maximizing profits and Varga attempted to appear interested, even though having the little human in his arms was extremely distracting. Finally, he faked a yawn and stood, keeping Joan cradled against his chest.
When Ukhaan’s gaze turned speculative, he realized his mistake and swung her over his shoulder instead, hoping he had acted decisively enough to avert suspicion. Joan’s body went rigid but to his relief, she didn’t protest.
“I assume I may use the human again tonight?” He kept his tone disinterested, almost bored, but his heart sank when Ukhaan studied him for a minute before responding.
“For tonight, of course. But perhaps we should conclude our business tomorrow—before you are… distracted.”
“Perhaps.” He shrugged casually. “I still wish to see the smelting operation and examine the shipping records.”
“Very well. Until tomorrow.”
“Until tomorrow,” he echoed and left the room.
Joan immediately started to squirm, and he was about to lift her back into his arms when he spotted Baahy coming towards them. The short time he had spent in the male’s company was enough to create a fierce disgust. Ukhaan’s methods were brutal, but they were driven by a ruthless desire for efficiency. Baahy was simply sadistic—he enjoyed causing pain.
Varga gave Joan a sharp smack across her delightful ass. She froze, and he spoke before she could protest.
“Greetings, Baahy.”
“Greetings, Varga.” Baahy leered at Joan’s body, his eyes covetous. “I see Ukhaan let you take his slave. Good. It’s about time someone taught her her place. I told him she thought she was too fucking good to service a male.” His ugly face twisted into a scowl. “But as usual, he wouldn’t listen to me.”
Varga raised an eyebrow inquiringly.
Baahy took a step closer, lowering his voice. “We should talk. I could make this place ten times more productive if Ukhaan didn’t tie my hands.”
“That’s an interesting claim,” he said coolly. “Can you back it up?”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Then bring me your business plan tomorrow.”
“Business plan? I don’t need a fucking business plan.” Baahy smirked and tapped his head. “Experience. That’s what I got. I know how to work a slave. Male or female.” He ran his eyes over Joan again. “I’d have that one on her knees begging in five minutes.”
“I am quite capable of handling a slave.” His voice was deliberately arrogant, and Baahy’s eyes narrowed. “And I rely on numbers, not idle boasts about… experience.”
“Boasts? Why you—”
“But if you’d like me to tell Ukhaan that you have been presenting me with your ideas, perhaps he could help you translate them into actual numbers?”
Whatever Baahy’s faults, he was not stupid. Despite his anger, he shook his head and forced a polite tone. “No, thank you, sir. I wouldn’t want you to trouble him while he’s so busy.”
“Then perhaps we shall see each other tomorrow. Good night.”
Varga turned and walked off, feeling the male’s eyes boring into his back.
As soon as he was safely in his quarters, he placed Joan back on her feet. Her lip trembled, but she lifted her chin.
“I hate that bastard,” she muttered, then seemed to realize what she had said. Her eyes dropped submissively. “I’m sorry, Master Varga. I only meant that he was not respectful of Master Ukhaan. I hope you don’t intend to tell him of Master Baahy’s disloyalty…”
He almost laughed. Her words were so clearly the opposite of what she actually thought.
“No, I don’t intend to tell him.”
Disappointment crossed her face before she could mask it, but she didn’t protest.
“No, Master Varga.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me why?”
“I will, of course, listen to anything that you tell me.”
Impatient with her feigned meekness, he put a finger under her chin and raised it until she was forced to look up at him. He caught the same silvery flash of defiance in her eyes before she schooled her features.
“You do not need to pretend with me, little bird,” he said softly.
“I don’t understand. What do you want from me?”
He sighed. He had hoped for another day to finish scoping out the place and identifying all the security measures, but between Ukhaan and Baahy, he didn’t think he could take the risk. They needed to leave as soon as possible, and perhaps she had information that might help.
“I want your freedom. I’m here to rescue you.”
She stared at him and he waited, already anticipating her gratitude. Instead, she broke into laughter.
Chapter Six
Varga looked so shocked that more laughter bubbled from Joan’s lips, but she could hear a hysterical note underlying the gaiety. Afraid that her laughter would turn to tears, she took