Erak agreed with both of his brothers, but going after her was not an option.
“Scaring her into submitting to us is not an option. She was hesitant when all three of us showed an interest earlier. Clearly, she is not accustomed to that, and I’m not about to corner her. I want her just as badly as you two, but she needs to come to us willingly. Has that not the way it has been with our kind?”
The only problem was, could he uphold his own words and stay away from sweet, sweet Luna?
ChapterEight
LUNA
Luna leaned against the wall and took one more deep breath. She needed to get back out there before Maximo came looking for her.
She didn’t know how long she had been in the storage room, maybe but a few moments, but it was enough time to enrage Maximo, that she was certain of.
With her mind made up on what she was going to do about the Asek warriors, she steeled herself and pushed away from the wall.
Before she could return to the Aktullas table, the door beside her banged open, and she whirled around.
“Ah, there you are, princess.” Maximo shut the door behind him and grinned. Thin lips stretched over his decaying teeth. “Hiding, are you?”
“No.” She straightened her shoulders and glared at him. He was by her in the next instant, his stench surrounding her.
“I think you were. I think that is exactly what you were doing, Luna.” He reached up and gripped the back of her neck, trying to pull her closer.
She used all her strength to hold her ground. “You see, the Aktullas won’t even purchase you for the night, and they don’t care what species of female they bed.” He leaned in closer and ran his nose up her cheek.
A revolting shiver raced up her spine.
“If I can’t sell you, then what good are you but wiping up tables and warming my bed?”
The slimy feel of his tongue along her temple had her squeezing her eyes shut. She pushed him away, but he was stronger than she was. It was a damn shame that most species were physically superior to humans.
“You steal from me, and now, I can’t even sell you to make up the cost. I guess I’ll just have to take out your payment in the form of sexual favors.”
“No.” She tried to push him away again, but he moved closer until her hands were sandwiched between their bodies.
“Wrong word, princess, and one I don’t particularly like anyway.” His species was humanoid in appearance, but that was where their similarities ended. His kind was cruel and disgusting, degrading and appalling.
“Let me go, Maximo, or I’ll scream.” His chuckle was anything but humorous.
“Go ahead. No one can hear you with all the noise. And besides, you think they care? Remember where you are, princess, and that to everyone else, you are nothing but a whore to be used and discarded.”
His vile words brushed over the surface of her body, but didn’t penetrate her soul. She had lived with cruel words, hateful actions, and all forms of abuse from every part of this planet.
The ones who had cared for her had been the only light in this darkened world, and she missed that warmth terribly.
“Maximo, we have an issue with a fight between a Kabulla beast and a Hatuni.” Meesha rushed in but came to a sudden halt, her unrestrained breasts swaying from the force. She looked between her and Maximo and then back at Luna.
A look of sympathy crossed her face, but she didn’t make a move to pull the filthy male off of her. Maximo cursed and turned to look at Meesha.
“Dammit. I’ll be out there momentarily.” When Meesha didn’t move right away, Maximo barked out, “Get the fuck out. I said I’d be there soon.” She scurried off without a backward glance.
When they were left alone, once more he turned back to her and grinned.
“By the end of the night, you’ll be mine, princess.” With that, he pushed away from her and glared. “Now get your ass back out there, serve my patrons, and just remember that once the last customer leaves, your virginity will be mine.”
Bile rose in her throat, but she didn’t give in to the urge to vomit. With one last look, he turned and stalked off. For several moments, all Luna did was stand there, trying to catch her breath and decide what she was going to do next.
She moved to the small window in the door and peered out. She needed to see if striking a deal with the Aktullas would even benefit her or if Maximo would find out and get angrier yet. She looked over at them, saw the nude females dancing lewdly right in front of them, and defeat settled inside of her.