Damn. He had one hell of a good point. "Okay, I'll let you know. When I sense something, I expect you to listen to me, not blow me off."
"You have my word that I will not blow you off."
"And no more of this popping out without any kind of explanation. It's rude, and I have the right to know what's going on."
The big, bad Battle Commander glared down at me. "Do you?"
I grinned at him. "Good scary face, but if you don't want me to do something stupid, then you need to let me know what's going on."
"Deal." Voss touched the control panel on the shower door, and poof, we were dry. Even my hair.
"Where's my chocolate?"
Voss carried me out of the bathroom and dropped me in front of a table with a huge box of chocolate. "Good enough?"
Opening the box, I dived in, grabbed a piece, and popped it in my mouth. "Oh God, it's perfect," I moaned.
"Your clothing is in the storage unit," Voss added, eyeing my bare ass.
Good thing modesty wasn't one of my faults. I had a feeling I'd be naked a lot around the big guy. "You brought all my stuff?"
"Most of it will be shipped back to Tanith." He picked up my favorite picture of Mom and me, and handed it to me. "I know how much you treasure this photo."
I clamped it against my chest and let out a shaky breath. "Thank you. It was very thoughtful."
"You are my mate. Your happiness is important to me."
My jaw dropped. "Is this some kind of trick?"
"No, it is not," Voss responded with a rueful laugh. "You are a suspicious little thing."
"It comes from all those years of dealing with daddy dearest."
His face hardened. "You father had much to answer for."
"Boy, did he. Did you capture the other two traitors?"
"Uncle Saul has them in custody."
"Good. Someone should feed them to the Tai-Kok."
"It can be arranged."
I looked at him in surprise. "Really?"
"I am the Battle Commander."
"One of the perks of the job?"
"There are a few," Voss said, popping a chocolate into his mouth.
Good God, my honey bunny liked chocolate. "Feeding them to the Tai-Kok is the perfect punishment. So much better than putting them to death with a lethal injection or firing squad."
"I'll have them transported to Tai-Kok territory and released in a shuttle stripped of all weapons."
"That would be great. Do you think you can arrange a live video feed? All the people who lost loved ones to the monsters will want to see those traitorous bastards die."
"It can be done."
I smiled at the thought of the traitors being on the receiving end of the Tai-Kok's sharp metal teeth. They needed to suffer. They needed to experience the horror and pain they inflicted on all those innocent children.
Shit! Was my need for vengeance turning me into some kind of monster? "You don't think I'm a bit too bloodthirsty, do you?"
Voss leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on my bruised mouth. "No, you are the perfect mate for a warlord."
"A bloodthirsty bitch with a short fuse who likes to blow stuff up?"
"A beautiful bloodthirsty bitch," he corrected with another kiss.
Aw, how sweet. Yawning, I shook my head. "Most men would run screaming in the opposite direction."
"Coletti warriors enjoy a challenge."
"Be careful what you wish for." I picked another chocolate from the box and took a bite. "Where's the bed?"
"Shields down," Voss commanded. The wall vanished, revealing an immense bed draped in black silk.
"Whoa! Your bed is shielded?"
"I am the Overlord's Battle Commander."
"Good point," I answered, eyeing the collection of weapons mounted on the walls. "Use those much?"
"They have come in handy."
"I just bet they have." I pointed to one bloodstained sword. "Lop someone's head off with that thing?"
"Hand."
"Hand?"
"It held a laser pistol."
"Oh! Gotcha." I spotted a black ownership band on a copper-inlaid night table. It was the Colettis' version of a wedding ring. Except you wore it on your neck like a dog collar.
I threw a quick glance at Voss and sighed. He expected me to throw a giant hissy fit. I knew one way or another I would be soon be wearing the thing. I was just too tired to get worked up over it. An ownership band for females was the cultural norm for the Colettis. When in Rome and all that crap.
I walked over to the table and picked up the collar. Beautiful copper etching had been worked into the onyx. It proclaimed to the universe that I belonged to the Battle Commander. The Colettis were a possessive bunch.
"The band is for your protection," Voss stated firmly.
"It's very beautiful." I held it out to him. "Put it on."
His eyes widened in surprise, and a pleased smile curved Voss's hard mouth. He quickly fastened it on my neck. "You continually surprise me."
"If it'll keep Sargon and his kind from smacking me around, I'm all for it." To my surprise the warm metal collar fit my neck perfectly.
"It will stop all but the most determined from harming you."
"Malik won't give a rat's ass about it."
"No, it won't prevent him from trying to take you."
The big guy picked an ornate gold box off the table and handed it to me. "A mating gift."
I opened the box. Inside was a stunning starburst of copper and onyx necklace. I stroked a finger across the etchings. It was almost Egyptian in design and would look fabulous hanging beneath my collar. The fringed metal earrings matched the necklace perfectly. "They're gorgeous, snookums."
"Why do you persist in calling me those ridiculous names?"
"It's an old Earth custom." I climbed up on the bed, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him. "Thanks, I'll treasure them."
"As I will always treasure you." His hot mouth devoured mine in a toe-curling kiss.
Under all that ferocity, my guy was a romantic who made my bones melt and who I would love for all eternity.
His lips moved down my neck, raining searing, hungry kisses.
A strangled gasp broke from me as Voss nibbled on my breasts and his hand slipped between my thighs. Holy Mother of God!
Zarek suddenly linked with Voss. "I need you on the bridge. Akeem has his report ready on Joroco."
"Yes, my lord," Voss answered, giving my clit one last stroke.
I grabbed his head. "You're not going anywhere until you finish the job."
A grin curved his mouth. "You are a demanding mate."
"You bet your ass I am."
"Duty calls." Voss kissed me again and strode over to the storage unit.
My gaze roved over the muscles of his hard torso as they flexed with a sinuous strength. "I hope this isn't going to become a habit."
"I am the Overlord's to command," he stated emphatically and pulled on a fresh battle suit.
"Right, and no one ever says no to the big, scary Overlord."
Voss stared at me for a long moment. "You will obey all of his commands. Instantly, do you understand me?"
"Yes, poopsie."
"This is not open to debate. Zarek can easily destroy your mind."
A wave of weariness swept over me, and I slid down on the bed. "I'm well aware of that, but he won't."
"What makes you say that?"
"He likes me, and it would really piss you off."
With a frown, he picked up his boots. "He doesn't fear me."
"Maybe not, but he needs you, and you're the closest thing to a friend he has." I studied the nasty scar on Voss's back. Images flashed across my mind. Malik had shot him in the back, and Voss had come very close to dying. That bastard was so going down.
A thoughtful look on his face, Voss pulled on his battle suit. "We share a warrior's bond."
"Yes, you do." I dragged the sheet over me and snuggled into the pillow. God, I was so tired.
Voss pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Sleep."
And I did.
Chapter Twelve
Tai-Kok marauders and fighter jets battled overhead. Flames and smoke poured from the incinerated ruins of downtown Phoenix. The ground shuddered under my feet as a crippled jet crashed into a grocery store and exploded.
Around me, panic-stricken people ran for the bunkers. A Tai-Kok ripped chunks from a moaning woman's chest. I shot him and spun around as more gore-covered monsters swarmed toward me.
My stomach clenched in horror. There were too many. I had pushed my psychic abilities to the breaking point, and there wasn't enough juice left to fight all of them. "Mom, where are you?"
"Here."