"Affirmative." He switched to a separate channel to reach Creed directly. "Creed, status report."

Nothing.

Kyele tried again but received the same lack of a response. His brows furrowed and a wave of trepidation shot through him. Creed not answering wasn't good. He was reliable without fail. The idea the Jutak could have run into something he couldn't handle was plausible, though the odds were minimum. He wouldn't panic since a comm malfunction could be to blame. A simple check down the other hall to the office where they'd split would give him the answer to the other man's whereabouts.

Kyele turned and froze. Standing feet away was a Marenian holding a laser aimed at him. Horns curved from his head amidst shoulder length black hair. Dark brown eyes narrowed, taking his measure.

"Jutak."

Kyele didn't bother denying his identity while mentally running through his options. Torkel wanted this quiet and clean. He should at least attempt to give his Unit Leader what he wanted. Kyele shifted forms and flew toward the slaver. Seconds away from contact, he shifted and plowed his fist into the large man's midsection and swiped up with his arm, causing the laser to slip from his hold and land behind them.

The Marenian lunged for him and grabbed Kyele by the neck, slamming him into the wall. Kyele didn't put up a struggle. This wasn't the one he wanted. Arlo had a distinctive crooked horn.

"I know you," the Marenian snarled as they stared across at one another. "You're the rabid one. An animal running wild under the Jutak leader, Torkel."

Arak. Kyele forced a smirk to his lips. "I think you have me confused with my friend."

The Marenian snorted. "No. You're crazier than the half-Argoran."

"You're right." Kyele eased his knife out and pressed it directly against the groin within reach. His lips tipped up in the corner as the Marenian's gaze dropped down to take in his precarious position.

To his surprise the Marenian laughed. Then the barrel of a laser tapped Kyele's temple. Kyele never noticed him drawing the second weapon. Tension filled the moment. Neither of them lowered their guard as they aimed at one another. Moments ticked by. With a plunge of his blade Kyele could sever arteries and the Marenian would bleed out and just as easily the Marenian could pull the trigger.

The question of who was faster lay in the open, yet neither wanted to be the slowest in this circumstance.

"Kyele, get out of there. Markus and Khane have been spotted. We're coming in hot and the timer on the explosives are set," Jaron's voice in the comm at his ear was a relief.

Khane set the explosives as soon as they arrived but only Jaron held remote access to detonate in case they ran into trouble. The Marenian leaned close enough to hear every word.

Kyele arched a brow. "Looks like we have two choices. Stay and die or allow each other to go."

"You're with the Jutak Torkel Alonson, aren't you?"

There was a note in his voice, Kyele couldn't identify. An eagerness for the answer glittered from the Marenian's eyes. The nose, the set of the eyes...there was nothing to connect the two but recognition clicked and he suddenly knew who this was.

"Niko, Lothar's son, aren't you?" Kyele framed the question the same way.

The slow smile on Niko's face did not reassure nor did he confirm. Kyele mentally prepared to fight in order to get out of this. He had Joni waiting for him. At last there was someone he could reach out to who would accept him. Stained soul and all. He could shift, kill Niko and meet Jaron and the team in the time it took to blink. If the Marenian didn't pull the trigger reflexively.

The door burst open and Torkel stormed in. He came to an abrupt halt when he spotted Kyele in a standoff with the Marenian. "What are you waiting for?"

Khane rushed through the door next, confusion lighting his eyes at the tableau before him. The right sleeve of Khane's uniform was completely missing and his hood was pushed back revealing his sweat soaked features. Both men held their lasers sights on the Marenian.

"Release him!" Torkel ordered.

Niko tightened his grip on Kyele's throat, forcing his head to tilt at a painful angle. The hold impaired his breathing and his pulse sped up.

Niko smirked, eyeing the three of them. Then he focused on Khane. "Mating bands? And you without your mate." He snorted on a laugh. "That's rich."

Khane let out a low snarl, his face flushing.

"Another time Jutaks." Niko offered an odd salute, blaster to his temple. His gaze paused on Torkel before he leaped straight up and swung his legs over the rafter of the industrial piping that made up the ceiling. Khane and Torkel fired but Nikol was on his feet instantly, racing away.

Torkel let out a string of curses and rammed his fist into the nearby wall. Kyele sheathed his knife and glanced at Khane.

"Don't ask," Khane said, pain evident in his grimace.

"How long?" Torkel braced a shoulder under Khane's arm as the male suddenly leaned to the side.

"Seven years. My first Jutak assignment undercover. I was transferred to your Unit right after."

Torkel stared.

"I don't talk about it," Khane repeated. "Ever."

"Torkel, Khane and Kyele, you need to get out now! Creed and Markus managed to evacuate the slaves who didn't flee at our approach. Geile and Gregir secured several guards attempting to escape as well."

Torkel helped Khane as they rushed back the way they came. His Unit Leader glanced at Kyele from the side of his eyes. "Any luck on Lothar?"

"No sign."

Lothar didn't do anything according to plan. The man was obviously smarter than they gave him credit. If he'd planned to intend initially something must have changed his mind and the decision saved him from being in the custody of Jutaks this very moment.

Torkel nodded and they all made their way out.

The Jutaks reached their waiting shuttle with little time to spare. Explosives boomed, breaking the quiet of the night. The roof of Siims caved into the pressure as another round of explosives went off. Engines fired and the craft rose on a metallic whine and shot straight up into the sky.

Nikol's chest squeezed and the increasing pressure made him gasp. Nikol had lost his ability to believe in love a long time ago. He'd done things he could never take back. His hands twitched. No one would ever be able to scrub the stain from his fingers. He curled them into fists. These tools brought down more criminals than he'd helped.

"What do you want us to do, Niko? The army has been summoned and are closing in. The Jutak scum destroyed everything and we lost our precious inventory."

Nikol dropped his arms to his side and faced his father's men. He'd brought ten on what should have been a simple sale. His father cancelled at the last minute and sent Nikol in his stead despite knowing Nikol had other matters to attend to. But one didn't tell Lothar no without consequences.

"Niko?"

Unable to react the way he truly wanted and cheer for the Jutaks escaping with a million credits worth of sex profits, Nikol punched the guard. "I've told you to call me Nikol."

The guard eyed Nikol in fear as he climbed to his feet. He refused to respond to the name his father insisted on forcing on him. "We leave. Kill anyone who gets in our way."

And with that order, another bit of his heart shriveled and died. Soon there'd be nothing left except for the small corner space he guarded zealously. A small untouched piece of his heart reserved for a baby who once had gone by the name of Hatar and now lived as a formidable opponent.

"Let's go," Nikol snapped and grabbed up a sniper laser to blast their way through the coming army.

Chapter 30.

Joni stared at the outline of his body in the dark. She could make out his bare chest. The sheet covered his lower half. He had one hand beneath his head and the other bent at the waist before disappearing beneath the edge of the sheet.

Joni bit her lip as she contemplated the overwhelming thought running loose in her head. Giving into the urge, she tugged at the covers baring him to mid-thigh. She muffled her gasp. His hand wasn't just under the sheet it was under the band of the sleep pants he wore. The thick arousal twitched beneath the cotton.

She peeked at his face. Dark lashes fanned his upper cheeks, lips pursed as his breath came steadily. She stared back at that wicked hand. He slept holding his shaft. She could make out his fingers curled around the massive length. Desire pooled between her own legs. Her lower region tightened with thoughts of him filling her. Driving into her wet depths and stroking her to an explosive release.

Joni traced her fingers over the splendid manhood stiffening right before her eyes. His shaft twitched again as her knuckles brushed along the length.

"Staring makes it harder."

Joni cried out but Kyele rolled toward her and pinned her to the mattress. Every inch of him covered her and the delicious weight of his cock pulsed against the spot that readied itself for him. Desire roared to the forefront. It throbbed begging for release. For his deep penetration.

Kyele opened his eyes. "What are you doing?"

She laughed. He'd been gone all day and fell into an exhausted sleep the moment the team returned. "What do you think?"

"I think you want to play, little Earthling."

Joni reached down and cupped the weight of him. Kyele groaned and Joni used the opportunity to shove his pants down and out of her way as she pushed his chest hard. She wasn't strong enough to move him but appreciated when he fell backward and kicked off the pants completely.

"You've played with me and been in charge each time we're together. Now it's my turn." Joni sat up in the bed, ignoring the sheet as it slivered to her waist. Green eyes followed the motion. "Prepare yourself for all that is the beauty of Joni."

The side of his mouth quirked up. "Am I to be afraid of you, Earthling?"

Joni didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Kyele reared up, forcing her to fall back against the bed as he resumed the dominant position atop her. "What are you going to do to me, Joni Miller?"

She clenched her internal muscles at the deep growl of his voice. His intimidating facade was just that. She leaned up as much as he would allow until their foreheads bumped. "I'm going to sex you up."

He laughed, his eyes lightening in a way she'd never seen. "Explain sex you up."

The demand came with the caress of his fingers along her cheek. Joni relaxed and pumped her hips upward. He gave a full body shiver but didn't move.

She loved this side to him. He was open to letting her play and do what she wanted because he trusted her not to hurt him. His history with the opposite sex led him to consider women a threat but with Joni he let down his guard and it made her love him all the more.

"I'm going to make mad love to you then fuck you hard and when I'm done, you're going to fall asleep with my name on your lips."

Kyele brushed his mouth on hers. Softly. Slowly. "Sex me up then. I'm all yours."

"Are you?"

He attempted to pull away but Joni locked her legs about his waist. "Don't move, buddy. I'm about to give you some Earth-style loving."

Kyele rolled them over. The crest of his manhood teasing her entrance. "How about I give you an Enotian-style fuck."

It wasn't a question. Joni gasped as he pumped deep, penetrating her in one thrust. When she met his gaze, possession simmered in Kyele eyes. "No turning back, Joni."

She smirked. "No turning back for you either, Kyele. You're mine."

Something in what she said lit his fuse and she wasn't capable of coherent thought for the rest of the night.

The buzz of the communicator woke him. When he registered the time, Kyele jumped up to answer. He sat on the side of the bed and rubbed his hand over his head. "Kyele."

"Torkel is expecting you. Is there a problem?" Jaron said.

Shock left him immobile. He'd overslept. Torkel wanted everyone present to discuss the situation with Lothar and the events of the mission from the night before. They'd agreed the night before to hold off until morning. Not once had Kyele missed an appointment with the ruthless schedule he maintained.

"On my way in five." Kyele disconnected and hurried through his shower.

He dressed by habit, noting Joni's absence. While it disappointed him not to wake with her by his side, he wasn't concerned. Since asking him to be her Chosen, Joni stayed with him and stated she'd give up her place in the city. His relief at having her with him forever knew no bounds.

Locking down his room, he took to his mist form and raced through the stairway. He opened the door to join the meeting and everyone turned at his entrance. He was the last to arrive. Jaron's snicker started it and soon all of the men he worked with smiled or muffled chuckles.

Torkel bit his inner cheek. "Thank you for joining us, Kyele."

His face burned and it took a second to realize he was embarrassed. Arak laughed the loudest resulting in Kyele's knife skimming his cheek by inches. Only the shifters reflexes kept him from sustaining an injury.

Once they settled, Torkel highlighted the raid on the auction and the slaves they'd rescued. The government would help in returning them to their homes. "While our intel can never be guaranteed, I'm concerned about Lothar's failure to show."

"I believe he spreads the details about his appearances in multiple places. The thought behind it is smart because one can never guess he'll actually show. It keeps the people working for him under rigid control and a constant state of preparedness yet allows him to evade law enforcement."

They looked to Vee. His supposition had merit.

"That is sound reasoning. Last night was not a total loss due to the lives we saved. If we have to, we will continue to take apart his business, small pieces at a time. Other Jutaks Units are working toward the same goal. Let's move to the next piece of business. Joni was drugged with a hallucinogenic in an effort to have her attack and kill one of us. She wasn't necessarily the target and from the information gathered the side benefit of taking a Chosen was also in the plan."

Kyele obsessed about making the last man pay for what happened to Joni. He realized he didn't have to do it alone. His fellow Jutaks would help and accepting that Kyele could relinquish the last detail he hadn't had a chance to disclose. "Arlo was involved in the attack here."

"Are you certain?" Jaron began tapping on his portable data pad with the new information.

"Very certain." Torg wouldn't have lied while Kyele carved sections of skin from his body. He'd needed a medic and specialized care when Kyele was done.

Torkel placed his forearms on the table. "I'm sure Kyele's information is good."

Rydak shifted in his seat. "I suggest we focus our attention on apprehending Arlo if possible."

And with those words, Kyele released a soft exhale. Confidence soared. Perhaps not today. Or tomorrow. But catching Arlo would lead to catching The Collector and Kyele could avenge Joni by ending the man who'd tortured her the worst. His Unit would see to it.

Torkel stood. "We will stay on alert at all times. Are there any questions?"

No one answered.

"Then we are done."