Protected by the Alien Warrior Hope Hart (books that read to you .txt) 📖

I blow out a breath. “Okay.” We’re quiet for a long moment, and then I sit on a large rock, leaning back against the wall.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you when I found that note from Ivy. It’s just…my ex lied a lot. We just broke up, and I think I’m still dealing with it.”

“He lied to you?”

I nod. “He wasn’t trying to be hurtful. He wasn’t cheating on me or anything. It was little things. He’d say it was fine that I had to cover a shift or that I’d probably miss dinner. He said he knew what he was getting into when he first asked me out. If he’d just been honest, maybe we could’ve worked it out, or I could’ve broken it off earlier before we got to such a bad place. It turns out that it was never fine. He decided I didn’t care about our relationship and broke up with me on the phone. By distance,” I clarify, when Vrex’s face is blank. “He wasn’t with me, but we were talking.”

Vrex looks intrigued, and for a moment I fantasize about what it would be like to introduce him to Earth.

He’s silent for a moment, and then he frowns. “I should be apologizing to you. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you Rakiz had sent me to look for you.”

“Why didn’t you?”

He shifts, obviously uncomfortable. “You were the first female I had met who was not afraid of me. My only skills are hunting and killing. I had nothing to offer you, and you…joked with me. You talked to me like I was just a warrior. I’m used to everyone else believing that I am nothing but the Assassin of Agron. But with you…it was different. I didn’t want to lose that.”

My heart cracks. “You’re good at a lot more than just hunting and killing, Vrex. I’ve seen the furniture you carved in your home, and you’re incredibly talented. You’re funny when you let yourself relax. You’re amazing in bed. You’re kind and caring, and you made me feel safe, even when I was lost on a strange planet. I know it was your uncle who made you think you were a monster. But even living life as an assassin couldn’t turn you into the monster he called you.”

Vrex’s eyes darken as he stares at me for one long moment and then reaches for me, wrapping me in his arms again.

I snuggle close. “Why do you collect favors? What do you use them for?”

He shrugs, leaning his chin on the top of my head. “They’re security in this world. A guarantee that I’ll be left alone.”

I nestle closer to him. “Is being alone really that great?” I feel as if I’m asking myself the same question, and we’re both quiet for a long moment.

“I thought so,” he murmurs, running his chin gently along the top of my head. “But now I’m not so sure.”

I smile up at him, and he leans down, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“I have used my favors to get across the Great Water. And I will use the rest of them if it means that you will be safe. Don’t worry, little Flame Hair. I won’t let them hurt you.”

I blink back tears. “You used your favors for me?”

He nods. “Rakiz has spread the word. Anyone who owes me a favor has been notified that I need help.”

I thought I had no tears left, but more of them are winding hot trails down my face.

“I’ll help you get new favors,” I promise, and he grins at me, his white teeth flashing in the low light.

“I don’t need favors…if I have you.”

Ivy

A few more hours pass before a Zinta appears, leering down at us through the grate. “Stay seated if you want this water,” he warns. “If you get to your feet, I will pour it on you.”

Vrex vibrates with fury next to me, and I reach for his hand. Both of us want nothing more than to take this guy out, but we have no idea how many other Zintas are out of sight above us.

Earlier, Vrex handed me back my knife and instructed me to hide it. But we need to wait for our chance.

We stay seated, and the Zinta lowers a bucket of water on a rope. I’m thirsty, but I wait until the Zinta has replaced the metal grate and walked away before I turn to Vrex.

“Do you think it’s drugged?”

He shrugs. “If they drug us, they will need to climb down here and pull us up.”

I reach out a hand and scoop up some water, tasting it. Vrex watches me closely.

“I will wait before I drink some,” he says. “If you become unconscious, I will at least be able to fight them off. If we both are unconscious…”

“We’re screwed.”

He nods, and we spend a few minutes in silence. His hand clenches occasionally, as if he’s missing his sword.

“This is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day,” I mutter.

He glances at me.

“My favorite book as a kid. Never mind. We need to start thinking about a plan. Want to hear my thoughts?”

Vrex narrows his eyes at me, and I have the weirdest feeling that he’s reading my mind.

“They’re going to take me, Vrex. And when they do, you’re going to lose your shit, and they’re probably going to kill you. Not only are we seriously outnumbered, but you don’t even have your sword.”

“I won’t let them take you.”

“Listen to me—”

“No.”

“Vrex.”

He narrows his eyes at me, lowering his head as his chin sticks out stubbornly. God, his mom must have had her hands full with him.

“I need you to find me,” I say, getting to my feet. I grind my teeth as he stares at me silently. I need to speak his language.

“You’re no good to me dead,” I snap. “I need you to play along, let me be taken, and then you can break yourself out of here.”

He growls, reaching out