Prideful Savage (A Warrior's Redemption #1) - Miranda Bridges Page 0,15

this point, I just close them completely, planning on opening them periodically to make sure Bravik isn’t up to no good. Never mind the fact I can’t do anything about it. His secure hold on me tells me all I need to know. And if his strength doesn’t stop me, his lethal touch will.

“You can rest.”

The deep baritone of his voice rumbles in his chest, vibrating gently against me. I look up at him and shield my face from the wind. Apparently the expression on my face matches my thoughts because he frowns.

“You needn’t be so distrustful.” He runs his fingers along my arm where he grips me. “Your body is full of unnecessary tension.”

My skin prickles at the contact as a deep awareness floods me. “Wouldn’t you be the same if a stranger told you to come with them, to trust them with your safety?”

He’s silent for a moment, and his gaze flickers away but eventually returns to me. “Yes, I would.”

“See. I—”

“But you should trust me because right now you are the most important person in my life.”

Well…shit.

Bravik

“You can put me down now,” the female says, lightly patting my chest. “We’re far away from the Enforcers.”

I keep my attention trained on my ship in the distance, my boots cushioned by the soft grass underfoot. “Indeed we are but I have no intention of releasing you.”

This does not go down well with the human. She explodes into a sudden, surprising fit of anger and slams her small fists against my body. For such a small creature, this female of mine sure puts up quite the fight. At least, she certainly tries to. Her strength is no match for an Incarus, and when I drape her over my shoulder, she yields with a defeated sigh. Finally.

“That’s a good girl,” I say, adjusting my grip on her. “Do you see how much easier this journey can be if you’d only stop resisting?”

“You’re freaking abducting me, so of course I’m going to resist!”

I chuckle and slide my brothers, who hurry beside me, a knowing grin. “I had no idea my saving you equated to abducting.”

“Of course it does,” she snaps, wriggling again so that her breasts brush temptingly against my shoulder. “I should’ve just let the Enforcers find you.”

“Now, is that any way to speak to your savior?” I ask, gliding my palm up her leg. My skin flares at the contact, and yet the female does not appear to be experiencing any signs of fatigue. Interesting. “Once we reach my ship, you will come with us. It is for your own safety.”

A moment of silence ensues. Either the female is going through her list of protests, or she is actually considering the possibility of yielding to me. It would be better for her if she chose the latter. I have no intention of leaving this planet without her.

“Look, big guy. I’m going to level with you. While I’m super grateful you helped get me out of the cantina, I can’t go with you. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be for long.”

“Why not? I assure you my ship is far more pleasant than that filthy shanty.”

“It’s not that. It’s…well…I need my stuff, for starters. I can’t just leave everything behind.”

There’s a panicked note in her voice, one that hints at her lying. That’s something I do not respect. However, she has gone through quite the ordeal, so a little deception in the beginning is to be expected. I will be sure to punish that out of her though.

“What is this stuff you speak of?”

“Just…stuff.”

Despite my best efforts, a part of me hopes she is referring to more of her people. I may not be on the best of terms with my fellow afflicted brothers, but I would not deny them the opportunity to redeem themselves with their own virtues. They had just better not think they can claim mine. This female belongs to me now—even if she does not yet know it.

“If you want me to go with you,” she adds ever so quietly, “take me to my shuttle. Please?”

My own ship appears within sight, the ramp already descended. I climb onto it with the female still hoisted over my shoulder. I won’t release her until I know we are safe. I also won’t answer her until then.

As I board the vessel, I consider my options. I can refuse her request and make this “abduction” far more complicated than it needs to be. Or I can accept and hopefully show her