Shifter’s Station 2: Pilot’s Heart Read online

  Kirlos shook his head. “I know. This is who she is, what she needs. I just don’t want to lose her.”

  “If she’s as good as she says she is, we won’t.”

  * * *

  Blue light flashed as another of Ragland’s fighters exploded. Almost all of them were in close range of Marc’s pilots. Larissa had managed to keep all but a few of their missiles from getting through, and the enemy pilots had all but given up using their long range firing capabilities. Marc’s fighters were still outnumbered, but they were holding their own in the various dogfights taking place around her.

  Another missile came at her and Larissa turned the blast back on the stubborn pilot, blowing him and his ship to bits. She checked her screen to monitor the battle. All fighters were now engaged in close-range fighting. There wasn’t much she could do but watch.

  Several moments later, Marc’s pilots were clearly carrying the day. Most of Ragland’s fighters were either disabled or destroyed. Marc couldn’t declare victory yet, but the battle had definitely turned in their favor. She maneuvered her ship to the edge of the battlefield, but movement on her monitor drew her attention.

  She looked up and saw Ragland’s carrier ship making its way toward the hyperspace nexus. Ragland was on board. No way was she going to let him get away. Fortunately, along with the missile defense system Federated Transport had installed, she’d made her own alterations. The mass driver she’d installed was crude, but she had the ability to disable Ragland’s ship.

  She pursued the slow-moving cruiser.

  “Larissa, what the fuck are you doing?” Marc shouted over the com link.

  “Ragland’s trying to escape. I’m going to stop him.”

  “Turn around now.”

  “I’ve made my own additions to my ship. I can handle this.”

  “Stop now. That’s an order.”

  “I love you, and I’m going to make sure this bastard never bothers you again.”

  “Fires of hell, Larissa. Stop now.” Kirlos’s voice was raw with emotion, but she couldn’t stop. She had to neutralize Ragland’s threat now. She cut their com link and proceeded forward.

  When she was nearly in firing range, her ship warned her that the carrier was powering up its weapons. She dodged their first missile shot and continued her pursuit. The second shot grazed the top of her ship. She asked for a damage report. “Minor hull damage. All systems still online.”

  Thank the gods. That one was close, but she was in firing range before another shot reached her. She gripped the shaft of her weapon’s control and depressed the trigger with her thumb. Her ship shuddered as depleted uranium slugs launched toward the carrier.

  Her shot made contact. She didn’t slow down. She directed hit after hit straight into the power center of Ragland’s ship, but she held back from destroying it. The damage she inflicted would be expensive to repair but having a carrier ship would add profit and protection to Marc’s station. And she loved the idea of Ragland donating such a resource to them before he died.

  The missiles stopped coming at her. She asked her ship to scan the carrier. “Weapons offline. Life support at critical capacity.”

  Excellent. She established a com link with the ship. “This is the FT1. Surrender or be destroyed.”

  Ragland appeared on Larissa’s screen. He had the same glint of insanity in his eyes that she’d seen in her boss when he contemplated a kill. “You’re bluffing. You wouldn’t destroy us when there might be someone worth redeeming on board.”

  “You have no weapons and a limited air supply. Surrender in the next minute, or I’ll take out the rest of your life support.”

  Ragland opened his mouth to speak, but the com flickered and went black. Larissa wasn’t sure what sort of trick they were up to. She kept her weapons powered and ready to fire.

  Fifty-five seconds later, a single life pod flew out of the ship. Larissa knew instinctively that Ragland was on board. Fucking coward. Ready to kill his own men but not ready to die for his cause. She wanted to go after him, but she stayed in position and kept her weapons trained on the ship.

  A woman she didn’t recognize appeared on her screen. “FT1. FT1. We surrender.” The woman’s voice shook with desperation.

  “Who am I speaking to?”

  “Julia Anderson. I’m acquainted with Captain Devlin. Ragland is no longer on board. I have taken command, and we wish to cooperate.”

  “Surrender accepted.” Marc’s voice came over the com. Larissa had patched him through so he could talk directly with Anderson. “Sit tight and prepare to be boarded. Larissa, collect the pod and return to base.”

  Larissa turned to see Marc’s fighters heading toward the station. The battle was over. All that remained was executing Ragland. She turned her ship toward the pod that floated several hundred yards from the carrier and seized it with her grappling hooks.

  The docking bay doors opened as she neared the station. “Release control of your ship for docking.” Claire was back at the control panel. Hopefully, Marc and Kirlos would be waiting when she docked.

  “Releasing now.”

  As Claire used the station comp to guide Larissa’s ship into the station, Larissa’s heart hammered in anticipation of greeting Marc and Kirlos. Fear of their reaction to her disobedience and the lust that always came after a burst of adrenaline warred for control of her body. Of course, the two often made a nice combination.

  She could well imagine the hot night that was in store for her, one she’d likely live through with a very sore ass. Just thinking of what Marc might do in retaliation had her so wet and squirmy, she nearly forgot to release the life pod before she brought the ship to the ground.

  She saw Marc and Kirlos through her ship’s windshield along with several members of the security team. She needed to put her arms around them just to reassure herself that they’d all survived. She quickly disengaged herself from her headset and popped the cabin door.

  As it lowered to the ground, movement from the life pod caught her eye. The door of the pod swung open, and an enormous jaguar leapt out.

  Larissa drew her weapon and fired, but the bullet didn’t even slow Ragland down. He was on Marc before Marc had a chance to fully shift. Why the fuck hadn’t she anticipated something like this?

  She fired again and again. But Ragland behaved as if his fur was bullet proof. He tore at Marc with fangs and claws. Marc’s claws were out and fur partially covered his body, but he hadn’t made a full shift.

  Larissa remembered that he had to concentrate to shift. He’d never be able to do so with Ragland on top of him. She had to do something to distract him. What would make him turn away from his target? He’d been waiting to kill Marc for years.

  “Hey, Ragland! Why don’t you come get a taste of me first? Wouldn’t you love for Marc to watch his lover die?”

  Ragland kept a tight hold on Marc, but he glanced her way. She had his attention. “You know you want me. I’m the woman who stopped your escape.”

  He growled. She was getting to him.

  “I find you pathetic and disgusting, but I offer myself to Marc in his bed every night.”

  That did it. The fierce and hungry jaguar leapt toward her. She hit the ground and rolled to the side, praying she could move fast enough to escape. If Ragland got to her before Marc shifted and attacked him, her life was forfeit.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blur of blond hair. Kirlos had launched himself in the air. He hit Ragland in the side, knocking him off course.

  Ragland raised his paw to cut Kirlos down.

  Larissa screamed.

  A huge wolf landed on top of Ragland. Marc’s teeth sank deep into his enemy’s back, and Ragland howled in pain.

  The two beasts grappled with each other. Larissa didn’t move, didn’t breathe. She was barely aware of Kirlos crouching down beside her and laying a hand on her side.

  Finally, Marc rolled to the top, pinning Ragland beneath him. With a savage snarl, he ripped out Ragland’
s throat. Larissa wanted to look away from the carnage, but she couldn’t. She needed visual proof of Ragland’s demise.

  Bile rose to her throat when she saw that Marc had bitten so deep Ragland’s spine was exposed. At least she could be confident Ragland wouldn’t endanger them anymore.

  Kirlos pulled her into his arms, forcing her to turn away from Ragland’s corpse. Unable to contain her emotions as adrenaline pumped through her body, she sobbed against his chest while he stroked her hair. Then Marc was there too, wrapping them both in his now human arms.

  Tension drained from Larissa’s body as she snuggled close to both men and reveled in how warm and alive they felt. Long moments passed before she remembered that most of the security team was watching them.

  Chapter 9

  The victory party was in full swing in the station’s open market area. Larissa had wanted to follow Marc to the medical bay but Kirlos had insisted that she celebrate with the pilots whose lives she’d saved. The Cerian promised to deliver Marc back to her safe and sound.

  For the last half hour or so, she’d accepted more congratulatory hugs than she could count. She’d talked shop with the pilots she’d impressed with her skills. Carlos, Jeff, and a few others had convinced her to give lessons on how to maneuver her ship and how to modify ships in the same class to have similar capabilities. Knowing Marc and Kirlos wouldn’t try to interfere with these plans made her feel lighter and happier than she had in a very long time.

  Suddenly, a heavy hand clamped down on her shoulder. Lust curled in her belly as her body recognized Marc even before she turned around. When she did look over her shoulder, he scowled at her.

  “Anyone else on the crew would get tossed into the brig for defying a direct order.”

  His deep voice held a hint of a growl. Cream dampened the thin panties Larissa wore under her flight suit. She gave him a brazen smile. “I can think of far more interesting ways for you to punish me.”

  Kirlos stepped up behind Marc. “Why don’t we take her someplace private and let her plead for mercy?”

  Marc’s lips curled up in an evil smile. She shrieked as he scooped her up in his arms and began making long strides toward the lift.

  When the lift doors retracted, Marc shifted her, tossing her over his shoulder before entering. Kirlos stepped in behind him and caressed Larissa’s ass as he requested the car to deliver them to their quarters. “I can think of at least ten ways I’d like to redden her sweet little cheeks.”

  Marc snarled. “She’d enjoy it too much.”

  “Hmmm. Perhaps so. Maybe we’ll save that for after we’ve really made her suffer.”

  Anticipation gave Larissa shivers. Kirlos pressed his hand into the crack of her ass and slid downward, coming temptingly close to her pussy. She arched back, but he pulled his hand away.

  The lift doors opened, and they stepped out. None of the three of them spoke as they walked to their quarters. Marc moved so quickly he was practically running. Larissa bounced against his back, but she didn’t care. She felt the tension in the thick muscles of his shoulders and back. She’d bet he was as eager as she was to begin their own twisted celebration.

  Kirlos unlocked the door, and they stepped through as it slid open. Marc sat Larissa on her feet in the living area. She looked up and saw lust and anger burning in his eyes.

  “When you’re out in a ship and your captain gives you an order, you follow it without question. I agreed to treat you as a member of the crew, but I expect you to follow the same rules as everyone else.”

  She glanced at Kirlos, but he scowled back. For once, he was as incensed by her defiant behavior as Marc.

  She closed her eyes and sighed. Marc was right. She would have never defied an order from a superior when she was a merc. She would’ve been pissed, but ultimately she’d have done what the captain asked. But didn’t Marc see she’d made the right choice? “Do you realize what we can do with a carrier ship?”

  Marc gripped her upper arms and pulled her close until their faces were inches apart. Her heart hammered as she looked into his burning amber eyes. “Your life is more important than any fucking ship.”

  “I took a calculated risk. Ragland would be alive now if I hadn’t done what I did.”

  Kirlos snarled. “He nearly killed Marc when you brought him in and he could have slaughtered us all.”

  “I had no idea he would be able to free himself and shift so fast --”

  She looked at both of them, and it hit her. They’d known. They hadn’t been waiting in her docking bay because they wanted to greet her. They’d known Ragland would put up a fight even when the odds against him seemed impossible. Her stomach roiled. What if he’d killed Marc or Kirlos? “I’m sorry.”

  Marc nodded. “Apology accepted.”

  She glanced at Kirlos. “I love you, Larissa, but I was pissed as hell that you put our lives at risk.”

  Marc was right, if she was going to have the same rights as any member of the crew, she had to go by the same rules. “I can’t promise I won’t ever question you again, but I will follow the chain of command.”

  “Every member of my crew has the right to their opinion, but in the midst of a battle, they do as they’re told.”

  Larissa nodded. “Yes, Captain.”

  Marc looked at Kirlos. “What sort of punishment would be appropriate for our now contrite crew member?”

  “I’m not above torture.” The wicked grin on Kirlos’s face lightened Larissa’s mood. He wouldn’t be smiling if he hadn’t forgiven her.

  Marc smiled too. “Then torture it is.” He released Larissa’s arms and stepped back. “Strip and get on the table.”

  Larissa had her flight suit, boots, and panties off in no time. Then she climbed onto the sex table and kneeled, waiting for further instruction.

  “On your back, legs bent and spread.”

  Gods of Earth, she might not like Marc giving her orders from the command center, but she loved it when he used that authoritarian tone in private.

  “Table, restrain her wrists, thighs, and ankles.” Tentacles shot out and wrapped her in all the specified places. They pulled her arms over her head and spread her legs even wider. Bands tightened around her thighs until they were pulled close to the table’s surface. She squirmed experimentally and realized she could do little besides arch her back. Her pussy clenched, loving her helplessness.

  Marc stared at her as if contemplating his next move. She tried to relax against the table, but her body burned in anticipation, and her breath exploded in shallow bursts. She knew Marc and Kirlos would torment her until she was willing to agree to anything just to have them fuck her. But she also knew they loved her.

  She couldn’t believe she’d been lucky enough to find two men who could take her where she needed to go in bed while respecting her strength and knowledge. She smiled up at them, more than ready for what she had coming.

  “She looks entirely too pleased with herself,” Kirlos murmured as he stepped up to the side of the table and bent over her. “Do I have permission to begin?”

  Marc nodded.

  Kirlos bent and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. She arched up against him as much as her bonds would allow. He flicked his tongue back and forth rapidly, making her whimper. Then he bit down and she screamed.

  He chuckled. “Like that, do you?” He let his fingers take over, pinching both her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. “Have you ever had them clamped?”

  An embarrassingly pitiful whimper escaped her as she shook her head.

  Kirlos smiled. “Good. I wanted to be first.” He glanced up at Marc.

  “Table, release voice command to Commander Adesta.” Marc climbed on the table and caressed Larissa’s inner thighs as he studied her pussy. He leaned down, holding his mouth inches from her pussy. “She seems to be enjoying this too much. I hope you’re planning to torment the hell out of those lovely nipples.”

  Larissa squirmed, trying to reach his mouth.


  Kirlos purred. “Oh, I am. Table, form a clamping tentacle.”

  Something slithered out of the table at her side. Larissa sucked in her breath. Her entire body tensed.

  “Help her relax,” Kirlos murmured as he grasped the tentacle and positioned it over her nipple.

  Marc swiped his tongue across her swollen lips. She sucked in her breath, letting out another undignified whimper. Marc licked again, pulling her attention downward.

  “Table, clamp her.”

  She screamed and thrashed, desperate to escape the hot sting in her nipple. It hurt like hell, but as the sensation snaked down her body to her clit, it turned to throbbing pleasure. Then Marc melded the agony and ecstasy as he sucked her clit into his mouth.

  “Table, I need another clamp.” Kirlos’s voice seemed to come from far away, but Larissa bucked and twisted again, trying to get away from Kirlos’s hand as it plumped her other breast and then tugged at her nipple, stretching it upward to ready it for the other clamp.

  “Please.”

  Kirlos grinned. “Oooh… begging already.”

  Marc mumbled something and laughed against her pussy, but he continued his licking and sucking, distracting Larissa enough to slow her struggles.

  “Table, clamp her.”

  She screamed again. She’d told herself she could hold back, but her body was so sensitized from Kirlos’s touches and Marc’s attention that the pain was more intense than the first time. Yet her body welcomed the torture and within seconds she felt nothing but burning need.

  Marc drew her clit into his mouth once again. She was on the edge of orgasm, and she prayed he wouldn’t stop. Then, Kirlos bent and licked the tip of her nipple where it emerged from the clamp. The swipe of his tongue was like an electric shock. She cried out, wanting to force her nipple into his mouth and to escape at the same time.

  Kirlos gave the other nipple the same treatment while brushing his fingers back and forth across the first one. Larissa gasped. Her hips arched against Marc. She was going to come.

  Then both men pulled back, leaving her hanging on the edge. She opened her eyes. Kirlos grinned at her. “You didn’t think we’d let it end that quickly, did you?”