This isn’t the first time I’ve done recon in a potentially hostile environment. I’ve logged thousands of hours of recon in New Calendeum alone.

I’m probably better than anyone else in the Alpha Guard at acquiring local resources for a mission. I don’t blend in as well physically here as I do there, but I can manage.

I’ve already obtained a vehicle, so I have the replication console generate some local currency.

Hopefully, my next meeting with Joey will be more successful than my first. But I will stay as long as I have to. I must convince Joey to return to Perse with me. The fate of the rebellion depends upon it. My sudden fascination with the physical aspects of our bonding is only a temporary distraction. No matter how much I might desire her, I need to focus on my goals, not my lust.

chapter

six

KAEL

The next afternoon, I step inside Big Mo’s Diner and wander over to the front counter.

“She’s not here today, Sugar,” Lorraine says as I slide onto a stool. She holds a pot of dark liquid and pours me a cup.

While I slept, I had the Adjunct tap into the local network and scour it for relevant cultural information. It compiled everything into an HSC session for me. Cressida’s files were helpful, but there were many things about everyday life it simply didn’t occur to her to include.

Luckily, now I recognize the dark liquid as coffee, a mild stimulant that’s wildly consumed. Given the general love of coffee and the local inhabitants’ exuberance when describing it, I’m excited to try it.

Needless to say, I would rather spend the time with Joey, but if yesterday is any indication, more recon is required before I see her again.

As frustrating as it is that I don’t have more answers, I will have to be patient. Where are the other princesses? What happened to Joey’s guardian?

More pressing, how do I go about wooing her if she has no knowledge of her true identity?

My gut tells me Lorraine will be an ally, but only if I play my pieces right.

She watches me with open speculation as I take my first sip of coffee.

It’s bitter and sharp, but I like it. I raise my mug in a salute. “Thank you.”

She smirks. “It takes a brave man to drink coffee from a diner black.”

I look at the mug. “Is this not how it should be consumed?”

“What? You don’t have coffee where you’re from?”