Free Theron Destiny (Brides of Theron) by Rebecca Lorino Pond Page A

agreed to get everything I wanted. Now get my cat. Take down the carrier and open the door. Then take your hand slowly and grab Books behind his neck. The scruff is the loose skin on the back of a cat’s neck that you can grab and pick them up with without hurting them.”
    Zeb gave the animal a last glance then went and retrieved the red case she had told him to put the thing in. Sitting it on the table by the window, he approached the hissing thing again and contemplated how in the hell he was going to grab it. Luck would have it though, as another feathered animal landed on the outside of the window and drew the attention of his new friend. As quickly and quietly as he could, he reached for the skin behind the thing’s neck and picked it up. It started hissing and thrashing around in his hand so he had to try and catch the rear legs so that it wouldn’t hurt itself while he put it into the carrier.
    Both Avery and Brylon were laughing at the scene unfolding before them when the door to the transportation room slid open and in walked Lars.
    Lars stood at the door with a smirk on his face, “Well, well, well, what do we have here? Having a little get together in here are we? Shall I join in on the fun?”
    Avery’s face paled when she saw Lars approaching them. She took a step behind Brylon so that she had someone else between her and Lars.
    “What do you want Lars?” Brylon stopped laughing and killed the visual screen so that Lars would not see Zeb.
    Lars continued to edge closer to them, “I would like to join in the party. What’s that saying? The more the merrier?”  Directing his gaze to the ship’s engineer he mocked, “You going to share Brylon? You know I didn’t get what I wanted at the auction but it looks as if you got something extra besides your little earth female.”
    Avery continued to back up as Lars continued to come closer. Her heart was pounding and she had started to sweat cold. The man had nothing but evil written all over his face. His one remaining eye kept returning to her as he slowly made his way over to the control panel.
    Brylon knew how dangerous Lars was and would go to any lengths to protect his best friend’s woman. He knew his best hope was to bring Zeb back.  Then when the coast was clear, he could bring up Avery’s belongings. Zeb would be able to handle Lars far better than he would be able to. If Lars feared anyone on the ship it was Zeb.
    Lars was too busy watching Avery and didn’t see Zeb appear just feet away from him until Zeb put his hand on his shoulder, “You just might want to leave MY female alone.”
    Lars whipped around and was shocked to see that Zeb was now in the room with them. His opportunity to get the female was gone for the moment.
    “Commander, I believe your female here isn’t satisfied with her current arrangement with you since I caught her hanging all over Brylon there just a moment ago. Maybe she would like to come and stay with me for a while?”
    Outraged at Lars accusation, Avery started forward but was stopped when Brylon grabbed her hand, “I was doing no such thing, you lair.”
    “Lars, I would advise you to leave right now before I do something I will regret.” Zeb was now face to face with his subordinate.
    “Touchy aren’t we, Commander? I was just offering my services to the earthling.”
    “She is not in need of your services now or ever.” Zeb was getting angrier by the second and he was struggling to contain it. He needed to get him to leave before he got himself into trouble.  Besides, what good would he be to Avery if he summoned to the council and charged for misconduct?
    Making a dramatic leave, Lars stood at attention and saluted his commander then as he left the room he said, “See you around earthling.” The door closed behind him.
    Avery sank to the floor like a ragdoll. Relief coursed through her veins as the fear left her. Taking deep breaths to stop her hands from shaking, she felt rather than saw Zeb