Chapter Sixteen

Tanner

Somehow, someway, someone acquired a dozen sniper rifles from the United States government. Along with enough ammunition to keep Tanny happy for years. For one thing, if she did her job right, she only used one bullet at a time. There was also a wide selection of scopes—including night and heat vision. Over her years in the service, she'd used most of the options collected by the Andaran, but she was excited to find her principal weapon.

In the service, Tanner operated as part of a sniper team. Her team was comprised of a primary weapons operator, which was her job, along with a spotter, backup shooter, and often other support personnel. Sometimes the team included force protection elements that worked to keep the team members safe. As the shooter, her focus remained on taking the shot chosen by her spotter.

Tanny grinned. The first few days after she met Binja he'd worn nothing but a loin cloth or Viant robe. Seeing him in the alien equivalent of sweats and a tee shirt took some getting used to. The man was seriously hot. They were sitting on one of the highest points at the edge of the forest. Looking out toward the flat desert, where they knew the Ahnok was. Her mate had taken the job of her spotter. In the last few days, they'd proven to be quite a team. He checked out their targets, identifying them and assigning priority. Then chose a secure location for her to take the shot. The location needed to have an easy escape route and keep her from being seen.

While he used one of the spotting scopes they found in the ammunition crate, he also used Eita to monitor the targets and surrounding areas. Tanner believed there was additional backup. At least one brother was always out there, doing the job of the flanker and watching over the sniper and spotter to protect them from risks they couldn't see. Binja could communicate mentally with all his brothers, so they didn't need radios.

Except… Tanny wasn't included in that loop. For this job, they didn't have time to search through all the gear in the storage hold for another form of communication, but that was something on her list for later.

"The Ahnok is getting closer. You should be able to see him with the scope in a few minutes." Binja was sitting beside her. His eyes were closed, his face tilted to the sky, using Eita's eyes. He frowned. "That answers what he was doing out there. He is carrying a large bag. Maybe retrieving whatever is in the pack was his true purpose. He didn't seem to care overly much about searching the forest for intruders."

Tanner fit her eye to the scope. They made this model for the middle of the day. Because they were in the forest instead of the center of town, they weren't using the cover of darkness. During the last few days, they had targeted the Andaran's army of Super Spies during the small moon. Every single one of them had committed atrocious acts during the months she watched them. Some were at Jacanas' urging, but they'd all done worse when their boss wasn't around.

She'd promised herself she would rid this planet of their evil, and together with Binja, they'd accomplished that goal. Except for the worst one of all—the Ahnok. They hadn't been able to find him until the brother assigned to watch the spaceport reported he'd been there. His brother told Binja that the Ahnok became furious when he couldn't get any of the hover bikes working—and headed back toward town through the desert. He hadn't been carrying anything when he neared the spaceport. Which meant he either hid it before getting close or picked it up during his several-mile march through the desert.

Because now she could see him through the scope and he was definitely carrying something.

She gasped, taking her eye from the scope, and turning to her mate. "Whatever he's got is alive. I just saw the bag move. The Ahnok snarled something and shook his fist and his captive."

Binja hissed and held up his hand. She knew he was communicating with his brothers. The way they did things, he was probably talking to all of them, not just the ones who were out here with them. "Jay is going to create an illusion and move closer. He'll see if he can hear anything or get a sense of what is in the bag. We've got about thirty minutes to decide if we shoot the Ahnok here or let him continue on to the compound and try for him another day."

Tanny shook her head. "I don't like the idea of him taking whatever is in that bag back to his boss. Think about it… it has to be a living thing. Some type of animal or person." She put her eye back on the slope. "Comparing the size of the bag to the Ahnok's body, it could be a small adult or a bigger child."

Her mate nodded. "Or it could be a larger pimat. Until we have more information, we can't guess."

"Yes. I also hate the thought of missing the opportunity to take care of him now. We've been looking for the Andaran's head bodyguard for days. Right now, Jacanas is a bundle of nerves. All his men have disappeared or been found dead. He knows someone blew up the factories he had drugging the air. He's ready to bolt, which we want him to do. If we let the Ahnok get back to the compound, it will make him feel better to have his number one spy protecting his back. He will convince himself not to worry. He's liable not to run right away but do something stupid."

"All of those things are true. The brothers have rescued everyone on your list, and the ones Catalina knew about. We've destroyed his factories and the poisons he could have pumped into the air in retaliation. I don't know what more he could do."

"Exactly," Tanner said. "We don't know what other schemes he might have. Is the purple people eater close enough to hear anything?"

Binja smiled. "JayBOrB loves it when you call him that. He said yes and is pacing along beside them. The Ahnok is yelling again, and he hears a female yelling back. Age he can't tell, but he says the words are English, just like yours."

"Damn it!" Tanner put her eye back to the scope. "We can't let him take her to the Andaran. Or anywhere, for that matter. Maybe she is his prize. Tell Jaybaby to take a dive. He needs to lie flat to the ground but stay close so he can grab the bag and get whoever is inside… away. I'll try to time my shot so the Ahnok spins around and doesn't just fall over backward on top of who's in there."

Binja's eyebrows rose. "That might hurt."

"Yes, it would. Give him a count, Binja. Have him drop on five, four, three, two, one." The Ahnok topped the small hill and turned slightly to the right. Binja explained how she needed to hit this species in the eye to ensure death. But since this alien had an even dozen that were situated in a halo around his head, it didn't matter which way he faced… she had him. Slowly, carefully, she squeezed the trigger.

The big alien dropped the bag before he fell backward. Tanner watched the purple form of JayBOrB materialize for just long enough to scoop up the captive before he disappeared again.

"ReBOrB and his mate are in a hover and will pick up Jay. They'll take whoever it is back to the temporary hospital and treat any injuries. Several of the brothers will collect the Ahnok and deposit him on Jacanas' doorstep. Just as they have the others. It will take some time for him to react to our latest gift. What would you like to do now?"

The Andaran had lost every single one of his corrupt, immoral guard force. His Super Spies.

The brothers had blown all the factories that polluted Viant's air with drugs… sky-high. The explosions were spectacular, accompanied by colorful fireworks that the Andaran simply couldn't miss.

It wouldn't be long before the Andaran ran… literally on foot and unguarded… as they left him no other choice. When that happened, Tanner and Binja would follow where he led… toward the next failed thing.

What did she want to do now? That was easy. "I want time with you. Take me somewhere we can be alone."

Binja grinned. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her and her rifle back to the hover.

BinjaOB

He had a new goal in life, giving Tanny whatever she needed to be happy. He loved watching her track their enemies. She was relentless in any pursuit. It didn't take him long to discover that she had an intense protective streak, and that she also had a very black and white moral code.

Hurt or prey on the innocent… and Tanner would take note and you would die. Maybe not immediately, but eventually she would find you and make sure you could no longer hurt any woman or child, or someone weaker than you.

Which was wonderful to see, as his mate's core beliefs matched his own.

Together, they were stronger. Part of that strength came from simply making each other laugh. Or taking time to point out the beauty in a sunset, or the amazing peacefulness of the secluded lake where they could swim naked. They both felt the need to take time alone. To nurture their relationship and build on what they already had.

Right now, he was waist-deep in the warm water. Walking Tanny in reverse until she was against a small ledge, he lifted his love and placed her on her back at the edge of the lake. She was naked, all her glorious pale flesh exposed to him. The sun was just sinking and soon it would be impossible for her to see. Binja, however, had his own form of night vision. He could see her just fine.

Leaning over, Binja flicked Tanny's nipples with his fingers and covered her mouth with his, swallowing his mate's keening cries of passion. Slowly, he slid his hand over her stomach, moving down over her mound. Slipping through silky moisture to torment the little nub with his fingers, Binja teased, making her buck and thrash beneath him.

After a long moment, he tore his mouth away... and moved down her body. The satin texture of her flesh mesmerized Binja. In the last rays of light, he watched pink blossom across her face and upper chest. He traced the color as it covered her breasts. Breasts crested with full areolas and pink puckered nipples. He licked and suckled, making her hips dance.

Binja moved lower, wanting to explore every inch of her. Her keening cries and gasped demands spurred him on. He needed to taste her. The strip of tight curls between her thighs was his next stop. Setting a hand on both legs, he pulled them up and out, opening her wide enough he could wedge his shoulders between her thighs. He blew softly, then trailed his lips, teeth, and tongue over her skin—leisurely exploring the bounty of her flesh.

Tanny panted beneath him. Thrashed her head from side to side. Her body strained toward him, wanting more.

Sticking out his tongue, he licked. That one taste of her spicy essence shot through his system. He shifted his hands on her hips, holding her to him. Bringing her sex upward to meet his mouth so he could feast.

His mate convulsed wildly when he pinched her clit with his lips. Plunging his tongue deep, he laved her, flicking rapidly. Concentrating the movements of his tongue on Tanny's swollen nub, he inserted his middle finger into her core and stroked. Only adding a second finger when she begged for more. The bands shifted underneath his skin, reminding Binja of the mating marks on her body. Reminding him that he controlled her passion.

Tanner

Binja stroked, caressed, and licked her body until Tanner was immersed in a blaze of sensation. What he didn't tease, the bands that now had a permanent home within… did. Her fingers dug into the soft dirt. Seeking something to hold on to. To anchor her to this world. She was completely overwhelmed. Her body was shaking, hovering on the edge. Light burst behind her eyelids with that last swipe of his tongue.

She tugged on his hair, pulling him upward. Tanny ran her hands over his taut muscles that were slick with lake water. A deep breath brought his unique scent deep into her lungs. He bent over her sprawled form, bracing his arms on either side of her head, strength rippling throughout his body. Her heart pounded in anticipation of more pleasure.

Kissing her, he thrust his tongue into her mouth. She moaned in delight when his broad chest brushed her nipples, triggering increased desire. Moving between her legs, his cock brushed her entrance. Tanny's body clenched in anticipation.

The broad head of his cock rubbed through her folds. "You know this will never end, right? You and me. I can't go back to being alone, Tanner."

Tanner snorted. "Not going anywhere without you," she promised, panting the words. "Now move," she demanded.

Binja didn't hesitate. He fit his body to hers. Pushing his thick shaft in, deep. Groaning, she wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his muscular backside.

The bands stimulated her in all the places she craved. Tanny was already addicted to this. To Binja and his mating bands. He moved faster. Harder. As both of them fought for release. Feeling her inner muscles clench and strain to accommodate the expansion of his cock caused by the bands, she arched against him. She found her voice and demanded, "More! Oh. God. Binja. Pleaseoh, pleaseoh, please!"

Deep, driving thrusts kept her poised on the edge of madness for several heartbeats, and then Tanner's entire body convulsed. She howled long and hard when she came.

Binja opened his mind to share the explosive pleasure with her. Tanner's body came again with the added sensations. Writhing in ecstasy, she clamped her arms and legs around his shoulders and ass to keep him locked to her until it was over.

For long minutes, they lay together. Unwilling to move, waiting for their pulse to settle and their breathing to level out.

The sun had set completely, and it was dark now. Pity. The view at this alien lake was impressive. She didn't think she'd ever get used to the color of the lakes and rivers on this planet. They were all blue—but not a blue like any of Earth's bodies of water. This was an electric aquamarine color. The sky wasn't blue. It had a slightly lavender cast to it. And the tree bark was a vivid green. Once again, the word electric came to mind. Electric lime green. And the leaves were bright orange, dark green, and pale yellow. The boulders where they landed their little ship were gray with purple and blue flecks. Viant was a very colorful planet. There was nothing subdued about it. Well, except the people. They were definitely suppressed. But not for long.

Something else she didn't think she'd get used to… Binja. The way they laughed together and enjoyed each other. It was fun and loving. Something she never imagined for herself.

Her mate shifted beside her and stood. She was glad Binja could move. And see. Her mate picked her up in his arms and once again carried her to the hover. This was becoming a habit she enjoyed. They'd already transformed the interior, putting the bed out for the night. All they had to do was close the door and crawl into bed. The hover was set to stealth mode, so no one could find them.

As she burrowed under the covers and snuggled against his warm body, Tanny watched Binja's face change. It was the look he got anytime he communicated with his brothers. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep. He was probably telling them where they were, and that they were going to bed for the night.

Tanner relaxed fully, knowing they were never alone.