Chapter 19
Trove
Watching Chee was a pleasure. She was so strong and proud and in control. Rinnicks was certainly powerful. Even if one didn’t include her near limitless wealth and resources, the interplay of muscles under her rich, green skin spoke of easy, casual strength.
She was a nerrit. Her species was a complete meritocracy.
The strongest, smartest, most talented people were the ones who led.
The top of their society was a bloodbath – sometimes literally – of people taking power in whatever way they could.
And though Rinnicks wasn’t on her home planet, she had clearly left it with that same mentality.
All of this, everything she had done, was a show of her power.
She stayed nude not out of some sense of perversion or anything sexual – it was a display.
She was demonstrating her own lack of shame, her pride in her well-maintained body, and was trying to throw them off.
The males moaning and rocking together were for the same, as was the bed, the dim room, the handsome males she employed to block the way to her.
Look at me, it all said. Look at all I can buy. Look at all I control. Witness it and be struck by your own inferiority.
It didn’t really affect Trove or the others.
They dealt with wealthy, eccentric people a lot in their line of work.
More than that, however, they simply didn’t care.
It was a display of power that Trove couldn’t be impressed by because he had seen Tanin display his power, and it was far more impressive than simpering males grinding for her pleasure.
No, it was all just a show, and not really a very good one. Trove was content to ignore it as Chee started her negotiations. Sorbet and Tebros were acting as security, he knew he could trust them to watch out for any problems against them all. He’d rather just watch out for Chee.
So, he did. Strangely proud as his mate refused to cow to this female who, objectively, was much more powerful than her. He was barely paying attention to the actual conversation.
Until Rinnicks looked directly at him-
“You must be Trove.”
Starting, he focused on the dark-haired female. She was smiling lazily, leaning back on one hand, heavy breasts on full display.
She was eyeing him up in a way that was very familiar.
But he just smiled. “I’m sorry. I usually remember a beautiful face, but I’m afraid that I don’t recognize you.”
“Oh, we haven’t met before.”
“Ah. I see. Then, how do you know me?”
Rinnicks chuckled, tongue pressing back on her teeth as, again, she let her gaze rake slowly up and down his body. Taking her time. Enjoying the sight of him to her full pleasure. Focusing, he couldn’t help but notice, on his fingers.
On his lack of claws.
The gleam of interest in her eyes was undeniable. A hunger that made his finger twitch. He knew what she was thinking. He knew what she wanted.
And it made him sick to his stomach.
“Your reputation proceeds you,” she finally said.
Trove couldn’t miss the way Chee’s shoulders tightened. He played dumb.
“I didn’t realize my reputation as a delivery male was so good.”
Rinnicks just laughed. “You’re adorable. I help provide some of the workers used in high end brothels. Or just helping clients find particular… interests. With full consent from both parties, of course. It’s all legal.”
“I’d never imagine otherwise,” Trove said, and was rather certain she wasn’t lying.
She wasn’t on her home planet anymore, and her business worked throughout the Coalition.
Which meant she was beholden to Coalition law.
And Coalition law against trafficking and slavery was harsh.
If the people she traded weren’t willing to go, Rinnicks would be at risk of losing a lot more than just her business or wealth.
No, he believed her when she said it was all consensual. Wealthy people paid for certain kinks, and she sought out the pleasure workers to fulfill those kinks. It was all business. But-
“I don’t really seek out the high-end brothels,” he said. “A bit too rich for my tastes.”
“Ah, but the workers don’t always stay at the same brothel. They move between businesses, searching out their specific clientele. And you’re famous,” she hummed eagerly, her belly clenching with undisguised desire. “All the females mention your name. Your skills. Your… generosity.”
“I’m sure the rumors are all exaggerated,” he smiled neutrally. “They always are.”
“I’d love to find out for myself.”
“Sorry?”
“I want you,” she grinned, tusks glinting white and deadly. “The moon and you, Trove, and you can take the cup.”
Chee was so stiff, she wasn’t even breathing anymore. Trove couldn’t see her face, not from where he stood just a step behind her. But he didn’t need to in order to know that her jaw was tight and she was hiding her hurt.
“I’m afraid I’m not for sale,” he said. “I certainly appreciate your interest, but I’m afraid I enjoy the life I’m living now.”
She scoffed. “As a delivery person?”
“I’m a simple kind of male.”
“You’d rather hard labor to the life of pleasure and leisure I could give you?”
As though they were just waiting for the cue, the two males behind her let out moans.
One was strangled and desperate, the other low and deep.
The farasie male was on top, his hips moving suggestively over the sheets.
The other male was facing him, but his legs were up and spread, offering his hole to the other.
They weren’t even being subtle about their fucking. And the way Rinnicks grinned promised similar if not better pleasures if he sold himself to her.
And he was sure that her toys were very well kept. They must have the best of everything. Whether they were just with her for a short time, or if she kept them long term, she doubtlessly made it worth their while to give her their time and devotion.
Trove could see how someone would be tempted into that kind of life. However-
“I appreciate the offer, but I really am happy with my job. I don’t want to leave my crew.”
Rinnicks groaned, sneering. “Sentimentality, again. It really does make fools of people.”
“Yet, it never fails to move them.”
“I suppose.” She hummed with a frown. She stared up at the ceiling for just a moment before leaning forward again, smile back in place. “I can’t change your mind?”
“I’m afraid not,” he smiled back.
“Fair enough. Alright. Here’s my second offer.
I don’t keep that cup here. It’s in my private vault off planet.
I’m going to have to have it fetched from its place in storage and brought here.
It should take more than enough time that the Crimson Moon ownership can be transferred to my ownership while it’s on its way.
“In the time it takes for that cup to arrive, be mine. You’ll be staying here until the cup arrives anyway, won’t you?
So, spend that time with me. Stay with me in my arms. They don’t have to be here if you’re not into males,” she waved her hand at the two fucking males behind her.
“I imagine you’re not since only the females speak of you.
Oh, but the things that they say. If half of it is true, you’re practically designed to please a female. ”
“You flatter me,” Trove said neutrally.
“I don’t flatter. I collect valuable things. And they say your skills are well worth it. Show me what those workers whisper about. Please me. I’ll even pay for the rest of your crew to stay in the city while you’re with me. See? I’m a generous person myself, aren’t I?”
Chee still wasn’t moving. Tanin, however, was giving him a look. Though his expression was stoic as ever, the unspoken words were clear to Trove. He was telling Trove not to agree to such a thing without talking to him first.
Trove had no intention of telling her yes. However, in order to discuss it with his captain first, he inclined his head to Rinnicks.
“Thank you for your offer. May I think on it?”
Rinnicks waved her hand at him, grinning like she knew full well that she was going to get her way eventually.
“Go ahead. But don’t leave me waiting for long.
It’s been a long time since someone left me breathless and shaking.
I’m eager for it. Of course, I’ll give to you in return as well.
My darlings can tell you how good I make them feel. ”
The fucking males, definitely responding to her cue, moaned together, their hips moving with more frantic energy.
“I’m sure,” Trove said. “I won’t leave you waiting long.”
Finished with them, Rinnicks waved them off, even as she was turning around, paying attention to her toys. She chuckled as she crawled back into her bed. Both of them looked up and reached for her at the same moment, their faces glazed with pleasure and joy.
And that was also part of the show. Look how much they were enjoying themselves. Look what he could have if he gave himself over to her. Even temporarily.
Effectively dismissed, the five of them turned to leave.
And Chee very deliberately did not look at him as she walked ahead. She put more force and speed into her steps, leading the way from the office, back out into the entry room and to the waiting lift where the silver furred male was already waiting.
“Feel free to make your appointment whenever you’re ready,” he said calmly as the doors opened, showing that he had been listening to the conversation.
Trove caught up to Chee just as she stepped into the lift, but she was very deliberately not looking at him.
Her face was red; her jaw was tight. She looked quite angry.
Trove said nothing, none of them did, as they stepped inside. The ride down to the lobby was quiet and tense. Trove kept trying to catch Chee’s eye, but she absolutely refused to look at him. She wasn’t even being subtle about her refusal to meet his gaze.
They all maintained their silence, however. They weren’t going to start talking until they knew that Rinnicks wasn’t able to overhear. Not until they had returned to the hotel and, by Tanin’s direction, went to his room.
Garnet wasn’t inside. She and the others had gone out to enjoy the day. So, it was still just the five of them as the twins shut the door and sealed them inside.
Yet, still, Chee wasn’t looking at him. She walked right to the window and looked out over the city as Tanin took a seat in a chair in the corner.
“She’s excessive,” the captain said dully.
“She’s just putting herself on display,” Trove shrugged.
“I noticed,” Tanin grunted as the twins snickered darkly.
“Not literally. Although,” Trove made a face, “Yes, I guess literally too. No, what I mean is that she was showing off. Her wealth and power. She was making a display. And I don’t know if it was to us or, more likely…”
“To Hyde,” Tanin finished. “Yes. He was likely the one she’d be showing off to. Any client that has the potential of expanding her wealth is someone she would want to impress or intimidate. Even if only through his proxy.”
“I was not impressed or intimidated,” Chee assured them, refusing to look back. She had her arms crossed over her chest, holding onto her elbows. But it looked more like she was holding herself rather than expressing her displeasure.
“Nor should you have been,” Tanin said simply.
“She is a nerrit. Her people seek out challenge and hardship. They think it proves their strength and gives them more influence and power in their society. But she’s made her base of operations here on Heava Yu – a peaceful, non-violent, notoriously relaxed and unbothered planet”
Trove grinned. “You think she’s compensating for her lack of influence and power on her home planet by using her wealth to buy those things off planet?”
“The uber wealthy are all the same,” Tanin said, bored and, like Chee, unimpressed. “They buy what they can’t get on their own and claim to have obtained it legitimately. I suppose it’s one way to do it.”
“The cheapest way, ironically,” Trove snickered.
Tanin inclined his head in agreement before looking at Chee’s back. “What is the Crimson Moon?”
“I don’t know,” she said, still without turning. “Hyde just told me that it’s got a lot of resources on it and that she really wants it. It wasn’t available for sale before, so she hasn’t been able to buy it.”
“Why did the previous owner not want to sell?”
“It doesn’t have a previous owner. It was the moon for a planet marked by the Coalition for resource farming.
They were going to sell both in pieces for companies to claim individual plots of land.
But it was still going through some bureaucratic something or other and none was for sale yet.
The entire moon as a whole certainly wasn’t for sale.
Hyde, I guess, pulled some strings and got her the entire moon anyway. ”
“Can’t wait to see this cup,” Sorbet said as Tebros grunted in agreement.
“She wants more though,” Tanin said, looking at Trove.
But Trove was keeping his eyes on Chee. He couldn’t miss the way she stiffened again at the mention of Rinnicks’ counteroffer.
“Trove,” Tanin started, pulling his attention back. “I make it a point not to interfere in your personal lives. I don’t really care what you do so long as you follow my orders and do your job properly. You could live in the brothels for all I care.”
“He doesn’t already?” Sorbet sneered, earning a cutting look from Trove.
“But what,” Tanin started, almost sounding annoyed, “are you doing at these places that these females talk about you this much?”
Trove shrugged. “Nothing that impressive. I’m just nice to them.”
“Lies,” Sorbet said.
“I get what I want from them, and I pay them and I move on,” Trove assured them. “Same as any other client. It’s really not worth all this.”
Chee was shaking by the window, and he realized probably entirely too late that she did not want to hear this. Before he could change the subject, however, Tanin asked-
“So, are you going to do it?”
“Huh?”
“Accept her offer, I mean. To let her keep you until we get the cup.”
“Ah… That’s not…”
Chee finally whipped around, and he didn't know if it was better or worse that her face was bright red but her eyes were dry.
“Don’t hesitate on my account,” She snapped, angry. “It’s a great deal for you. Instead of paying for sex, you get to be paid for it. Isn’t that fantastic?”
Before Trove had a chance to respond, she was shoving her way past them and out into the hall.
“She didn't like that,” he said dumbly.
“You think?” Tanin asked, raising a brow. “But you won’t claim her, so you don’t care, right?”
“That’s not true,” Trove frowned. “I don’t want to hurt Chee. And I don’t want to stay with Rinnicks.”
“Then, maybe you should have said that.”
Tanin’s calm statement made him flinch.
He couldn’t do this, he realized. He couldn’t keep living like this. He had to do something…