ShakenandStirred by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

his feet and a blush crept under his skin. "I hired a new groomer for this fiscal period. I will speak to him."
    Shake smiled showing most of her teeth. "May we accompany you?"
    He looked as if he wanted to deny them, but he nodded. "I will have him sent to my offices."
    "Send some first-aid supplies as well. I don't like the look of those wounds."
    She checked Vortex's temperature and he seemed warmer than he should have been. "How are you doing?"
    "Looking forward to returning home." He leaned on her as they left the blood-spattered room and followed the warden to his office.
    She paused for a moment as she thought about home. It used to mean her apartment on Dalpha, but now that tidy house on Teklan gave her a warm spill inside her.
    "I am still entitled to my spa day, by the way."
    His laugh was soft, but it relaxed her as they took seats in the warden's office and waited.
    The supplies arrived first and she dabbed at his wounds, cleaning them as best she could before wrapping them.
    "Don't forget the cuts on your neck. He marked you as well."
    Shake touched her neck and found small slashes and trails of blood. "I didn't feel a thing."
    He grimaced. "I did. The moment your blood started to flow."
    "I suppose I was distracted."
    They shared a look that communicated beyond words. They had shared a joint moment of terror and it had been for the wellbeing of the other.
    When the groomer arrived, his muscular build and hostile attitude set Shake on alert. The warden was cowed and took his seat with a sigh of relief.
    "Groomer Nuris, these are the Sector Guard members who took care of our Rumal problem. They have some questions for you, please answer them."
    "Yes, Warden." The man had a military bearing that took on a position of respect.
    Shake got to her feet and faced the man who towered over her by well over a foot. "When you were assigned here, what were your instructions?"
    "My instructions were to get in and out with a minimal amount of time spent on any of the talented prisoners."
    "What about his feet?" Shake smiled grimly.
    "What about them? I was told to do a manicure only and to get out in under half an hour, or I wouldn't be paid."
    The warden was whitening in his seat.
    "Is this accurate, Warden? It was a matter of budget cuts?"
    "Talimatic is a prison with some of the most dangerous men in the sector. We need to maintain a strict budget." The warden was stiffening with indignation.
    Vortex sat up. "There is no budget for Alliance detention facilities. You are pocketing the money. We sent a message out before we landed. They are sending a replacement immediately."
    Shake asked him, "What happened to the other groomer?"
    Nuris answered. "He was dismissed because of the fees required to keep him here. Getting an incorruptible groomer is harder than you would think."
    "I can imagine. You are privy to everything that comes through a being's head while you work. Do you do massages as well?"
    He blinked at her in surprise. "Yes, but there is little call for those skills here. I merely trim claws, teeth and tails."
    "If you ever want to leave Talimatic, contact the Sector Guard. I am sure a man of your skills would enjoy the challenge of working with so many different races."
    Something brightened in his eyes. "My appearance would not put them off?"
    "Some are much scarier looking than you. There are several bases and I believe that you could engage in a challenging new life. Elsewhere." Her pause was pointed.
    "That's…well, it's the first time anyone has considered me worthy of such a post. Thank you." His smile was genuine and exposed teeth that were pointed to a dangerous degree.
    The warden was slumped in defeat. He wasn't even trying to worm or explain his way out of their accusations.
    Shake began a detailed chat with Nuris about services that he offered while Vortex relaxed.
    The outgoing warden ordered some food for them, but at a slight headshake from Vortex, she had Nuris follow her to the landing pad for