Free DangerouslyForever by A.M. Griffin Page A

age.”
    “And you believe her?” Kiehle murmured. She would probably
lie if she thought she’d get in trouble with Alharad.
    Thesan took a deep breath. “I have to for the time being.
But it seems she’s reciting what she’s been told to say.”
    Right. Kiehle narrowed his eyes. He’d still pass this
information to Taio. It seemed as though this brothel needed another raid by
the Galactic Council.
    “I know,” Thesan said, as if reading his mind. “She’s come
to get us for dinner.”
    “Let’s not keep Alharad waiting.”
    After donning his boots, he and Thesan followed behind Yoshi
as she led them through the halls and to double doors where two Quolds were on
guard.
    “These are Alharad’s guests for the evening,” Yoshi said.
    While one of the guards opened the doors for them, the other
waved them through to Alharad’s personal quarters.
    More servants moved about at a fast pace, no one acknowledging
their presence. Yoshi led them into a spacious room. The first thing that
caught Kiehle off guard was the smell—flowers. The scent overpowered him. His
nose tickled as the odor seemed to stick to the inside of his nostrils.
    “Whoa,” Thesan said, putting his hand on his nose.
    Glittery objects were placed around the room, some on
pedestals and others attached to the walls. Kiehle wondered how the walls
didn’t collapse from the weight of all the mirrors displayed.
    “There you are! My esteemed guests.”
    Alharad Nijiaira. Kiehle bit back a growl.
    Alharad was reclining on a multitude of pillows. Well…he was
either reclining or being held up by his back fat. Either way, he was
disgusting to look at. His pale skin looked oily and slippery.
    It didn’t seem possible that Alharad could have as much skin
as he did. It rolled and folded against itself. Though he obviously didn’t
think there was anything wrong with his girth. He displayed his body under a
see-through tunic, as if it were something to behold.
    “Join me,” Alharad exclaimed as he motioned to the trough of
food between his outstretched legs.
    Kiehle strode deeper into the room with Thesan at his side.
“Thank you for inviting us to dinner,” he said once he’d reached an available
cushion. He lowered himself as Thesan took a seat across from him.
    “I was very surprised to learn that you wanted to spend your
vacation in my humble compound,” Alharad began. He picked up a leg of
unrecognizable meat and bit into it, grease slipping down his lips and onto his
chin. Kiehle wanted to vomit. Yoshi, using a napkin, wiped it away before it
could drip onto his clothes. “That’s my good pet,” Alharad said, patting the
top of her head.
    He could feel Thesan’s temper rising. If Kiehle had known
Alharad was keeping children in this compound, he would’ve thought twice about
bringing Thesan with him. His friend had spent his childhood years as an
indentured servant. Watching Yoshi was likely bringing back horrible memories.
    “I had business to attend to here and the journey back home
is long. I thought it would be nice to have fun before spending a grueling
month on a vessel. When I asked around about the best brothel in the sector,
your name kept coming up.” Kiehle shrugged. “The choice was obvious.”
    Alharad laughed, showing a mouthful of small, pointy teeth.
His rolls of flesh shook uncontrollably. Kiehle swallowed down the bile that
had risen to the back of his throat.
    “I have spared no expense to offer my esteemed guests a
variety of tastes. My females are beautiful and exotic. They will work hard to
please you.”
    Kiehle bowed his head, making sure to keep his face from
showing what he really thought of Alharad. “I’m sure they will.” He picked up a
piece of fruit and nibbled on it, trying to kill the bad taste in his mouth.
Thesan didn’t eat anything. He kept his glaring eyes on their host.
    Alharad noticed as well.
    “It’s not often that I feel vulnerable in my own home.
Should I place one of my guards