Saved by Venom 3 (Grabbed)(36)

He was quick to remind them they had rights aboard the ship and encouraged them to report any sort of abusive behavior immediately. The admiral reiterated that point as he talked about designated safe havens around the vessel. Dizzy got the feeling something terrible might have happened in an earlier batch of new brides. She sensed the general and admiral wanted to do everything possible to make sure the women living aboard the ship were protected.

After the discussions about their legal statuses as new wives concluded there were presentations about shopping and entertainment and even the education programs available. Risk gave a quick talk about the various medical services, including couples counseling, offered in the medical bay.

Dizzy tried to imagine the look on Venom’s face if she suggested they seek counseling. He wouldn’t like it but he would go. They might have only been together for five days but Dizzy knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do to make her happy—even if it meant going through the discomfort of discussing his shortcomings with a third party.

Not that he had displayed any so far…

“It’s Dizzy, right?”

A woman of similar age with dark skin and jet-black hair slipped into the seat next to Dizzy as the meeting reached its end. Women were milling around them, talking and enjoying the refreshments offered.

“Yes.” Dizzy noticed the brilliant-blue color of the other woman’s collar and the gorgeously stamped letters adorning it.

“I’m Naya.” She held out her hand. “I’m mated to Menace. He’s a friend of Venom.”

“Oh!” Dizzy couldn’t believe her luck. “He told me about you.”

“Good things, I hope,” she said with a laugh.

“Yes.”

“This is going to sound weird,” Naya began, “but we have a friend in common. She actually got a message to me through a man named Dankirk.”

“Ella?”

Naya grinned. “Yes! I hadn’t talked to her in years but I guess she was asking Danny if he knew any of the women aboard the Valiant. She’s worried about you. I promised her I would look after you until you get used to it here.” She hesitated. “If you plan to stay, I mean. If you’re not happy I can help you extricate yourself from the bond you’re in…”

“Thanks but I don’t have any plans to leave the ship or Venom.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Venom always struck me as a really nice guy.” Her mouth quirked with a playfully frustrated smile. “He seems much more open to compromise than the big lug who Grabbed me.”

“Big lug? Are we talking about Menace?” Hallie plopped down on the empty seat on the other side of Dizzy. “I’m Hallie.”

“Nice to meet you,” Dizzy said while shaking her hand.

“How are you feeling?” Hallie asked. “Vicious said you were sick and needed surgery. I thought about popping into the hospital to visit and welcome you onboard but they discharged you pretty quickly.”

“I feel great. Better than ever actually,” she admitted.

“That’s good.” Hallie smiled genuinely. “You’ll find that the medical teams here are amazing.” She glanced at Naya. “They brought her back from the brink of death.”

Dizzy’s eyes widened. “What happened to you?”

“It was a family thing that got a little messy. Thankfully there was a dart—one of their super-fast ships—to transport me to the Mercy. It’s basically a flying hospital. They’re really wonderful there.” Naya dismissively waved her hand. “So—I hear you’re a designer.”

“I am.” She hesitated. “Or, I guess, I was. I’m not really sure how it works up here.”

Hallie inhaled a noisy breath and stretched out her short legs. “It’s complicated. The men here are willing to make a lot of adjustments for us but the working thing is a sticking point for all of them.”

Dizzy frowned and glanced at Naya. “But I understood you own a business here.”

“I do but I’m what they consider a ‘special case’.” She made air quotes around the words. “Because I nearly died on a mission that saved a lot of lives, they gave me a sort of dispensation to do whatever the hell I want. Menace is easygoing when it comes to the working thing and doesn’t mind in the least—but he’s definitely in the minority around here. By and large, these men are extremely traditional.”

“Not Venom,” Dizzy said confidently. “I’m sure he’ll support my decision to continue designing dresses and other clothing.”

“I hope so,” Naya said carefully.

“He will.” Dizzy remembered his assertion that he hadn’t Grabbed her to be his house slave. Surely he understood that she loved her work as much as he loved his.

“If you do decide to keep designing, you come see me, okay? I’ve got plenty of space in my shop for your clothes. I can get any fabric you want.” Naya reached into her purse and withdrew her tablet. “Did Venom teach you how to share between tablets?”

“Um…yes.” Dizzy tapped her screen until she found the little icon for sharing. “This way, right?”

“Yeah.” Naya smiled and touched their tablets together to start a transfer. “Danny was able to get Ella to a spot where she could call in with a message for you. If you want to send her a message, you’ll have to go through official channels.”

“There are instructions for submitting messages in the handouts from today’s meeting,” Hallie reminded her. “Venom can walk you through the process.”

When the file finished transferring, Naya tucked her tablet back into her bag and stood. “I have to get going. Menace and I have an appointment in the medical bay.”

“Oh right!” Hallie grinned up at her friend. “Today is the big day, huh?”

Naya’s mouth curved in a bright smile. “Yep.”

Confused, Dizzy asked, “The big day?”

“Tattoos,” Naya clarified. Touching her chest, she explained, “Menace is having our new family crest applied today. I’m having his initial put on my wrists.”

“Women are encouraged to get tattoos too?” Venom hadn’t mentioned anything about that.

“It’s very common here,” Naya assured her. “Hallie had hers done after her wedding but I’m having mine done before we officially tie the knot Calyx style.”

What would it be like to have Venom’s mark on her body? Dizzy discovered the idea thrilled her more than she ever could have anticipated.

“You’re invited to the wedding tomorrow evening,” Naya added. “They don’t do pretty paper invitations up here. It’s just a message in your inbox.”

Hallie frowned. “They’re so romantic up here.”

“Right?” Naya laughed and patted Dizzy’s shoulder. “It was nice to meet you. Come see me sometime. Menace and I are right across the hall from you. Maybe we could get together for dinner or something?”

“Sure. Sounds great.”

“Fantastic.” Naya flicked Hallie’s arm. “I’ll drop by to show you the new tattoo later. I hope it meets your artistic standards.”

Dizzy wasn’t quite sure what that inside joke meant but Hallie explained it as Naya sashayed away, her slim-fitting skirt hugging her knockout curves to perfection. “I drew their crest.”

“Oh. You’re an artist?”

“I do small commissions for friends and colleagues of my husband.” Hallie studied her. “Would you let me draw you?”

“Sure. Why not? Sounds fun.” Dizzy had lived around artsy types for so many years. She had a sneaking suspicion she would bond with Hallie over art paper and charcoal.

“Kitten?” The gravelly, rumbling voice of the general interrupted their pleasant conversation. He stood off to the side, hands clasped behind his back as he waited for his wife to acknowledge him.

Hallie smiled at him, the warm brightness in her eyes reflecting her deep love for this man. “Vicious, have you met Dizzy yet?”

The general’s light-colored eyes landed on her. He let the tiniest hint of a smile crack his harsh face. “Ma’am.”

Hallie rolled her eyes and climbed to her feet. “He’s such a social butterfly.”

His lips settled into a thin line but Dizzy didn’t miss the little twitch of amusement that played upon them. Holding out his hand, he wiggled his fingers. “I massaged my schedule a bit to make room for lunch. Unless…?”

Dizzy caught his questioning gaze darting her way. “Oh don’t miss lunch on my account. I’m sure Venom will be here soon to pick me up.”

Hallie gave Dizzy a quick hug. “It was so nice to meet you. I’ll give you a call tomorrow, okay? We’ll figure out a time to get together.”

“I’d like that.” Dizzy stepped aside and watched Hallie and Vicious leave hand in hand. Alone, she gathered up the handouts and her tablet and started across the room.

When she neared the exit Venom stepped through the doorway. His alert gaze scanned the space and finally stopped upon her. He strode toward her, his powerful legs eating up the distance between them. She thought he might swing her up in his arms but he stopped himself from indulging what he truly wanted.