Stop (Cold Mark Book 3) Read online

  If I weren’t careful, I would start to sweat as Leo had done earlier. “Okay.”

  Malik nodded. “Okay.”

  My giggle might have been a smidge hysterical as I threw my hands in the air in mini-celebration. “Okays all around then!” I peered to the door in a hurry as they stared. “Where’s my room at again?” I could use a break.

  I was a mess. An absolute damned mess. After Malik and Leo had silently shown me to my room, I hadn’t been able to sleep but an hour or two during the day. My stomach was growling at me since I hadn’t been able to finish my dinner last night, but I wasn’t sure if I could keep anything down. At least Malik and Leo had brought my clothing with them so I was able to wear an ensemble that actually fit me.

  The teachers of Joyal should have taught interrogation techniques, too.

  Though, they might, and I merely hadn’t been far enough along in my training for it.

  I had failed miserably. And if I knew it, Malik and Leo’s shrewd as hell brains knew it, too. Today was going to be hell with Killeg and Phila nearby watching as my Vaq and I start fresh in our relationship.

  I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder. My head whipped back, and I stared up with wide eyes…at Jax. Bless Mother Joyal. “Let’s get some breakfast.”

  Jax nodded, his tender gaze running over my features. We walked down the hallway of the hotel, guards silently following in our wake. He tossed his right arm over my shoulders, asking quietly, “How did it go?”

  Like shit. “All right.”

  “Liar.”

  “Shut up.” I rested my head against his muscular shoulder, letting him guide me to the common rooms restaurant of the hotel. Mian from the east and the west watched us walk by with barely repressed surprise—actual Humans in the midst…with royal guides following us. It wasn’t a sight they saw every night. “I didn’t sleep very well. I need a drink to keep me awake.”

  “Coffee?”

  “Sure.” I sat on the chair he pulled out for me. The table was large enough to fit ten people. I gazed at it, and then up at him with my black brows raised. “Big enough table?”

  “The Plumas will be down shortly,” he stated offhandedly, not noticing the way my shoulders tensed as he waved down a waitress. “Stiller is talking with them right now in their room next to ours. It sounded heated, so I left them to it.”

  I could imagine what they were arguing about. It wouldn’t be a long shot it to think it was about me.

  Coffee was quickly served by a curious Mian woman who took our breakfast orders, our waitress fully evaluating the Humans at her table. She was swift. That was all I cared about, not the way she examined me from head to toe. Although I almost burned my tongue taking a sip of my newly acquired coffee when Killeg and Phila sat down across the table from me. Wiping a dribble of brown liquid from my chin, I smiled politely at them. Or tried to, anyway. “Good morning. Or evening.” I sighed in defeat. “Whatever.”

  Phila chuckled quietly, drumming his fingers on the table. “Good evening to you, Braita.” His black eyes roamed my features. “Tough night?”

  My gaze slammed to Jax, and I griped, “Do I look that damn bad?”

  Jax was sensible enough to shake his head, his lips firmly shut.

  I glared but took great joy in stating, “Liar.”

  Killeg chuckled softly, leaning forward over the table. He stuck his hand in his pants pocket and retrieved a pill. He crushed it directly over my cup, rubbing the pads of his fingers together until a silver powder sprinkled down from his pinched digits to my coffee. It floated on top until it sank down to the depths of the hot liquid. He rested back on his chair, gifting me a small smile, stating gently, “Stir it. The combination of the coffee and the pill will give you an extra…boost…for the day.”

  My lips twitched at his self-assurance. “Is this a pill you created?”

  His grin only increased, showing me his white, straight teeth. “Of course.”

  I lifted a spoon and stirred the concoction together, firmly ignoring when Stiller sat down at our table next to Jax. He wore a scowl just for me. He was so sweet. “This better work. I’m exhausted.”

  Stiller perked at this. He peered straight at me, his brows rising in surprise…and hope. “Did your Plumas keep you up all night?” He smirked and even winked.

  I could only stare. “Does it look like I’m satisfied?” The Mian seemed to find satisfaction from sexual release. I had seen it enough in the back alleys of Vlymun. The same would hold true for a Human too since the Human reproductive anatomy was the same. My voice may have dripped acrid scorn when I growled, “I mean, really. Stiller, does it look like I’m satisfied?” I was on the verge of a meltdown with all the shit I had running amok inside my head.

  Instantly, he fell back against his chair. “Dammit.”

  “Yes, well, you’re not the only grumpy one, Stiller.”

  “No shit,” Jax whispered, peering for the waitress. For a distraction.

  “I heard that!”

  Jax pointed at my coffee. “Drink up. I don’t like you when you’re testy.”

  “Right back at you.” I took a large drink, obeying him. “I don’t like you when I’m testy either.”

  It was about right for my day for my Vaq to show up right then.

  They sat down on either side of me, scooting their chairs in close.

  Malik leaned over and very softly kissed my cheek. “Good evening.”

  I took an extra-large gulp of my coffee. “Good evening.”

  Leo reached with his left hand, taking my coffee mug from my hand. He raised it to his nose holding my gaze and inhaled heavily. His lush lips quirked up on one side and handed it back. His tone was sugared in sweetness as he stated, “I see our dear friend Killeg is helping you out this morning.”

  I raised the mug to my nose and took a big whiff. Coffee was all I could smell with my Human nose. I smiled though, showing all of my teeth. “Yes, he did.” Another large gulp went down. I needed it, the effects of the pill already jolting my brain to attention. “What’s the plan for today?”

  Phila interrupted, murmuring casually, “There’s an event at the Coliseum—”

  “No.” I snorted softly. “While you may enjoy the games of the Coliseum and Crank Pit, they are not my type of enjoyment.” It should have been obvious, my esteem of him lowering somewhat with his suggestion. I even felt my brows crinkle at the realization, my chest hurting with it.

  He shook his head. “You misunderstand me. The games are for the children and the rides are for the adults. It’s a small indoor fair.” A gentle shrug of his shoulders. “I’m not completely entertained by the thought, but I thought you might enjoy some of the special treats they have there to indulge in.”

  My eyes widened, and I sat up straight. “Candy?”

  Killeg’s lips twitched as his eyes remained on mine. “Yes, the treats there are delicious.”

  Swiftly, my head swung back and forth between my Vaq, pleading them with my eyes. “Please, can we go there? On Joyal, candy is a rarity, and I adore it.” My ass bounced on my seat. “Please?”

  I had gained the attention of all Mian sitting around us. Even with all eyes on me, I didn’t care.

  I wanted candy. “Pretty, please?”

  Leo’s blink was ever so gradual. He stared directly into my eyes, flicked a swift glare at the Plumas across from him, but when he touched my cheek, I knew he was caving. Even to an enemy’s idea. He tilted forward, resting his forehead against mine, his glowing gaze gently. “Of course, we’ll go.”

  I squealed in excitement and swiftly kissed his lips. “Thank you!”

  Leo’s eyes were wide on his face as I turned and grabbed Malik’s black hair, pulling him down to my level to place a peck of a kiss on his lips. I gushed, “Thank you, thank you!”

  Malik blinked, shock radiating off him, still trapped in my hold. “You’re welcome.”

  Phila snorted softly across the table from us, lifting an invisible glass in cheer
s. He muttered, “And you’re welcome, my fellow Plumas.”

  With my mouth full of a substance they called ‘Pink Kisses,’ I pulled Malik up beside me. I mumbled around the deliciousness in my mouth, “Hold open the bag, please?” The bag Leo was carrying I had already filled.

  Dutifully, Malik opened the half-full bag in his hands. He chuckled softly as I grabbed candy item after candy item and shoved it into the bag, making sure there would be room for more. “I’ve never seen a woman able to eat quite that much—”

  I placed a sticky pointed finger against his lips. “Don’t even say it.” Especially, since it was saying a lot with him only being near Mian women his entire life.

  “Okay,” he mumbled around my finger and then in a blur, he opened his lips and sucked my finger inside. I couldn’t blink, staring as his lips encased my finger into the wet warmth of his mouth. I jerked when his tongue ran up and down my digit, licking all the sugar off. Slowly, I pulled my finger from his mouth, watching as he kissed the tip of it. His grin was unassuming as he lowered, placing his face directly in front of mine. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the hotel yet?”

  I squeaked, “Nope! Not yet.” I quickly pivoted and fanned my face with my hand, my cheeks completely flushed. My feet faltered a second later when I saw Killeg smack Phila upside his head though they were both glaring at Malik. I instantly turned back around, keeping Malik’s attention on me. “Actually, I think I have enough candy to last me a while. Why don’t we walk along the shops outside for a bit?”

  He nodded, grateful to be leaving the fair. Screaming children ran all around in their fun so I could understand. Specifically, when people of the west continually came up to Leo and him, generally kissing their asses. Lifting a hand, he waved to Leo where he had been pulled aside by a mom and her three adoring children. Malik didn’t bother to keep his voice down. “Let’s go!”

  I peered around for Jax, but I didn’t see him anywhere. Stiller was talking to Rule by the alcho-brew bar, so I grabbed a cupcake from the table before heading in their direction. “Time to go.” I glanced left and then right. “Where’s Jax?”

  “He stepped outside for some air,” Stiller explained, downing a shot of a foul smelling liquid. “He may have gotten lost though.” He chuckled quietly and shook his head. “I can feel him wandering farther away.”

  My lips thinned, but I eventually shrugged. “He has the guards with him, right?”

  “Jax can take care of himself.”

  “Stiller…”

  He sighed heavily. “Yes, there are two guards with him.” He pointed a finger at my nose, and it was then I noticed he wavered a little on his feet. Too much alcho-brew for him. “Don’t forget, there are no weapons in Center.” He tapped his head. “He’s fine. I can tell.”

  “Thank you,” I stated with honesty. Though I glanced at Rule and whispered, “You may want to help him back to the hotel.”

  Rule laughed in honest mirth, his stoic expression cracking, a little of his natural light showing through. “I was planning to do just that, Ms. Valorn.”

  Down to the five of us, plus guards, all the Plumas and I walked as unobtrusively as we could down the wide streets of Center. I ogled the wares through the windows, pointing at small music boxes or men’s dress slacks I would love to have for my own—all the women’s clothing were dresses or skirts.

  Bless Mother Joyal! I skipped inside a store where I noticed what was damn near a myth to Humans. I pointed. “I want that.”

  Malik stared. “No.”

  “Come on. They are literally near extinction on Joyal. Humans only brought a few from Earth during The Travel.”

  “No,” Leo reiterated his other half’s dictate. “Hell, no.”

  Malik grunted, nodding. He actually started to turn away.

  I grabbed ahold of his hand and jerked him back around. With much patience, I ignored Killeg snickering a foot away. I pointed again. “I want that.”

  Malik sighed heavily, running his fingers through his long black hair. “Why?”

  “Because it’s cute.” I shrugged, bending to stare into the cage. I stuck my fingers through the holes, waggling it at the bundle of energy inside. “I’ve always wanted one, but only the politicians were allowed to have them on Joyal.”

  Leo bent at the waist, staring inside the cage. His nose crinkled. “It stinks.”

  “This whole shop stinks,” I argued. “It’s not just this one.”

  Malik joined Leo and me as we stared inside the cage. “We already have a pet.”

  I blinked. “An animal that eats severed arms is not a pet.” I paused, curious. “What kind of animal is Blaze, anyway?”

  Together, they stated easily, “A Lavano.”

  I almost lost it right there. My jaw dropped open, and I shot a hurried glare where Phila had abruptly joined Killeg in laughing quietly. They had better not say a damn word, my experience with ‘Charlie’ not one I wanted to explain right now. Recovering swiftly, I turned back to what an actual pet was. I wiggled my finger inside the cage and soft fur brushed up against it. A tentative lick had ensued before it rubbed its head against my skin. “Aww! How adorable. Oh, I have to have it!”

  Malik and Leo both groaned as they stood to their full heights.

  Leo crooked a finger at an attendant, stating loudly, “We’ll take this dog, ma’am.”

  “What are you going to name him?” Phila asked over my shoulder as we continued down a bustling street of Center. He reached around me, sticking his arm between Leo and me to pet the top of my new puppy’s head. “It has to be a masculine name. This scamp is going to be big.”

  Leo, non-too-chalantly, shoved Phila’s arm back. “My Soul will name him whatever she wants.”

  I stared down at my lovely pet, his eyes full of wonder as he took in the sites we passed by. My grin couldn’t be erased, his scrunched up face so loveable. I kissed the top of his head, the red fur tickling my lips. With a spring in my step, I stated, “I’m going to name him Sweet Pea.”

  As one, all of the men surrounding me stopped in their tracks. Including the guards.

  I stumbled to a stop a few feet in front of the group, turning back to see why they had stopped.

  They were all staring at me. These tough Mian, the leaders of this planet…had been thwarted by the cute name of my puppy. “What? He is a sweet pea.” I lifted him higher in my arms, bouncing him a bit, watching his large ears flop. “Look at him! He’s in love with the world! It’s adorable.”

  Leo cleared his throat, turning a wide gaze to the pup in my grasp. “Braita…when I meant you could choose any—”

  “And I did,” I stated stubbornly. “This is the end of this discussion. His name is Sweet Pea.”

  Phila started choking deep in his throat until he couldn’t contain it any longer. He threw his head of glistening, long white hair back and roared with laughter. Not even the glares Malik and Leo shot him stopped his hilarity. He just shook his head and stepped forward between Malik and Leo and then advanced toward me. Bending low, he placed his face right in front of Sweet Pea’s face. Lifting a hand to scratch behind Sweet Pea’s left ear, he purred. “A unique name…” his dark gaze lifted to mine, softening, as his voice did, “for a unique owner.”

  I gazed down at the Mian bending before me, my eyes gentle on his. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Braita.”

  A sound akin to a growl sounded. And not from Sweet Pea, either.

  It was coming from Malik’s direction.

  “Okay, that’s enough petting,” I whispered, stepping back.

  Phila’s voice was so quiet, I barely heard him—I was sure no one else did since there was no bloodshed being had. “That is not the petting I wish to do with you, Sweetness.”

  I swiftly turned my heating face away when I heard Jax shout, “Braita! Over here!”

  Jax stood in the doorway of the…Well, the sign said Lick Me Up Tavern.

  Now that Jax had accustomed himself
to the Mian lifestyle, it sounded just like his sort of bar.

  Especially since you only had to be sixteen-years-old to drink on Triaz.

  “Come on!” Jax held up a glass, silver alcho-brew sloshing over the side. “Live a little!”

  My brows furrowed as I glanced down at Sweet Pea, then back up. I hollered, “I can’t. I have a pet now!” I shrugged. “And, besides, I don’t drink.”

  Jax narrowed his gray eyes in a special look he only gave me when I was being a prudish bore.

  “Fine!” I stomped in his direction, the Plumas following behind with a much livelier step toward the bar. “But they better let Sweet Pea in.”

  Malik slammed down his sixth cup, just as empty as his others. He grinned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “You sure you don’t want a drink?”

  I lifted my water. “I have a drink, as I’ve said before.” I waved to all of the guards and the other Plumas sitting at our table, everyone joining in to have at least one alcho-brew. “Besides, you have enough drinking partners.”

  He pointed his empty at the bartender. “Another round, please.”

  Leo sipped on his second cup, his lips curving at his partner. “You are such a damn lush.”

  Malik pointed a finger at him, leaning a bit on the table with an elbow. “You just can’t hold your liquor as well as I can.” His black brows lifted as he leaned toward Leo on the other side of me, invading Sweet Pea’s and my space. “Just admit it.”

  Leo chuckled. “Never.”

  I rolled my eyes, staring across the table where Jax sat. The more Malik drank, the more flirtatious he became. And not only with me. If I had just seen him drink before, then he and Leo’s love for each other would have been obvious. My lips thinned as Leo reached up, right in front of my face, and pressed on Malik’s forehead, pushing him back into his seat. I glanced at Malik, agreeing with Leo. “You are a bit of a lush.”

  Malik politely took the cup the bartender handed him before peering back into my eyes. His grin was lopsided, making my heart pound harder. “I’m merely celebrating.” He bent his head and pressed his lips to my ear, kissing softly. “Our Soul has returned to us.”