RedeemingZorus by Laurann Dohner Read Free Book Online

in the circle of his arms, only able to move her gaze,
which landed on Zorus. He walked beside them but he didn’t say a word. More
tears slid down her face but she didn’t try to talk her way out of the mess her
brother had gotten her into. It would be pointless.
    A hive of activity took place inside the shuttle’s cargo
area. Four men turned to leer at Charlie but the captain snapped at them to
secure the crates along the walls. He ignored Charlie completely.
    “By this time tomorrow, you’ll be back with your people,
Councilman Zorus,” the captain assured him.
    Zorus said nothing in response to the captain’s words, his
jaw set in a grim line, and walked in front of the man carrying Charlie. They
separated a few turns inside the belly of the ship and she found herself taken
inside a bare room that only contained a cot. The man dumped her onto it and
then hovered over her.
    He had to be in his twenties, blond, and resembled the
captain enough for her to guess he had to be his son. “That’s a tough break
that your own brother fucked you over.” He grinned, his gaze traveling down her
body. “Too bad you’re off limits. I’d love to get my hands on you.” He winked
before he quit the room. The second the doors closed, the lights shut off to
leave her in total darkness.
    Hot tears poured down the sides of her face but her arms
refused to move to even wipe them away. Her body rested in a twisted position,
half on her back and her side, the hard cot uncomfortable, and there wasn’t
anything she could do but feel helpless and betrayed.
    * * * * *
    Zorus studied the cramped but clean room he’d been assigned.
New clothes were folded neatly on top of the narrow bed and food had been
placed on the only table inside the room. He ignored the captain until he’d
assessed every inch of the living space. He finally gave his attention to the
human. The captain spoke first.
    “Do you want a doctor?”
    “No.” Zorus folded his arms over his chest. “I want the
details of the trade agreement for the human female and the male who intends to
buy her.”
    The captain frowned. “I just deliver shit.”
    “How much did this Gerald pay for her?”
    “I have no idea. In this business, I don’t ask questions.”
    The image of Charlie’s tear-streaked features weren’t
something Zorus could forget. She’d saved him from being held prisoner by Earth
Government. What bothered him the most had been when she’d realized she’d been
double-crossed. She’d ordered him to run. Humans rarely surprised him but she
had when she’d tried to warn him when she thought he was in danger.
    “Make it your business.”
    The shorter human shifted his stance. “Why?”
    Zorus hesitated and then made a decision. “I owe her a debt.
Find out that information and I’ll purchase her from the human.”
    “I don’t think so. Gerald Yazer isn’t someone who lets go of
anything he wants. I got the impression he wants her bad.”
    “Everything has a price.”
    “I’ve had dealings with the guy before and he’s a rich,
pampered ass.” A pair of intelligent eyes studied Zorus closely. “Besides, if
you want to buy a woman, I can locate better-looking ones. I have some onboard.
I could rent you one if you want sex. I keep her for my personal use. She’s
beautiful and clean. If you really enjoy her body, I’d be willing to part with
her if the price is high enough.”
    Disgust rose inside Zorus. “That isn’t what I want to
purchase the human for. I stated that I owe her a debt. What are you being paid
to deliver her?”
    “Twenty thousand credits.”
    “I’ll pay you a hundred thousand credits to allow her to
escape.”
    “To escape?”
    “You heard me.”
    “You’re willing to pay that but you don’t plan to keep her?”
    “I have no use for a human slave. They cause trouble.”
    “Then why even bother to waste that many credits?”
    “She’s rude and annoying, but for a human, she has unique
qualities I’d hate to