Savage Prince by Alison Aimes

25

Byrel’s face filled Maxheim’s small screen. “Where is she?”

“Safe. Out of your reach forever.”

The fucker snarled. “That’s where you’re wrong.” He shook his head. “You think your precious Brotherhood resources can save her? My employer has spies everywhere. Even inside the Brotherhood. You can’t protect her.”

Maxheim suspected as much, but to hear it confirmed was maddening—and useful.

“You have to see she’ll be safest with me,” insisted Byrel.

“Actually, she’ll be safest when you’re dead. Once you’re wiped from this galaxy, interest in using Tess as bait to catch you ends. Both your employer and the death squad will have no more reason to go after her.”

Fury glittered in Byrel’s gaze. “The Brotherhood will still be after her.”

“I’ll deal with them.”

“Such disloyalty.”

“That’s rich coming from you. We just came from your compound. Looks like you got out just in time. Most didn’t make it.”

Byrel’s lips press tight. “I had to leave some behind. Does Tessie know?”

“About Mauve? Yes. Or do you mean the fact that you left almost all the other slaves to die too, handpicking only the ones that will make you the most money in the end? Because, yeah, she knows that as well.”

“Hard choices had to be made. I wanted to take Mauve. There wasn’t time. You tell Tessie I tried. The doors were breached before I could get to her friend. I almost died myself.” His voice rose in volume. “Don’t you think I wanted to save her? Or that I’d hoped to relocate with my entire stable of slaves? I worked hard to get them. But thanks to you and your fucking interference and the fact that my employer is now after me, I couldn’t.”

“Poor you.” The guy was a real piece of work. It sickened Maxheim to think Tess had been around him for so long.

But he was closing in. There were only so many little dark holes vermin could hide in. He just had to get to Byrel before the death squad did.

“Staying wouldn’t have made a damned difference,” whined Byrel. “Then we’d all be dead.”

“If that’s what you want to tell yourself. Seems as if you’ve always got an excuse for why others get hurt while you coast by unscathed.”

Byrel’s gaze narrowed, and he delivered his own strike. “They’re still out there, you know. Both your brother and sister. And let me tell you, the situation isn’t pretty. Especially for your sweet little sister.”

Maxheim knew Byrel was fucking with him. It didn’t make it any easier. “When I find you, you’re going to suffer before you die.”

“I know how to hide. I’ve done it for years.” Byrel’s smirk was wide. “If you never catch me, are you prepared to live with knowing you could have saved your brother and sister and didn’t?”

Maxheim low growl erupted before he could help himself.

“You know Tessie will stay alive with me.” The conniving bastard wasn’t giving up. “I would never hurt her. I can’t say the same for your brother and sister’s impending fate.”

Maxheim remained silent.

“Return Tess, and I will tell you everything I know about my employer so you can bring him down. You’ll be heroes within the Brotherhood. You’ll earn yourselves a seat on that precious Council. You’ll become practically untouchable. Your family will be safe.”

Maxheim didn’t respond.

Instead, he watched hope flicker across Byrel’s face as the bastard convinced himself his persuasion was working.

He waited for it to grow before saying, “There is no world in which I would ever give you Tess.”

It was satisfying to see Byrel’s smug look vanish, his mask cracking as the male’s nostrils flared and the true selfish monster lurched into the light.

“Maybe not, but she’ll come anyway,” snarled Byrel. “Because you should tell her if she doesn’t, Flora, Lottie, and Betta might not make it after all.”

“Bullshit. You’d never kill your own product.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to bring Tessie to heel. And to be frank, compared to her, they don’t mean shit.”

“She’ll hate you worse than she already does.”

“She could never fully hate me. We’ve been through too much.”

“You selfish, fucking bastard. You’re a made male. All you’ll do is take her down with you.”

“I’ll find a way out with her help. She’s very useful. As you know.”

“If you’re trying to bait me, it won’t work. I won’t pretend I don’t want something from Tess, because you’re right, I do. I want fucking everything from her. Her smiles, her soft skin, her tight, wet cunt. I want her affection, her courage, her respect. I want her fierceness and her tears. I want her boldness and her loyalty. I want the way she melts against me and makes those sweet mewling sounds as she comes on my cock. I want how she clings to me when she’s sad and scared, and the shaky smiles she gives me when I hold her close and figure out who I’m gonna kill next to make her feel better. I want her to look at me with the same affection and devotion I once heard in her voice when she talked about you, but I won’t be stupid enough to lose it or trade it away for money or power, or to save my own pathetic ass.”

He ended the comms.

He was sick of Byrel’s bullshit, and it was obvious that no amount of talking was going to convince the scum to give up information on the twins or his employer.

Plus, delaying long enough to track him hadn’t worked this time around. Maxheim had started the tracer the moment he’d connected, but the fucker had figured out what he’d done before and activated some kind of block to make him impossible to track. Maxheim knew how well they worked since he’d developed both the tracer he was using and a similar blocking device to the one Byrel had.

But it didn’t matter, he’d get the scum another way.

He was already closing in. He could feel it.

It just needed to happen sooner than later.

Because the complications were piling up.

Case in point.

His comms buzzed again. An earnest face he hadn’t expected appeared on his screen.

He answered. “You’re not getting Tess or your Federation ship back, so tell your commander to fuck off.”

Caden Hawke, Tess’s childhood friend, blinked, his friendly expression vanishing as tight lines formed at the corners of his eyes. But he didn’t snipe back.

Instead, he stood taller in his Federation uniform and, dropping his voice, leaned closer into the screen. “Commander Anderson doesn’t know I’m contacting you. And, truth be told, I don’t like the way everything went down during transport. You, I don’t care about, but I didn’t want Tessie in that cell to begin with. I wanted her taken to Federation guest quarters and remanded into my care once you arrived, but my commander insisted on the cells and interrogation. He’s very by the book.”

Hawke wasn’t lying about that at least. Maxheim had seen records of the two Federation soldiers’ exchange when he’d taken over the ship. Hawke had tried to get Tess removed from the cell. The commander had insisted on keeping her there. The tension between the two males was interesting.

But he doubted Hawke’s motives were of the good Samaritan variety. He’d seen the way the bastard looked at his omega. “Enough bullshit. Why are you contacting me unofficially and risking Federation discipline?”

“Fine.” The Federation soldier blew out a breath. “I just want Tessie safe. If you can do that, great, but I’m not so sure you can. The Federation monitors all communications. We know about what happened at Rav’s compound. We know about the death squad after him. We’ve heard about the growing discord within the Brotherhood and the fact that your family’s enemies might soon outnumber your allies.”

Fucking spies. They were everywhere. Even within the Brotherhood, sharing business they had no business sharing.

But Maxheim kept his expression blank. There was no way he was confirming or denying what could very well be a fishing expedition.

“If the heat gets too much,” continued Hawke, “send her to me. No one will know or suspect. I’ve built up a good pension over the years. Enough that I can keep her off the Federation and Brotherhood’s radars. Your family will be safer as well.”

“Why the hells would I trust you?”

“Because you may not have a choice,” declared Blondie. “And because . . . the commander, he’s obsessed. With you Skolovs, the Brotherhood, justice and order—and sometimes it feels like it’s happening at the expense of innocents like Tessie, and I . . . I don’t want that. Tessie is my friend. I should have kept her safe all those years ago and didn’t.”

Maxheim stared at Hawke for as long as he could. Then, he said simply, “If it comes to that, I’ll be in touch.”

He hung up.

Commander Anderson’s obsession was interesting. But so was Hawke’s offer.

Both males had a part to play in this mess. Maxheim was sure of it. He was less sure though of what those parts would be.

More complications—and they just kept piling up.

“What was that about?” Nikolai waylaid him in the corridor, a few doors down from where they’d said they’d meet. He was leaning against the wall, a hard look on his face, one foot propped up as if he’d been waiting for Maxheim all along.

The hairs at the back of his neck rising, Maxheim squared off on the other side of the corridor. “Nothing I can’t handle. What are you doing out here?”

* * *

“Wow.”Dahlia’s laugh was strained. “I guess a welcome to the family is in order.”

“No one tells us anything,” growled the dark-haired omega.

Tess waited for the kind-looking beta doctor to make some kind of remark as well, but he just nodded and started scribbling in his notebook.

She exchanged a glance with Dahlia.

The omega shrugged. Typical, she mouthed.

Well, okay then.

Dahlia beckoned her closer, her voice dropping. “This is, in our view, great news. But just to be sure . . . you did consent to the match, correct?”

The question surprised Tess. “Yes.”

The two females both looked a little relieved.

“Great. Good.” Dahlia in particular seemed to relax, her shoulders melting away from her ears as she rocked her little one. “That’s a bit of a relief if I’m being honest. Skolovs can be a bit pushy when it comes to mates, and Maxheim . . .” She paused, then produced another shaky laugh. “Well, I am sure I don’t need to tell you how single-minded and intense he is.”

“I like that about him.” Tess wasn’t sure where that inelegant declaration bubbled up from, or why she felt the need to defend him when there was nothing in the other omega’s tone that was particularly critical. But it happened anyway.

“Yes. Of course.” Dahlia spoke fast. “That’s just as it should be.”

“Is he acting like an out-of-control lunatic like Nikolai did with Dahlia?” Anya seemed to suddenly have warmed a hundred degrees, relish glittering in her golden gaze. “Or is he still all robotic and serious and,” she deepened her voice and grunted, “I’m-Alpha-and-above-emotions?”

Tess tried to hide her surprise. It was absolutely impossible for her to imagine the latter about Maxheim. He was full of seething emotions, though he was also grunty and very Alpha.

“Oh, gods.” Anya clapped her hands together. “He is acting like a lunatic.”

Tess cringed inside. They hated her. Blamed her.

“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Maxheim’s sister grinned at Dahlia before swiveling back toward her. “I think the three of us are going to be good friends. Anyone who can keep my brothers on their toes—and off my back—is a welcome addition to the family. And you seem very sweet. My brother is lucky to have someone willing to defend him.”

Tess could only stare. “I . . . that’s so kind . . . I think.”

“Yes, yes. I know. It’s both kind and selfish,” teased the dark-haired omega. “My brothers can be a handful, but with two of them now otherwise focused, there’s just two more to go. I can’t wait to shake them all.”

Tess darted a glance toward the doctor. He was still scribbling, but he never looked up.

Dahlia’s smile was a little more sheepish. “Stop, Anya. You’ll make her think your brothers are ogres. They’re wonderful.”

“Wonderful for you, maybe. Because you get the perks of being a true omega—and from the slight stubble marks on Tess’s jaw, she’s getting to enjoy that as well. The last time I interacted face-to-face with an Alpha who wasn’t a Skolov family guard was over a year ago, and that was only because the Alpha was five times my age, in a glass-enclosed cell, and all four of my brothers were in the room as I negotiated. They don’t seem to understand that I have needs.”

Dahlia cringed. “They can be a bit overprotective.”

“A bit?” challenged Anya.

“The galaxy is an ugly place.” Tess felt the need to defend them.

“True.” Dahlia’s expression sobered. Anya’s too. They both looked a little guilty, and Tess suspected they were worried they’d insulted her by appearing cavalier about her past.

“But I can understand wanting to stand on your own,” she smiled at Anya. “That’s important too.” Because, whether slave or princess, Tess was realizing all omegas struggled with some of the same challenges.

The baby wailed.

“Sorry.” Dahlia’s lips pressed tight. “I have no idea if it’s hunger or gas, but I just tried feeding him and now we’re bouncing… nothing seems to work.” Dahlia planted a kiss on his scrunched-up, adorable forehead. “I took care of my little sister when she was young, but she was not so vocal. Much like his father, Jaxson does not do well when he doesn’t get what he wants.”

Anya chuckled.

Tess didn’t. Nor, she noted, did the doctor.

In Tess’s case, she’d heard too many terrifying stories about the head of the Skolov family to even attempt a grin. From the way the doctor’s pen paused in mid-scribble at the mention of the Alpha Lord, Tess got the sense the beta might be thinking along the same lines as her.

The baby cried harder.

Dahlia’s expression grew more harried. “It’s just gas. Has to be, right?” Her gaze traveled to the doctor.

He looked up from his notes and gave a comforting nod.

Tess had little to add. Though breeding and birth were a constant for omegas, those she’d known had all been whores and slaves who were meticulously given pregnancy blockers to prevent even Alpha fertilization.

The screams of the little one increased.

“That’s my cue.” Anya started toward a small door Tess suspected led to the water closet. But halfway there, the dark-haired omega halted and turned back, wagging her finger at the doctor. “Not a word.”

“Anya.” Dahlia’s voice was thick with warning. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“If I don’t go, we’ll never find out what’s happening, and Tess deserves to know.”

“Tess?” challenged Dahlia. “Are you sure you’re doing this for her?”

Anya rolled her eyes. “Fine. We all deserve to know.”

Tess was dying to ask, but not sure what would be considered rude. She was far out of her comfort zone here.

“It’s too dangerous right now.” Dahlia tried again, shooting Tess an apologetic smile before she said, “Why do you think they’ve doubled our guards?”

“No offense,” responded Anya, “but they’re after her, not me.”

Tess hid a cringe. “I’m so sorry for bringing this trouble to you.”

“Oh, please.” Anya dismissed her concern with a wave. “There’s always trouble when you’re a Skolov. We’ll get through this. Just like we do everything else.” She gave a firm nod. “Back shortly, new sister-in-law,” winked Anya. “Hopefully, with useful intel.”

Then she disappeared through the door to the water closet.

The doctor sighed and wrote even faster.

Dahlia shook her head. “She likes to outwit the guards, crawl through the vents, and eavesdrop on her brothers’ meetings. She’s been doing it since she was a child. Says it’s the only way she learns anything. I just pretend I don’t know. It’s safer that way.”

Neither female was what Tess had imagined an omega princess would be like.

Both were so much better.

The baby fussed louder.

Tess’s fingers twitched. Without conscious decision, her gift’s tendrils stretched toward the little Alpha. But these strands were not dark and full of rage. These were soothing and light and peaceful, like the ones that had seeped into Mauve, giving her peace before she died.

Still, Tess told herself to ignore the impulse. What she’d done with Mauve was the first and only time she’d accomplished something like that, and Maxheim had been touching her when it occurred.

The risks were too great for her to try again now.

“Poor little guy.” Dahlia sounded upset.

Doc moved to the bedside and patted the little one’s head awkwardly. “It will pass.”

“I’m less worried about this little one than the bigger one.” She shot Tess an apologetic smile. “He doesn’t do so well when either of us is in pain.”

The doc swallowed hard.

The baby wailed.

The doctor frowned. “Let’s see if maybe a warm bath will distract Jaxson and keep him, and everyone else, calm.”

Apparently, the threat of his Alpha Lord was enough to pull the doctor from his note-taking.

“I don’t want to leave Tess.” Dahlia looked torn. The little guy’s protests rose in volume.

“Oh, please, don’t worry about me,” Tess spoke over the warbling cries. “Take care of your son. I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure.” Dahlia’s relief was evident as she rose from the bed, her movements stiff but determined.

She and the doctor disappeared through the same door Anya had.

Tess was alone in the room—for all of two heartbeats.

“This is for you.”

The sound of the foreign male voice sent Tess whirling around.

A masked and gloved guard stood just inside the bedroom door.