Mated To The Vikens (Interstellar Brides Book 8)(35)

And so it was with mixed feelings that I used my InterCom and connected with the others. I wanted to hear her voice, to know that she was safe, but did not wish to tell her of my findings. I wanted to shield her from anything bad. She would need to help, and be put in danger.

After sharing my findings, Sophia spoke. I got hard at just the soft sound.

“I’m ready, Gunnar. Take me to the club. I’m the only one who can identify him.”

I knew the latter, so I disregarded it. “You’re ready?” I asked. It was more than just being prepared to track down a killer, but for a night at the club.

“Yes. Erik and Rolf have…oh God, I can’t say it over the phone. Or whatever this communication thing is.”

I had no idea what a phone was, but I assumed it was an Earth contraption.

“Sophia.” I deepened my voice to the tone I’d use on her when we were in the club. “If you are going to go to Club Trinity with me, saying what your mates did to prepare you should not embarrass you. Trust me, I will push you farther than you can ever imagine.”

She was quiet for a moment and I heard a little breathy sigh. “Yes, you’re right. They shaved me, put me in a swing and they…they fucked my mouth and pussy.”

I almost came in my pants, thinking of her spread between them, taking them both. Of how they had pushed her.

“What else?” I asked.

“And a plug.”

I couldn’t help it, I had to adjust myself, my pants now much too tight.

“I’m ready,” she repeated.

So was I.

“Transport here,” I said, my words rough with need and eagerness. Yes, then I could touch her, feel her, know she was real and safe and mine. “I will meet you at the transport station.”

“I do not wish to transport alone,” Sophia replied. I could hear the thread of fear in her voice. I could only imagine she was afraid of traveling unaccompanied. Her first experience with this kind of travel had led to near disaster.

“Do not worry,” Rolf murmured. “We will be with you.”

“That’s right, love. There’s no fucking way you’ll do that again by yourself. Not for a long time,” I all but growled, thinking of how close we had been to losing her. Even before we ever had her.

“Not until the VSS is wiped out,” Erik added. “We need an hour.”

“I’ll meet you then. Don’t be late.” I didn’t want to take Sophia into the club, but my duty was to protect the royal family. And Sophia. If, no, when the man who’d ordered her death discovered she was alive, he’d come after her, too. Therefore, I’d protect her with my life, all the while finding the bastard and saving the royal females. “Be prepared, Sophia. Tonight we go to Club Trinity.”



***



Gunnar, Central City, Outside of Club Trinity



I escorted Sophia into the heart of the entertainment district. We walked down the glittering walkway less than a block from the inconspicuous entrance to Club Trinity, my hand on her back. There were no trees here, no wilds. This was the most urban place on the planet. Central City was a megacity on the northern continent of Viken. Also called simply “Central” or “The City”, it was the one place on Viken where our people embraced the most advanced technologies that Viken’s membership in the Interstellar Coalition had afforded. Transport stations, food synthesizers, advanced communications and simulator systems, entertainment and music, food and drink from all over the galaxy could be found in the city.

The city served as Viken’s main trade port with the other member planets. As a result, the city was vibrant and full of life. Any appetite could be sated here, good or bad. The dark underbelly of the sparkling lights and fast-paced lifestyle had once held singular appeal for me. As a young man trying to bury the pain of my past, I’d drowned my grief here, in sex, drink, power and the pursuit of every pleasure.

Now, returning here with Sophia by my side made me physically ill. I did not want her here, where the scum of the planet sat at the table next to sector leaders and council members, selling secrets and loyalty as easily as a piece of ripe fruit at market.

I’d been around the noble warriors of the Coalition Fleet for long years, fought alongside the most noble soldiers from every world. Upon my return to Viken, I’d served only the three Kings and their new mate. All honorable men. All worthy of my respect.

Coming back to Central City felt like a betrayal of everything I fought to protect.

But I was a realist. I knew how things worked. The city was as necessary to Viken’s survival as the atmosphere that protected the planet. And there were honorable people here. They fought and scrambled against the constant tide of greed and corruption that opposed them.