Kept by Luna Voss

Chapter Twenty-Four

Barion

“We’re going home,” I whisper in Melyta’s ear, stroking her hair as we watch the streaking lines of hyperspace through the viewport. “And this time, it’s going to be different. It’s going to be very fucking different.”

She leans against me, not saying anything.

“Are you nervous?” I ask. “I would understand if you were. For fuck’s sake, I’m nervous.”

She shakes her head. “No. Well, maybe a little. It would be stupid not to be, right? But Barion, you’re smarter than Sarizor. And it seems like a lot of the men respect you more. You’ve got this. I know you do.”

I squeeze her, wishing I shared her conviction. I know she’s right on the facts. I am smarter than Sarizor. I’m a better vostrat. And I think she’s probably right about the men, too, although it’s hard for me to know for sure. Everyone sucks up to you when you’re the underboss. Who knows what they really think.

But that’s not why I’m anxious like this. What I’m about to do is insane. It’s treason. Treason against my Family, the Family that brought me up, that gave me everything. The very idea of doing this crosses so many lines I never intended to, lines a younger version of me would have been disgusted to willingly violate.

But now that Melyta is in my life, none of those lines matter. Fuck those lines, the rules, the Vostra, Sarizor, everything. When I’m the one in charge, tradition can matter. When Melyta is safe, the rules can matter.

Until then, I’ll break every rule I can to make sure my mate has a better life. And I’m not going to feel fucking guilty about any of it. She’s worth it. She’s worth everything to me.

Nothing else matters.

“What are you thinking about?” Melyta asks, peeling her eyes away from the glowing lines outside the viewport.

“Just… everything,” I tell her. “My mind is so full I feel like it’s going to burst.”

“You’re so tense,” she murmurs, reaching up to rub my shoulders. “Here, sit down,”

I allow her to guide me to a nearby seat in the ship’s cabin. She stands behind me and begins to massage my shoulders, and I sigh deeply.

“Melyta, I think your fingers are magic. That feels incredible.”

She laughs. “My fingers aren’t magic, your back is just even more knotted up than your cock. Have you ever had a massage before?”

“No. Do I look like the kind of guy who gets massages?”

“I mean, you did just take me to a famous fancy resort. I don’t think it seems like that much of a stretch.”

I chuckle. “Going to that resort was a stretch. Way out of my usual comfort zone.”

“Well, then I’m glad we went. Even if we did get attacked on the beach. It’s good to get you out of your comfort zone. I liked seeing that side of you.”

“What side?”

“The side of you that can actually relax and enjoy things. I’m hoping I get to see more of that once this business with Sarizor is finished.”

Fuck. Am I really that wound up?

I let out a groan as she starts working a particularly tender spot with her fingers. “I swear you’re turning my back into jelly.”

“That’s only because your muscles are so ridiculously tense. This is what your back is supposed to feel like.”

I sigh as my mate massages my aching muscles, stress momentarily forgotten. Sometimes it’s the little things.

“Barion? Fuck, man, are you and Melyta okay?”

It’s a relief to hear my friend’s voice. Although I didn’t want to say anything to scare Melyta, I was worried Korva might be in danger as my lieutenant. You never know with Sarizor.

“Yeah, we’re okay. Although that’s not for lack of Sarizor trying. You get my message?”

“Yeah. You get my response?”

“No. Must have missed us while we were in hyperspace. We’re orbiting Tarsheb 8 now.”

“How did you get back?”

“It’s a long story. Can you meet us in Greenhaven in a couple hours?”

Korva pauses. “In Greenhaven? Yeah. Bit of a drive, but I can do that. I guess you’re staying out of Dalax for now?”

“That’s right. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can with a location.”

“It’s a plan. And Barion— I’m glad you’re still breathing. You and Mel both.”

He hangs up. A moment later the pilot’s voice comes over the intercom: “Any more calls, or are we good to touch down?”

“We’re good to go,” I reply. “Thanks.”

We touch down at the spaceport in Greenhaven, and the Agusto Family sends a limo to take us wherever we want to go.

“Thank you,” I say to the pilot who took us from Gerbbbexai IX. “I won’t forget that the Agusto Family has been a friend to me.”

“You’re always welcome at our clubhouse in Greenhaven,” he replies. “And I’m supposed to give you a message from Dagor.”

“Oh?”

“He wants you to know that if you’re planning on moving against Sarizor, we have your back.”

I frown. This is an offer that definitely comes with strings attached. “In return for what?”

“We help you become the boss, the Dultaz Family becomes our client and pays tribute. You don’t have to answer now. Think about it.”

“I think alliances are the sort of thing I’ll have to consider after I take charge,” I reply coolly, trying to ride that line between gracious and firm. “If that’s the direction I end up going in.”

The pilot smiles. “Like I said, take your time. We’re here.”

I take Melyta’s hand and we board the limo together.

* * *

Melyta

“You didn’t even consider taking them up on the offer to help?” I ask Barion as we exit the limousine and make our way into our new hotel room in Greenhaven. “It could pay to have allies.”

“Allies are one thing, paying tribute is another,” he growls. “I should have known that’s what Dagor wanted.”

“And I take it you’re not interested?”

“I don’t pay tribute. When I’m the boss, I’m the fucking boss. Of everyone.”

Okay, then. No discussion to be had there.

“You know I’m looking forward to?” I ask as I flop down on the bed.

“What?”

“Not sleeping in hotel rooms anymore. I want to sleep in your bed again. In your house on Tozure Heights.”

“Our bed,” he corrects me gently. “And our house.”

“Our house,” I repeat with a smile. “I can’t wait to go back there with you.”

“Soon,” he murmurs, lying down on the bed next to me. “Soon. We’re close, vulta. We’re so fucking close to all of this being over.”

We’re both passed out on the covers when Korva knocks on our door.

“I’ll get it,” I mumble, sitting up.

“No, you won’t,” says Barion, producing a plasma pistol seemingly out of nowhere. “I’ll get it.”

He stalks over to the door. “Who is it?” he calls gruffly.

“It’s me, dumbass,” says Korva’s voice. “Let me in.”

Barion sighs and opens the door. “Hey, Korva. Thanks for coming.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” says his friend. “Melyta, how are you?”

“Oh, I’m just swell,” I tell him dryly, getting off the bed and hugging him. “Things are just great right now.”

Korva chuckles. “Yeah, sounds like you guys have had a tough time. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to warn you. I didn’t find out until after you did.”

“What are things like with Sarizor?” Barion asks quickly.

“It’s been an absolute shit show, honestly. He’s been way, way paranoid ever since we rescued that girl from the garage. He’s never alone anymore. I’ve been trying to get closer to him, to figure out what I can. I’ve managed to convince him that I’ve turned against you, at least.”

“What makes you think he’s convinced?”

Korva hesitates. “Well, he hasn’t killed, me, that’s something. And… he talks about you sometimes. With me and the other men. And he doesn’t exactly say… nice things.”

“What things does he say?” Barion growls.

“He thinks you killed Gurt. And Nullion, too. He thinks your Melyta is the same Melyta Gurt had a problem with, and he also blames you for hitting the garage. He’s enraged, he feels betrayed, and he wants you both dead.”

I can’t help but laugh. “So… basically he’s right about everything?”

“Well, thanks for confirming you killed Gurt,” says Korva. “Although I guess I already knew that.”

“Technically, Barion killed Gurt.”

“Anyway,” Barion growls, “if he’s saying this stuff about me, how are people reacting to it?”

“Well, it’s only his inner circle for now. Official word is you’re still on vacation with your mate. But there was this one night, it was me and a few other captains and lieutenants, and we were drinking. And honestly, I thought they seemed uncomfortable with what he was saying about you. I don’t know if they were buying it. Or if they were, they sure as shit didn’t mind the idea that you got rid of Gurt. I think everyone pretty much figures, fuck that guy.”

“That’s a good sign,” I chuckle, glancing at Barion. “That has to mean they’ll be more likely to support you, right?”

Barion nods in agreement, then turns back to Korva. “What else can you tell me?”

“He’s talking to the human mob. And he’s been doing… weird things with them.”

“Like allying our organization with the Gallo Family?”

“How did you know?”

“You’re not going to believe this, but we hooked up with Dagor Agusto on Gerbbbexai IX. He’s the one who flew us back here, and he told us about the alliance. It was Gallo hitmen who tried to kill us, on Sarizor’s orders.”

“The Agusto Family? Really? That explains why you’re in Greenhaven. What did they want with you?”

Now it’s Barion’s turn to hesitate. He makes eye contact with me, and I try to smile at him, to give him confidence.

“He wanted me to make the Dultaz Family their client. To pay tribute. In exchange for help. If I... If I end up killing Sarizor and taking his place.”

There. It’s out in the open now. I watch Korva nervously, trying to read his reaction.

The other Voorian freezes. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me. Are you in or are you out?”

“Am I in or am I… excuse me, just to clarify what we’re talking about. You mean killing Sarizor. The boss of our Family. Am I in or am I out… to kill Sarizor.”

“Yes.”

Korva just stares at him for a moment, as though he can’t believe what he’s hearing.

And then:

“I’m in.”

* * *

Barion

“I keep telling you,” says Korva. “You’re not going to get him alone. He’s never alone anymore.”

“Okay, so we kill his bodyguards, too. Got it.”

“Yes, well, we’re going to want to keep the killing to a minimum. We do have to get the Family on our side after this, after all.”

“I know that,” I grunt. “But I’m pretty sure this is a break some eggs situation. We’re making a fucking omelet.”

“Could you get him at his house?” Melyta suggests. “You can’t tell me he actually sleeps with his bodyguards.”

“Oh, yeah,” Korva laughs. “He knots them, too.”

“I’m serious!” she protests. “Isn’t that our best option?”

“I’m sure Sarizor sleeps alone,” I tell her, “but his house is one of the best-guarded structures in the entire city. Trying to hit him there would be a suicide mission.”

“It basically has to be in public,” Korva agrees. “He’s too well-guarded at any of our Vostra hangouts. And unfortunately, he’s not in public much these days, either.”

“Poison?” I suggest dryly.

“Yeah, good luck. Have you ever seen the man eat in public? I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s having all his food tested at this point.”

Melyta pipes up again. “What if we find a way to draw him out? See if we can get him to agree to a public meeting.”

“That’s an idea,” I say. “How would we draw him out?”

My mate looks pleased with herself, as though she’s having an idea. “We give him something that he really, really wants.”

“And what is something that Sarizor really, really wants?”

She shrugs. “Me.”