Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Or worse.
“Did you turn her down?” I ask stiffly. “Tell her that what she asks is foolish?”
“Nope,” the bounty hunter says. “I took her money. Now I just have to find a suitable bachelor.”
I hiss with anger. “Why did you take the job?”
She plunks down her glass and gives me an irritated look. “Because if I stopped and told every client how keffing stupid they were, I’d be broke? Let me give you a tip, friend. A good bounty hunter may think the job is idiotic, but she does it anyhow. All that matters is how many credits are paid, and hers are good.”
I narrow my eyes at the woman. “You mean she paid you already? In full? Before the job is even completed?”
The bounty hunter plays with a bead of condensation on her glass, then gives me a slow smile. “Like I said, I give it a year.”
4
NASSAKTH
I am appalled. I straighten, ignoring the way the fur on my back bristles in challenge. “That was wrong of you to take her credits—”
“Oh goody, I’m going to be lectured by a praxiian,” the woman says in a flat voice. “Remind me what you’re doing out here on this backwater planet, my innocent friend?” She flicks a bead of water on my fur, directly over the scar on my lower arm, where no fur grows.
The scar where I burned away my owner’s brand.
She knows exactly who I am and why I am here on this planet, then. I flick my tail. “You will give Kim her money back.”
“Nope.”
“I am courting her—”
“Then I sure hope you’re faster than whatever poor slob I manage to lock down for her husband.” The bounty hunter taps her chin, looking around. “Say, do you know if any of these men are unmarried? Maybe that szzt that works in the kitchen? He looks like he needs to get laid.”
My ears swivel, going nearly flat with distaste. She means to pair sweet Kim with Lthr? Lthr, who served on three pirate ships and somehow mysteriously managed to be the only survivor each time? Lthr, who is well known at the nearest space station’s brothel?
Absolutely not. “I forbid this.”
The bounty hunter sits upright, slowly. Deadly. “You…forbid? I don’t recall asking your advice, friend.”
I point at her. “Kim needs a mate. I will be that mate.”
“She paid me to kidnap someone. I intend to see that through. A deal’s a deal.” The woman waves her credit chip to the bartender, indicating she needs to pay out.
I put my hand over hers when she sets her chip down on the bar. She reaches for the blaster at her hip, then stops with a scowl at the look on my face. “If you must find a husband for Kim, take me.”
“You’re volunteering for a kidnapping?” The woman’s smile quirks and she flings my hand off of hers. “I’m starting to wonder if this entire planet is full of cute little fools.” She gives me an appraising look. “If you don’t mind me saying, you don’t fit her criteria.”
“Because I am praxiian? She asked for a mesakkah?”
The bounty hunter leans in. “Because she asked for someone kind.”
“Kind? I can be kind.” I think for a moment, then revise. “That is, I can learn to be kind.”
“Oh boy. This gets better and better.” She chuckles and then turns away from the bar the moment her credit chip is swiped. “Look, friend, I’m going to let you in on a secret. Humans aren’t worth the hassle. Sure, they’re cute, and they’re nice to pet, but they’re a lot of maintenance. They’re clingy, too. At first you think it’s all fun and games and then they start asking where you’re going, and who you were out with all night, and then they want to know why there’s blood on your collar. Save yourself the trouble of re-homing one later and just get yourself a nice sex bot. Or visit the space station ladies. They’ll do lots of interesting things for the right amount of credits. Trust me on that.” She winks in my direction.
“I do not want a sex bot. I want Kim. I have many heart-feelings for her.” I put my fist over my heart. “You should kidnap me to be her mate. I will go easily.”
The bounty hunter sighs heavily. “With those ears, you’d think you’d be a good listener, but no. Okay, let me ask you a question. Why are you here on this planet?”
“To…farm.”
“No, friend. I did not fall off the back of a loading dock. Why don’t you tell me the truth and spare us both a bit of running around?”
I hesitate, then decide to be truthful. “I was a gladiator. I did not like the way my owner treated his slaves, so I killed him and fled.”
She pulls a datapad out of her pocket. “And what was your owner’s name?”