She didn’t know how much a virgin was worth, but it must be a grand amount for Maximo’s excitement to be that tangible.
The sound of the front doors opening drew her attention. The surprise that resonated within her at the males that stepped through consumed her to the point she couldn’t think clearly.
The noise in the room seemed to quiet when the seven foot tall Aktulla males stopped inside the entry and looked around. Luna swallowed roughly as her heart started to jackknife in her chest. The males were certainly fearsome.
The music continued to play, but the chatter and lewd behavior was momentarily put on hold and rightly so. There were three Aktullas—all strikingly similar in feature but different in coloring. Like many beings in the galaxy, the Aktullas appeared humanoid, but Luna knew better than to classify them as her own weaker kind.
Not only were they one of the taller species in the Ban’tash galaxy but they were also known for their ruthlessness, strength, and prowess. They were warriors, barbaric in the way they killed their enemies, and were undefeated.
As if everyone caught themselves, they quickly resumed their actions, looked away, and the noise picked back up.
“Here’s your order, hun.”
Luna turned away from the frightening males and looked at Serna, the petite bartender. Serna may have been on the small side, but she was from the Hella species, and her red-tinted skin and venom tipped claws made sure to keep unwanted advances away.
“Thanks.” Luna grabbed her order and made her way toward the tables, not trusting herself to look at the males again.
Her fear and uneasiness had her faltering in her steps. Did she really think to proposition those scary-as-hell men? The chairs they sat in seemed ridiculously small for their massive frames.
Taking in all the muscle and fearsomeness that surrounded them had Luna rethinking if she could really do this.
The notion seemed ludicrous. She stopped in front of one of her assigned tables and deposited the drinks in front of the patrons. Luna couldn’t help herself. She chanced a glance at the Aktullas once again, trying to convince herself that unless she wanted to be some creature’s sex slave before Maximo finally got his hands on her, she needed to gather her strength.
But her fear and uncertainty were very real inside of her, taking hold and trying to drag her down. The warriors screamed sex appeal and strength but also commanding dominance.
Maximo greeted the males with an overly ecstatic demeanor. He looked pathetic and needy, and she had no doubt the Aktulla males could sense that. He looked like a pesky rodent standing before the heavily muscled and strong royals.
Her palms were sweaty with what she knew she was going to have to do.
She didn’t know what Maximo was saying to them, if he was already trying to sell her to these beings, but she supposed she’d find out soon enough. Before she could even move one step, Maximo was walking away from the warriors and heading right to her.
She froze, her heart in her throat and her whole body tight. His stench overrode every other smell in Tao.
She could see the focus on his face, the determination and greed beaming in his eyes. “You are to only cater to the warriors from this point on. They are your priority. Understand, princess?”
As he roughly took her arm and turned her so she was now fully facing the warriors, Luna harnessed the strength that tried to burrow deep inside of her.
“I understand clearly.” She spoke through gritted teeth and wrenched her arm free. She didn’t comment on it further because she knew the role he expected of her.
What he didn’t know was what she was actually going to do.
He chuckled deeply, but it held no amusement. Maximo tightened his hold on her arm, and Luna forced herself not to wince in pain.
His rancid and humid breath raked across her face.
“Keep playing by the rules and it won’t be so bad, Luna.” Swiftly turning, he all but dragged her over to where the Aktullas were seated. “Gentlemen, this is Luna.” Maximo’s voice was once again pleasant and accommodating. He shoved her forward but kept a grip on her arm. “She will be assisting you in anything you may need, as we discussed. All you have to do is tell her. She is obedient in all things, I assure you.”
His fingers were like iron claws on her upper arm, and the flow of blood was becoming increasingly cut off. He released his grip and stalked off. Watching as he left, she rubbed her arm and winced slightly in pain.
Looking down at her tender flesh, she saw a blotchy, red imprint of his hand. The feeling of being watched tingled the back of her neck until she raised her gaze up and stared at the three sets of eyes that were currently boring holes into her. Their expressions were void of any emotion.
Luna cleared her throat and tried to swallow the huge lump that had suddenly formed in it.You must be appealing to these males or your plan to escape will be fruitless.
“Good evening, gentlemen. Can I get you anything to drink?” She took a moment to really examine them as they decided on what they wanted, but when she looked at one, she felt the stare of the other two.
For some reason, Luna felt no aversion, fear, or disgust toward these men. They could crush her with their huge hands and break her bones as if they were no more than a twig. There was also warmth growing in her belly, an unusual and, dare she say, uncomfortable sensation that started to travel throughout her whole body.
Never had she ever felt this, felt the way her heart seemed to beat between her thighs or the way her nipples became hardened points. And all it took was these males looking at her. They were extremely attractive, not in the classically handsome way but more ruggedly powerful, like how a warrior would look on the battlefield.