Take Me (5 page)

Now came the final part of the mission. He glanced at his watch to assure himself he was on schedule. He was, though just barely. He'd taken the seduction stage just a little further than intended.
She goes to your head, be careful around her
.

He stood and went into the bathroom, kneeling down near the east wall and prying open the grate over the heating vent. Inside was the bag he'd stored earlier. He picked it up and went back into her room.

She was still on the floor, out cold just as he'd left her. Unzipping the bag, he pulled out the small incision knife and another syringe already loaded with the numbing agent.

Only a few minutes had passed since she'd been injected, but too long of a period of silence might raise the Council's suspicions.

He cleared his throat, infusing a bit of huskiness into his voice. “That's right, princess, use your mouth on me. Oh…yes…just like that.”

Gods, he sounded like an idiot.

Lifting her foot onto his lap, he traced the pad of his thumb over her heel. The skin was buttery soft, no calloused skin anywhere. His mouth drew tight. Obviously she was a pampered, kept woman. He kept searching until he felt it. The slight ridge under the skin.

He grabbed the syringe, inserted it into her heel, and pressed the plunger. She groaned loudly. Fortunately, it sounded a bit sexual. He glanced at her, making sure it had just been a reflex. Yes, she was still out cold.

He recapped the syringe and dropped it into the bag, then grabbed the small incision knife. He tapped the point of the knife lightly against her heel, watching her face to see if she'd react. Nothing. She was completely numb.

He pressed the knife into her heel, cutting a small square around the area of the ridge, wiping away the blood that appeared. Peeling back the skin, he found it. The tiny tracking device that was so carefully implanted.

Using the tip of the knife, he lifted the plastic device out of her foot and set it in the bag. He pulled a small bottle out and removed a capsule, breaking it over the wound, knowing the gel inside would stop the bleeding within minutes.

He quickly bandaged her heel and then grabbed a small cotton jumpsuit—common dress for a male on this planet—from his bag. He quickly dressed her in it and then glanced at his watch again. His pulse sped up. A half hour had passed since they'd entered the room. The clock was ticking.

Time to appease the Council again, play up the dumb cowboy image.

“All right, princess. We've still got plenty of time. Let's have some good old-fashioned shower sex.” He whooped. “'Cause, whoooeee, did we get sweaty.”

He slid his arms under her limp body and scooped her high against his chest. After walking them into the bathroom, he laid her on the carpeted floor and turned on the shower.

He took the tracking device and placed it on a high shelf in the shower where it wouldn't get wet, but would give the illusion of Talia taking a shower with him. He stripped off the rest of his suit and changed into the lightweight clothes he'd packed.

Grabbing his transmitter mobile, he punched in the code to signal for the pickup. A few seconds later the confirmation signal came through.

A light sweat of sheen broke out on his forehead as he went to work removing a metal panel from the wall.

The Governing Council on Zortou had let the planet enter a state of poverty and near decay. Bribing a guard to create an escape route from Talia's chamber had been easy enough. The offer of money and asylum had been all the convincing he'd needed.

The metal finally fell away, leaving a short and narrow tunnel in the wall. Almost there.

Ryder walked back into the bedroom, checking to see if he'd left anything behind and then went back to the bathroom.

He picked up Talia and slung her over his shoulder, then hunched down and moved into the tunnel. He ran the few steps and kicked out the panel of metal on the other side. Blinding sunlight filled the tunnel and he blinked, searching for the escape pod.

Nothing. His blood pounded harder. Where the fuck was it?

He coughed, the air from the atmosphere already clotting in his lungs.

There was a whirl of noise and then the black, spherelike pod pulled up front. The door slid open and Dillon stood with his arms outstretched. Ryder handed Talia over, waited as Dillon settled her in, and then climbed in after them.

They'd done it. A small smile played around his mouth as the pod shot straight up and into the atmosphere of the planet. The skin on his body went taut at the speed they moved.

 

“Everything go well, my friend?” Dillon asked, casting him a sideways glance.

“Very well.”

“Did the Council suspect anything?”

Ryder's mouth twisted. “No. They were too focused on the expansion of their money accounts. In about fifteen minutes they'll figure it out, though.”

“I imagine they'll be fairly enraged.”

“Most likely.” Ryder glanced back at Talia. She was slumped over in the back. “But worse will come when they realize their precious Rosabelle is gone.”

“I'll bet. Losing your personal whore can really shit on your parade.”

Ryder's jaw clenched and he resisted the urge to defend her. But why? She was exactly that. Whore to the Governing Council that was planning an attack on his home planet. No. She didn't need his defense. If anything she would need protection from him by the time he finished with her.

“When will we arrive on Belton, Lieutenant?”

“Approximately two hours of travel and then the half hour of detox after arrival.”

He nodded and closed his eyes. “Good. She'll be out for at least the next five hours.”

“T
he money has not arrived.” Ramirez glanced up from the computer, his expression worried.

“Son of a bitch.” Franklin pounded his fist into his desk, his blood pounding as he stood up. Gods, he had known from the beginning what a shit idea this was. “I told you we could not trust him. We must bring them back at once.”

“Wait.” Victor paced the floor and glanced at the hologram clock on the wall. “It is only a few minutes past the hour. Perhaps we should give him the grace of a few minutes more.”

“No, perhaps we shouldn't,” Franklin snapped harshly. “There was never going to be any money transfer, it was all just a ruse to convince us to offer him a complimentary hour-long fuck with our property.”

“We don't know that for certain.” Victor hesitated and looked out the window. “If we interrupt him and he becomes angry, he will likely withdraw all support.”

“You idiot, surely you cannot be that naïve,” Franklin snarled.

Gods, he regretted the day he'd signed on as one of three members in the Governing Council. Victor was often too soft, and Ramirez was growing weak as the years passed. His eyes narrowed. But that would all change soon. Being one-third of the highest power just wouldn't do anymore.

“Franklin may have a point.” Ramirez sighed and stroked his chin. “Worthington did tell us we may come get him if the transfer had not gone through.”

Franklin strode to the middle of the room. “Yes, he did. And as we speak that filthy Earthling is probably tainting our Rosabelle.”

Having to share Natalia with Victor and Ramirez was maddening as it was, but to have given her over to some filthy Earth pig brought his blood to boiling point. Natalia was his, and when the day came when he became the absolute power she would be touched by no one save him.

Already, he intended to bring her to his chamber tonight and spend time alone with her. He had not missed her reaction to the foreigner—she had been attracted to him. His fists clenched at his side. That was completely unacceptable and she needed to be punished. The blood in his cock stirred as he imagined the marks he would leave on her skin, right before he fucked her sweet ass.

“I must agree with Franklin at this point,” Ramirez finally agreed wearily. “We should speak with Mr. Worthington.”

“All right. We should go speak with him.” Victor nodded. “But if this deal goes bad—”

“It will not go bad.” Franklin strode toward the door, confident the other two men would follow.

He walked through the corridor, heading straight for Natalia's chamber. Perhaps the rich Earthling should be taught a lesson in what consequences could come from lying to the Governing Council of a planet.

Franklin pressed his hand against the palm recognition security box and waited until the doors slid open. He strode into the room, but one glance around showed it was empty.

“I hear the shower running.” Ramirez spoke from behind him. “Should we wait for them to finish?”

Irritation pricked at Franklin and he swore under his breath. The last thing he wanted was to walk in on the two of them going at it. He growled and strode forward, pounding on the door.

“Mr. Worthington, we must speak to you.”

There was no answer, nor did the shower turn off.

“Mr. Worthington.” He pounded again and the door slowly swung inward.
“No.”

From the gaping hole in the wall it was obvious that Alan Worthington had disappeared and taken Natalia with him.

Ramirez stepped past him and then paled. “Oh gods, this is not good.”

Victor stood in the doorway, shaking his head but remaining silent.

“Trust the oil tycoon?” Franklin snarled and spun around, grabbing Victor's jacket and shaking him. “Do you realize what you've done?”

“What
we
have done.” Ramirez pried him away from Victor. “We will take equal responsibility for the error in judgment.”

“Error in judgment? Talk about the understatement of the fucking millennium.” Franklin pressed his palms to his throbbing head. Gone. She was gone. There'd never been any money, and now Natalia had been taken.

Unless…His body shook and a growl or rage grew thick in his throat. Unless Natalia had left willingly, had known of the deception.

“I will send trackers to Earth to locate them.” Victor thrust a shaking hand into his hair. “We will fix this.”

“There is more to this.” Franklin shook his head and left the bathroom, yelling over his shoulder, “Send your trackers, but I will be searching for other leads. I don't believe for one minute Alan Worthington is who he seems.”

 

Ryder stepped out of the detox chamber and stretched, attempting to ease the stiffness of his muscles.

Intergalactic travel was more sophisticated than it had been years ago, but it still had its drawbacks.

He walked back to his office with just a towel slung around his waist and went to his desk, pressing the button that would summon his assistant.

Going to the closet, he pulled out another uniform. It would not be wise to stay in a near-naked state this evening, not with Ines on her way.

His mind conjured up the image of the rather plain, olive-skinned soldier whom he'd indulged in a brief love affair with. He cringed, slipping his arms into the sleeves of his shirt. It had not been one of his wiser moments.

She had been forward in her interest in bedding him, had ultimately been the one to initiate the affair. In the bedroom she had been an aggressive lover, one who had enjoyed anything and everything.

Initially he had enjoyed the affair, but soon the constant demands and growing possessiveness grew tiring. What had eventually ended the relationship was the day Ines had arrived with another man, intent on a ménage à trois. Ryder was not one to share his women in general, let alone in bed with another man.

He'd ended things with her shortly after and she'd seemed to take it in stride. Last he'd heard she was dating a sergeant in another unit.

There was a knock on the door and he glanced at it, fastening his trousers. He walked across the room and opened it.

Ines stood on the other side, giving him her usual sultry smile before striding into the room.

“You called?” She raised an eyebrow and went to his desk, sitting down on the edge.

Damn. And this is why you did not fuck your subordinates. They showed you absolutely no respect afterward
.

“I was curious about the status of our prisoner. Have you checked on her?”

Ines's eyes narrowed and she crossed one leg over the other, the skirt rising high on her thigh.

“I did a check a few minutes ago. She has been removed from the detox chamber and is still unconscious.”

“Excellent.”

“She is very attractive, sir.”

Well, at least she still called him sir. Ryder fastened the cuffs of his shirt and glanced up at her again.

“Is she?”

“Of course you have noticed.”

“Perhaps she is,” he admitted. “But she is a prisoner, nothing but business. She will provide me with the answers we have been seeking.”

“Just business? Does that mean you have no desire to bed her?”

“And what concern of yours would it be if I did?” Ryder's temper flared and his gaze hardened on her. To question him in such a manner was not only disrespectful, but completely out of line.

“I suppose none, seeing as we're no longer together.” She shrugged and slid off his desk, approaching him with a slow sashay. “Unless…you have changed your mind?”

Gods. His fists clenched at his side and he glanced over her shoulder. “No, Ines, I have not changed my mind.”

“Well,” her fingers straightened the lapel of his shirt. “If you need an outlet for any sexual frustration, you know where to find me.”

“I have a few errands to run before I check in on the prisoner myself. Thank you for your time, Ines.” He dismissed her with a nod, stepping away and seating himself behind the desk.

He could see the annoyance and hesitation on the woman's face, before she gave a brief nod and left his office.

Gods. It was useless. He had not thought it would be necessary, but it appeared it might be best to inconspicuously transfer her to another unit.

The trick would be pulling it off without offending her. A promotion might be the only way.

He sighed and shook his head, logging onto the computer.

 

There were rocks in her head. There had to be. Why else would it feel so heavy and throb so fiercely?

“Oooh.” Talia pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and opened her eyes just a crack, so the light wouldn't hurt them.

Her heart leapt and her brows drew together. Surely she was seeing things. She lay on her side, and directly in front of her gaze was a large glass window. Beyond the window was lush foliage and a colorful sort of flower that she'd never seen before.

She bolted upright in the soft feathery bed, not caring that it spread the throbbing fire in her head through the rest of her body.

Oh gods. Where was she? What had happened? She looked around the room, then scrubbed her fists across her eyes. Surely it would clear the images from her head, because how could they possibly be real? She opened her eyes again.

“Where am I?” she asked aloud, though there appeared to be no one around to answer.

Plush white carpeting covered the expanse of the room, with cozy-looking wicker chairs near the window, which rose from floor to ceiling.

Was she in the fantasy chamber? Never had she been in it before, but the Council had often spoken of the room that created an alternate reality. A favorite of the Council had been programming in the code for Hawaii, the mythical islands of paradise that were rumored to have once existed on Earth.

There must be a programming remote around here somewhere. Perhaps the Council had placed her here to recover after the time with Alan Worthington….

But his name wasn't Alan. Had he really told her that? Visions flashed through her head. Her dress being ripped from her body, his hands all over her and inside of her, the surprising pleasure…and then nothing.

Something heavy settled in her gut and it became hard to swallow.

“Turn off this stupid fantasy,” she muttered and swung her leg out of bed to run toward the door. “Oooh!”

Her scream of pain filled the room as she fell to the floor in a heap. Oh gods. Her foot, why did it hurt so? She lifted the hem of her dress—wait, this wasn't her dress. Ignoring that fact for a moment, she studied her ankle. And the white bandage that surrounded it.

Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. She looked around the chamber again. This was no fantasy room.

The heaviness in her gut increased and nausea rolled in her stomach. Though the room was not overly warm, a sheen of sweat broke out on the back of her neck.

There were a series of beeps from the door and then it swung open.

“No.” She shook her head. He was supposed to be gone. Two hours of her time was all the Council had allotted him.

Alan walked slowly into the room, until he towered above her where she had fallen on the floor.

“Good morning, Talia. Did you sleep well?”

“What is happening?” she demanded huskily. “Where am I?”

“You mean you don't remember?” He lifted an eyebrow questioningly.

“Of course I do not remember! Whatever you injected—” Her eyes widened in horror. She remembered. “You drugged me.”

“Yes, princess, I did.”

“You can't get away with this. The Council—”

“Is doubtless up in arms over the fact that you chose to run off with an oil tycoon.”

“Run off…” The blood drained from her face. “They'll never believe it.”

“Won't they? Even after they find the note you left?”

The room tilted. The Council may very well execute her for this, shortage of women be damned. Her lips trembled. “W-What have you done?”

“I have done what needed to be done.” His smile was humorless. “My name is Ryder Jacobs. I am a colonel in the planetary army of Belton. And you, Talia, are my prisoner.”

 

Ryder's jaw clenched as he stared down at her.
She's guilty
. It was the way she'd blanched when he'd stated who he was. Then she'd quickly dropped her head and stared at the floor.

There was information behind that pretty head of hers, and she would give it to him. No matter what means he had to use.

“Stand up.”

She didn't move, just sat stubbornly on the floor and avoided looking at him.

“I told you to stand up.” He grasped under her arms and jerked her to her feet. Her sharp cry of pain almost distracted him from the softness of her breast against his thumb.