Dangerously Mine by A.M. Griffin Page A

said, satisfied with the decision.
    “Well, good luck with that. Be prepared for every female species in the surrounding galaxies to come running here in hopes of mating with one of the richest males.”
    “I’m not opening my doors to just anyone.” Taio shook his head. “I want to extend invitations only to those who I know can help bring prosperity to Sonis.”
    “Which females do you have in mind?”
    “I have a few in mind. But I need help finding enough to choose from.”
    Rasha raised his eyebrow.
    “I’m going to ask my mother for help.”
    “This ought to be really good.” Rasha choked out a laugh.
    His mother was known for her wildly extravagant parties. Any good news, or the possibility of good news, was a reason to throw a party.
    Taio’s eyes wandered again to where Eva sat. He was having a hard time keeping his eyes off her. The thought of bonding with someone else was not sitting right with him and he would never release her to another male.
    As if she could feel him watching her, Eva turned around and met his eyes. He wanted her, here and now. His cock throbbed and hardened between his thighs. Eva playfully licked her lips. She was ready for him. She was always ready.
    His cock twitched in response. Without a word to his friend, he rose, walked through the dancers, sending them scattering out of his path, picked Eva off the pillows and slung her over his shoulder.
    “Remind me to tell you about cavemen sometime.” She giggled.
    * * * * *
     
    Screams. She covered her ears but couldn’t keep the screams from filtering through. Her eyes scanned the panicked crowd. Everyone scattered and cowered, hiding in the smallest of places while the Loconuist stomped their way through the makeshift tent city.
    If the Loconuist were in the belly of the spacecraft, it meant one thing, trouble. Her heart picked up speed. It was another “taking”. The monstrous lizards stopped only to grab humans, picking them out indiscriminately. Men, women and children, it didn’t matter.
    Her eyes darted through the frenzy. Where was Allysan? “Ally!” she yelled. Eva pushed through the crowd. “Ally!”
    The Loconuist were coming her way. She dropped to a low crouch as everyone else panicked and pushed around her. Through the sea of legs, she spotted a wide-eyed Ally staring back at her.
    Eva held Ally’s stare, willing her to be quiet and patient. They needed to stay unnoticed. Fear was written all across her friend’s face. Ally flicked her eyes upward before her crazed eyes came back to Eva’s. Ally opened her mouth to scream.
    Eva shook her head. “No,” she mouthed.
    Time stood still. The air grew thick and hot. She forced air through her lungs and out. A hot drop of liquid landed on her forehead and rolled steadily down to her eyebrow.
    She lifted her hand to catch the drop before it hit her eye. Scooping the glob away, she brought her hand to eye level. Slime coated her fingers.
    No. Her eyes filled with tears. It was time. She didn’t need to look up to see what stood over her, waiting.
    Searing pain tore through her shoulder as large claws dug through the skin and gripped the bone. No! No! No!
    * * * * *
     
     
    “Eva!” She opened her eyes. Taio’s face was inches from hers. “Wake up, little one. You are having a nightmare.”
    She pushed herself up to a sitting position. Wetness dripped from her forehead. She wiped it away and looked at her hand. Sweat, not slime.
    “I’m okay.” She scanned the room, taking in her surroundings. She wasn’t on the Loconuist spacecraft. The Loconuist weren’t here. She was safe. But Ally…
    She covered her hands with her face. She’d lost Ally. Taio pulled her closer to him.
    “What were you dreaming about?”
    “Them.” She didn’t want to say their name anymore.
    “You are safe here.”
    “I am, but Ally…I lost her.” The tears rolled easily down her cheek. She punched at the pillow. “Damn it! I need to find her. I have to find her. She’s out