Dark Paradise by Cassidy Hunter Page A

because of Mach and Elder.
    The Mehnarthi sat around their fires and cooked their dinners, maintaining enough distance so that Cin could almost pretend they weren’t even there. If only they’d not been prone to yelling and laughing and quarreling in that loathsome language of theirs.
    Elder had told her that come morning, many of this band of housekeeping would go on to wherever Danix sent them, but he would retain a few to secure Mach should it come to that. Obviously he didn’t find Elder and Cin threats, but with Mach, he would show caution. And he was right to.
    She had a feeling her men were silently laughing at her as she devoured the singed meat, but she didn’t care. She tore into it with gusto, grease on her chin and water in her hand, and it was the best meal she’d had in many, many months.
    The scent of roasted meat surrounded them, and the blazing fire kept the shadows and fire-fearful creatures at bay. The men sat on either side of her, their hearty appetites and warm conversation keeping her entertained.
    Secure at last, she began to let her defenses weaken and prayed silently that it would last. She realized she hadn’t thought about paradise for most of the evening.
    A month after she’d arrived, she’d made a promise to herself that if she hadn’t bought her reward and her entrance into the Gamlogi’s perfect world in two years, she’d end her life.
    She smiled and let that promise float away. Who knew, after all, if the stories were true? Maybe they were just empty promises given to the hapless miners to keep them hunting. After all, if there was nothing but endless mining, year after year, on this hellish moon, most of the humans would have been likely to jump off a cliff. But no, she didn’t really believe that. There was a paradise, and she was going there.
    She would do her part to supply the Gamlogi with their precious treasure, and in return, they would take her into paradise.
    “Cin,” Mach said, his voice deep yet soft in the night.
    She looked at him, her breath held. “Yes?”
    “Undress.”
    She frowned and glanced toward the scattered housekeepers. “Pardon?”
    “You’re his slave, honey. His submissive lover. You will do as he commands of you.” Elder glanced at the housekeepers as well. “Danix watches.”
    “No shit. I’m not getting naked in front of those animals.”
    Mach narrowed his eyes and stood. He towered over her, his hands clenching. Fully clothed and armed, he was an intimidating man. But he would be intimidating nude.
    She looked up at him, shaking her head. “No. I will not.”
    “I will force you.”
    She had no doubt. She started to argue, but Elder put a hand on her arm.
    “Give me a second with her, Mach.”
    Mach continued staring at her for a long moment, and it took every bit of courage she possessed to return his stare without flinching. Damn him.
    At last he stomped off, his hulking shadow disappearing beyond the firelight.
    “Can you believe—”
    Elder grabbed her and forced her to the ground, his hard body heavy on hers. His glare was no less fierce than Mach’s, and it took her breath away.
    “Shut your fucking mouth, you little idiot.”
    She could feel herself paling, which only pissed her off more. “Fuck you!”
    He lowered his mouth to her ear. “Do you want Danix to take you? Is that it?”
    “Of course not!”
    “Be quiet.”
    “I—”
    “You want Mach to fuck you. You want me to fuck you. The only difference between tonight and last night is that now you will fuck before housekeeping. And I don’t care if they want to eat your fucking pussy, if it will save Mach’s life. And yours, you fluffy little bitch.”
    Full of righteous anger and hurt feelings, she merely stared up into his face. Elder pretended to be all sweet and pretty, but he was as full of meanness as any of the housekeepers. “You’re a…” She couldn’t think of any words quite insulting enough, so said nothing. It was not that she was afraid of him