Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Casey

BrOdByc washed her hair and got her a robe from a hidden compartment in the wall. On him, the thick, white robe hit just below the knee. On her, it puddled on the floor. But it was warm and soft. She wrapped it around her and let the sodden sheet drop to the floor.

This alien male had been nothing but a gentleman. When she dunked her head in the water and then sat before him while he added shampoo and scrubbed away her captivity, Casey wanted to melt. His strong fingers massaged her scalp, creating a tingling sensation throughout her body.

He was gentle and careful of her. As he'd been since he saved her.

Walking down the hall, Casey noted how clean everything was. The light silver walls, floor, and ceiling gleamed. At first glance, she thought everything was metal. But whatever material was used to create this ship, it didn't feel like metal. It wasn't cold or slippery. A little warmth radiated from the floor and the walls. Her feet were bare, and she was perfectly comfortable. She had expected it to be freezing.

The air smelled fresh and there was just the slight scent of… vanilla or something similar. She could tell that Brode and his brothers took care of everything. Which was the exact opposite of how the red aliens behaved.

"Do you always go around rescuing women in distress?" The question popped out before she could stop it.

BrOdByc laughed. "My brothers and I were created to remedy inequality. To fight and use our unique abilities to right whatever wrong we come across in the universe. Our Band of Brothers seeks those who are downtrodden or oppressed. We dedicate our lives to rescuing any soul who needs saving. Our creator fashioned us for this specific purpose. You could say the objective is hard-wired in our DNA.

"We had just docked the spaceship. I went outside with two of my brothers to breathe fresh air and get a feeling for the surrounding area. We heard your scream. Then shortly after the Siloth appeared. We noticed they were holding two women. We watched you try to escape. There was never any question that we would follow and help. Our first choice is always to use stealth. We try to avoid direct confrontation or violence whenever possible. However, if we can't sneak in and out without being recognized—we will use force and damn the consequences."

Casey understood the subtext. If they couldn't steal her away in the night, they would have forcibly taken her from her captors. It wasn't hard to connect the dots. If they were seen rescuing her, they'd need to leave the planet. Abandon her sister to her fate. Also, getting caught would prevent the captain's investigation.

The need for secrecy meant she couldn't leave the ship. Not to help her sister, or for any reason. "How long have you been doing this? Helping people." Casey needed to know the answer to that. Could she count on Brode and his many brothers to help them?

"I have been awake for eighty cycles. Ummm... a clones awakening is our birth. Your years are a roughly similar amount of time to a cycle. For the first twenty of those cycles, I was in training. Receiving instructions on how to use our inherent ability with powers such as telekinesis. We had lessons in medical aid, on using weapons and explosives, and also worked on developing our unique skills. ReBOrB is the brother in charge of saving your sister. He is the Master of Biology—and studies all living things. Reb can look at her, figure out what needs to be fixed and how, then design a treatment plan. Just as Captain BaOBy is Master of All. He can look at the compliance pool and instantly know what chemicals are in it. He deduced the kack needed to be removed from your body as soon as possible."

Casey frowned. "I dreamed there was an explosion."

Brode tilted his head back and laughed. "There was an explosion. We have another brother who has an innate gift with all types of detonations. Bol is the Master of Destruction—he has the ability to simply create smoke or to annihilate an entire planet. This detonation didn't hurt anyone but provided the perfect smoky distraction. Let's get something to eat. Then you can get dressed. A few of my brothers went shopping, searching for clothing for you and your sister. Anything we have would be too big."

Grinning up at Brode, she flapped the robe sleeves that were almost twice as long as her arms. "You think? Shopping for us was nice. I'll have to figure out how to pay you back."

BrOdByc

He was conflicted. Worried. Losing his mind. The mating bands were throbbing. His skin was ultra-sensitive.

Brode struggled to keep a little distance. To give his mate space. To ensure Casey trusted him and that she felt comfortable and safe. When what he wanted to do was take her in his arms and claim her.

Every once in a while, she'd look at him as if she liked what she saw. He'd seen her reach out, as if to place her slender fingers on his flesh… and then she'd draw back.

Was she having a tough time keeping her hands off him? He wanted her to touch him. So much.

Brode needed to pace. But there wasn't enough room in the small bathroom to move more than a foot or two to each side of the toilet. Unless he planned to crawl into the shower, he could only go one step in either direction. So instead, he stared at himself in the mirror. Lectured that familiar face on patience and virtue.

It wasn't working.

Casey was just on the other side of the door getting dressed in an outfit his brothers had chosen for the women. It bothered him. That he hadn't gone and picked out the clothing that would touch her body… But he hadn't wanted to leave her side for the time it would take to go shopping.

Three of his brothers had gone into the market, near the house where he'd rescued his mate. First, they took supplies to the Captain and kept watch for an hour while Bao and BOlaBe took a break. Then the three went to the nearby market, searching for something to fit the Earth women.

Once they rescued Casey's sister, they would need to leave the planet. Better to have clothing for both women before that happened—as they might need to escape quickly.

Brode hadn't told his woman that one brother took a set of Viant robes to Reb. He'd requested them. The long, hooded robes would cover the female better than the small medical outfit she wore in the treatment room. The robes would also work to hide Reb and her sister once they escaped. Brode knew they'd make the attempt soon. When he had additional information, then he'd tell Casey. He didn't want her to worry until it was time.

Reb also requested the hover. His brother was certain the female wouldn't be able to walk on her own once they removed Cameron from the medical facility. Reb could carry her a short distance, but if he needed to fight, he wouldn't have the use of his hands. Getting her to the hover was Reb's best bet. He could cloak the small ship. Increasing the odds of escaping her captors and making it to the DoMicile.

While they waited for her sister… what should he do? Did he tell Casey about the mating bands? Explain how they signified he was her mate? Should he do that before he kissed her—or after?

In over eighty cycles of life, all Brode's interactions with women had been platonic, or he'd paid for his pleasure. He had never been more than friends with any female. To be truthful… he'd never even been friends with one. He'd been an acquaintance, a customer, a savior.

Until the bands moved at the sound of her scream.

His eyes shifted to the dark swirls on his right bicep. They ached. Throbbed. Itched. Each of the brother's markings were unique. Brode's band was in two pieces. The first ran from the top of his shoulder to the middle of his bicep. Then the second, mirrored piece started just a fingertip away and traced around the arm… ending on the inside of his elbow. The scroll work had a large and small wavelike swirl on the top and bottom of each section.

Brode frowned, studying the markings. The swirls had changed. They'd shifted a bit. That didn't surprise him as he felt them move. But now there were smaller bands stretched alongside his original tattoos. What the hell?

He couldn't deal with this right now. Picking up his shirt, Brode considered the look on Casey's face every time she saw his bare chest. She liked his muscles.

Brode wanted his female to be happy, so he left off the shirt.