Virile by Virile (Evernight) Page B

difficult. The com crackled again. Same message, delivered with a deadline.
    “You could negotiate with them,” Adara offered. “Stall.”
    “Outlaws don’t negotiate, little one.”
    “Everyone negotiates, Thorn Freestar. Especially those who think they are in a position of power and wish to gloat. Edicts are fine, but most people like to see others squirm.”
    Thorn read between the lines, or behind them, and was amused at how adroitly she painted the parallel, despite the fact she was absolutely wrong. He and his brothers would never gloat—feel great satisfaction, yes, at her surrender, but never smugness. The faint scorn in her voice was detectable, and that would be punishment number two.
    There would definitely be a letter board in the pleasure room, hung at Adara’s height so she might easily enter her indiscretions as she made them. Although positioning the board higher and watching her stand on tip-toe to write those things would be an arousing sight, her lovely legs straining and full breasts lifting with her effort. He moved to the com unit, recognizing how his fantasies were distracting him.
    “Who are you?” He ensured his voice snapped with additional authority.
    “We have no names nor hold a rank, Freestar. We have nothing, so wish to relieve you of your cargo.”
    “How do I know you will honor your word?”
    A coarse, phlegmy chuckle preceded the retort. “Oh, we’re an honorable lot, Freestar. That’s why we’re outlaws. Your time is running out.”
    Out of the corner of his eye, Thorn saw Adara lean toward the com and her lips part. He managed to silence the unit before she spoke, and the rage of pure terror poured over him. She either saw or felt it and backed away, the hand weapon dangling from her fingertips, eyes wide with fear. She tightened her grip on the weapon but kept moving until she came up against the wall. He couldn’t spare the time to explain, so contented himself with a glare and a growled, “Keep silent.”
    At her instantaneous nod, he flipped the com back on and told the outlaws he would consider their request. As Adara predicted, there was a spirited exchange, eventually culminating in a final demand for immediate surrender, but it bought them enough time. His scanners picked up the telltale image of three craft approaching at a quick pace, and it appeared the outlaws received the same news because there was a flurry of sound and movement and a hasty retreat.
    Thorn casually approached Adara and relieved her of the weapon, pretending not to notice the way she pulled into herself. He needed to move past his earlier reaction, the adrenaline now handicapping his fine motor skills and leaving his muscles drained, before he raised his hand to her. Inwardly he sighed at the prospect of yet another correction after the recent fright, but it had to be done. Adara had much to learn.
    Double checking the image relayed from the scanner on the door, he opened it to his brothers. Orion and Kellis were covered in body armor and bristled with weapons, and their features were strained. They charged past him and stumbled to a halt as they spied their woman cringing against the wall of the craft.
    “What has he done to you, my love?” Trust Kellis to recover first and pollute the very air with his charm. “Or are you still afraid of the outlaws?”
    Thorn snorted. “She was hardly afraid, Kellis. She asked for a weapon and was about to negotiate with them!”
    Kellis’s affect altered immediately. “Negotiate? She was going to let them know she was on board?” The astonishment was overlaid with the same angry fear Thorn had experienced first hand.
    Orion shook his head, nearly bristling with upset. “Ah, my sweet. You have no idea—”
    “Godsdamn right! I don’t have any idea!” Adara’s shrieked protest made them flinch in surprise and silenced Orion. “I was trying to help Mr. Arrogant there, and he nearly scared me to death me with his response! And he just looked at