Free His Fire Maiden by Michelle M. Pillow Page A

memo.
    “Obey your captain.” Dev didn’t want to hurt the man, but he would.
    Gil’s wings flapped, slamming Dev against a wall before lowering him against the sharp edge of a crate. Dev growled as the pain racked over his already sore muscles. Angrily, he reached for the base of a large wing and pulled hard. He heard a loud snap as he broke the appendage. Gil cried out. Dev let go of him as they both plummeted to the hard floor.
    He listened for the gun hitting the ground, intent to dive after it. Metal slid against the grated floor. When he landed, he rolled toward the sound. As he came full circle, his forehead pressed into the pointed barrel of a laser.
    “That’s enough,” Violette said, her tone stern. “This is my ship, and I will have order.”
    “I’ll kill you,” Gil yelled. “My wing, you demon spawn, you broke my blasted wing!”
    “Stow it,” Violette ordered. “Or I’ll break the other one.”
    Dev didn’t move as he looked up at her. The barrel slid to the bridge of his nose, pressing hard. The captain held a gun on Gil as well. Her hand was steady, lethal. The weapon was an extension of her, and he had no doubt she could use it if called upon.
    Violette’s eyes turned toward him. “I warned you what would happen if you misbehaved. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t eject you from this ship into the black?”
    “He attacked me,” Dev stated simply. “By the injector he was carrying, I’d say you found your insubordinate.”
    Violette’s hand dropped as she stepped back. He was sure the weapon would rise at a moment’s notice. “You have no fear of death, do you? I can see it in your eyes.”
    “Captain,” Gil said. “My wing. He broke my wing.”
    Violette made her way to the discarded injector on the floor. “You should have considered such outcomes before you brought him on the ship.”
    “I told you the Bevlon was mine. You didn’t protest,” Gil held tight to his wing as if he was too frightened to move the appendage.
    “And that is why I didn’t shoot either one of you just now.” Violette eyed the injector. “Is this lethal or sedative?”
    “How could you ask that? What fun would it be to kill a Bevlon in a box?” Gil spat, glaring at Dev.
    “By the looks of your broken wing, Angelion, it would have been the wisest decision,” Dev answered, just as angrily.
    “How dare—” Gil began, trying to surge to his feet.
    Violette grabbed him roughly by the arm and plunged the injector into his flesh. He blinked, dazed before passing out onto the floor.
    “I could have handled him,” Dev protested at her interference.
    “This is my ship, and he is my crewman. You’ll not be handling anyone.” Violette made a move to adjust Gil’s wing. She examined the wound. There wasn’t a lot of blood, but the support shaft was in two pieces. “This will have to heal naturally. Medical units don’t repair broken wings.”
    “I am aware,” Dev answered. He didn’t move. His eyes followed the stroking of her hand, oddly aroused by the delicate actions of her fingers, yet jealous of the way she touched the other man. He studied her hands, her wrist, the subtle shift of muscles in her forearm, mesmerized by the movement. For a moment, he let his guard down. A rush of sensations overwhelmed him, and he quickly hardened himself.
    Violette struggled to lift Gil but didn’t ask for his help. She managed well enough under the dead weight of her burden. Dev sighed, leaned forward to edge her out of the way as he pulled the Angelion onto his shoulder. Violette looked surprised, but she didn’t speak as she motioned him to follow her from the cargo hold.
     

     
Chapter 10
     
     
    V iolette ordered Gil sedated for much longer than was medically necessary. Regardless, Isaac followed her command without question. She had a feeling Isaac would enjoy nursing the unconscious man. Nothing inappropriate would happen, but for Isaac, it would be a fantasy come true to have Gil under his